This year marks the 800th anniversary of the fifth throne-holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage, Chung Dorje Drakpa (1210-1278). Dorje Drakpa left his native Kham at the age of six to join his uncle Jigten Sumgön at Drikung Thil. He took the novice vows from Jigten Sumgön and received the name Dorje Drakpa. He was also known as Chung Rinpoche. Jigten Sumgön announced publicly that Dorje Drakpa was the reincarnation of the mahāsiddha Tilopa.

After Jigten Sumgön passed away in 1217, Dorje Drakpa’s older brother, On Sönam Drakpa, the third throne-holder (1187-1235), took care of him and transmitted teachings to him. Dorje Drakpa also received teachings from the fourth throne-holder, Chenga Drakpa Jungne (1175-1255) and other teachers. At the age of 21, he went into solitary retreat for 13 years and did not interrupt the retreat even when his brother On Sönam Drakpa passed away in 1235.

In 1243 the fourth throne-holder Drakpa Jungne announced his intentions to abdicate the throne as he was discouraged by the continuous intrigues of some lay-administrators together with some monks at Drikung. Only in order to intervene in this did Chung Rinpoche break his retreat to urge Drakpa Jungne to remain as throne-holder. Drakpa Jungne agreed and remained as throne-holder until his death twelve years later.

Chung Dorje Drakpa ascended to the throne in 1255 during a politically strained time in Tibetan history. Kunga Gyaltsen, later known as Sakya Pandita (1182–1251), had concluded a pact with the powerful Mongols in which Tibet accepted Mongolian suzerainty and agreed to pay tribute. Many Tibetan noblemen resisted the demands for tribute. Mongolian troops put down their rebellion with a bloody and crushing defeat in 1251. Thereafter Kunga Gyaltsen’s nephew and successor, Phagpa Lodrö (1235–1280), became the spiritual teacher of the Great Khan of the Mongols in 1259. Phagpa Lodrö was in a competition with the Second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1204–1283), for influence among the Mongols, and he emerged as winner in this spiritual competition. In 1275, Khubilai Khan gave Phagpa Lodrö the provinces of Ü and Tsang, as well as Kham and Amdo as feudal fiefdoms which eventually stirred resistance among the Tibetan aristocracy, especially in the provinces that were closely connected with the Drikung Kagy, Phagdru Kagyu and Karma Kagyu.

Drikung had risen to great power by this time. Chung Dorje Drakpa had a deep connection with the Second Karmapa and he made ties with the powerful Mongol leader Hülägü (ca. 1217–1265), who declared himself the protector of Drikung. Hülägü dispatched a small Mongolian unit to the Drikung region for their safety and security and thus positioned himself in Tibet.

During the rule of Chung Dorje Drakpa great numbers of monks were streaming to the Drikung monasteries and compilations of the Kangyur and Tangyur were made at Drikung. Dorje Drakpa taught The Five-fold Profound Path of MahāmudrāThe Six Yogas of Nāropa in accordance with the Drikung Kagyu tradition. He would send his disciples who had chosen the path of yogis to the famous retreat places such as Mount Kailash, Lapchi and Tsari. In 1270 Chung Rinpoche himself went on a pilgrimage to Tsari and to Mount Kailash and he also visited the monastery of Gampopa.

In 1277, at the age of 67, Chung Rinpoche completely withdrew from worldly affairs and went into retreat. In the following year, he departed for the pure Buddha-realms.