The eighth Tai Situ Rinpoche

Choki Jungne (1699 o 1700 – 1774)

The Eighth Situ incarnation, Chokyi Jungney, otherwise known as the Situ Panchen, was born in Derge, Kham, in the Earth Hare year.At the age of eight years he was recognized according to predictions left by Karmapa Mikyo Dorje, by Terton Sangye Lingpa, Takshampa Mingyur Dorje and by the eighth Shamar Chokyi Dondrup.

He studied and received the full transmissions from the 8th Shamar Chökyi Dhöndrup and the Twelfth Karmapa Changchup Dorje.

On the seventh day of the third month In the female fire sheep year (1727), he founded the great Palpung monastery near Derge in Eastern Tibet.

He also studied extensively with many other teachers such as Rikdzin Tsewang Norbu. Chökyi Jungney went to see the Karmapa and Shamar Chökyi Dhöndrup when they were on the journey to China sometime around 1735. He was one of the most renowned scholars and meditation masters of Tibet. One of his major activities was editing and seeing to the printing of the woodblock editions of the Kagyur and Tengyur project of the King of Derge. This production is now well-known around the world as the Derge edition, which is considered as one of the best original prints of these central texts of the Tibetan tradition. The activities of Situ Panchen flourished widely and he restored or established monasteries, retreats, and study centers all over Tibet and Jang.

It is said that his limitless activities were equal to those of Nagajuna's in India. It was also a common saying at the time; that if all of the other Kagyu monasteries came together, their activity wouldn't be equal to that of Situ Chokyi Jungne.

He found and recognized the 13th Karmapa Dudul Dorje and new Shamarpa, and imparted the complete linage to them. His foremost disciples were the thirteenth Karmapa, the tenth Shamar Tulku, Drukchen Trinley Shingta, Drigung Chokyi Gyalwa, Pawo Tsuklak Gyalwa, Drubtop Choje Gyal, Khamtrul Chokyi Nyima, and Lotsawa Tsewang Kunchab.

While meditating in the lotus posture of a Buddha he passed away and it was observed that his heart-region retained heat for seven days and there was a strong smell of incense everywhere.