Chagme Raga Asey was the First Chagme Rinpoche. His coming was prophesied by Guru Padmasambhava in many terma texts.

The Great Tertön Ratna Lingpa prophesied: In the place of Ngom a being called Raga Asey will be born. He is the manifestation of Chenrezi (Avaloketeshvara). There will be thirteen reincarnation of this great being. Whoever sees him will be liberated in the blissful Buddhafield.

Namchö Migyur Dorje Prophesied: In the vast expanse of the Immeasurable Light Buddha Amitabha, appears the complete sunlike Avaloketeshvara illuminating rays from the heart of Padmasambhava, is Karma Chagme. He will appear in Ngom, dispelling ignorance of all sentient beings. His emanation Pema Chukye is in the Amitabha Buddhafield; His emanation Dro La Sek is in the Medicine Buddhafield; His emanation Maja Drenpei Gyaltsen is in the Ngayabling; All his emanations appear for the benefit of sentient beings.

As clearly prophesied, Karma Chagme is the embodiment of the Three Kayas who are Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava. There are many other precise prophecies about him. His incarnations all will have a naturally arisen "Ah" syllable on the skull forehead.

In 1603, Karma Chagme Raga Asey the First was born in a village called Ngom. His father was Anu Pema Wang of the Dong Khachopa tribe, a descendant of the Great Dharma King Trisong Detsen. His mother was Chokyong Kyee.

At the age of five, Karma Chagme recognized the true nature of mind and perfected the Generation Stage (formal practice and deity meditation). During his ninth year, Karma Chagme went to Zadam. There he mastered all the philosophies and quintessential teachings, thus becoming one of the greatest masters.

From his root guru Gharwang Chokyi Wangchuk and other greatest masters, Karma Chagme he received Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings. He stayed thereafter at his main seat in Neydo Dharmapalas served him as their master.

Karma Chagme had the signs of high accomplishments, clairvoyance and power. His level of understanding is the tasteness stage of the Four stages of accomplishment. Through his empowerments, teachings and writings many realized their true nature. He subdued many spirits, gods and humans. Thus having many qualities, he remained a great Siddha. The Neydo Kagyu Lineage descended from him.

Karma Chagme had five root sons (main disciples) who were the Terton Namchö Migyur Dorje, the founder of Palyul Monastery (Kunzang Sherab), Dzogchen Pema Rigzin, Goche Orgyen Tharchin, and Neyndo Dechen Rinpoche. He had many other great disciples as well.

His teachings spread all over Eastern Tibet. His writings comprised of seventy-seven volumes of Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings from his mind treasure. All his teachings were written after having a vision of Guru Rinpoche during his strict twelve-year retreat. Having been given the permission from the deities he gave teachings which were very lucid, effective and full of blessings.

After promoting the Dharma and liberating immeasurable sentient beings, he passed into Mahaparinirvana at the age of 69. After the cremation of his body, many relics and self-emerging images of deities were found. On his skull was the naturally embossed letter 'Ah'. 

The second Karma Chagme was Trinley Wangjung. The third Karma Chagme was Trinley Tenzin. The fourth Karma Chagme was Tenzin Trinley.

The fifth Karma Chagme was Sangnag Tenzin. Tertön Chogyur Lingpa and the 15th Karmapa Khakhyab Dorje simultaneously honored him with a very special hat called the Pema Thongdrol, which brings liberation through seeing. The sixth Karma Chagme was Tsultrim Namgyal. All of these incarnations have promulgated the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings.

The seventh Karma Chagme is Avaloketeshvara in reality, in flesh. He was born to the Gehmotsang family in 1926, in the Lhathog village of eastern Tibet with many miraculous signs.

The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa recognized him as the unmistakable incarnation of Khedrub Karma Chagme, bestowing the name Karma Tenzin Trinley Kunkhyab Pal Zangpo. He was enthroned at his main seat Neyndo Tashi Choling Monastery. He studied all the Sutra and Tantra teachings with his tutor Neyndo Sangye Rinpoche. He received empowerments, Oral transmissions, Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings.

After practicing these teachings and perfecting his accomplishments, Rinpoche has given many empowerments and teachings according to the capabilities of his disciples. He has also benefited many beings through his blessings and practice of traditional medicine.

One early morning in 1945, five children carrying five brocade bags appeared to Chagme Rinpoche. One child took out a scroll of writings on banana leaves and gave it to him. On it was written, "From Eastern Tibet we want to invite five Lamas and you are one of them. It is time to go to India. The situation has changed and there will be many difficulties. Do not be attached to your home."

From then on there were always signs and prophecies indicating he should leave Tibet. One day he had a vision of Guru Padmasambhava in the Wrathful form saying, " You are now late but if you leave within a week, you will face many obstacles, but you will be able to leave Tibet."

Secretly, Rinpoche and some of his attendants traveled day and night towards Sho Ta Lho Sum where they stayed for about three months. At that time the Chinese army caught Rinpoche and put him in chains. When they army tried taking him away there was a big explosion. Rinpoche was seen flying in the sky while his outer robes and chains remained on the ground. Similarly many other miraculous incidents occurred while he was fleeing from Tibet, allowing his safe arrival in India.

In 1984 Rinpoche visited his seat Tashi Choling Monastery in Tibet for the first time since the Chinese occupation and stayed there for two years. Rinpoche then made several trips to his monastery in later years. Rinpoche has restored some parts of the monastery that was completely demolished during the Chinese occupation.

Rinpoche gives empowerments and expounded teachings according to the capabilities of the people present. Rinpoche helps many sick people who suffer from ailments through traditional healing practices. Thus living as a secret yogi he works tirelessly for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This short life story of the Peerless master Khedrub Karma Chagme was written by Khentrul, the incarnation of Karma Khenchen Rinpoche. Sarva Mangalam.