Incarnations of Javzandamba
1. Lodoi-shindu-namdak — One of the
Buddha’s original disciples
2. Barbizobo — head of the 500 pundits who dwelt at Nalanda
Monastery in India, during the time of the Indian sage Nagarjuna
(probably in the first century A.D.. ).
3. Narbujobdo — Born in India, biographical data lacking
4. Radanchenbo — Born in India, biographical data lacking
5. Ronsomchoisan — First incarnation to appear in Tibet, during
the lifetime of the Bengal-born sage Atisha (982-1054 AD)
6. Dambabanchug — Born in Tibet, biographical data lacking
7. Odserbal — Born in Tibet, biographical data lacking
8. Brugdajantsan — Born in Tibet, biographical data lacking
9. Sanjairaichen — Born in Tibet, biographical data lacking
10. Samgabadra — Born in Tibet, biographical data lacking
11. Jamyan Tsorj —Tashi Pelden in Tibetan; born in Tibet near Samye
Monastery, A close disciple of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug sect,
he established Drepung Monastery in 1416 and more than one hundred other
monasteries and hermitages all over Tibet.
12. Choijininjed — Born in Ceylon during the latter part of the
life of the First Dalai Lama, Gendun Drubpa (1391-1474)
13. Gungaadolchog — Born in the Tibetan province of “Nari”
(Ngari?) during the time of the Second Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso (1475-1542)
14. Gajedsajon — Born in India, the son of a Indian king. Died at
the age of fourteen
15. Jonanjavzandaranata — Taranatha (1575–1634), member of
the Jonang sect, founder of Puntsokling Monastery in Tibet; prolific author
whose works include History of Buddhism in India and Origins of Tara Tantra;
died in Mongolia in 1634.
Eight Bogd Gegens of Mongolia
Image of Zanabazar in the Zanabazar Art Museum, Ulaan Baatar
16. (1) Zanabazar (1635-1723)
17. (2) Lusandanbidonme (1724–1757) Born in Mongolia, son of Dondub,
himself the son of Zanabazar’s nephew.
18. (3) Ishüvdennyam (1758–1773) Born in Tibet
19. (4) Luvsanbanchujigmedjamts (1775–1813) Born in Tibet ,cousin
of the 7th Dalai Lama
20. (5) Luvsantsültemjigmeddorj — (1815–1842) Born in
Tibet
21. (6) Luvsanbaldanbijantsan — (1842–1847?) Born in Tibet,
died a young boy of small pox.
22. (7) Choijibanchugprinleijamts (1850–1868) Born in Tibet
Portrait of the 8th Bogd Gegen in the Zanabazar Art Museum, Ulaan Baatar
23. (8) Luvsanchoijinimadanzinbanchug (1870–1924). Born in Tibet.
Current Incarnation of Javzandamba
24. Jambalnamdolchoijijantsan — Jampal Namdrol Chokye Gyaltsen, born in Tibet, apparently in the late 1920s. Recognized as the ninth incarnation of Javzandamba by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1991. Currently lives in India.
Since there were only fifteen incarnations of Javzandamba between the
time of Buddha, generally recognized as about 2500 years ago, and the
birth of Zanabazar, the first Bogd Gegen, in 1635, and given the average
life span of human beings, there would appear to be long periods of time
when there was no living representative of the line, and that it was in
effect dormant. This is not precisely the case however. As learned lamas
explained to the Russian ethnologist A, M. Podzneev in the 1890s, “during
the rest of the time he [Javzandamba] was reborn in diverse parts of the
universe with the purpose of benefit not only to people but to beings
of other worlds; these reincarnations of him are unknown to anyone beside
the Gegeen himself, and that is why there are no legends about them whatsoever.”
According to Mongolian tradition, the last incarnation of Javzandamba will be reborn as General Hanuman, head of the armies of Raudra Chakra, the 25th Kalki King of Shambhala, who will initiate the final battle against the enemies of Buddhism. Whether this struggle will take place on the earthly plane or in some other realm is at this time unclear.
General Hanuman, shown on a Shambhala thankga. It should be noted that some Tibetan sources identify this fiqure as Raudra Chakra, the 25th Kalki King of Shambhala. In the Mongolian tradition the fiqure is often identified as General Hanuman., the last incarnation of Javzandamba.