Was born in the Golok region in the far northeast of Tibet.

Was recognized and enthroned by Shamar Chokyi Wangchuk, from whom he received the full Kagyu transmission.

Was forced to leave Tibet owing to Mongol armies' attack much of the Tibet and traveled to what is today northern Yunnan, Burma, and Nepal.

Some twenty years passed before he could return to his homeland. He recognized the next incarnations of Shamar Yeshe Nyingpo, Goshir Gyaltsap, and Pawo Rinpoche and gave transmissions of the Kagyu teachings.

Choying Dorje passed into parinirvana at the age of seventy-one, leaving instructions and a prediction letter.

By this time, the political landscape in Tibet had changed for good. The fifth Dalai Lama had become the official ruler of Tibet and this position would continue to be filled by his successive incarnations.