The Jamgon Kongtruls 
A Brief Biography by Ven. Bokhar Rinpoche, page 5

Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche then studied a great number of texts, both in general and specifically, with Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a great scholar and holder of the Vinaya. His further studies also included all the tantras of Marpa's tradition, especially those of the Karma Kamtsang, and the lama dances, preparation of mandalas, chanting and musical instruments pertaining to the practices of Padmasambhava, Vajrakilaya, and others. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche received from Khyabje Kalu Rinpoche, master siddha and the activity emanation of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, teachings ranging from the Mahamudra Preliminary Practices of the Kamtsang tradition up to empowerments, reading transmissions, and explanations for Gyalwa Gyamtso, Demchok, Dorje Pagmo, and especially, the Six Yogas of Naropa, Mahamudra, The Five Golden Teachings of the Shangpa Kagyu, the great empowerments of Kalachakra and Rinchen Terdzö, and at different times, countless other teachings of the new and old traditions.

At the age of twenty, on the fifteenth day of the first month (the month of miracles) in the female water ox year, he received full gelong ordination at the Dharma Chakra Centre from His Holiness the XVIth Gyalwang Karmapa, who acted as the khenpo (abbot) for the occasion, since he is a master of the qualities of discipline and learning, well-versed in the pitakas, the second Shakyamuni of this generate time, and leader of all those who hold ordination. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche took gelong vows along with Chamgon Situ Rinpoche and Khyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche, and was assisted by a master of procedure and other monks to complete the necessary number. Believing them to be the very foundation of the Dharma, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche always guarded carefully these precious Vinaya rules, protecting them as if they were his own eyes. He gave the ordinations of getsul and gelong to about three thousand monks in India, Nepal, and Tibet, both the worlds of East and West, and so became a great holder of the Vinaya.

From His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche received the bodhisattva vows, which are the foundation of the Mahayana path, from both traditions of Nagarjuna and Asanga. He continually practiced the many aspects of a bodhisattva's path - the six paramitas, the four ways of gathering disciples, and so forth - training in the extensive activity of the bodhisattva, and manifesting as a great one himself.

Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche had great faith, respect, and devotion for his spiritual teachers, the source of all paths and practice, and received from them many teachings of the sutra and tantra tradition. Especially, his relationship to the Gyalwang Karmapa, embodiment of all refuges, was one of total devotion, respect, and pure vision, which were greater than ever that for the Buddha himself. Rinpoche served His Holiness perfectly and received from him all the profound oral instructions, such as the Five Great Treasuries, all the empowerments, reading transmissions, and explanations of the Kamtsang Kagyu, the Root Text of Mahamudra, and so forth. In particular, the realization of Mahamudra, which is the heart blessing of the ultimate lineage, was transferred to him and he became a great siddha.

Continues