Thrulzhik Lama Gyaltsen Marpa (khrul zhig bla ma rgyal mtshan dmar pa) aka Kunzang Pema Dechen Tsal, commonly known as Zham Gyaltsen Marpo Rinpoche (rgyal mtshan dmar po rin po che) was born in 1857 at Eastern Bhutan. He work as local farmer until age of eighteen and at the age of 18 he entered at Karpo Chöling Monastery (dkar po chos gling dgon), where he received his basic education and learnings. Latter in 1892, age thirty-five he went to Kham, Eastern Tibet where he met with his root master Drubwang Togden Shakya Shri (grub dbang rtogs ldan shakya shri, 1853-1919) and received complete teaching of Dzogpachenpo - the great perfection and also studied the Six Yogas of Naropa (nA ro chos drug) and Mahamudra (phyag rgya chen po).
He returned to Bhutan after his root master was passed away and established a small retreat place in Zham, Eastern Bhutan (current Zham Goenpa is located). He was passaway at age of 93 in 1950 with numerous auspicious signs. Latter Lopön Sönam Zangpo (slob dpon bsod nams bzang po, 1888-1982) one of the main disciple of Shakya Shri has recognized the tulku (sprul sku) of Trulzhik Lama Gyaltsen Marpa (Gyaltsen trulku).
