Theckchok Dorje was born in Danang, Kham, Tibet, and was recognized by Drukchen Kunzig Chokyi Nangwa based on the instructional letter from the 13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje that detailed where his next reincarnation would be born.

He was enthroned and ordained as a monk by the 9th Tai Situpa Rinpoche, at the age of nineteen.

Theckchok Dorje traveled extensively through Tibet, and was very active in the Rimé movement.

He and other participants in the movement were especially interested in the exchange of knowledge between their own Kagyu school and the Nyingma school, and the Karmapa folded the Nyingma Terton Chogyur Lingpa's rituals into the Tsurphu ritual calendar.

His spiritual successor was Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, and his detailed incarnation instruction letter for locating the 15th Karmapa was prepared by the date of his passing at the age of 71.