The Trungpa tülkus are a line of incarnate Tibetan lamas who traditionally head Surmang monastery complex in Kham, now Surmang.
According to Fabrice Midal, the tenth Trungpa tulku rejected his role as fundraiser for the Surmang monasteries and preferred to live as a disciplined meditation practitioner.
At one point, to escape his duties as the figurehead of the monastery complex, he ran away on foot to study with Jamgon Kongtrul.
He studied with Kongtrul Rinpoche for many years before returning to Surmang, and at that point had the reputation of a realized teacher.
Dilgo Khyentse and the second Jamgon Kongtrul of Sechen studied with him.