The previous Gyalton Rinpoche, Orgyen Jigma Chokyi Senge Gyalton Rinpoche (1908-1970), was the spiritual head of Chungpo monastery in Eastern Tibet, Kham province, He was one of the principal students of the 11th Tai Situpa, and of Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro. While in Tsurphu Monastery (the seat of the Karmapa), the 16th Karmapa - Rigpai Dorje bestowed on him the title of Khenchen (Great Learned One), as did Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Choling Rinpoche in recognition of his highest attainments and learning.

16th Karmapa's pilgrimage to holy places in India in 1956, Gyalton Rinpoche accompanied him and at the request of the King of Sikkim he was appointed the spiritual teacher to the King and took residence in the palace temple becoming the spiritual guide and teacher to the people of Sikkim. He was one of the tutors to the twelfth Tai Situpa.

The present, seventh reincarnation, Karma Palden Lungtok Trinley Rangye, was born in Sikkim and identified as Gyalton Tulku in 1983 by the Tai Situpa and shortly after enthroned in the palace temple in Gangtok Sikkim. In 1989 Gyalton Rinpoche went to Palpung Sherabling where he studied for two years. He then went to a regular English medium school and university where the sciences became his main stream of study. On completion of his studies in 2002 Rinpoche returned to Palpung Sherabling where the Tai Situpa appointed him the Dorje Lobpon of the monastery until 2006. In 2007 he entered the monastic college at Palpung Sherabling to further his studies. Rinpoche speaks fluent English, Hindi and Nepali and is perfectly at home with the Western cultural norms.