Ciren Puncog- Inheritor of Tibetan Incense Manufacturing Process in Maizhokunggar County, Lhasa, Tibet

Ciren Puncog (次仁平措), born on May 3, 1946, is the 38th-generation inheritor of the Zhi Gong Tibetan Incense Manufacturing Technique (直贡藏香制作技艺), a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. He is also a prominent figure in the Drigung Kagyu Sect (直贡噶举派) of Tibetan Buddhism, where he holds the position of the Second H.H. Agong Lama (阿贡活佛). Ciren Puncog is known for his efforts in preserving and passing on the ancient techniques of Tibetan incense making, a craft that has been passed down through centuries.

Personal Information

  • Name: Ciren Puncog (次仁平措)

  • Date of Birth: May 3, 1946

  • Ethnicity: Tibetan (藏族)

  • Region: Maizhokunggar County (墨竹工卡县), Lhasa (拉萨), Tibet (西藏)

  • Heritage Project: Tibetan Incense Manufacturing (藏香制作技艺)

  • Generation: 38th generation inheritor (第38代传人)

  • Affiliation: Drigung Kagyu Sect (直贡噶举派)

Background and Heritage

Ciren Puncog began his journey in the Tibetan incense making craft at the age of 7 when he entered the monastery to study under the high lamas of the Drigung Kagyu Sect. He mastered the secret formula for making Tibetan incense, which has been passed down through generations. As the 38th-generation inheritor of this art, his lineage can be traced back to the founder, Jueba Jitian Songgong (觉巴·吉天颂贡), with the formula being passed down through the great Bodhisattva Nagarjuna (龙树菩萨), and further improved by the 25th Dalai Lama (法王).

Through his dedication, Ciren has not only preserved the secret incense recipe but has also enhanced the practice with his own innovations.

Social Contributions

In 2007, Ciren Puncog founded the Tibet Zhi Gong Cultural and Art Exchange Service Co., Ltd. (西藏直贡文化艺术交流服务有限公司), aiming to promote traditional Tibetan incense to a wider audience. The company produces approximately 1 ton of incense annually, with the product being sold to various regions, spreading the unique aroma and cultural significance of Tibetan incense.

In addition to his work with incense, Ciren has contributed significantly to Tibetan culture by preserving 150 ancient texts and publishing over 10 books on Drigung culture. His efforts extend to reviving Tibetan medicine (藏医) and incense-making techniques, thus playing a key role in cultural conservation.

He has also dedicated time and resources to training new inheritors, having already passed on the craft to six disciples by 2010.

Honors and Records

Ciren Puncog’s lifelong dedication to preserving Tibetan heritage has earned him several prestigious awards:

  • 2013: Named one of the Top 10 Inheritors of Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区级十佳传承人).

  • 2018: His oral history was included in the Oral History of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors (《西藏自治区非物质文化遗产国家级代表性传承人口述史》) published as part of a series.

  • 2024: His achievements were showcased at the 6th National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Record Results Exhibition (第六届国家级非遗传承人记录成果展映).