A color photograph featuring Tromge Choktrul Arik Rinpoche, one of Chagdud Rinpoche's root lamas in meditation position wearing traditional robes.

Tulku Arik Rinpoche, Rigdzin Wangshu, followed several masters holding great spiritual lineages, including the Sakyapa, Longsel, and Nyingthik and, from an early age, laid special stress on practice.

Tulku Arik never accumulated money or goods, disliked talking, and took a six-year vow of silence. He lived in seclusion for many years in Trom, Eastern Tibet, teaching to only a few close disciples who nortoriously gained deep spiritual attainment.