Career
His texts form the core curriculum for most Gelugpa monasteries. According to Kelsang Gyatso, "He is the only person ever to have received this honour."
In 1526, at the request of the second Dalai Lama, he became Drepung Loseling"s abbot and taught there for about six years. From 1529 to 1535, he served as Ganden Monastery"s 15th abbot.
In 1542, he became abbot of Sera Monastery.
According to Geshe Kelsang Gyatso it was Duldzin Dragpa Gyaltsen who built Ganden Monastery. but other sources do not confirm this. His student Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden (1379-1449), founded of Drepung Monastery.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa also became known as an incarnation of the great lama and historian Buton Rinchen Drub. In 1539, Panchen Sonam Dragpa was enthroned as the first tulku of the Upper Chamber (Zimkhang Gong, Wylie: gzims-khang gong-ma) at Drepung Monastery.
This reincarnation lineage is thought to have ended with the violent death of Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (1619-1656), but followed by his manifestation as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden.