My Reincarnation, featuring Chogyal Namkhai Norbu

We're proud to share about My Reincarnation, a documentary featuring Snow Lion author Chögyal Namkhai Norbu. It is available online. Visit his author page to view the full selection. This offer is valid through the end of June. The trailer is available here. Watch My Reincarnation - Trailer on PBS. See more from POV.   Synopsis Filmed over 20 years by acclaimed documentarian Jennifer Fox, My Reincarnation chronicles the epic story of exiled Tibetan Buddhist master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and his Western-born son, Yeshi. As Namkhai Norbu rises as a teacher in the West, Yeshi, recognized from birth as the reincarnation of a famed Buddhist master, breaks away to embrace the modern world. Can the father convince his son to keep the family's spiritual legacy alive? With intimate access to both the family and H.H. The Dalai Lama, Fox distills a decades-long drama into a universal story about love, transformation and destiny. Learn more about Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's 2012 Summer Teaching Tour at tsegyalgar.org.

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Denma Tsemang the Translator and Calligrapher

See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava| Kawa Peltsek | More of Guru Rinpoche's 25 Disciples Denma Tsemang: A Guide for Readers Denma Tsemang was another of Guru Rinpoche's 25 chief disciples, famed for his calligraphy and, later, his translation skills and of course his practice. Gyalwa Changchub and Namkhai Nyingpo in their terma, later revealed by Terton Taksham Samten Lingpa and translated into English as Lady of the Lotus Born, explain how Guru Rinpoche gave to Denma Tsemang "the sadhanas of Mopa Trangak, Pel Tobden Nagpo, the root sadhanas of the Debgye, and the branch sadhanas of Drekpa Tobgye, instructing them to practice in Yamalung". Through these teachings and practice, Denma Tsemang achieved the power of "Unforgetting memory". On this power, the same text describes how Denma Tsemang "routed the Bon with his exposition of the Buddha's teaching, explaining the whole of the Kangyur from memory, and causing vowels and consonants to appear in the sky, visible for all to see". Additionally, at the time when Guru Rinpoches teachings were committed to writing, Denma Tsemang played his part due to his excellence in "orthography, speed and accuracy". Also, Jamgon Kongtrul in his book Enthronement, talks about how Tai Situpa was Denma Tsemang in a previous life and describes him as being the chief recipient of the Wrathful Mantra deity meditation instructions and was the scribe for writing many of the termas on yellow parchment. For his calligraphy for which he was famed, Jamgon Kongrtul, in Book Six of the Treasury of Knowledge on Indo-Tibetan Classical Learning wrote of: "As for the headless thick-stroked italic script, There were two [original] traditions-those of Li and Den- From which many [others] gradually evolved. With regard to the headless thick-stroked italic script ('bru chen), which is the best of the cursive Tibetan scripts (bod yig gshar ma), the letters are drawn against a large grid (thig tshad che ba), either in accordance with the Li calligraphic tradition (li lugs), which has long been extinct, or the Den calligraphic tradition (ldan lugs). The latter is so-called either because it was the tradition of Denma Tsemang, or because it "possesses " (ldan pa) an authoritative calligraphic standard." Gyurme Dorje, the translator of this volume of the Treasury of Knowledge adds this: "This is also mentioned in Pari Sangye, The Writing of Tibetan, 7. Paldu, Exegesis onTibetan Writing, 62, states that the Li tradition originated with Tonmi Sambhoá¹­a and it implied 'refined writing' (legs bris). It is said to have been prevalent in Khyungpo and in Ngari but no longer survives. The extant Den tradition dates from the era of King Trisong Detsen, Denma Tsemang being one of the twenty-five recognized disciples of Padmasambhava". A brief bio in included in Tulku Thondup's Masters of Meditation and Miracles. See the bio on the Treasury of Lives site.  

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Nyak Jñānakumara Reader's Guide

This series of blog posts are meant to be resources guides to complement the biographies of the great masters and scholars on the Treasury of Lives site. Nyak Jñānakumara, also known as Yeshe Zhonnu was ordained by Santarakshita and was a student of Guru Rinpoche, Vairotsana, and Yudra Nyingpo but is better known for his Vajrakilaya practiced he received through Vimalamitra. He worked alongside Vimalamitra translating the mahyoga and atiyoga tantras, including The Guhyagarbha Tantra, the root of the eighteen great tantras. As Jamgon Kongtrol relates in volume 2 of the Treasury of Knowledge, where Nyak Jnanakumara is brought up repeatedly, Lalitavajra, Shri Singhaprabha, and Buddhaguyha explained this tantra Vimalamitra, Ma Rinchen Chok, and Nyak Jnana Kumara translated and taught it Rongzom Chokki Zangpo, Longchenpa, Chomden Rikpe Raldri, and others spread it. Zurpa's especially exalted doctrinal tradition dwindled to become a slender hair The brothers of Mindrolling Monastery revived the doctrine's dying embers Jamgon Kongtrul continues a bit later: "Moreover, as the saying relates, 'The vajra way's doctrine was first transmitted to Nyak, then to Nup, and finally to Zur.' Four doctrinal transmissions' streams from the great masters Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, Berotsana, and Yudra Nyingpo collected in Nyak Jnana Kumara. [The four streams are] the stream of scriptures of explanatory texts, accompanied by major commentaries and [summaries of ] the main points; the stream of profound instructions for meditation from the oral lineage, accompanied by texts on crucial points of instruction and direct guidance; the stream of empowerments' blessings, accompanied by techniques for their conferral and pointing out instructions; and the stream of the practical instructions for accomplishing activities, accompanied by [rituals for] the doctrine's guardians and wrathful mantras. Nyak Jnana Kumara's principal disciples were eight whose name included Pal, among whom Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe imparted every profound instruction to Nupchen Sangye Yeshe. " Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche had a strong association with Nyak Jñānakumara. In Brilliant Moon, the Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Nyak's his cycle and teachings are brought up repeatedly, including how when Khyentse Rinpoche was at Karma Monastery "there was a statue of the four-armed protector Mahakala, which was the practice support of the Seventh Karmapa. It was kept in a sandalwood box and only shown to special people. I asked to see it and discovered a yellow scroll with dakini script in its arms, which I took and gave to Khyentse Chökyi Lodro. From this scroll I wrote down the Nyak Kilaya. In Sacred Ground, Jamgon Kongtrul identifies Chokgyur Lingpa as a manifestation of Yeshe Zhonnu. Furthermore, in The Ruby Rosary Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche offers a commentary on a short prayer written by his father H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche illuminating the lives of great yogis, scholars, and masters of the Buddhist lineage in addition to describing the early spread of Buddhism in Tibet beginning with the direct disciples of Guru Rinpoche such as Nyak Jñānakumara. TBRC Reference: http://tbrc.org/#!rid=P6525 Treasury of Lives Site: http://treasuryoflives.org/biographies/view/Nyak-Jnyanakumara/9121

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Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe

See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava| Kawa Peltsek | More of Guru Rinpoche's 25 Disciples Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe: A Guide for Readers Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe, also known as Sokpo Lhapal, was a direct disciple of both Guru Rinpoche and Nyak Jnanakumara and then later became the teacher of Nupchen Sangye Yeshe. In Masters of Meditation and Miracles, Tulku Thondup Rinpoche relates how Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe was a blacksmith who became adept at the practice of Vajrakilaya. As a result, "with a gesture he could catch dangerous wild beasts; and on threeoccasions with his miraculous power he pacified the enemies of his teacher, Nyak. In Yeshe Tsogyal's biography, Lady of the Lotus-Born, there was a contest among Guru Rinpoche's disciples to show signs of accomplishment. "With the mudra of the hook, the mantra of summoning and the power of his concentration, Sogpo Lhapel caused a pregnant tigress to appear from the south. Jamgon Kongtrul talks about him in several places. In the second volume of Treasury of Knowledge, his role in transmitting the teachings of Nyak Jnanakumara is discussed. In Sacred Ground, Jamgon Kongtrul while describing an area at Tsadra Rinchen Drak where he founded his famous retreat hermitage, the cliff had an impression of Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe's head. Furthermore, in The Ruby Rosary Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche offers a commentary on a short prayer written by his father H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche illuminating the lives of great yogis, scholars, and masters of the Buddhist lineage in addition to describing the early spread of Buddhism in Tibet beginning with the direct disciples of Guru Rinpoche such as Sokpo Pelgyi Yeshe. TBRC Reference: http://tbrc.org/#!rid=P2JM8 Treasury of Lives Site: http://treasuryoflives.org/biographies/view/Sokpo-Pelgyi-Yeshe/5281

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Langdro Konchok Jungne Reader's Guide

See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava| Kawa Peltsek | More of Guru Rinpoche's 25 Disciples Langdro Konchok Jungne, also known as Langdro Lotsawa, was another of the twenty-five main disciples of Guru Rinpoche and was minister in the court of King Trisong Deutsen. As Arthur Mandelbaum relates on his short profile on the Treasury of Lives site: According to legend, as a result of his practice he could send lightning bolts like shooting arrows wherever he liked. He is said to have liberated both humans and non-humans, and that at his death he manifested as an expanse of light and left no body behind. In Lady of the Lotus-Born, we hear how Guru Rinpoche "gave the Chinlap Lamai Druplung and the sadhanas of Tamdrin Sangwa Kundu and Tanak Trekpa, telling them to practice in the caves of Yeru Shang ". The book also relates how, when it was time for the disciples to show signs of accomplishment, Langdro Konchok Jungne "brought down thirteen thunderbolts and aimed and shot them as if they were arrows ". In Sky Dancer: The Secret Life and Songs of the Lady Yeshe Tsogyel, he is discussed in several places including the time where Guru Rinpoche instructs him on several specific practices. In Naked Awareness, Karma Chagme relates the circumstances of Langdro Konchok Jungne's liberation. "Guru Rinpoche said to him "The mind-itself is substantial and originally pristine. It is empty of inherent nature and is without modification. Rest in the state without an object of meditation or a meditator. From that alone, the result of spiritual awakening is achieved'. Thus he was liberated ". Langdro Konchok Jungne's subsequent lives echo through the centuries. In Enthronement , Jamgon Kongtrul identifies Ratna Lingpa as his reincarnation and this is confirmed testified in many other sources as well. In Sacred Ground, Jamgon Kongtrul relates how his contemporary, Ontrul Rinpoche of Phalpung monastery, was the emanation of Langdro Konchok Jungne. In The Life of Shabkar, Shabkar identifies one of his teachers, Ngawang Lobsang Tendzin Rinpoche, as an emanation of Langdro Konchok Jungne as well. In Dudjom Rinpoche's biography, The Light of Fearless and Indestructible Wisdom, the 17th century terton Longsal Nyingpo is also said to be Langro Lotsawa's emanation. And Dudjom Rinpoche's teacher, Dudjom Namkhai Dorje is identified as the reincarnation of Langdro Konchok Jungne. Furthermore, in The Ruby Rosary Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche offers a commentary on a short prayer written by his father H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche illuminating the lives of great yogis, scholars, and masters of the Buddhist lineage in addition to describing the early spread of Buddhism in Tibet beginning with the direct disciples of Guru Rinpoche such as Langdro Konchok Jungne. More resources: TBRC Resources: lang gro dkon mchog 'byung gnas Langdro Kongchok Jungne on the Treasury of Lives

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Kharchen Pelgyi Wangchuk

See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava| Kawa Peltsek | More of Guru Rinpoche's 25 Disciples The biography in the Treasury of Lives site, like several other sources, alludes to Kharchen Pelgyi Wangchuk possibly being Yeshe Tsogyal's brother. However, in Yeshe Tsogyal's biography by Gyalwa Changchub and Namkhai Nyingpo which was discovered by the Terton Samten Lingpa and published in English as Lady of the Lotus-Born, Kharchen Pelgyi Wangchuk was the chieftain of one of the seven fiefdom's of Tibet's rulers, and had a vision along with his wife while "at play in the delights of love. " After this there were dreams and sometime later Yeshe Tsogyal was born. Later, he became a disciple of Guru Rinpoche. In Naked Awareness, Karma Chagme relates how Kharchen Pelgyi Wangchuk achieved liberation. Guru Rinpoche said to him: " €˜Palgyi Wangchuk, listen! The mind is primordially insubstantial, without anything on which to meditate. To the intellect it is ungrounded and unmodified. Let it be self-arisen and self-displaying. Dwelling in that state, you become a Buddha without rejecting the cycle of existence.' Thus Palgyi Wangchuk was liberated. " He is also briefly discussed in the second volume of the second volume of the Treasury of Knowledge. Furthermore, in The Ruby Rosary Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche offers a commentary on a short prayer written by his father H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche illuminating the lives of great yogis, scholars, and masters of the Buddhist lineage in addition to describing the early spread of Buddhism in Tibet beginning with the direct disciples of Guru Rinpoche such as Kharchen Pelgyi Wangchuk. See Also: Karchen Pelgyi Wangchuk on the Treasury of Lives Kharchen Pelgyi Wangchuk (mkhar chen dpal gyi dbang phyug) on TBRC

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Lang Pelgyi Senge Reader's Guide

See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava| Kawa Peltsek | More of Guru Rinpoche's 25 Disciples Lang Pelgyi Senge: A Guide for Readers Lang Pelgyi Senge, from the Shechen Archive Lang Pelgyi Senge, also known as Lhalung Pelgyi Senge, should not be confused with another Pelgyi Senge who was his contemporary. There is a wonderful passage in Yeshe Tsogyal’s biography, Lady of the Lotus-Born, where Lang Pelgyi Senge is brought together with Yeshe Tsogyal: ‘‘The Guru paused, reflecting for a while, and then he said: ‘It is as though the long-life practice were the captain, and Kila the protective escort. For this reason, whatever work one does in the Secret Mantra, it is important first to practice Kila so as to dispel obstacles. Moreover, Kila is your yidam deity; consequently you may practice it. But whether you do Kila or the long-life practice, you have need of a companion. Go therefore to Uru in Tibet where there is a boy of fourteen years. His father’s name is Lhapel, his mother’s Chokroza. He is of the clan of Lang. Make him your companion in the practice and together you will accomplish the yidam.’   ‘Following these instructions, I discovered the boy and returned to the Guru. The Master said: This boy, a knowledge-holder of Kilaya, Will attain the vajra-life. He will not be defeated easily— A hero, demon-taming, predicted by the deity, Possessing the great strength and power of lions! Let his name be Lhalung Pelgyi Senge, Lion of Glory whom the Deity Foretold! ‘He then introduced the boy to the mandala of the Secret Mantra and brought him to maturity.’” In The Dark Red Amulet, the Khenpo brothers relate how Guru Rinpoche offered the empowerments of the Eight Herukas, and where Lang Pelgyi Senge’s flower landed on the mandala. His moment of liberation, related by Karma Chagme in Naked Awareness, came when Guru Rinpoche said to him “’Son of a good family, listen!  All phenomena are the mind-itself, and there is nothing that arises from anything else.  The mind has no inherent nature, so it is beyond expression and thought.  Rest lucidly in the unmodified state that is without distinctions of good and bad, acceptance and rejection, negation and affirmation, or outside and inside. In that state the body and mind are blissful, and unborn, unceasing consciousness is experienced.  Those are the indications of the warmth of realization, so at that time you will have reached the liberation of the Buddha’.  Thus Lang Palgyi Sengge was also liberated”. TBRC Reference: http://tbrc.org/#!rid=P00EGS1017620 Treasury of Lives Site: http://treasuryoflives.org/biographies/view/Lang-Pelgyi-Sengge/96

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Odren Pelgyi Wangchuk Reader's Guide

See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava| Kawa Peltsek | More of Guru Rinpoche's 25 Disciples Image courtesy of Treasury of Lives. Odren Pelgyi Wangchuk is another of Guru Rinpoche's twenty-five disciples, though not that much material on him is available in English. A short bio is available on the Treasury of Lives site. There is also a limited amount of resources on the TBRC site. He is mentioned in some key texts, including Gyalwa Jangchup's Lady of the Lotus Born where Guru Rinpoche bestowed the outer, inner and secret root sadhanas of the Mamos and the Newap and Legye, and entreating him to practice in the caves of Yerpa. In the Ri-me Philosophy of Jamgon Kongtrul, Ringu Tulku explains how Rongzompa and Jamgon Kongtrul identify him as being a key link in the Ma and Nyak lineage of transmitting the inner tantras from India, particlarly for Samyak Heruka. Karma Chagme in Naked Awareness relates how Odren Pelgyi Wangchuk was liberated when Guru Rinpoche gave  the following advice: "The spirit of awakening appears but is empty; it is empty, clear light; and it is without anything to modify or cultivate.  Rest in the state of self-arisen, great, primordial wisdom.  Not shifting away from this is called spiritual awakening." Treasury of Lives is a biographical encyclopedia of all known past masters of Himalayan religion. We at Shambhala Publications are working with them to bring you this blog series to bring together our books and the art collected by the Treasury of Lives. This is the third installment. Past installments can be found in the Treasury of Lives category under From the Editors.

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