Kunkhyen Pema Karpo
The Omniscient Pema Karpo, (kun mkhyen pad ma dkar po) [1527-1592].
The 4th Gyalwang Drukpa. One of the greatest and most famous accomplished masters, scholars and historians of Tibet. His collected works comprise 24 volumes. For an overview of his works, see the index of the Pema Karpo Sungbum.
Short Biography[edit]
Shortly after his birth, Pema Karpo, the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa, was heard by many chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra seven times, and therefore, as a child, he was also known as "Ah-Om-Mani-Pa", i.e. the child chanting the Six-Syllable Mantra. Pema Karpo was widely known as "Kunkhyen", meaning "the All-Knowing" or "the Omniscient One". He was the most famous and learned of all the Gyalwang Drukpas. During his lifetime, he was known as the grand lama amongst all grand lamas, and was a teacher to many lamas and disciples all over Tibet. His Holiness the 5th Dalai Lama truly admired Pema Karpo for his knowledge and understanding of the Truth.
Pema Karpo contributed 24 volumes of collected works on Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, logic, literature, history and astrology, which have been studied by all sects and traditions to this day. He constructed the monastery of Druk Sangag Choling (The Dharma Garden of Secret Mantrayana) at Jar in southern Tibet, and transferred the seat of the Drukpa Order to this place.
This omniscient master was the first Gyalwang Drukpa to concoct the famous enlightenment pill known as Ja-Tsukma, utilizing esoteric ingredients offered by the dakinis. Before passing away, Pema Karpo promised that he would have two incarnations to propagate the spiritual teachings. In accordance with this prophecy, two incarnations were discovered.
(from : http://www.drukpa.org/)
Literary Works[edit]
see: Pema Karpo Sungbum
Main Teachers[edit]
- bkra shis rnam rgyal (1512-1587)
- blo gros chos rgyal (b.15th cent.)
- chos grags bstan 'phel (15th/16th cent.)
- chos kyi mgon po (1501-1582)
- chos rgyal lhun grub(b.16th cent.)
- dkon mchog rin chen (b.15th/16th cent.)
- ngag dbang chos rgyal (1465-1540)
- ngag dbang grags pa (1506-1538)
- Ngaki Wangchug (ngag gi dbang phyug) (1517-1554)
- shes rab go cha (b.16th cent.)
- shes rab rgya mtsho (1478-1542)
Main Students[edit]
- mkhas dbang sangs rgyas rdo rje, (1569-1645)
- 'jam pa'i rdo rje (b.16th cent.)
- bstan pa dar rgyas (b.16th cent.)
- Drukpa Mipham Tenpai Nyima ('brug pa mi pham bstan pa'i nyi ma) (1567 1619)
- chos kyi mgon po (1501-1582)
- dpal gyi sengge (b.16th cent.)
- gzhan phan bzang po (b.16th cent.)
- lha dbang blo gros (b.16th cent.)
- mgon po rab brtan (b.16th)
- mi pham blo gros(1577-1636)
- mtsho skyes rdo rje (b.16th cent.)
- ngag dbang bzang po (1546-1615)
- ngag dbang pad dkar dbang po (b.16th cent.)
- rin chen dpal bzang (1537-1609/1617)
- rnga chen pa (b.16th cent.)
Main Lineages[edit]
Alternate Names[edit]
- 4th Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche
- Gyalwang Drukchen Rinpoche
- Drukpa Rinpoche
- Gyalwa Drukpa
- Gyalwa Drukchen