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<span class=TibUni16>ཀློང་ཆེན་སྙིང་ཐིག</span> ([[klong chen snying thig]]) - '''Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse'''
<noinclude><span class=TibUni16>[[ཀློང་ཆེན་སྙིང་ཐིག]]</span></noinclude><br>
<noinclude>[[klong chen snying thig]]</noinclude><br>
<noinclude>'''[[Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse]]'''</noinclude>
----
----
The Longchen Nyingthig is a [[Terma]] cycle revealed by the master [[Jigme Lingpa]]. Since its inception in the late 18th century, it has become one of the most widespread sets of teachings in the [[Nyingma]] tradition. It is particularly known and loved for its extensive commentarial literature, which includes practice manuals such as the famed ''[[Yeshe Lama]]''.
*Visions ([[dag snang]]) of [['jigs med gling pa]]; [[Longchen Nyingtig]]. the [[Heart Essence of the Great Expanse]] / [[Longchenpa]]. A cycle of teachings revealed to [[Jigmey Lingpa]] in three visions of Longchenpa; terma revealed by [[Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa]]. ([[RY]])
*A mind-treasure revealed by [[Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa]]. ([[RY]])
*Nyingma terma ([['jigs med gling pa]]'s [[dgongs gter]]). ([[IW]])
*Longchen Nyingthig, "The [[Heart Essence of the Great Expanse]]" (the cycle of teachings revealed to Jigme Lingpa in three visions of Longchen Rabjampa [[klong chen rab 'byams pa]] - [[Longchen Rabjam]] [1308-1363) the great Nyingma master Longchenpa Drimey Oser - [[Longchenpa]], Longchen Rabjampa (1308-1363) the great Nyingmapa master [[Longchenpa|Longchenpa Drimey Oser]]; [[rnying ma]]'i [[slob dpon]] [[klong chen pa dri med 'od zer]] [[zhes pa]] [[dbus]] [[lho]] [[gyo]] [[ru]] [[gra]]'i [[cha]] [[stod]] [[grong]] [[du]] [[rab byung]] [[lnga pa]]'i [[sa sprel]] [[lor]] [['khrungs]] / [[rab byung]] [[drug pa]]'i [[chu yos lo]]r [['das]] / [[ta'i si tu byang chub rgyal mtshan]] [[dang du]]s [[mnyam]] [[yin]] / [[khong]] [[gis]] [[mdzad pa]]'i [[mdzod chen]] [[bdun]] [[dang]] / [[snying thig ya bzhi]] / [[ngal gso skor gsum]] / [[rang grol skor gsum]] [[sogs]] [[chos tshan]] [[brgya phrag]] [[gnyis]] [[lhag tsam]] [[yod]]. ([[IW]])
*[[Longchen Nyingthig]], the heart essence of the great expanse. ([[IW]])
*[[Heart Essence of the Great Expanse]], mind-treasure revealed by [[Jigmey Lingpa]]. ([[RY]])
*Essence of the mind of [[Longchenpa]], [['jigs med gling pa]]'s synthesis of [[rdzogs chen snying thig]] teachings. ([[JV]])
*Longchen Nyingtig, Heart Essence of the Great Expanse. ([[RY]])
===Brief History===
[[Image:LongNying Tsogshing.jpg|thumb|475px|right|'''Longchen Nyingthig [[tshogs shing|Tshogshing]]''']]
The Longchen Nyingthig is a [[Terma]] cycle revealed by the master [[Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa]]. Since its inception in the late 18th century, it has become one of the most widespread sets of teachings in the [[Nyingma]] tradition. It is particularly known and loved for its extensive commentarial literature, which includes practice manuals such as the famed ''[[Yeshe Lama]]''.


These teachings were originally transmitted by the master [[Padmasambhava]] to [[King Trisong Deutsen]], the [[Dakini]] [[Yeshe Tsogyal]] and the [[Lotsawa]] [[Vairochana]] at [[Samye Monastery]] in central Tibet. As the time for these teachings to spread was not yet right, they were then written in symbolic script by Yeshe Tsogyal, entrusted to the Dakinis, and hidden to be revealed at a later time. The king later reincarnated as the [[Terton|Treasure Revealer]] Jigme Lingpa, who recalled the teachings he had received and, recognizing the time was ripe for them to be practised, put them down in writing and began to teach.
These teachings were originally transmitted by the master [[Padmasambhava]] to [[King Trisong Deutsen]], the [[Dakini]] [[Yeshe Tsogyal]] and the [[Lotsawa]] [[Vairochana]] at [[Samye Monastery]] in central Tibet. As the time for these teachings to spread was not yet right, they were then written in symbolic script by [[Yeshe Tsogyal], entrusted to the Dakinis, and hidden to be revealed at a later time. The king later reincarnated as the [[Terton|Treasure Revealer]] [[Jigme Lingpa]], who recalled the teachings he had received and, recognizing the time was ripe for them to be practised, put them down in writing and began to teach.


Jigme Lingpa, the [[Terton]] who revealed this cycle of teachings, was a reincarnation of two important masters, [[Vimalamitra]] and [[King Trisong Deutsen]]. As the embodiment of these two figures, Tibet's two primary [[Dzogchen]] lineages were combined in Jigme Lingpa -- the [[Vima Nyingthig]] and [[Khandro Nyingthig]], both of which are contained in the [[Nyingthig Yabshi]]. Hence, the Longchen Nyingthig terma cycle is considered a condensation of these profound teachings.
[[Jigme Lingpa]], the [[Terton]] who revealed this cycle of teachings, was a reincarnation of two important masters, [[Vimalamitra]] and [[King Trisong Deutsen]]. As the embodiment of these two figures, Tibet's two primary [[Dzogchen]] lineages were combined in [[Jigme Lingpa]] -- the [[Vima Nyingthig]] and [[Khandro Nyingthig]], both of which are contained in the [[Nyingthig Yabshi]]. Hence, the [[Longchen Nyingthig]] terma cycle is considered a condensation of these profound teachings.


The texts that were revealed by Jigme Lingpa, in their present-day form, comprise three volumes, known as the [[Nyingthig Tsapod]] (''[[snying thig rtsa pod]]''). The numerous treatises, sadhanas and prayers it contains deal primarily with tantric practice, in particular the stages of [[Development Stage]] and [[Dzogchen]].
The texts that were revealed by [[Jigme Lingpa]], in their present-day form, comprise three volumes, known as the [[Nyingthig Tsapod]] (''[[snying thig rtsa pod]]''). The numerous treatises, [[sadhana]]s and prayers it contains deal primarily with tantric practice, in particular the stages of [[Development Stage]] and [[Dzogchen]].


===Lineage===
===Lineage===
*The '''primary lineage''' is as follows:
*The Present day lineages transmitted down from the many students of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa have spread and are practice throughout every corner of this realm, however there where four main "Heart Sons" that became crucial to the dissemination of the lineage, which in turn created a number of lineages of transmission down to present masters.<br>
**[[Samantabhadra]] - [[Dharmakaya]]<br>
====The ''primary lineage'' is as follows====
**[[Vajrasattva]] - [[Sambhogakaya]]<br>
**[[Samantabhadra]] - the [[Dharmakaya]]<br>
**[[Garab Dorje]] - [[Nirmanakaya]]<br>
**[[Vajrasattva]] - the [[Sambhogakaya]]<br>
**[[Garab Dorje]] - the [[Nirmanakaya]]<br>
**[[Manjushrimitra]]<br>
**[[Manjushrimitra]]<br>
**[[Shri Singha]]<br>
**[[Shri Singha]]<br>
Line 22: Line 35:
**[[Longchenpa]]<br>
**[[Longchenpa]]<br>
**[[Jigme Lingpa]]<br>
**[[Jigme Lingpa]]<br>
**[[Jigme Trinle Ozer]] and [[Jigme Gyalwey Nyugu]]<br>


*Lineage descending from Jigme Lingpa's heart son '''Jigme Trinle Ozer''' to the present '''Dodrupchen Rinpoche''':
====The Four Main Lineage Holders====
*[[Jigme Lingpa]]'s four primary students known as "[[The Four Jigmes]]"
**[[Jigme Trinle Ozer]]
**[[Jigme Gyalwey Nyugu]]
**[[Jigme Kundrol Namgyal]]
**[[Getse Jigme Ngotsar]]
 
====From Jigme Lingpa's heart son ''Jigme Trinle Ozer'' to the present ''Dodrupchen Rinpoche''====
**[[Dola Jigme Kalzang]] and [[Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje]]
**[[Dola Jigme Kalzang]] and [[Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje]]
**[[Gyalse Shenpen Thaye]]<br>
**[[Gyalse Shenpen Thaye]]<br>
**[[Khenchen Pema Dorje]]<br>
**[[Khenchen Pema Dorje]]<br>
**[[Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo]]<br>
**[[Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo]]<br>
**[[Dodrup Tenpey Nyima]] (third [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]])<br>
**[[Dodrup Tenpey Nyima]] (3rd [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]])<br>
**[[Khenpo Kunpal]]<br>
**[[Khenpo Kunpal]]<br>
**[[Thubten Trinle Palzangpo]] (fourth [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]])<br>
**[[Thubten Trinle Palzang]] (4th [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]])<br>


*Lineage descending from Jigme Lingpa's heart son '''Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu''' to the present-day master '''Chatral Rinpoche''':
====From Jigme Lingpa's heart son ''Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu'' to the present ''Chatral Rinpoche''====
**[[Patrul Rinpoche]]<br>
**[[Patrul Rinpoche]]<br>
**[[Lungtog Tenpe Nyima]]<br>
**[[Lungtog Tenpe Nyima]]<br>
Line 39: Line 58:
**[[Chatral Rinpoche]]<br>
**[[Chatral Rinpoche]]<br>


*Lineage descending from Jigme Lingpa's heart son '''Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu''' to the present '''Penor Rinpoche''':
====From Jigme Lingpa's heart son ''Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu'' to the present ''Penor Rinpoche''====
**[[Patrul Rinpoche]]<br>
**[[Patrul Rinpoche]]<br>
**[[Lungtog Tenpe Nyima]]<br>
**[[Lungtog Tenpe Nyima]]<br>
**[[Khenpo Ngagchung]] [1879-1941] - dpal yul mkhan rabs 01<br>
**[[Khenpo Ngagchung]] [1879-1941]<br>
**[[Rigdzin Palchen Düpa]] [1887-1932] second [[Drubwang Padma Norbu]]<br>
**[[Rigdzin Palchen Düpa]] [1887-1932] (2nd [[Drubwang Padma Norbu]])<br>
**[[Thubten Chokyi Dawa]] second [[Tarthang Choktrul Rinpoche]]<br>  
**[[Thubten Chokyi Dawa]] (2nd [[Tarthang Choktrul Rinpoche]])<br>  
**[[Penor Rinpoche]] [b. 1932] third [[Drubwang Padma Norbu]]<br>
**[[Penor Rinpoche]] [1932-2009] (3rd [[Drubwang Padma Norbu]])<br>


===Other Lineage Masters===
===Other Lineage Masters===
Line 56: Line 75:
*[[Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro]]<br>
*[[Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro]]<br>
*[[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]]<br>
*[[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]]<br>
 
*[[Gonpo Tseten Rinpoche]]<br>
===Primary Sadhanas===
===Primary Sadhanas===
The Longchen Nyingthig cycle relates primarily to the teachings of [[Dzogchen]], particularly the [[Innermost Essence]] teachings. Though there are various practices and [[Sadhanas]] found in this tradition, such practices are often approached from this Dzogchen perspective. These practices include:
[[File:Longchen Nyingthig- Tsa Sum-1.jpg|240px|thumb|right|Guru]]
 
The Longchen Nyingthig cycle relates primarily to the teachings of [[Dzogchen]], particularly the [[Innermost Essence]] teachings. Though there are various practices and [[Sadhana]]s found in this tradition, such practices are often approached from this Dzogchen perspective. These practices include:
*Preliminary Practice ([[sngon 'gro]])
<br>
*'''Preliminary Practice ([[sngon 'gro]]):'''
**[[The Excellent Path To Omniscience]] ([[rnam mkhyen lam bzang]])
**[[The Excellent Path To Omniscience]] ([[rnam mkhyen lam bzang]])
**See also [[Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro]]
**See also [[Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro]]
<br>


*Peaceful Male [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:
*'''Peaceful Male [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:'''
**Outer Guru Practice: [[Guru Yoga]] ([[bla ma'i rnal 'byor]])
**Outer Guru Practice: [[Guru Yoga]] ([[bla ma'i rnal 'byor]])
**Inner Guru Practice: [[Rigdzin Dupa]] ([[rig 'dzin 'dus pa]])
**Inner Guru Practice: [[Rigdzin Dupa]] ([[rig 'dzin 'dus pa]])
**Secret Guru Practice: [[Dukngal Rangdrol]] ([[sdug bsngal rang grol]])
**Secret Guru Practice: [[Dukngal Rangdrol]] ([[sdug bsngal rang grol]])
**Utmost Guru Secret Practice: [[Ladrup Thigle Gyachen]] ([[bla sgrub thig le'i rgya chen]])
**Utmost Guru Secret Practice: [[Ladrup Thigle Gyachen]] ([[bla sgrub thig le'i rgya chen]])
 
<br>
*Wrathful male [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:
[[File:Longchen Nyingthig- Tsa Sum-2.jpg|240px|thumb|right|Takyung Barwa]]
*'''Wrathful male [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:'''
**[[Palchen Dupa]] ([[dpal chen 'dus pa]]) and its related practices:
**[[Palchen Dupa]] ([[dpal chen 'dus pa]]) and its related practices:
***[[Yamantaka]]: Overpowering The Lord Of Death ([['jam dpal gshin rje 'chi bdag zil gnon]])
***[[Yamantaka]]: Overpowering The Lord Of Death ([['jam dpal gshin rje 'chi bdag zil gnon]])
Line 76: Line 98:
***[[Visuddha]]: Union Of The Buddhas ([[yang dag sangs rgyas mnyam sbyor]])
***[[Visuddha]]: Union Of The Buddhas ([[yang dag sangs rgyas mnyam sbyor]])
***[[Vajrakilaya]]: Overpowering The Hordes Of Mara]] ([[phur pa bdud dpung zil gnon]])
***[[Vajrakilaya]]: Overpowering The Hordes Of Mara]] ([[phur pa bdud dpung zil gnon]])
**[[Takyung Barwa]] ([[rta khyung 'bar ba]])
**[[Takyung Barwa| Lama Dragpo Takyung Barwa]]: ([[bla ma drag po rta khyung 'bar ba]])
**Secret Practice: [[Dukngal Rangdrol]] ([[sdug bsngal rang grol]])
<br>
**Utmost Secret Practice: [[Ladrup Thigle Gyachen]] ([[bla sgrub thig le'i rgya chen]])
[[File:Longchen Nyingthig- Tsa Sum-3.jpg|240px|thumb|right|Dechen Gyalmo]]
 
*'''Female [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:'''
*Female [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:
**[[Yumkha Dechen Gyalmo]] ([[yum mkha' bde chen rgyal mo]])
**[[Yumkha Dechen Gyalmo]] ([[yum mkha' bde chen rgyal mo]])
**[[Senge Dongchen]] ([[seng nge'i gdong chen]])
**[[Senge Dongchen]] ([[seng nge'i gdong chen]])
 
<br>
*Protector Practices
*'''Dharma Protector (gsol kha) Practices:'''
**Protectress [[Magon Chamdrel]] ([[bka’ srung ma mgon lcam dral]])
**Protectress [[Magon Chamdrel]] ([[bka’ srung ma mgon lcam dral]])
**Protectress[[The Five Medicine Sisters]] ([[bka' srung sman btsun mched lnga]])
**Protectress[[The Five Medicine Sisters]] ([[bka' srung sman btsun mched lnga]])
 
<br>
*Other Practices
*'''Other MiscellaneousPractices:'''
**[[Cleansing The Lower Realms: The Peaceful And Wrathful Deities]] ([[zhi khro ngan song sbyong ba]])
**[[Cleansing The Lower Realms: The Peaceful And Wrathful Deities]] ([[zhi khro ngan song sbyong ba]])
**Chod Practice: [[The Bellowing Laugh of the Dakinis]] ([[mkha' 'gro gad rgyangs]])
**Chod Practice: [[The Bellowing Laugh of the Dakinis]] ([[mkha' 'gro gad rgyangs]])
**[[Purifying The Realm Of Complete Joy: A Guru Yoga On Vajrasattva]] ([[rdo rje sems dpa' la brten pa'i bla ma'i rnal 'byor mngon dga'i zhing sbyong]])
**[[Purifying The Realm Of Complete Joy: A Guru Yoga On Vajrasattva]] ([[rdo rje sems dpa' la brten pa'i bla ma'i rnal 'byor mngon dga'i zhing sbyong]])
<br>


===Primary Texts===
===Primary Texts===
*The '''main Tantras and instructions''' of the Longchen Nyingthig:
<br>
====The main ''Tantras and Pith-instructions''====
**[[Kuntuzangpo Yeshe Long Ki Gyu]] ([[kun tu bzang po ye she klong gi rgyud]])
**[[Kuntuzangpo Yeshe Long Ki Gyu]] ([[kun tu bzang po ye she klong gi rgyud]])
**[[Gyu Chima]] ([[rgyud phyi ma]])
**[[Gyu Chima]] ([[rgyud phyi ma]])
**[[Nesum Shenje]] ([[gnad gsum shan 'byed]])
**[[Nesum Shenje]] ([[gnad gsum shan 'byed]]), Three Keypoints of Discernment.
**[[Neluk Dorje Tsik-kang]] ([[gnas lugs rdo rje tshig rkang]])
**[[Neluk Dorje Tsik-kang]] ([[gnas lugs rdo rje tshig rkang]])
**[[Yeshe Lama]] ([[ye shes bla ma]]) and its supporting commentaries
**[[Yeshe Lama]] ([[ye shes bla ma]]) and its supporting commentaries


*'''[[Preliminary Practice]]''' instructions:
====''Preliminary Practice'' Instructions====
**[[The Steps to Liberation]] (thun mong gi sngon 'gro sems sbyong rnam pa bdun gyi don khrid thar ba'i them skas thar ba'i them skas)
**[[The Steps to Liberation]] (thun mong gi sngon 'gro sems sbyong rnam pa bdun gyi don khrid thar ba'i them skas thar ba'i them skas)
**[[Establishing Practice]] (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong gi sngon 'gro khrid kyi lag len la 'debs lugs)
**[[Establishing Practice]] (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong gi sngon 'gro khrid kyi lag len la 'debs lugs)
**[[Establishing Mindfulness]] (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong ma yin pa'i sngon 'gro'i khrid yig dran pa nyer gzhag)  
**[[Establishing Mindfulness]] (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong ma yin pa'i sngon 'gro'i khrid yig dran pa nyer gzhag)  


*'''[[Development Stage]]''' practice instructions:
====''Development Stage'' Instructions====
**[[The Ladder to Akanishta]] ([['og min bgrod pa’i them skas]])bskyed rim lha’i khrid kyi rnam par gzhag pa)
**[[The Ladder to Akanishta]] ([['og min bgrod pa’i them skas]])bskyed rim lha’i khrid kyi rnam par gzhag pa)
**[[The Advice of Palchen]] (yo ga gsum gyi spyi chings dpal chen zhal lung)
**[[The Advice of Palchen]] (yo ga gsum gyi spyi chings dpal chen zhal lung)


*[[Completion Stage]] practice instructions:
====''Completion Stage'' Instructions====
**[[A Wish-fulfilling Jewel: A Condensation of the Oral Lineage for Completion Stage, Bliss-emptiness Energy]] (bde stong rlung gi rdzogs rim snyan rgyud shog dril yid bzhin nor bu)
**[[A Wish-fulfilling Jewel: A Condensation of the Oral Lineage for Completion Stage, Bliss-emptiness Energy]] (bde stong rlung gi rdzogs rim snyan rgyud shog dril yid bzhin nor bu)
**[[A Short Text on the Blazing and Dripping of Tummo]] (gtum mo'i 'bar 'dzag yig chung)
**[[A Short Text on the Blazing and Dripping of Tummo]] (gtum mo'i 'bar 'dzag yig chung)


*Prayers and Aspirations:
====Prayers and Aspirations====
**[[bde can zhing bkod smon lam]]
**[[bde can zhing bkod smon lam]]
**[[gzhi lam 'bras bu'i smon lam]]
**[[gzhi lam 'bras bu'i smon lam]]
Line 157: Line 180:
*Thondup, Tulku (1996) ''Masters of Meditation and Miracles''. Boston: Shambhala Publications. - The most complete reference on the lineages and practices of the Longchen Nyingthig in the English language.
*Thondup, Tulku (1996) ''Masters of Meditation and Miracles''. Boston: Shambhala Publications. - The most complete reference on the lineages and practices of the Longchen Nyingthig in the English language.
*Gyatso, Janet (1998). ''Apparitions of the Self''. Princeton: Princeton University Press. - Contains translations of two biographies of Jigme Lingpa.
*Gyatso, Janet (1998). ''Apparitions of the Self''. Princeton: Princeton University Press. - Contains translations of two biographies of Jigme Lingpa.
*[http://www.dzogchen.org/library/bios/dzogchen-lineage.htm The Dzogchen Lineage of Nyoshul Khenpo]


===Alternate Names and Spellings===
===Alternate Names and Spellings===
Line 162: Line 186:
*Heart Essence of the Great Expanse
*Heart Essence of the Great Expanse
*Heart Essence of Longchenpa
*Heart Essence of Longchenpa
===Internal Links===
*Longchen Nyingthig Masters[http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/Category:Longchen_Nyingthig_Masters]
*[[Dodrubchen Monastery]]
*[[Dzogchen Monastery]]
*[[Palyul Monastery]]<br>
::'''''Wylie text from the Longchen Nyingtik'''''
*[[Choying Dzo]] "[[chos dbyings rin po che'i mdzod]]" by Kunkyen [[Longchenpa]]
*[[rdzogs pa chen po'i gnad gsum shan 'byod]] By Rigdzin [[Jigme Lingpa]]
*[[man ngag rdzogs pa chen po'i rgyud phyi ma]] By Rigdzin [[Jigme Lingpa]]
*[[kung tu bzang po'i dgongs nyams]] By Rigdzin [[Jigme Lingpa]]


===External Links===
===External Links===
*[http://www.tbrc.org/cgi-bin/tbrcdatx?do=so&resource=W21024 TBRC] page on the Longchen Nyingthig<br>
*[http://www.tbrc.org/cgi-bin/tbrcdatx?do=so&resource=W21024 TBRC] page on the Longchen Nyingthig<br>
*[http://www.tbrc.org/cgi-bin/tbrcdatx?resource=O15&highlight= TBRC] listing of the treatises contained in the Longchen Nyingthig root texts
*[http://www.tbrc.org/cgi-bin/tbrcdatx?resource=O15&highlight= TBRC] listing of the treatises contained in the Longchen Nyingthig root texts
*The Tibetan versions of many of the Nyingtig prayers and sadhanas. The ones from [BL] are RTF also a very nice collection in TibDoc. [http://www.tibet.dk/pktc/download/longchenntliturgies.zip]
*The Tibetan versions of many of the Nyingtig prayers and sadhanas. The ones from [[Bj Lhundrup|[BL]]] are RTF also a very nice collection in TibDoc. [http://www.tibet.dk/pktc/download/longchenntliturgies.zip]


[[Category:Lineages & Teachings]]
[[Category:Lineages & Teachings]][[Category:Nyingma]]
[[Category:Nyingma]]
[[Category:Longchen Nyingthig]][[Category:Nyingma Teachings]][[Category:Nyingma Literature]]
[[Category:Nyingma Teachings]]
[[Category:Terma]][[Category:Dzogchen]][[Category:Teachings]][[Category:Key Terms]]
[[Category:Nyingma Literature]]
[[Category:Terma]]
[[Category:Dzogchen]]
[[Category:la]]
[[Category:]]

Latest revision as of 06:19, 12 December 2014

ཀློང་ཆེན་སྙིང་ཐིག
klong chen snying thig
Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse


Brief History

Longchen Nyingthig Tshogshing

The Longchen Nyingthig is a Terma cycle revealed by the master Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa. Since its inception in the late 18th century, it has become one of the most widespread sets of teachings in the Nyingma tradition. It is particularly known and loved for its extensive commentarial literature, which includes practice manuals such as the famed Yeshe Lama.

These teachings were originally transmitted by the master Padmasambhava to King Trisong Deutsen, the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and the Lotsawa Vairochana at Samye Monastery in central Tibet. As the time for these teachings to spread was not yet right, they were then written in symbolic script by [[Yeshe Tsogyal], entrusted to the Dakinis, and hidden to be revealed at a later time. The king later reincarnated as the Treasure Revealer Jigme Lingpa, who recalled the teachings he had received and, recognizing the time was ripe for them to be practised, put them down in writing and began to teach.

Jigme Lingpa, the Terton who revealed this cycle of teachings, was a reincarnation of two important masters, Vimalamitra and King Trisong Deutsen. As the embodiment of these two figures, Tibet's two primary Dzogchen lineages were combined in Jigme Lingpa -- the Vima Nyingthig and Khandro Nyingthig, both of which are contained in the Nyingthig Yabshi. Hence, the Longchen Nyingthig terma cycle is considered a condensation of these profound teachings.

The texts that were revealed by Jigme Lingpa, in their present-day form, comprise three volumes, known as the Nyingthig Tsapod (snying thig rtsa pod). The numerous treatises, sadhanas and prayers it contains deal primarily with tantric practice, in particular the stages of Development Stage and Dzogchen.

Lineage

  • The Present day lineages transmitted down from the many students of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa have spread and are practice throughout every corner of this realm, however there where four main "Heart Sons" that became crucial to the dissemination of the lineage, which in turn created a number of lineages of transmission down to present masters.

The primary lineage is as follows

The Four Main Lineage Holders

From Jigme Lingpa's heart son Jigme Trinle Ozer to the present Dodrupchen Rinpoche

From Jigme Lingpa's heart son Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu to the present Chatral Rinpoche

From Jigme Lingpa's heart son Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu to the present Penor Rinpoche

Other Lineage Masters

Primary Sadhanas

Guru

The Longchen Nyingthig cycle relates primarily to the teachings of Dzogchen, particularly the Innermost Essence teachings. Though there are various practices and Sadhanas found in this tradition, such practices are often approached from this Dzogchen perspective. These practices include:



Takyung Barwa


Dechen Gyalmo




Primary Texts


The main Tantras and Pith-instructions

Preliminary Practice Instructions

    • The Steps to Liberation (thun mong gi sngon 'gro sems sbyong rnam pa bdun gyi don khrid thar ba'i them skas thar ba'i them skas)
    • Establishing Practice (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong gi sngon 'gro khrid kyi lag len la 'debs lugs)
    • Establishing Mindfulness (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong ma yin pa'i sngon 'gro'i khrid yig dran pa nyer gzhag)

Development Stage Instructions

Completion Stage Instructions

Prayers and Aspirations

Present Day Teachers of the Longchen Nyingthig

Longchen Nyingthig Literature in Translation

  • Works on the Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro:
    • Patrul Rinpoche (1994). Words of My Perfect Teacher. Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. San Francisco: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-1570624124
    • Ngawang Pelzang, Khenpo (2004). A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher. Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-1590300732
    • An Elucidation of The Path To Excellent Omniscience. Translated by the Vajravairochana Translation Committee. Halifax: Vajravairochana Translation Committee, 1996.
    • Thondup, Tulku (1982). Dzogchen: Innermost Essence Preliminary Practice. India: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
  • Works on Dzogchen:
    • Yeshe Lama. Translated by Sangye Khandro.
    • Van Schaik, Sam (2004). Approaching the Great Perfection. Boston: Wisdom Publications.
  • Sadhana Practices:
    • The Queen of Great Bliss of Long-Chen Nying-Thig. Translated by Tulku Thondup. Sikkim: Published by Dodrup Chen Rinpoche, 1992. A translation of the Yumkha Dechen Gyalmo sadhana.
    • The Assemblage of Vidyadharas of Long-Chen Nying-Thig. Translated by Tulku Thondup. Sikkim: Published by Dodrup Chen Rinpoche, 1992. A translation of the Rigdzin Dupa sadhana.

Other References

  • Thondup, Tulku (1996) Masters of Meditation and Miracles. Boston: Shambhala Publications. - The most complete reference on the lineages and practices of the Longchen Nyingthig in the English language.
  • Gyatso, Janet (1998). Apparitions of the Self. Princeton: Princeton University Press. - Contains translations of two biographies of Jigme Lingpa.
  • The Dzogchen Lineage of Nyoshul Khenpo

Alternate Names and Spellings

  • Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse
  • Heart Essence of the Great Expanse
  • Heart Essence of Longchenpa

Internal Links

Wylie text from the Longchen Nyingtik

External Links

  • TBRC page on the Longchen Nyingthig
  • TBRC listing of the treatises contained in the Longchen Nyingthig root texts
  • The Tibetan versions of many of the Nyingtig prayers and sadhanas. The ones from [BL] are RTF also a very nice collection in TibDoc. [2]