ban sgar 'jam dpal bzang po

Bengar Jampal Zangpo was born to the family of Nyemo Dzongpa, siddhas in Damshang (most likely located in eastern Tibet). He began study and practice at a very young age. At the age of twenty, he began studying Sutrayana and Vajrayana scriptures with the maha-pandita Rongton. Later, he received the Kagyu lineage transmissions and teachings such as the Six Dharmas of Naropa from the Sixth Karmapa, Thongwa Dhönden and followed his instructions one-pointedly. He became a highly realized master of the lineage. Bengar Jampal Sangpo became the principal teacher of the Seventh Karmapa.

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Jampal Zangpo was born at Damshang in eastern Tibet. He showed interest in the Buddhist path from an early age. He practised the meditation on Tara for many years until he had perfected it and had met with Tara face to face.

He took ordination from Tsalmig Samten Zangpo at the age of twenty. He studied the entire Sutrayana and Vajrayana with the famous scholar Rongtön and, during four years, he received the teachings on the “Six Doctrines of Naropa” from the sixth Karmapa, Thongwa Dönden.

Jampal Zangpo attained complete realization of the ultimate meaning of the Kagyü teachings. He was a master of outstanding qualities who became the guru of the seventh Karmapa, Chödrag Gyamtso.

Excerpts from the Garland of Moon Water Crystal by Situ Chökyi Jungnay and Belo Tsewang Künkhyab