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[[Image:Longchenpa.jpg|frame|right|Longchenpa (klong chen pa) (1308-1363)]]
'''Longchen Nyingthig''' ([[klong chen snying thig]]) - '''Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse'''
'''Longchenpa''' ([[klong chen pa]]) 1308-1364
----
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]]''.


Longchen Rabjam, whose name means "great expanse," was the reincarnation of [[Princess Pemasal]], the daughter of [[King Trisong Deutsen]] and direct student of [[Guru Rinpoche]]. His birth in the Tra Valley of Southern Tibet was accompanied by miraculous events and auspicious omens. He began his Dharma training at the age of seven, when he received empowerments and teachings from his father, a tantric yogi. At twelve, he took novice monastic vows at [[Samye|Samye monastery]].
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.


[[Longchenpa]] studied and practiced teachings from a variety of lineages and masters. He received and mastered so many teachings, in fact, that he became known as Samye Lungmangwa, the One of Samye with Many Transmissions. Though he is associated primarily with the [[Nyingma lineage]], he also studied many teachings of the [[Sarma]], or [[New Schools]], including the [[Kalachakratantra]], [[Chöd]], and the [[Path and Result]] teachings of the [[Sakya]] lineage. He shared a particularly close relationship with the third Karmapa, [[Rangjung Dorje]], with whom he studied under the Dzogchen master [[Rigdzin Kumaraja]].
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.


Rigdzin Kumaraja was [[Longchenpa]]'s most important master. He lived with him for two years, practicing the Dzogchen teachings of the [[Heart Essence of Vimalamitra]] under extremely harsh conditions. Rigdzin Kumaraja eventually empowered [[Longchenpa]] as the lineage holder for these teachings. [[Longchenpa]] also reawakened a connection with the [[Heart Essence of the Dakinis]], the Dzogchen lineage of [[Guru Rinpoche]], and practiced these teachings for years in isolated mountain retreats.
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]].


[[Longchenpa|Longchen Rabjam]]'s influence upon the [[Nyingma]] lineage is unparalleled. He united and compiled teachings concerning the two main Dzogchen Heart Essence lineages in a work entitled [[Four Volumes of the Heart Essence]], adding three commentaries of his own to the teachings of [[Guru Rinpoche]] and [[Vimalamitra]]. He also wrote the famed Seven Treasuries, texts that present various aspects of the view, meditation, and conduct of the Nyingma school's [[nine vehicles]].
===Lineage===
*The '''primary lineage''' is as follows:
**[[Samantabhadra]] - [[Dharmakaya]]<br>
**[[Vajrasattva]] - [[Sambhogakaya]]<br>
**[[Garab Dorje]] - [[Nirmanakaya]]<br>
**[[Manjushrimitra]]<br>
**[[Shri Singha]]<br>
**[[Vimalamitra]]<br>
**[[Padmasambhava]]<br>
**[[Yeshe Tsogyal]]<br>
**[[Trisong Deutsen]]<br>
**[[Longchenpa]]<br>
**[[Jigme Lingpa]]<br>
**[[Jigme Trinle Ozer]] and [[Jigme Gyalwey Nyugu]]<br>


[[Longchenpa]] passed away at the age of fifty-six. He left over two hundred and fifty treatises behind, many of which are still regarded as the most comprehensive and authoritative works yet written concerning the view and practice of the Great Perfection. His most important students include the [[3rd Karmapa]], Rangjung Dorjé, with whom he exchanged teachings, Özer Kocha, and his son, Tülku Trakpa Özer.
*Lineage descending from Jigme Lingpa's heart son '''Jigme Trinle Ozer''' to the present '''Dodrupchen Rinpoche''':
**[[Dola Jigme Kalzang]] and [[Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje]]
**[[Gyalse Shenpen Thaye]]<br>
**[[Khenchen Pema Dorje]]<br>
**[[Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo]]<br>
**[[Dodrup Tenpey Nyima]] (third [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]])<br>
**[[Khenpo Kunpal]]<br>
**[[Thubten Trinle Palzangpo]] (fourth [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]])<br>


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


===Literary Works===
===Other Lineage Masters===
*See [[Writings of Longchenpa]]<br>
*[[Mingyur Namkhai Dorje]] (the fourth [[Dzogchen Rinpoche]])<br>
*TBRC: [http://www.tbrc.org/browse/persons/Writings1583.php list writings (in wylie romanization)]
*[[Onpo Tendzin Norbu]]<br>
*[[Adzom Drukpa]]<br>
*[[Thubten Chokyi Dorje]] (the fifth [[Dzogchen Rinpoche]])<br>
*[[Yukhok Chatralwa]]<br>
*[[Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro]]<br>
*[[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]]<br>


===Main Teachers===
===Primary Sadhanas===
*[[Rigdzin Kumaradza]]<br>
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 approached from this Dzogchen perspective. These practices include:


===Main Students===
*Preliminary Practice ([[sngon 'gro]])
*[[Tulku Trakpa ozer]]<br>
**[[The Excellent Path To Omniscience]] ([[rnam mkhyen lam bzang]])
*[[ozer Kocha]]<br>
**See also [[Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro]]
*[[Rangjung Dorje]]<br>


===Main Lineages===
*Peaceful Male [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:
*[[Nyingthig Yabzhi]]<br>
**Outer Guru Practice: [[Guru Yoga]] ([[bla ma'i rnal 'byor]])
**Inner Guru Practice: [[Rigdzin Dupa]] ([[rig 'dzin 'dus pa]])
**Secret Guru Practice: [[Dukngal Rangdrol]] ([[sdug bsngal rang grol]])
**Utmost Guru Secret Practice: [[Ladrup Thigle Gyachen]] ([[bla sgrub thig le'i rgya chen]])


===Alternate Names===
*Wrathful male [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:
*[[bsam yas lung mang ba]]
**[[Palchen Dupa]] ([[dpal chen 'dus pa]])
*[[Drimey Ozer]] [[dri med 'od zer]]
**[[Takyung Barwa]] ([[rta khyung 'bar ba]])
*[[klong chen pa]]
**Secret Practice: [[Dukngal Rangdrol]] ([[sdug bsngal rang grol]])
*[[klong chen rab 'byams pa dri med 'od zer]]  
**Utmost Secret Practice: [[Ladrup Thigle Gyachen]] ([[bla sgrub thig le'i rgya chen]])
*[[Kunkhyen Longchenpa]]
*[[Longchen Rabjam]] [[klong chen rab 'byams]]
*[[tshul khrims blo gros]]


===Other Reference Sources===
*Female [[Vidyadhara]] [[Sadhana]]s:
*A more detailed account of his life and teachings is found in Buddha Mind by [[Tulku Thondup Rinpoche]] (Snow Lion Publications), 1989.
**[[Yumkha Dechen Gyalmo]] ([[yum mkha' bde chen rgyal mo]])
*[[Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche]]'s latest Dzogchen history has a long chapter on Longchenpa
**[[Senge Dongchen]] ([[seng nge'i gdong chen]])


===Internal Links===
*Chod Practice
**[[The Bellowing Laugh of the Dakinis]] ([[mkha' 'gro gad rgyangs]])
 
===Primary Texts===
*The '''main Tantras and instructions''' of the Longchen Nyingthig:
**[[Kuntuzangpo Yeshe Long Ki Gyu]] ([[kun tu bzang po ye she klong gi rgyud]])
**[[Gyu Chima]] ([[rgyud phyi ma]])
**[[Nesum Shenje]] ([[gnad gsum shan 'byed]])
**[[Neluk Dorje Tsik-kang]] ([[gnas lugs rdo rje tshig rkang]])
**[[Yeshe Lama]] ([[ye shes bla ma]]) and its supporting commentaries
 
*'''[[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]]''' practice instructions:
**[[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)
 
*[[Completion Stage]] practice 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 Short Text on the Blazing and Dripping of Tummo]] (gtum mo'i 'bar 'dzag yig chung)
 
*Prayers and Aspirations:
**[[bde can zhing bkod smon lam]]
**[[gzhi lam 'bras bu'i smon lam]]
**[[sku gsum zhing khams sbyong ba'i gsol 'debs smon lam]]; also known as ([[zhing sbyong smon lam]])
**[[bar do'i smon lam dgongs gcig rgya mtsho]]
**[[zangs mdog dpal ri'i smon lam dpal ri'i gsang lam]]
 
===Present Day Teachers of the Longchen Nyingthig===
*[[Thubten Trinle Palzangpo]] (fourth [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]])<br>
*[[Chatral Rinpoche]]<br>
*[[Trulshik Rinpoche]]<br>
*[[Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche]]<br>
*[[Sogyal Rinpoche]]<br>
*[[Pema Wangyal Rinpoche]]<br>
*[[Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche]]<br>
*[[Jigme Losel Wangpo]] (the seventh [[Dzogchen Rinpoche]])<br>
*The son of Adzom Druktrul (name unknown)<br>
*[[Tulku Thondup]]
*[[Traktung Rinpoche]]<br>
 
===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?
**Ngawang Pelzang, Khenpo (2004). '''A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher'''. Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN?
**'''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.
 
===Alternate Names and Spellings===
*Longchen Nyingtik
*Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse
*Heart Essence of the Great Expanse
*Heart Essence of Lonchenpa


===External Links===
===External Links===
*[http://www.tbrc.org/cgi-bin/tbrcdatx?do=so&resource=P1583 Writings] listed at [[TBRC]]
[http://www.tbrc.org/cgi-bin/tbrcdatx?do=so&resource=W21024 TBRC] page on the Longchen Nyingthig<br>
*[http://www.buddhistinformation.com/tibetan/longchenpa.htm Longchenpa's Great Chariot], by [[Ives Waldo]]
[http://www.tbrc.org/cgi-bin/tbrcdatx?resource=O15&highlight= TBRC] listing of the treatises contained in the Longchen Nyingthig root texts
 


[[Category:Buddhist Masters]]
[[Category:Lineages & Teachings]]
[[Category:Nyingma Masters]]
[[Category:Nyingma]]
[[Category:Nyingma Teachings]]
[[Category:Nyingma Literature]]
[[Category:Terma]]
[[Category:Dzogchen]]

Revision as of 17:25, 23 March 2006

Longchen Nyingthig (klong chen snying thig) - Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse

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.

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

Other Lineage Masters

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 approached from this Dzogchen perspective. These practices include:

Primary Texts

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?
    • Ngawang Pelzang, Khenpo (2004). A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher. Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN?
    • 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.

Alternate Names and Spellings

  • Longchen Nyingtik
  • Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse
  • Heart Essence of the Great Expanse
  • Heart Essence of Lonchenpa

External Links

TBRC page on the Longchen Nyingthig
TBRC listing of the treatises contained in the Longchen Nyingthig root texts

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