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Phakchok Rinpoche ([['phags mchog rin poche]]) of Riwoche
Advice from the Lotus-Born - Front Cover
 
===The History of Phakchok Rinpoche===
As a beginning, here is the history of Kyabje Phakchok Rinpoche's seat, the [[Taklung Martang Monastery]], and next the account of its succession of throne-holders.
 
For the first, in Tibet, the [[Cool Land of the Snowy Ranges]], the teachings of the Buddha arrived during two periods known as the [[Early and Later Translations]]. Among these, the latter, the [[New Schools of the Later Translations]], the well-known [[Kagyupa]], the protectors of beings, were possessed the mandate for its [[Practice Lineage]]. It was the great master by the name [[Tilopa]] who received four such transmissions, from [[Vajradhara]] and [[Vajra Yogini]], who appeared to him in person to entrust him with the treasury of the [[four sections of tantra]].
 
The next in line was [[Naropa]], the great pandita, who followed Tilopa by undertaking [[twelve major trials]] at the end of which he understood the complete meaning, simply through a gesture and a few words, and reached accomplishment.
 
[[Marpa Chokyi Lodro]] of Lhodrak went to India four times where he met many learned and accomplished masters, headed by [[Naropa]] and [[Maitripa]] from whom he received all the teachings on Sutra and Tantra. In particular, he followed Naropa for a combined length of sixteen years and under his guidance Marpa integrated his learning, reflection and meditation training. He received the special [[Hearing Lineage of Chakrasamvara]] with consort in completeness.
 
Back in Tibet, Marpa had four chief disciples who propagated his profound teachings. The three for the [[Teaching Lineage]] were [[Mey, Ngog and Tsur]], while it became [[Jetsun Milarepa]] who received the mandate for the [[Practice Lineage]].
 
Among Milarepa's disciples there were seven who departed to celestial realms at the end of their life, eight who became great repa-yogis, as well as innumerable others. Of his two chief disciples, one was the moon-like [[Rechung Dorje Drakpa]] from whom the [[Rechung Kagyu lineage]] sprung. The other was the sun-like [[Dakpo Dawo Zhonno]] who is also known as the great matchless [[Gampopa]], extolled in prophecies by the [[Victorious One]], and who was equal to Buddha coming back into the world.
 
Gampopa had an untold number of disciple which he brought to maturity and liberation, but his principal lineage-holders were [[Barom Darma Wangchuk]] who originated the [[Barom Kagyu]]; [[Pagdru Dorje Gyalpo]] who began the [[Pagdru Kagyu]]; the illustrious [[Dusum Khyenpa]] who founded the [[Karma Kagyu]]; the disciple of [[Öngom Tsultrim Nyingpo]] by the name [[Zhang Tsalpa Tsondru Drakpa]] who founded [[Tsalpa Kagyu]]. These are renowned as the [[Four Greater Kagyu traditions]]. In addition there is the [[Dakpo Kagyu]] which originated from succession of masters, the [[Three Uncles and Nephews of Dakpo]] at the seat of [[Dakpo Tsalmi]].
 
The [[Eight Lesser Kagyu]] schools sprung the five hundred parasol-bearing disciples of [[Pagdru]]: the [[Drigung Kagyu]] from [[Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon]]; the [[Taklung Kagyu]] from [[Tangpa Tashi Pal]]; the [[Trophu Kagyu]] from [[Drogon Gyaltsab]], uncles and nephews; the [[Lingrey Kagyu]] ([[Drukpa Kagyu]]) from [[Lingje Repa Pema Dorje]]; the [[Martsang Kagyu]] from [[Marpa Rinchen Lodro]]; the [[Yelpa Kagyu]] from [[Yelpa Yeshe Tsek]]; the [[Yabzang Kagyu]] from [[Gyalwa Yabzang]]; and the [[Shugseb Kagyu]] from [[Nyepu Gyergom Chokyi Senge]]. Over time, each of these schools had innumerable chief and subsidiary monasteries.
 
Among these schools, today the [[Karma Kagyu]] among the four greater and among the eight lesser the [[Drukpa]], [[Drigung]] and [[Taklung]] still exist independently.
 
From among all these masters, the one known as the matchless and precious lord of Dharma, the great [[Taklungpa Tashi Pal]], who was the identity of the [[fivefold inexhaustible adornment-wheel of the Body, Speech and Mind]] of all victorious ones, was someone whose banner of renown became clearly visible throughout the [[three levels of existence]]. This is just as [[Padmasambhava]], the Second Buddha, proclaimed in the terma predictions:
 
When [[Dharmatala]] nurtures the Buddha's teachings,<br>
The monk known as [[Taklungpa]] will appear.
 
In accordance with this prophesy, two principal monasteries of the glorious [[Taklung Kagyu]] appeared through the aspirations of this master, the upper and lower. Of these two, here is an explanation of the vajra-holder [[Phakchok of Taklung Martang]], the [[Riwoche Monastery in Dokham]].
 
Phakchok Rinpoche's emanation-basis is the [[Lord of Secrets]] [[Dharmevajra]], the compiler of the teachings of the [[Great Secrets]] (Vajrayana) of all buddhas; the arhat [[Ananda]], the foremost disciple of our teacher (Buddha Shakyamuni); [[Lhalung Palgyi Dorje]], the direct disciple of the [[Second Buddha of Uddiyana]] (Padmasambhava); ([[Rechung Dorje Drakpa]], the lord of siddhas; and many others.
 
Having manifested an inconceivable display of magical emanations to influence beings in accordance with their needs, the '''first Phakchok''' incarnation was the thirteenth throne-holder at glorious Riwoche whose full name was [[Tashi Wangyal Ngawang Drakpa Damcho Puntsok]]. He was born in the Year of the Earth Dragon in the twelfth cycle (1688) into the Taklung Gazi family among the six original family-clans of Tibet.
 
The moment this master was born he recited the Six Syllable mantra. Possessed insight and wisdom from former training. The dakinis and guardians of the Dharma accompanied him day and night. When he grew up he was ordained by [[Taksham Nuden Dorje]]. While following numerous learned and accomplished masters, including [[Jedrung Drakpa Lekdrub]], he completed his studies and training and became a great pandita and siddha who had visions of infinite deities.
 
After he had been enthroned at [[Yang-Gon]], his activity expanded tremendously, both in secular and spiritual ways. The first Phakchok was bestowed special honors due to the kindness of [[Kalsang Gyatso]], the [[Seventh Dalai Lama]]. The Emperor Yutrig conferred the [[Golden Credential]] upon him, and he was offered the [[Nomihan rank]] with the associated seal, palanquin, and parasol, as well as documents written in Tibetan, Chinese and Mongolian.
 
In the scripture shrine room within the Grand Temple of Riwoche, he had statues of the sixteen arhats, [[Padmasambhava's eight manifestations]], and many other sacred representations of Body, Speech and Mind built and installed. After accomplishing an immense benefit for the teachings and beings through his mastery in miraculous powers and clairvoyance, he passed into nirvana.
 
The '''second Phakchok''' incarnation was [[Tashi Drakpa Gyaltsen]], the fifteenth throne-holder (of Riwoche), born into the Lho Dasho Meru Ponyo family of the [[Lhugpo]] clan. Having been recognized as the rebirth of the previous Phakchok, he was brought to Yang-Gon at the age of five where he identified shrine objects belonging to his predecessor. From his early years onwards he had visions of his yidam deity. The ordination as a monk he received from [[Yizhin Trinley Chokdrub]], the supreme [[Martang]] incarnation, and from [[Jedrung Rinchen Sherab]]. They also bestowed upon him the lineage of the ripening empowerments and liberating instructions of the profound Dharma.
 
After [[Jedrung Rinpoche]] passed on, he took the position of throne-holder of Yang-Gon and kept a very strict discipline for the monks at the monastery. In the Grand Temple he supervised the building of new statues of [[Maitreya]], the [[Eight Close Bodhisattvas]], Padmasambhava, and others. As representations of enlightened Speech, he provided a new set of the [[Kangyur]], the collected words of the Buddha's true meaning. He also renovated the accommodations for monks.
 
This Phakchok Rinpoche was highly respected by the dignitaries and influential people of both Tibet and China, but without prejudice he cared for people of every standing and helped them in accordance with the Dharma. Through his inexhaustible fourfold activity to propagate the Dharma traditions of teaching and practice, he helped to establish everyone, both clergy and laity, in the happiness of pursuing the ten virtuous actions. In short, up until the time of [[Phakchok Jigten Wangchuk]], it is renowned that there has been no other throne-holder of Riwoche who developed the monastery more and kept a stricter discipline than this sublime master.
 
Numerous monasteries of all traditions in both [[Ü, Tsang and Kham]] he provided with donations and assistance. To all their sublime masters, headed by [[Drigung]], [[Taklung]], [[Kamtsang]], and [[Drukpa]], he made offerings and paid respect to their shrine objects. He also gave alms to the poor and thus manifested a life of goodness. At the age of sixty-two he passed into nirvana accompanied by wondrous signs.
 
The '''third Phakchok''' incarnation was [[Choying Lhundrub]], the seventeenth throne-holder (of Riwoche), born into the Bechen Khardru family during the thirteenth year cycle. In Lhasa he was opproved by the official divination and the installed in the seat of his predecessor. He became a great master endowed with the sublime qualities of learnedness, integrity and noble-mindedness through which he accomplished the welfare of the teachings and beings. In the Year of the Earth OX, 1829, the he dissolved his manifestation of the form-body.
 
The '''fourth Phakchok''' incarnation was [[Rinchen Lhundrub Drakpa Kunsel Nyima]], the nineteenth throne-holder (of Riwoche), born into the Rongko Longa Dzom family in [[Chamdo]] in the Year of the Iron Horse (1830). Having been opproved by the official divination, he was installed in the seat of his predecessor. After completing his studies and training with numerous learned and accomplished tutors he became a great pandita and accomplished master himself. In Lhasa he received the rank of a [[Nomihan]] after which he worked immensely for the benefit of the Buddhadharma and sentient beings in both spiritual and secular ways until his passing.
 
The '''fifth Phakchok''' incarnation was [[Ngawang Kunga Namgyal]], the twenty-first throne-holder (of Riwoche), born into the Sedor Bongkar family in the Year of the Water Ox (1913). After being installed on the golden throne of his predecessor, he studied with numerous tutors and spiritual teachers the ocean-like Dharma topics of Sutra and Tantra. On completing his studies and training he became both learned and accomplished as well as bring forth the realization of the true transmission. He then went to Lhasa where he in an audience with the [[thirteenth Dalai Lama]] at the [[Potala Palace]] was bestowed the official rank of his predecessor. Having benefited vastly the teachings and beings through his learned and accomplished qualities, he passed into nirvana.
 
The '''sixth Phakchok''' incarnation was [[Ngawang Jigmey Drakpa Tubten Namgyal]], the twenty-second throne-holder (of Riwoche), born into the same Sedor Bongkar family, and then placed on the Dharma throne at [[Yang-Gon Monastery]]. From [[Jedrung Trinley Jampey Jungney]], the lord of a hundred buddha families, and from many other tutors and spiritual masters, he completed the general studies of the graded path of Sutra and Tantra. In particular, he received the scriptures and teachings for the ripening empowerments and liberating instructions of the incomparable [[Taklung]] tradition. He spent long periods of time in retreat and became a crest-ornament among all learned and accomplished masters. He also erected innumerable sacred representations of Body, Speech and Mind.
 
In particular, in the Year of the Water Dragon, 1952, he invited [[Tendzin Drakpa]] of [[Katok]], also known as Pema Rangdrol, a master possessing the threefold qualities of being learned, upright and noble, to establish a new Shedra for the Taklung and [[Drukpa Kagyu]] traditions. Due to the unspeakable destructiveness of the savage invaders, he (the sixth Phakchok) passed away in Chamdo in the Year of the Earth Sheep, 1979.
 
The reincarnation of this sublime master was the [[seventh Phakchok]] Rinpoche, [[Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa]], born in the Year of the Iron Bird, 1981, of the seventeenth year cycle. The family he was born into is, among the six original clans, the [[Nangchen Tsangsar]] of the [[Khepaga]] line which were chiefly holders of the [[Barom Kagyu]] Dharma lineage, a family line who maintained an unbroken tradition of combining Kagyu and Nyingma.
 
It is from this lineage the glorious guru and lord of the mandala, the master whose name is difficult to utter, appeared, but for the sake of supplicating him, we will nevertheless here express: Kyabje [[Karma Urgyen Rinpoche]]. His son is the lord of beings [[Mingyur Dewey Dorje]], the fourth incarnation of [[Tsikey Chokling]], who is Phakchok Rinpoche's father. The mother is [[Dechen Paldron]] who belongs to the [[Gatsal Tashi Delek]] family of [[Gyangtse]], a family line descending from [[Zurchung Sherab Drakpa]], the life-pillar of the teachings of the [[Early Translations]].
 
Phakchok Rinpoche was born to these parents accompanied by wondrous signs and later recognized by the [[Kagyu regents]] as being the sixth in the line of the [[Riwoche Phakchok incarnations]]. He received ordination from [[Tendzin Gyatso]], the [[fourteenth Dalai Lama]] and was given the name [[Tendzin Jigmey Drakpa]].
 
Due to his outstanding brightness and inherent qualities from former training, he comprehended reading and writing, and when he later studied the topics of knowledge with [[Kungo Kalzang]], [[Karma Urgyen Rinpoche]]'s younger brother, he gained effortless understanding by simply hearing what was said.
 
Here is a description of the ripening empowerments and liberating instructions Phakchok Rinpoche has received from masters of the [[Sarma and Nyingma schools]] of all traditions:
 
From Kyabje [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] he has received longevity empowerments, the [[Six Volumes of Jatson Nyingpo]], [[Gyachen Kadzo]] (of [[Jamgon Kongtrul]]).
 
From Kyabje [[Dudjom Rinpoche]] he has received the empowerments of longevity.
 
From [[Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche]] he has received the empowerments for the [[Rinchen Terdzo]], the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the [[New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa]], the [[Dzogchen Desum]], the empowerments, reading transmissions and instructions for the [[Kunzang Tuktig]], the [[empowerment of awareness-display]] and [[mind-instruction for Dzogchen]], the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the [[Root Volumes of Nyingtig]], the [[Hundred Cho Empowerments]], and the [[Namkha Gojey]].
 
From Kyabje [[Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche]] he has received the complete empowerments and reading transmissions of the [[Taklung Kagyu]], and the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the collected works and terma teachings of [[Jedrung Rinpoche]].
 
From Kyabje [[Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche]] he has received the empowerments and reading transmissions for the [[Gyudey Kundu]].
 
From [[Sakya Dagtri Drolma Podrang]] he has received the complete [[Drubtab Kundu]].
 
From his father, [[Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche]], he has received the complete empowerments and reading transmissions for the [[Chokling Tersar]].
 
From [[Dzongsar Khenchen Kunga Wangchuk]] he has received the reading transmission for the collected works of the [[Five Sakya Forefathers]], the [[Prajñamula]], [[Madhyamikavatara]], and the [[400 Verses]], [[Sakya Pandita]]'s [[Tsema Rigter]], [[Tsema Namdrel]], the [[Higher and Lower Abhidharma]] and other works.
 
From Kyabje [[Tenga Rinpoche]] he has received the reading transmission for the [[Tengyur]], the [[Great Collection of the Translated Treatises]].
 
From Kyabje [[Penor Rinpoche]] he has received the complete empowerments for the [[Rinchen Terdzo]].
 
From [[Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche]] he has received the complete reading transmissions for the [[Rinchen Terdzo]].
 
From [[Arik Khenchen Petse Rinpoche]] he has received explanation to the [[Guhyagarbha Tantra]] and the [[Manjushri Nama Sangirti]], as well as mind-instruction.
 
From Kyabje [[Trulshik Rinpoche]] he has received the complete empowerments for the [[Collected Works of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]].
 
From [[Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche]] he has received the [[Togal Cycle]] of [[Khenpo Ngakchung's Hearing Lineage]], as well as mind-instruction.
 
From Kyabje [[Namkha Drimey Rinpoche]] he has received the empowerments and reading transmissions for the [[Gesar Cycle]].
 
From Kyabje [[Dabzang Rinpoche]] he has received the reading transmission for the [[Nagya Pagsum]].
 
From Kyabje [[Tsetrul Rinpoche]] he has received the [[Jangter Cycle of Gongpa Zangtal]].
 
Thus he is gaining mastery of an ocean-like amount of studies and understanding.
 
This was written by The [[Riwoche Society]]
 
For the purpose of adorning a publication celebrating the tenth anniversary of [[Ka-Nying Ling]] in Kuala Lumpur, and according to the wish of H. E. the [[Fourth Tsikey Chokgyur Lingpa]], this was translated by [[Erik Pema Kunsang]], at [[Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery]], February, 2000.
 
[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist Teachers]]
[[Category:Taklung Kagyu]]

Revision as of 08:06, 8 January 2006

Advice from the Lotus-Born - Front Cover

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