Preface

The stories in this book are based on both oral and written sources. In the 1970s, I began to write down the stories of Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887) that I'd heard from my teachers, and also began reading some of Patrul Rin-poche's spiritual advice in Tibetan and translating them into English The primary written sources for Patrul Rinpoche's life are two short traditional biographies (namthar) written by his own disciples. The first, Dewdrop of Amrita, written by Dodrup Tenpai Nyima, the 3rd Dodrupchen Rinpoche, describes the main events of Patrul Rinpoche's life as well as the places where he studied, taught, and practiced. It also contains a few anecdotes and offers a lively portrait of Patrul Rinpoche's unique qualities of being. The second biography, Elixir of Faith, written by Gegong Khenpo Kunzang Palden (better known as Khenpo Kunpel), is an elaboration of the prayer written by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo to commemorate the main events of Patrul's life. This later biography incorporates most of Dodrup Tenpai Nyima's work, supplemented with information from other sources, especially the diaries of Sönam Tsering, the humble and devoted attendant from Amdo who served Patrul Rinpoche during most of the last part of the great sage's life.1

Despite the lack of a detailed written hagiography, a rich oral tradition recounting Patrul Rinpoche's life and teachings remains very much alive. Recent contemporary teachers have continued this tradition, such as Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (who met Patrul's direct students, such as Lama Mipham, Khenpo Kunpel, Khenpo Shenga of Dzogchen, Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu's tulku Trama Tulku Kunzang Dechen, among others), Khenpo Pema Wangyal of Gemang, also a student of Khenpo Kunpel and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, just to cite a few. Other anecdotes come down to us from Patrul's heart- disciple Nyoshul Lungtok to his own student Khenpo Nga-kchung (Khenpo Ngawang Palzang), and on to later disciples, very few of