A Brief Autobiography of Khenpo Konchog Monlam Rinpoche

A Brief Autobiography of Khenpo Konchog Monlam Rinpoche

From Samantabhadra, the single father of all Conquerors, Down to my Root-Guru of immeasurable Kindness, To the lineage masters who bestowed empowerments, guidance and pith instructions, While remembering their kindness, I respectfully pay homage in thought, word and deeds.

This description of my life story, Combined with my record of teachings received, As well as the priceless empowerments, guidance and pith instructions, I write down with body, speech and mind, free from deceit.

Preceded by these verse of homage and resolve to compose, the topic that will be covered here is about me, your humble Konchog Monlam.

I was born in 1940 in the Nangchen area of Do-kham, in Chito Drongmey, near Chigyal Lhakhang Mugmo, a place called Chu Sang Zhung, a place with good soil and water. I am the child of my father, Kyashog Sherab Gyaltsen, and my mother, Ngoza Tsering Paldron. In 1956 I entered the monastic livelihood at Lho Lungkar Gon, which is like the second seat of the great Drigung, where the Drigung Yangzab lineage is held. There I began to learn reading and writing, so terrible changes took place. In 1959 I arrived in Nepal and visited the three major stupas and all the other major sacred sites. Following that I went on pilgrimage to India where I first visited the Vajra Throne in Bodhgaya and then all of the other major sacred places of India. Finally I came to Tsopema, the Lotus Lake in the Land of Zahor. This was where the great Drigung Khandro Rinpoche gave me the command to live off alms. From Pomda Khen Rinpoche and Dzigar Lama Wangdor I requested the instructions and reading transmissions for the preliminary practices of the Nyingthig and was able to complete the ngondro in retreat.

In the year 1964 The Lord of Refuge, Dudjom Rinpoche bestowed empowerments and reading transmissions for the Rinchen Terdzod which I received in its entirety as well as for most of the Dudjom Ter teachings.

In 1965 I received the Nyendzog monastic precepts with the sublime Khenchen Thupten Ozer acting as preceptor, Khenpo Dazer as the Sangton, and in the presence of ten fully ordained monks. During the following twenty years, from that year until 1985, I received at Pangan Hermitage from the Lord of my Buddha family, my gracious Root-Guru who is like the life-pillar of the teachings of the Early Translation (Nyingma), His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Thupten Ozer, most of the thirteen major scriptures beginning with The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhisattva Charya Avatara), which was preceded by the Practices of a Boddhisattva (Gyalsey Laglen).

Starting with The Ornament of the Middle Way (Uma Gyen), I also receives most of Mipham Rinpoche’s philosophical scriptures, and starting with The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Kunzang Lame Shelung), I received most of the pith instruction of Dza Paltrul Rinpoche. Among the teachings of Gyalwa Kunkyenpa (Longchen Rabjam), I have received the Seven Treasuries of Longchenpa (Longchen Dzodun); the Trilogy of Dispelling Darkness (Munsel Korsum); the Trilogy of Resting at Ease (Ngalso Korsum); the Trilogy of Natural Liberation (Rangdrol Korsum); and many others.

Khenchen Thupten Ozer also bestowed upon me Botrul Dongak Tenpai Nyima’s Distinguishing Philosophical Views (Tadrub Shenje), his commentary on Prajnaparamita, and several other of his collected writings. Moreover, I have received Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Dakpo Targyen); Ngari Panchen’s Three Precepts (Domsum); the commentary on that, named Wishfulfilling Sprout (Paksam Nyema); Yonten Gyatso’s commentary; Karma Ngelek’s commentary; and many other philosophical scriptures.

As for empowerments, I have received from Khenchen Thupten Ozer the empowerments for the Three Roots of Nyingthig (Nyingthig Tsasum); Vajrasattva Abhirati (Dorsem Ngonga); Amitabha (Opagmey); the Four Branches of Nyingthig (Nyingthig Yabzhi); the Guhyaarbha Tantra (Gyu Sangwa Nyingpo); as well as thorough reading transmissions and instructions. On this Tantra I have received the following commentaries: the Oral Teachings of the Lord of Secrets (Sangdag Shellung); the Precious Explanation (Konchog Drel); Dodrup’s General Meaning (Dodrup Chidon); Mipham’s General Meaning (Mipham Chidon); as well as several others.

Furthermore from the great, learned and accomplished master of the definitive meaning, the sublime Khunu Lama Tendzin Gyaltsen Rinpoche, I received at the Vajra Throne in Bodhgaya, mainly the Way of the Bodhisattva--Bodhisattvacaryaavtara, Entering the Middle Way—Madhyamikavatara, as well as the entire Mahamudra Cycles of the Drukpa Kagyu; I received Longchenpa’s Treasury of Dharmadhatu (Choying Dzod); the Seven Point Mind Training (Lojong Dondunma); the Precious Garland of the Sublime Path (Lamchok Rinchen Trangwa); the Three Words Striking the Vital Point (Tsigsum Nedek); and the Unexcelled Wisdom (Yeshe Lama). These oral instruction he gave in the way of personal guidance and thereby brought an end to any and all doubts.

Later on, in 1977, when this eminent Rinpoche dissolved his mind into Dharmadhatu in the Shashul Monastery of Lahoul, I had the fortune to render my services by participating in the cremation ceremonies and building a stupa for his remains in order to repay his immense kindness.

From the defender of world peace and the Wishfulfilling Jewel, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, I have twice received the grand empowerment for Wheel of Time (Kalachakra); the grand empowerment for Chakrasamvara according to the tradition of Drilbupa, as well as many other empowerments. Moreover from His Holiness I have received the Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhisattvachayavatara); the Practice of the Bodhisattva (Gyalsey Laglen); Gompopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Dakpo Targyen); the Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment (Jangchub Lamdron); the Precious Garland of the Sublime Path (Lamchok Rinchen Trengwa); the Seven Point Mind Training (Lojong Dondunma); the Priceless Garland of the Middle Way (Uma Rinchen Trengwa); and a great deal of other philosophical scriptures. From the ornament adorning the teaching of the Early Translating (Nyingma), Lord of Refuge Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, I have received the instructions on the Nyingma and Kagyu sections of the Treasury of Oral Instructions (Damngak Dzod); the complete empowerments for the Treasury of Precious Termas (Rinchen Terdzod); the reading transmission for the Root Volumes of Nyingthig (Nyingthig Tsapo); the instructions and reading transmission for the Unexcelled Wisdom (Yeshe Lama), and many others.

From the Lord of Siddhas, Khyabje Chadral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche, I received the book transmission for Dzogchen instructions. From the one who illuminated the unified teachings of Kagyu and Nyingma, the Lord of Yogis Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, I received the instructions and reading transmissions for the Heart Essence of Samantabhadra (Kunzang Tuktig); the empowerment and reading transmission for the Ngakso; the Flight of the Garuda (Khading Shoglab); and others. I addition I have followed many teachers of all traditions without prejudice, receiving empowerments, reading transmissions, and instructions from the greatest of Sakya and Gelugpa Lamas.

Among all the empowerments and teachings which I was bestowed by the above mentioned sublime masters, at Panggon Hermitage I was able to do a fair deal of recitations and practices chiefly the Three-Roots of Nyingthig. Furthermore, during many years I served at Panggon Gonpa by taking responsibility as the shrine master (Chopon), head-chanter (Umdzey), disciplinarian (Geko), bursar (Nyerpa), rehearsal teacher (Kyorpon), and so forth.

Following that, beginning from the year 1978, I was ordered by my Root Guru to act as preceptor (Khenpo) at the Manali Nyingma Gonpa, at the Lungkar Gonpa in Tsopema, and other places, so as to preside over the Rainy Season Retreat. For many years since I have acted in this function and maintained the correct tradition of the Three Fundamentals of the Vinaya (Dulwa Zhisum). During this time I also gave some explanations of several scriptures. For many years in the Bir Settlement, I also served by officiating over 100 million Vajra Guru recitation, 100 million Mani recitation, and fasting ceremonies (Nyung Nay). During this time I gave Dharma lectures to more then a thousand people, headed by ordained Sangha but also lay men and women.

In the year 1985, I went back to Tibet to visit my relatives who were left behind there. During that time I gave reading transmissions for the Mani and Vajra Guru mantra and more than a thousand gave up alcohol and tobacco. I also went on pilgrimage to Lhasa, Tsang, Drigung, and so forth, to pay my respect and make offerings.

In 1986 I returned from Tibet and, according to the command of my precious and eminent root guru, I remained for nine years at Jangchub Ling, the monastic college newly built by H.H. Drigung Chetsang. Here I taught more than twenty Tulkus of the Drigung Kagyu tradition and more than one-hundred monks in their nine-year curriculum beginning with the Gateway to Knowledge (Khenjuk), and in general took responsibility for being the Khenpo in charge of the studies program. In that way I was able to serve by upholding, maintaining and spreading the Buddhadharma in whichever way was appropriate.

After that I asked to be excused from Drigung Jangchub Ling and once more went on pilgrimage to Nepal. At the four retreat centers of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche headed by the one at Asura Cave, I was able to be of service by giving teachings of practice to more than 40 retreatants, primarily the Words of My Perfect Teacher (Kunzang Lamey Shellung); Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Dakpo Targyen); and the General Meaning of Guhyagarbha Tantra (Sangnying Chidon).

Following that, in accordance with the command of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, I am offering my service as Khenpo at Tsungon Nangkyi Gompa (Nagi Gompa) while teaching the scriptures and instructing in practice. In 1997 I opened a retreat center in Swyambhu, which I offered to my Guru at the opening cereamonies. At that time we entered four monks into three-year retreat, after which my Guru offered the advice that if I wished to really be of benefit, Ngudrub Charbeb Ling should serve the multitudes of nuns in need of a Gompa and Shedra. Now in 2005 the second set of retreatants have just completed, which was the first set of nuns, and for this time I have acted as Khenpo and Drubpon.

This is my story in brief…

Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang, Nagi Gompa