Yangzab
Drikung Kagyu Dzogchen Terma Teachings
The Very Profound Vision (Yang Zab)
Introduction The Yang Zab (The practices of the Very Profound Vision) is regarded as supreme among all the Yanas--it embodies the very essence of the tantric teachings. As a Dzogchen practice, it is unique within the Drikung lineage, as it was revealed by the Drikung Tertön (hidden treasure revealer), Rinchen Phuntsog and he is also the 17 throne holder of the Glorious Drikung Kagyu Order.
During the eighth century, King Trisong Deutsen of Tibet, an emanation of Manjushri, invited Guru Rinpoche to the Land of Snows in order to subdue demonic forces hostile to the Dharma. Having accomplished his wishes and having founded Samye Monastery, the king showed signs of approaching death, and soon passed away. The king's son, Prince Mutik Tsenpo (also known as Sena Lek) became king, and received the Yang Zab empowerments and instructions from Guru Rinpoche.
The youthful king found that his fathers duties were were so numerous that he had little time to practice Dharma. Guru Rinpoche foresaw a time in the future when the teachings of dharma would degenerate due to the increasing power of ignorance and afflictive emotions in the minds of sentient beings. Guru Rinpoche gave the teachings of the "Very Profound " (Yang Zab) - practices that he received through Kuntungzangpo (dharmakaya), the 100 peaceful and wrathful deities and the 5 buddha families (sambhogakaya), and from Tulku Garab Dorje (nirmanakaya). Prophesizing that these teachings would be most effective in future times of spiritual darkness, he gave the teachings to Mandarava, who attained rainbow body, and to Yeshe Tsogyal. Guru Rinpoche instructed him to put the practice into text form and prepare six copies on durable sheets of gold, turquoise, copper and other materials.
These were then wrapped in precious materials and hidden by Yeshe Tsogyal in Zhoto Terdrom on the limestone massif to the north in the Great Assembly Hall of the Sky Dancers cave ( Khandro Tsok Khang Kiri Yang Zong Namkha Phug ) located in a towering peak.
The terma was revealed by the great omniscient Drikung Tertön Rinchen Phuntsog, himself an emanation of King Mutik Tsenpo, during the first half of the sixteenth century. The Yang Zab has been transmitted uninterruptedly down through the Drikung lineage to the present.
Colorado Yangzab Study Group
The Aurora Sangha practices the Yangzab terma teachings. Currently, we are doing the Yangzab Ngondro. Contact the Aurora Sangha for further information.