sgam rgyag
Gampopa, Sönam Richen (sgam po pa bsod nams rin chen), 1079-1153
Heart son of Milarepa and patriarch of the Kagyu lineage. Born in Nyal, Eastern Tibet, he first trained as a physician, hence his name Dagpo Lharje (dwags po lha rje), the Physician of Dagpo (the name of the province in which he was to spend many years), became ordained at the age of 26 after his two children and wife died in an epidemic. After studying and practicing the Kadampa teachings, he met Jetsun Milarepa at the age of 32 , of whom he was to become an important disciple. His main disciples were the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa (dus gsum mkhyen pa), 1110-1193, Phagmo Drupa; (phag mo gru pa rdo rje rgyal po), 1110-1170, and Barom Darma Wangchuk ('ba' rom dar ma dbang phyug), 1127-1199. The top picture (right) shows an ancient statue of Gampopa that is kept in Lapchi.
Additionally:
Gampopa (1079-1153) Foremost disciple of Milarepa who possessed both supreme realization and great scholarship. The great father of all the Kagyu lineages. Most known in the West as the author of The Jewel Ornament of Liberation. After he studied and practiced the Kadampa teachings, at the age of 32 he met Jetsun Milarepa, of whom he was to become the foremost disciple. Among his main disciples were the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa and Phagmo Drupa.
Also:
Sonam Richen (sgam po pa bsod nams rin chen), 1079-1153. Born in Nyal, Eastern Tibet, he first trained as a physician, hence his name Dagpo Lharje (dwags po lha rje), the Physician of Dagpo (the name of the province in which he was to spend many years), became ordained at the age of 26 after his two children and wife died in an epidemic. After he studied and practiced the Kadampa teachings, at the age of 32 he met Jetsun Milarepa, of whom he was to become the foremost disciple. His main disciples were the first Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa; dus gsum mkhyen pa (1110-1170), Phagmo Drupa; phag mo gru pa rdo rje rgyal po (1110-1170), Dharma Wangchuk; (dhar ma dbang phyug). (Mathieu Ricard)
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Main Teachers
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Main Lineages
Alternate Names
- Choje Gampopa
- Dagpo Rinpoche
- Dagpo Da-Ö Shönnu
- Dakpo Lhaje