Gyagom Legpa Gyaltsen
Gyagom Legpa Gyaltsen (rgya sgom legs pa rgyal mtshan)
He was born in a Dragon year (1484?) in the Shang valley, not far from the birth place of Khedrub Khyungpo Naljor, into the Dong clan to father Önpo Tashi Gön and mother Deleg Budren. Originally he was given the name Dzambhala and learned reading and writing very quickly when still very young. He also studied some medicine and diagnosis, without any difficulties. From his paternal uncle he received many dharma teachings. Then he went into the presence of Drubchen Namkha Gyaltsen and offered his hair, i.e. he took refuge from him. At this time he received the name Legpa Gyaltsen. Somewhat later he also received the complete Shangpa Kagyu transmissions from his teacher. At first he received the empowerment for the Deities of the Five Tantra Classes (rgyud sde lnga), and was given the secret name of Mikyö Dorje on this occasion. He also received the Kālacakra transmission in entirety. From Chöje Senge Sangpo he received the teachings of the Kadampas, and from Dorje Gyaltsen yet again the entire transmission of the Shangpa teachings. In particular he received the entire transmission of the teachings and practices of Jnanadakini Niguma in the Nyangme Samding (nyang smad bsam sdings) lineage, as well as from the Jagpa ('jag pa) lineage, which came down through Jagpa Gyaltsen Bum, Jagchen Jampa Pal and Lodrö Kunga Pal. Additionally he received many other lineages as well. Gyagom Legpa Gyaltsen established various hermitages, among them several in the Shang area. He fully perfected the practices of Illusory Form, Dream and Clear Light from among the "The Five Golden Dharmas of the Shangpa", especially from among "The roots: the Six Doctrines of Niguma". Because he chose to keep his accomplishments secret however, he was known as a so-called Hidden Yogin (sbas pa'i rnal 'byor). Once when he transferred the great empowerment for the practice of Illusory Form upon students, the inner offering (nang mchod) in his small skull bowl became inexhaustible. In the later part of his life he established his main student, Jetsün Kunga Drölchog, as the very owner of the Shangpa transmission lineage, and gave everything to him, not leaving anything out whatsoever. When he finally passed away peacefully, many relics appeared from his precious remains. They were enshrined at Chölung Jangtse.
From the "dpal ldan shangs pa'i chos skor gyi 'byung khungs yid kyi mun sel" by Jonang Tāranātha, vol. 34, pp. 194-285 of his Collected Works, dpal brtsegs bod yig dpe rnying zhib 'jug khang edition [TSD]
Primary Teachers[edit]
- Drubchen Namkha Gyaltsen
- Dorje Gyaltsen