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H.E. 8th
Garchen Triptül Rinpoche
Introduction.
The Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism has
been inherited by highly accomplished lamas. This is particularly true
of the Drikung Kagyu lineage, which was founded by Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon,whose
main disciple was Nyun Gar Chusum. The details of this lineage and its
significance are described in The Drikung's Golden History.
Garchen Rinpoche is one of the important Master
in The Drikung Kagyu order. His lineage of incarnation can be traced to
Gardampa Chödengpa, a disciple of the great Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön.
His Eminence's incarnation
as Gardampa Chödengpa |
Gardampa Chödengpa was born in 1180 A.D.,
and he was recognized to have been an incarnation of the Acharya Aryadeva
Bodhisattva, a disciple of Nagarjuna. At birth he was able to hold a staff,
and he chanted the six syllable mantra. His mother was too frightened to
tell others of her son's abilities. Later, he practiced Mantrayana at Tsari,
Tibet. While residing at a cave of Gar at Dagpo, all the gods and demons
of Tibet gathered round him. At first they drew sharp weapons and wounded
him, but later took refuge in him, offering the mantras of their lives.
When Gardampa Chödenpa was young, he
heard of the glorious accomplishments of the mahasiddha Kyobpa Jigten Sungon.
So he decided to make his way to Drikung. He then stayed there and received
many teachings and practiced under the guidance of his guru, Kyobpa Jigten
Sumgon. Very soon he was able to attain complete realization, and he became
one of the three important mahasiddhas -- Gar, Nyo, and Chosum -- of Kyobpa
Jigten Sumgön. Gardampa exhibited miraculous powers on many occasions
and through his profound teachings initiated numerous sentient beings on
the path of Dharma.
Many disciples started gathering around him,
but it was too early still, so he scolded them to leave. He founded the
monastery of Lung-shod Dar-Chödeng at Drikung. Eventually, so many
monks gathered around him, he moved away to found the monastery Phur-gon
Rinchen-ling.
Succeeding Incarnations
Among the succeeding incarnations of Gardampa
Chödenpa, Gar Tenpa Gyaltsen became the regent of Their Holinesses
the two Drikung Kyabgons (lineage holders). In that capacity he benefited
all beings.
Another incarnation, Gar Choekyi Nyima, chanted
the Chakrasamvara mantra more than 13 billion times and became a mahasiddha.
He could perform great miracles, such as curing diseases, preventing wars,
eliminating hunger, etc.
From the first Gar Tenzin Phuntsok to the
present 8th Gar Konchok Nyeton Tenpei Nyima, all the succeeding lamas have
been the supreme personal guru of the Nangchen kings.
The biography of the present
8th Gar Konchok Nyetong Tenpei Nyima Choekyi
Palsangye
His eminence was born in 1936 in Nangchen
Kham. The King of Nangchen personally took responsibility for searching
for the reincarnation of the 7th Gar Tinley Yonkyab. Rinpoche was recognized
and enthroned by His Holiness the late Drikung Kyabgon Shiwei Lodoe.
At the age of seven Rinpoche was brought to
Lho Miyalgon, where he was offered ceremonial clothes and other items.
He pointed to a painting of the Drikung lineage's founder, Jigten Sumgon,
and proved his authenticity as the reincarnation by saying, "He is my Guru."
This made people around him confident that he was the true reincarnation.
From that time until the age of 22 Rinpoche lived at and administered this
monastery.
Under the tutelage of Chime Dorje, Rinpoche
received many teachings. At the age of 13 he received the Drikung Kagyu
lineage teachings from Lho Thubten Nyingpo Rinpoche of Lho Lungkar Gön.
He received oral transmission, explanation and empowerment for Mahamudra
and the Six Yogas of Naropa. He completed Ngondro practice and went into
a three year retreat. He later did twenty years of retreat, during which
time he met Khenpo Munsel, a great disciple of the renowned Nyingmapa Khenpo
Ngagchung. From Khenpo Munsel he received Dzogchen teachings and practiced
secretly. Khenpo Munsel was astonished at Rinpoche's great achievement
and commented of him: "He is an emanation of a Bodhisattva."
Since 1979, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche
has been looking after the welfare of his monastery. He has been gracious
and kind to poor people. He has given all the offerings he received to
the monastery and has decided not to use anything for himself, his relatives,
or his mother.
In recent years, Garchen Rinpoche has shouldered
responsibility for rebuilding all of the Drikung Kagyu monasteries in Eastern
Tibet, while at the same time wholeheartedly giving profound teachings
of the lineage to others. In addition, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang
Rinpoche received the empowerment and transmission (lung) of Yamantaka
(Jampel Shinje) from Garchen Rinpoche, and composed a long life prayer
for him. In prayer H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche regards Garchen
Rinpoche as a great Drikung Kagyu yogi of the present time.
His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche is very considerate
and humble to all people regardless of position, age or gender. His advice
for people who drink, smoke, gamble and engage in other wrongdoings has
been very effective in correcting their behavior. By nature he is able
to work for the benefit of others and has earned great respect from the
public. His Eminence has never betrayed the expectations of his disciples
or others. He is extraordinary in this age of degeneration.
This brief biography was compiled
by His Eminence's disciple Konchok Toga, Abo, Bu Nyima, in consultation
with the present Garchen Rinpoche. This is like a drop of water out of
his accomplishments, which are as vast as the ocean. This originally was
completed on the 17th of September, 1996.
The Excellent Stream of
the
Elixir of Immortality
a prayer for the long life of
H.E. Kyabje Garchen Triptul Rinpoche
OM SOTI.
Unchanging great bliss, dharmakaya,
Unobstructed skill, samboghakaya,
Dance of objectless compassion, nirmanakaya,
Protect me lord of the undivided three kayas!
In the center of a white lotus, complete with
the sixteen aspects,
White as the autumn moon, holding an utpala
flower,
Protecting from the eight fears, mother of
the buddhas of the three times,
Wishfulfilling Chakra , bestow immortal life!
In the holy land you were known as Aryadeva,
In Dokham you manifested in the Gar family,
Heartson of Kyobpa Jigten Gonpö,
Glorious Garchen, for a hundred eons may
your life remain firm!
Full moon, ornamenting the doctrine of the
Three Jewels,
In the cave of the eastern mountain you attained
sublimity,
And yet you stay as a kumuda in the cool
rays of a low seat,
Garchen, moon of benefiting others, may your
life remain firm!
Leaving aside the winds of food, clothing
and talk,
Wearing the armor of learning, virtue and
nobility,
Your three samadhis firm as the ocean-waters,
Garchen, light of certain meaning, may your
life remain firm!
In this degenerate time, when the doctrine
of the victorious ones is feeble,
Through your vajra-like discipline,
You carry the heavy burden of the unbiased
teaching,
Garchen, sun of the doctrine, may your life
remain firm!
Although the three secrets of a lama possessing
blessing,
Cannot be assaulted by the obstructions of
demons,
Yet according to the nature of dependent
origination,
This wishfulfilling prayer is marvelous.
Through the blessing of Mahakala and Chöki
Drölma,
May this pure prayer, made with a pure heart,
Be accomplished according to its meaning,
spontaneously and without obstacles!
At the request of the monks
Karma Drodül and Drukseng of Lho LungKar Gön monastery, this
prayer was made by the one blessed with the name of the Glorious Drikungpa,
Konchog Tenzin Kunsang Trinley Lhundrup. Written on the 29th of the second
month, in the year of the water monkey [1992], in the 17th rabjung cycle,
may this prayer bring virtue.
Mangalam. |
