Dodrupchen (Dodrup Rinpoche) incarnation line & meaning

First Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Ozer (1745-1821) was born at upper “Do” valley of Eastern Tibet. Hence, people started to call him as Dodrupchen when he became a great disciple of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa. Moreover he has thirteen student whose name start with “Do” such as Do khentse Yeshe Dorje, Dola Jigme Kelzang and so on. Therefore he was titled with Dodrupchen and his incarnation line were called as Dodrupchen incarnation line. Moreover, the present Dodrupchen Thubten Trinle Palzang, who lives at Sikkim Choeten Goenpa is fourth incarnation of Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Ozer and the incarnation line of Dodrupchen are as follows:

First Dodrupchen

First Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Ozer (1745-1821)

First Dodrupchen JigmeTrinle Ozer was born at upper Do valley of Eastern Tibet in wood Ox year of 12th Rabjung (1745). He was (Tsa wai Choe dak) principle doctrine holder of Longchen Nyingthig tradition. He had many visions from childhood itself and second Shechen Rabjam Gyurme Kunzang Namgay performed cutting hair ceremony and named Kunzang Shenphen. He received teachings from numerous teachers including third Dzonchen Rinpoche Ngedon Tenzin Zangpo. He had performed meditations for numerous years under instruction of Dzogchen Rinpoche and also prophesied him that he has master to whom he has special relationship by virtue of his past karma. Then he met with his principle teacher to whom he has karmic relation, Rigdzin Jigme Linpa at Tshering Jong Monastery at Yarlung valley. Then Jigme Lingpa recognize him as future holder of his teaching and also recognized as incarnation of Prince Muru Tsenpo. Then he had received every teachings of Rigzin jigme Lingpa and benefited a lot to the linage. Moreover he had also discovered his own mind terma and preach Longchen Nyingthig cycle. 

Second Dodrupchen.

Second Dodrupchen Jigme Phuntsok Jungne (1824-1863)

The Second Dodrupchen Jigme Phuntshok Jungne was born in 1824 from father Puchung Chophen and mother Apangza Tsomo at Thangyak gorge in Do valley. He was recognized as Dodrupchen by Sakya Kongma and in 1834, he went to Dzachukha and received teachings of Ngondro, Rigdzin duepa & Dzogpachenpo from Jigme Gyalwe Nguku. In 1844, Do Khyentse gave him transmissions, teachings and empowerments of Longchen Nyingthig cycle. Moreover, he received teachings from Paltrul Rinpoche and Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche.  He was born with numerous powers and benefited a lot to the sentient beings. In 1863, many people dried due to smallpox epidemic and he was saddened by this suffering. Hence he took this epidemic on himself and stopped this disease in that town. Therefore he was died due to smallpox and during his death, he said that he has lots of problem due to women and he will take rebirth as a person who will not even look at women’s face (latter reborn as third Dodrupchen who is strict monk).  Furthermore, during his death, he said that Yogi must die like stay dog and died with head downward but Do Khyentse and his son arrived during his death and Do Khyentse kicked his body and said “why you are dyeing like stay dog”, then his body sat as meditation posture as if he is alive and remained in absorption for a week.

 

Third Dodrupchen

Third Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima (1865-1926)

Third Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima was born on 18^th day of second month of Wood Ox year (1865) to father Dudjom Lingpa and mother Sonamtso. He had seven younger brother but all are great trulkus. He was recognized as third Dodrupchen by fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche Minjur Namkhe Dorji and enthroned at Yarlung Pemako in 1810. Latter he went to Dzogchen monastery to study with Khenpo Pema Dorji but he has difficulty in understanding. So he use to cry a lot and also went to sleep with tears. Once he saw Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje in his dream with one volume of text and when he ask about that text, Do Khyentse replied it is for those who have hard to understand the text. So he ask for that text and Do Khyentse gave him. Therefore, his level of understanding boost up and he could learn easily. Then he moved to Dzachukha and received many teachings from Master Paltrul Rinpoche with no difficulty. He received numerous teachings from many masters including Khenpo Pema Dorji, Paltrul Rinpoche, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Mura Trulku Pema Dechen Zangpo, Zhechen Thutop Nangyal, Ju Mepham Namgyal, Terton Sogyal and so on. More importantly, he received complete Longchen Nyingthig Teachings and Yabzhi from Jamyang Khentse Wangpo, Khenpo Pema Dorji and Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche.

Many scholars were amazed by his writing of Lekshe Gaton at the age of 21 but latter he wrote second complementary on same subject as he discovered that his writing was influenced by the view of Sarma. Hence his second composition is pure view of Nyingma view. He has provided many transmissions, empowerments, and instructions to many disciples and also wrote numerous complementary which has benefited a lot to Nyingma Tradition. Latter at the age of 62 (1962) he had unusual ill appeared and suddenly passed away with numerous auspicious signs with earth tremors, hot weathers and ray of rainbows. Finally his body was cremated after 49^th days and remains were preserved in golden stupa at Dodrupchen Monastry.

 

Fourth Dodrupchen: Rigdzin Tenpe Gyaltsen (1927-1961) and Thupten Thrinle palzang (b. 1927).

Two incarnations of Third Dodrupchen were born namely Rigdzin Tenpe Gyaltsen aka Dudul Pawo Dorje (1927-1961) and Thupten Thrinle palzang (b.1927). Although both Fourth Dodrupchen were born with Nemours power and recognized by many great lamas as two fourth Dodrupchen, Rigdzin Tenpe Gyaltsen also Known as Dudul Pawo Dorje has latter acknowledge himself that he was trulku of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje and he has also displayed mystical power similar to Do Khyentse. However many prophesies and great lamas has recognized as two Fourth Dodrupchen.

Fourth Dodrupchen

Fourth Dodrupchen Thupten Thrinle Palzang (b.1927)

Fourth Dodrupchen Thupten Thinle Palzang is a great master of Dzogpachenpo and principal Linage holder of Longchen Nyingthig. He was born in 1927 at valley of Gollok from father Drala and mother Kali Kyi. While Rinpoche was in Womb, there were many auspicious signs and dreams to parents were appeared. His mother can see in the darkness while Rinpoche is in womb and also Za use to appear on the roof of the house. Many people heard that Rinpoche use to chant Siddhi mantra from small age་ and Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche has gave prophecy to search for trulku of 3^rd Dodrupchen and the search team met with Dodrupchen Trulku as per Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche’s instruction. Rinpoche has passed all the test with no hesitation and finally Dzogchen Rinpoche has also picked his name during Final Test. He had answered every questions while people ask about his past life and shown many miracle powers during his childhood. Both the incarnations were enthrone together and they use to learn together from Konme Khenpo. However after the death of Khenpo, Rinpoche traveled to Dzachukha and received empowerments of Nyingthig Yabzhi and Longchen Nyingthig from Khenpo Kunzang Chotrak aka Khenpo Kunpal. Khenpo Kunpal was disciple of Paltrul Rinpoche and 3^rd Dodrupchen and he used to say that my linage is short, powerful, blessed and extraordinary to other linage.

At the age of 14, he has become seriously ill and went to Apang Terton and received lots of Prophecies along with treatment.  Then as per the advice of Apang Terton, Rinpoche went to receive teachings from Yukhok Chatralwa and received many teachings. He has received many teachings from various great teachers such as Jamyang Khentse chokyi Lodro, shechen Kongtrul, Dzogchen Khenpo Gompo etc. and practiced according to their guidance. Moreover Rinpoche has spread longchen Nyingthig tradition in many different places including Bhutan and currently lives at Sikkim Choeten Goenpa.

References

- Thondrup, T. (2002). Masters of Meditation and Maricles. (H. Talbott, Ed.) Shambhala Publications.

- Rigpa Shedra

- Rigpa Wiki