Today (31st January 2020) in accordance with 18th day of 12 month of iron mouse year is the 658th death anniversary of Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam and I will share his brief biography to remind his significance to the Nyingma Tradition and Buddhism as a whole.
Kuenkhyen Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363) was born on tenth day of second month of the earth monkey year of fifth Rabjung from his father Tenpa Sung and mother Sonam Gyen at Totrong at Tsa valley. He was born with numerous auspicious signs and he is incarnation of Princess Pamasal, daughter of King Trisong Detsen. Guru Rinpoche has entrusted the transmission of Khandro Nyingthig to Princess Pamasal and reborn as Pama Ledreltsal, who rediscover the Khandro Nyingthig teaching as Ter before reborn as Kuenkhyen Longchen Rabjam. Longchenpa started learning on how to read and write from age of five from his father with no difficulties and at the age of seven, he even started to receive empowerments, instruction and training. He was also well trained of astrology and medicine under the guidance of his father Tenpa Sung, a tantric yogi of the Rok clan. At the age of twelve he received teachings from Khenpo Samdrup Rinchen at Samyae monastery given him a name Tsultrim Lodro. At the age of sixteen, he started studying many Tantras such as Lam ’Bras – two tradition of fruit and part, Ch’os – Six yogas, Kalachakra- wheel of time, gChod- Cutting off, Zhi Byed – three purification. Then from the master Zhonu Tondrup, he received initiation and instruction on Nyingma Tantras such as Do of Anuyoga, Mahajala Tantra of Mahayoga, and Semde of Atiyoga. Beside receiving teachings and transmissions, he also engage in meditative practice and saw the pure vision of Jetsuen Jamyang- Manjushri, Lhamo Yangchenma- Saravati, Dorji Ngyeljorma- vajravarahi, Jetsuen Dema –Tara and meyowa- Achala which signifies him for various spiritual attainment and hence he was named Longchenpa –Master of infinitive realization. At the age of 27 he met with Master Rigdzin Kumaradza (1266-1343) the holder of Vima Nyingthig teaching with prophecy of Tara and received instruction on all three categories of Dzogpachenpo such as Semde, Longde and men-gagde. After receiving all the Dzogpachenpo teachings from Rigdzinkumaradza, he practiced meditations where he had a pure vision of Guru Rinpoche.
At the age of 22, he confer empowerment & instruction for first time on Vimanyingthig and lots of auspicious signs appeared. Then one of his follower found text of Khandro Nyingthig which is discovered by his previous incarnation Pema Ledreltsal. After that he went to Sho Gyalse a disciple of Pema Ladreltsal to receive transmission of Khandro Nyingthig. He had received all transmission of Khandro Nyingthig, although he is incarnation of discoverer of khandro Nyingthig to show importance of lineage of transmission. Then he gave teaching of Khandro Nyingthig and during which the countless auspicious signs were showed and witness by general public. During that time he had vision of Guru Rinpoche and gave him empowerment and transmission of Khandro Nyingthig and named Ogyen Trimed Ozer and Dorje Ziji.Then he moved his residence to Gangri Thokar and composed countless text and also reached his meditation stage to perfection of awareness – (Rigpa Tshad Phebs) through training of Thod rGal.
Kuenkhyen Longchen Rabjam in Bhutan.
 |
Bumthang Tharpaling.
|
The situation force him to move to Bhutan and gave numerous teaching to thousands of disciples in Bhutan. Longchenpa has established numbers of monasteries in Bhutan, from which seven Ling or seven important monasteries are Bumthang Tharpaling, Shingkhar Dechenling, Kurtoe Kunzang ling, Shar Kunzangling, Paro/Bumthang Samtenling, Tang Ugyenling, khothang Rinchenling and Ngyenlung Draechagling. Moreover he had son named Tulku Trakpa Ozer from his consort Kyipa. Latter he went back to Tibet and gave lots of teachings to the disciples and in 1363 he gave his last teaching on impermanence and inspired them to practice Trekcho and Thogal. Then he has attained per-nirvana and his body was preserved for 25 days. During that time countless auspicious signs were appeared. The weathers became warm during coldest season and ice were melted and bloomed roses. Earth trembled for three times and numerous Ringsel (relics) were left, from which five Dungchen (large Ringsel) indicates the attainment of five bodies and five wisdom of Buddha-hood.
References
- Thondrup, T. (2002). Masters of Meditation and Maricles. (H. Talbott, Ed.) Shambhala Publications.
