This article continues the series by Lama Padma Drimed Norbu on the lineage holders of the profound path of the Great Perfection, particularly the Longchen Nyingtik lineage revealed by the great Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa.
Having mastered the teachings he received from Long-chen- pa, Jigme Lingpa began to guide others through this profound cycle. Eventually, he passed the lineage on to one of his close students— Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu. After studying for a long time with Jigme Lingpa, Gyalwai Nyugu traveled to Kham in Eastern Tibet, where he renounced the comforts and amenities of ordinary life. Living on a windswept hillside, with only the bare essentials, he focused one-pointedly on practicing and accomplishing the teachings of the Longchen Nyingtik. As he practiced purely in this way, he became a great inspiration to others, and students began to gather around him.
One of these was Patrul Rinpoche, who had the good fortune to receive the Longchen Nyingtik teachings in their entirety. Patrul Rinpoche was the speech incarnation of Jigme Lingpa, and received teachings on the preliminary practices (ngondro) from Gyalwai Nyugu more than a dozen times. These became the basis for his book Words of My Perfect Teacher. The first Drodrubchen had entrusted Patrul Rinpoche with the lineage of the Great Perfection at an early age and gave him the name Orgyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo. He was also recognized as the tulku of Palge Samten P’huntsok. Although Patrul Rinpoche studied the sutras and tantras with many great masters, his root gurus were Gyalwai Nyugu and the first Drodrubchen’s principal disciple, Do Khyentse.
Patrul lived at the residence of his previous incarnation, Palge Samten, until he was about twenty. After the head administrator died, he decided to close the residence, and inspired by his teacher’s humble way of life, he wandered as a hermit, teaching many people as he traveled and meditating in caves and secluded forests. Once while he was meditating in a cave, he heard the familiar sound of the small bell that hung from the neck of Do Khyentse’s horse, and he joyously awaited the arrival of his teacher. When Do Khyentse entered the cave and Patrul respectfully greeted him, Do Khyentse showed him the nature of mind in a very unconventional way. He grabbed Patrul by his long hair and began to throw him around. Patrul smelled alcohol on his lama’s breath and thought, “My teacher must be drunk.” Do Khyentse read his thoughts and dropped him, saying, “You people with ordinary mind have such negative thoughts. You old dog!” Completely taken by surprise, Patrul sat up and, as his negativity gave way, sky-like awareness arose without obstruction.
Patrul Rinpoche had great love for Shantideva’s work, Bodhisattvacaryavatara (The Entrance into a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life). He taught it widely, inspiring many people to enter the bodhisattva path.
He lived for a time in a forest with a disciple who was to become his lineage holder, Lungtok Tenpai Nyima. They practiced and meditated there, and Patrul taught him a little of the Bodhisattvacaryavatara each day. Gradually other students gathered there, living very simply without possessions or much food. Understanding that desire creates obstacles to one’s practice, Patrul wrote:
Suffering is good, happiness is not.
Happiness inflames the five poisons of passion.
Suffering cleanses old karma.
Suffering is a blessing of the Lama.
Criticism is good, compliments are not.
If I am complimented, I will swell with arrogance.
If criticized, my faults will be exposed.
Poverty is good, prosperity is not.
Prosperity causes the great pains of earning more and preserving it.
Poverty causes dedication and accomplishment of the holy Dharma.
When people offered him food or money, even gold, Patrul Rinpoche would often leave it for others in greater need. During one period in his life, he did accept offerings to complete an enormous wall made of stones on which many Om Mani Padme Hung mantras were carved. He had actually begun the construction of this wall in his previous incarnation as Palge Samten.
He had great equanimity, and taught and guided rich and poor people equally. His counsel was kind but always direct, exposing people’s flaws without concern for social convention. In his later years he returned to the region of his birth. Finally, one morning, at the age of eighty-one, he sat naked, resting perfectly with hands on his knees and his mind one with the vast expanse of primordial purity.
Lama Drimed
_______________
Patrul Rinpoche in The Words of My Perfect Teacher
This article continues the series by Lama Padma Drimed Norbu on the lineage holders of the profound path of the Great Perfection, particularly the Longchen Nyingtik lineage revealed by the great Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa.
Having mastered the teachings he received from Long-chen- pa, Jigme Lingpa began to guide others through this profound cycle. Eventually, he passed the lineage on to one of his close students— Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu. After studying for a long time with Jigme Lingpa, Gyalwai Nyugu traveled to Kham in Eastern Tibet, where he renounced the comforts and amenities of ordinary life. Living on a windswept hillside, with only the bare essentials, he focused one-pointedly on practicing and accomplishing the teachings of the Longchen Nyingtik. As he practiced purely in this way, he became a great inspiration to others, and students began to gather around him.
One of these was Patrul Rinpoche, who had the good fortune to receive the Longchen Nyingtik teachings in their entirety. Patrul Rinpoche was the speech incarnation of Jigme Lingpa, and received teachings on the preliminary practices (ngondro) from Gyalwai Nyugu more than a dozen times. These became the basis for his book Words of My Perfect Teacher. The first Drodrubchen had entrusted Patrul Rinpoche with the lineage of the Great Perfection at an early age and gave him the name Orgyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo. He was also recognized as the tulku of Palge Samten P’huntsok. Although Patrul Rinpoche studied the sutras and tantras with many great masters, his root gurus were Gyalwai Nyugu and the first Drodrubchen’s principal disciple, Do Khyentse.
Patrul lived at the residence of his previous incarnation, Palge Samten, until he was about twenty. After the head administrator died, he decided to close the residence, and inspired by his teacher’s humble way of life, he wandered as a hermit, teaching many people as he traveled and meditating in caves and secluded forests. Once while he was meditating in a cave, he heard the familiar sound of the small bell that hung from the neck of Do Khyentse’s horse, and he joyously awaited the arrival of his teacher. When Do Khyentse entered the cave and Patrul respectfully greeted him, Do Khyentse showed him the nature of mind in a very unconventional way. He grabbed Patrul by his long hair and began to throw him around. Patrul smelled alcohol on his lama’s breath and thought, “My teacher must be drunk.” Do Khyentse read his thoughts and dropped him, saying, “You people with ordinary mind have such negative thoughts. You old dog!” Completely taken by surprise, Patrul sat up and, as his negativity gave way, sky-like awareness arose without obstruction.
Patrul Rinpoche had great love for Shantideva’s work, Bodhisattvacaryavatara (The Entrance into a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life). He taught it widely, inspiring many people to enter the bodhisattva path.
He lived for a time in a forest with a disciple who was to become his lineage holder, Lungtok Tenpai Nyima. They practiced and meditated there, and Patrul taught him a little of the Bodhisattvacaryavatara each day. Gradually other students gathered there, living very simply without possessions or much food. Understanding that desire creates obstacles to one’s practice, Patrul wrote:
Suffering is good, happiness is not.
Happiness inflames the five poisons of passion.
Suffering cleanses old karma.
Suffering is a blessing of the Lama.
Criticism is good, compliments are not.
If I am complimented, I will swell with arrogance.
If criticized, my faults will be exposed.
Poverty is good, prosperity is not.
Prosperity causes the great pains of earning more and preserving it.
Poverty causes dedication and accomplishment of the holy Dharma.
When people offered him food or money, even gold, Patrul Rinpoche would often leave it for others in greater need. During one period in his life, he did accept offerings to complete an enormous wall made of stones on which many Om Mani Padme Hung mantras were carved. He had actually begun the construction of this wall in his previous incarnation as Palge Samten.
He had great equanimity, and taught and guided rich and poor people equally. His counsel was kind but always direct, exposing people’s flaws without concern for social convention. In his later years he returned to the region of his birth. Finally, one morning, at the age of eighty-one, he sat naked, resting perfectly with hands on his knees and his mind one with the vast expanse of primordial purity.
Lama Drimed
_______________
Patrul Rinpoche in The Words of My Perfect Teacher
This article continues the series by Lama Padma Drimed Norbu on the lineage holders of the profound path of the Great Perfection, particularly the Longchen Nyingtik lineage revealed by the great Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa.
Having mastered the teachings he received from Long-chen- pa, Jigme Lingpa began to guide others through this profound cycle. Eventually, he passed the lineage on to one of his close students— Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu. After studying for a long time with Jigme Lingpa, Gyalwai Nyugu traveled to Kham in Eastern Tibet, where he renounced the comforts and amenities of ordinary life. Living on a windswept hillside, with only the bare essentials, he focused one-pointedly on practicing and accomplishing the teachings of the Longchen Nyingtik. As he practiced purely in this way, he became a great inspiration to others, and students began to gather around him.
One of these was Patrul Rinpoche, who had the good fortune to receive the Longchen Nyingtik teachings in their entirety. Patrul Rinpoche was the speech incarnation of Jigme Lingpa, and received teachings on the preliminary practices (ngondro) from Gyalwai Nyugu more than a dozen times. These became the basis for his book Words of My Perfect Teacher. The first Drodrubchen had entrusted Patrul Rinpoche with the lineage of the Great Perfection at an early age and gave him the name Orgyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo. He was also recognized as the tulku of Palge Samten P’huntsok. Although Patrul Rinpoche studied the sutras and tantras with many great masters, his root gurus were Gyalwai Nyugu and the first Drodrubchen’s principal disciple, Do Khyentse.
Patrul lived at the residence of his previous incarnation, Palge Samten, until he was about twenty. After the head administrator died, he decided to close the residence, and inspired by his teacher’s humble way of life, he wandered as a hermit, teaching many people as he traveled and meditating in caves and secluded forests. Once while he was meditating in a cave, he heard the familiar sound of the small bell that hung from the neck of Do Khyentse’s horse, and he joyously awaited the arrival of his teacher. When Do Khyentse entered the cave and Patrul respectfully greeted him, Do Khyentse showed him the nature of mind in a very unconventional way. He grabbed Patrul by his long hair and began to throw him around. Patrul smelled alcohol on his lama’s breath and thought, “My teacher must be drunk.” Do Khyentse read his thoughts and dropped him, saying, “You people with ordinary mind have such negative thoughts. You old dog!” Completely taken by surprise, Patrul sat up and, as his negativity gave way, sky-like awareness arose without obstruction.
Patrul Rinpoche had great love for Shantideva’s work, Bodhisattvacaryavatara (The Entrance into a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life). He taught it widely, inspiring many people to enter the bodhisattva path.
He lived for a time in a forest with a disciple who was to become his lineage holder, Lungtok Tenpai Nyima. They practiced and meditated there, and Patrul taught him a little of the Bodhisattvacaryavatara each day. Gradually other students gathered there, living very simply without possessions or much food. Understanding that desire creates obstacles to one’s practice, Patrul wrote:
Suffering is good, happiness is not.
Happiness inflames the five poisons of passion.
Suffering cleanses old karma.
Suffering is a blessing of the Lama.
Criticism is good, compliments are not.
If I am complimented, I will swell with arrogance.
If criticized, my faults will be exposed.
Poverty is good, prosperity is not.
Prosperity causes the great pains of earning more and preserving it.
Poverty causes dedication and accomplishment of the holy Dharma.
When people offered him food or money, even gold, Patrul Rinpoche would often leave it for others in greater need. During one period in his life, he did accept offerings to complete an enormous wall made of stones on which many Om Mani Padme Hung mantras were carved. He had actually begun the construction of this wall in his previous incarnation as Palge Samten.
He had great equanimity, and taught and guided rich and poor people equally. His counsel was kind but always direct, exposing people’s flaws without concern for social convention. In his later years he returned to the region of his birth. Finally, one morning, at the age of eighty-one, he sat naked, resting perfectly with hands on his knees and his mind one with the vast expanse of primordial purity.
Lama Drimed
_______________
Patrul Rinpoche in The Words of My Perfect Teacher
This article continues the series by Lama Padma Drimed Norbu on the lineage holders of the profound path of the Great Perfection, particularly the Longchen Nyingtik lineage revealed by the great Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa.
Having mastered the teachings he received from Long-chen- pa, Jigme Lingpa began to guide others through this profound cycle. Eventually, he passed the lineage on to one of his close students— Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu. After studying for a long time with Jigme Lingpa, Gyalwai Nyugu traveled to Kham in Eastern Tibet, where he renounced the comforts and amenities of ordinary life. Living on a windswept hillside, with only the bare essentials, he focused one-pointedly on practicing and accomplishing the teachings of the Longchen Nyingtik. As he practiced purely in this way, he became a great inspiration to others, and students began to gather around him.
One of these was Patrul Rinpoche, who had the good fortune to receive the Longchen Nyingtik teachings in their entirety. Patrul Rinpoche was the speech incarnation of Jigme Lingpa, and received teachings on the preliminary practices (ngondro) from Gyalwai Nyugu more than a dozen times. These became the basis for his book Words of My Perfect Teacher. The first Drodrubchen had entrusted Patrul Rinpoche with the lineage of the Great Perfection at an early age and gave him the name Orgyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo. He was also recognized as the tulku of Palge Samten P’huntsok. Although Patrul Rinpoche studied the sutras and tantras with many great masters, his root gurus were Gyalwai Nyugu and the first Drodrubchen’s principal disciple, Do Khyentse.
Patrul lived at the residence of his previous incarnation, Palge Samten, until he was about twenty. After the head administrator died, he decided to close the residence, and inspired by his teacher’s humble way of life, he wandered as a hermit, teaching many people as he traveled and meditating in caves and secluded forests. Once while he was meditating in a cave, he heard the familiar sound of the small bell that hung from the neck of Do Khyentse’s horse, and he joyously awaited the arrival of his teacher. When Do Khyentse entered the cave and Patrul respectfully greeted him, Do Khyentse showed him the nature of mind in a very unconventional way. He grabbed Patrul by his long hair and began to throw him around. Patrul smelled alcohol on his lama’s breath and thought, “My teacher must be drunk.” Do Khyentse read his thoughts and dropped him, saying, “You people with ordinary mind have such negative thoughts. You old dog!” Completely taken by surprise, Patrul sat up and, as his negativity gave way, sky-like awareness arose without obstruction.
Patrul Rinpoche had great love for Shantideva’s work, Bodhisattvacaryavatara (The Entrance into a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life). He taught it widely, inspiring many people to enter the bodhisattva path.
He lived for a time in a forest with a disciple who was to become his lineage holder, Lungtok Tenpai Nyima. They practiced and meditated there, and Patrul taught him a little of the Bodhisattvacaryavatara each day. Gradually other students gathered there, living very simply without possessions or much food. Understanding that desire creates obstacles to one’s practice, Patrul wrote:
Suffering is good, happiness is not.
Happiness inflames the five poisons of passion.
Suffering cleanses old karma.
Suffering is a blessing of the Lama.
Criticism is good, compliments are not.
If I am complimented, I will swell with arrogance.
If criticized, my faults will be exposed.
Poverty is good, prosperity is not.
Prosperity causes the great pains of earning more and preserving it.
Poverty causes dedication and accomplishment of the holy Dharma.
When people offered him food or money, even gold, Patrul Rinpoche would often leave it for others in greater need. During one period in his life, he did accept offerings to complete an enormous wall made of stones on which many Om Mani Padme Hung mantras were carved. He had actually begun the construction of this wall in his previous incarnation as Palge Samten.
He had great equanimity, and taught and guided rich and poor people equally. His counsel was kind but always direct, exposing people’s flaws without concern for social convention. In his later years he returned to the region of his birth. Finally, one morning, at the age of eighty-one, he sat naked, resting perfectly with hands on his knees and his mind one with the vast expanse of primordial purity.
Lama Drimed
_______________
Patrul Rinpoche in The Words of My Perfect Teacher
This article continues the series by Lama Padma Drimed Norbu on the lineage holders of the profound path of the Great Perfection, particularly the Longchen Nyingtik lineage revealed by the great Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa.
Having mastered the teachings he received from Long-chen- pa, Jigme Lingpa began to guide others through this profound cycle. Eventually, he passed the lineage on to one of his close students— Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu. After studying for a long time with Jigme Lingpa, Gyalwai Nyugu traveled to Kham in Eastern Tibet, where he renounced the comforts and amenities of ordinary life. Living on a windswept hillside, with only the bare essentials, he focused one-pointedly on practicing and accomplishing the teachings of the Longchen Nyingtik. As he practiced purely in this way, he became a great inspiration to others, and students began to gather around him.
One of these was Patrul Rinpoche, who had the good fortune to receive the Longchen Nyingtik teachings in their entirety. Patrul Rinpoche was the speech incarnation of Jigme Lingpa, and received teachings on the preliminary practices (ngondro) from Gyalwai Nyugu more than a dozen times. These became the basis for his book Words of My Perfect Teacher. The first Drodrubchen had entrusted Patrul Rinpoche with the lineage of the Great Perfection at an early age and gave him the name Orgyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo. He was also recognized as the tulku of Palge Samten P’huntsok. Although Patrul Rinpoche studied the sutras and tantras with many great masters, his root gurus were Gyalwai Nyugu and the first Drodrubchen’s principal disciple, Do Khyentse.
Patrul lived at the residence of his previous incarnation, Palge Samten, until he was about twenty. After the head administrator died, he decided to close the residence, and inspired by his teacher’s humble way of life, he wandered as a hermit, teaching many people as he traveled and meditating in caves and secluded forests. Once while he was meditating in a cave, he heard the familiar sound of the small bell that hung from the neck of Do Khyentse’s horse, and he joyously awaited the arrival of his teacher. When Do Khyentse entered the cave and Patrul respectfully greeted him, Do Khyentse showed him the nature of mind in a very unconventional way. He grabbed Patrul by his long hair and began to throw him around. Patrul smelled alcohol on his lama’s breath and thought, “My teacher must be drunk.” Do Khyentse read his thoughts and dropped him, saying, “You people with ordinary mind have such negative thoughts. You old dog!” Completely taken by surprise, Patrul sat up and, as his negativity gave way, sky-like awareness arose without obstruction.
Patrul Rinpoche had great love for Shantideva’s work, Bodhisattvacaryavatara (The Entrance into a Bodhisattva’s Way of Life). He taught it widely, inspiring many people to enter the bodhisattva path.
He lived for a time in a forest with a disciple who was to become his lineage holder, Lungtok Tenpai Nyima. They practiced and meditated there, and Patrul taught him a little of the Bodhisattvacaryavatara each day. Gradually other students gathered there, living very simply without possessions or much food. Understanding that desire creates obstacles to one’s practice, Patrul wrote:
Suffering is good, happiness is not.
Happiness inflames the five poisons of passion.
Suffering cleanses old karma.
Suffering is a blessing of the Lama.
Criticism is good, compliments are not.
If I am complimented, I will swell with arrogance.
If criticized, my faults will be exposed.
Poverty is good, prosperity is not.
Prosperity causes the great pains of earning more and preserving it.
Poverty causes dedication and accomplishment of the holy Dharma.
When people offered him food or money, even gold, Patrul Rinpoche would often leave it for others in greater need. During one period in his life, he did accept offerings to complete an enormous wall made of stones on which many Om Mani Padme Hung mantras were carved. He had actually begun the construction of this wall in his previous incarnation as Palge Samten.
He had great equanimity, and taught and guided rich and poor people equally. His counsel was kind but always direct, exposing people’s flaws without concern for social convention. In his later years he returned to the region of his birth. Finally, one morning, at the age of eighty-one, he sat naked, resting perfectly with hands on his knees and his mind one with the vast expanse of primordial purity.
Lama Drimed
_______________
Patrul Rinpoche in The Words of My Perfect Teacher
