Drikung Kagyu
Drikung KagyüorDrigung Kagyü(Wylie:'bri-gung bka'-brgyud) is one of the eight "minor" lineages of theKagyuschool ofTibetan Buddhism."Major" here refers to those Kagyü lineages founded by the immediate disciples ofGampopa(1079-1153), while "minor" refers to all the lineages founded by disciples of Gampopa's main disciple,Phagmo Drupa(1110-1170). One of these disciples,Jigten Sumgön(1143-1217), is the founder of Drikung.
History
[edit]
Like with all otherKagyulineages, origins of Drikung Kagyü can be traced back to the Great Indian MasterTilopawho passed on his teachings to MahasiddhaNaropawho lived around 10th and 11th century. The founder of the Drikung Kagyü lineage wasJigten Sumgön(1143-1217) of the Kyura clan,[1]who was the disciple ofPhagmo Drupa.According to historical account from the time,Jigten Sumgön'steachings attracted more than 100,000 people at a time, with the highest number of attendance recorded at 130,000.[2]
Several sub-schools branched off from the Drikung Kagyü including the Lhapa or Lhanangpa Kagyü, founded by Nö Lhanangpa (Wylie:gnyos lha nang pa,1164–1224) who came to Bhutan in 1194. This school was at one time important in Western Bhutan, particularly in theThimphuandParoregions, where they were rivals of the Drukpa Kagyü. The Lhapa first came into conflict with the early Drukpa teacher,Phajo Drugom Zhigpo(b. 12th century)[3]and finally withNgawang Namgyal(1594–1651). In 1640 the remaining followers of the Lhapa Kagyü were expelled from Bhutan together with the Nenyingpa followers as both had sided with the attackingTsangpaforces against the Drukpa during their three invasions of Bhutan and continued to refuse to acknowledge the authority of the Shabdrung.[4]
Teaching and practice
[edit]The unique doctrines of Drikung Kagyü as taught by its founder, Jigten Sumgön is preserved in the "Single Intention" or "One Thought" (Gongchig,Wylie: dgongs gcig)[5]and "The Essence of Mahāyāna Teachings" (Wylie: theg chen bstan pa'i snying po). According to Jampa MacKenzie Stewart, theGonchik"recasts Buddhism in a fascinating and innovative form, emphasizing each aspect as being capable of revealing the full process of enlightenment."[6]
The main practices of Drikung Kagyü are “The Five-fold Profound Path ofMahamudrā,”and “TheSix Dharmas of Nāropa.”The five-fold Mahamudrā, also known as the "possessing five", consists of five elements:[7]
- Setting the motivation, arousingbodhichitta,
- Deity yoga,generating the Yidam. The main deity in Drikung isChakrasamvara(in union with consortVajravarahi), butMilarepataught this method by usingChenrezig.
- Guru yoga
- Mahamudrā meditation (SamathaandVipasyana)
- Dedication of merit.
This practice is traditionally cultivated in retreat alongside the Six Dharmas of Naropa, and it is preceded by the preliminary practices calledngondro.[8]
This presentation is outlined inClarifying the Jewel Rosary of the Profound Five-Fold Pathby Kunga Rinchen, the Dharma heir to Jigten Sumgön.
TheDrikungKagyü also have a tradition ofDzogchenteachings, theYangzab Dzogchen.[9]It is based ontermasrevealed by the Drikung Tertön (hidden treasure revealer), Rinchen Phuntsog in the sixteenth century.
Phowa
[edit]The Drikung lineage is popularly known for its development of the practice ofPhowa,in which a practitioner learns how to expel his/her consciousness ormindstreamthrough theposterior fontanelleat the top of theskullat the moment of death. One of theSix Yogas of Naropa,this practice is said to aid the practitioner in remaining aware through the death experience, thus aiding one in attaining enlightenment in theBardo(the state in between death and the next rebirth) or in achieving a birth conducive to the practice ofDharma.
Monasteries and centers
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The first and main Drikung Kagyü monastery isDrikung Thil Monastery,[10]founded in 1179[10]byJigten Sumgön[10]approximately 150 kilometers northeast ofLhasa.
Aside from the Drikung Valley inÜ,the Drikung Kagyu has a strong presence inNangqên Countyin what wasKham,in western Tibet (including Kailash), and inLadakh.Tsari and Lapchi - two important sacred sites for all Tibetan Buddhists - also have a strong Drikung Kagyu presence. Among the so-called "four major and eight minor" Kagyu lineages, Drikung Kagyu is one of four Kagyu lineages that continue to exist as independent institutions (the other three being theKarma Kagyu,Drukpa LineageandTaklung Kagyu).
Outside of Tibet, the headquarters for the tradition in exile is Jangchubling, located inDhera Dun,in the Indian state ofUttarakhand.[11]
Drikung Kagyu is one of the most prominent lineages inLadakhwhere its main monasteries arePhyangandLamayuru,with roughly 50 other monasteries spread across Ladakh region.
A series of Drikung Dharma centers were also founded in the West, a project begun by Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche in 1978.[12]
Lineage notes
[edit]Spiritual heads
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From the founding of Drikung Thil Monastery in 1179 to the present day, the Drikung Kagyü lineage has been led by a succession of spiritual heads ( "throne-holders" ). One of the two current heads of the lineage, Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang Rinpoche,[13][14]Könchok Tenzin Kunzang Thinley Lhundrup (b. 1946),[15]the 37th Drikungpa resides at Drikung Kagyü Institute at Dehra Dun, India.[14]The other head of the Drikung Kagyü Lineage, the 36th Drikungpa, Drikung Kyabgön Chungtsang Rinpoche, Könchok Tenzin Chökyi Nangwa (b. 1942) lives in Lhasa, Tibet.[16]
Female protector
[edit]Another unique feature of the Drikung lineage is its femaledharmapāla,Achi Chokyi Drolma.The great-grandmother of Jigten Sumgön,[17]she prophesied his birth and vowed to protect those in his lineage. She is unusual in that she is both a female protector and an enlightenedbodhisattvathat can be taken as aniṣṭadevatāin meditation practice. She is depicted either sitting on a horse or standing with akapalain her left hand and amirrorin her right hand.[18]Achi's practice became so popular that she has been included in other lineages, such as theKarma Kagyu.
First nun
[edit]In 2002Khenmo Drolma,an American woman, became the firstbhikkhuni(a fully ordained Buddhist nun) in the Drikung Kagyü lineage. She is also the first westerner, male or female, to be installed as an abbot in the Drikung Kagyü lineage, having been installed as the abbot of the Vajra Dakini Nunnery (America's first Tibetan Buddhist nunnery, located in Vermont) in 2004.[19]
Lineage timeline
[edit]| Name | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Year Lineage Holding Begun | Year Lineage Holding Relinquished |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phagmodrupa | 1110 | 1170 | ||
| Lord Jigten Sumgon | 1143 | 1217 | 1179 | 1217 |
| Kenchen Gurawa Tsultrim Dorje | 1154 | 1221 | 1217 | 1221 |
| On Rinpoche Sonam Drakpa | 1187 | 1234 | 1221 | 1234 |
| Chen-nga Rinpoche Drakpa Jungne | 1175 | 1255 | 1234 | 1255 |
| Telo Dorje Drakpa | 1210 | 1278 | 1255 | 1278 |
| Thog-khawa Rinchen Senge | 1226 | 1284 | 1278 | 1284 |
| Chen-nga tsamchedpa Drakpa Sonam | 1238 | 1286 | 1284 | 1286 |
| Dorje Yeshe | 1223 | 1293 | 1286 | 1293 |
| Chu-nyipa Dorje Rinchen | 1278 | 1314 | 1293 | 1314 |
| Nyer-gyepa Dorje Gyalpo | 1283 | 1350 | 1314 | 1350 |
| Nyermyipa Chökyi Gyalpo | 1335 | 1407 | 1350 | 1395 |
| Shenyen Dondrup Gyalpo | 1369 | 1427 | 1395 | 1427 |
| Dakpo Wang | 1395 | [20] | 1427 | 1428 |
| Chogyal Rinchen Pal Zangpo | 1421 | 1469 | 1428 | 1469 |
| Rinchen Chökyi Gyaltsen | 1449 | 1484 | 1469 | 1484 |
| Gyalwang Kunga Rinchen | 1475 | 1527 | 1484 | 1527 |
| Gyalwang Rinchen Phuntsok | 1509 | 1557 | 1527 | 1534 |
| Rinchen Namgyal Chodak Gyaltsen | 1527 | 1570 | 1565 | 1570 |
| Chokyi Namgyal | 1557 | 1579 | 1570 | 1579 |
| Tsungme Chogyal Phuntsok | 1547 | 1602 | 1579 | 1602 |
| Naro Nyipa Tashi Phuntsok | 1574 | 1628 | 1602 | 1615 |
| Jetsǖn Könchog Rinchen (1st Chetsang)[21] | 1580 | 1654 | 1615 | 1626 |
| Kunkhyen Chökyi Dragpa (1st Chungtsang)[22] | 1595 | 1659 | 1626 | 1659 |
| Könchog trinley Sangpo (Chetsang) | 1656 | 1718 | 1659 | 1718 |
| Trinley Dondrub Chogyal (Chungtsang) | 1704 | 1754 | 1704 | 1754 |
| Kônchog Tenzin Drodul (Chetsang) | 1724 | 1766 | 1724 | 1766 |
| Könchog Tenzin Chökyi Nyima (Chuntsang) | 1755 | 1792 | 1755 | 1792 |
| Tenzin Padme Gyaltsen (Chetsang) | 1770 | 1826 | 1770 | 1826 |
| Tenzin Chöwang Lodrô (Regent) | 1826 | 1827 | ||
| Jetsǖn Chonyi Norbu (Chungtsang) | 1827 | 1865 | 1827 | 1865 |
| Könchog Thukie Nyima (Chetsang) | 1828 | 1881 | 1828 | 1881 |
| Könchog Tenzin Chôkyi Lodrö (Chungtsang) | 1868 | 1906 | 1868 | 1906 |
| Könchog Tenzin Zhiwe Lodrö (Chetsang) | 1886 | 1943 | 1886 | 1943 |
| Tenzin Chökyi Jungme (Chungtsang) | 1909 | 1940 | 1909 | 1940 |
| Tenzin Thuben Wangpo (Regent) | 1940 | 1942 | ||
| Tenzin Chökyi Nangwa (Chungtsang) | 1942 | 1942 | ||
| Könchog Tenzin Kunzang Thinley Lhundrup (Chetsang) | 1946 | 1946 |
References
[edit]- ^"Drikung Kagyü Lineage".www.drikung.org.Retrieved2017-01-01.
- ^Gyaltsen, Konchok (2013).Opening the Treasure of the Profound: Teachings on the Songs of Jigten Sumgon and Milarepa.Snow Lion. pp. ch. 10.ISBN978-1611800708.
- ^see:Dargye and Sørensen (2001) pp.ix–x, 34–36, 41–46
- ^Dorje, Sangay and Kinga (2008) pp.146–7.
- ^For the Gongchig see the blog by Jan-Ulrich Sobisch (Copenhagen University) dgongs1.com.
- ^Steward, Jampa MacKenzie (2004),The Life of Gampopa,Shambhala, p. 130.
- ^Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche (2009),The Practice of Mahamudra,Shambhala, pp. 11-12.
- ^Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche (2009),The Practice of Mahamudra,Shambhala, pp. 13-14.
- ^Helmut Krasser, Tibetan studies, International Association for Tibetan Studies. Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1997 - Tibet (China), page 586
- ^abcA Brief History of the Drikung Kagyü Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
- ^Gruber, Elmar R.,From the Heart of Tibet: The Biography of Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche, the Holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage,Shambhala Publications, 2010, Foreword by the Dalai Lama.
- ^Lewis, James R.The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions,p. 290.
- ^His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Head of the Drikung Kagyü Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, will visit St. Petersburg September 14-15, 2010ArchivedOctober 13, 2012, at theWayback Machine
- ^abHis Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang
- ^Gruber, Elmar R. (2010).From the Heart of Tibet: The Biography of Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche, the Holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage.Boston: Shambhala.ISBN978-1-59030-765-6.Synopsis
- ^His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang
- ^Achi Chokyi DrolmaArchivedNovember 1, 2010, at theWayback Machine
- ^Worldly Protector (Buddhist) - Achi Chokyi Drolma
- ^Women Making HistoryArchived2010-06-01 at theWayback Machine
- ^According toThe Great Kagyu Masters(Gyaltsen, 270) "he went to Five Peaked Mountain in China and achieved the state of immortality."
- ^A Brief History of the Drikung Kagyu"A system of two lineage holders was established, that of the elder (Chetsang) and the younger (Chungtsang) brother." They aren't considered brothers by blood, but by lineage. Chetsang Rinpoche is considered an emanation of Chenrezig.
- ^Chungtsang Rinpoche is considered the emanation of both Padmasambhava and Manjushri. Also, one of the Drikung Kyabgŏns.
- ^Gyaltsen, Khenpo Könchog, Edited by Victoria Huckenpahler.The Great Kagyu Master: The Golden Lineage Treasury.Snow Lion Publications, 2006 2nd Edition.ISBN1-55939-244-4
Further reading
[edit]- Kerin, Melissa R. (2015),Art and Devotion at a Buddhist Temple in the Indian Himalaya,Indiana University Press,ISBN978-0-253-01309-5
External links
[edit]- Drikung KagyuOfficial website
- Garchen Institute
- Drikung Baltics
- Ratnashri Sweden
- Drikung Kagyu Om Center Singapore
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