The
Dudjom lineage was established in 1835 by Dudjom Lingpa who is considered a
mind manifestation of Guru Rinpoche and the body manifestation of Drogben
Lotsawa, one of the 25 main disciples of Guru Rinpoche. It is also believed
that in one of his previous lives, Dudjom was sariputra, a renowned disciple of
Buddha Shakyamuni.
The second reincarnation
His Holiness Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche or Dudjom
Jikdral Yeshe Dorje (1904-1987). He was one
of Tibet’s foremost yogins,
scholars, and meditation masters. He was recognized as the incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904.
Considered to be the living representative of Padmasambhava, he was a great revealer of
the ‘treasures’ (terma)
concealed by Padmasambhava. A prolific author and meticulous scholar, Dudjom
Rinpoche wrote more than forty volumes, one of the best known of which is his
monumental The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: Its
Fundamentals and History. Over the last
decade of his life he spent much time teaching in the West, where he helped to
establish the Nyingma tradition,
founding major centers in France and the United States.
Third reincarnation
1. Tibet Dudjom Yangsi Rinpoche Sangyay Pema Zhepa
He was born in Eastern Tibet in Jyekundo in Qinghai prefecture in
1990 on the auspicious day of dakini with many miraculous signs, such as
rainbow lights surrounding their house. While still in the womb, many
propitious signs appeared and his father, Dola Rinpoche, often dreamed of the
previous Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche coming to his house and sitting on a high
throne.
After he was born many great masters said that he is a
reincarnation of great Sakya master or that he is the reincarnation of Panchen
Rinpoche. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Thubten Chokyi Gyatso Rinpoche said when he
met him, however, that it is certain he is a Nyingmapa and he bestowed the
empowerment of the Lakeborn Guru Rinpoche according to the Dudjom Tersar and
gave him the name Pema Osel.
According to a very clear prophecy of Khandro Tare Lhamo
(1938-2003) who was the daughter of the great Apang Terton and who was
recognized by the previous Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche as a reincarnation of Sera
Khandro (1892-1940), it was determined that he is the reincarnation of Dudjom
Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje. Thereafter, following the words of Kyabje
Chadral Rinpoche (1913-2015), Dungsey Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (1931-2011) flew
from America to Chengdu to meet his nephew and recognize him as an unmistaken
reincarnation of Dudjom Rinpoche, and then he bestowed the three roots
empowerment and many other empowerments on his father’s reincarnation.
Many great masters, such as Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
(1910-1991), Kyabje Dodrup Rinpoche, Choje Jigmed Phuntsok Rinpoche
(1933-2004), Khen Achug Rinpoche, HH Sakya Trizin of Dolma Phodrang, Sakya
Dagchen (1929-2016), Kyabje Chetsang Rinpoche of the Drigung Kagyu all
recognized him as a true reincarnation of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche. When Minling
Trichen Rinpoche saw a photo of Yangsi Rinpoche, he immediately said that he is
a reincarnation of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche and gave a recognition letter to
Yangsi’s parents. In the Serta monastery, Khenpo Jigmed Phuntsok Rinpoche took
Yangsi Rinpoche on his lap and said several times in front of many thousands of
people, “As I was born in the family of Dudjom Lingpa, I can say that he is an
unmistaken reincarnation of my grandfather.” Then he put Yangsi Rinpoche on a
vajra throne and made the mandala offering of body, speech, and mind and
bestowed on him empowerments. When the great Khenpo Achug of Yachen Monastery
saw Yangsi Rinpoche, he also said that he is an unmistaken reincarnation of
Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche.
In 1994, complying with the letter of Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche,
Yangsi Rinpoche came to Nepal. There, at Godavari, which is one of 24 the most
holy tantric sacred places, in 1994, the wood dog year, on the auspicious day
of the Buddha Descending from Tushita Heaven, with the presence of the head of
the Nyingma School, Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, and with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche,
Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Kathok Situ Rinpoche, and many other great lamas,
khenpos, tulkus and many thousands of people, Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche led the
enthronement ceremony proclaiming that he is a reincarnation of Kyabje Dudjom
Rinpoche and giving him the name Dudjom Sangye Pema Zhepa Drodul Rigdzin
Trinley Drubpe Dey.
Then Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche started to teach him writing and reading
and later he gave him empowerments, oral transmissions, and complete
instructions. Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche is his root master who kindly granted him
Dharma, food, clothing, and shelter too. Nonetheless, from Kyabje Penor
Rinpoche, Khenchen Jigmed Phuntsok, Khen Achug Rinpoche, Namtrul Jigmed
Phuntsok, Khandro Tare Lhamo, Khandro Kunsang Wangmo and many other authentic
masters, he received all the tradition of sutra and tantra, their teachings,
empowerments, and all the transmissions without exception.
He did a three-year closed retreat according to tradition at the
Kunkhyen Longchenpa Cave, called Gangri Thodkar, in Tibet, practicing on the
three roots, from the two phases of creation and dissolution until dzogchen.
All this he completed and accomplished according to the tradition of the
Nyingma.
For the benefit of beings, the world, and the teachings, Yangsi
Rinpoche is pouring the nectar-like dharma all over the world unceasingly
without thinking of his own hardships or fatigue.
2. Bhutan Dudjom Yangsi, Tenzin Yeshe Dorje
He was
born by caesarean section on 9th October 1990. His father is Kesang
Dadul, the son of Dasho Drongong, a descendant of Nyo lineage of Bumthang. His
mothers Sonam Chokyi, daughter of Colonel Penjo Ongdi and Choden. Choden is the
daughter of the mayor of Kyengkar who too was from the Nyo
lineage. Sonam Chokyi feels a strong connection with H.H Dudjom
Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje and it is recounted that following a dream she
had, Dudjom Rinpoche interpreted it to mean that Guru Rinpoche himself had
directly blessed her. Messengers came to her in dreams and told her that
she was bearing the Tulku of Dudjom Rinpoche and these coincided with dreams
and signs experienced by Sangyum Kusho, H.H Dudjom Rinpoche’s first
wife.
These were further supported by a prediction letter given to
Sangyum Kusho by Rinpoche while was still alive. Thus it was that when Sangyum
Kusho learned that Sonam Chokyi, whose name corresponded to His Holiness'
prediction letter, had an extraordinary son, it seemed that all auspicious
conditions for finding the genuine incarnation had spontaneously
appeared. But even though Sangyum Kusho felt in her heart that Tenzin
Yeshe Dorje was His Holiness’ Tulku, there were other remarkable children
at the time, so she collected information on five and sent them to HH the Dalai
Lama requesting his guidance. A month later, the Dalai Lama gave his
decision, saying that since the recognition was of utmost importance to the
Nyingma tradition, he had made very careful divinations which pointed to Shonnu
Senge and to the names of his parents as well. Following this, His Holiness
issued a detailed letter recognizing Shonnu Senge, which was his birth name, as
the incarnation of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche.
The Gomchen Draktsang of the
Kudung temple performed the long life ritual of the Chime Sogtik for the Tulku,
at his residence in Nepal; this occurred on the fourth day of the sixth month
of the Water Monkey Year. Late HH Trulzhig Rinpoche, fifth head of Nyingma
lineage with Dudjom Dungsey Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche, conducted the enthronement
ceremony. At this time, Sangyum Kusho offered a golden robe, a white scarf and
a lotus hat to the new incarnation. When the child was ceremoniously placed on
his golden throne, many disciples of HH Dudjom Rinpoche were present including
many tulkus, lamas and sangha members from India, Tibet, Sikkim, Bhutan and
Nepal as well as Western disciples from France, America, Taiwan, Hong Kong and
Singapore, altogether three hundred representatives from fifteen countries.
In
March 1993, His Holiness the Dalai Lama called Shonnu Senge to Sikkim to
receive his official name, Tenzin Yeshe Dorje. Thousands of followers travelled
to see him as word of the young incarnation spread among the devotees. En route
to Sikkim, the Tulku stopped at Zangtok Pelri, his own Gompa situated on a mountaintop
in Kalimpong. This was the first monastery built by His Holiness after his
departure from Tibet in 1954. His Holiness, who had precious statues brought
from Tibet that were placed there, carefully guided the construction of this
Gompa. Enthronement Ceremony of His Holiness Dudjom Tenzin Yeshe Dorjee In a
ceremony spanning three days, September 30 to October 2, 1993, thousands
congregated from around the world to witness the auspicious enthronement
ceremony of His Holiness Dudjom Tenzin Yeshe Dorjee at Orgyen Dorngak Choling
Gompa, Boudhanath, Nepal. His Holiness left his residence for his monastery in
an open jeep decorated with colourful scarves and shaded by a symbolic umbrella
born by two lamas. At Chabahil, crowds lining the route to the monastery
swamped His Holiness’ motorcade. His holiness was then escorted from the road
to the monastery by lamas and monks in a traditional ceremony. HH Dzarong
Trulshik Rinpoche in the sanctified hall of the Kudung Chorten of His Late
Holiness conducted the ceremony. The main ceremony inside the monastery was
attended by His Holiness' family, Dudjom Sangyum Kusho and family, and high
Nyingma Lamas from other lineages, including His Holiness Drubchen Rinpoche.
Guru Lau was present leading followers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and
Malaysia. All offered Kusum Mendel to His Holiness. At the ceremony, the host
country was represented by the Prime Girija Prasad Koirala; the King of Bhutan
by the Lord Chamberlain Dasho Gyalpo Zimpon; His Holiness the Dalai Lama by his
religious chief secretary; the Monastic Order of Bhutan by His Excellencies
Tulku Jigmi Choida and Tse-Ngon Lopon. Due to the special circumstances of the
occasion, His Holiness had to sit on his throne in a crowded hall for up to six
hourly stretches, giving blessings to thousands each day. His Holiness, though
barely three years old, was patient and performed his duties faultlessly. All
who witnessed His Holiness skillful competence were deeply moved. Yangsi
Rinpoche had kept many miracles of hand and footprints during special occasion,
where we can see today.
His
Holiness returned to Bhutan in November 1993. His Late Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche
had a very special relationship with Bhutan. His Holiness made a special visit
to Tango Chen monasteries to meet H.H. Je Kinley, who had received many
transmissions and empowerments from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche. For both, it
was a touching moment. H.H. Je Khenpo invited His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche to
his winter retreat in Punakha, where the government officials and lay and
monastic devotees received His Holiness.
In
May 1994, His Holiness and entourage once again ventured forth into Bhutan for
the pilgrimage to the picturesque valley of Singye Dzong. His Holiness had to
traverse through much of Eastern Bhutan being warmly welcomed wherever he went.
Dudjom Rinpoche resides and studies at Dudjom
Namdrol Choling across the valley from the Yanglashoed cave in Parphing, Kathmandu,
and at his main residence in Sartsham Chorten, opposite Takshang Monastery,
Paro, Bhutan, where he has founded a gomdey, or study and practice center
for lay practitioners. Rinpoche also heads and oversees the activities of
the Nyimalung Monastery Dratsang
in Bumthang and Gelephu, Bhutan. He was appointed as the monastery’s head
abbot, or spiritual director, in 2005 by Bhutan Government.
In the last few years, Rinpoche has performed
many drubchens (multi-day ceremonies) and conferred initiations at
various monasteries in Bhutan and India, and has presided annually at the
Ngagyur Nyingma Menlam Chenmo world peace prayers at Bodhgaya, India.
He has received all the major initiations of the
Nyingma kama and terma teachings from several lineage holders, particularly the
late Kyabje Trulshik Ngawang Chokyi Lodro Rinpoche. Other lineage holders from
whom Rinpoche has also received initiations and teachings include H.H. the
Dalai Lama, the late Penor Rinpoche, Dodrubchen Rinpoche, Taklung Tsetrul
Rinpoche, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Namkhai
Nyingpo Rinpoche and the late Lhalung Thugsey Rinpoche.
Both
Yangsis appear to have inspired by all who have come close to them with
their authenticity from high lamas to the general public. And
respected equally everywhere in this dharma world.
