| First Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche:
Namkha Ösel (?-1726) It is well known that Ponlop Namkha Ösel was the emanation of Repa Shiwa Ö, one of Eight Heart Sons of Milarepa (Twelfth Century), and the great yogi Melong Dorje (1243-1303), authoritative holder of the Dzogchen Vima Nyingthik. | Loden Choksey, one of the Eight Manifestations of Padmasambhava |
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He was born in Do-Kham Nakshoe to the family lineage of the Yogi of Setsa, a great lay tantric adept who conquered many vicious negative energies through his yogic activity. From a young age, Namkha Ösel displayed many signs of the ripened potential of the Mahayana family and practiced the yogic discipline of tantra. Named Lodro, he performed many activities that showed the accomplishment of the Vajrayana practices. The name of Namkha Ösel (Clear Light of Sky) refers to the nature of the sky, as in the quotation: A a great Kagyu yogi transmitted to him the Cycles of Equal Taste, the Six Dharmas of Naropa, the Ear-Whispered Lineage teachings of Rechungpa, and other instructions on the profound path. He practiced very diligently and accomplished the practices of prana, nadi and bindu. In order to enhance the Yogic Discipline of Insight, he sustained his practice of Avadhuti, and wandered without fixed abode. He specially visited the sacred place Tsari, regarded as being Deva Koti, and which is one of the Twenty-four Sacred Places of Tantra. He shortly thereafter met Drupwang Pema Rigdzin at Khenbar Samten cave and studied with him. Dzogchen Rinpoche transmitted many teachings to him, including Dzogchen instructions, and in particular, the Dzogchen Khandro Nyingthik. At this time Namkha Ösel also assumed many administrative responsibilities in his work with Dzogchen Rinpoche surrounding the establishment of Dzogchen Monastery. For many years he practiced in various solitary places and retreat centers in the Do-Kham region of Eastern Tibet. He realized the practice of Dzogchen and perfected the Four Visions. While practicing at the cave of Mokhyim, Drupwang Pema Rigdzin passed into parinirvana and Namkha Ösel became the throne-holder of Dzogchen Monastery. Under his direction and management, Dzogchen Monastery continued to grow. He specially was known for establishing and guiding the retreat center, where he gave Dzogchen Khandro Nyingthik instructions yearly. He led many monks and lay sangha on the meditation path, teaching them in various ways, from merely recognizing the pointing out instructions to increasing their realization. Encouraging many to do life retreats, with great kindness he provided necessities for those lacking resources. He extensively expanded the meditation centers at Dzogchen and under his guidance, many practitioners became realized and experienced yogis. He founded Legon Monastery in Lingtsang. He traveled to different monasteries and gave numerous teachings, instructions and provided guidance to many. He also oversaw the building of many statues and other developments at the monastery. Because of his power in meditative samadhi, he could see others' thoughts and had clairvoyance and many other signs of accomplishment. After fulfilling his activity in benefiting countless beings and the completing other innumerable activities, in the male fire horse year (1726) he passed into parinirvana amidst numerous wondrous signs. Many relics appeared in his cremation ground, even arising from the ashes many years after his funeral. His main disciples were the reincarnation of Drupwang Pema Rigdzin, Gyurme Thekchok Tenzin, Namka Ösel's brother Jerun Pema Kontrol Namgyal, and many other eminent masters of the time. This account is based on A Religious History (1990 ed.), pp. 784-87, by Guru Tashi, who wrote between 1807 and 1863.
The Second through Fifth Ponlop Rinpoches  |
