|
Lineage Stories of The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoches
(translated by Sarah Harding) (from Bodhi Magazine)
The first Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche, Namkha Ösel, was an emanation of one of the heart sons of Milarepa, Shiwa Ö, and of Drupchen Melong Dorje, who was a holder of
the Dzogchen lineage and who received the legacy of compassion of Vimalamitra. The Ponlop lineage lamas are emanations of these two.The birthplace of the First Ponlop Rinpoche, Namkha Ösel, was Dokham, in the
district of Nakchus. From the time he was young, he possessed the realization of being awakened into the family of the great vehicle of the Mahayana. He maintained only the conduct of yogic discipline which defeats the
demonic appearances. At one time, in order to turn back the hordes of armies on the borderlands that were threatening to attack, he made torma offerings to the sky. Thereafter, he was able to fly like a bird.
Namkha Ösel received many cycles of instructions. For example, he received the teachings of the "Six Dharmas," and the "Whispered Oral Lineage of Rechungpa" from a Siddha in the Kagyu tradition. He achieved the level of
heat over channels, winds and minds. Enhancing that with the yogic conduct of intrinsic awareness, he could maintain the conduct of the avadhuti. Therefore he could travel anywhere with no dwelling place through
mastering the psychosomatic body. He had a quality such that anyone meeting him was inspired by faith and devotion. Namkha Ösel spent years in retreat at many of the twenty-four isolated power places of Tibet. In
particular, he went to Deva Koti, to a place called Palkyi Tsari, which is known as a gathering place of dakas and dakinis. From that time on, the name of Namkha Ösel became renowned throughout Tibet. The name of
Namkha Ösel (Clear Light of Sky) refers to the nature of the sky, as in the quotation:
The name's basis is the sky's characteristic;
The characteristic of the sky does not exist.
Whoever truly realizes how it is,
That is a bodhisattva.
Pönlop Rinpoche was known for his ability to receive fully the transmission of the mind of all of his teachers. This power is reflected in the meaning of his name, "Pönlop Namkha Ösel." 'Pön' means 'teacher', 'lop'
means 'student or study'; and 'Namkha Ösel' means 'clear light of the sky.' In general, the Ponlop Tulkus are very famous in the Nyingma tradition. All of the lives of the Ponlop Rinpoche incarnations have been
characterized by many isolated retreats in wild places as well as in Drubdras, or retreat centers. Because the Ponlop Tulkus have accomplished great benefit for beings, both the names 'Pönlop' and 'Dzogchen Monastery'
have become well known throughout Tibet. Beginning with the Early Spread of Buddhism in Tibet, the Dzogchen Monastery has been one of the six main monasteries of the Nyingma Tradition. The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoches are
known throughout Tibet as "The Keeper of the Doctrine" or "The Upholder of the Doctrine." The current Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche, the Seventh of the Ponlop incarnations, has been holding the transmission of the two
lineages of Nyingma and Kagyu from the beginning. From the emanation of Repa Shiwa Ö comes the Kagyu transmission held in the form of the 'Six Dharmas.' From the emanation of Drupchen Melong Dorje comes the Nyingma
transmission held in the form of 'The Heart Drop of Melong Dorje.' All of the enlightened activities of each of the seven incarnations are extensive. It is only possible to speak of the activities of the Ponlop
Rinpoche's in a general sense now, because we would need many months, or years otherwise. Maybe we will do this in the future. |
