Penor rinpoche
Encyclopedia
Palyul
Palyul is one of the six mother monasteries of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1665 by Rigdzen Kunzang Sherab, the monastery is the seat of the Nam Cho Terma of Terton Migyur Dorje. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul lineage...
of the Nyingma
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
school of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
, and said to be an incarnation of Vimalamitra
Vimalamitra
Vimalamitra ), an 8th century Indian adept, is key to the history of Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen practice. He lived equally in China, Oddiyana and Tibet, but was known as the "Sage of Kashmir". According to tradition, he was born in Western India and travelled to China to become a disciple of Shri...
. He was widely renowned in the Tibetan Buddhist world as a master of Dzogchen
Dzogchen
According to Tibetan Buddhism and Bön, Dzogchen is the natural, primordial state or natural condition of the mind, and a body of teachings and meditation practices aimed at realizing that condition. Dzogchen, or "Great Perfection", is a central teaching of the Nyingma school also practiced by...
. He was one of a very few teachers left from his generation who received all his training (in the traditional sense) in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
under the guidance of what Tibetan Buddhists consider to be fully enlightened teachers.
Life in Tibet
The Third Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, Thubten Lekshed Chokyi Drayang, also known as Do-ngag Shedrub Tenzin Chog-lei Namgyal was born in 1932 the year of the Water Monkey, in the twelfth month, in the Powo region of KhamKham
Kham , is a historical region covering a land area largely divided between present-day Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan province, with smaller portions located within Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces of China. During the Republic of China's rule over mainland China , most of the region was...
, East Tibet. He was recognized in 1936 by the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche (Thubten Chokyi Dorje) and Khenpo Ngaga Rinpoche (also known as Khenchen Ngagi Wangchuk, Ngawang Palzangpo, or Khenpo Ngagchung). Pema Norbu was formally enthroned by his root teacher, Thubten Chökyi Dawa (1894–1959) the second Choktrul Rinpoche, and Karma Thekchok Nyingpo (1908–1958) the Fourth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche. He trained at the Palyul Monastery in Tibet, studying and receiving teachings from numerous masters and scholars, including the Fourth Karma Kuchen, the 10th Palyul throneholder.
Establishment in India
In 1959, recognizing the situation in Eastern Tibet to be very tense, HH Penor Rinpoche left with a party of 300 for the Hidden Kingdom of Pema Köd in North-East IndiaNorth-East India
Northeast India refers to the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States, Sikkim, and parts of North Bengal...
. Only 30 of the original party survived. In 1961 they were resettled in South India in Bylakuppe
Bylakuppe
Bylakuppe kannada:ಬೈಲಕುಪ್ಪೆ, Tibetian:བལཀུཔེ is the location of "Lugsum Samdupling" and "Dickyi Larsoe" , two adjacent Tibetan refugee settlements, as well as a number of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The area is located in the west of the Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka...
in a series of Tibetan camps. HH Penor Rinpoche initially built a bamboo temple to train a small handful of monks in 1963.
Life in India
In the 1970s HH Penor Rinpoche began to train Khenpos in the Nam ChoNam Cho
Nam Cho translates as the "sky/space dharma", a terma cycle especially popular among the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma Palyul Lineage as revealed by Terton Namcho Migyur Dorje and transmitted to Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab and compiled by Kagyu master Karma Chagme Raga Asya.The Nam Cho comprises an entire...
cycle. By the 1980s Namdroling Monastery
Namdroling Monastery
The Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is the largest teaching center of Nyingmapa – a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism – in the world....
had many hundreds of monks.
Teachings in Western countries
He made his first visit to the United States in 1985, invited by Gyaltrul Rinpoche to Ashland, Oregon, to confer the Nam Cho cycle of teachings. In 1987 he recognized Catharine BurroughsJetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo is an enthroned tulku within the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. In the late 1980s, she gained international attention as the first Western woman to be named a reincarnate lama...
as the incarnation of Genyenma Ahkön Lhamo. The historical Genyenma Ahkön Lhamo was the sister of the founder of Palyul, Kunzang Sherab.
In 1988 he gave the Kama teachings at Gyaltrul Rinpoche's Yeshe Nyingpo center in Ashland, Oregon, followed immediately thereafter by the Longchen Nyingthig
Longchen Nyingthig
Longchen Nyingthig is a systematic explanation of Dzogchen within the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Like the world famous Bardo Thodol, the Longchen Nyingthig is a seminal example of the terma tradition...
at Ven. Peling Tulku Rinpoche's centre in Canada, Orgyan Osal Cho Dzong. After this His Holiness gave the Rinchen Terzod empowerments at Kunzang Palyul Choling. Towards the end of this cycle of empowerments he ordained 25 western monks and nuns.
In 1995 he was invited by John Giorno
John Giorno
John Giorno is an American poet and performance artist. He founded the not-for-profit production company Giorno Poetry Systems and organized a number of early multimedia poetry experiments and events, including Dial-A-Poem. He became prominent as the subject of Andy Warhol's film Sleep...
to give teachings and empowerments for a week in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His Holiness then travelled to Kunzang Palyul Choling to give the Nam Cho cycle. After this trip, he sent Khenpo Tsewang Gyatso, who had previously taught in the U.S. in 1992, to establish centers in New York and other regions.
In 1998 he established the Palyul Retreat Center in McDonough
McDonough, New York
McDonough is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 870 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Thomas McDonough, a naval officer who served on Lake Champlain and other locations....
, New York, offering a one-month retreat course that follows a similar if abbreviated curriculum to the one at Namdroling monastery. He offered Kalachakra empowerments, first in Rochester in 1996 and next at his retreat center in 2007. He also granted the Nam Cho cycle of teachings in Austin, Texas, in 2003.
Head of the Nyingmapa
Statement from Kyabje Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche from 2001 in regards to the position of The Head of the Nyingmapas and on the retirement in order to concentrate on the duties and responsibilities held as head of the Palyul lineage.Within Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism there did not exist a position of a main throneholder, thus upon onset of the Tibetan diaspora there was a request from the Tibetan Government in Exile to the Nyingmapa followers to request some one to be such a representative, some one of the highest esteem who could be responsible for all of the Nyingmapa Tradition followers. Now the request is usually made during Nyingma Monlam Chenmo in Bodhgaya.
- Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdrel Yeshe DorjeDudjom RinpocheDudjom Rinpoche is the title of a prominent line of tulkus of the Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Buddhism. Dudjom Rinpoche was born in 1904 on the tenth day of the sixth month in the year of the wood dragon in Southern Tibet in a region called the "hidden land" of Pema Ko. He died on January 17, 1987...
(c. 1904–1987), was unanimously requested to become first Head of the Nyingmapas and has served from the 1960s until passing in 1987. - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (c. 1910–1991), was requested to become second Head of the Nyingmapas and served from 1987 until passing in 1991.
- Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche (1932–2009), was requested to become third Head of the Nyingmapas and served from 1991 until retirement in 2001.
- Mindroling Trichen Rinpoche (c. 1930–2008), was requested to become fourth Head of the Nyingmapas and served from 2003 until passing in 2008.
- Chatral Sangye Dorje RinpocheChatral RinpocheChatral Rinpoche, Sangye Dorje is a Dzogchen master in his mid-90s. He is a reclusive yogi known for his great realization and strict discipline. Rinpoche is one of the few living disciples of Khenpo Ngagchung and is widely regarded as one of the most highly realized Dzogchen yogis...
was requested to become fifth Head of the Nyingmapas, but declined. - Trulshik RinpocheTrulshik RinpocheTrulshik Rinpoche Ngawang Chökyi Lodrö born in Yardrok Taklung, Central Tibet was one of the main teachers of HH the 14th Dalai Lama and of many of the younger generation of Nyingma lamas today including Sogyal Rinpoche...
(1923-2011) served as the fifth Head of the Nyingmapas from 2010 until his passing in 2011.
Activities for Monlam Chenmo
Each year a prayer festival called "Monlam Chenmo" is held in Bodh Gaya, the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment. Recognizing its importance, HH Penor Rinpoche headed a committee of monks, tulkus and khenpos who organized the yearly prayer ceremony.Activities at the South Indian Monastery
His Holiness was responsible for an ever-expanding population of Himalayan monks and nuns who come to Namdroling Monastery based on the traditional cultural style of sending a son or daughter to the monastery for an education. Many of the young monks and nuns come from extremely impoverished families located in Bhutan, Nepal or the Tibetan refugee camps in India. The monastery provides full room, board, clothing, medical care and an education in the traditional Tibetan Buddhist canon. The population of students exceeds several thousand.Activities in South Indian local community
His Holiness sponsored the pavement of the road leading from BylakuppeBylakuppe
Bylakuppe kannada:ಬೈಲಕುಪ್ಪೆ, Tibetian:བལཀུཔེ is the location of "Lugsum Samdupling" and "Dickyi Larsoe" , two adjacent Tibetan refugee settlements, as well as a number of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The area is located in the west of the Mysore district in the Indian state of Karnataka...
to Kushalnagar. He also built a small hospital that still requires equipment, but provides infirmary services to the local community. A side benefit of his activities is that the temples he built brings busloads of Indian tourists to the area daily, increasing the income and economic activity in the area.
Worldwide activities
His Holiness' main U.S. representative is Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche, who maintains a yearly travel schedule that includes Canada, Singapore as well as Arizona, California, Florida, Montana, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Washington DC.Centers for practice are located internationally, including India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and America.
Retreats
Monks and international students went on retreat with HH Penor Rinpoche and received teachings directly from him on two occasions per year. The first was in the 2nd month of the lunar calendar at Namdroling Monastery in South India. The second was in the United States at Palyul Ling. The retreats consisted of the teachings as structured within the Nam Cho cycle beginning with Ngondro, followed by the Inner Heat practice of Tsa Lung, and then Dzogchen Trekcho and Togyal.The Successive Incarnations of the Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche
- The First Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche (1679–1757, aged 79). The 3rd Throne Holder of the Palyul Tradition.
- The Second Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, Pema Kunzang Tenzin Norbu also known as Thubten Chokyi Langpo, also known as Rigdzin Palchen Dupa (1887–1932, aged 46). The 9th Throne Holder of the Palyul Tradition.
- The Third Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, Thubten Lekshed Chokyi Drayang also known as Do-ngag Shedrup Tenzin Chog-lei Namgyal (1932–2009, aged 77). The 11th Throne Holder of the Palyul Tradition.
Palyul lineage
The PalyulPalyul
Palyul is one of the six mother monasteries of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1665 by Rigdzen Kunzang Sherab, the monastery is the seat of the Nam Cho Terma of Terton Migyur Dorje. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was the 11th throne holder of the Palyul lineage...
lineage was founded in 1665 by Kunzang Sherab (1636–1699). It is based out of Palyul Monastery, one of the six "mother" monasteries of the Nyingma lineage. The primary teachings followed by Palyul Monasteries were revealed by Terton Migyur Dorje, a "Dharma Treasure Revealer" who received teachings mystically. The works of Migyur Dorje have been passed down from teacher to disciple as the Nam Chö
Nam Cho
Nam Cho translates as the "sky/space dharma", a terma cycle especially popular among the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma Palyul Lineage as revealed by Terton Namcho Migyur Dorje and transmitted to Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab and compiled by Kagyu master Karma Chagme Raga Asya.The Nam Cho comprises an entire...
or "space treasure" cycle of teachings. It was these teachings that HH Penor Rinpoche followed and transmitted to his students along with some texts from the Longchen Nyingthig
Longchen Nyingthig
Longchen Nyingthig is a systematic explanation of Dzogchen within the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. Like the world famous Bardo Thodol, the Longchen Nyingthig is a seminal example of the terma tradition...
cycle.
Penor Rinpoche died March 27, 2009 at around 9.30 PM (Indian Standard time) at his residence at the Namdroling Monastery.
Well in advance of his passing, Penor Rinpoche requested the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, his designated successor, to establish his seat at Palyul Monastery in Tibet. The Fifth Karma Kuchen is 12th and current Palyul throne holder.
Palyul Monastery
Palyul Monastery has been rebuilt in Tibet since the Cultural RevolutionCultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
. The temple was re-inaugurated in 2006 by HH Penor Rinpoche's schoolmate, Tulku Thubsang Rinpoche.
Namdroling Monastery
Namdroling Monastery
The Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery is the largest teaching center of Nyingmapa – a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism – in the world....
, located South India, home also to the Ngagyar Nyingma Institute, where hundreds of lamas study and graduate from a ten-year shedra
Shedra
Shedra is a Tibetan word meaning "place of learning" but specifically refers to the educational program in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries. It is usually attended by monks and nuns between their early teen years and early twenties. Not all young monastics enter a shedra; some study...
program which includes a three-year retreat. Three senior khenpos (professors of Buddhist philosophy), Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche, Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche, and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche oversee the education of the thousands of monks and nuns enrolled in study at shedra (Buddhist college).
Palyul Monasteries in North India
A Palyul monastery was reestablished in exile in BirBir Tibetan
Chowgan, also known as Bir Tibetan Colony is a Tibetan refugee settlement on the outskirts of the Himalayan village of Bir in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, by HH Penor Rinpoche's close friend, Dzonang Rinpoche. It is currently headed by Abbot Rigo Tulku Rinpoche.
Other Palyul Monasteries
There are many small branch monasteries throughout Tibet and centers in Canada, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, and the United States that were founded under HH Penor Rinpoche's guidance.Prominent students
Penor Rinpoche's students include the Fifth Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Khentul Gyangkhang Rinpoche and Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche. Other prominent students include Jara Tulku Rinpoche, Ajam Rinpoche, Chonjur Tulku Rinpoche, Dakmar Rinpoche, Jetsunma Ahkon LhamoJetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo is an enthroned tulku within the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. In the late 1980s, she gained international attention as the first Western woman to be named a reincarnate lama...
, Jigme Lodro Rinpoche
Jigme Lodro Rinpoche
Jigme Lodro Rinpoche was born in 1969 in Golok-Dhome of Tibet. He was recognized as the reincarnation of Genyen Dharmata. It is said that Genyen Dharmata was the server of the sixteen arhat principal disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni and was himself realized master from the Alasha Monastery at Five...
, Ngawang Jigdral Rinpoche
Ngawang Jigdral Rinpoche
Ngawang Jigdral Rinpoche, known as Pemba Sherpa, is a Nyingma tulku and the 3rd reincarnation of Gomchen Rinpoche .From early age he displayed various signs of faith and commitment towards the holy Dharma. From early age he joined Himalaya Sherpa Buddhist School in Nepal where he learned basic...
, Ogyen Tulku Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Sakyong Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche, Jampal Trinley Dradul is the head of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage and Shambhala International, a worldwide network of urban Buddhist meditation centers, retreat centers, monasteries, a university, and other enterprises, founded by his father, the Buddhist teacher...
and many others.
The three most senior Khenpos from Namdroling Monastery are Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche, and Khenchen Namdrol Rinpoche.
Further reading
- Zangpo, Tsering Lama Jampal (1988), A Garland of Immortal Wish-Fulfilling Trees, Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications. ISBN 0937938645, ISBN 978-0937938645
- Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche (2005), "A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage", Junction City, CA: Padma Publishing. ISBN 9781881847410