The Indomitable Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche
Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Pabongka Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden
Deity: Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Dechen Nyingpo (Tibetan)
Kyabje Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo is one of the most important Gelug lineage lamas of the first half of the 20th Century. He was known as ‘Dechen Nyingpo’, or ‘Essence of Great Bliss’ or ‘The King of Bliss from the Palace of Bliss’, meaning that he was one with Heruka. As such, he was widely believed to be the emanation of Heruka Chakrasamvara and was also the reincarnation of Changkya Rolpai Dorje, who was the spiritual teacher of the Chinese Emperor Qianlong. However, due to the political climate at the time which did not favour connections with China, he was recognised and enthroned as the reincarnation of a tulku from the obscure Pabongka Monastery instead.
Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche was most famous for his charismatic teachings on the Lamrim (Stages of the Path to Enlightenment). He received experiential Lamrim teachings from his root teacher, Dagpo Lama Lobsang Jamphel Lhundrub Gyatso. Pabongka Rinpoche was given Lamrim teachings a topic at a time and was then sent to meditate on each topic until he gained signs of realisation. Ever since these retreats, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche became famous for his Lamrim teachings. During an especially historic Lamrim teaching given over 24 days, his heart disciple Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche compiled his notes which eventually became the profound Lamrim treatise now known as ‘Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand’.
During a pure vision, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche was asked by Heruka and Vajrayogini to combine the Sakya Vajrayogini teachings with the techniques that Lama Tsongkhapa taught for the Heruka practice. Later, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche composed the long Vajrayogini sadhana and called it ‘Dechen Nyur Lam’ (Short Path to Great Bliss). It encompasses all of Vajrayogini’s practices and has become one of the most popular Vajrayogini sadhanas within the Gelug tradition.
According to traditional accounts, the protector Dorje Shugden via an oracle requested Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche to compose a Dorje Shugden fulfillment ritual text. Therefore, he requested another of his teachers, Takpu Pemavajra, who was famous for his psychic ability, to astral travel to Maitreya’s pure land, Tushita (Gaden) and receive teachings on the Dharma Protector. Takpu Pemavajra received the teachings from the great master Dulzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, who is actually the previous incarnation of Dorje Shugden and who currently resides next to Lama Tsongkhapa in Tushita.
While in Tushita, Takpu Pemavajra is said to have received the complete cycle of instructions on Dorje Shugden and his Five Families, including the life-entrustment initiation (sogtae) from Lama Tsongkhapa himself by way of Dulzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. Takpu Pemavajra transmitted these extensive teachings to Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and from him these teachings spread throughout the Gelug tradition. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche later completed the fulfillment ritual text to Dorje Shugden and named it ‘Melodious Drum Victorious in All Directions’.
The legacy of Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche was to popularise the tantric practice of Vajrayogini and the protector deity Dorje Shugden amongst his followers. He felt that these practices would become more effective and necessary in the future because they are suitable for modern practitioners who are busy and plagued with many distractions and obstacles.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way view. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources.
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Really enjoyed reading this short write up about “The Indomitable Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche”. It is always enlightening to read about highly attained lamas like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, etc etc….really hope VS will have more lineage lama pendants like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche to add to my collection😍😎.Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for this lovely write up!👍🙏😀
Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche was one of the great Gelug lamas of the modern era of Tibetan Buddhism. He was the root guru of Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the two tutors of the present Dalai Lama, and the teacher of many other Gelug lamas who brought the Dharma to the West.
Beautiful art paintings of kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden paints a thousand words.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.