His Holiness the 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa
H.H. the 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa (Main figure)
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(Top to bottom): Gampopa Sonam Rinchen, 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa, Mahakala Bernagchen and Dorje Shugden.
Figure: Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Dakpo Lharje (Tibetan)
The name ‘Gampopa’ (1079–1153) literally means ‘the man from Gampo’ and he was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher from the Kagyu tradition. Gampopa was also a doctor, hence he was also known as Dakpo Lharje meaning ‘the physician from Dakpo’. He was a tantric master who founded the Dagpo Kagyu school and the foremost disciple of Milarepa. Gampopa received numerous teachings including practices like Vajravarahi, Tummo and Mahamudra. It was his disciple, Dusum Khyenpa who founded the Karma Kagyu sub-school.
Figure: 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa
The 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa Chokyi Dragpa (1110-1193) received novice ordination with the Kadam monk Trewo Chokgi Lama, a disciple of Ngok Lotsawa Loden Sherab and his uncle, Ngok Legpai Sherab. It is said that when Dusum Khyenpa was 16 years old, he was given a black hat woven from the hair of ten thousand dakinis, while the physical hat the Karmapas don for their famous “black hat ceremony” was given to the 5th Karmapa by the Ming Yongle Emperor (1402-1424).
When he was 30 years old, Dusum Khyenpa set out to meet the famous Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (1079-1153), the ordained disciple of the great Milarepa and received teachings from him. In 1189, Dusum Khyenpa founded Tsurphu Monastery in Tolung, west of Lhasa, which eventually became the principal seat of the future Karmapa incarnations in Tibet.
Dusum Khyenpa, who became greatly attained in his lifetime, also made predictions about his future incarnations. He is said to have written a letter to his main disciple, Sanggye Rechen Peldrag (1148-1218), foretelling where his next incarnation would be born and instructing him to locate the boy and train him. The prophecy of their future incarnations issued by the Karmapas themselves has become a hallmark of the Karmapa line of incarnations.
Deity: Mahakala Bernagchen (Sanskrit / Tibetan)
This form of Mahakala is called Bernagchen and he is the principal protector of the Karma Kagyu school. Two-armed Bernagchen’s name literally means ‘The Black Cloak’. The practice of propitiating Mahakala Bernagchen was introduced into the Karma Kagyu school by the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1206-1283). In fact, the practice originated from the Revealed Treasure Terma Tradition of the Nyingma school. He is also the main protector of the Karmapa incarnations specifically.
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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The first Karmapa was a gifted child who studied and practiced Dharma intensively from an early age. He has inspired his disciples through his teachings and through the example of his life until today. Wow…… he was given a black hat woven from the hair of ten thousand ḍakini. Varies accounts of this hat and subsequent versions are legion.
Depicted with Gampopa Sonam Rinchen, Mahakala Bernagchen and Dorje Shugden in this beautiful art painting.
Thank you Rinpoche for this explanation of the thangka.