Longchen Nyingthig

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Longchen Nyingthig (Tibetan: ཀློང་ཆེན་སྙིང་ཐིག་, Wylie: klong chen snying thig) 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. The Longchen Nyingthig is generally classified as a Vajrayana or tantric Buddhist esoteric teaching and has an extensive meditational, trance and ritual practice, oral tradition and tantric literature associated with it.

Thondup & Talbott (1996: xiii) state

Longchen Nyingthig (the heart-essence of infinite expanse, or the ultimate truth of the universal openness) is a cycle of mystical teachings that represent the innermost meditation of Dzogpa Chenpo Dzogchen, revealed by the great scholar and adept Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798). Jigme Lingpa discovered them as a "mind terma" (or "mind treasure"), teachings that were discovered from the enlightened nature of the mind.

Nomenclature, orthography and etymology

The Longchen Nyingtig may be translated as 'seminal heart of Longchenpa', a reference to the central figure of Jigme Lingpa's 'pure visions' (Wylie: dag-snang) in which the texts were revealed. 'Nyingthig' (which connotes 'seminal essence' or 'heart focus). It is worthy of note that 'thig' is an etymon of 'thig-le' which is the Tibetan cognate of the Sanskrit 'bindu' the central point of the 'mandala' (Tibetan: Khor lo).

Alternate orthographies: Longchen Nyingtik.

History and background

Atiyoga is traditionally conveyed as a triunic teaching, that is, it has three indivisible sections. The tradition holds Mañjushrīmītra to have first codified Atiyoga into these three indivisible sections, namely: Semde (mind class/cycle); Longde (space class/cycle); and Mengagde (direct/oral instruction class/cycle). One of the principal polysemic symbols of Dzogpa Chenpo or Atiyoga is the Gankyil which is clearly a visual example of a triune and sometimes also a quadrune or a svastika (the sauvastika is also the principal symbol of the Bönpo which shares in the Dzogchen tradition along with the Nyingmapa and Kagyupa). In turn, Shri Singha divided the Mengagde into a further four cycles: the

outer,

inner,

esoteric, and

innermost esoteric cycle.

These four cycles of the Mengagde are of one kind in that they are teachings on the 'primordially pure nature' (or Kadag; Wylie: Ka Dag) which is called 'cutting through' (or Trekchö; Wylie: Khregs Ch'od) all the grasping, clinging and apprehending obscuring the primordially pure substrate of the mindstream: refer Kadag Trekchö. The 'innermost esoteric cycle' of the Mengagde is focused upon the 'spontaneous perfection of appearances' (Lhündrub; Wylie: Lhun Grub) which is known as the 'direct approach' (Tögal; Wylie: Thod rGal): refer Lhündrub Tögal. There are many Mengagde traditions and teachings although there are two principal historical redactions and elucidations given the nomenclature 'Nyingthig'. These principal two are the Vima Nyingthig brought to Tibet by Vimalamitra and the Khandro Nyingthig brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava. Into the mindstream of Jigme Lingpa merged the mindstream tributaries of Vimalamitra and King Trisong Detsen of whom he, Jigme Lingpa, was a joint 'emanation' (Tibetan: tulku) or 'embodiment' (Sanskrit: nirmanakaya). Now as was previously stated Vimalamitra brought the Vima Nyingthig to Tibet. Padmasambhava, who brought the Khandro Nyingthig to Tibet, transmitted this to King Trisong Detsen. So both the Khandro Nyingthig and the Vima Nyingthig were within the mindstream of Jigme Lingpa and were realised by him as 'mind ter' or 'mind terma' (Wylie: dgongs-gter). As Thondup & Talbott state (1996: p. 44):

Jigme Lingpa was a reincarnation of both Vimalamitra himself and King Trisong Detsen, who was a recipient of Nyingthig teachings from Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra. So the Nyingthig teachings of two major lineages flowed together in Jigme Lingpa. Longchen Nyingthig is the essence or embodiment of the two Nyingthig traditions, Vima Nyingthig and Khandro Nyingthig.

Revelation of the Longchen Nyingtig

While transmitting esoteric teachings to his realized disciples in Tibet, Guru Padmasambhava concealed many teachings with the blessings of his enlightened mind stream in the nature of the intrinsic awareness of the minds of his disciples through the power of “mind-mandated transmission” (gtad rgya); thereby the master and disciple became united as one in the teachings and realization. Here, the master has concealed the teachings and blessings, the esoteric attainments, as ter in the pure nature of the minds of his disciples through his enlightened power, and he has made aspirations that the ter may be discovered for the sake of beings when the appropriate time comes.

Thondup and Talbott (1996: p. 122) state that when Jigme Lingpa was 28 years old:

In the evening of the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month of the Fire Ox year of the thirteenth Rabjung cycle (1757), he went to bed with an unbearable devotion to Guru Rinpoche in his heart; a stream of tears of sadness continuously wet his face because he was not in Guru Rinpoche’s presence, and unceasing words of prayers kept singing in his breath. He remained in the depths of that meditation experience of clear luminosity ('Od gSal Gyi sNang Ba) for a long time. While being absorbed in that luminous clarity, he experienced flying a long distance through the sky while riding a white lion. He finally reached a circular path, which he thought to be the circumambulation path of Charung Khashor, now known as Bodhnath Stūpa, and important Buddhist monument of giant structure in Nepal.

Lineage

A Nyingma cycle of teachings and practice, which was discovered by Jikmé Lingpa as mind terma.

The Revelation of Longchen Nyingtik

Regarding the revelation of the Longchen Nyingtik teachings, Tulku Thondup writes:

While Guru Rinpoche was visiting Tibet…he conferred the Longchen Nyingtik teachings on King Trisong Detsen, Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, and Vairochana… He gave prophetic empowerments by saying that the teachings would be discovered by Jikmé Lingpa, an incarnation (tulku) of King Trisong Detsen. So centuries later, when the prophetic empowerments of Guru Rinpoche ripened and the favorable circumstances came to fruition, the concealed Longchen Nyingtik teachings were accordingly awakened in the enlightened mind of Jikmé Lingpa as mind ter.

Jikmé Lingpa discovered the Longchen Nyingtik teachings as mind ter at the age of twenty-eight. Tulku Thondup writes:

In the evening of the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month of the Fire Ox year of the thirteenth Rabjung cycle (1757), Jikmé Lingpa went to bed with an unbearable devotion to Guru Rinpoche in his heart; a stream of tears of sadness continuously wet his face because he was not in Guru Rinpoche’s presence, and unceasing words of prayers kept singing in his breath.

He remained in the depths of that meditation experience of clear luminosity for a long time. While being absorbed in that luminous clarity, he experienced flying a long distance through the sky while riding a white lion. He finally reached a circular path, which he thought to be the circumambulation path of Jarung Khashor, now known as Boudhanath Stupa, an important Buddhist monument of giant structure in Nepal.

In this vision, the wisdom dakinis gave Jikmé Lingpa a casket containing five yellow scrolls and seven crystal beads. One of the scrolls contained the prophetic guide of Longchen Nyingtik, called Nechang Thukkyi Drombu. At the instruction of a dakini, he ate the yellow scrolls and crystal beads, and all the words and meaning of the Longchen Nyingtik terma were awakened in his mind.

Jikmé Lingpa kept this terma secret for years, and he did not even transcribe the terma until he entered another retreat in which he had a series of visions of Longchen Rabjam. Tulku Thondup explains:

In the earth-hare year (1759) he started another three-year retreat, at Chimpu near Samye monastery. During that retreat, because he was inspired by three successive pure visions of Longchen Rabjam, and he was urged by repeated requests of dakinis, he transcribed his terma as the cycle of Longchen Nyingtik. On the tenth day of the sixth month (monkey month) of the monkey year (1764) he made his terma public for the first time by conferring the transmission of empowerment and the instructions upon fifteen disciples.

The Longchen Nyingtik terma consists of tantric sadhanas and teachings.

Longchen Rabjam (1308-1364), also known as Longchenpa, was one of the greatest Dzogchen masters in the Nyingma tradition, and amongst the most brilliant and original writers in Tibetan Buddhist literature. He brought together into a cohesive system the teachings of Vima Nyingtik and Khandro Nyingtik, on which he wrote the ‘Three Yangtik’ or Inner Essencess.

Four centuries later, Jikmé Lingpa was tremendously inspired by the teachings of Longchenpa. After Jikmé Lingpa discovered the terma of Longchen Nyingtik (which included tantric sadhanas and teachings) he entered into a three-year retreat in the caves of Chimphu in which he fervently invoked Longchenpa with a Guru Yoga he had composed. Longchenpa appeared to him in three visions, through which he received the blessing and transmission of the wisdom body, speech and mind of Longchenpa, empowering him with the responsibility of preserving the meaning of the teachings of Longchenpa, and of spreading them. As a result, Jikmé Lingpa’s mind became one with the wisdom mind of Longchenpa.

In this way, Jikmé Lingpa became the lineage holder of Longchenpa’s teachings on the Vima Nyingtik and Khandro Nyingtik. Jikmé Lingpa was a reincarnation of both King Trisong Detsen and Vimilamitra. Therefore, the Nyingtik teachings of these two major lineages flowed together in Jikmé Lingpa. The Longchen Nyingtik lineage includes both the terma of Longchen Nyingtik discovered by Jikmé Lingpa, and teachings of Longchen Rabjam on Vima Nyingtik and Khandro Nyingtik that were revealed to Jikmé Lingpa in a series of visions.

The Major Texts

The major texts of Longchen Nyingtik are as follows:

Original Tantras

1. The root tantra: Kuntu Zangpo Yeshe Longki Gyü 2. The subsequent tantra: Gyü Chima 3. Teachings: Kuntu Zangpö Gong-nyam 4. Instructions a. Instructions: Nesum Shenje and Neluk Dorje Tsigang b. Their commentaries: Yeshe Lama with its supporting texts

Sadhanas

1. Male vidyadharas a. Peaceful:

outer: Guru Yoga inner: Rigdzin Düpa secret: Dukngal Rangdrol innermost secret: Ladrup Tiklé Gyachen

b. Wrathful:

blue: Palchen Düpa red: Takhyung Barwa 2. Female vidyadharas a. Peaceful: root sadhana: Yumka Dechen Gyalmo b. Wrathful: secret sadhana: Senge Dongchen

The Detailed Longchen Nyingtik Lineage

Some of the main lineage holders of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage are listed below.

First stage

• Samantabhadra, the Dharmakaya
• Vajrasattva, the Sambhogakaya
• Prahevajra (Tib. Garab Dorje), the Nirmanakaya; the first human master of Dzogpa Chenpo whos teachings include 'Hitting the Essence in Three Words'

• Mañjushrimitra whos teachings include 'Six Experiences of Meditation'
• Shri Singha whos teachings include 'Seven Nails'
• Jñanasutra whos teachings include 'Four Means of Abiding'
• Vimalamitra - Vima Nyingtik
• Guru Rinpoche - Khandro Nyingtik
• King Trisong Detsen, received Nyingtik teachings from Guru Rinpoche and Vimalimitra
• Yeshe Tsogyal
• Vairotsana
• Longchen Rabjam
• Ridgzin Jigmé Lingpa, revealed the Longchen Nyingtik teachings
• Jigmé Gyalwa Nyugu
• Dza Patrul Rinpoche

Tradition holds that the first human master of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage was Prahevajra.

The teaching was originally discovered as a terma, a revealed teaching given to the 18th century Nyingma teacher Kunkhyen Jigme Lingpa. The teaching is allegedly descended from the Dharmakaya Buddha Kuntu Zangpo (Skt. Samantabhadra), passed to the Samboghakaya Buddha Dorje Sempa (Skt. Vajrasattva), and then through a series of other teachers until it reached Guru Padmasambhava, who arrived in the mid-8th century to Tibet and converted much of the populace to Buddhism.

Teaching

Sam van Schaik (2000) opens discourse into English on the themes and motifs of the simultaneous and gradualist approaches to the Great Perfection within the Longchen Nyingthig .

Source

Wikipedia:Longchen Nyingthig

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Longchen Nyingtik (Tib. ཀློང་ཆེན་སྙིང་ཐིག་, Wyl. klong chen snying thig) — a Nyingma cycle of teachings and practice, which was discovered by Jikmé Lingpa as mind terma.

The Revelation of Longchen Nyingtik

Regarding the revelation of the Longchen Nyingtik teachings, Tulku Thondup writes:

While Guru Rinpoche was visiting Tibet…he conferred the Longchen Nyingtik teachings on King Trisong Detsen, Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, and Vairochana… He gave prophetic empowerments by saying that the teachings would be discovered by Jikmé Lingpa, an incarnation (tulku) of King Trisong Detsen.

So centuries later, when the prophetic empowerments of Guru Rinpoche ripened and the favorable circumstances came to fruition, the concealed Longchen Nyingtik teachings were accordingly awakened in the enlightened mind of Jikmé Lingpa as mind ter.

Jikmé Lingpa discovered the Longchen Nyingtik teachings as mind ter at the age of twenty-eight. Tulku Thondup writes:

In the evening of the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month of the Fire Ox year of the thirteenth Rabjung cycle (1757), Jikmé Lingpa went to bed with an unbearable devotion to Guru Rinpoche in his heart; a stream of tears of sadness continuously wet his face because he was not in Guru Rinpoche’s presence, and unceasing words of prayers kept singing in his breath.

He remained in the depths of that meditation experience of clear luminosity for a long time. While being absorbed in that luminous clarity, he experienced flying a long distance through the sky while riding a white lion. He finally reached a circular path, which he thought to be the circumambulation path of Jarung Khashor, now known as Boudhanath Stupa, an important Buddhist monument of giant structure in Nepal.

In this vision, the wisdom dakinis gave Jikmé Lingpa a casket containing five yellow scrolls and seven crystal beads. One of the scrolls contained the prophetic guide of Longchen Nyingtik, called Nechang Thukkyi Drombu At the instruction of a dakini, he ate the yellow scrolls and crystal beads, and all the words and meaning of the Longchen Nyingtik terma were awakened in his mind.

Jikmé Lingpa kept this terma secret for years, and he did not even transcribe the terma until he entered another retreat in which he had a series of visions of Longchen Rabjam. Tulku Thondup explains:

In the earth-hare year (1759) he started another three-year retreat, at Chimpu near Samye monastery. During that retreat, because he was inspired by three successive pure visions of Longchen Rabjam, and he was urged by repeated requests of dakinis, he transcribed his terma as the cycle of Longchen Nyingtik. On the tenth day of the sixth month (monkey month) of the monkey year (1764) he made his terma public for the first time by conferring the transmission of empowerment and the instructions upon fifteen disciples.

The Longchen Nyingtik terma consists of tantric sadhanas and teachings.

The Nyingtik Teachings

The Nyingtik teachings are the innermost secret teachings of Dzogchen. The Dzogchen teachings were revealed to Prahevajra (Tib. Garab Dorje) by Vajrasattva, and passed down through an unbroken lineage to present day masters. Within the Dzogchen teachings, there are three categories of teachings suitable to students of different capacity. The Nyingtik is the innermost secret cycle of teachings of the Category of Pith Instructions; this cycle is the most direct approach for students of the highest capacity.

Within the Nyingtik teachings, there are tantras and instructional texts. Regarding the instructional texts, Tulku Thondup explains:

The instructional teachings are elucidated and condensed in two major traditions of Nyingtik.

The first one is the detailed teachings for/of the scholars, brought to Tibet by Vimalamitra and known as Vima Nyingtik. It is mainly based on the Seventeen Tantras and the Troma tantra. The second one is the profound teachings for/of mendicants or yogis), brought to Tibet by Guru Padmasambhava and known as Khandro Nyingtik. It is mainly based on the Longsal Barma tantra.

In the fourteenth century in Tibet, the great master Longchen Rabjam became the lineage holder of both of these Nyingtik traditions, and wrote a commentary on each tradition.

Longchen Rabjam, Jikmé Lingpa, and the Longchen Nyingtik Lineage

Longchen Rabjam (1308-1364), also known as Longchenpa, was one of the greatest Dzogchen masters in the Nyingma tradition, and amongst the most brilliant and original writers in Tibetan Buddhist literature. He brought together into a cohesive system the teachings of Vima Nyingtik and Khandro Nyingtik, on which he wrote the ‘Three Yangtik’ or Inner Essencess.

Four centuries later, Jikmé Lingpa was tremendously inspired by the teachings of Longchenpa. After Jikmé Lingpa discovered the terma of Longchen Nyingtik (which included tantric sadhanas and teachings) he entered into a three-year retreat in the caves of Chimphu in which he fervently invoked Longchenpa with a Guru Yoga he had composed. Longchenpa appeared to him in three visions, through which he received the blessing and transmission of the wisdom body, speech and mind of Longchenpa, empowering him with the responsibility of preserving the meaning of the teachings of Longchenpa, and of spreading them. As a result, Jikmé Lingpa’s mind became one with the wisdom mind of Longchenpa.

In this way, Jikmé Lingpa became the lineage holder of Longchenpa’s teachings on the Vima Nyingtik and Khandro Nyingtik. Jikmé Lingpa was a reincarnation of both King Trisong Detsen and Vimalamitra. Therefore, the Nyingtik teachings of these two major lineages flowed together in Jikmé Lingpa.

The Longchen Nyingtik lineage includes both the terma of Longchen Nyingtik discovered by Jikmé Lingpa, and teachings of Longchen Rabjam on Vima Nyingtik and [[Khandro [Nyingtik]] that were revealed to Jikmé Lingpa in a series of visions.

The Stages of Practice

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche said:

The cycle of the Longchen Nyingtik is composed of many sections. It includes the preliminary and main practices, the development and completion stages, and, most important, the practice of Ati Yoga, or Dzogchen. It thus constitutes a complete path to enlightenment.

In the Longchen Nyingtik tradition, the preliminary (or ngöndro) practices are commonly referred to as the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro.

After completing the ngondro, training in the development and completion stages is done through sadhana practices such as Rigdzin Dupa. Traditionally, a student trains in a series of three sadhanas known as the Three Roots.

Finally, if the student is sufficiently prepared, a qualified teacher may give the students instructions in Dzogchen, which focus on the direct realization of the nature of mind.

The Major Texts

A thangka showing the deities of Longchen Nyingtik, including the lama Rigdzin Düpa, the yidam Palchen Düpa, the khandro Yumka Dechen Gyalmo, along with Dukngal Rangdrol, Takhyung Barwa, Senge Dongma and the protective deities.

The major texts of Longchen Nyingtik are as follows:

Original Tantras

1. The root tantra: Kuntu Zangpo Yeshe Longki Gyü
   
2. The subsequent tantra: Gyü Chima
   
3. Teachings: Kuntu Zangpö Gong-nyam
   
4. Instructions
   

a. Instructions: Nesum Shenje and Neluk Dorje Tsigang

b. Their commentaries: Yeshe Lama with its supporting texts

Sadhanas

1. Male vidyadharas

a. Peaceful:

outer: Guru Yoga

inner: Rigdzin Düpa

secret: Dukngal Rangdrol

innermost secret: Ladrup Tiklé Gyachen

b. Wrathful:

blue: Palchen Düpa

red: Takhyung Barwa

2. Female vidyadharas

a. Peaceful: root sadhana: Yumka Dechen Gyalmo

b. Wrathful: secret sadhana: Senge Dongchen

The Detailed Longchen Nyingtik Lineage

Some of the main lineage holders of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage are listed below.

First stage

• Samantabhadra, the Dharmakaya
• Vajrasattva, the Sambhogakaya
• Prahevajra (Tib. Garab Dorje), the Nirmanakaya; the first human master of Dzogpa Chenpo

Hitting the Essence in Three Words

• Mañjushrimitra

Six Experiences of Meditation

• Shri Singha

Seven Nails

• Jñanasutra

Four Means of Abiding

• Vimalamitra

Vima Nyingtik

• Guru Rinpoche

Khandro Nyingtik

• King Trisong Detsen, received Nyingtik teachings from Guru Rinpoche and Vimalimitra
• Yeshe Tsogyal
• Vairotsana
• Longchen Rabjam
• Ridgzin Jigmé Lingpa, revealed the Longchen Nyingtik teachings

Later stages

• Dodrupchen I Jikmé Trinlé Özer, the direct disciple of Jigme Lingpa, he arranged and expanded on Jigme Lingpa’s revelation
• Jikmé Gyalwé Nyugu
• Dola Jikmé Kalzang
• Fourth Dzogchen Mingyur Namkhé Dorje
• Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje
• Gyalsé Shenpen Tayé
• Dzogchen Khenpo Pema Dorje
• Patrul Jigme Chokyi Wangpo

A Brief Guide to the Stages of Visualization

The Words of My Perfect Teacher

The Mirror for Seeing Clearly

Special Teaching of the Wise and Glorious King

• Dodrupchen II Jikmé Puntsok Jungné
• Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Illuminating the Excellent Path to Omniscience

• Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpé Nyima
• Orgyen Tendzin Norbu
• Adzom Drukpa Drodul Pawo Dorje
• Lushul Khenpo Könchok Drönme
• Dodrupchen III Jikmé Tenpé Nyima
• Lochen Chönyi Zangmo
• Thupten Chökyi Dorje
• Khenpo Kunpal
• Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol

Ngöndro Compendium

• Khenpo Ngawang Palzang

A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher

• Chökyi Drakpa

A Torch for the Path to Omniscience

• Alak Zenkar Pema Ngödrup Rölwe Dorje
• Jamyang Khyentsé Chökyi Lodrö
• Khenpo Chechok Thöndrup

The Words of the Vidyadhara which Bestow the Majesty of Great Bliss

• Dilgo Khyentse Tashi Paljor

Present day teachers

There are many present-day masters of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage; the list below includes some of the teachers most familiar to Rigpa students.

• Chatral Sangye Dorje
• Trulshik Rinpoche
• Dodrupchen IV
• Sogyal Rinpoche
• Khangsar Tenpé Wangchuk
• Alak Zenkar Rinpoche
• Pema Wangyal Rinpoche
• Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
• Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
• Dzogchen Rinpoche VII
• Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche
• Khenpo Chöga

Further Reading

• Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel: The Practice of Guru Yoga According to the Longchen Nyingtik Tradition, Shambhala Publications
• Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher, translated by the Padmakara Translation Group, Shambhala 1994, revised ed. 1998
• Sam van Schaik, Approaching the Great Perfection: Simultaneous and Gradual Methods of Dzogchen Practice in the Longchen Nyingtig, Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2003
• Steven D. Goodman, 'Rig-'dzin Jigs-med gling-pa and the kLong-Chen sNying-Thig' in Tibetan Buddhism: Reason and Revelation edited by Steven D Goodman and Ronald M. Davidson, SUNY, 1992
• Tulku Thondup, Enlightened Journey, Boston & London, Shambhala, 1995
• Tulku Thondup, Masters of Meditation and Miracles, Shambhala, 1996

External Links

• Longchen Nyingtik outline page at Himalayan Art Resources

Source

RigpaWiki:Longchen Nyingthig

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ཀློང་ཆེན་སྙིང་ཐིག klong chen snying thig
Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse

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• Visions (dag snang) of 'jigs med gling pa; Longchen Nyingtig. the Heart Essence of the Great Expanse / Longchenpa. A cycle of teachings revealed to Jigmey Lingpa in three visions of Longchenpa; terma revealed by Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa. (RY)
• A mind-treasure revealed by Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa. (RY)

• Nyingma terma ('jigs med gling pa's dgongs gter). (IW)
• Longchen Nyingthig, "The Heart Essence of the Great Expanse" (the cycle of teachings revealed to Jigme Lingpa in three visions of Longchen Rabjampa klong chen rab 'byams pa - Longchen Rabjam [1308-1363) the great Nyingma master Longchenpa Drimey Oser - Longchenpa, Longchen Rabjampa (1308-1363) the great Nyingmapa master Longchenpa Drimey Oser; rnying ma'i slob dpon klong chen pa dri med 'od zer zhes pa dbus lho gyo ru gra'i cha stod grong du rab byung lnga pa'i sa sprel lor 'khrungs / rab byung drug pa'i chu yos lor 'das / ta'i si tu byang chub rgyal mtshan dang dus mnyam yin / khong gis mdzad pa'i mdzod chen bdun dang / snying thig ya bzhi / ngal gso skor gsum / rang grol skor gsum sogs chos tshan brgya phrag gnyis lhag tsam yod. (IW)
• Longchen Nyingthig, the heart essence of the great expanse. (IW)

• Heart Essence of the Great Expanse, mind-treasure revealed by Jigmey Lingpa. (RY)
• Essence of the mind of Longchenpa, 'jigs med gling pa's synthesis of rdzogs chen snying thig teachings. (JV)
• Longchen Nyingtig, Heart Essence of the Great Expanse. (RY)

Brief History

Longchen Nyingthig Tshogshing

The Longchen Nyingthig is a Terma cycle revealed by the master Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa. Since its inception in the late 18th century, it has become one of the most widespread sets of teachings in the Nyingma tradition. It is particularly known and loved for its extensive commentarial literature, which includes practice manuals such as the famed Yeshe Lama.

These teachings were originally transmitted by the master Padmasambhava to King Trisong Deutsen, the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal and the Lotsawa Vairochana at Samye Monastery in central Tibet. As the time for these teachings to spread was not yet right, they were then written in symbolic script by [[Yeshe Tsogyal], entrusted to the Dakinis, and hidden to be revealed at a later time. The king later reincarnated as the Treasure Revealer Jigme Lingpa, who recalled the teachings he had received and, recognizing the time was ripe for them to be practised, put them down in writing and began to teach.

Jigme Lingpa, the Terton who revealed this cycle of teachings, was a reincarnation of two important masters, Vimalamitra and King Trisong Deutsen. As the embodiment of these two figures, Tibet's two primary Dzogchen lineages were combined in Jigme Lingpa -- the Vima Nyingthig and Khandro Nyingthig, both of which are contained in the Nyingthig Yabshi. Hence, the Longchen Nyingthig terma cycle is considered a condensation of these profound teachings.

The texts that were revealed by Jigme Lingpa, in their present-day form, comprise three volumes, known as the Nyingthig Tsapod (snying thig rtsa pod). The numerous treatises, sadhanas and prayers it contains deal primarily with tantric practice, in particular the stages of Development Stage and Dzogchen.

Lineage

• The Present day lineages transmitted down from the many students of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa have spread and are practice throughout every corner of this realm, however there where four main "Heart Sons" that became crucial to the dissemination of the lineage, which in turn created a number of lineages of transmission down to present masters.
  

The primary lineage is as follows

• • Samantabhadra - the Dharmakaya
    
  • Vajrasattva - the Sambhogakaya
    
  • Garab Dorje - the Nirmanakaya
    
  • Manjushrimitra
    
  • Shri Singha
    
  • Vimalamitra
    
  • Padmasambhava
    
  • Yeshe Tsogyal
    
  • Trisong Deutsen
    
  • Longchenpa
    
  • Jigme Lingpa
    

The Four Main Lineage Holders

• Jigme Lingpa's four primary students known as "The Four Jigmes"
  • Jigme Trinle Ozer
  • Jigme Gyalwey Nyugu
  • Jigme Kundrol Namgyal
  • Getse Jigme Ngotsar

From Jigme Lingpa's heart son Jigme Trinle Ozer to the present Dodrupchen Rinpoche

• • Dola Jigme Kalzang and Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje
  • Gyalse Shenpen Thaye
    
  • Khenchen Pema Dorje
    
  • Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
    
  • Dodrup Tenpey Nyima (3rd Dodrupchen Rinpoche)
    
  • Khenpo Kunpal
    
  • Thubten Trinle Palzang (4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche)
    

From Jigme Lingpa's heart son Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu to the present Chatral Rinpoche

• • Patrul Rinpoche
    
  • Lungtog Tenpe Nyima
    
  • Khenpo Ngagchung
    
  • Chatral Rinpoche
    

From Jigme Lingpa's heart son Jigme Gyalwe Nyugu to the present Penor Rinpoche

• • Patrul Rinpoche
    
  • Lungtog Tenpe Nyima
    
  • Khenpo Ngagchung [1879-1941]
    
  • Rigdzin Palchen Düpa [1887-1932] (2nd Drubwang Padma Norbu)
    
  • Thubten Chokyi Dawa (2nd Tarthang Choktrul Rinpoche)
    
  • Penor Rinpoche [1932-2009] (3rd Drubwang Padma Norbu)
    

Other Lineage Masters

• Mingyur Namkhai Dorje (the fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche)
  
• Onpo Tendzin Norbu
  
• Adzom Drukpa
  
• Rigdzin Palchen Düpa (second Pema Norbu Rinpoche)
  
• Thubten Chokyi Dorje (the fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche)
  
• Yukhok Chatralwa
  
• Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro
  
• Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
  
• Gonpo Tseten Rinpoche
  

Primary Sadhanas

Guru

The Longchen Nyingthig cycle relates primarily to the teachings of Dzogchen, particularly the Innermost Essence teachings. Though there are various practices and Sadhanas found in this tradition, such practices are often approached from this Dzogchen perspective. These practices include:

• Preliminary Practice (sngon 'gro):
  • The Excellent Path To Omniscience (rnam mkhyen lam bzang)
  • See also Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro

• Peaceful Male Vidyadhara Sadhanas:
  • Outer Guru Practice: Guru Yoga (bla ma'i rnal 'byor)
  • Inner Guru Practice: Rigdzin Dupa (rig 'dzin 'dus pa)
  • Secret Guru Practice: Dukngal Rangdrol (sdug bsngal rang grol)
  • Utmost Guru Secret Practice: Ladrup Thigle Gyachen (bla sgrub thig le'i rgya chen)

[[File:Longchen Nyingthig- Tsa Sum-2.jpg|240px|thumb|right|Takyung Barwa)]

• Wrathful male Vidyadhara Sadhanas:
  • Palchen Dupa (dpal chen 'dus pa) and its related practices:
    • Yamantaka: Overpowering The Lord Of Death ('jam dpal gshin rje 'chi bdag zil gnon)
    • Hayagriva: Reveling In The Three Realms (rta mgrin khams gsum rol pa)
    • Visuddha: Union Of The Buddhas (yang dag sangs rgyas mnyam sbyor)
    • Vajrakilaya: Overpowering The Hordes Of Mara)] (phur pa bdud dpung zil gnon)
  • Lama Dragpo Takyung Barwa: (bla ma drag po rta khyung 'bar ba)

Dechen Gyalmo

• Female Vidyadhara Sadhanas:
  • Yumkha Dechen Gyalmo (yum mkha' bde chen rgyal mo)
  • Senge Dongchen (seng nge'i gdong chen)

• Dharma Protector (gsol kha) Practices:
  • Protectress Magon Chamdrel (bka’ srung ma mgon lcam dral)
  • ProtectressThe Five Medicine Sisters (bka' srung sman btsun mched lnga)

• 'Other MiscellaneousPractices:

'

• • Cleansing The Lower Realms: The Peaceful And Wrathful Deities (zhi khro ngan song sbyong ba)
  • Chod Practice: The Bellowing Laugh of the Dakinis (mkha' 'gro gad rgyangs)
  • Purifying The Realm Of Complete Joy: A Guru Yoga On Vajrasattva (rdo rje sems dpa' la brten pa'i bla ma'i rnal 'byor mngon dga'i zhing sbyong)

Primary Texts

The main Tantras and Pith-instructions

• • Kuntuzangpo Yeshe Long Ki Gyu (kun tu bzang po ye she klong gi rgyud)
  • Gyu Chima (rgyud phyi ma)
  • Nesum Shenje (gnad gsum shan 'byed)
  • Neluk Dorje Tsik-kang (gnas lugs rdo rje tshig rkang)
  • Yeshe Lama (ye shes bla ma) and its supporting commentaries

Preliminary Practice Instructions

• • The Steps to Liberation (thun mong gi sngon 'gro sems sbyong rnam pa bdun gyi don khrid thar ba'i them skas thar ba'i them skas)
  • Establishing Practice (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong gi sngon 'gro khrid kyi lag len la 'debs lugs)
  • Establishing Mindfulness (rdzogs pa chen po klong chen snying thig gi thun mong ma yin pa'i sngon 'gro'i khrid yig dran pa nyer gzhag)

Development Stage Instructions

• • The Ladder to Akanishta ('og min bgrod pa’i them skas) bskyed rim lha’i khrid kyi rnam par gzhag pa)
  • The Advice of Palchen (yo ga gsum gyi spyi chings dpal chen zhal lung)

Completion Stage Instructions

• • A Wish-fulfilling Jewel: A Condensation of the Oral Lineage for Completion Stage, Bliss-emptiness Energy (bde stong rlung gi rdzogs rim snyan rgyud shog dril yid bzhin nor bu)
  • A Short Text on the Blazing and Dripping of Tummo (gtum mo'i 'bar 'dzag yig chung)

Prayers and Aspirations

• • bde can zhing bkod smon lam
  • gzhi lam 'bras bu'i smon lam
  • sku gsum zhing khams sbyong ba'i gsol 'debs smon lam; also known as (zhing sbyong smon lam)
  • bar do'i smon lam dgongs gcig rgya mtsho
  • zangs mdog dpal ri'i smon lam dpal ri'i gsang lam

Present Day Teachers of the Longchen Nyingthig

• Thubten Trinle Palzangpo (fourth Dodrupchen Rinpoche)
  
• Chatral Rinpoche
  
• Penor Rinpoche
  
• Trulshik Rinpoche
  
• Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
  
• Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
  
• Sogyal Rinpoche
  
• Pema Wangyal Rinpoche
  
• Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche
  
• Jigme Losel Wangpo (the seventh Dzogchen Rinpoche)
  
• The son of Adzom Druktrul (name unknown)
  
• Traktung Rinpoche
  
• Tulku Thondup

Longchen Nyingthig Literature in Translation

• Works on the Longchen Nyingthig Ngondro:
  • Patrul Rinpoche (1994). Words of My Perfect Teacher. Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. San Francisco: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-1570624124
  • Ngawang Pelzang, Khenpo (2004). A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher. Translated by the Padmakara Translation Group. Boston: Shambhala Publications. ISBN 978-1590300732
  • An Elucidation of The Path To Excellent Omniscience. Translated by the Vajravairochana Translation Committee. Halifax: Vajravairochana Translation Committee, 1996.
  • Thondup, Tulku (1982). Dzogchen: Innermost Essence Preliminary Practice. India: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

• Works on Development Stage:
  • Ladder to Akanishta. Included in Deity, Mantra and Wisdom. Translated by Dharmachakra Translation Committee.

• Works on Dzogchen:
  • Yeshe Lama. Translated by Sangye Khandro.
  • Van Schaik, Sam (2004). Approaching the Great Perfection. Boston: Wisdom Publications.

• Sadhana Practices:
  • The Queen of Great Bliss of Long-Chen Nying-Thig. Translated by Tulku Thondup. Sikkim: Published by Dodrup Chen Rinpoche, 1992. A translation of the Yumkha Dechen Gyalmo sadhana.
  • The Assemblage of Vidyadharas of Long-Chen Nying-Thig. Translated by Tulku Thondup. Sikkim: Published by Dodrup Chen Rinpoche, 1992. A translation of the Rigdzin Dupa sadhana.

Other References

• Thondup, Tulku (1996) Masters of Meditation and Miracles. Boston: Shambhala Publications. - The most complete reference on the lineages and practices of the Longchen Nyingthig in the English language.
• Gyatso, Janet (1998). Apparitions of the Self. Princeton: Princeton University Press. - Contains translations of two biographies of Jigme Lingpa.
• The Dzogchen Lineage of Nyoshul Khenpo

Alternate Names and Spellings

• Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse
• Heart Essence of the Great Expanse
• Heart Essence of Longchenpa

See Also

• Longchen Nyingthig Masters
• Dodrubchen Monastery
• Dzogchen Monastery
• Palyul Monastery
  

Wylie text from the Longchen Nyingtik

• Choying Dzo "chos dbyings rin po che'i mdzod" by Kunkyen Longchenpa
• rdzogs pa chen po'i gnad gsum shan 'byod By Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa
• man ngag rdzogs pa chen po'i rgyud phyi ma By Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa
• kung tu bzang po'i dgongs nyams By Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa

External Links

• TBRC page on the Longchen Nyingthig
  
• TBRC listing of the treatises contained in the Longchen Nyingthig root texts
• The Tibetan versions of many of the Nyingtig prayers and sadhanas. The ones from BL are RTF also a very nice collection in TibDoc. [1]

Source

RangjungYesheWiki:Longchen Nyingthig