Difference between revisions of "Orgyen Kusum Lingpa"
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| − | Orgyen Kusum Lingpa was a [[terton]] and [[Nyingma]] lineage holder within [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. His name means "Holder of the Sanctuary of the [[Trikaya]] of [[Oddiyana]] [[Padmasambhava]]." | + | [[File:58ab2d90.jpg|thumb|250px|]] |
| + | [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] was a [[terton]] and [[Nyingma]] [[lineage]] holder within [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. His [[name]] means "Holder of the [[Sanctuary]] of the [[Trikaya]] of [[Oddiyana]] [[Padmasambhava]]." | ||
| − | He was born in 1934 in the Golog region of Amdo province in western Tibet as the son of the well-known yogi Lhundrup Gyamtso of the Waxi (Wal Shul) clan. At that time he was known as Pema Tumpo, or Pema Tum Drag Dorje. His father's brother, Waxi Lama Sonam Khedrup, was also a famous Buddhist teacher in the region. | + | He was born in 1934 in the [[Golog]] region of [[Amdo]] province in [[western Tibet]] as the son of the well-known [[yogi]] [[Lhundrup]] [[Gyamtso]] of the Waxi (Wal Shul) {{Wiki|clan}}. At that [[time]] he was known as [[Pema]] Tumpo, or [[Pema]] Tum Drag [[Dorje]]. His father's brother, Waxi [[Lama Sonam]] [[Khedrup]], was also a famous [[Buddhist teacher]] in the region. |
| − | Mingyur Namkhé Dorje, 4th Dzogchen Rinpoche, prophesied about Orgyen Kusum Lingpa: | + | [[Mingyur Namkhé Dorje]], [[4th Dzogchen Rinpoche]], prophesied about [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]]: |
| − | : "An emanation of Vajrapani will appear in the year known as "guarding wealth" in the Achag Dri region [of Golog] as a child named Tum Drag... He will blossom like a lily, and then unleash himself like a thunderstorm... He will guide all those connected with him to Sikhavati, The Realm of Bliss." | + | : "An [[emanation of Vajrapani]] will appear in the year known as "guarding [[wealth]]" in the Achag Dri region [of [[Golog]]) as a child named Tum Drag... He will blossom like a lily, and then unleash himself like a thunderstorm... He will [[guide]] all those connected with him to Sikhavati, The [[Realm of Bliss]]." |
| − | Orgyen Kusum Lingpa's previous incarnations include the Mahasiddha Drilbupa in India and Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje,[2] the heart disciple of Guru Rinpoche Padma Sambhava in Tibet, who assassinated the anti-Buddhist Bon Emperor Langdarma in 842 CE and then hid in the Moon Cave of the Drag Yerpa retreat outside Lhasa. Orgyen Kusum Lingpa also often claimed to recall his previous life as the crazy wisdom master Drugpa Kunleg, and enjoyed recounting the latter's exploits given any occasion. | + | [[Orgyen]] Kusum Lingpa's previous [[incarnations]] include the [[Mahasiddha]] [[Drilbupa]] in [[India]] and [[Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje]],[2] the [[heart disciple]] of [[Guru Rinpoche]] [[Padma Sambhava]] in [[Tibet]], who assassinated the anti-Buddhist [[Bon]] [[Emperor]] [[Langdarma]] in 842 CE and then hid in the [[Moon Cave]] of the [[Drag Yerpa]] [[retreat]] outside [[Lhasa]]. [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] also often claimed to recall his previous [[life]] as the [[crazy wisdom]] [[master]] [[Drugpa]] [[Kunleg]], and enjoyed recounting the latter's exploits given any occasion. |
| − | As a youth, he studied primarily at Darthang Monastery in Golog, where his teachers included Payul Chogtrul Rinpoche Jampal Jaypa'i Dorje (Chokyi Dawa), Akong Khenchen Lobsang Dorje, and Gyedro Wonpo Rinpoche. There he received instructions and empowerments alongside Drubwang Penor Rinpoche, among others. Another of his principal teachers was His Holiness the 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche Tubpa Zangpo, from whom he received the complete transmissions of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage, of which he became a holder. | + | As a youth, he studied primarily at [[Darthang]] [[Monastery]] in [[Golog]], where his [[teachers]] included Payul [[Chogtrul Rinpoche]] [[Jampal]] Jaypa'i [[Dorje]] ([[Chokyi Dawa]]), [[Akong]] [[Khenchen]] [[Lobsang]] [[Dorje]], and Gyedro Wonpo [[Rinpoche]]. There he received instructions and [[empowerments]] alongside Drubwang [[Penor Rinpoche]], among others. Another of his [[principal]] [[teachers]] was [[His Holiness]] the 4th [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]] Tubpa [[Zangpo]], from whom he received the complete [[transmissions]] of the [[Longchen Nyingthig]] [[lineage]], of which he became a holder. |
| − | Orgyen Kusum Lingpa began to discover mind treasures of teachings of Guru Rinpoche after his mother died and he went on pilgrimage to central Tibet when he was 16 years old. On his journey he first passed through Derge and reached Kojo, where he met Ratri Terton Nyagla Changchub Dorje, then reputedly aged 113, who became his principal teacher of Dzog Chen nature of mind instructions. | + | [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] began to discover [[mind treasures]] of teachings of [[Guru Rinpoche]] after his mother [[died]] and he went on [[pilgrimage]] to [[central Tibet]] when he was 16 years old. On his journey he first passed through [[Derge]] and reached [[Kojo]], where he met Ratri [[Terton]] Nyagla [[Changchub Dorje]], then reputedly aged 113, who became his [[principal]] [[teacher]] of [[Dzog Chen]] [[nature of mind]] instructions. |
| − | Proceeding to Lhasa and remaining there throughout most of the 1950s, Orgyen Kusum Lingpa met and received empowerments and instructions from great holders of all of the major dharma lineages of Tibet, including His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rigpa'i Dorje, Sera Khenchen Jamyang Choklay Namgyal, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Sakya Ngagchang Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Taklung Ma Rinpoche, and many others; which instructions he then put into practice. With the loss of Tibetan autonomy and during the period of the Cultural Revolution, he was subsequently imprisoned on and off over the course of more than 20 years of his adult life. | + | Proceeding to [[Lhasa]] and remaining there throughout most of the 1950s, [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] met and received [[empowerments]] and instructions from great holders of all of the major [[dharma]] [[lineages]] of [[Tibet]], [[including]] [[His Holiness]] the [[16th Karmapa]] Rigpa'i [[Dorje]], [[Sera]] [[Khenchen]] Jamyang Choklay [[Namgyal]], [[His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama]], [[Sakya]] Ngagchang [[Rinpoche]], [[Dudjom Rinpoche]], [[Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro]], [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]], [[Taklung Ma Rinpoche]], and many others; which instructions he then put into [[practice]]. With the loss of [[Tibetan]] autonomy and during the period of the {{Wiki|Cultural Revolution}}, he was subsequently imprisoned on and off over the course of more than 20 years of his adult [[life]]. |
| + | [[File:KusumLingpa320.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| + | Eventually he was permitted to re-establish an encampment, and then a [[monastery]], in the Ga De cantonment of [[Golog]], along a bend of a tributary of the Ma Chu ([[Yellow River]]). The [[monastery]] originally was founded by the 19th century [[Master]] [[Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje]], and then passed down through a succession of holders within the Waxi [[family lineage]]. This [[monastery]] is known as Lung Ngon Thubten Chokhorling, or "Blue Valley [[Sanctuary]] of the [[Dharma Wheel]] of the [[Muni's]] Teachings." | ||
| − | + | When he was still young [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] fathered a son named [[Nyima]] [[Gyal]], who has become a well-known [[ritual]] [[master]] in [[Golog]] and presently resides at [[Sang]] Lung [[Monastery]]. With his lifelong [[consort]] Dug Kar [[Drolma]], the sister of Garwang [[Nyima]] [[Rinpoche]] (the current head of [[Darthang]] [[Monastery]]), he later had two sons and two daughters. | |
| − | + | He [[died]] on Feb 26th, 2009 at his [[monastery]] in Guoluo [[Tibetan]] Autonomous Prefecture. A first hand account of his final days and [[cremation]] is recorded in the final [[chapter]] of "A [[Path]] Strewn with [[Flowers]] and [[Bones]]," the memoir of his long-time [[disciple]] and [[translator]] [[Tulku]] Sherdor ([[Sherab Dorje]]). Additional details of the impact of his [[life]] and his passing upon his [[disciples]] and the [[world]] is recorded in the verses "Words of [[Aspiration]] to the Beating of My [[Heart]]" composed by [[Tulku]] Hung Kar [[Dorje]]. | |
| − | + | [[His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama]] wrote a [[prayer]] for the swift [[rebirth]] of [[Kusum Lingpa]], which reads: | |
| − | + | : "Supreme Muni, our Supreme Leader, [[Lord]] of [[Oddiyana]] and your children, the [[Arya]] assembly—all you sources of [[refuge]], please approach, bear {{Wiki|witness}} to this [[aspiration prayer]], give heed to our yearning and [[lamentation]], and grant your great [[blessings]]! May there swiftly appear a [[reincarnation]] of our kind [[Guru]] ([[Lama]]) who was so [[skilled]] at guiding transient [[beings]] to the [[jewel]] [[Island]] [Lingpa] of the [[Three Kayas]] [Kusum] of [[enlightenment]], by freely revealing the [[profound meaning]] of the [[Mind Treasures]] of the Victor [[Orgyen]]. Highly dignified and very Fierce [Tum], [[Wrathful]] ([[Drak]]) potentates who abide within the most secret command and [[samaya]] of [[Padma]], Varja ([[Dorje]]) [[dharma guardians]], bring about the {{Wiki|purpose}} of this [[aspiration]] through the inveterate support of your [[enlightened activity]]!" | |
| − | |||
| − | : "Supreme Muni, our Supreme Leader, Lord of Oddiyana and your children, the Arya assembly—all you sources of refuge, please approach, bear witness to this aspiration prayer, give heed to our yearning and lamentation, and grant your great blessings! May there swiftly appear a reincarnation of our kind Guru [Lama] who was so skilled at guiding transient beings to the jewel Island [Lingpa] of the Three Kayas [Kusum] of enlightenment, by freely revealing the profound meaning of the Mind Treasures of the Victor Orgyen. Highly dignified and very Fierce [Tum], Wrathful [Drak] potentates who abide within the most secret command and samaya of Padma, Varja [Dorje] dharma guardians, bring about the purpose of this aspiration through the inveterate support of your enlightened activity!" | ||
==Teachings and Students== | ==Teachings and Students== | ||
| − | During the latter period of his life, Orgyen Kusum Lingpa was invited to visit and teach in many different countries. He was first invited to the United States by Chagdud Tulku of Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and by Gyaltrul Rinpoche in 1994. During his first several extended visits to the U.S. in 1994 and 1995, he met and gave Buddhist teachings to a number of celebrities and scholars, including the film director Oliver Stone, and actor Steven Seagal, and was welcomed at Tibetan Buddhist centers across the country. His early translators Erik Drew and Richard Barron (Chokyi Nyima). Several of the attendant Lamas who accompanied him from Golog eventually settled in the U.S., including Lama Chonam and Lama Lhanang in California. His two youngest sons, Tulku Hungkar Dorje and Tulku Dorje Trengpo, also often accompanied him on those early visits | + | During the [[latter]] period of his [[life]], [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] was invited to visit and teach in many different countries. He was first invited to the [[Wikipedia:United States of America (USA)|United States]] by [[Chagdud Tulku]] of [[Chagdud Gonpa]] Foundation and by [[Gyaltrul Rinpoche]] in 1994. During his first several extended visits to the [[U.S.]] in 1994 and 1995, he met and gave [[Buddhist teachings]] to a number of celebrities and [[scholars]], [[including]] the film director Oliver Stone, and actor [[Steven Seagal]], and was welcomed at [[Tibetan Buddhist]] centers across the country. His early [[translators]] Erik Drew and [[Richard Barron]] ([[Chokyi Nyima]]). Several of the attendant [[Lamas]] who accompanied him from [[Golog]] eventually settled in the U.S., [[including]] [[Lama]] Chonam and [[Lama]] Lhanang in [[California]]. His two youngest sons, [[Tulku]] Hungkar [[Dorje]] and [[Tulku]] [[Dorje]] Trengpo, also often accompanied him on those early visits. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | Orgyen Kusum Lingpa also maintained a close connection with the Tibetan Lama Chodrak Gyatso Nubpa of the Thondup Ling dharma center in the Los Angeles area, entrusting him with the treasure cycle of the deity Orgyen Jambhala and recognizing his son Rigdzin as a rebirth of a past master named Gyarong Tergod, sending him to train at His Holiness Dodrupchen's monastery in Sikkim, India. | + | Beginning in 1995, to fulfill a {{Wiki|prophecy}} he received from the [[deity]] [[Vajrapani]] to establish [[108]] [[practice]] centers of [[Vajra Kilaya]] in [[order]] to avert coming {{Wiki|calamities}} and [[wars]] in the [[world]], [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] established the [[dharma]] center [[Orgyen]] Khachod Ling in {{Wiki|Los Angeles}}. |
| + | [[File:Kusum-lingpa-statue.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| + | [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] also maintained a close connection with the [[Tibetan]] [[Lama]] [[Chodrak Gyatso]] Nubpa of the [[Thondup]] Ling [[dharma]] center in the {{Wiki|Los Angeles}} area, entrusting him with the [[treasure cycle]] of the [[deity]] [[Orgyen]] [[Jambhala]] and [[recognizing]] his son [[Rigdzin]] as a [[rebirth]] of a {{Wiki|past}} [[master]] named [[Gyarong]] Tergod, sending him to train at [[His Holiness]] Dodrupchen's [[monastery]] in [[Sikkim]], [[India]]. | ||
| − | While most of Kusum Lingpa's original and early American disciples had previously studied with other Tibetan Buddhist Lamas, gradually he began to gather a great number of Vietnamese American disciples for whom Tibetan Buddhism was relatively new. He also traveled to Vietnam several times. | + | While most of Kusum Lingpa's original and early [[American]] [[disciples]] had previously studied with other [[Tibetan Buddhist]] [[Lamas]], gradually he began to [[gather]] a great number of [[Vietnamese]] [[American]] [[disciples]] for whom [[Tibetan Buddhism]] was relatively new. He also traveled to [[Vietnam]] several times. |
| − | His treasure lineage of teachings received directly from the mind of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava comprises mainly a cycle known as the Pema Nyingthig, "The Heart Essence of Padma." These and his other treasures have been partially published in the Tibetan language in a collection of 18 volumes, with several volumes still to be added. Orgyen Kusum Lingpa consistently referred to himself as one of the 1000 or more 'servant treasure revealers' who follow the 108 great treasure revealers, the last of whom was Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa in the 19th century. | + | His [[treasure]] [[lineage]] of teachings received directly from the [[mind]] of [[Guru Rinpoche]] [[Padmasambhava]] comprises mainly a cycle known as the [[Pema]] [[Nyingthig]], "The [[Heart Essence]] of [[Padma]]." These and his other [[treasures]] have been partially published in the [[Tibetan language]] in a collection of 18 volumes, with several volumes still to be added. [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]] consistently referred to himself as one of the 1000 or more 'servant [[treasure revealers]]' who follow the [[108]] great [[treasure revealers]], the last of whom was [[Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa]] in the 19th century. |
| − | The principal Guru sadhana cycles he discovered were of Guru Rinpoche in the form of Vidyadhara Acarya Padma with a mandala of the eight great vidyadharas of the Ka Gye lineages of India and Tibet; and the Rigden King, Wrathful Holder of the Iron Wheel. His many Yidam sadhana cycles feature Hayagriva, Tara, Vajrapani, Yamantaka and Jambhala. His Dakini cycles include extensive sadhanas of Yeshe Tsogyal and Mandarava. His primary treasure of the Compassionate One (Tug Je Chenpo) Avalokitesvara is in the form of Don Yod Shakpa (Amoghapasa). | + | The [[principal]] [[Guru sadhana]] cycles he discovered were of [[Guru Rinpoche]] in the [[form]] of [[Vidyadhara]] [[Acarya]] [[Padma]] with a [[mandala]] of the [[eight great vidyadharas]] of the Ka [[Gye]] [[lineages]] of [[India]] and [[Tibet]]; and the [[Rigden King]], [[Wrathful]] Holder of the [[Iron Wheel]]. His many [[Yidam]] [[sadhana]] cycles feature [[Hayagriva]], [[Tara]], [[Vajrapani]], [[Yamantaka]] and [[Jambhala]]. His [[Dakini]] cycles include extensive [[sadhanas]] of [[Yeshe Tsogyal]] and [[Mandarava]]. His [[primary]] [[treasure]] of the [[Compassionate]] One (Tug Je [[Chenpo]]) [[Avalokitesvara]] is in the [[form]] of Don Yod Shakpa ([[Amoghapasa]]). |
| − | The treasures also include collected prophecies, medical treatises, and songs of realization. The principle scribes of his dictated mind treasures included his sons Tulku Hungkar Dorje and Tulku Dorje Trengpo, and his long-time attendant and disciple, the Umdze (chantmaster) Chozang. | + | The [[treasures]] also include collected {{Wiki|prophecies}}, {{Wiki|medical}} treatises, and songs of [[realization]]. The [[principle]] scribes of his dictated [[mind treasures]] included his sons [[Tulku]] Hungkar [[Dorje]] and [[Tulku]] [[Dorje]] Trengpo, and his long-time attendant and [[disciple]], the [[Umdze]] (chantmaster) Chozang. |
| − | ==Tibetan Successor: Tulku Hungkar Dorje== | + | ==[[Tibetan]] Successor: [[Tulku]] Hungkar [[Dorje]]== |
| − | Orgyen Kusum Lingpa's son Tulku Hungkar Dorje is his recognized successor. Hungkar Dorje was born in 1969 and recognized early in his life by such Buddhist masters as H.H. Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, H.H. Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, and later by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as a reincarnation of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje, the mind emanation of the great Nyingma Dzogchen Master Jigme Lingpa. | + | [[Orgyen]] Kusum Lingpa's son [[Tulku]] Hungkar [[Dorje]] is his [[recognized]] successor. Hungkar [[Dorje]] was born in 1969 and [[recognized]] early in his [[life]] by such [[Buddhist masters]] as H.H. [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]], H.H. [[Dodrupchen Rinpoche]], [[Penor Rinpoche]], and later by [[His Holiness the Dalai Lama]], as a [[reincarnation]] of [[Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje]], the [[mind emanation]] of the great [[Nyingma]] [[Dzogchen Master]] [[Jigme Lingpa]]. |
| − | He completed his early education in Buddhist Philosophy with his father Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, H.H. Dodrupchen, Penor Rinpoche, and Akong Khenpo. From 1990-94 he studied towards a Geshe degree at Drepung Monastery in India. | + | He completed his early [[education]] in [[Buddhist Philosophy]] with his father [[Orgyen Kusum Lingpa]], H.H. [[Dodrupchen]], [[Penor Rinpoche]], and [[Akong]] [[Khenpo]]. From 1990-94 he studied towards a [[Geshe degree]] at [[Drepung Monastery]] in [[India]]. |
| − | Since 1994, he has served as the official abbot of Lung Ngon Thubten Chokhorling Monastery in the Gande region of Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. As president of the Mayul (Qinghai) Gesar Foundation for Virtuous Activity, a charity run by Tibetans in Golog, he has helped design and overseen construction of the Great Stupa for World Peace, one of the largest stupas in the world. He founded the Dharma Institute, a nine-year advanced Buddhist training program for lay people. In 2005, he founded the first Buddhist nunnery in Golok. He has also recently established a vocational school for Tibetans. | + | Since 1994, he has served as the official [[abbot]] of Lung Ngon Thubten Chokhorling [[Monastery]] in the Gande region of [[Golok]] [[Tibetan]] Autonomous Prefecture, [[Qinghai]] Province, [[China]]. As [[president]] of the Mayul ([[Qinghai]]) [[Gesar]] Foundation for [[Virtuous]] [[Activity]], a [[charity]] run by [[Tibetans]] in [[Golog]], he has helped design and overseen construction of the [[Great Stupa]] for [[World]] [[Peace]], one of the largest [[stupas]] in the [[world]]. He founded the [[Dharma]] Institute, a nine-year advanced [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|training}} program for [[lay people]]. In 2005, he founded the first [[Buddhist]] [[nunnery]] in [[Golok]]. He has also recently established a vocational school for [[Tibetans]]. |
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Latest revision as of 20:21, 4 April 2016
Orgyen Kusum Lingpa was a terton and Nyingma lineage holder within Tibetan Buddhism. His name means "Holder of the Sanctuary of the Trikaya of Oddiyana Padmasambhava."
He was born in 1934 in the Golog region of Amdo province in western Tibet as the son of the well-known yogi Lhundrup Gyamtso of the Waxi (Wal Shul) clan. At that time he was known as Pema Tumpo, or Pema Tum Drag Dorje. His father's brother, Waxi Lama Sonam Khedrup, was also a famous Buddhist teacher in the region.
Mingyur Namkhé Dorje, 4th Dzogchen Rinpoche, prophesied about Orgyen Kusum Lingpa:
- "An emanation of Vajrapani will appear in the year known as "guarding wealth" in the Achag Dri region [of Golog) as a child named Tum Drag... He will blossom like a lily, and then unleash himself like a thunderstorm... He will guide all those connected with him to Sikhavati, The Realm of Bliss."
Orgyen Kusum Lingpa's previous incarnations include the Mahasiddha Drilbupa in India and Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje,[2] the heart disciple of Guru Rinpoche Padma Sambhava in Tibet, who assassinated the anti-Buddhist Bon Emperor Langdarma in 842 CE and then hid in the Moon Cave of the Drag Yerpa retreat outside Lhasa. Orgyen Kusum Lingpa also often claimed to recall his previous life as the crazy wisdom master Drugpa Kunleg, and enjoyed recounting the latter's exploits given any occasion.
As a youth, he studied primarily at Darthang Monastery in Golog, where his teachers included Payul Chogtrul Rinpoche Jampal Jaypa'i Dorje (Chokyi Dawa), Akong Khenchen Lobsang Dorje, and Gyedro Wonpo Rinpoche. There he received instructions and empowerments alongside Drubwang Penor Rinpoche, among others. Another of his principal teachers was His Holiness the 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche Tubpa Zangpo, from whom he received the complete transmissions of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage, of which he became a holder.
Orgyen Kusum Lingpa began to discover mind treasures of teachings of Guru Rinpoche after his mother died and he went on pilgrimage to central Tibet when he was 16 years old. On his journey he first passed through Derge and reached Kojo, where he met Ratri Terton Nyagla Changchub Dorje, then reputedly aged 113, who became his principal teacher of Dzog Chen nature of mind instructions.
Proceeding to Lhasa and remaining there throughout most of the 1950s, Orgyen Kusum Lingpa met and received empowerments and instructions from great holders of all of the major dharma lineages of Tibet, including His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rigpa'i Dorje, Sera Khenchen Jamyang Choklay Namgyal, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Sakya Ngagchang Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Taklung Ma Rinpoche, and many others; which instructions he then put into practice. With the loss of Tibetan autonomy and during the period of the Cultural Revolution, he was subsequently imprisoned on and off over the course of more than 20 years of his adult life.
Eventually he was permitted to re-establish an encampment, and then a monastery, in the Ga De cantonment of Golog, along a bend of a tributary of the Ma Chu (Yellow River). The monastery originally was founded by the 19th century Master Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje, and then passed down through a succession of holders within the Waxi family lineage. This monastery is known as Lung Ngon Thubten Chokhorling, or "Blue Valley Sanctuary of the Dharma Wheel of the Muni's Teachings."
When he was still young Orgyen Kusum Lingpa fathered a son named Nyima Gyal, who has become a well-known ritual master in Golog and presently resides at Sang Lung Monastery. With his lifelong consort Dug Kar Drolma, the sister of Garwang Nyima Rinpoche (the current head of Darthang Monastery), he later had two sons and two daughters.
He died on Feb 26th, 2009 at his monastery in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. A first hand account of his final days and cremation is recorded in the final chapter of "A Path Strewn with Flowers and Bones," the memoir of his long-time disciple and translator Tulku Sherdor (Sherab Dorje). Additional details of the impact of his life and his passing upon his disciples and the world is recorded in the verses "Words of Aspiration to the Beating of My Heart" composed by Tulku Hung Kar Dorje.
His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama wrote a prayer for the swift rebirth of Kusum Lingpa, which reads:
- "Supreme Muni, our Supreme Leader, Lord of Oddiyana and your children, the Arya assembly—all you sources of refuge, please approach, bear witness to this aspiration prayer, give heed to our yearning and lamentation, and grant your great blessings! May there swiftly appear a reincarnation of our kind Guru (Lama) who was so skilled at guiding transient beings to the jewel Island [Lingpa] of the Three Kayas [Kusum] of enlightenment, by freely revealing the profound meaning of the Mind Treasures of the Victor Orgyen. Highly dignified and very Fierce [Tum], Wrathful (Drak) potentates who abide within the most secret command and samaya of Padma, Varja (Dorje) dharma guardians, bring about the purpose of this aspiration through the inveterate support of your enlightened activity!"
Teachings and Students
During the latter period of his life, Orgyen Kusum Lingpa was invited to visit and teach in many different countries. He was first invited to the United States by Chagdud Tulku of Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and by Gyaltrul Rinpoche in 1994. During his first several extended visits to the U.S. in 1994 and 1995, he met and gave Buddhist teachings to a number of celebrities and scholars, including the film director Oliver Stone, and actor Steven Seagal, and was welcomed at Tibetan Buddhist centers across the country. His early translators Erik Drew and Richard Barron (Chokyi Nyima). Several of the attendant Lamas who accompanied him from Golog eventually settled in the U.S., including Lama Chonam and Lama Lhanang in California. His two youngest sons, Tulku Hungkar Dorje and Tulku Dorje Trengpo, also often accompanied him on those early visits.
Beginning in 1995, to fulfill a prophecy he received from the deity Vajrapani to establish 108 practice centers of Vajra Kilaya in order to avert coming calamities and wars in the world, Orgyen Kusum Lingpa established the dharma center Orgyen Khachod Ling in Los Angeles.
Orgyen Kusum Lingpa also maintained a close connection with the Tibetan Lama Chodrak Gyatso Nubpa of the Thondup Ling dharma center in the Los Angeles area, entrusting him with the treasure cycle of the deity Orgyen Jambhala and recognizing his son Rigdzin as a rebirth of a past master named Gyarong Tergod, sending him to train at His Holiness Dodrupchen's monastery in Sikkim, India.
While most of Kusum Lingpa's original and early American disciples had previously studied with other Tibetan Buddhist Lamas, gradually he began to gather a great number of Vietnamese American disciples for whom Tibetan Buddhism was relatively new. He also traveled to Vietnam several times.
His treasure lineage of teachings received directly from the mind of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava comprises mainly a cycle known as the Pema Nyingthig, "The Heart Essence of Padma." These and his other treasures have been partially published in the Tibetan language in a collection of 18 volumes, with several volumes still to be added. Orgyen Kusum Lingpa consistently referred to himself as one of the 1000 or more 'servant treasure revealers' who follow the 108 great treasure revealers, the last of whom was Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa in the 19th century.
The principal Guru sadhana cycles he discovered were of Guru Rinpoche in the form of Vidyadhara Acarya Padma with a mandala of the eight great vidyadharas of the Ka Gye lineages of India and Tibet; and the Rigden King, Wrathful Holder of the Iron Wheel. His many Yidam sadhana cycles feature Hayagriva, Tara, Vajrapani, Yamantaka and Jambhala. His Dakini cycles include extensive sadhanas of Yeshe Tsogyal and Mandarava. His primary treasure of the Compassionate One (Tug Je Chenpo) Avalokitesvara is in the form of Don Yod Shakpa (Amoghapasa).
The treasures also include collected prophecies, medical treatises, and songs of realization. The principle scribes of his dictated mind treasures included his sons Tulku Hungkar Dorje and Tulku Dorje Trengpo, and his long-time attendant and disciple, the Umdze (chantmaster) Chozang.
Tibetan Successor: Tulku Hungkar Dorje
Orgyen Kusum Lingpa's son Tulku Hungkar Dorje is his recognized successor. Hungkar Dorje was born in 1969 and recognized early in his life by such Buddhist masters as H.H. Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, H.H. Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, and later by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as a reincarnation of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje, the mind emanation of the great Nyingma Dzogchen Master Jigme Lingpa.
He completed his early education in Buddhist Philosophy with his father Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, H.H. Dodrupchen, Penor Rinpoche, and Akong Khenpo. From 1990-94 he studied towards a Geshe degree at Drepung Monastery in India.
Since 1994, he has served as the official abbot of Lung Ngon Thubten Chokhorling Monastery in the Gande region of Golok Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, China. As president of the Mayul (Qinghai) Gesar Foundation for Virtuous Activity, a charity run by Tibetans in Golog, he has helped design and overseen construction of the Great Stupa for World Peace, one of the largest stupas in the world. He founded the Dharma Institute, a nine-year advanced Buddhist training program for lay people. In 2005, he founded the first Buddhist nunnery in Golok. He has also recently established a vocational school for Tibetans.
