1st Namkhai Nyingpo

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Kharchu

​

Namkhai Nyingpo Lobzang Lhachhog was born to Tshewang Ngodub and Logog in 1672 corresponding to Water Bird Year of the 11th Rabjung Cycle in Kyamo Gangshar in the vicinity of Guru Chowang’s abode Lhodrak Shar Tsandrolung. At a time when the Tibetan Government was establishing the Gyurling Chusum monastic system, young boys from various villages were collected for enrolment into the monasteries. The time had come for Namkhai Nyingpo, who was then eight years old, to become a monk. From among three brothers, he was the middle one and had to go to Lhodrak Monastery in keeping with the order of the government. His Holiness entered the monastery as an ordinary monk. The hair of his crown was cut by Khenpo Ngawang Norbu and the Fifth Dalai Lama named him Lobzang Lhachog. Then he was ordained as a monk and he became the pupil of Bodhisattva Rinchen from who he learned reading, writing, religious dances, calligraphy and melody that were effortlessly understood by him.

Then he went to Thubten Drak where his mere meeting of the Great Knowledge Holder Pema Thinley generated in him a sense of faith comparable to the faith and respect generated towards Ugyen Guru Rinpoche himself, and received the pith instructions on Thuje Chenpo Khorwa Yingdol (Avalokitesvara’s Doctrine of Liberation from Samsara). Thereafter, he meditated for long periods of time in Durthroed Lhakhang in Lhodrak Kharchu and in the meditation quarters of Melong Dorji after which he had the vision of his tutelary deity and received prophecies. The three local deities of Dhur-Myon-Seng-Sum exhibited their true forms and took the oath of allegiance to fulfill whatever Namkhai Nyingpo ordered them to do. One evening Namkhai Nyingpo had a vision where Guru Rinpoche appeared in person and said, “Son, hold on to me and let us go to Zangdo Palri.” Thus he saw both the external and internal structures of the Zangdo Palri in their entirety. He also received religious discourses that he had not received earlier.

As per the prophecies of his Lamas and deities, he established two Drubdheys (meditation centres) in Lhodrak Senge-Ri and named the place Ketsal Metog-Ling (the Land of Flower Groves). He also newly constructed a monastery besides opening the door to the secret holy place of Wormo Lhasa as per the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche thus greatly benefiting the sentient beings. Then, one day he declared that the old knowledgeable one will now go back to where Ugyen Guru was. It was 1747. He also said that Ugyen Guru Rinpoche along with the Dakas and Dakinis had come to fetch him. He asked the others whether they could see them and that they should pray to them. Thus he showed the method of entering the heavenly abode while in his quarters in Ketsal  Metog-Ling.

 

Namkhai Nyingpo, Womb-of-Space

At Kharchu in Lhodrak in the Glorious Cavern
You accomplished the Immaculate Mind directly,
And with consummate skill of the Mind you rode the sun’s rays:
Homage to Namkhai Nyingpo.

Credit: http://keithdowman.net