The 1st Dorje Drak Ridgzin Chenpo Godem Chen

The 1^st Dorje Drak Ridgzin Chenpo Godem Chen

The Great Vidyadhara Godkyi Demtruchen (also known as Rigdzin Ngodrub Gyaltsen, the first incarnation of the Kyabgon Rigdzin Chenpo of Dorje Drak, the main monastery of the Nyingma tradition) was one of the three supreme emanated tertons (treasure revealers) prophesied by the Second Buddha of Oddiyana. He was the mind emanation of Guru Padmasambhava and the reincarnation of Zhang Nanampa Dorje Dudjom.

According to the prophecy in the “Seven Essential Instructions of Nyingthig”: “On the eastern slopes of a mountain called Trazang, one born in the Fire-Ox year with the mark of a mole, blessed by me, Padma, will repeatedly have vulture feathers growing from the crown of his head.”

This supreme being, repeatedly praised in the vajra prophecies of the Omniscient One of the Three Times from Oddiyana, was born in the Chamber of Namo Lung in Tsang Namring District, north of the eastern front of Mount Trazang in the region of Thoyor Nagpo. He was born as the son of Master Dudul Pal (father) and Jocham Sonam Kyeudren (mother) – the Vajra Youth couple – on the tenth day of the first month of the Miracle Month in the Female Fire-Ox Year of the sixth Rabjung cycle (1337 CE).

He had auspicious marks including two black and white moles on his crown, three moles in a triangle on his navel, the syllable OM on his heart center, and three vertical lines on his forehead. Especially at age twelve, in accordance with the prophecy, three vulture feathers grew from his crown, and at age twenty-four, five vulture feathers appeared, which led to him becoming widely known as Rigdzin Godem (Vulture Feather Vidyadhara).

From a young age, he thoroughly studied and contemplated most of the Nyingma teachings, particularly the Zhi Tro Gyutrul (Peaceful and Wrathful Deities’ Magical Display), Kagyé (Eight Pronouncements), Ma Shin Phur Sum and especially the Kama traditions from his father.

When he reached thirty years of age, from the waist of a mountain resembling heaped poisonous snakes at Zangzang Lhadrak in the north, he retrieved profound treasures including the “Kunzang Gongpa Zangthal” (Complete Penetration of the Wisdom Intent of Samantabhadra) and other dharma treasures, totaling five hundred with their branches. For five years, without speaking a word to others, he practiced these teachings himself and manifested all the signs of accomplishment in the generation and completion stages, before gradually disseminating them to worthy disciples who were prophesied. These teachings spread throughout all upper, lower, and central regions of Tibet, becoming widely known as the “Northern Treasures” (Jangter), a single treasure that benefited all of Tibet like a minister.

The king of Gungthang, Chogdrub De, honored him with the title of Tishri (Royal Preceptor) and relied upon him as his crown guru, which benefited the peace and happiness of all Tibet. He then went to Mount Trazang where he donned monastic robes and established a monastery.

The lineage through which he spread profound teachings to fortunate disciples includes: the Son Lineage, passed down through his supreme son Namgyal Gonpo; the Mother Lineage, passed down through the emanation of his consort Tsenden Ma, the great consort; and the Disciple Lineage, passed down through Kunpang Donyod Gyaltsen. These dharma lineages have spread extensively throughout Tibet, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and other places up to the present day.

It is said that this great Rigzin was a Bodhisattva who had attained the sixth ground. In the latter part of his life, he opened the sacred place of Dremojong, went to Drakkar Tashi Ding, and extensively benefited the doctrine and beings. Finally, at the age of seventy-two, in the Earth-Mouse year (1408 CE), he passed into the Dharmadhatu accompanied by many wondrous signs.

From the successive incarnations of this great Rigzin, from the third incarnation to the current tenth incarnation of Do-Drak Kyabgon Rigzin Chenpo, they have served as the holders of the Early Translation Northern Tradition and as the throne-holders of Thupten Dorje Drak in central Tibet.