The 4th Rigzin Chenpo Lobzang Pema Trinley

The 4^th Rigzin Chenpo Lobzang Pema Trinley

The great treasure revealer Rigzin Goedem and the fourth reincarnation in lineage, and the second throne holder of Thupten Dorje Drak, one of the main monasteries of the Ancient Nyingma tradition.

As prophesied by Orgyen Dusum Khyenpa through the vajra prophecy, from the Fifth Dalai Lama’s pure vision “The Secret Sealed Document”: “The lord of Dharma who will spread this teaching, named Pema, keeper of samaya, is an emanation of Vajrapani; entrust it to the one with the flesh-mark on his heart.” Also, from the Tak-sham treasure prophecy: “In the western corner at the unchanging rock, Pema Rigzin Trinley Gyepa will appear.”

As prophesied, he was born in Namse Ling in Monkhar region of Lhoka in Central Tibet’s Yonru area. He was born as the son of father Depa Namse Lingpa Karma Phuntsok Wangpo and mother Rigzin Butrid Wangmo on the eighth day of the third Hor month in the Iron Snake year of the eleventh Rabchung cycle (1641 CE), at sunrise. He was given the name Karma Phuntsok.

Rigzin Hyolmo/Yolmopa also arrived there, and when performing the deity purification ritual and shouting “Lha Gyal!” (Victory to the Gods!), the first thunder of that year sounded simultaneously with Rigzin Chenpo’s birth, creating an auspicious connection. Hyolmo/Yolmopa recognized him as a supreme reincarnation and at age six, he was invited to the throne of Thupten Dorje Drak.

He offered his first hair-cutting ceremony to the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, who bestowed upon him the name Lobzang Pema Trinley Thegchog Wanggi Gyalpo Yongdu’i De. He received many profound teachings from both new and ancient traditions, relying primarily on the Fifth Dalai Lama as his main root guru. He also studied at the feet of many other scholars and accomplished masters of the new and ancient traditions, such as Zurchen Choying Rangdrol, receiving countless teachings.

As detailed in his biography, received teachings list, and retreat records, he was confirmed as an extraordinary being who practiced mantras of countless deities from both new and ancient traditions and maintained practices from all religious lineages without sectarian bias. He performed consecration ceremonies at Samye Monastery numerous times and conducted many rituals for the Ganden Phodrang government at Samye.

In 1692, on the tenth day of the Monkey month in the Water Male Monkey year, he bestowed extensive material offerings to the workers constructing the Potala Palace temple and its contents in Lhasa. For the welfare of all of Tibet, he performed many powerful protective rituals and wrathful activities for the state with demonstrable results. He also subdued and relocated many malevolent spirits and demons.

In particular, he rendered unsurpassed service to the All-Knowing Fifth Dalai Lama, the Sixth Dalai Lama Tsang-yang Gyatso, and the Regent Sangye Gyatso, performing many amazing deeds. During the consecration ceremony of the Potala Palace and the “World’s Single Ornament” golden stupa, Rigzin Chenpo served as the master of ceremonies.

Notably, he wrote volumes on empowerment, practice, and profound instructions for all the Northern Treasures’ Three Cycles of Guru Practice and other Lhadrak treasure (Jangter) teachings. He composed thirteen large volumes of collected works, including liturgies for the Kama lineage empowerments and instructions. He carefully examined existing ritual practices, chants, melodies, musical instruments, and mandala drawings, clarifying those contaminated with personal fabrications and creating clear, beneficial explanations for those of lesser understanding. His compositions are extremely numerous.

As clearly stated in his autobiography, he had profound Dharma and samaya connections with the Fifth Dalai Lama over many lifetimes. When the Fifth Dalai Lama passed away, the Regent Sangye Gyatso kept it secret for sixteen years.

Thus, for upholding the general Buddhist doctrine and maintaining the throne of Thupten Dorje Drak, the main monastery of the ancient tradition, this master was like eyes for the blind, of unsurpassed kindness. No one surpassed his activities and enlightened influence, and he lived a long life. Finally, when the Dzungar armies damaged the monasteries and teachings of the ancient tradition, he passed into the ultimate sphere in the Earth Dog year of the twelfth Rabchung cycle (1718).