The 9th Rigdzin Chenpo Thupten Chowang Nyamnyi Dorje

The 9th Rigdzin Chenpo Thupten Chowang Nyamnyi Dorje

The Nineth incarnation of the Treasure Revealer Rigzin Godem, who was the Seventh throne holder of the Nyingma mother monastery Thupten Dorje Drak, was the Great Rigzin of Dorje Drak, Thupten Chowang Nyamnyi Dorje Trinley Kunkhyab Palzangpo Dechen Yeshe. He was born in 1884, in the Wood Monkey year of the 15th Tibetan Rabjung cycle, near Ramoche in Lhasa, the field of Dharma in Central Tibet, into a family of Chinese-Bhutanese lineage.

From the middle of the marketplace, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Great Rigzin by Dorje Tragden. The treasurer of Dorje Drak, the accomplished master Drubwang, invited him and first brought him to Lhatse Drag, where monastery renovations were carried out and new ritual dance costumes were created. Later, with great ceremony including ritual dances, and accompanied by a procession of assembled monks, he was brought to the great seat of Thubten Dorje Drak where he was enthroned on the golden throne of the previous Rigzins.

He studied extensively with many tutors and spiritual teachers including Chuzang Dorjechang Pema Ngedon Tenpa’i Nyima, Khen Lhari Zimphug, Chant Master Dondrup, Pangleb physician, Gyalse Bija, Dragra Chogtrul, Chimpu Zungtrulpa and both Thubten Rinpoches, the learned and accomplished master Jigme Pal Gyisenge, and Lama Jigme Trinley. Among these, the principal teacher from whom he received the profound teachings of the Northern Treasures tradition was the former abbot Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu, also known as Kuzhab Namgyal.

He studied extensively with the great scholar and accomplished master Tulku Tsultrim Zangpo, from whom he learned the Abhidharmakosha and many other texts from the sutra and tantra traditions as well as the fields of knowledge. This Great Rigzin composed many works including “The Precious Garland Explanation of the Hat,” “General Commentary on Approach and Accomplishment,” “Major and Minor Time Sequences,” “Nectar Swirling,” and created notes for most ritual ceremonies including the Great Tenth Day Ceremony. Additionally, he was naturally skilled without training in mandala drawing and measurements, ritual dance and music, and the proportions for constructing sacred images, excelling beyond even trained masters.

He upheld the Dharma banner excellently through virtuous activities such as teaching and propagating the approach and accomplishment practices of many new and ancient traditions, consecrating religious objects, making offerings, and monastery administration. When he traveled to the Kham region for the benefit of beings, he was invited to Kham Khorlo’s Entrance or Khangdong Monastery. While crossing the Horbrou Pass on his journey, a large boulder came rolling down the earthen mountainside. As the master pulled out his ritual dagger from his waist and merely raised it, the falling rock stopped in its place. This oral account from the elders corresponds to the prophecy in the Northern Treasures Vajra Kilaya text “The Summoning of the Vidyadhara Lineage,” which states: “When Rigzin Nyamnyi Dorje encounters a falling rock with a brilliant appearance, will he forget how to display signs? Please assist in the accomplishment of Vajra Kilaya.”

At Dartse Do Gar Monastery, he gave the oral transmission of the precious Kangyur (Buddha’s teachings) and bestowed empowerments, transmissions, and instructions of sutra and tantra at many large and small monasteries. He benefited many ordinary people by planting seeds of virtue, making all connections meaningful, and engaging in extensive activities. After returning to his seat in Central Tibet, he constructed new representations of enlightened body, speech, and mind.

In this way, he expanded his enlightened activities of the three wheels to their fullest extent and widely sustained the benefit of the teachings and beings. He had many disciples, among whom the main holders of the Northern Treasures lineage were Chogtrul Tsultrim Zangpo, Barom Namgyal Dorje of the Northern Treasures, Rinpoche Dorje Namgyal of Ba, the master of sutra and tantra exposition and practice, and Derge Gotsa Khenchen Thegchog Tenzin, also known as Jamyang Rigpai Dorje, through whom the empowerment and transmission lineage of the Northern Treasures spread.

At the age of forty-nine, in 1932, on the second royal day of the waxing phase of the autumn month in the Water Monkey year of the 16th Tibetan Rabjung cycle, he passed into the dharmadhatu.