Chapter 11 - Drigung Chojay lineage (iv): gnyos rgyal ba lha nang pa

[Full title: Drigung Chojay lineage (iv): gnyos rgyal ba lha nang pa (rgyal ba lha nang pa) (1164-1224)]

Among them, gnyos rgyal ba lha nang pa belonged to the clan of gnyos lo tsA ba. He was born in the Wood Male Ape (shing pho spre'u 1164 A.D.) as son of gnyos nag grags pa dpal who was well known for his wealth and piety. He was recognized by the bla ma zhang to be nag po spyod pa ba^[1] . In his childhood, he thoroughly studied the Doctrine of his father, and also studied extensively at a school of Philosophy. He thought that following the example of his ancestors, he should visit India, and study the work of a translator, and in order to do that he should go and see the Dharmasvāmin of ‘bri khung, and ask him for help in avoiding accidents. He went, and met the Dharmasvāmin, when the latter came to mal ‘gro. The Dharmasvāmin said to him: "You should take up ordination and the final monastic vows in the presence of thag ma rdor gzhon and then come to me!"

Then he took up the noviciate and the final monastic ordination simultaneously, thag ma acting as upādhyāya, and sbal ti as ācārya. Again when he came to ‘bri khung, he heard hidden precepts and practised them, and an excellent yogic insight was born in him. He then offered (his) body, property and retinue to the Dharmasvāmin.

Later he practised meditation at ti se'i lha nang (Kailāsa) and became known as rgyal ba lha nang pa. He gathered round him numerous attending monks, and maintained monastic assemblies in Southern mon (lho mon), and in dbus and gtsang.

He revolved the Wheel of the Law, and in his later life founded in the north the monastery of lha thel rin chen gling. Soon after that, he passed away in the year Wood Male Ape (shing pho spre'u 1224 A.D.) at the age of 61. This Wood Ape year is the eighth year since the death of the Dharmasvāmin of ‘bri khung.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

R: Kṛṣṇacārin