Chapter 12 - Abbatial lineage of Drigung

[Full title: Abbatial lineage of Drigung; ‘bri khung pa’i gdan rabs kyi skabs; Chandra 530; Chengdu 715; Roerich 608.]

1 rdo rje tshul khrims (1154-1221, becomes abbot around 1218)

The Lineage of Abbots: The Precious upādhyāya (mkhan rin po che) rdo rje tshul khrims, born in the year Wood Male Dog (shing pho khyi 1154 A.D.). At the time of the death of the Dharmasvāmin (of ‘bri khung) he was 64, and became abbot. He died at the age of 68 in the month of Kārttika (smin drug) of the year Iron Serpent (lcags sbrul 1221 A.D.).

2 dbon rin po che (b 1187; abbot from 1222-1234)

After him dbon rin po che who was a nephew of the Dharmasvāmin (of ‘bri khung). He was born in the year Fire Female Sheep (me mo lug 1187 A.D.). In his youth he obtained precepts in the presence of the Dharmasvāmin (of ‘bri khung). The Dharmasvāmin died when he was 31. From the year Water Horse (chu rta 1222 A.D.) till the year Wood Horse (shing rta 1234 A.D.), for 13 years, he occupied the chair.

3 spyan snga (1175-1225; abbot in 1234)

The Lord spyan snga was born in the year Wood Sheep (shing lug 1175 A.D.). At the age of 60, in the year Wood Horse (shing rta 1234 A.D.) he came to ‘bri khung, and during 22 years acted as abbot. He died at the age of 81 in the year Wood Hare (shing yos 1255 A.D.).

4 gcung rin po che rdo rje grags pa (1211-1279, abbot in 1255)

gcung rin po che rdo rje grags pa, a manifestation of Tillipa, was born in the year Iron Sheep (lcags lug 1211 A.D.). When the Dharmasvāmin died, he was seven. Dbon died, when he was 24. At the age of 45, in the year Wood Hare (shing yos 1255 A.D.) he came to the abbot’s chair. He died at the age of 69 in the year Earth Hare (sa yos 1279 A.D.).

5 thog kha pa rin chen seng ge (b 1227, abbot from 1279-1286)

Thog kha pa rin chen seng ge was born in the year Fire Female Hog. (me mo phag 1227 A.D.). He was 53, when gcung died. From the year Earth Hare (sa yos 1279 A.D.) till the year Wood Hen (shing bya 1285 A.D.), for seven years, he occupied the chair. He died at the age of 59.

6 mtshams bcad pa grags pa bsod names (1240-1288; becomes abbot in 1285???)

mtshams bcad pa grags pa bsod nams was born in the year Iron Male Mouse (Icags pho byi ba 1240 A.D.). He was 46, when thog kha pa died. He died at the age of 49 in the year of the Mouse (byi lo 1288 A.D.).

7 chos sgo ba rdo rje ye shes (1223-1293; becomes abbot in 1288???)

The rin po che chos sgo ba rdo rje ye shes (was born in the year) Water Sheep (chu lug 1223 A.D.)^[1]. He was 66, when mtshams bcad pa died. He died at the age of 71 in the year Water Serpent (chu sbrul 1293 A.D.).

8 rdor rin pa (1278-1315; becomes abbot in 1293?)

The rin po che rdor rin pa was born in the year Earth Male Tiger (sa pho stag 1278 A.D.). He was 16, when chos sgo ba died. He himself died at the age of 38, in the year Wood Hare (shing yos 1315 A.D.).

9 rdo rje rgyal po (1284-1391; becomes abbot in 1315?)

Rdo rje rgyal po was born in the year Wood Male Ape (shing pho spre'u 1284 A.D.). He was 32, when rdor rin pa died. He died at the age of 68 in the year Iron Hare (Icags yos 1391 A.D.).

10 chos kyi rgyal po (1335, becomes abbot in 1352?)

Chos kyi rgyal po was born in the year Wood Female Hog (shing mo phag 1335 A.D.). He was 17, when rdo rje rgyal po died. Rje rin po che blo bzang grags pa (tsong kha pa) had been his disciple. After him, drung bshes gnyen pa, dbang ba and chos rje drung chen. Rje rin po che (tsong kha pa) was born (in 1357), when chos kyi rgyal po was 23.

From the birth of 'jig rten mgon po till the death of rdo rje rgyal po 209 years have passed. Till the present Fire Male Ape (me pho spre'u 1476 A.D.) year 334 years have passed.

The Chapter on the succession of abbots of the ‘bri khung pas.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

DD: There is an error here in Roerich’s text. He was “Wood Sheep” where it should be “Water Sheep” according to the Tibetan.