Difference between revisions of "Nyingma Dharma Lineage – Ancestral Kathok Monastery"
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| − | [[Kathok]] [[Monastery]] is situated at 4800 meters [[above]] sea level in the [[middle]] of Mount Do-Nian at Bai [[Long]] Gou ([[White]] [[Dragon]] [[Channel]]) in Ho Po [[region]] of Bai Yu (White [[Jade]]) County, at the [[west]] of Sze Chuan Province in [[China]]. A huge white stone with a naturally formed [[Tibetan]] [[letter]] 'Ga' is found at the site of the monastery and this is how the monastery got its [[name]]. Tibetan [[Buddhism]] spread into Kathok region in Bai Yu County during the [[time]] of [[King]] [[Trisong]] Detsen. | + | [[Kathok]] [[Monastery]] is situated at 4800 meters [[above]] sea level in the [[middle]] of Mount Do-Nian at Bai [[Long]] Gou ([[White]] [[Dragon]] [[Channel]]) in Ho Po [[region]] of Bai Yu (White [[Jade]]) County, at the [[west]] of Sze Chuan Province in [[China]]. A huge white stone with a naturally formed [[Tibetan]] [[letter]] 'Ga' is found at the site of the [[monastery]] and this is how the [[monastery]] got its [[name]]. [[Tibetan]] [[Buddhism]] spread into [[Kathok]] region in Bai Yu County during the [[time]] of [[King]] [[Trisong]] Detsen. |
| − | [[According to historical records]], [[Guru]] [[Padmasambhava]] and his entourage of king and officials had stayed there to practise for 25 days. [[Guru Padmasambhava]] even [[consecrated]] the [[place]] 13 [[times]]. Their [[holy]] hand-and-[[foot]] prints and [[magical]] transformations made Kathok holy site as unique and [[supreme]] as Guru [[Padmasambhava's]] [[pureland]], [[Oddiyana]]. In 755 AD, when [[Great]] [[Translator]], [[Vairochana]] came to Gyalrong, he practised at Kathok for one month and gave [[teachings]] to his fated [[disciples]]. The remains of the [[stupa]] he built to pin [[down]] the [[demon]] limbs are still there. In the historical records, during the time of [[Chinese]] [[Emperor]], [[Tang]] Xuanzong, Kathok already has the [[Longevity]] and [[Cleansing]] [[ritual]] and [[practice]] [[method]]. | + | [[According to historical records]], [[Guru]] [[Padmasambhava]] and his entourage of [[king]] and officials had stayed there to practise for 25 days. [[Guru Padmasambhava]] even [[consecrated]] the [[place]] 13 [[times]]. Their [[holy]] hand-and-[[foot]] prints and [[magical]] transformations made [[Kathok]] {{Wiki|holy}} site as unique and [[supreme]] as [[Guru]] [[Padmasambhava's]] [[pureland]], [[Oddiyana]]. In 755 AD, when [[Great]] [[Translator]], [[Vairochana]] came to [[Gyalrong]], he practised at [[Kathok]] for one month and gave [[teachings]] to his fated [[disciples]]. The remains of the [[stupa]] he built to pin [[down]] the [[demon]] limbs are still there. In the historical records, during the time of [[Chinese]] [[Emperor]], [[Tang]] [[Xuanzong]], [[Kathok]] already has the [[Longevity]] and [[Cleansing]] [[ritual]] and [[practice]] [[method]]. |
| − | In 1159 AD (Tibetan [[Calendar]], Third Cycle, Year of [[Earth]] Rabbit), [[manifestation]] of [[Manjushri]] - Tampa Deshe, the [[heart]] [[disciple]] of Great [[Accomplished]] [[Root]] [[Lineage]] [[Master]] of the old translations of [[Nyingma]] [[Sutra]], [[Illusion]] and [[Mind]], Zang Zhuo Wei [[Gonpo]], came to the holy site where [[Great Translator]] Vairochana once practised and built the [[first]] [[Kham]] monastery there; [[Kathok Monastery]] is the [[base]] for the [[teaching]] and practising of sutra and [[tantra]]. Possessing six supreme and unique Nyingma features, Kathok [[Dorje]] Den, the source for the old translations of great Nyingma [[esoteric]] teachings is also known as The Supreme Holy Place of the Snowy Lands - The Second [[Immovable]] [[Vajra]] Seat (The top [[Vajra Seat]] is in [[Bodhgaya]], [[India]] where [[Shakyamuni]] [[Buddha]] [[attained]] [[enlightenment]], the bottom Vajra Seat is in Mount [[Wu Tai]], China - Manjushri [[Bodhisattva]]'s [[place of practice]], the middle Vajra Seat is at Kathok - [[Guru Padmasambhava's]] place of practice). | + | In 1159 AD ([[Tibetan]] [[Calendar]], Third Cycle, Year of [[Earth]] {{Wiki|Rabbit}}), [[manifestation]] of [[Manjushri]] - [[Tampa Deshe]], the [[heart]] [[disciple]] of Great [[Accomplished]] [[Root]] [[Lineage]] [[Master]] of the old translations of [[Nyingma]] [[Sutra]], [[Illusion]] and [[Mind]], [[Zang]] Zhuo Wei [[Gonpo]], came to the {{Wiki|holy}} site where [[Great Translator]] [[Vairochana]] once practised and built the [[first]] [[Kham]] [[monastery]] there; [[Kathok Monastery]] is the [[base]] for the [[teaching]] and practising of [[sutra]] and [[tantra]]. Possessing six supreme and unique [[Nyingma]] features, [[Kathok]] [[Dorje]] Den, the source for the old translations of great [[Nyingma]] [[esoteric]] teachings is also known as The [[Supreme Holy Place of the Snowy Lands]] - The Second [[Immovable]] [[Vajra]] Seat (The top [[Vajra Seat]] is in [[Bodhgaya]], [[India]] where [[Shakyamuni]] [[Buddha]] [[attained]] [[enlightenment]], the bottom [[Vajra Seat]] is in Mount [[Wu Tai]], [[China]] - [[Manjushri]] [[Bodhisattva]]'s [[place of practice]], the middle [[Vajra Seat]] is at [[Kathok]] - [[Guru Padmasambhava's]] place of practice). |
| − | According to historical records, [[Yuan]] [[Dynasty]] Master Yi Xi Beng Pa was an [[unsurpassed]] talent with unobstructed [[attainments]]; [[Sakya]]'s 5th [[throne]] holder - Drogon [[Chogyal]] [[Phagpa]] (Ba Si Ba) became his disciple when he passed by Kathok Monastery on his way to [[Beijing]]. He wrote with awe, "[[Collection]] of Nyingma's unsurpassed [[essence]] of [[esoteric teachings]], Kathok [[Monastery's]] [[Abbot]] in the [[east]] - Master Yi Xi Beng Pa, is like the rays of billion [[suns]] shinning on the great land." Based on Nyingma Kathok's [[Dharma]] [[tradition]], a grand [[puja]] [[will]] be held on the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava on the 10th of the sixth month of the [[Tibetan calendar]] every year. During the time of Master Yi Xi Beng Pa, 180 000 [[monks]] donned in crimson [[robes]] would [[gather]] in Kathok and its surrounding [[hill]] slopes, like a sea of red shinning through the sky, they would recite the sutra in one [[voice]]. This grand scene of majestic moments became a [[much]]-told tale on the two lands of India and [[Tibet]]. | + | According to historical records, [[Yuan]] [[Dynasty]] [[Master]] Yi Xi Beng Pa was an [[unsurpassed]] talent with unobstructed [[attainments]]; [[Sakya]]'s 5th [[throne]] holder - Drogon [[Chogyal]] [[Phagpa]] (Ba Si Ba) became his [[disciple]] when he passed by [[Kathok Monastery]] on his way to [[Beijing]]. He wrote with awe, "[[Collection]] of [[Nyingma's]] [[unsurpassed]] [[essence]] of [[esoteric teachings]], [[Kathok]] [[Monastery's]] [[Abbot]] in the [[east]] - [[Master]] Yi Xi Beng Pa, is like the rays of billion [[suns]] shinning on the great land." Based on [[Nyingma]] [[Kathok's]] [[Dharma]] [[tradition]], a grand [[puja]] [[will]] be held on the [[birthday]] of [[Guru Padmasambhava]] on the 10th of the sixth month of the [[Tibetan calendar]] every year. During the time of [[Master]] Yi Xi Beng Pa, 180 000 [[monks]] donned in crimson [[robes]] would [[gather]] in [[Kathok]] and its surrounding [[hill]] slopes, like a sea of [[red]] shinning through the sky, they would recite the [[sutra]] in one [[voice]]. This grand scene of majestic moments became a [[much]]-told tale on the two lands of [[India]] and [[Tibet]]. |
| − | When Kathok Monastery was occupied by [[evil]] [[demons]], Ning [[Gong]] [[Lama]] [[Sang]] Jie Zha Xi stayed behind [[alone]] to practice and eventually dispelled the demons. After that, he received Kathok's [[doctrines]] and ear-[[whispered teachings]] from [[terton]] Longsar Nyingpo and the other [[masters]]. Then, he continued to spread the teachings and [[accumulated]] [[incomparable]] [[meritorious]] [[virtues]]. | + | When [[Kathok Monastery]] was occupied by [[evil]] [[demons]], Ning [[Gong]] [[Lama]] [[Sang]] [[Jie]] Zha Xi stayed behind [[alone]] to practice and eventually dispelled the {{Wiki|demons}}. After that, he received [[Kathok's]] [[doctrines]] and {{Wiki|ear}}-[[whispered teachings]] from [[terton]] [[Longsar Nyingpo]] and the other [[masters]]. Then, he continued to spread the teachings and [[accumulated]] [[incomparable]] [[meritorious]] [[virtues]]. |
| − | Famous terton, Longsar Nyingpo was born in 1625 AD in Gang Bo holy land near Zha Wa region. He met Kathok's great accomplished master Drubwang Tenpa [[Gyatso]] when he was a child and received the ripening [[transmission]] of Kathok's teachings from him. He was also given [[the Dharma]] name [[Wang]] Zha Jia Cuo. In the trunk of Ke Mi Jiu Dorje ([[meaning]] Unchanged Vajra [[Mountain]]) were [[treasures]] that belong to him; 17 esoteric Tibetan Dharma texts with Longsar Dorje Nyingpo ([[Bright]] Clear Scene Vajra [[Treasure]]) as the beginning text, Buddha [[statues]], stupa and all sorts of holy items were all uncovered gradually. Throughout his whole [[life]], Longsar Nyingpo played an active role in bringing [[prosperity]] to Kathok Monastery; his great feat is [[worthy]] of our [[remembrance]], [[respect]] and honour. | + | Famous [[terton]], [[Longsar Nyingpo]] was born in 1625 AD in Gang Bo {{Wiki|holy}} land near Zha Wa region. He met [[Kathok's]] great accomplished [[master]] Drubwang [[Tenpa]] [[Gyatso]] when he was a child and received the ripening [[transmission]] of [[Kathok's]] teachings from him. He was also given [[the Dharma]] [[name]] [[Wang]] Zha Jia Cuo. In the trunk of [[Ke]] Mi Jiu [[Dorje]] ([[meaning]] Unchanged [[Vajra]] [[Mountain]]) were [[treasures]] that belong to him; 17 [[esoteric]] [[Tibetan]] [[Dharma]] texts with Longsar [[Dorje Nyingpo]] ([[Bright]] Clear Scene [[Vajra]] [[Treasure]]) as the beginning text, [[Buddha]] [[statues]], [[stupa]] and all sorts of {{Wiki|holy}} items were all uncovered gradually. Throughout his whole [[life]], [[Longsar Nyingpo]] played an active role in bringing [[prosperity]] to [[Kathok Monastery]]; his great feat is [[worthy]] of our [[remembrance]], [[respect]] and honour. |
| − | The third [[reincarnation]] of Zhi Mei Xin Xiong [[Khenpo]] was invited into the [[royal]] [[palace]] around the period 1686-1746 AD by Emperor Kangxi and was conferred the title of Royal Advisor. The Emperor personally presented him a royal crown, a carriage with four windows, a [[full]] set of palace guards of honour, musical instruments and gifts - a total of 19 items, an [[expression]] of his [[high]] respect for him. Zhi Mei Xin Xiong Khenpo organised the [[printing]] of sutra – using [[pure]] [[gold]] to write the "Great [[Treasury]] of Sutra" or "[[Tripitaka]]". This is the first sutra printing [[temple]] that [[appeared]] in Bai Yu region. | + | The third [[reincarnation]] of Zhi Mei Xin Xiong [[Khenpo]] was invited into the [[royal]] [[palace]] around the period 1686-1746 AD by [[Emperor]] {{Wiki|Kangxi}} and was conferred the title of {{Wiki|Royal}} Advisor. The [[Emperor]] personally presented him a {{Wiki|royal}} {{Wiki|crown}}, a carriage with four windows, a [[full]] set of palace guards of honour, musical instruments and gifts - a total of 19 items, an [[expression]] of his [[high]] [[respect]] for him. Zhi Mei Xin Xiong [[Khenpo]] organised the [[printing]] of [[sutra]] – using [[pure]] [[gold]] to write the "Great [[Treasury]] of [[Sutra]]" or "[[Tripitaka]]". This is the first [[sutra]] [[printing]] [[temple]] that [[appeared]] in Bai Yu region. |
| − | In 1760 AD, during the time of Kathok's first [[incarnation]] Ge Ze great [[pandita]] Gong Qin Ji Mei Cai Wang Que Zhu, his disciple [[Zhang]] Jia [[Living]] Buddha was invited into the royal palace by Emperor [[Yongzheng]] to be his royal advisor. The first incarnation, Ge Ze [[Rinpoche]] made detailed notes on the [[existing]] old sutra, [[vinaya]], [[abhidharma]] and Nyingma's [[books]] of the continuation section; he engraved them for preservation and wrote [[commentaries]] to prove that they are real. The [[pagoda]] he was in-charged of constructing for Zhi Mei Xin Xiong was renowned as "An Ornament in the [[Snow Mountain]]". His third reincarnation Ge Ban Wu Jin Qie Ji [[Jian]] Can practised and attained the [[state]] of no-[[obstacle]]. The sutra [[printing temple]] he was in-charged of building has a collection of more than 7000 titles and over 60 000 books; it was the sutra printing temple with the largest collection of books and the [[greatest]] scale in the region of Kham then. | + | In 1760 AD, during the time of [[Kathok's]] first [[incarnation]] Ge Ze great [[pandita]] [[Gong]] Qin Ji Mei Cai Wang Que Zhu, his [[disciple]] [[Zhang]] Jia [[Living]] [[Buddha]] was invited into the {{Wiki|royal}} palace by [[Emperor]] [[Yongzheng]] to be his {{Wiki|royal}} advisor. The first [[incarnation]], Ge Ze [[Rinpoche]] made detailed notes on the [[existing]] [[old sutra]], [[vinaya]], [[abhidharma]] and [[Nyingma's]] [[books]] of the continuation section; he engraved them for preservation and wrote [[commentaries]] to prove that they are real. The [[pagoda]] he was in-charged of constructing for Zhi Mei Xin Xiong was renowned as "An Ornament in the [[Snow Mountain]]". His third [[reincarnation]] Ge Ban Wu Jin Qie Ji [[Jian]] Can practised and [[attained]] the [[state]] of no-[[obstacle]]. The [[sutra]] [[printing temple]] he was in-charged of building has a collection of more than 7000 titles and over 60 000 [[books]]; it was the [[sutra]] [[printing temple]] with the largest collection of [[books]] and the [[greatest]] scale in the region of [[Kham]] then. |
| − | During the 10 years of upheaval in China, Kathok's original Sutra Hall, Esoteric [[Deities]] Hall, Practise and [[Learning]] Hall, Sutra Printing Temple, [[Meditation]] [[Retreat]] Centre and [[monk]]'s living quarters were so badly damaged that they were almost in ruins. After the unrest, all the Living [[Buddhas]] and [[Sangha]] members of the monastery came and worked hard together, and after 10 years, they have basically completed rebuilding the monastery. Tibetan-style [[wood]] carvings were used as the building material and the life of [[Buddha Shakyamuni]] and [[Jataka]] stories were painted on the four walls. Different stately Root Deities, Buddha images and [[stupas]] were placed in the halls for [[offering]]. The current Kathok Monastery's Practise and Learning Hall has over 400 learning monks and there are [[five]] [[Meditation Retreat]] Centres that nurture batches and batches of highly talented monks. Today's Kathok Monastery is already a [[Buddhist]] holy site of considerable scale. | + | During the 10 years of upheaval in [[China]], [[Kathok's]] original [[Sutra]] Hall, [[Esoteric]] [[Deities]] Hall, Practise and [[Learning]] Hall, [[Sutra]] [[Printing]] [[Temple]], [[Meditation]] [[Retreat]] Centre and [[monk]]'s living quarters were so badly damaged that they were almost [[in ruins]]. After the unrest, all the Living [[Buddhas]] and [[Sangha]] members of the [[monastery]] came and worked hard together, and after 10 years, they have basically completed rebuilding the [[monastery]]. Tibetan-style [[wood]] carvings were used as the building material and the [[life]] of [[Buddha Shakyamuni]] and [[Jataka]] stories were painted on the four walls. Different stately [[Root]] [[Deities]], [[Buddha]] images and [[stupas]] were placed in the halls for [[offering]]. The current [[Kathok]] [[Monastery's]] Practise and {{Wiki|Learning}} Hall has over 400 {{Wiki|learning}} [[monks]] and there are [[five]] [[Meditation Retreat]] Centres that nurture batches and batches of highly talented [[monks]]. Today's [[Kathok Monastery]] is already a [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|holy}} site of considerable scale. |
| − | Guru Padmasambhava had personally blessed Kathok thirteen times, [[thus]] enabling the holy site to have the five types of [[perfection]]: [[shelter]], time, master, disciple and Dharma. With this beginning [[fate]], Kathok's Dharma began to be passed down for [[many]] generations, the Esoteric Trinity ([[Avalokitesvara]], [[Manjusri]] and [[Vajrapani]]) were [[manifested]] as many deities coming back to fulfil their [[vows]]: "Kathok's Thirteen Supreme Masters Genealogy", "Kathok's Thirteen Zhong Ba Genealogy", "Kathok's Thirteen Mocha Genealogy", "Kathok's Generations of Khenpo Genealogy", "Kathok's Terton Masters and Disciples", "Kathok's Generations of [[Reincarnated]] [[Rinpoches]]" and Kathok's thirteen volumes of sutra containing tips for The [[Great Perfection]] were completely passed down till now. Today, Kathok's Dharma [[propagation]] is widespread; it has 108 branches of big [[monasteries]] and 1002 branches of small monasteries worldwide; masters of its lineage are widely distributed over [[Asia]], [[Europe]], [[North]] [[America]] and other parts of the [[world]]. | + | [[Guru Padmasambhava]] had personally blessed [[Kathok]] thirteen times, [[thus]] enabling the {{Wiki|holy}} site to have the five types of [[perfection]]: [[shelter]], time, [[master]], [[disciple]] and [[Dharma]]. With this beginning [[fate]], [[Kathok's]] [[Dharma]] began to be passed down for [[many]] generations, the [[Esoteric]] {{Wiki|Trinity}} ([[Avalokitesvara]], [[Manjusri]] and [[Vajrapani]]) were [[manifested]] as many [[deities]] coming back to fulfil their [[vows]]: "[[Kathok's]] Thirteen Supreme [[Masters]] {{Wiki|Genealogy}}", "[[Kathok's]] Thirteen [[Zhong]] Ba {{Wiki|Genealogy}}", "[[Kathok's]] Thirteen [[Mocha]] {{Wiki|Genealogy}}", "[[Kathok's]] Generations of [[Khenpo]] {{Wiki|Genealogy}}", "[[Kathok's]] [[Terton]] [[Masters]] and [[Disciples]]", "[[Kathok's]] Generations of [[Reincarnated]] [[Rinpoches]]" and [[Kathok's]] thirteen volumes of [[sutra]] containing tips for The [[Great Perfection]] were completely passed down till now. Today, [[Kathok's]] [[Dharma]] [[propagation]] is widespread; it has [[108]] branches of big [[monasteries]] and 1002 branches of small [[monasteries]] worldwide; [[masters]] of its [[lineage]] are widely distributed over [[Asia]], [[Europe]], [[North]] [[America]] and other parts of the [[world]]. |
| − | From the time of Tampa Deshek, more than 800 years ago to the present time of Ya La Bai Ma [[Deng]] Du, those who relied upon the unique Kathok's esoteric [[practices]] of the [[Dzogchen]] Zuktor Sangwai Mengag, Dzogchen [[Semde]] Deun Poa and 13 other great volumes of [[precious]] teachings, and attained the [[highest]] [[enlightened]] stage of [[Rainbow]]-[[body]] at [[the Vajra]] Seat of Kathok, numbered 100 000. No other monastery in the world can beat this, thus it truly deserves to be called the number one monastery [[in Tibet]] region which has the [[perfect]] teachings and attainments. Kathok Monastery is one of the [[three]] largest sects (Kathok, Dzogchen and [[Palyul]]) of [[Nyingmapa]] Lineage; it has the longest history, deepest and widest spread of Dharma as [[well]] as the greatest and furthest [[influence]], thus it is called the Nyingmapa [[Mother]] Monastery. | + | From the time of [[Tampa Deshek]], more than 800 years ago to the {{Wiki|present}} time of Ya La Bai Ma [[Deng]] Du, those who relied upon the unique [[Kathok's]] [[esoteric]] [[practices]] of the [[Dzogchen]] [[Zuktor Sangwai Mengag]], [[Dzogchen]] [[Semde]] Deun Poa and 13 other great volumes of [[precious]] teachings, and [[attained]] the [[highest]] [[enlightened]] stage of [[Rainbow]]-[[body]] at [[the Vajra]] Seat of [[Kathok]], numbered 100 000. No other [[monastery]] in the [[world]] can beat this, thus it truly deserves to be called the number one [[monastery]] [[in Tibet]] region which has the [[perfect]] teachings and [[attainments]]. [[Kathok Monastery]] is one of the [[three]] largest sects ([[Kathok]], [[Dzogchen]] and [[Palyul]]) of [[Nyingmapa]] [[Lineage]]; it has the longest history, deepest and widest spread of [[Dharma]] as [[well]] as the greatest and furthest [[influence]], thus it is called the [[Nyingmapa]] [[Mother]] [[Monastery]]. |
Latest revision as of 22:25, 11 February 2020
Kathok Monastery is situated at 4800 meters above sea level in the middle of Mount Do-Nian at Bai Long Gou (White Dragon Channel) in Ho Po region of Bai Yu (White Jade) County, at the west of Sze Chuan Province in China. A huge white stone with a naturally formed Tibetan letter 'Ga' is found at the site of the monastery and this is how the monastery got its name. Tibetan Buddhism spread into Kathok region in Bai Yu County during the time of King Trisong Detsen.
According to historical records, Guru Padmasambhava and his entourage of king and officials had stayed there to practise for 25 days. Guru Padmasambhava even consecrated the place 13 times. Their holy hand-and-foot prints and magical transformations made Kathok holy site as unique and supreme as Guru Padmasambhava's pureland, Oddiyana. In 755 AD, when Great Translator, Vairochana came to Gyalrong, he practised at Kathok for one month and gave teachings to his fated disciples. The remains of the stupa he built to pin down the demon limbs are still there. In the historical records, during the time of Chinese Emperor, Tang Xuanzong, Kathok already has the Longevity and Cleansing ritual and practice method.
In 1159 AD (Tibetan Calendar, Third Cycle, Year of Earth Rabbit), manifestation of Manjushri - Tampa Deshe, the heart disciple of Great Accomplished Root Lineage Master of the old translations of Nyingma Sutra, Illusion and Mind, Zang Zhuo Wei Gonpo, came to the holy site where Great Translator Vairochana once practised and built the first Kham monastery there; Kathok Monastery is the base for the teaching and practising of sutra and tantra. Possessing six supreme and unique Nyingma features, Kathok Dorje Den, the source for the old translations of great Nyingma esoteric teachings is also known as The Supreme Holy Place of the Snowy Lands - The Second Immovable Vajra Seat (The top Vajra Seat is in Bodhgaya, India where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, the bottom Vajra Seat is in Mount Wu Tai, China - Manjushri Bodhisattva's place of practice, the middle Vajra Seat is at Kathok - Guru Padmasambhava's place of practice).
According to historical records, Yuan Dynasty Master Yi Xi Beng Pa was an unsurpassed talent with unobstructed attainments; Sakya's 5th throne holder - Drogon Chogyal Phagpa (Ba Si Ba) became his disciple when he passed by Kathok Monastery on his way to Beijing. He wrote with awe, "Collection of Nyingma's unsurpassed essence of esoteric teachings, Kathok Monastery's Abbot in the east - Master Yi Xi Beng Pa, is like the rays of billion suns shinning on the great land." Based on Nyingma Kathok's Dharma tradition, a grand puja will be held on the birthday of Guru Padmasambhava on the 10th of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar every year. During the time of Master Yi Xi Beng Pa, 180 000 monks donned in crimson robes would gather in Kathok and its surrounding hill slopes, like a sea of red shinning through the sky, they would recite the sutra in one voice. This grand scene of majestic moments became a much-told tale on the two lands of India and Tibet.
When Kathok Monastery was occupied by evil demons, Ning Gong Lama Sang Jie Zha Xi stayed behind alone to practice and eventually dispelled the demons. After that, he received Kathok's doctrines and ear-whispered teachings from terton Longsar Nyingpo and the other masters. Then, he continued to spread the teachings and accumulated incomparable meritorious virtues.
Famous terton, Longsar Nyingpo was born in 1625 AD in Gang Bo holy land near Zha Wa region. He met Kathok's great accomplished master Drubwang Tenpa Gyatso when he was a child and received the ripening transmission of Kathok's teachings from him. He was also given the Dharma name Wang Zha Jia Cuo. In the trunk of Ke Mi Jiu Dorje (meaning Unchanged Vajra Mountain) were treasures that belong to him; 17 esoteric Tibetan Dharma texts with Longsar Dorje Nyingpo (Bright Clear Scene Vajra Treasure) as the beginning text, Buddha statues, stupa and all sorts of holy items were all uncovered gradually. Throughout his whole life, Longsar Nyingpo played an active role in bringing prosperity to Kathok Monastery; his great feat is worthy of our remembrance, respect and honour.
The third reincarnation of Zhi Mei Xin Xiong Khenpo was invited into the royal palace around the period 1686-1746 AD by Emperor Kangxi and was conferred the title of Royal Advisor. The Emperor personally presented him a royal crown, a carriage with four windows, a full set of palace guards of honour, musical instruments and gifts - a total of 19 items, an expression of his high respect for him. Zhi Mei Xin Xiong Khenpo organised the printing of sutra – using pure gold to write the "Great Treasury of Sutra" or "Tripitaka". This is the first sutra printing temple that appeared in Bai Yu region.
In 1760 AD, during the time of Kathok's first incarnation Ge Ze great pandita Gong Qin Ji Mei Cai Wang Que Zhu, his disciple Zhang Jia Living Buddha was invited into the royal palace by Emperor Yongzheng to be his royal advisor. The first incarnation, Ge Ze Rinpoche made detailed notes on the existing old sutra, vinaya, abhidharma and Nyingma's books of the continuation section; he engraved them for preservation and wrote commentaries to prove that they are real. The pagoda he was in-charged of constructing for Zhi Mei Xin Xiong was renowned as "An Ornament in the Snow Mountain". His third reincarnation Ge Ban Wu Jin Qie Ji Jian Can practised and attained the state of no-obstacle. The sutra printing temple he was in-charged of building has a collection of more than 7000 titles and over 60 000 books; it was the sutra printing temple with the largest collection of books and the greatest scale in the region of Kham then.
During the 10 years of upheaval in China, Kathok's original Sutra Hall, Esoteric Deities Hall, Practise and Learning Hall, Sutra Printing Temple, Meditation Retreat Centre and monk's living quarters were so badly damaged that they were almost in ruins. After the unrest, all the Living Buddhas and Sangha members of the monastery came and worked hard together, and after 10 years, they have basically completed rebuilding the monastery. Tibetan-style wood carvings were used as the building material and the life of Buddha Shakyamuni and Jataka stories were painted on the four walls. Different stately Root Deities, Buddha images and stupas were placed in the halls for offering. The current Kathok Monastery's Practise and Learning Hall has over 400 learning monks and there are five Meditation Retreat Centres that nurture batches and batches of highly talented monks. Today's Kathok Monastery is already a Buddhist holy site of considerable scale.
Guru Padmasambhava had personally blessed Kathok thirteen times, thus enabling the holy site to have the five types of perfection: shelter, time, master, disciple and Dharma. With this beginning fate, Kathok's Dharma began to be passed down for many generations, the Esoteric Trinity (Avalokitesvara, Manjusri and Vajrapani) were manifested as many deities coming back to fulfil their vows: "Kathok's Thirteen Supreme Masters Genealogy", "Kathok's Thirteen Zhong Ba Genealogy", "Kathok's Thirteen Mocha Genealogy", "Kathok's Generations of Khenpo Genealogy", "Kathok's Terton Masters and Disciples", "Kathok's Generations of Reincarnated Rinpoches" and Kathok's thirteen volumes of sutra containing tips for The Great Perfection were completely passed down till now. Today, Kathok's Dharma propagation is widespread; it has 108 branches of big monasteries and 1002 branches of small monasteries worldwide; masters of its lineage are widely distributed over Asia, Europe, North America and other parts of the world.
From the time of Tampa Deshek, more than 800 years ago to the present time of Ya La Bai Ma Deng Du, those who relied upon the unique Kathok's esoteric practices of the Dzogchen Zuktor Sangwai Mengag, Dzogchen Semde Deun Poa and 13 other great volumes of precious teachings, and attained the highest enlightened stage of Rainbow-body at the Vajra Seat of Kathok, numbered 100 000. No other monastery in the world can beat this, thus it truly deserves to be called the number one monastery in Tibet region which has the perfect teachings and attainments. Kathok Monastery is one of the three largest sects (Kathok, Dzogchen and Palyul) of Nyingmapa Lineage; it has the longest history, deepest and widest spread of Dharma as well as the greatest and furthest influence, thus it is called the Nyingmapa Mother Monastery.
