Difference between revisions of "The Sakya Tradition - A Brief Overview By Jeff Watt"
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− | The History of Sakya begins with a race of celestial beings having descended from the Clear Light heavens in the Realm of Form to take up residence in the snow mountains of Tibet for the benefit of living beings. This was ten generations before the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century | + | The [[History of Sakya]] begins with a race of [[celestial beings]] having descended from the [[Clear Light]] [[heavens]] in the [[Realm of Form]] to take up residence in the [[snow mountains]] of [[Tibet]] for the [[benefit]] of [[living beings]]. This was ten generations before the arrival of [[Guru Padmasambhava]] in the 8th century. |
− | + | At this time the [[Wikipedia:Heredity|hereditary]] descendents were known as Lha Rig. After eight generations, due to a dispute with a [[Yaksha]] leader, the Lha Rig also became known as the [[Khon]] which means ‘dispute’ or ‘strife.’ In 750 A.D. the [[Khon family]] became students of [[Guru Rinpoche]] [[Padmasambhava]] receiving the eight [[Heruka]] practices, especially the [[Vajrakila]] [[empowerment]]. | |
− | + | A [[Khon]] son, Lui Sungwa, received [[novice monk]] [[ordination]] from [[Shantirakshita]] at [[Samye Monastery]], becoming one of the first seven [[monk]] [[translators]] in all of [[Tibet]]. For the next thirteen generations (750-1073), the [[Khon family]] was a central pillar of the [[Nyingma School]] in [[Tsang]] Province. | |
− | + | In the eleventh century, due to the [[obscurations]] of [[beings]], [[Dharma]] practice became very lax in the [[Tsang]] region. It was decided by the head of the [[family]], [[Sherab Tsultrim]], that it was time to seek out the new [[Buddhist Tantras]] from [[India]]. [[Guru Padmasambhava]] wrote; “an [[emanation]] of the [[Indian]] [[Virupa]] - [[Drogmi Lotsawa]] will appear.” | |
− | The main student of Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen was his nephew, son of Palchen of Opoche the famous Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (1182-1251). Studying Buddhist and non-Buddhist philosophy, tantra, logic, Sanskrit, poetry, astrology and art with countless Indian, Nepalese, Kashmiri and Tibetan masters, he achieved mastery over all these subjects. When twenty-seven years old, after meeting with the Kashmiri Pandita Shakya Shribhadra at Shalu Monastery, he became a fully ordained monk and maintained his vows without the least infraction. His works such as the Treasury of Logic on Valid Cognition (Tsad-ma rigs-gter) and the Discrimination of the Three Vows (sDom-gsum rab-dbye) are famous to this day. In all Sakya Pandita wrote 114 religious treatises. The Treasury of Logic on Valid Cognition (Tsad-ma rigs-gter) was the only text of Tibetan origin ever to have been translated into the Sanskrit language. The translation was rendered by his Indian students at Nalanda University in Magadha, and was received with much acclaim. “At the time of his mahaparinirvana, the earth shook six times and birds throughout the kingdom cried in lament. Wondrous signs were seen by the assembly of disciples and kings when the pyre was lit, and all who were present experienced blissful peace. Having attained perfect enlightenment by the grace of Manjunata, he is known to the world as the Buddha Vimalashri.” (Translation by Jared Rhoton). | + | The younger brother, [[Konchog Gyalpo]], went to study with [[Drogmi Lotsawa]] (992-1074). At an [[auspicious]] location, below a white patch of [[earth]] ([[Tibetan]]: [[sa skya]]), prophesied by [[Guru Padmasambhava]] and [[Lord Atisha]], [[Khon Konchog Gyalpo]] built the first [[temple]] named the [[Gorum Zimchi Karpo]] in 1073. This marks the beginning of the [[name]] “[[Sakya]].” The {{Wiki|holy}} [[family]], the [[Wikipedia:Heredity|hereditary]] leaders of this [[precious]] [[lineage]], are known by these three names, Lha Rig, [[Khon]] and [[Sakya]]. |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | [[Sachen Kunga Nyingpo]] (1092-1158), the son of [[Khon Konchog Gyalpo]], was a [[person]] of [[extraordinary]] skill and [[spiritual]] [[attainment]], holding all the [[lineages]] of [[Sutra]] and [[Tantra]]. His main [[teachers]] were first his father from whom he received mainly the [[Vajrakila]] and [[Samputa]] Systems of practice. | ||
+ | |||
+ | From [[Bari Lotsawa Rinchen Drag]] he received [[Chakrasamvara]], [[Guhyasamaja]], [[Vajrabhairava]] and others; from [[Shangton Chobar]], the entire [[Lamdre]] system ([[Path]] together with the Result) over a period of four years along with the systems of [[Mahamaya]] and [[Samayogadakinijala]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | From [[Mal Lotsawa Lodro Drag]] he received the [[Chakrasamvara]], {{Wiki|Bhairava}}, the teachings of [[mahasiddha Naropa]] namely the [[Vajrayogini]], and of significant importance the [[lineages]] of [[Panjarnata Mahakala]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | From [[Lama]] [[Nam Kaupa]], at [[Ka’u Drag Dzong]], he received all the instructions, outer, inner and secret of the [[Four-faced Protector]] [[Chaturmukha]]. These were only the [[principal]] [[teachers]] of [[Sachen Kunga Nyingpo]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | At the age of twelve while in a six month [[Manjushri]] [[retreat]] he had a [[vision]] of [[Manjushri]] accompanied by two [[bodhisattvas]] who spoke to him with the lines of what has come to be known as the [[Separation From The Four Attachments]]; [[Sachen Kunga Nyingpo]] received the complete [[Lamdre]] [[teaching]] first from [[Shangton Chobar]] and secondly directly from [[Virupa]] in a series of [[visions]] that lasted a month. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the [[Sakya Tradition]] it is believed that [[Virupa]] came [[bodily]] to [[Sakya]] to teach [[Sachen Kunga Nyingpo]]. This is known as the ‘recent’ or ‘close’ [[Lamdre lineage]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Sachen]] had four sons - [[Kunga Bar]], [[Sonam Tsemo]], [[Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen]] and [[Palchen Opoche]]. The first passed away while studying at [[Nalanda Monastery]] in [[India]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The second son [[Sonam Tsemo]] (1142-82) became a learned [[scholar]] at the early age of sixteen. At the age of forty-one, it is said by some that, he ascended [[bodily]] to [[Khechara]], the [[divine realm]] of [[Vajrayogini]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | He had [[visions]] of many [[meditational deities]] and also produced many [[realized]] [[disciples]]. [[Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen]] (1147-1216) received lay [[celibacy]] [[vows]] and showed strong [[signs]] of [[spiritual]] maturity in his youth. At the age of eleven he gave his first [[teaching]] of the [[Shri Hevajra]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The main [[student]] of [[Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen]] was his nephew, son of Palchen of Opoche the famous [[Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen]] (1182-1251). Studying [[Buddhist]] and [[non-Buddhist]] [[philosophy]], [[tantra]], [[logic]], [[Sanskrit]], [[poetry]], [[astrology]] and [[art]] with countless [[Indian]], {{Wiki|Nepalese}}, [[Kashmiri]] and [[Tibetan masters]], he achieved [[mastery]] over all these [[subjects]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When twenty-seven years old, after meeting with the [[Kashmiri]] [[Pandita]] [[Shakya Shribhadra]] at [[Shalu Monastery]], he became a [[fully ordained monk]] and maintained his [[vows]] without the least infraction. His works such as the [[Treasury of Logic on Valid Cognition]] ([[Tsad-ma rigs-gter]]) and the {{Wiki|Discrimination}} of the [[Three Vows]] ([[sDom-gsum rab-dbye]]) are famous to this day. In all [[Sakya Pandita]] wrote 114 [[religious]] treatises. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The [[Treasury of Logic on Valid Cognition]] ([[Tsad-ma rigs-gter]]) was the only text of [[Tibetan]] origin ever to have been translated into the [[Sanskrit]] [[language]]. The translation was rendered by his [[Indian]] students at [[Nalanda University]] in [[Magadha]], and was received with much acclaim. “At the time of his [[mahaparinirvana]], the [[earth]] shook [[six times]] and birds throughout the {{Wiki|kingdom}} cried in [[lament]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Wondrous [[signs]] were seen by the assembly of [[disciples]] and [[kings]] when the pyre was lit, and all who were {{Wiki|present}} [[experienced]] [[blissful]] [[peace]]. Having [[attained]] [[perfect enlightenment]] by the grace of [[Manjunata]], he is known to the [[world]] as the [[Buddha]] [[Vimalashri]].” (Translation by Jared Rhoton). | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.bodhionline.org/ViewArticle.asp?id=233 www.bodhionline.org] | [http://www.bodhionline.org/ViewArticle.asp?id=233 www.bodhionline.org] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
− | [[Category:Sakya]] | + | [[Category:The History of Sakya school]] |
Latest revision as of 07:22, 12 October 2015
By Jeff Watt
The History of Sakya begins with a race of celestial beings having descended from the Clear Light heavens in the Realm of Form to take up residence in the snow mountains of Tibet for the benefit of living beings. This was ten generations before the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century.
At this time the hereditary descendents were known as Lha Rig. After eight generations, due to a dispute with a Yaksha leader, the Lha Rig also became known as the Khon which means ‘dispute’ or ‘strife.’ In 750 A.D. the Khon family became students of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava receiving the eight Heruka practices, especially the Vajrakila empowerment.
A Khon son, Lui Sungwa, received novice monk ordination from Shantirakshita at Samye Monastery, becoming one of the first seven monk translators in all of Tibet. For the next thirteen generations (750-1073), the Khon family was a central pillar of the Nyingma School in Tsang Province.
In the eleventh century, due to the obscurations of beings, Dharma practice became very lax in the Tsang region. It was decided by the head of the family, Sherab Tsultrim, that it was time to seek out the new Buddhist Tantras from India. Guru Padmasambhava wrote; “an emanation of the Indian Virupa - Drogmi Lotsawa will appear.”
The younger brother, Konchog Gyalpo, went to study with Drogmi Lotsawa (992-1074). At an auspicious location, below a white patch of earth (Tibetan: sa skya), prophesied by Guru Padmasambhava and Lord Atisha, Khon Konchog Gyalpo built the first temple named the Gorum Zimchi Karpo in 1073. This marks the beginning of the name “Sakya.” The holy family, the hereditary leaders of this precious lineage, are known by these three names, Lha Rig, Khon and Sakya.
Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158), the son of Khon Konchog Gyalpo, was a person of extraordinary skill and spiritual attainment, holding all the lineages of Sutra and Tantra. His main teachers were first his father from whom he received mainly the Vajrakila and Samputa Systems of practice.
From Bari Lotsawa Rinchen Drag he received Chakrasamvara, Guhyasamaja, Vajrabhairava and others; from Shangton Chobar, the entire Lamdre system (Path together with the Result) over a period of four years along with the systems of Mahamaya and Samayogadakinijala.
From Mal Lotsawa Lodro Drag he received the Chakrasamvara, Bhairava, the teachings of mahasiddha Naropa namely the Vajrayogini, and of significant importance the lineages of Panjarnata Mahakala.
From Lama Nam Kaupa, at Ka’u Drag Dzong, he received all the instructions, outer, inner and secret of the Four-faced Protector Chaturmukha. These were only the principal teachers of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo.
At the age of twelve while in a six month Manjushri retreat he had a vision of Manjushri accompanied by two bodhisattvas who spoke to him with the lines of what has come to be known as the Separation From The Four Attachments; Sachen Kunga Nyingpo received the complete Lamdre teaching first from Shangton Chobar and secondly directly from Virupa in a series of visions that lasted a month.
In the Sakya Tradition it is believed that Virupa came bodily to Sakya to teach Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. This is known as the ‘recent’ or ‘close’ Lamdre lineage.
Sachen had four sons - Kunga Bar, Sonam Tsemo, Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen and Palchen Opoche. The first passed away while studying at Nalanda Monastery in India.
The second son Sonam Tsemo (1142-82) became a learned scholar at the early age of sixteen. At the age of forty-one, it is said by some that, he ascended bodily to Khechara, the divine realm of Vajrayogini.
He had visions of many meditational deities and also produced many realized disciples. Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen (1147-1216) received lay celibacy vows and showed strong signs of spiritual maturity in his youth. At the age of eleven he gave his first teaching of the Shri Hevajra.
The main student of Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen was his nephew, son of Palchen of Opoche the famous Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen (1182-1251). Studying Buddhist and non-Buddhist philosophy, tantra, logic, Sanskrit, poetry, astrology and art with countless Indian, Nepalese, Kashmiri and Tibetan masters, he achieved mastery over all these subjects.
When twenty-seven years old, after meeting with the Kashmiri Pandita Shakya Shribhadra at Shalu Monastery, he became a fully ordained monk and maintained his vows without the least infraction. His works such as the Treasury of Logic on Valid Cognition (Tsad-ma rigs-gter) and the Discrimination of the Three Vows (sDom-gsum rab-dbye) are famous to this day. In all Sakya Pandita wrote 114 religious treatises.
The Treasury of Logic on Valid Cognition (Tsad-ma rigs-gter) was the only text of Tibetan origin ever to have been translated into the Sanskrit language. The translation was rendered by his Indian students at Nalanda University in Magadha, and was received with much acclaim. “At the time of his mahaparinirvana, the earth shook six times and birds throughout the kingdom cried in lament.
Wondrous signs were seen by the assembly of disciples and kings when the pyre was lit, and all who were present experienced blissful peace. Having attained perfect enlightenment by the grace of Manjunata, he is known to the world as the Buddha Vimalashri.” (Translation by Jared Rhoton).