The Palyul Lineage
In Tibet, there were six mother monasteries which upheld the Nyingma tradition. In eastern Tibet, the foremost of these was the glorious Palyul. The land the monastery is situated on was blessed by many great saints and bodhisattvas and it was during the time of the great vidyadhara Kuzang Sherab that the Palyul tradition was established and the monastery known as Palyul Namgyal Changchub Choling became one of the major Nyingma monastic institutions.
As with all Nyingma Dharma lineages, the Palyul holds the complete canon of the Mahayana sutras and tantras as well as the Kama (long), Terma (short) and Pure Vision transmissions. However, the Palyul lineage is distinct in that it continues to practice, realize and transmit all the various lineages and transmissions that were held and passed on by Kunzang Sherab into one vast Dharma Ocean.
The Kama or long lineage is the combined oral tradition of Panchen Vimalamitra, the translator Vairocana and master Padmasambhava on the inner yogas of Generation Stage Maha Yoga, Transmission stage Anu Yoga and the Great Perfection stage Ati Yoga. The Palyul also holds the Non-dual Great Seal Mahamudra – Great Perfection Ati Yoga, uniting the highest Nyingma teachings of Dzog Chen with the ornament of the Kagyu school, the Mahamudra of Marpa the translator, forefather of the Kagyu.
From Kunzang Sherab to the present throne holder, His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, as well as the greater Palyul sangha, this has been maintained as a principal practice which includes: clear light togyal, inner togyal, darkness practice, dream practice, training in the nature of sound and pure realms practice. The terma or short lineage refers to spiritual treasures (terma) that were concealed by Padmasambava and his close disciples to be revealed at a later, more appropriate time. These termas were hidden in both physical elements and within beings mind streams, to be remembered and revealed in later incarnations. As such, the lineage for these termas is considered “short” historically, as opposed to the long lineages originating with Sakyamuni Buddha.
The principal terma lineages of the Palyul are those of Terton Nyang, Guru Chowang, Ratna Lingpa, Jigme Lingpa, Karma Lingpa and Mingyur Dorje. The Profound lineage of Pure Vision originates with Terton Mingyur Dorje’s Nam Cho Great Perfection revelations, transmitted directly to Kunzang Sherab.
For further reading please see: Zangpo, Ven. Tsering and Khandro, Sangye, A Garland of Immortal Wish Fulfilling Trees: The Palyul Tradition of Nyingmapa, Ithaca, N.Y., Snow Lion Publications, 1988.
His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche
His Holiness Penor Rinpoche Kyabje Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was born in 1932 in the Powo region of Kham, Eastern Tibet. His Holiness settled in South India where he built, with his own hands and with the help of a few monks, Namdroling Monastery. The monastery has grown into one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist Dharma centers in the world, housing over 6000 monks and nuns in the complex. His Holiness also built temples and established dharma Centers around the world – in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, United Kingdom, Greece, Canada and the United States – among others. His Holiness frequently traveled to teach and give empowerments at all of them. Worldwide, His Holiness is universally revered for his loving kindness and compassion, pure upholding of the Vinaya and ceaseless dedication to the welfare of all beings. Wherever His Holiness went, he established and nourished the Buddha Dharma. He will live forever in our hearts.
“His Holiness Penor Rinpoche is one of the great Buddhist saints alive today. He is a great realized being, and seeing him is like being face to face with the Buddha and Padmasambhava.”
–Vajracharya Ven. Peling Tulku, Rinpoche
<poem>
Chöku Kutuzangpo (Dharmakaya Samantabhadra)
Durgpa Dorjé Changchen (Vajradhara)
Dorje Sempa (Varja Sattva)
Thugjé Chenpo Chenresig (Avalokitesvara)
Lopön Garab Dorje
Jampel Shenyen
Lopön Shiri Singha
Yeshe Do
Pema Junge
(Padma Sambhava)
Gelong Namkhai Nyingpo
Khandro Yeshé Tsogyal
Nanam Dorjé Dudgom
Lhase Mutri Tsenpo
Tertön Zangpo Drakpa
Trulku Rigdzin Chenpo
Kunpang Dönyöd Gyaltsen
Gyudzin Sönam Chogzang
Trubthob Thangthong Gyalpo
Jangsem Kunga Nyima
Trulshig Tayakeuri
Tsenchen Tayabenza
Chöjé Bodhi Singha
Tulku Tashi Gyatso
Drubwang Tonpa Sengge
Tulku Chönyi Gyatso
Tertöton Migyur Dorjé
Khechog Karma Chagme
Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab
Pema Lhundrub Gyatso
Drubwang Pema Norbu
Karma Chöpbel Zangpo
Drenchog Karma Lhawang
Gyurme Nyedon Tenzin
Pema Dhongag Tendzin
Dhongag Chökyi Nyima
Rigdzin Palchen Düpa
( Second Pema Norbu)
Thubten Chökyi Dawa
</poem>