Hagiography of Ponchen Taphiritsa
Firstly, with respect to the history of the great master Tapihritsa who was the disciple of the previous master (Tsepung Dawa Gyaltsan), there are 5 considerations:
1. His father was Rasang Lugyal (Ra-sangs klu-rgyal) and his mother was Sherigsal (Shes-rig-gsal). When he was born as their son, he was given the name of Tapihritsa, which means "king" in the Zhan-zhung language just as the word rgyal-po does in the Tibetan language.
2. Because he possessed both ripened karma and good fortune, he met masters who would show him great kindness. He requested the Bön teachings from his father Rasang Lugyal and then from the great master Panchen Rasang. In particular, when he came into contact with the Lineage of the 24 August Persons, he requested the complete Experiential Transmission, as well as the Transmission of the
Precepts for Dzogchen from Tsepung Dawa Gyaltsan.
3.He resided for some time relying upon a very special place (for the practice of meditation). In particular, he practiced ascetic conduct at the lion rock of Tagthab (stag-thabs). For 9 years he practiced there uninterruptedly without speaking to anyone.
4.As for the signs of his realization and his virtuous qualities that he attained during his lifetime, having realized all siddhis without exception, those which were both ordinary and supreme, he ultimately attained Buddhahood in the Body of Light without leaving any remainder of his material body behind.
5. An understanding (of the Natural State) that was extraordinary became manifest within him. The realization of the Dharmakaya having become manifest for his own benefit, he thereupon emanated himself in the form of the one called Tapiradza in the Zhang-zhung language, that is to say, as a Nirmanakaya he acted for the benefit of others. He emanated himself in the guise of a young boy who embodied the Gnosis of Omniscience (for the benefit of his disciple Gyerpungpa) and, moreover, he emanated various different divine forms or bodies in an unpredictable manner elsewhere. Thereby he brought about immediately liberation in the mind-streams of his fortunate disciples and they in tum came to manifest various virtuous qualities.
