 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||
HH3 Karmapa - Rangjung Dorje
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Life of HH3 Karmapa - Rangjung Dorje The Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339) was born in Dingri Langkor, startling those present by sitting up and proclaiming himself to be the Karmapa. Three years later he renewed his assertions by making himself a black hat and again declaring himself to be the Karmapa. He castigated his friends, saying that they were indulging in worldliness. Two more years were to pass before he met Drubtop Urgyenpa, who had dreamt of him the night before and was anticipating his arrival. Consequently, Urgyenpa recognised the child as the reincarnation of Karma Pakshi, and gave him the actual Black Crown, and all the possessions of the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi. Rangjung Dorje received all the Kagyu teachings whilst growing up in Tsurphu monastery. Indeed, he had a tremendous thirst for Dharmic learning and knowledge, and he received, in addition to the Kagyu transmission, the full Nyingma transmission. He went into retreat on the slopes of mount Everest, and after receiving full ordination, he then went to study at one of the great seats of the Khadampa tradition. Rangjung Dorje was a supreme meditator, and he was of prime importance for the continuation and enrichment of the meditative tradition. He reintroduced a high level of intellectual understanding as part of the practice and unified the traditional Mahamudra teachings of the Kagyud order with the Maha-Ati or Dzogchen teachings, which until his time had been transmitted mainly through the Nyingma lineages. Through a series of visions he received of the Kalachakra (wheel of the ages) teachings, he introduced a revised system of astrology. Rangjung Dorje's approach embraced all traditions of knowledge and he was able to assimilate and compare all that he studied. He learnt and mastered the entire corpus of teachings which had come to Tibet from India, both those of the old and new periods. Rangjung Dorje sought out masters of all the Buddhist traditions of the time, studying with Trophu Kunden Sherab and Nyenre Gendun Bum among others. As a result, he achieved great fame, and attracted any disciples. A practical man, he built bridges as well as meditation centres, and monateries, benefiting his countrymen's daily life as well as their spiritual one. For posterity, he wrote many texts and commentaries, preserving many of the teachings in a form we use today. From his profound wisdom, he composed many significant texts, the most famous of which is perhaps 'the Profound Inner Meaning', pinpointing the very essence of vajrayana. There are three different translations of this text accessible from the links below. Karma Pakshi visited China, and one of his disciples, Toghon Temur, accended to the throne of emperor of China. Karma Pakshi brought a special long-life elixir from Samye in Tibet for the new emperer, as a result of which Toghon Temur became the longest lived of all the Mongol emperors of China. Karma Pakshi died whilst in China, and it is said that he appeared in the moon on the night of his passing. His two main disciples were Gyalwa Yungton Dorje Pal, who was to become the next lineage holder, and the first Shamarpa, Khaydrup Dragpa Senge. The Shamarpa lineage is the second line of reincarnates in the history of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition (the Karmapas being the first), and it began when Rangjung Dorje presented Khaydrup Dragpa Senge with a ruby-red crown, and the title Shamarpa (Holder of the Red Crown). The Red Crown is an exact replica of the Black Crown worn by the Karmapas, and exemplifies the close relationship between them. These crowns are symbols of activities that benefit beings, and in no way denote separate lineages. Both the "Black Hat Lama" and the "Red Hat Lama" are of the Karma Kagyu Lineage. The Shamarpa is also known as a manifestation of Amithaba, the Buddha of Limitless Light. Teachings of HH3 Karmapa - Rangjung Dorje Wishing Prayer for the Attainment of the Ultimate Mahamudra Vow of Mahamudra (alternative translation of the above) Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra (another alternative translation)
Images of HH3 Karmapa - Rangjung Dorje You may click on any of the images below to see a larger, and clearer version of the image. The figure below each image is that of the filesize of the corresponding large image. To save the resulting large image onto your computer, right click on that image, and choose 'save image as ....'
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
