October 4th – 5th 2014
Oral Transmission of the Autobiography of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang
Khenpo Ngawang Palzung was one of the greatest and most realized Dzogchen masters of recent times. He is regarded as an emanation of Vimalamitra, who vowed to appear once every hundred years to spread the Nyingtik teachings. There is no exaggeration in calling him the second Longchen Rabjam.
Jigme Tromge Rinpoche has graciously accepted a request from the PPI/Ati Ling Sangha to bestow the lung (oral reading transmission) of ‘Wondrous Dance of Illusion’, the autobiography of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, also known as Khenpo Ngaga (‘Khenpo Ngaga the First’). Jigme Tromge Rinpoche received this transmission from the Second Khenpo Ngaga, who received it from Tromge Arik Rinpoche, one of Khenpo Ngaga’s four heart disciples. HE Chagdud Rinpoche and Jigme Tromge Rinpoche have taught extensively on subjects from books by Khenpo Ngaga. A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher has been a valuable resource for all Ngondro students within Chagdud Gonpa foundation, and Khenpo’s writings on Nyingtik have been integrated into many four-to-six-week Dzogchen retreats.
This autobiography, only recently translated into English, has a seal of secrecy and is guarded by protectors of the Vajrayana, therefore an individual must have the lung; and/or permission from a qualified lineage holder to begin reading this text. Receiving this transmission is a very wonderful and precious opportunity, and all who feel a connection with this master or lineage are encouraged to attend the transmission.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in 1879 in eastern Tibet, Khenpo Ngaga’s early life was filled with many wondrous visions and displays of miracles. At an early age, his father took him to see Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpé Nyima, the heart-son of Patrul Rinpoche. Khenpo received teachings on The Words of My Perfect Teacher from Lungtok Tenpé Nyima, and wrote down this oral advice in A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher, an instruction manual which further elaborates on the Longchen Nyingtik Ngondro. Lungtok Tenpé Nyima conferred the entire Longchen Nyingtik cycle upon Khenpo Ngaga and empowered him to teach and propagate the lineage. At the age of 20, he then left Lungtok Tenpé Nyima to study at Dzogchen Monastery. While at Dzogchen Monastery he was able to study and receive transmissions from the great Mipham Rinpoche. Khenpo Ngaga also studied with Atop Rinpoche, Tertön Ngawang Tendzin, Tertön Sogyal, Khenpo Shenga, Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso, Khenpo Kunpal, and the Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche. Khenpo Ngaga was a prolific writer, writing about all subjects of Vajrayana practice including Nyingtik and Ngondro.
LINEAGE
Khenpo Ngawang Palzung had four heart disciples: the Second Drubwang Pema Norbu, Choktrul Gyurme Dorje, Tromge Arik Rinpoche, Shedrup Tenpé Nyima. These four heart-sons are referred to as the four great pillars. Tromge Arik Rinpoche recieved the Longchen Nyingtik Cycle from Khenpo Ngaga and bestowed it upon His Eminence Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche and the second Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (in residence at Nyoshul Gompa). H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche also received the Nyingtik Yabshyi transmissions directly from the first Khenpo Ngaga when he was a young child. Jigme Tromge Rinpoche received the Longchen Nyingtik Cycle from his father, H.E. Chagdud Rinpoche, and from the second Khenpo Ngawang Palzang.
REGISTRATION & TIMES
Attendance is by pre-registration only; please call 415-663-9421 to register. The fee is $55 for dorm accommodation, meals and transmission. Private rooms are very limited due to a concurrent event at the center, so if you would like a private room, please let the registrar know and you will be put on the waiting-list. Please note that you need to bring your own bedding etc, ie sleeping bag or comforter, pillow, and towels — the dorm beds come just with a bottom sheet.
Retreatants are asked to arrive on Saturday October 4th between 2 and 3pm, and should plan to stay until Sunday 5.30pm.
IMPORTANT — a major bicycle race Levi Gran Fondo takes place on Saturday, so allow extra time to handle extra traffic or diversions. For more info see http://www.levisgranfondo.com/info/roads.
MEALS: Dinner on Sat 4th, and breakfast and lunch on Sun 5th will be provided. Meals are simple vegetarian with gluten-free options — please let the registrar know if you are gluten-free. Please bring your own supplementary food items if you have any dietary restrictions, as on this occasion we regret that we cannot cater to more specialized diets.
Due to the nature of this event, children are welcome only if they are able to spend time quietly in the playroom attached to the shrine-room, or be outside in the playground/garden. Transmission sessions will go for 2-3 hours at a time. Young children must be supervised at all times by an adult. Please call 707-632-5629 by October 1st to let us know if you are considering bringing a child of any age.
For questions or further information, please email office@atiling.org.