The source of the Drukpa Lineage stems from the Primordial Buddha Vajradhara, the All-Pervading Lord of the Hundred Buddha Families.
Vajradhara himself directly granted his blessing to Tili Sherab Zangpo, Tilopa - who lived in Bengal in the 10th century. Tilopa then gave the transmission of his full realization to the Lord of the World, the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa (1016-1100).
Unbroken, from Guru to disciple, the transmission was passed to the Tibetan Marpa Chokyi Lodro (1012-1096), an emanation of Indian Siddha Dombhi Heruka; then to the Grand Master Jetsun Milarepa (1040-1123), who attained within one lifetime, the direct realization of the Great Union; then to the one who had been prophesied by the Buddha in many Sutras and Tantras, the matchless Dagpo Dawoe Shonnu, 'Moon of Youth' (Gampopa, 1079-1153); then to Glorious Phagmo Drupa who was also called Khampa Dorje Gyalpo (1110-1170), the reincarnation of the Buddha Kracuccanda, the second Buddha of this aeon who came back in the world to benefit beings; and lastly to Mahasiddha Lingchen Repa (1128-1188), whose renunciation and realization equaled that of the great Indian Mahasiddha Saraha.
Then appeared an incomparable disciple who would give his name to this 'White Lineage of the Ultimate Meaning'.
Over 800 years ago, when Drogon Tsangpa Gyare Yeshi Dorje, the Buddha of Compassion (Tib. Chenrezig, Skt. Avalokiteshvara) in human form (1161-1211) reached Nam-gyi Phu near Lhasa in search of a site to build a monastery as prophesized by his Guru, Lingchen Repa (1128-1188), nine dragons, said to be manifestations of Indian Mahasiddhas, reared up from the earth and soared into the sky with loud thunderous roars. Taking this to be an auspicious sign, DrogonTsangpa Gyare named his Lineage ‘Drukpa’ and both his Lineage and followers of the Lineage came to be called Drukpa. All the successive reincarnations of Drogon Tsangpa Gyare are given the title of Gyalwang Drukpa and are recognized as the spiritual head of the Drukpa Lineage. The Drukpa Lineage became famous for the simplicity, asceticism and comprehension of its adherents and the profundity of its spiritual teachings. The Tibetan proverb of that time,
Half of the people are Drukpas,
Half of the Drukpas are begging mendicants, and
Half of the begging mendicants are Siddhas
is an indication of the profusion of its disciples and the influence of its practice.
Among all the Gyalwang Drukpas, the Fourth Gyalwang Drukpa Kunkhyen Pema Karpo is considered to be the most important and renowned. He had innumerable accomplished disciples, among them were the famed Drukpa Tulku Namsum (Kyabje Drukpa Yongdzin Rinpoche, Kyabje Chogdra Rinpoche and Kyabje Driwu Leh Rinpoche) and Thuchen Chokyi Gonpo (Kyabje Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche) who was both the guru and disciple of Kunkhyen Pema Karpo.
Even at present time the Drukpa Lineage is responsible for more then 1000 monasteries in Tibet, Bhutan, Ladakh, Garsha (Lahaul), Kinnaur, South India, West Bengal, Sikkim and Nepal and it continues to guide millions of beings around the world in leading ones life with wisdom, love and harmony.
THE DRUKPA LINEAGE IN BHUTAN
The establishment of the Drukpa Lineage in Bhutan was prophesied by Tsangpa Gyare to Onre Dharma Senge and he in turn instructed Phajo Druggom Shigpo to Bhutan and Phajo established spiritual and temporal influence of the Drukpa Lineage in Bhutan. In around 1300 CE Gyalwa Lorepa visited Bumthang and founded the Chodrak Gonpa in Bhumthang and spread the teachings of the Drukpa Lineage.
Later on the invitation of the descendants of Phajo Druggom, Jamyang Kunga Senge, Thrulshik Namkhai Naljor, Gyalwang Je, Ngawang Chogyal and his son, Drukpa Kunleg, Mipham Chogyal and Mipham Tenpai Nima visited Bhutan from Ralung and further spread the teachings of the Drukpa Lineage.
As prophesized, the Fourth Gyalwang Drukpa Kunkhyen Pema Karpo returned to our world with two reincarnations: Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Pagsam Wangpo. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal left Ralung for Bhutan in 1616 and by 1651 he had unified Bhutan and established himself as the spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. He renamed the country 'Druk' and the people 'Drukpa' to indicate the supremacy of the Drukpa Lineage.
Ever since Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal appointed Pekar Jungne as His Holiness the first Je Khenpo, the spiritual head of all monasteries in Bhutan, the successive Je Khenpos have, in unison with Their Majesties the Kings of Bhutan, have been assuming the role of the spiritual heads of the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is mainly due to their unconditional and relentless efforts to uphold the Dharma and benefit beings that Buddhism in general, and the Drukpa Lineage in particular are still thriving in the country.
THE DRUKPA LINEAGE IN LADAKH & TIBET
The orgin of the Drukpa Lineage in Ladakh began with Taktsang Repa Ngawang Gyatso (1573-1651 CE), a disciple of the Fifth Gyalwang Drukpa Pagsam Wangpo(1593-1641) and Drukpa Yongzin Ngawang Zangpo, who had innumerable enlightened disciples, among them Taktsang Repa, Khampa Ngawang Tenphel and Konchog Gyalpo were his principle disciples.
When Sengye Namgyal ascended the royal throne of Ladakh, he petitioned Drukpa Pagsam Wangpo to send Taktsang Repa to Ladakh to give spiritual guidance to the royal court and propagate the teachings and spread the activities of the Drukpa Lineage in Ladakh. With royal patronage, successive reincarnations of Taktsang Repa spread the Drukpa Lineage all over the kingdom of Ladakh as well as Zanskar and Lahaul.
The king of Ladakh also invited Jamgon Ngawang Gyeltsen from Bhutan to visit Ladakh, where the prime minister, the king and the royal family members, warmly received him with honor and respect. He gave many teachings to the king and the people of Ladakh and displayed many miracles. Jamgon was particularly famous for his ability to perform miracles and make predictions. He also proved himself to be an expert in making Zungs scrolls, Mandala drawings and cross-thread objects, which can still be seen in most of the monasteries in Ladakh. Thus he also played a pivitol role in spreading the Drukpa Lineage in Ladakh.
Khampa Ngawang Tenphel was one of the most revered masters in his time. Almost all the monasteries and retreat centers of the Drukpa Lineage in Eastern Tibet are connected to the activities of Khampa Ngawang Tenphel, also known Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche and all his successive reincarnations. The Khamtrul Rinpoches are one of the most important pillars of the Drukpa Lineage.
Konchog Gyalpo or Kyabje Dorzong Rinpoche was also very popular in the Eastern part of Tibet, bordering China. His successive reincarnations also established innumerable retreat centers and monastic organizations in this area and left a legacy of great teachings and activities that are still benefiting the beings there and elsewhere in the Himalayas.
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The Drukpa Lineage, thus, has the legacy of guiding countless beings on the path of genuine spirituality and ultimate enlightenment for more than 800 years, since the nine dragons reared up into the sky in the holy site of Namdruk. Even in the modern time today, great Bodhisattvas like these masters and their reincarnations have been continuing the Live to Love activities in various forms, their realization and their mind are still there after hundreds of years. For example, in eastern part of Tibet, the three great masters like Kyabje Dzigar Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche and Kyabje Drugu Choegyal Rinpoche and all of their reincarnations, as well as those of Guphu, Dhiphu and Jophu, and from as far as Jamme have been selflessly contributing to the betterment of all beings without exception. This is definitely an amazing and a wonderful lineage of the Great Dragons.
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