The Dzogchen Lineage

Dzogchen is the oldest and highest lineage within Tibetan Buddhism. It is an authentic, unbroken lineage that has been passed directly from master to disciple for over 400 years.

The Dzogchen Rinpoches

His Eminence the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche, Jigme Losel Wangpo, is the recognised Dzogchen lineage holder. He is the seventh incarnation of Pema Rigdzin, the 1st Dzogchen Rinpoche. His Eminence Dzogchen Rinpoche was recognised by His Holiness the 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Thupten Trinley Palzang, and enthroned on the 8th of October in Sikkim's Royal Palace at Gangtok. The Dzogchen Rinpoches, renowned for their exceptional spiritual wisdom and realisation, are recognised by the Dodrupchen Rinpoches. In turn the Dzogchen Rinpoches recognise the Dodrupchen Rinpoches.

The Dzogchen Rinpoches are the personification of the Dzogchen teachings, the Great Perfection, the most direct and immediate path that leads people to enlightenment in one lifetime. The precious teachings have been protected by the Dzogchen Rinpoches, the guardians of the Dzogchen lineage, since the 17th century, for the benefit of all sentient beings. Embodying incomparable awareness and clarity, His Eminence has dedicated his life to the development of Gyalwa Dzogchenpa, Dzogchen Monastery and the spread of the Dzogchen lineage around the world.

Dzogchen Khandro Nyingthig

The Khandro Nyingthig is the heart essence of the Dzogchen lineage and the main practice of Dzogchen Monastery. The 3rd Dzogchen Rinpoche, Ngedön Tendzin Zangpo, composed the Dzogchen Khandro Nyingthig, a commentary of both the preliminary and the most secret practices of Dzogchen. His Eminence Dzogchen Rinpoche, holder of the Khandro Nyingthig, teaches from this commentary, continuing the transmission of this unbroken lineage.

The Khandro Nyingthig has been passed through an uninterrupted lineage of realised tantric masters, learned scholars and visionary tertons. The lineage descends from the Primordial Buddha Samantabhadra, to Vajrasattva, Garab Dorje, Manjushrimitra and Padmasambhava. The 38th King of Tibet, King Trison Detson requested Padmasambhava to spread the Dzogchen teachings throughout Tibet. In doing so, Padmasambhava subjugated demons, removed obstacles and created auspicious circumstances for Buddhism to flourish in Tibet. Padmasambhava prophesised that as the harmful and destructive forces within the world increased, so too would the power and strength of Dzogchen.

Padmasambhava promised that the secret Dzogchen teachings would be revealed in an age dominated by war, natural disasters and disease. Yeshe Tsogyal, Padmasambhava's main disciple, hid the heart essence of the teachings, the Khandro Nyingthig, as terma. This terma, designed to directly lead practitioners to realisation in the modern world, was discovered by Pema Ledrelstal, a respected terton whose incarnation was Longchenpa. The transmission of the Khandro Nyingthig flows directly from Longchenpa to the 1st Dzogchen Rinpoche, Pema Rigdzin.

In the 18th century, Longchenpa's disciple, Jigme Lingpa, discovered a branch of the Nyingthig teachings, the Longchen Nyingthig, in a series of visions. The Drodrupchen Rinpoches are the Longchen Nyingthig lineage holders.

The Dzogchen Rinpoche's are renowned both as the historical holders and the physical embodiment of the Dzogchen Khandro Nyingthig lineage. Through the activities of Gyalwa Dzogchenpa and Dzogchen Monastery, His Eminence the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche, Jigme Losel Wangpo, maintains this unbroken lineage that is so beneficial for these turbulent times.

Today His Eminence the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche and His Holiness the 4th Dodrupchen Rinpoche remain closely connected and their combined enlightened activity encapsulates the very essence of the Dzogchen lineage.