Dudjom Lingpa

Guru Padmasambhava had 25 main disciples in Tibet. In the Tibetan  language, they are known as the Gyebang Nyernga. Dudjom Lingpa  (1835-1904 C.E.) was the body emanation of Kheuchung Lotsawa, one of these 25 disciples. His incarnation had been prophesied for centuries by many sublime beings, including Padmasambhava. During his lifetime,  Dudjom Lingpa revealed the lineage known as the Dudjom Tersar, which  consists of a number of texts and 22 volumes of teachings. He stated that these teachings were especially profound and appropriate for these  degenerate times. Following this fresh and undiluted path, 13 of Dudjom Lingpa’s disciples attained rainbow body in their own lifetimes, and a thousand others attained the level of rigdzin, or “awareness holder.”

His Holiness Dudjom  Rinpoche

Dudjom Lingpa’s immediate reincarnation was His Holiness Dudjom  Rinpoche, according to the incarnate lineage of the Dudjom tradition.
In the past, Dudjom Rinpoche was Rigdzin Nuden Dorje; in the future, it is said, he will be born as the sugata, Mopa Thaye; while in his  lifetime he manifested as the representative of Padmasambhava, Drogben. His Holiness’s previous incarnations have included some of the greatest  gurus, yogis and scholars, among them Shariputra, Saraha, and Khyeu Chung Lotsawa.
It was said in the prediction of Urgyen Dechen Lingpa, “In the future  in Tibet, on the east of the Nine Peaked Mountain, in the sacred  Buddhafield of the self-originated Vajravarahi, there will be an  emanation of Drogben, of royal lineage, named Jnana. His beneficial  activities are in accord with the Vajrayana, although he conducts himself differently, unexpectedly, as a little boy with astonishing  intelligence. He will either discover new terma or preserve old terma. Whoever has connections with him will be taken to Ngayab Ling (Zangdok  Palri) [The Copper-colored Mountain].”
And, indeed, Dudjom Rinpoche (Jigdral Yeshe Dorje) was of royal  lineage, descended from Nyatri Tsenpo, the first king of Tibet, and from Puwoo Kanam Dhepa, the king of Powo. His father, Kathok Tulku Norbu  Tenzing, was a famous tulku of the Pemakod region, from Kathok  monastery; his mother was descended from Ratna Lingpa, and was called  Namgyal Drolma. His Holiness was born in the Water Dragon year, 1904,  early in the morning of the tenth day of the sixth month, with many  amazing signs. His previous incarnation, Düdjom Lingpa, had told his  disciples: “Now in this degenerate age, go to the secret land of  Pemakod. Whoever relies on me, go in that direction! Before you young  ones get there, I, the old one, will already be there.” This came to pass exactly as predicted. He was already three years old when they  recognized his reincarnation. Since His Holiness was a direct emanation of Dudjom Lingpa, he could remember his past lives clearly. Phuktrul Gyurme Ngedon Wangpo and Lama Thubten Chonjor, two of Dudjom Lingpa’s students, came to Pemakod and enthroned him. Gradually the  disciples of the previous Dudjom arrived. His Holiness was taught reading, writing, and the five common sciences. As he was taught, the power of his awareness blazed like fire. Whatever he learned he could comprehend through a mere indication. He studied many texts and commentaries. It is said by Lama Konrab that at the age of five, he started discovering terma, or treasure teachings. He studied for 16 years with Phuktrul Gyurme Ngedon Wangpo, who was a holder of the teachings of the previous Dudjom. He also received the  “rediscovered teachings” of the previous Dudjom from Jedrung Thinley Jampa Jungne of Riwoche. Ngedon Wangpo said to him, “The Terdzod  represents the activity of Khyentse and Kongtrul. I have given this teaching five times and you will give it ten times. The deep teachings of the previous ones have been offered as a mandala in the hands of the ‘Wealth Holders.’ Now, as I have obeyed my teacher’s orders, likewise use your experience for the sake of beings.” His Holiness said that, while very young, he always had various visions, and his karma to discover the deep treasures awoke. At age 13  he met Guru Rinpoche (Yab-Yum) in person, and after having received the  legacy of the self-appearing non-human teacher, the wisdom dakinis gave him the yellow papers and he wrote down these mind treasure teachings.
Then he started benefiting beings. As his teachers prophesied, he  gave the empowerments and transmissions of the Vajrayana throughout  Tibet. His Holiness wrote about 23 volumes of various gong-ter (mind  terma) and treatises, all of which have been published. He also  collected all the kama teachings of the Nyingma lineage, as Jamgon  Kongtrul had collected the terma teachings. In Pemakod, he established many new monasteries for both gelong (ordained monks) and ngagpa (yogis). He regrouped many texts. In Kongpo  region he reconstructed the Thadul Buchu Lhakhang, and close to it, he  built anew the monastery of Zangdokpalri; he erected anew the tantric  center of Lama Ling; at Tso Pema, he established a retreat center; in  Orissa, he established Dudul Rabten Ling; and in Kalimpong he founded  the Zangdok-Palri Monastery. In North America he established many Dharma  centers, named Yeshe Nyingpo, as well as many retreat centers; in  Europe he established Dorje Nyingpo, in Paris, and Urgyen Samye Chöling  Meditation and Study Center, in Dordogne, France. Many other Dharma  centers around the world were under his guidance. Whenever he gave teachings in Tibet and India, great teachers came to  receive them. Among all the high lamas there are none who did not receive teachings from him. They all had great confidence in his  realization. So numerous were his disciples that they cannot possibly be  counted. Nyingmapas from Tibet, Bhutan, India, Ladakh, and all around  the globe were his students. Lodro Thaye, who led a life encompassing the activities of one  hundred tertons (treasure revealers), has said that Mopa Thaye (Dudjom  Rinpoche’s future incarnation) will have the activity of one thousand  Buddhas. That this great being will perform the activity of all his  previous lives and have many disciples is all due to his own power of  bodhicitta and aspiration prayers.

 

The Dudjom Lineage

As previously mentioned, Dudjom Lingpa revealed the lineage known as  Dudjom Tersar, consisting of a number of texts and 22 volumes of  teachings. He stated that these teachings were especially profound and  appropriate for these degenerate times. Following this fresh and  undiluted path, 13 of his disciples attained rainbow body in their own  lifetimes, and a thousand others attained the level of rigdzin, or  “awareness holder.” His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche also revealed about 23 volumes of  various gong-ter (mind treasures) and treatises, all of which have been  published and are available today. So the Dudjom Tersar lineage, from Düdjom Lingpa and Dudjom Rinpoche  (Jigdral Yeshe Dorje), are fresh, vivid, and direct, with no loss of  meaning, words, or blessing. These teachings, from Guru Rinpoche to  Dudjom Rinpoche and then to us, are a direct, short lineage. Therefore  this lineage is uncontaminated and has not degenerated through broken  samaya. The blessing and attainments are immediate. Padmasambhava’s tradition is the Early Translation Great Perfection School (and) Dudjom Lingpa is the chariot of the essential true meaning. May his profound treasure doctrine, until the end of cyclic existence, be maintained without waning through study and practice. Sourced from: Vairotsana.org