Karma Chagme
Encyclopedia
The name Karma Chagme refers to a 17th century Tibetan Buddhist
(Vajrayāna
) lama
and to the tülku
(reincarnate lama) lineage which he initiated. Including the first, seven Karma Chagme tülkus have been recognized. The Neydo Kagyu sub-school of the Karma Kagyu
was established by the first Karma Chagme, Rāga Asya.
in the district of Ngoms in Kham
, Eastern Tibet.
His father, Pema Wangdrak was an established tantric siddha from the ruling lineage of Dong Khachö and his mother Chökyong Kyi was descended from the family line of Gyu-li. Said to have been the reincarnation of Chok-Ro Lü Gyaltsen and of the Prince Sad-na-legs, his father gave Terton Ratna Lingpa longevity empowerments during his birth. His birth was in exact accordance with Guru Padmasmbhava's prophecies.
He was trained by his father from the age of six in reading and writing, as well as, in “white” and “black” astrology , geomancy and magic ceremonies for the purpose of averting misfortunes.
He was also taught the entire cycle of Nyingma
teachings, which he had learned from his father, and continued his training with the most famous Nyingma and Kagyu
masters of his time.
He attained mastery of the sūtras and tantras at Zad-ma gyi monastery and received, at the age of twenty, ordination and the transmission of Mahāmudrā
from the 6th Shamarpa
Mipan Chökyi Wangchuk (1584-1630) at Tsurphu monastery
. He received Karmapa empowerment during his visit. Then he traveled with Karmapa for a year and a half achieving fame in Tibet. His public examination was before 12,000 monks at the Great Prayer Festival of Karma Kagyu.
A contender for the post of the ninth Karmapa
, he was not confirmed but retained the ordination name Karma Chagme. Karma Chagme is known for being a prolific writer and scholar, for his ardent devotion to the cult of Sukhāvatī
, and for being the teacher of Terton
Migyur Dorje
who revealed a unique cycle of terma
known as the Nam cho
Karma Chagme was credited as a Mahasiddha attaining an authentic emanation of Avalokitesvara Gyalwa Gyatso.
The biography of the first Karma Chagme is based on the following sources: gTer ston brgya rtsa’i rnam thar (513-16); mKhas grub Karma chags med rin po che’i gsung ’bum gyi dkar chag (introduction); Tsering Lama (1988: 35-44); and Chagmé (1998: 7-11).
village of Setidevi Bhanjyang, which is near Pharping, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Kathmandu valley.
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
(Vajrayāna
Vajrayana
Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...
) lama
Lama
Lama is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru .Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries...
and to the tülku
Tulku
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
(reincarnate lama) lineage which he initiated. Including the first, seven Karma Chagme tülkus have been recognized. The Neydo Kagyu sub-school of the Karma Kagyu
Karma Kagyu
Karma Kagyu , or Kamtsang Kagyu, is probably the largest and certainly the most widely practiced lineage within the Kagyu school, one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The lineage has long-standing monasteries in Tibet, China, Russia, Mongolia, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and current...
was established by the first Karma Chagme, Rāga Asya.
The First Karma Chagme, Rāga Asya
Karma Chagme (born Wangdrak Sung; ordained Karma chags-med; alias Rā-ga a-sya; 1613-1678), was born in Salmo Gang , a place near RiwocheRiwoche Monastery
Riwoche Monastery, Riwoche Tsuklakhang Tragyelma is situated 29 km north of the small town of Ratsaka , and 134 km west of Chamdo in Kham...
in the district of Ngoms in Kham
Kham
Kham , is a historical region covering a land area largely divided between present-day Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan province, with smaller portions located within Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan provinces of China. During the Republic of China's rule over mainland China , most of the region was...
, Eastern Tibet.
His father, Pema Wangdrak was an established tantric siddha from the ruling lineage of Dong Khachö and his mother Chökyong Kyi was descended from the family line of Gyu-li. Said to have been the reincarnation of Chok-Ro Lü Gyaltsen and of the Prince Sad-na-legs, his father gave Terton Ratna Lingpa longevity empowerments during his birth. His birth was in exact accordance with Guru Padmasmbhava's prophecies.
He was trained by his father from the age of six in reading and writing, as well as, in “white” and “black” astrology , geomancy and magic ceremonies for the purpose of averting misfortunes.
He was also taught the entire cycle of Nyingma
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
teachings, which he had learned from his father, and continued his training with the most famous Nyingma and Kagyu
Kagyu
The Kagyu, Kagyupa, or Kagyud school, also known as the "Oral Lineage" or Whispered Transmission school, is today regarded as one of six main schools of Himalayan or Tibetan Buddhism, the other five being the Nyingma, Sakya, Jonang, Bon and Gelug...
masters of his time.
He attained mastery of the sūtras and tantras at Zad-ma gyi monastery and received, at the age of twenty, ordination and the transmission of Mahāmudrā
Mahamudra
Mahāmudrā literally means "great seal" or "great symbol." It "is a multivalent term of great importance in later Indian Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism" which "also occurs occasionally in Hindu and East Asian Buddhist esotericism."The name refers to the way one who...
from the 6th Shamarpa
Shamarpa
Shamarpa of the Red Crown"), also known as Shamar Rinpoche or more formally Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche is a lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and the mind manifestation of Amitabha Buddha, He is traditionally associated with Yangpachen monastery near Lhasa.The first...
Mipan Chökyi Wangchuk (1584-1630) at Tsurphu monastery
Tsurphu Monastery
Tsurphu Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery which served as the traditional seat of the Karmapa. It is located in Gurum town of Doilungdêqên County in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, 70 km from Lhasa. The monastery is about 14,000 feet above sea level...
. He received Karmapa empowerment during his visit. Then he traveled with Karmapa for a year and a half achieving fame in Tibet. His public examination was before 12,000 monks at the Great Prayer Festival of Karma Kagyu.
A contender for the post of the ninth Karmapa
Karmapa
The Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu, the largest sub-school of the Kagyupa , itself one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism....
, he was not confirmed but retained the ordination name Karma Chagme. Karma Chagme is known for being a prolific writer and scholar, for his ardent devotion to the cult of Sukhāvatī
Sukhavati
Sukhāvatī refers to the western Pure Land of the Buddha Amitābha in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Sukhāvatī translates to "Land of Bliss."-In other languages:In traditional Mahayana Buddhist countries, there are a number of translations for Sukhāvatī....
, and for being the teacher of Terton
Tertön
A tertön is a discoverer of ancient texts or "terma". Many tertöns are considered incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava. A vast system of transmission lineages developed...
Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje is the Terton who recognized Kunzang Sherab as the Lineage Holder of Nam Cho terma in the Palyul Lineage. Born in the Ngom To Rola region of Tibet...
who revealed a unique cycle of terma
Terma (Buddhism)
Terma are key Tibetan Buddhist and Bön teachings, which the tradition holds were originally esoterically hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his consorts in the 8th century for future discovery at auspicious times by other adepts, known as tertöns. As such, they represent a...
known as the Nam cho
Nam Cho
Nam Cho translates as the "sky/space dharma", a terma cycle especially popular among the Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma Palyul Lineage as revealed by Terton Namcho Migyur Dorje and transmitted to Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab and compiled by Kagyu master Karma Chagme Raga Asya.The Nam Cho comprises an entire...
Karma Chagme was credited as a Mahasiddha attaining an authentic emanation of Avalokitesvara Gyalwa Gyatso.
The biography of the first Karma Chagme is based on the following sources: gTer ston brgya rtsa’i rnam thar (513-16); mKhas grub Karma chags med rin po che’i gsung ’bum gyi dkar chag (introduction); Tsering Lama (1988: 35-44); and Chagmé (1998: 7-11).
The Current (7th) Karma Chagme
The current Neydo throne holder of Tashi Chöling monastery is Karma Tendzin Trinley Kunchab Pal Zangbo . His seat is Neydo Tashi Chöling monastery, located in the NepaliNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
village of Setidevi Bhanjyang, which is near Pharping, a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Kathmandu valley.
Karma Chagme Tülku Lineage
- Karma Chagme Raga Asya
- Choktrül Trinley Wangchuk
- Trinley Tendzin
- Khyapdak Tendzin Trinley
- Sang Ngak Tendzin
- Karma Tsultrim Namgyal
- Karma Tendzin Trinley Kunkhyab Pal Zangbo