Pema Karpo
Encyclopedia
Kunkhyen Pema Karpo (1527-1592 CE) was the fourth Gyalwang Drukpa
, head of the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
. He was the most famous and learned of all the Gyalwang Drukpas. During his lifetime, he was known as the grand lama amongst all grand lamas, and was a teacher to many lamas and disciples all over Tibet.
Pema Karpo authored twenty-four volumes writing on philosophy, logic, literature, history, and astrology which have since formed a widely studied corpus of work. He is also quite famous for his writings on Mahamudra
. He founded Druk Sangag Choeling monastery at Jar in southern Tibet
, establishing it as the new seat of the Drukpa lineage.
This omniscient master was the first Gyalwang Drukpa to concoct the famous enlightenment pill known as Ja-Tsukma, utilizing esoteric ingredients offered by the dakinis. Before he died, Pema Karpo promised that he would have two incarnations to propagate the spiritual teachings. In accordance with this prophecy, two incarnations were discovered.
(Pema Karpo translates as 'White Lotus') in Shey
, Ladakh
, is named after him. (link to the school's website.)
Gyalwang Drukpa
The Gyalwang Drukpa or Drukchen are a line of re-incarnate lamas or tulku who are the head of the Drukpa school, one of the independent Sarma schools of Tibetan Buddhism...
, head of the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
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...
. He was the most famous and learned of all the Gyalwang Drukpas. During his lifetime, he was known as the grand lama amongst all grand lamas, and was a teacher to many lamas and disciples all over Tibet.
Pema Karpo authored twenty-four volumes writing on philosophy, logic, literature, history, and astrology which have since formed a widely studied corpus of work. He is also quite famous for his writings on Mahamudra
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...
. He founded Druk Sangag Choeling monastery at Jar in southern Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
, establishing it as the new seat of the Drukpa lineage.
This omniscient master was the first Gyalwang Drukpa to concoct the famous enlightenment pill known as Ja-Tsukma, utilizing esoteric ingredients offered by the dakinis. Before he died, Pema Karpo promised that he would have two incarnations to propagate the spiritual teachings. In accordance with this prophecy, two incarnations were discovered.
Trivia
The multi-award winning The Druk White Lotus SchoolThe Druk White Lotus School
The Druk White Lotus School is located in Shey, Ladakh, in northern India.The school was started at the request of the people of Ladakh who wanted a school that would help maintain their rich cultural traditions, based on Tibetan Buddhism, while equipping their children for a life in the 21st...
(Pema Karpo translates as 'White Lotus') in Shey
Shey
Shey is a town in Ladakh that has the old summer Palace of the kings of Ladakh. It is located 15 km. from Leh towards Hemis. The palace was built more than 555 years ago by Lhachen Palgyigon, the king of Ladakh...
, Ladakh
Ladakh
Ladakh is a region of Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of the Republic of India. It lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south, inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent...
, is named after him. (link to the school's website.)
Monasteries
Important monasteries of the Drukpa order include:- Ralung MonasteryRalung MonasteryRalung Monastery , located in the Tsang region of western Tibet, south of the Karo La , is the traditional seat of the Drukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism...
in central Tibet just north of Bhutan - Druk Sangag Choeling Monastery
- Hemis MonasteryHemis MonasteryHemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage, located in Hemis, Ladakh . Situated 45 km from Leh, the monastery was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal...
- Thimphu Dzong, which houses the Central Monk Body of Bhutan in summer
- Punakha DzongPunakha DzongThe Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures...
, the winter home of the Central Monk Body - Namdruk Monastery
External links
- Drukpa facts and a biography of H.H. the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa
- The award-winning Druk White Lotus School in Ladakh
- Drukpa Publications
- Namdruk Institute
- Nangchen
- H.E. the Ninth Khamtrul Rinpoche Shedrup Nyima b. 1980 (the site is presently under construction)
- H.E. the Ninth Khamtrul Rinpoche Jigme Pema Nyinjadh b.1981
- The European Centres of Gyalwang Drukpa
- Drukpa Trust