The History of Mindrolling: Part XIV
Tri Gyurme Pema Wangyal — the 6th Mindrolling Trichen
The 6th Trichen of Mindrolling, Gyurme Pema Wangyal was born to the 5th Trichen, Tri Gyurme Trinley Namgyal. He was also recognized as an emanation of the great tertön and founder of Mindrolling, Chögyal Terdag Lingpa.
In accordance with the tradition of Mindrolling which does not recognize reincarnations within its own lineage and instead emphasizes the direct bloodline, Gyurme Pema Wangyal was recognized as an emanation of Terdag Lingpa but the title was never used and precedence was given to the fact that he was the oldest child of the 5th Mindrolling Trichen and thereby known to be the holder of the title of Trichen (throne holder).
Displaying wondrous signs of great wisdom and freedom from all samsaric tendencies even as a young child, he joyously accomplished great learning of the precious Dharma without any effort. His gentle and pure conduct, humility and kindness towards everyone astounded all, including his teachers. He received extensive transmissions and teachings from the great Dor dzins* of Mindrolling and many great masters of the day.
In this way at a young age he became one of the greatest scholars of his time learning all forms of major and minor sciences and receiving and practicing all transmissions of the precious sutra and tantra teachings.
He studied and received all profound transmissions and teachings of the kama and terma and practiced them under the direct guidance of his noble father, the 5th Trichen of Mindrolling and his sister, the great Dzogchen Master, Jetsün Trinley Chödrön. In this way he became the holder of many precious lineages of the profound Ka-Ter teachings.
Knowing the immense importance of being the lineage holder of these rare and precious streams of transmissions, he undertook many retreats to practice the teachings and enriched his mindstream with the profound pith instructions. In particular, he accomplished the lhag pa'i lha rtsa ba gsum (The Essential Sadhana of the Supreme Practice of the Three Roots). Displaying wondrous signs of accomplishing the pith instructions, he completed numerous practices and undertook the responsibility of teaching and transmitting the profound dharma to a multitude of students. In this way, he brought immeasurable benefit to all sentient beings and followed the example set by his predecessors.
Having accomplished the samadhi of bskyed rdzogs (utpattikrama and sampannakrama), Tri Gyurme Pema Wangyal was renowned throughout the Land of Snows for his practice of Dharma in the purest of form. He chose to stay away from all aspects of worldly dharma and unnecessary refutations and debates regarding views etc. (at that time, there was a great prevalence of scholarly debate and display of knowledge rather then emphasis of practice). Famed for his noble disposition and unshakeable moral character, instead of seeking political connections or expansive worldly ambitions, Tri Pema Wangyal worked tirelessly to maintain the authentic teachings and led by example through his unshakeable devotion, infinite wisdom, compassion and quiet dignity. He instilled the importance of authentic practice in all the monks and nuns of Mindrolling and inspired many fortunate ones onto the path of practice, bringing their minds fully to ripening and liberation.
In this way he became known as the single source of the genuine Dharma and one of the foremost lineage holders of his time. Many of the great masters of the time became his devoted student as he was the single holder of many rare and precious Dzogchen teachings. Recognizing the immense importance of ensuring the continued flow of the lineage transmissions through him, he tirelessly taught many students, hardly ever turning away any requests. And knowing the importance of practicing those profound pith instructions, he also made every student go into practice retreat under very close guidance and direction.
His activity benefited countless beings, and most importantly, enabled the authentic Dharma to once again gain steady foundation and growth. With immense dedication and kindness to all beings, Mindrolling Trichen Gyurme Pema Wangyal, manifested his vast activity of teaching the Dharma and also created a vast archive of rare and precious teachings until his parinirvana, when he dissolved into the mind of the great Mahaguru Padmasambhava. Tri Pema Wangyal thus joined the ranks of all the great bodhisattvas within the lineage who single mindedly dedicated their lives to serving the Dharma and benefitting countless sentient beings. Without their great efforts and perseverance, the flow of the precious dharma, in particular the vast Nyingma teachings, would have ceased. Their peerless legacy is unmatched in its kindness, effort and benefit and every single act of united wisdom and compassion resonates in every single practice we do down to this day.
*Dor dzin (rdor 'dzin) - In the Mindrolling tradition, the title of dor dzin was bestowed to a very few select, extremely realized and learned masters who accomplished many retreats and practices and were especially adept at the profound new termas of Mindrolling. The title, which means Holder of the Vajra, was bestowed by the Trichen. The dor dzins were not reincarnate tulkus or recognized teachers rather they were selected from the group of lopöns who had completed all learnings, trainings and retreats. The lopöns were ordinary monks who rose to the position through their learning and accomplishments.
The dor dzins became senior lopöns and presided over drubchens, bestowed transmissions and served as retreat masters and advisors to the general administration of the monastery. Among them, the most accomplished often became the tutors of the sons and daughters of the lineage and also served as regents on many occasions in the history of Mindrolling. Many great masters including Minling Chung Rinpoche,the 8th Minling Khen Rinpoche and Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche studied under the dor-dzins of Mindrolling. His Holiness The 11th Mindrolling Trichen was also tutored by the great dor dzins as was the previous Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche (Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje) whose root guru was one of the great dor dzins of Mindrolling—Dor-dzin Namdrol Gyatso.