Ani Nangsal

Ani Nangsal was a daughter of King Kanam Depa, the grandfather of Dudjom Rinpoche, and the sister of Khengen Tulku, Dudjom Rinpoche's father. According to Dudjom Rinpoche, Ani Nangsal was connected to Dudjom Lingpa in the following way:

Dudjom Lingpa, my former incarnation, always had thoughts of going to Pemakö in southern Tibet. A daughter of King Kanam Depa entered the dharma, becoming a nun and taking the name Ani Nangsal. She distinguished herself in the dharma and was renowned for her administrative activities. Dudjom Lingpa wrote a letter to her, saying that he was planning to come to Pemakö. Upon receipt of this letter, Ani Nangsal was elated. She replied, “If you come here, I will provide lodging, food and clothes without fail for about one thousand of your students.” Along with the letter, enfolded in a white scarf, she sent her own golden ring.

Years later, Gyurme Ngedön Wangpo, Dudjom Lingpa’s disciple, informed me he was there when the leter arrived. “He was very happy to receive the letter and the present. Immediately he tried the ring on his index finger, but it didn’t fit. He slipped it onto his ring finger, and it seemed as if it were made for him. He was quite pleased. Looking at it often, he would show it to others, saying, “This ring is a gift from Ani Nangsal, daughter of Kanam Depa. Isn’t it beautiful?”.

It was said that if the situation and circumstances had been perfect, she would have become his wife and that this would have resulted in a great deal of benefit for the dharma and for beings, including the opening of the hidden land of Pemakö, but that due to unfavorable circumstances, it never came to be.

Internal Links

• Dudjom Rinpoche Family Lineage