Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin
Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin (Wyl. rdzogs chen padma rig 'dzin) (1625–1697) — the First Dzogchen Rinpoche, Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin, an emanation of Saraha, Vimalamitra and Padmasambhava, was the great siddha who founded the Dzogchen Monastery in Kham, East Tibet in 1684–5. It was after his master Bakha Tulku Rigdzin Chökyi Gyatso told him: “I have heard of Dzogpachenpo as a teaching, but I have never seen Dzogpachenpo as a person except in you”, that he became known as Dzogchen Pema Rigdzin, or Dzogchen Rinpoche. The monastery he founded was destined to be one of the most important and influential in the whole of Tibet for the spread of the Nyingma and Dzogchen teachings.
Biography
He was born in Kham Riwoche. He studied with Karma Chakmé, Rigdzin Düddul Dorje, Namchö Mingyur Dorje, Rigdzin Chökyi Gyatso, etc. He was ordained by the Fifth Dalai Lama, thereby creating a close link between the Dzogchen Rinpoches and the Dalai Lamas. At the age of 61 (??) he founded Orgyen Samten Chöling. He passed away aged 73.
Students
His foremost disciples were Shechen Rabjam Tenpé Gyaltsen, Namkha Ösal (the First Dzogchen Pönlop Rinpoche) and Tertön Nyima Drakpa.
Writings
- The Siddha Pema Rigdzin's Brief Torma Offering (dharmapala practice)
Further Reading
- Dudjom Rinpoche, The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, Its Fundamentals and History, trans. and ed. by Gyurme Dorje (Boston: Wisdom, 1991), vol.1 pages 736-737.
