Introducing Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Rinpoche

Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Dharma Association and Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Rinpoche

Kathog Rigzin Chenpo Rinpoche’s name in full is Kathog Rigzin Chenpo – Padma Wangchen.

Rigzin Chenpo – the great vidyadhara. This title is bestowed upon greatly accomplished ones who have attained the four distinct levels of awareness of a vidyadhara. In addition, the holder of this title is necessarily a leader of a Buddhist tradition and a master of the dharma. At a very young age, Rinpoche was recognised by thirteen highly reputable rinpoches as an incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava’s heart son – Namkhai Nyingpo (Akasagarba), and also, an incarnation of the great national preceptor – Kathog Rigzin Chenpo – Tsewang Norbu.

Rinpoche already had the incredible awareness of incarnated tulkus, when he was very young. He needed no effort to study the dharma, and the five sciences. As a terton of mind termas, he has uncovered countless termas and vajra songs whilst in meditative samadhi. He has done this even before he knew Tibetan alphabets.

Rinpoche studied both the non-esoteric and esoteric teachings of Buddhism under the guidance of accomplished masters from various Tibetan traditions. His realisation of the profound principles of each tradition was further confirmed by esteemed masters across lineages. As a teacher of the Rime (non-sectarian) tradition, he is also well-versed in sutra and tantra. Thus the title of Rigzin Chenpo is truly befitting.

I A Pure Lineage

Rinpoche’s lineage is pure. He is not only the lineage holder of the teachings which he practises, he is also recognised as an accomplished one, and as the holder of the teachings of the main traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. In accordance, he is not only the lineage holder of the Rigzin Lineage, he is also the master of the terma teachings of his own lineage : Guru Padmasambhava’s 13 Emanations, All-Accomplishing (Standing) Tara, Red Tara, Ear-Whispered Vajra Bridge of Dzogchen, Five Siddhis of Vajrasattva, and more. In addition, he is the master and propagator of these teachings: Three-Face Six-Arm Red Hayagriva, – a terma teaching uncovered by Khamstang Rinpoche; Radiating Blue Dakini (Vajrayogini) – a terma teaching uncovered by Namtrul Rinpoche, Pagme Nyingthig’s Deathless White Tara, Kurukulle, and many more.

II Focused on Practice

Rinpoche is an instructor of Dzogchen, who focuses greatly on practice. Obeying the advice of Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Chatral Rinpoche, he built Theg Chog Ling – a retreat centre, in 2000. His intent is to encourage people to retreat to practise and take the path to enlightenment, so as to be liberated from living and dying. Following this, he established two more retreat centres, one in the US, and another in Malaysia.

These are some of Rinpoche’s main activities at Theg Chog Ling (2000 – 2022):

1. He provided a retreat place free of charge to his disciples. In fact, two disciples have been in retreat since 2000. The minimum period for a long retreat is 3 years 6 months. A mid-length retreat is 108 days to a year, and a short retreat is no more than 3 months.
2. He invited many great masters and accomplished ones to teach the dharma at the centre which connected many people to the teachings thus propagating the teachings of the different traditions extensively.
3. Based on the learning faculties of his disciples, he planted the seeds of liberation by teaching the truth of dharma, and sharing what he had learned, practised, and realised, unreservedly.

III Keeps Pure Buddhist Precepts

Rinpoche upholds his samaya vows strictly.

1. He adheres strictly to the samaya vows of the Tantrayana, never bending to the needs of the masses;
2. He follows the teachings and advice of his gurus; delighting them always;
3. He respects: gurus, seniors and friends on the path; respects all;
4. If he is not teaching or giving empowerment, he spends his time in retreat, practice, and writing. He also allocates time to meet the people who need his help, and they include his disciples who need to clarify doubts in their practices.

IV Promotes and Upholds Teachings

To promote the Buddha Sakyamuni’s doctrine and realisations, and for more people to understand the truth of the Buddhadharma, Rinpoche has been translating Buddhist texts. He has put in tremendous efforts to ensure that the liturgies of tantric practices remain in this world. He has also edited and published no less than 100 texts on Buddhist teachings, biographies of accomplished ones, and commentaries on dharma teachings. Indeed, these will be the precious Buddhist materials for reference and reliance, for the generations to come.

V Protecting the Lineage

Rinpoche has contributed greatly to ensure that the teachings of the Rigzin Lineage do not vanish from this world. To recover and revitalise the teachings of the lineage, he travelled to the different corners of the world, to collect and then organise the secret teachings of the Tantrayana, that were about to be lost in this world. He had visited the great masters of different lineages, or their descendants. He also visited collectors of Buddhist texts and artefacts, and major libraries.

VI Supporting and Safeguarding the Truth

Rinpoche has always regarded upholding the Buddha’s noble work as his personal responsibility. In addition to flourishing and widely spreading his own lineage, he also assisted other traditions in collecting and organising their teachings. This way, he helped them preserve their lineage of teachings. In addition, he has been supporting the construction of various monasteries and the restoration and rebuilding of many relic stupas of past accomplished masters, as well as Buddhist shrines.

VII Never Seeking Fame

Rinpoche distances himself from the eight worldly distractions. He cares little about fame. He doesn’t promote himself, nor does he seek public recognition though many great masters have offered to acknowledge his accomplishments. He said, “It is not enough for me to simply rely on the recommendations of accomplished ones. I need to make my own progress in listening, reflecting and practising the Dharma.” Indeed, he has been working relentlessly to prove himself as a “practitioner.”

When it comes to wealth and possessions, he upholds the principle of “just enough is sufficient,” letting things unfold naturally. His centres do not operate shops selling Buddhist items. Any offerings from disciples are entrusted to those around him and fully dedicated to the work of spreading the Dharma and benefiting sentient beings. He encourages others to make offerings through the Dharma itself.

VIII Upholding Compassion

Rinpoche regards all sentient beings with equal compassion. To him, all sentient beings are equal, and there is no distinction between wealth and social status. He shares the dharma with anyone, for so long as they are keen to learn. He also helps his own disciples whenever they encounter great difficulties in their lives. He has been invited to teach prison inmates about cause and effect, yearly. More specifically, he has given spiritual guidance and humanitarian care to those on death row.

IX Modest and Unassuming

Many accomplished ones recognise and acknowledge Rinpoche as an incarnation of great masters, as well as his spiritual realisation in this life. Despite this, he has never placed himself above anyone else, although he is a guru to many, and also has a guru-student relationship with some eminent masters of today. In fact, he has been living a simple life – as an ordinary lama.

His spiritual accomplishments and virtues are so immense that no words or numbers can adequately capture them. As a proponent of the Dharma, he faithfully carries forward the spirit of the lineage masters, striving with tireless dedication to spread both the theories and the experiential realisations.

The following is by no means an exhaustive list of public teachings and empowerments that Rinpoche has given in the recent 10 years. The writer and translator (Chinese-English) prostrate and offer repentance before the Three Roots in case of errors.

Teachings:

A Nyingma Tradition:

1. Ear-Whispered Vajra Bridge of Dzogchen
2. The Ground, Path and Fruition of Dzogchen
3. The Way of a Bodhisattva
4. Treatise on the Jewel Nature
5. Eight Verses for Training the Mind
6. A Precious Garland of the Four Dharmas (of Gampopa) by Longchenpa
7. The Treatise on Thirty Admonitions by Longchenpa
8. A Brief Explanation of Longchenpa’s Vajra Song of Definitive Metaphors
9. Patrul Rinpoche’s Vajra Song : Advice to Myself
10. A Brief Explanation of Patrul Rinpoche’s Treasury of Pith Instructions
11. A Brief Explanation of Patrul Rinpoche’s Poem: Yearning for Mountain Solitude
12. A Brief Explanation of Jigme Lingpa’s Verses of Cause & Effect
13. A Brief Explanation of Jigme Lingpa’s Words of Warning
14. Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment
15. Outline on Contemplations on Other-Emptiness of Madhyamaka
16. Longchen Nyingthig’s Preliminaries to the Great Perfection: Sublime Path of Universal Wisdom
17. 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas
18. Guru Padmasambhava’s 13 Emanations (Treasury of Siddhis)
19. Guru Yoga: Treasury of Space
20. Heart Advice from Guru Rinpoche
21. Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra
22. Sera Khandro’s terma teaching : Prayer at Auspicious Mountain for the Secret Path to Appear
23. A Brief Explanation of the Vajra Song by Tsewang Norbu : The Path’s Essence
24. A Brief Explanation of the Vajra Song: The Lotus Garland
25. Interpretation of the Seven Line Prayer to Padmasambhava
26. A Brief Explanation of the Four Medical Tantras
27. Liberation from Life and Death – the Six Bardos
28. Fourteen Downfalls in Vajrayana
29. Foundation of all Noble Paths – Take Refuge
30. The Ultimate Reality of the Four Thoughts that Turn the Mind
31. The Differences Between Tibetan and Han Buddhism.
32. The Significance and Role of Guru Rinpoche in Buddhism
33. The Four Contemplations (Observations)
34. The Three Never-Forgets
35. The Three Supreme Qualities of Samantabhadra
36. A Brief Explanation of the Three Dharma Seals
37. The Right View in the Three Vehicles
38. A Brief Explanation of the View in Meditation Practice
39. A Brief Explanation of Dependent Origination and Emptiness
40. Bodhisattva Precepts
41. Nine Contemplations for the Benefit of Sentient Beings
42. Words of My Perfect Teacher
43. Explanation of the Stages of the Generation of the Three Roots and the Great Perfection
44. Eight Precepts

B Kagyu Tradition

45. Ganges Mahamudra Instructions by Tilopa

C Jonang Tradition

46. Other-Emptiness View
47. Kalachakra Six-Branch Preliminary Practices
48. Treatise of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment

D Sakya Tradition

49. Commentary on the Two Stages of Generation and Completion of Naropa’s Dakini Practice

E Gelug Tradition

50. Three Principal Aspects of the Path
51. A Brief Treatise on the Stages of Bodhicitta Path
52. Ganden’s Mahamudra

Furthermore, these spontaneous instructions were offered, when requested by students:

• The meaning, methods and merits of empowerment
• Three Key Elements of Meditation
• Commentary on the Vajrayana
• The Four Noble Truths
• The Eightfold Path
• The Six P ramitas of Practice
• The Seven Methods of Mind Training
• The Six Doors of Negative Action
• Methods for Confessing and Repenting
• Teachings on the View, Practice, Cultivation, from Start to End
• The Four Opponent Powers (Antidotes)
• Right Views in a Retreat
• Code of Conduct for Vajrayana Disciples
• Daily Morning and Evening Practices
• A Brief Discussion on Cause and Effect
• How to Practise and Study with Diligence
• How to Abide by a Spiritual Friend
• Teaching on Abandoning Evil Friends
• Turning into the Path of Dharma
• Entering the Path of Liberation
• Offering Mandala to Accumulate Merits
• Overcoming Greed, Anger and Ignorance
• Three Doors and the Buddhadharma
• Cultivating Loving-Kindness
• Cultivating Relative and Absolute Bodhicitta
• Karma and Cause and Effect
• The Importance of the Stages of Contemplation
• Contemplations to Connect with the Guru
• Overcoming Sufferings
• Overcoming Habitual Tendencies
• About Felt Experiences
• Contemplating Impermanence
• Question and Answer on Empowerment
• ……
  

Empowerments

Nyingma Tradition:

1. Rinchen Terdzo (complete set)
2. Four Mind Essences (full empowerment and oral transmission)

Rigzin Lineage:

1. Guru Padmasambhava’s 13 Emanations
2. Guru Padmasambhava Inner Accomplishments
3. All-Accomplishing (Standing) Tara
4. Red Tara
5. Sangwa Yisie (Secret Wisdom Dakini)
6. Kurukulle
7. Logyonma
8. Samamtabhadra
9. Tantra that is the Buddha’s Only Child
10. Five Siddhis of Vajrasattva
11. Heruka of the Ultimate Meaning
12. Vajrakilaya
13. Combined Practice of Heruka of the Ultimate Meaning and Vajrakilaya
14. Vajrapani
15. Dorje Drolo (Wrathful Guru Rinpoche)
16. Akshobya
17. Marici (Luminous Buddha Mother)
18. Tsogdag Mahakala
19. Black Hayagriva
20. Garuda (Great Golden-Winged Bird)
21. Heavenly King of Wealth Riding a Blue Horse and Holding a Red Spear
22. Yellow Dzambala
23. Dzambala
24. Mandala of the Collected Body of the Eight Great Sugatas
25. Vajra Guru Practice (Pith Instructions for the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel of Ultimate Wisdom)
26. Dorje Legpa
27. Tsiu-Maru
28. Lama Gongdu (United Intent of Gurus)
29. Acceptance by the Embodiment of Three Jewels (Includes the empowerment, oral transmission and explanations of the Three Roots, and Vajrapani)

Khamtsang Rinpoche’s Lineage

30. The Three Roots (Guru Rinpoche’s Accomplishing the Mind; Red Hayagriva; Wrathful Black Vajrayogini and Chod)
31. Yeshe Tsogyal Teachings (of the New Translation School)
    

Namkhai Nyingpo Lineage

32. Guru Yoga

Yutog Yontan Gonpo Lineage

33. Medicine Buddha
34. Heart Essence of Yutog

Mipham Rinpoche Lineage

35. Manjushri Lion’s Roar

Namtrul Rinpoche Lineage

36. Radiating Blue Dakini

Vimalamitra Lineage

37. White Tara
38. Sitatapatra (White Umbrella Goddess)

Bodong Lineage

39. Red Saraswati

Jatson Nyingpo Lineage

40. Singamukha (Lion-Face Dakini)

Nying.Nima Woser Lineage

41. Krodha Kali/Troma Ngamo (Wrathful Black Vajrayogni)

Kathog’s Lineage Master Kadampa Desek’s Lineage

42. Amitabha
43. Phowa- Transference of Consciousness

Longsal Nyingpo Lineage

44. Wrathful Guru Rinpoche Radiating Wisdom
45. Trikaya of Peaceful and Wrathful Deities

Dorje Drak Lineage

46. Self-Arising and Self-Appearing 8 Herukas
47. Combined Practice of the Ultimate Truth Heruka and Vajrakilaya

Longchen Lineage

48. Longchen’s Complete Works – Empowerment and Oral Transmission

Kagyu Tradition (Shangpa Kagyu)

49. 13 Types of Mahakala
50. Red and White Dakinis
51. Integrating the Mandalas of the Five Tantra Classes

Jonang Tradition

52. Nine-Deities Kalachakra Inner Practice
53. Uncommon Kalachakra Practice
54. Vajra Vega
55. Garuda
56. Green Dzambala
57. Six-Arm Mahakala (Six-Arm Protector of Wisdom)
58. Akshobhya

Gelug Tradition

59. Empowerment of the Three Lords as One (Lords: Avalokiteshvara, Manjusri and Vajrapani)
60. Solidarity Courageous Vajrabhairava
61. Protector of the Four Dhatus
62. White Protector of Compassion
63. Palden Lhamo

Sakya Tradition

64. Phagma Nyingthig’s Deathless White Tara
65. All of the 13 Golden Dharmas of Sakya
66. Transmitted Separately: Three Dakinis, and Three Great Red Ones (5, 6 occasions)
67. Teachings on the Generation and Completion Siddhis of Naropa’s Dakini Practice