- Rangjung Dorje
Rangjung Dorje (Wylie: "rang 'byung rdo rje") (b. 1284 - d. 1339) was the third
Karmapa , an important figure in the history ofTibetan Buddhism . He reportedly produced a spontaneous black crown (which would later be a symbol of the line) at the age of three and declared himself to be themindstream reimbodiment ofKarma Pakshi . Born to aNyingma family, he received the full transmission of theNyingma tradition in addition to theKarma Kagyu .Exegesis
Suchan (1998: unpaginated) links Rangjung Dorje to
Rigdzin Kumaradza ,Vimalamitra andPadmasambhava :The third Karmapa Lama, Rangjung Dorje, was a disciple of Nyingma Kumaradza. The latter taught Rangjung Dorje the nying-thig, "heart-essence," teachings transmitted by Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra. Therefore, Rangjung Dorje belongs to the nying-thig lineage of the Nyingma school. As a group, the Karmapa Lamas were among the earliest recognized Tulku, or lamas reincarnated as deities or lineage of deceased teachers. They were particularly influential at the Yuan and Ming courts of China. [Suchan, Tom (1998). "The Third Karmapa Lama, Rangjung Dorje (1284-1338)". Source: [http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/teach/pgs/T1006M.html] (accessed: January 29, 2008)]
Suchan (1998) traces the influence of the first several Karmapas upon the
Yuan andMing courts as well as theTangut Western Xia Kingdom, and mentionsDesum Khyenpa :The first several Karmapas are distinguished by their important status at the Yuan and Ming courts of China where they served as the spiritual guides to princes and emperors. Their influence also extended to the court of the Tangut Xia Kingdom where a disciple of Dusum Khyenpa was given the title "Supreme Teacher" by a Tangut Xixia King..." [Rhie, Marylin & Thurman, Robert (1991). "Wisdom and Compassion". New York: Harry N. Abrams. p.236.] [Suchan, Tom (1998). The Third Karmapa Lama, Rang Jung Dorje (T: Rang 'Byung rDo rJe). Source: [http://kaladarshan.arts.ohio-state.edu/exhib/sama/Essays/T92.048Karmapa.html] (accessed: January 29, 2008) ]
Writings and doctrinal development
Rangjung Dorje was a noted scholar who composed many significant texts, the most famous of which is the "Profound Inner Meaning" (Tibetan: "zab mo nang don" [Dharma Dictionary (2008). "zab mo nang don." Source: [http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/zab_mo_nang_don] (accessed: January 29, 2008)] ), which concern the
Vajrayana inner yoga practices. Other important texts of his include the "Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra", "Distinguishing Consciousness from Wisdom", "Instructions on Sahajayoga Mahamudra", and "A Treatise on Buddha Nature". His mastery of both the KagyuMahamudra and NyingmaDzogchen was widely renowned, and he was aKalachakra master as well.In 1321 the famous scholar
Dolpopa (1292-1361) visitedTsurphu Monastery for the first time and had extensive discussions with Rangjung Dorje about doctrinal issues. It appears that Rangjung Dorje almost certainly influenced the development of some of Dolpopa's theories, possibly including hisZhentong ("gzhan stong") method. [Stearns, Cyrus (1999). "The Buddha from Dolpo: A Study of the Life and Thought of the Tibetan Master Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen", pp. 17, 47-48, 51-52, 61. State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-4191-1 (hc); ISBN 0-7914-4192-X (pbk).]According to Karma phrin las, "Dri lan yid", 91-92, his teacher,
Chödrak Gyatso , the Seventh Karmapa, interpreted the nature of Zhentong ("gzhan stong") accepted by Rangjung Dorje. [Stearns, Cyrus (1999). "The Buddha from Dolpo: A Study of the Life and Thought of the Tibetan Master Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen", p. 207, n. 72. State University of New York Press. ISBN 0-7914-4191-1 (hc); ISBN 0-7914-4192-X (pbk).]Yungtön Dorjepel (1284-1365), (the previous incarnation of the FirstPanchen Lama ,Khedrup Je ), studied the 'Great Perfection' due to the great inspiration of Rangjung Dorje. [Dorje, Gyurme and Kapstein, Matthew. (1991) "The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: Its Fundamentals and History", p. 666. Wisdom Publications, Boston. ISBN 0-86171-087-8]He visited
China , where the emperorToghon Temur became his disciple. Upon his death, Rangjung Dorje's face is said to have appeared in the moon there.Footnotes
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