Pema Rigdzin, 1st Dzogchen Rinpoche

Pema Rigdzin (b.1623) was the 1st Dzogchen Rinpoche of Tibet and a disciple of the Fifth Dalai Lama. The mindstream (Sanskirt: "citta santana") of Pema Rigdzin has resolved to continue to return to the Three Worlds (Sanskrit: "triloka") to engage in enlightened activity for the benefit of sentient beings and has been installed as a "tulku" (Tibetan).

Nomenclature and etymology

'Pema' is a Tibetan contraction or dialectic variant of 'lotus' (Sanskrit: "padma") and Rigdzin (Tibetan; Sanskrit: "vidya-dhara") may be rendered into English as "awareness holder" or "container of rigpa".

Exegesis

In 1684, at the age of 61 years, he stumbled upon the hidden location of Rudam, a sacred valley at which Guru Padmasambhava visited and blessed with his presence. In coordination with his three main disciples, there in the valley he established the monastery of Dzogchen Rudam Orgyen Samten Chöling, known as the Dzogchen Monastery which today lies in Sichuan province in China. [ [http://www.dzogchen.org.in/rinpoche/past.html Dzogchen.org] ]

Iconography

In the icongraphic representation of Pema Rigdzin herewith, within his right or upaya-hand he holds the stem of a lotus (Sanskrit: padma (attribute) sprouting from his heartmind chakra (Tibetan: "khorlo") that functions as a dais for the Dharma, represented by a book or tomb, which in turn supports the flaming sword of "prajna" (Sankrit) often seen as an attribute of Manjushri. Iconographically, flames denote 'spiritual power' in the Himalayan Thangka tradition of the Twilight Language. In the sky above his head reside the Sun and Moon in balance, metonymic of the solar and lunar subtle channels of the subtle body. The triratna is represented by the stylized trefoil pattern upon the foundation of the throne that supports him. The colored objects in the foreground are 'wish-fulfilling jewels' (Sanskrit: "cintamani"). In his left or prajna-hand at the level of the Muladhara (or one of the other three foundation "khorlo") is the 'Urn of Wisdom' (Sanskrit: bumpa) which is one of the Ashtamangala. The Bumpa is also evident as his aureole. The clouds are representent of the sky or aether.

References