The Lineage of Lord Jigten Sumgon
By Professor Hun Lye
Courtesy of The Tibetan Meditation Center, Frederick MD
Drikung (also spelled “Drigung” and less commonly, “Drikhung”) Kagyu is a lineage of Tibetan Buddhism that emphasizes the primacy of practice leading to a direct realization of the nature of reality. Practice here is understood as an integrated and holistic approach that includes learning, reflection or contemplation and meditation. While recognizing the importance of having a core group of scholar-teachers who are well schooled in the exposition and transmission of Dharma, the majority of others are encouraged to simply take the essential teachings to heart and practice them with devotion. In traditional terms, practice is said to consist of the three aspects of View, Meditation and Conduct. The unique View of Drikung Kagyu is found in the special teachings of Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön known as Gongchig or the Single Intent. As for Meditation, along with other Kagyu lineages, Drikung Kagyu considers Mahamudra (as taught by Gampopa and his sucessors) as the “path of liberation” and the “Six Dharmas of Naropa” as the “path of method” and generally advocates a holistic practice that integrates both of these paths. Drikung Kagyu specializes in the system of Mahamudra known as the “Five-fold Path” (ngaden) or the “Path in Five Parts.” The five parts refer to bodhicitta, deity-yoga, guru-yoga, actual Mahamudra and dedication. Finally “the oneness of Mahamudra and moral-ethics” succinctly expresses Drikung Kagyu teachings on Conduct.
HISTORY
As a distinct lineage, Drikung Kagyu can be said to have originated in the year 1179 when Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön established Drikung Thil Ogmin Jangchub Ling in Drikung Valley, some 120 kilometers northeast of Lhasa. Within his own lifetime, tens of thousands of disciples gathered around Jigten Sumgön in Drikung. The lineage continued to grow and expand rapidly in the years following Jigten Sumgön’s passing. At one point, there was even a saying among Tibetans that if one were to make a pilgrimage to Central Tibet, it was best to save Drikung Thil for last since seeing Drikung Thil first would render all other monasteries and sites insignificant. Referring to those periods of flourish, Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye, wrote that “all the mountains are filled with Drigung hermits and all the valleys are filled with Drigung patrons.” At the same time, like many other monasteries in Tibet, Drigung also suffered periods of decline and destruction – the most devastating probably being the complete destruction in 1290 and the total devastation post-1959. But regardless of the ups and downs, the pure transmission of the lineage was kept intact so that to this day, led by the two throne-holders, Drikung Kagyu teachers are practicing and transmitting the precious teachings of the lineage throughout the world.
For an excellent and authoritative account of the history of Drikung Kagyu, please visit the offical website of Drikung Kagyu. CLICK HERE.
Current Throne-Holders
Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön was succeded by 21 Throne-holders and all but three were members of the Kyura family, Jigten Sumgön’s paternal lineage. While many of these Throne-holders were emanations of bodhisattvas and mahasiddhas, the tulku-system of succession did not begin in Drikung Kagyu until the 17th century. The passing of the 24th Throne-holder, Vidyadhara Rigzin Chodrak (1626-1659) also marked the end of the Kyura lineage. From that point on, the Chetsang and Chungtsang tulkus assumed the position of Throne-holder of Drikung. These two lineages of tulkus were prophesied by Jigten Sumgön as the bodhisattva reincarnations, benefiting beings like the sun and moon. Kyabgön Chetsang is the sun-like bodhisattva, the supreme emanation of the Buddha of Compassion while Kyabgön Chungtsang is the moon-like bodhisattva, the supreme emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom. The current Kyabgön Chungtsang – the 36th Throne-holder is the 8th incarnation while Kyabgön Chetsang – the 37th Throne-holder is the 7th incarnation.
