Iron arrow of Golok
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Chagdar Rinpoche
Ngakpa Golok Chagdar Rinpoche
Golok Chagdar Rinpoche (mGo log lCags mDa rin po che – the Iron Arrow of Golok) was born in Chagmo, Golok in the late 1860s. For reasons unknown, he left for Sikkim in his mid to late 30s and lived there for the reminder of his life in Péyul Ma-yal Yang where he took residence there near Néchen Trak kar and Tashi Ding in a village called Gang-gyap and married a local woman (name not known as of present writing). She subsequently gave birth to a son. The son of Gong-gyap Rinpoche is reportedly still alive in Gong-gyap village (five hour’s walk west of Tashi Ding).
Gong-gyap Rinpoche (who is about 80 years old as of 2001) is described by a Western pilgrim as follows:Gong-gyap Rinpoche was a vibrant ngakpa who possessed very clear and luminous eyes and a healthy body for his age. He lived in a traditional Lepcha bamboo house with his family where they made chang from millet and other grains.
Chagdar Rinpoche was respected as a siddha of considerable repute, and had attained the siddhi of flight. The account given of him in Sikkim is that he would commonly fly from mountaintop to mountaintop to meditate – practising integration with the sky. His sang-yum worried about his constant flying and bound his legs whilst sleeping with thick heavy chain. This kept Ngakpa Chagdar Rinpoche from flying away from home until his wife died – after which he managed to break free of the chains. He lived out the rest of his life with several remaining links of iron chain attached to his ankles which clinked wherever he walked, to remind him of the kindness of his wife.
In the photograph Chagdar Rinpoche wears chains from his earrings – but whether these are the chains which his sang-yum secured to his legs to prevent him from flying is not known, but it is perhaps possible that they may be symbolic of those chains.
This photograph shows Chagdar Rinpoche wearing a yeshé mélong – the wisdom mirror at his chest. He wears a leopard skin skirt but this is hard to see under his assemblage of swords and daggers. He carries a bamboo shafted khatvangha ornamented with a single skull in his left hand and a knife in his right hand. He is girt about with vajra weapons – a sword and three daggers. It is traditional for the gö-kar chang-lo’i dé to posses weapons of many kinds in respect of their wrathful practices and their relationship with the Protectors.
Ngak’chang Rinpoche says in relation to weapons:The meaning of the weapons carried and owned by ngakpas and ngakmas relates to the annihilation of duality through the buddhakarma of destruction. The vows taken within the gö-kar chang-lo’i dé require every ngakphang yogi or yogini to bear weapons as symbolic reminders of slaying referentiality in all its forms. Every ngakphang yogi or yogini must at least own a picture of the assembled vajra weaponry – although, when I asked Chhi’mèd Rig’dzin Rinpoche about this, he responded that a picture was not sufficient and that I had to either acquire them or make them. When I lived with Lama Yeshé Dorje Rinpoche, I helped him make a set of vajra weapons from old oil cans – it was a lengthy task which made our fingers bleed – but I became intimately familiar with the weapons as a result. For me – the most important thing about owning a weapon as a ngakpa, is the sense of alertness required. The weapon reminds one of ones vows. Carelessness with a weapon can result in death so one needs to be careful and keep ones attention present at all times.
The little boy who can be seen at his right hand is the young Gong-gyap Rinpoche; and, although it is not clear in the photograph, Gong-gyap Rinpoche is wearing three feathers in his hair – in the style of Rig–dzin Godem.
Source: http://www.aroencyclopaedia.org/shared/text/g/gcr_ph_01_eng.php
*****
Dear friends,
I found “Iron Arrow of Golok” on the internet by accident. I thought it was very unique this Tibetan lama looks just like a native American Indian or South American Indian. The facial features, style of dress are so beautifully similar. It turns out he is wearing the outfit of a high forest meditative practitioner in the style of the old Mahasiddhas of India and Nepal. How rare and powerful to capture on photograph.
See here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/vajradhara-and-84-mahasiddhas.html
or
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/heavenly-feast-or-a-dog.html
Tsem Rinpoche
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Iron Arrow of Golok” Chakthag Rinpoche , a unique Tibetan lama who looks just like a native American Indian. Interesting short biography on this Tibetan Lama who could fly from mountaintop to mountaintop to meditate . He lived out the rest of his life with several remaining links of iron chain attached to his ankles. Reading more information on this Great Lama by Palchen D Chaktha who is one of the greatgrandsons of Drubchen Chakthag Rinpoche, tells us more. A wonderful sharing ….thank you Palchen D Chaktha.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Dear all
I am one of the greatgrandsons of Drubchen Chakthag Rinpoche. After reading the article by Tsem Rinpoche ,I would like to make the following clarifications:
1. Rinpoche’s title was Chakthag Rinpoche ,which means the Rinpoche who wears Iron Chains. Chak means iron and Thag means Chain in Tibetan or Sikkimese Bhutia languages)
2. Rinpoche himself wrapped iron chains around his body and no Sangyomla or his consort did not tie him with chains to prevent him from flying. The iron chains were made by interconnecting various kinds of rings made of different materials and not necessarily of iron alone. It is said Rinpoche made the chain using the rings and bangles offered by his devotees while in Tibet.
3.Rimpoche had eight children in total ,give sons and three daughter. As of now none of them are alive. His youngest daughter passed away in 2019 at Ralang village in South Sikkim.
4. Rinpoche’s eldest son was also a great yogi and was known popularly as Gangyap Yap Tshampo Rinpoche. He spent his entire life in solitude and passed away at the age of 96 years in 2006.
5. As prophesied by Chakthag Rinpoche himself, he will not have any more reincarnation.
6. The reincarnation of Gangyap Yap Tshampo Rinpoche ie Chakthg Rinpoche’s eldest son has been already recognised by HE the 12th Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche . The young tulku is presently undergoing studies at Palchen Chosling Monastery at Ralang under the guidance of HE Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche.
7. HH the 17th Karmapa has recognised one great grandson of Chakthag Rinpoche as ‘ Chakthag Rinpoche’s Dhungzin’ or lineage holder . Presently the Dhungzin’ is too young to go to monastery and is with his parents at Gangtok Sikkim.
8. The family members of Chakthag Rinpoche and his devotees are constructing a monastery at Gangyap to preserve the teachings and spiritual heritage of Rinpoche.
9. For more information kindly visit Facebook and see “Chaktha Rinpoche’s Foundation Sikkim’
Thanks
Palchen d Chaktha
👍
Such a rare photo of a Tibetan lama also known as Iron arrow of Golok . He looks more native American Indian well respected as a siddha living in Sikkim. Wow……incredible he could fly from mountaintop to mountaintop to meditate. Due to his constant flying a thick heavy chain was bound to his legs to prevent him from flying.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Wow …interesting ,unique a Tibetan lama also known as Iron arrow of Golok looks more native American Indian than a Lama.Chagthag Rinpoche was well respected living in Sikkim.Through his miraculous powers gained from meditation,he could even fly.He used to wear heavy iron chains on his body and neck to pull him down from flying. He would fly from mountaintop to mountaintop to meditate Thats amazing.
We are fortunate able to view this Very rare and powerful picture of Chagdar Rinpoche with the traditonal outfit of a wisdom mirror at his chest and wears a leopard skin skirt,carring weapons.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these interesting post with a short explanation of the outfit for us to understand better.
When I first saw the picture I thought this would be an article about a native Red Indian tribe of some sort. I was so surprised to not only find that this is Tibetan but that it was a photo of a Rinpoche. I have to say I have never came across such an account of a Tibetan Rinpoche.
I have heard various stories about highly attained practitioners that has the siddhi of flight. The account of Golok Chagdar Rinpoche flying seems so “normal” the way it is written. It is as though it is common knowledge among the people of Tibet to know and witness of practitioners that can achieve this attainment.
While the outlook, appearances and lifestyle of Chagdar Rinpoche may seems quite different, the principle of Tibetan Buddhism seems to be the same – the vajra weapons, annihilation of duality, reminder of one’s vows.
We can be born in any era, be raised in any culture, be different in many ways, but we can still practice and uphold the exact same dharma without compromise.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing such rare photo and story with us.
We should always collect more Merits to make our Dharma path swiftly and smoothly hence our obstacles may be purified in a under control ways…
Now that Rinpoche pointed it out, this Ngakpa does look like a Red Indian. The picture reminds me of a spiritual warrior fighting against the samsaric forces and his own delusions. Flying is neat which comes as a by product of spiritual practice not the main result we want.
This is indeed very interesting. I am still thinking in my head right now what the chains on his earrings were for, i suspect it was to prevent him from flying. Which is amazing as Rinpoche has said he would fly from mountain to mountain in search of meditation.
I love that. He does look so similar to a Native American. I really love the symbolic yet functional weapons, too. That is the kind of practice I would probably like in some past life…
Thank you Rinpoche for explaining this very special form of Rinpoche. I think if without Rinpoche explaining to us I would not think Ngakpa Golok Chagdar Rinpoche is a high lama and has so much attainment .
It’s amazingly fascinating that a human can fly and defying gravity. And yes, he has features, headgear, attire and even name similar to the Indian Americans of the West in the ’80s.
From the photo of this Iron Arrow of Golok,he does look like a native American Indian or south american Indian as we see in the cinemas. Thanks to Rinpoche who have so kindly pointed out to us his real identity. There is no way for us to know he is in the outfit of a high forest meditative practioner in the style of the old Mahasiddhas of India and Nepal, especially with all the weapons he is carrying. It it indeed unique to capture him on photograph for our knowledge and learning benefits!
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing. The first thought when i read on the paragraph to describe Golok Chagdar Rinpoche’s wearing a mirror- Lord Setrap appear in my mind ! The Great warrior ready to help us to overcome inner obstacles .
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
Now I know the reason they carry weapons, it’s a reminder for them to be alert and kind, how skillful it is.
Always reflecting the vows to ourselves will make us a better person because the vows is from the Buddha himself.
Thank you Rinpoche.
谢谢仁波切的分享。修行佛法之路可不容易走，往往我们在修行之中会出现很多障碍和阻路。我们就会裹足不前，种种的原因让我们止步。因为这也是我们学佛法的业障和考验。但此刻我们就要有明智的思考或依止仁波切的教诲与开示来衡量做决定。我觉得学佛奥妙的事，每当它会有一条让你头痛的路走但它又会开一条光明大道给当下。您有试过吗？？。。。。
This article very unique and the picture very inspiring. Something new to me. The explanation on weapon so much different. Thank you Rinpoche share this article with us.
From Suet Moi
Thank you rinpoche for the sharing.It is great to know that there was such accomplished practitioner during our times .We are also fortunate to be given a detail explanation on the symbols and weapons they used which transcend the common munden view of harm and distruction.
谢谢仁波切的分享。
非常敬佩 Ngakpa Golok Chagdar Rinpoche。 因为我常常会听到 谁谁 因为家里有点小事情就不能来中心上佛法班。 Ngakpa Golok Chagdar Rinpoche 为了佛法无法陪在妻子身边也不会放弃帮助将来学佛的每一位。
就好像 仁波切， 为了学习佛法一个人离开了家，到寺院去。 过了20多年后， 才能回到老家看看养母的墓碑！但是仁波切从来都没有想过放弃。
释迦摩尼佛也是一样， 当佛陀修成回到皇宫里， 还以佛法利益了他的家人。
做事要看远一点，将来是现在铺的路。学佛法， 是为了将来做的路。
This form of appearance reminds me of the native people but appearance is very misleading. Perhaps for people of that time it was accepted for people who live in the outskirts or villages to appear in this way.
When one looks at someone holding a weapon, without understanding, fear would likely arise and thus one thinks that wielder has the intent on causing harm. Of course it is true for people who don’t hold vows. It is a compassionate being that one should not fear. The fear is a reminder to us that we have harmed others in the past and thus the fear of others harming back at us.
Thank you for sharing this article on the Iron Arrow of Golok. It is interesting to read that this man flies mountain from mountain to meditate. To the extent that he was to be chained down.
Furthermore, it is very inspirational and impressive for one to renounce their way of living to enter an area free from samsara.
Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
This is a very interesting real life story. I always thought that most of the practitioner are either in Lama/Monk or lay person.
Now we are in a modern lifestyle, we work, enjoy everyday and may lessen our time to do dharma practice.
I will remind myself not forget to practice dharma.
Thanks
Thank you Rinpoche 🙂 This was very inspiring to read.