The Most Illustrious Panchen Sonam Drakpa
Panchen Sonam Drakpa. Click on image to enlarge.
Within the lineage of Dorje Shugden’s incarnations, none is more illustrious than Panchen Sonam Drakpa. In that lifetime, he became the 15th Gaden Throne Holder and the Abbot of the Three Seats (of learning), i.e., the three main Gelug monasteries, Gaden, Drepung and Sera. He was the unmistaken incarnation of the pure monk Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen who was a direct disciple of Je Tsongkhapa.
In ancient India, a scholar or expert in the five major and five minor sciences was awarded the title of “Pandit.” The five major sciences were logic, grammar, medicine, religion/philosophy and crafts while the five minor sciences were semantics, astronomy/astrology, performing arts, poetry and composition. Due to his great scholarship, Sonam Drakpa was given the title of “Panchen,” which is derived from the Sanskrit-Tibetan hybrid Pandita Chenpo which means “great scholar.”
Sonam Drakpa was born in the earth dog year of 1478 into the family of Nangpa Ralampa near Tsetang Monastery in Lhoka, Central Tibet. At a tender age, he received his novice vows from Lachenpo Sonam Tashi who bestowed upon him his ordination name Sonam Drakpai Pel. Subsequently, the young Sonam Drakpa entered Tsetang Monastery and received his early monastic education which included reading, writing and the rigorous daily memorisation of prayers and important scriptures.
He studied pramana or “valid cognition.” Later, he travelled to Yabzang to further his understanding of this subject with the scholars there. At Yabzang, he also learned grammar, poetry and composition and received teachings on traditional philosophical texts from Choje Dakpo Rabjampa and other scholars.
Formal Education at Sera and Other Monasteries
Sonam Drakpa went on to study at Sangpu, Nyimatang, and particularly at the great monastic seat of Sera where he studied for twelve years with Yongzin Donyo Palden. While at Sera, he examined major philosophical treatises like the Abhisamayalamkara (Ornament of Clear Realisation), Mulamadhyamakakarika (Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way), Abhidharmakosha (Treasury of Knowledge/Treasury of Phenomenology), Pramanavarttika (Commentary on the Compendium of Valid Cognition) and the Vinaya (A Compendium of Ethics).
Panchen Sonam Drakpa (central figure). Click to enlarge or click here for more high resolution Buddha images.
These five treatises became the five major fields of learning which provided the foundation for the curriculum of Gelug monasteries. A candidate for the degree of Geshe Lharampa must pass the final review of these five treatises.
During this period, Sonam Drakpa sought out many eminent lamas for teachings. These lamas included Nyelton Peljor Lhundrub (1427-1514), Donyo Pelden (1445-1524) who was the 10th Abbot of Sera Monastery and Tonpa Khetsun Yonten Gyatso (1443-1521). They were some of the leading masters of his time. While studying the traditional treatises, he also received many teachings on tantra. When he turned twenty, he received his full ordination vows from the great Wona Lama Sanggye Zangpo.
At the age of twenty-seven, he enrolled in the prestigious Gyutö College and engaged in the study of tantra for three years under the great tantric master, Choden Lodo. This master gave him many teachings, initiations, empowerments, esoteric instructions, and transmissions on tantra. In this manner, Sonam Drakpa became steeped in the knowledge of both Sutra and Tantra.
In the great debate courtyard of Tsetang Monastery, he was awarded the title Rabjampa “One with Unobstructed Knowledge” due to his dialectical skills and scriptural knowledge. The foremost scholars and masters of his day showered him with praises and his fame spread all over Tibet.
H.H. the 2nd Dalai Lama Gendun Gyatso (central figure). Image credit: himalayanart.org. Click on image to enlarge.
The following year, Sonam Drakpa returned to Gyutö College and resumed his advanced studies in tantra under the same master. This time around, he studied tantra more intensely than before. Soon, he became one of the greatest tantric masters in Tibet and he would go on to compose a comprehensive guide on the general practice of Tantra.
Sonam Drakpa also studied under the master Kunga Gyeltsen (1432-1506), a prominent Gelug historian and master from Tsetang Monastery along with a relatively obscure master Rinchen Chozang who probably was a recluse. When he was thirty-four, Sonam Drakpa was appointed to the respectable post of Lobpon, the ritual master of Gyutö Tantric College. During his time in office, he gave a wide range of teachings on tantra. He retired from this post at the age of forty-seven. In the following year, the 2nd Dalai Lama Gendun Gyatso, who was also one of his main teachers, appointed him as the Abbot of Drepung Loseling Monastery.
Ascending the Throne of Je Tsongkhapa
Sonam Drakpa remained as Abbot of Drepung Loseling Monastery for five years, performing various duties, upholding the monastic tradition and giving many teachings. Then, in 1529, at the age of fifty-two, Panchen Sonam Drakpa ascended the throne of Je Tsongkhapa to be the 15th Gaden Tripa. Upon ascending the throne, he recited the following verse:
May all conducive conditions arise
and all obstacles be pacified,
in order to increase infinitely,
the doctrine of the spiritual king, Tsongkhapa.
Later, at the Great Prayer Festival of Lhasa (Monlam Chenmo), he recited the following verse:
By the merits of the three times
of myself and others,
May the doctrine of Lama Tsongkhapa
blaze forever.
These two verses are known as the “Prayer for the Virtuous Tradition” and form an essential part of the dedication prayers recited by all Gelug practitioners. To this day, all tulkus, lamas, geshes and ordinary practitioners within the Gelug lineage recite these verses that were originally from this great pandit. Indeed, this prayer embodies the courage and devotion of an erudite master who represented the Gelug tradition and its founder well.
Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen. Click to enlarge or click here for more high resolution Buddha images.
It is important to note that this same fortitude was carried over to his reincarnation, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, who fulfilled the promise made in a previous life as Duldzin Drakpa Gyeltsen, with the supreme aim of protecting the pure teachings of the Second Buddha, Lama Tsongkhapa, during these degenerate times.
Sonam Drakpa remained in office as Gaden Tripa for seven years, performing his duties with grace and dignity by giving many public teachings and presiding over state and religious events.
During the Monlam Chenmo festivities, he would give teachings to the public. This great Buddhist festival in Lhasa was a yearly celebration started by Je Tsongkhapa in 1409 with the aim of praying for world peace and prosperity.
Upon the completion of his term, Trichen Sonam Drakpa retired and settled in Gaden Monastery. From that time on, he would travel to several monasteries including Kyormolung, Pakmo Chode, Nyiding, and Chode Rinchenling, in order to give teachings.
Ascending the Thrones of Gaden, Sera and Drepung
Panchen Sonam Drakpa. Image credit: himalayanart.org. Click on image to enlarge.
When he was sixty-six and after the 2nd Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso, had entered clear light, the administration of Drepung Monastery and benefactors unanimously agreed that a successor was needed and therefore, they requested Panchen Sonam Drakpa to ascend the throne of Drepung Monastery. He accepted the post and served for four years. This was on top of being the Throne Holder of Gaden at that time.
Furthermore, the Sangha or monastic community of the great monastic seat of Sera also requested him to be their Abbot, and he held that position as well, caring for this great Mahayana University. He served as the Abbot of Sera Monastery for about nine years. Thus, Paṇchen Sonam Drakpa was unique in that he was the only person in history to have served as Abbot of all the three main Gelug monasteries.
Becoming the Tutor to the Dalai Lama
H.H. the 3rd Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso. Image credit: himalayanart.org. Click on image to enlarge.
Later, in 1552, Sonam Drakpa became the tutor of the 3rd Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso (1543-1588). The young Dalai Lama took up residence in the Panchen’s ladrang at Drepung. Thus began his studies and training under the tutelage of the Panchen. He was given numerous teachings and initiations, principally on Guhyasamaja, the “King of the Tantras,” along with a detailed commentary on this vast tantric system. It was known that, although Panchen Sonam Drakpa was an expert in all the major tantric systems, his main practice was that of Guhyasamaja.
While presiding as the Abbot, the great Panchen gave the Dalai Lama his novice vows, with Sangpu Choje Legpa Dondrub as the action master. Thus, Panchen Sonam Drakpa gave the 3rd Dalai Lama his name “Sonam,” when he was seventy-two, in the year of the earth bird.
In this manner, Panchen Sonam Drakpa had effectively altered the incarnation name of the Dalai Lama from Gendun to Gyatso, which literally means “ocean.” For many scholars, the giving of this name is a prophecy by the Panchen that the Dalai Lama’s work would become vast like the ocean. The 3rd Dalai Lama was carefully nurtured to become the lama that would bring Dharma to the fierce Mongol tribes. In fact, the Mongols would give him the name “Dalai Lama” which, in Mongolian, means “Ocean Teacher.”
Some of the Panchen’s disciples were among the most important lamas of his time. They included the 21st Gaden Tripa, Gelek Pelzang (1505-1567), Lhatsun Sonam Pelzang who studied in Tashilhunpo, the 25th Gaden Tripa Peljor Gyatso (1526-1599), and the Second Demo Peljor Tashi.
Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse. Click on image to enlarge.
Nechung and Panchen Sonam Drakpa
During Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s lifetime, he was reminded by the Dharma Protector Nechung Dorje Drakden of the promise that he made in his previous lifetime as Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, to arise as the Protector of the Gelug teachings.
In his text, Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche gave the following account of Nechung reminding the Panchen of his promise:
“Manjusri of Blissful Intelligence has insisted that I should principally protect the Geden Teachings, but since I have already sworn to Padmasambhava that I would protect all of Buddha’s Teachings in general, there is no way that I can principally protect only the Geden Teachings. Now Panchen, you yourself, among holders of the Geden Teachings these days, have the highest qualities of learning and realisation. Not only that, you must arise as a wrathful protector of the Geden Teachings to fulfill the commitment you have previously made!”
At that time, the master did not commit and said he would check. Perhaps, the conditions at that time were not right for him to arise as a Dharma Protector yet. This would only manifest later, in his reincarnation as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen (1619-1656).
The Legacy of His Written Works
Since the age of thirty-six, Panchen Sonam Drakpa had been composing various texts on both Sutra and Tantra. His contribution in this field was highly beneficial. As Je Tsongkhapa had said:
“Of all one’s deeds, the ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.”
Among Sonam Drakpa’s compositions were Guhyasamaja (Secret Assembly Tantra), and commentaries on the Prajnaparamita (the Perfection of Wisdom), Madhyamaka (Middle Way philosophy), Vinaya (moral and monastic laws), Pramana (logic and epistemology), and Abhidharma (the theory of mental and material realities). His commentaries became the five major subjects of study in the traditional Gelug monastic curriculum alongside history and other subjects.
Professor Nawang Jinpa, in his Foreword to the English translation of Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s work Overview of Buddhist Tantra, said:
“Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing.”
Professor Nawang also added that, in his colophon to dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me, the Panchen wrote:
In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Digh-naga and Dharmakirti tactfully bypassed me.In the field of writing, I am [next to none!][In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes between an insect and a field.’
I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!
After quoting Panchen Sonam Drakpa, Professor Jinpa referred to a significant remark from Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche regarding the Panchen’s proclamation. He said:
“For some, this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongs-’dzin Khri-byang rDorje-’Chang, said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”
Instead of showing disapproval of the Panchen’s open declaration of confidence in his knowledge and skills, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche openly defended the great scholar. We can deduce from his remark that he knew, deep down, that the Panchen was right and he agreed with him. This passage clearly illustrates Sonam Drakpa’s dauntless courage and unwavering confidence in expounding the Dharma, which is one of the qualities of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s entire collection of written works were compiled into 45 volumes on various subjects, including major commentaries on Sutra and Tantra, sadhanas of tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Some of these texts have been selected as the main textbooks (Yigcha in Tibetan) which are still used in many Gelug monasteries, especially in Drepung Loseling and Gaden Shartse monastic colleges and in a number of monasteries in Mongolia as well. This is a testament to the clarity and accuracy of the Panchen’s amazing works.
The Significance of the Text
Overview of Buddhist Tantra by the great master Panchen Sonam Drakpa. To read the entire PDF click here.
Overview of Buddhist Tantra by Panchen Sonam Drakpa is published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), which is based in Dharamsala in North India. Dharamsala is also where His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has his official residence and where the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has their headquarters. The LTWA was established by the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Administration in order to preserve the ancient texts of Tibet both spiritual and secular, and in the process, translate them to various languages including English.
Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s Overview of Buddhist Tantra is one such text that has been translated into English. What is very interesting is that in the foreword to this book, it says Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, who was one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also notes that Panchen Sonam Drakpa later reincarnated as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen. Thus, the LTWA acknowledge that Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen are of the same mindstream.
Now, it is very interesting they say this because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life was the renowned and erudite 45-volume text composer Panchen Sonam Drakpa who was the abbot of the three great Gelugpa monasteries and the 15th Gaden Tripa (the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne) and moreover the teacher of H.H. the 3rd Dalai Lama and a great master in his own right, it is impossible for Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s future life as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen to become an evil spirit with a negative mind.
A thangka of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen (main figure), Brahmarupa Mahakala (top right), and Dorje Shugden (bottom right). Click to enlarge or click here for more high resolution Buddha images.
How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa (Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen) reincarnate as the erudite masters Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, then all of a sudden due to “negative prayers” become an evil spirit called Dorje Shugden? This is not logically possible because the minds of enlightened masters of this calibre do not suddenly regress and degenerate into negativity. This is like saying the Bodhisattva Manjushri will become an evil spirit if he makes negative prayers. Illogical!
The incredible thing is that the above information is all printed by the LTWA, which is operating under the Dalai Lama’s guidance and the Tibetan leadership’s auspices. They are contradicting themselves. On the one hand, the Tibetan leadership says that Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit who arose because Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen made negative prayers and on the other hand, they have printed this book acknowledging the qualities of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s mindstream!
Prior to the onset of the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, who was previously Panchen Sonam Drakpa, who was previously Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. Everyone knew they were of one mindstream. They were collectively known as the Three Drakpas and were widely revered across the land.
So, the LTWA prints a translation of Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s book, praises his tremendous qualities, recognises his previous life (Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen) and future life (Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen), then the Tibetan leadership claims that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became the evil sprit Dorje Shugden? It totally doesn’t make sense. The contradiction is clear.
This also shows how disorganised the Tibetan leadership are because they don’t know what they are printing and they end up contradicting themselves! This book came from a time before the Dorje Shugden ban and now that the Tibetan leadership have decided to make Dorje Shugden the scapegoat for their failures and twist historical facts around, it is ironically their own publication that is exposing their lies.
About LTWA
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) is a Tibetan library based in Dharamsala, India. The library was founded by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama on 11 June 1970, and is considered one of the most important libraries and institutions of Tibetan works in the world.
The library contains sources which were relocated from Tibet during the 1959 exodus, including important Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts and archives related to Tibet’s history, politics, culture and even art. It possesses more than 80,000 manuscripts, books and documents; over 600 thangkas, statues and other artefacts of Buddhist heritage; 10,000 photographs; and many other materials.
The primary objective of the library is to provide a comprehensive cultural resource of the highest standards and to promote an environment to facilitate research and the exchange of knowledge.
Source: Wikipedia
Foreword to Overview of Buddhist Tantra
The Wylie translation system used in the actual text (as shown above in the three images) may be confusing for readers. Therefore, for ease of reference the foreword has been reproduced below using the more common phonetic translation system.
Foreword
O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!
Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder Dragpa Gyaltsen (Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (grags-pa) surname, followed successively.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under
them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsal-gling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.
He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:
O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!
He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).
His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:
Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:
In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his brother transmigrated into another realm.
In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that I would find out the areas they had contradicted and that I would examine them and put forth my arguments, the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully bypassed me.
In the field of writing, I am [next to none!][In my eyes,] Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which are like ‘disputes-between an insect and a field.’
I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching, debate and writing!
For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.
May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!
Prof. Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24 1996
To download and read the Overview of Buddhist Tantra by Panchen Sonam Drakpa in PDF format, click here.
Establishment of his Ladrang
Just before entering clear light, Panchen Sonam Drakpa established his ladrang in Drepung Monastery which became known as Zimkhang Gongma or Upper Residence Estate.
It was known by that name because it was built on higher ground, on the hill just above the Ngakpa debate courtyard. The ladrang became a seat of great power and influence due to the fact that the illustrious Panchen served as the Abbot of three great monasteries and assumed the position of Gaden Tripa as well. After Sonam Drakpa, no other lama or tulku in the Gelug Order had the honour to serve in this manner again.
The ladrang became famous and served as the seat of later incarnations until the time of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen. In addition, Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s incarnation line became officially known as the Zimkhang Gongma line of incarnations. Hence, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen was officially known as the 4th Drepung Zimkhang Gongma tulku. The ladrang was also a popular destination for pilgrims who came to Drepung to make offerings and to perform circumambulations on the sacred path around the monastery.
The Sacred Relics of Panchen Sonam Drakpa
In 1554, Panchen Sonam Drakpa entered clear light and his great disciples from different regions performed extensive prayers and rituals. For fifteen days, he remained in clear light meditation (thugdam) after his breathing had stopped.
When his meditation was over, his sacred remains had miraculously transformed to about a foot in height, which meant that he had achieved the rainbow body through his practice of Guhyasamaja.
After his body was cremated according to tradition, many amazing relics were found in the ashes. His heart, tongue and eyes were not burnt and an extra heart even appeared along with a small image of an eleven-faced Avalokiteshvara and numerous relics with sacred syllables that had naturally formed on them. His disciples constructed a new silver reliquary stupa at Drepung to house these relics.
The extra heart was placed at the heart of a golden statue of the Panchen himself along with the Avalokiteshvara relic; these two were enshrined at Zimkhang Gongma. Unfortunately, the ladrang and other objects of Panchen Sonam Drakpa did not survive the destruction that occurred during the lifetime of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.
Praise of Panchen Sonam Drakpa
His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, in his text, Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors, highlighted Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s qualities and included the Praise of the Panchen written by the 2nd Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso:
“Panchen Sonam Dragpa’s wisdom was so encompassing of the Scriptures of Sutra and Tantra, all of the inner and outer fields of knowledge, as well as the stories and biographies of holy beings, that the Lord Omniscient Gedun Gyatso venerated him with praise.”
Known (Dragpa) as a river with a bubbling smile flowing with hundreds of Sutras and Tantras,
Over previously gathered merit (Sonam) of gold, and wisdom as vast as the jeweled earth,
Exquisite with foaming waves of poetry and garlands of pearls of stories,
You spread eloquent Teachings, not heard before, that adorn the ears of those of earth.
Professor Nawang Jinpa from St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, included the following Praise of Panchen Sonam Drakpa in his Foreword to Overview of Buddhist Tantra, on 24 January 1996:
O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel!
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!
For more interesting information:
- Magadha Sangmo | 须摩提女
- Ra Lotsawa Dorje Drakpa: Master of the Vajrabhairava Tantra
- Virupa – Lord of Miracles
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- Great Disciples of Atisha: Khuton Choje and Pandita Akaramati
- Lotsawa Loden Sherab – the Great Translator
- Khyungpo Neljor – The Yogin of the Garuda Clan
- The Vinaya Holder Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen
- Sonam Yeshe Wangpo
- Shakyashri Bhadra: The Last Abbot of Nalanda
- Kunkhyen Choku Ozer – Master of the Kalachakra and Guhyasamaja Tantras
- Great Savant of Tibet: Buton Rinchen Drub
- Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyeltsen
- Tsarchen Losal Gyatso: Lineage Holder of Vajrayogini’s Tantra
- Who is Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen?
- Emperor Kangxi | 康熙皇帝
- Gedun Nyedrak: An Abbot of Gaden
- Kentrul Thubten Lamsang
- H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s Biography
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Panchen Sonam Dragpa a scholar ,great master, writer, abbot of all monastic universities. Well known for writing 11 definitive volumes of philosophical teachings. He was the unmistaken incarnation of the pure monk Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen who was a direct disciple of Je Tsongkhapa.Panchen Sonam Dragpa was unique in having served as abbot of the three main Gelug monasteries that is Ganden, Sera and Drepung. The only person ever to have received this honour. Panchen Sonam Dragpa’s collected works spans volumes, constituting the main textbooks which is still used today.
Worth reading over and over again this great Lama life’s story.
Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.
Interesting article of a great Lama Panchen Sonam Drakpa. There is no other great lama who has ever served as abbott at the three main Gelug monasteries which are Ganden, Sera and Drepung. He was taught by the second Dalai Lama, and later he became the teacher of the third Dalai Lama. Duldzin Dragpa Gyaltsen one of the eight main disciples of Je Tsongkhapa and founder of the Gelugpa tradition, was considered to be a previous incarnation of Panchen Sonam Dragpa. Later reincarnated as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and after his passing followed by his manifestation as the Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden. Interesting Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s entire collection of written works were compiled into 45 volumes on various subjects , some of it are been used up to these days in many Gelug monasteries. Interesting read.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this interesting sharing.
Interesting biography of a GREAT Lama…. Panchen Sonam Drakpa. He received his early monastic education reading, writing and memorisation of prayers and important scriptures. He then further his studies under many eminent lamas and been able to masters in the five major and five minor sciences. Panchen Sonam Drakpa studied the entire breadth of Sutra, Tantra and their various commentaries with great intensity and became one of the greatest tantric masters in Tibet. He was a great scholar served as abbot of the three main Gelug monasteries – Ganden Monastery, Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. He composed many written works on various topics, amazingly his collected works spans fourteen volumes, which been still used today. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this interesting sharing of a GREAT Lama.
Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the greatest lamas that the Gaden tradiiton has produced long live the gaden tradition
Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the greatest lamas that the Gaden tradition has produced. Some of the textbooks composed by Panchen Sonam Drakpa are still being used in Gaden Shartse and also Drepung monastery.
Panchen Sonam Drakpa was unique in having served as abbot of the three main Gelug monasteries – Ganden, Sera and Drepung. Great Scholar and Spiritual Master of the Dalai Lama the great master Panchen Sonam Drakpa,was a multi talented scholar having mastered in many fields such as astronomy/astrology, performing arts, poetry, composition and so forth. Amazing he did received many intensely teachings from many great teachers.
In his later life after retirement he gave teachings to several monasteries. He was a prolific writer and composed many written works on various topics including history , religious history, on Sutra and Tantra to name a few .To this day in his writings are used as textbooks by monks. He was truly a great scholar
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this sharing of a GREAT Lama.
The fundamental cause of being born in the ghosts and spirits realm is dying with insatiable desires such as wealth, power, prestige, fame, pleasure, etc.
There is not a single iota of evidence that shows Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen died while in this state of mind. On the contrary, as this article and other biographies and commentaries of his previous lives detail, his mindstream such as when as the vessel Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, was one who was scholarly, humble, brilliant at sutra and tantra, devoted and extremely meritful at serving the Dharma.
I remember that Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen who was one of the heart disciples of Je Rinpoche held the Vinaya so well that he was reknowned for it and he even turned down Je Rinpoche’s request to be the head lama (Gaden Tripa) of Je Rinpoche’s congregation.
It is clear that accusations of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen being reborn as a perfidious spirit is without basis.
Thank you, Rinpoche and the blog team for this amazing article. Panchen Sonam Drakpa, in my opinion, is the most erudite and powerful lama among all other Dorje Shugden’s incarnations. He is the only who served as the Gaden Tripa as well as the Abbot of all three major monasteries of the Gelug traditions
There are no other lamas in the history that manage to do that. This is how good he is. So, how can a high lama with such calibre or attainments become an evil spirit when he dies? Lamas that have such attainments or accomplishment will be regarded as enlightened due to the nature of their work. Minds that have such level of attainments will not degenerate, unlike normal minds.
Hence, it is not logical to say that the reincarnation of this very same mind which is Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen will become an evil spirit that will harm Tibet and also His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is just not possible. Anyone that actually knows a little bit about Tibetan Buddhism will be able to know that it is a lie. That is why it is safe for us to conclude that Dorje Shugden is an enlightened protector because before he arose as a Dharma Protector, his mind had already reached enlightenment.
Another truly inspiring and interesting history of one of the three Drakpas whose emanation is none other than the enlightened protector Dorje Shugden. Part of the story that stood out, “In 1554, Panchen Sonam Drakpa entered clear light and his great disciples from different regions performed extensive prayers and rituals. For fifteen days, he remained in clear light meditation (thugdam) after his breathing had stopped.
When his meditation was over, his sacred remains had miraculously transformed to about a foot in height, which meant that he had achieved the rainbow body through his practice of Guhyasamaja.” Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for another great write up on another erudite High Lama, Panchen Sonam Drakpa.?????⭐️
We certainly have heard of Panchen Lamas’ line of incarnations and how great He was in spreading Dharma across Tibet and then in China.
So one can imagine that even the title “Panchen “ (Great Scholar) was accorded to this great Master and thenceforth He was widely known as Panchen Sonam (Ocean) Drakpa ~ just by the name of it, we know how great thou art!
Panchen Sonam Drakpa has been the Abbot of the three great monasteries namely Sera, Drepung and Ganden, not to mention that He was even the Abbot of Gyutö Monastery as well! His short biography was even mentioned by Lobsang Tamdin, a renown Mongolian Scholar https://bit.ly/2PwboSx . His works and contribution in Dharma was so extensive that He was later known as the Great Master of both Sutra and Tantra.
And now, His work is being translated, mentioned and published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), which is based in Dharamsala. (The LTWA was established by the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Administration in order to preserve the ancient texts of Tibet both spiritual and secular, and in the process, translate them to various languages including English. )
As Pastor David has mentioned “prior to the onset of the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, who was previously Panchen Sonam Drakpa, who was previously Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. Everyone knew they were of one mindstream. They were collectively known as the Three Drakpas and were widely revered across the land.”
Hence it is ILLOGICAL to claim otherwise! On one hand, they study the work of this great Master and then in another hand, they dismissed the enlightened qualities of His successive incarnation when He was known as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen? Illogical!
Also the two famous dedication prayers that Pastor David Lai has mentioned can be found and are still being recited today in all over the monasteries and in my daily sadhana too. In fact, daily, all of us are praying and making connection with this great Master. So, how can one ignore His enlightened qualities, works and contribution, and then on the other hand repeatedly claim that He was a spirit? Again Illogical…
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai for this article. Really though provoking.
DAG-SOG JIN-NYEH SAG-PA GE-WA DEE
TAN-DANG DRO-WA KUN-LA GANG-PHAN DANG
CHE-PAR JE-TSUN LO-ZANG DRAG-PA YI
TAN-PI NYING-PO RING-DU SAL-SHEH SHUG
CHO KHI GYAL PO TSONG KHA PA
CHO TSUL NAM PAR PHEL WA LA
GEK KI TSHAN MA ZHI WA DANG
THUN KYIN MA LU TSHANG WAR SHOK
Panchen Sonam Drakpa is an inspiration. He was a Ganden Throne Holder and abbot of Ganden, Drepung and Sera. “He is the only person ever to have received this honour.” A very great scholar/pandit. His texts form the core curriculum for the Loseling College of Drepung Monastic University, the Shartse College of the Ganden Monastic University, and several other Gelugpa monasteries. Panchen Sonam Dragpa’s collected works spans fourteen volumes. He was taught by the second Dalai Lama, and in turn later became the teacher of the third Dalai Lama. Panchen Sonam Dragpa also became known as an incarnation of the great lama and historian Buton Rinchen Drub. He is also considered one of the previous incarnations of the “Great King” Protector Dorje Shugden. I rejoice in all his accomplishments. Thank you Rinpoche, Pastor David Lai, and blog team for sharing a biography of this great being. ??
tx,very usefull.champa togmeitaly
Reading the historical and logical truth works of Panchen Sonam Drakpa in relation to his previous incarnation as Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen and the reincarnation of Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen who arose as Protector Dorje Shugden affirms my believe that Dorje Shugden is an enlightened Protector who is here in today’s degenerated times to protect the tradition of JeTsongkapa and to assist us on our spiritual path.
Dorje Shugden is an enlightened Dharma Protector who is here with us today to protect and guide us along our practice of the Dharma and to gain merits for a better rebirth.
Thank you, Rinpoche and Pastor David for this profound learning.