A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems

Cover of Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche’s “A Marvelous Garland of rare Gems”

A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage is the only comprehensive history of the Nyingtik lineage, which forms the core of teachings known as Dzogchen (Great Perfection) in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It was written by Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, one of the most outstanding and knowledgeable exponents of Dzogchen, and translated into English from the Tibetan by Richard Barron (Chokyi Nyima). In this work, framed as a series of biographical accounts, Nyoshul Khenpo provides a wealth of information invaluable to spiritual practitioners, as well as historians studying the cultures of central Asia.

In the Introduction, Sogyal Rinpoche underscores the importance of this work:

There could come a time in the future,’ [Nyoshul Khenpo] wrote, ‘when holders of the lineage would profess to transmit the lineage without being able to recall even the names of its masters.’ This is why he considered this history to be ‘as indispensable as our eyes or our life force,’ providing all the grounds and inspiration ever needed for total conviction. He compared the life stories of the vidyadhara masters in this lineage to a fine chain of gold or a garland of rare gems. […] With immense attention to detail, Nyoshul Khenpo maps out the ‘ultimate lineage of direct transmission,’ the heart of all the lines of transmission of Dzogpachenpo from the primordial buddha to the present day, showing the connection between masters and students in an unbroken line of succession. His work stands out because of its completeness, for it includes all of the distinct lineages, along with the lives of the students of the great masters, stories from the oral tradition, and the different teaching styles. Anyone who matters is represented here, every link in the chain, including masters of our time. . . . It is a milestone, and I do not feel that it will ever be equaled."

The Table of contents of “The Lineage” section of the book provides a remarkable way to trace down many lineages:

1 The Mind-to-Mind Transmission by Victorious Ones

• Buddha Samantabhadra
• The Five buddha families
• The Twelve teachers

2 The Transmission Through Symbols by Masters of Awareness

• Garab Dorje
• Manjushrimitra
• Shri Simha
• Vimalamitra and Jnanasutra
• Padmakara

3 The Oral Transmission by Human Individuals

Kama, the Historical Transmission: The Categories of Mind and Expanse

• Bairotsana
• Pang Sang-gye Gonpo (Pang Mipam Gonpo)
• Ngenlam Jangchub Gyaltsen
• Zadam Rinchenyik
• Khugyur Salwaichok
• Katok Dampa Deshek and His Students
• Parallel Lineages: The Spread of the Early Translation School
• The Lineage of the Categories of Mind and Expanse Down to Longchenpa
• The Written Works of Longchenpa

Terma, the Hidden Treasure Transmission: The Category of Direct Transmission

• Early History and Guru Rinpoche
• King Trisong Detsen
• Other Students of Guru Padma
• Yeshe Tsogyal
• Pema Ledrel Tsal
• Gyalsé Lekpa Gyaltsen
• Longchen Rabjam Drime Ozer
• Other Teachers of the Lineage

4 The Lineage of Transmission from Vimalamitra

The More Extensive Lineage: The Category of Direct Transmission

• Vimalamitra
• Nyang Tingdzin Zangpo
• Bé Lodrö Wangchuk
• Drom Rinchen Bar
• Dangma Lhundrup Gyaltsen
• Chetsün Sengé Wangchuk
• Gyalwa Zhangtön Tashi Dorjé
• Drupchen Khepa Nyima Bum
• Guru Jober
• Trulshik Sengé Gyabpa
• Drupchen Melong Dorje
• Rigdzin Kumaradza

5 Longchen Rabjampa Drime Ozer

Longchenpa's Outer Biography: Enlightened Form

• Longchenpa's Birth and Early Life
• Later Studies
• Training under Rigdzin Kumaradza
• Teaching Activities

Terma Revelations and Other Activities

• Exile and Return
• Later Life and Passing

Longchenpa's Inner Biography: Enlightened Speech

• Longchenpa's Writings
• Paltrul Rinpoche's Eulogy
• Dzogchen Commentaries

6 The Combined Lineages from Longchenpa to Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu

• Khenchen Chabdal Lhundrup
• Gyalse Tulku Drakpa Ozer (1356-1409)
• Trulzhik Sang-gye Onpo Sherab Gyatso
• Gyalse Dawa Drakpa
• Drupchen Kunzang Dorje
• Choje Kunga Gyaltsen Palzang
• Tulku Natsok Rangdrol (1494-1571)
• Tulku Tendzin Drakpa
• Khedrup Do-ngak Tendzin
• Rigdzin Chenpo Trinle Lhundrub
• Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje Terchen Gyurme Dorje (Terdak Lingpa)
• Gyalse Rinchen Namgyal
• Ngak Rabjampa Orgyen Chodrak
• Ngakyi Rabjampa Orgyen Palgon (Drupwang Shrinatha)
• Rigdzin Jikme Lingpa
• Jikme Gyalwe Nyugu

7 The Lineages of Transmission from Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu: Paltrul Rinpoche

• Patrul Orgyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo
• Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpé Nyima Gyaltsen Palzangpo (Gyalse Jangchub Dorje)
• Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (Khenpo Ngaga, Khenpo Ngakchung, Khenpo Ngagi Wangpo)
• Lungtrul Shedrup Tenpé Nyima
• The Second Palyul Second Drubwang Pema Norbu, Rigdzin Palchen Dupa
• Thubten Chökyi Dawa Dartang Choktrul Rinpoche
• Penor Rinpoche, The Third Palyul Drupwang Pema Norbu, Jigme Tupten Shedrub Chokyi Drayang

8 The Lineages of Transmission from Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu: Jamyang Khyentsei Wangpo

• Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
• Dza Pukhung Gyurme Ngedön Wangpo
• Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdral Yeshe Dorje
• Adzom Drukpa Drodul Pawo Dorje
• Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
• Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Rabsal Dawa
• Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol

9 The Lineages of Transmission of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa: The Dodrupchen Line of Incarnations

• The First Dodrupchen, Jigme Trinle Ozer

The Lineage of Dodrubchen's Incarnations

• The Second Dodrupchen, Jigme Puntsok Jungne
• The Third Dodrupchen, Jigme Tenpai Nyima
• The Fourth Dodrupchen, Jigme Trinle Palbar

The Lineages of Students of the First Dodrupchen

• The Extraordinary Lineage of Dodrupchen Himself
• Chögyal Ngakgi Wangpo
• Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol
• Kyabgon Pema Gyatso
• Dakki Chonyi Zangmo

The Alternative Lineage of Dodrupchen Trinle Ozer

• Trehorpa Kyabgon Yeshe Gyaltsen
• Chonyon Dharma Seng-ge
• Zhadeu Trulzhik Chenpo Ngawang Chokyi Lodro

10 The Students of Longchen Rabjampa

The Lineage of Longchenpa's Teachings

• Orgyen Choje of Drok Valley
• Guru Osel Rangdrol
• Tulku Paljor Gyaltsen
• Dokhampa Dengom Chodrak Zangpo
• The Lineage of Both Khedrup Delek Gyatso and Takok Jadral Choje
• Khedrup Delek Gyatso
• Takok Jadral Choje Tashi Jungne
• Guru Zhenpen
• Namkha Dorje
• Osel Longyang
• Dzogchenpa Sonam Rigdzin
• Kunkhyen Ngawang Pema
• Dzogchenpa Sonam Wangpo
• Lhatsun Namkha Jigme
• Dzogchenpa Longdzok Tadral

The Lineage of Longchenpa's Incarnations

• Rigdzin Pema Lingpa
• The Second Pema Lingpa, Tendzin Chokyi Drakpa (Yenpa Lode)
• The Third Pema Lingpa, Kunkhyen Tsultrim Dorje
• The Fourth Pema Lingpa, Dorje Mikyotsal (Ngawang Kunzang Rolpai Dorje)
• The Fifth Pema Lingpa, Kunzang Tsewang (Pema Tendzin Drupchok Dorje)
• The Sixth Pema Lingpa, Kunzang Tenpai Gyaltsen Palzangpo
• The Seventh Pema Lingpa, Pema Tendzin (Kunzang Ngawang Chokyi Lodro)
• The Eighth Pema Lingpa, Kunzang Dechen Dorje (Ngedon Tenpai Nyima Palzangpo)
• The Ninth Pema Lingpa, Tendzin Chokyi Gyaltsen
• The Tenth Pema Lingpa, Pema Osel Gyurme Dorje (Tupten Chokyi Dorje)
• The Eleventh Pema Lingpa, Kunzang Pema Rinchen Namgyal Ngedon Tenpai Nyima
• Rigdzin Pema Trinle and the Family Lineages of the Pema Lingpa Tradition

11 The Students of Rigdzin Terdak Lingpa

The Lineage of Rigdzin Terdak Lingpa's Main Seat

• Kunzang Mingyur Paldron
• Khenchen Oddiyana (Orgeyn Tendzin Dorje)
• Trichen Gyurme Trinle Namgyal
• Jetsunma Trinle Chodron

Other Students of Rigdzin Terdak Lingpa

• Lotsawa Chopal Gyatso
• Rikse Choktrul Pema Gyurme Gyatso
• Minling Trichen Kunzang Wangyal
• Katokpa Gyalse Rinpoche Sonam Detsen
• The Second Dzogchen Rinpoche, Gyurme Tekchok Tendzin
• Barchung Lama Tashi Gyatso

12 The Students of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa and the First Dodrupchen, Jigme Trinle Ozer

The Students of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa

• Jikme Kundrol Namgyal
• Getse Jigme Ngotsar Tendzin
• Other Students of Jigme Lingpa

The Students of the First Dodrupchen, Jigme Trinle Ozer

• Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (Ngakchang Jalu Dorje)
• The Fourth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Mingyur Namkhé Dorje
• Gemang Gyalse Rigpai Dorje (Gyalsé Shenpen Tayé)
• Choying Tobden Dorje
• Choklung Repa Damtsik Dorje

13 The Students of Jamyang Khyentsei Wangpo

• Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé
• Chungtrul Pema Wangchen
• Mipham Rinpoche Jamyang Namgyal Gyatso
• Khenchen Jampal Dewé Nyima
• Shechen Gyaltsap Gyurme Pema Namgyal
• The Fifth Dzogchen Rinpoche, Thupten Chökyi Dorje
• Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
• Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
• Negang Chokling, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, and Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
• The Third Katok Situ, Kunchen Orgyen Chokyi Gyatso
• Gyakong Tulku Kunzang Tekchok Tenpai Gyaltsen
• Drugu Tokden Shakya Shri
• Lopon Rinpoche Lama Sönam Zangpo
• Ritrul Rigdzin Chogyal and Namkha Drimed Rinpoche
• Jedrung Trinlé Jampa Jungné
• Kangyur Rinpoche Longchen Yeshe Dorje

14 The Students of Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche and Yukhok Jadral Choyiing Rangdrol

The Students of Adzom Drukpa Rinpoche

• Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje
• Druktrul Rinpoche
• Khen Rinpoche Karma Dorje
• Tarthang Tulku Kunga and Zurmang Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
• Tso Paltrul Rinpoche
• Sertar Rinpoche

The Students of Yukhok Jadral Choying Rangdrol

• Rakor Khen Drime Ozer
• Gyarong Tsondru

15 The Students of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro and Other Masters

The Students of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro

• Sogyal Rinpoche Lakar Sogyal Choktrul Rinpoche
• Sakya Khenpo Appey
• Other Living Masters
• Katok Ontrul Rinpoche

16 The Students of Paltrul Rinpoche

• Gyarong Tendzin Drakpa
• Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso
• Minyak Kunzang Sonam
• Dzogchen Khenchen Pema Dorje
• Golok Lang Lama Tubten Chokyi Jorpa

Khenchen Yonten Gyatso, His Students, and His Lineage

• Khenpo Yönga Khenchen Yonten Gyatso
• Changma Khenchen Thubten Chöpel
• Washul Mewai Khenchen Tsewang Rigdzin
• Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok

Khenchen Kunzang Palden Chodrak, His Students, and His Lineage

• Khenchen Kunzang Palden Chodrak
• Pöpa Tulku Botrul Do-ngak Tenpai Nyima
• Mewa Khenpo Tupten Özer
• Rahor Khenpo Tupten
• Khenpo Petse Rinpoche Khen Rinpoche Pema Tsewang Lhundrup
• Khen Chokhyap
• Orgyen Tendzin Norbu

17 The Students of Orgyen Tendzin Norbu

The Personal Transmission for Spiritual Practice

• Derge Lama Kunga Palden
• Apang Tertön Orgyen Trinle Lingpa
• Jangchub Dorje

The Personal Transmission for the Explanatory Teachings

• Khenpo Shenga Dorje Chang (Zhenpen Chokyi Nangwa)
• The Students and Lineage of Zhenga Dorje Chang
• Palpung Situ Rinpoche Pema Wangchok Gyalpo
• Zurmang Khenchen Pema Namgyal
• Zurmang Tenga Rinpoche
• Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
• Bo Gangkar Rinpoche (Karma Shedrup Chokyi Seng-ge)
• Nyarong Guru Tulku
• Drukpa Geshe Tenpa Rinchen
• Other Students
• Khenchen Tsondru, aka Khenpo Tsöndrü
• Nyoshul Khenchen Ngawang Palzang Rinpoche
• Tukse Serkha Chodrak
• Rahor Chödrak Palden Chokyi Drakpa
• Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen
• Tukse Doring Choktrul Rinpoche, aka Doring Tulku

18 The Students of Lungtok Tenpai Nyima

• Khen Rinpoche Dorje Dzinpa Tobden (Tupten Gyaltsen Ozer)
• Naktar Tulku Sonam Chokdrup
• Lhazang Lama Rigdzin
• Sa-ngen Lama Wangchen
• Lama Ngakchen (Orgyen Tutop Lingpa)
• Tertön Sogyal Terchen Lerab Lingpa
• Pema Gyaltsen
• Dretse Tulku
• Sungtrul Kunzang Nyima Dzongter Kunzang Nyima

19 The Students of Khenchen Ngawang Palzang

• Katok Chaktsa Rinpoche
• Tromge Choktrul Arik Rinpoche
• Khen Lama Akhyuk Rinpoche (Drupwang Lungtok Gyatso)
• Khenpo Lekshé Jorden (Khenchen Dulwai De)
• Khenpo Nüden Khyentsei Lodro
• Khenchen Yizhin Norbu Tupten Gyaltsen Ozer
• Golok Khenpo Munsel
• Choktrul Garwang Nyima Rinpoche
• Pema Tumpo (Orgyen Kusum Lingpa)
• Golok Lama Garcho
• Choktrul Orgyen Chemchok Gojo Orgyen Chemchok
• Chotrul Sang-ngak Tendzin (Tulku Sang-ngak)
• Trakya Lama Rinpoche Palden
• Polu Khenpo Dorje
• Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche
• Chatral Rinpoche Sangye Dorje
• Terse Chime Rinpoche
• Bairo Rinpoche
• Lama Rinpoche Orgyen Rigdzin

20 The Students of Lungtrul Shedrup Tenpai Nyima

• Tekchok Tenpé Gyaltsen Khen Ngawang Palzang Yangsi Rinpoche
• Choktrul Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche
• Drakyab Lama Choden Rinpoche
• Jokhang Choktrul Rinpoche

Publication Reference

• Nyoshul Khenpo, A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage, translated by Richard Barron (Junction City: Padma Publishing, 2005)