Longchen Nyingtik

A thangka showing the deities of Longchen Nyingtik, including the lama Rigdzin Düpa, the yidam Palchen Düpa, the khandro Yumka Dechen Gyalmo, along with Dukngal Rangdrol, Takhyung Barwa, Senge Dongma and the protective deities.

Longchen Nyingtik [Tib.] - a Nyingma cycle of teachings and practice, which was discovered by Jikmé Lingpa through a series of visions from the great 14th century master, Longchenpa.

The Revelation of Longchen Nyingtik

Although separated in time by some four centuries, Jikmé Lingpa was tremendously inspired by the teachings of Longchenpa, and during a three-year retreat in the caves of Chimphu between 1759–62, he invoked him fervently with a Guru Yoga he had composed. Longchenpa appeared to him in three visions, through which he received the blessing and transmission of the wisdom body, speech and mind of Longchenpa, empowering him with the responsibility of preserving the meaning of the teachings of Longchenpa, and of spreading them. Longchenpa appeared to him three times: first he appeared as quite old, the second time he appeared he was younger and smiled at him, and the third time he was very youthful, came alive, took the whole teaching in the form of a book and placed it on his head, granting him the Rigpé Tsal Wang. At that instant his mind became one with the wisdom mind of Longchenpa.

The Major Texts

The major texts of Longchen Nyingtik are as follows:

Original Tantras

1. The root tantra: Kuntu Zangpo Yeshe Longki Gyü
   
2. The subsequent tantra: Gyü Chima
   
3. Teachings: Kuntu Zangpö Gong-nyam
   
4. Instructions
   

a. Instructions: Nesum Shenje and Neluk Dorje Tsigang

b. Their commentaries: Yeshe Lama with its supporting texts

Sadhanas

1. Male vidyadharas

a. Peaceful: outer: Guru Yoga

inner: Rigdzin Düpa

secret: Dukngal Rangdrol

innermost secret: Ladrup Tiklé Gyachen

b. Wrathful: blue: Palchen Düpa

red: Takhyung Barwa

2. Female vidyadharas

a. Peaceful: root sadhana: Yumka Dechen Gyalmo

b. Wrathful: secret sadhana: Senge Dongchen

Lineage of the Longchen Nyingtik

Some of the main lineage holders of the Longchen Nyingtik lineage are listed below.

First stage

• Samantabhadra, the Dharmakaya
• Vajrasattva, the Sambhogakaya
• Prahevajra (Tib. Garab Dorje), the Nirmanakaya; the first human master of Dzogpa Chenpo

Hitting the Essence in Three Words

• Mañjushrimitra

Six Experiences in Meditation

• Shri Singha

Seven Nails

• Jñanasutra

Four Means of Abiding

• Vimalamitra

Vima Nyingtik

• Guru Rinpoche

Khandro Nyingtik

• King Trisong Detsen, received Nyingtik teachings from Guru Rinpoche and Vimalimitra
• Yeshe Tsogyal
• Vairochana
• Longchen Rabjam
• Ridgzin Jigmé Lingpa, revealed the Longchen Nyingtik teachings

Later stages

• Dodrupchen I Jikmé Trinlé Özer, the direct disciple of Jigme Lingpa, he arranged and expanded on Jigme Lingpa’s revelation
• Jikmé Gyalwé Nyugu
• Dola Jikmé Kalzang
• Fourth Dzogchen Mingyur Namkhé Dorje
• Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje
• Gyalsé Shenpen Tayé
• Dzogchen Khenpo Pema Dorje
• Patrul Jigme Chokyi Wangpo

A Brief Guide to the Stages of Visualization

The Words of My Perfect Teacher

Special Teaching of the Wise and Glorious King

• Dodrupchen II Jikmé Puntsok Jungné
• Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Illuminating the Excellent Path to Omniscience

• Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpé Nyima
• Khenpo Ngawang Palzang

A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher

• Chökyi Drakpa

A Torch for the Path to Omniscience

• Dodrupchen III Jikmé Tenpé Nyima

• Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol

Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro Commentary

• Alak Zenkar Pema Ngodrup Rolwe Dorje
• Jamyang Khyentsé Chökyi Lodrö
• Khenpo Chechok Thöndrup

A Commentary on Rigdzin Dupa

• Dilgo Khyentse Tashi Paljor
• Dodrupchen IV
• Alak Zenkar Rinpoche

Further Reading

• Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher, translated by the Padmakara Translation Group, Shambhala 1994, revised ed. 1998
• Tulku Thondup, Enlightened Journey, Boston & London, Shambhala, 1995
• Tulku Thondup, Masters of Meditation and Miracles, Shambhala, 1996

External Links

• Index to the Tibetan volumes of the Longchen Nyingtik