Yang Gönpa

Gyalwa Yang Gönpa Gyaltsen Pal (Wyl. yang dgon pa rgyal mtshan dpal) (1213-1258 or 1287) was a great yogin of the Drukpa Kagyü school and one of the foremost disciples of Gyalwa Götsangpa (1189-1258). He also studied with Godrakpa (1181-1261), who is considered the first great non-sectarian master of Tibet, Drigung Chennga Rinpoche of the Drigung Kagyü school, Sakya Pandita (1182-1251), and Sangye Repa, and other masters. He is known as one of the 'three victorious ones', the other two being his teacher Gyalwa Götsangpa and Gyalwa Lorepa.

Writings

His writings include the famous explanation of the subtle body called A Hidden Explanation of the Vajra Body (rdo rje lus kyi sbas bshad) and The Richö ('Mountain Dharma') Trilogy (ri chos skor gsum).

Further Reading

• 'The Three Victorious Ones (Gyalwa Gotsangpa, Gyalwa Lorepa and Gyalwa Yang Gonpa)' in Dragon, Winter 2002 (Issue No. 3)