Pema Shelpuk

Pema Shelpuk photo courtesy of Matthew Pistono

Pema Shelpuk (Wyl. padma shel phug), the 'Lotus Crystal Cave' — a famous pilgrimage site located at about four hours' trekking distance above Dzongsar Monastery. It is counted as one of the twenty-five most important sacred places in all of East Tibet, representing the enlightened speech aspect of enlightened qualities. It is said to have been blessed by the four masters Garab Dorje, Shri Singha, Guru Rinpoche and Vairotsana. It was there that Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa discovered the Three Classes of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen Dé Sum) terma cycle, and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo placed a statue of Guru Dewachenpo in the cave. Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö would often stay there in the summer.

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche writes:

Surrounded by white mountain cliffs, the valley of Meshö is like an open lotus flower and the foothills covered with meadows and forests. Flowers grow abundantly in summertime and water flows here and there. In the middle, the heart of the lotus, is a huge white rock with a cave in the center called Padma Shelpuk, the Lotus Crystal Cave. The rock, cave and surrounding area are all white in color. The cave contains many naturally appearing images and letters. Yeshe Tsogyal practiced in a small cave to the left, which has windows which also appeared naturally, though they look man-made. The practice caves of Vairotsana and Shri Singha with their naturally-appeared thrones are at the top of the rock. The Padma Shelpuk, which people called the Ghost Cave, was a cave no one dared visit. Whoever went there was eaten right away. People sometimes saw a one-eyed woman they said was the ghost. A bald-headed man riding on a goat was also seen.

Further Reading

• dam chos rdzogs pa chen po sde gsum las/ dbang gi gnas pad+ma shal phug gi dkar chags, from the Dzogchen Desum cycle revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa
  
• pad+ma shal phug gi gnas bstod by Jamgon Kongtrul
  
• gnas chen pad+ma shal phug gi gsol 'debs by Karmapa Thekchok Dorje
  
• gnas chen pad+ma shal phug gi gsol 'debs by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö