HH Jigme Dorje Rinpoche – Supreme Head of the Jonang Lineage
The great H.H. Jigme Dorje Rinpoche (1944–2020) was the revered supreme leader of the Jonang lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, a profound upholder of the Kālacakra teachings and the authentic Jonang tradition. It is said that as a young boy, his destined greatness was recognized by Lama Ngakgom Purtsa, who predicted he would become a master of the Kālacakra Tantra and a pillar of the Jonang lineage. Born amidst wondrous auspicious signs, Jigme Dorje Rinpoche exhibited extraordinary qualities from childhood, demonstrating an innate wisdom and compassion far beyond his years. Recognized as the reincarnation of a great Bodhisattva and Shambhala King Suchandra, his true identity was later affirmed through traditional dharma practices and the sacred Drawing Lots from a Golden Vase Ceremony.
After receiving intensive training under eminent masters such as Awang Gongqiu Daji and Lama Kesang, Rinpoche mastered the profound paths of the Jonang lineage, including the Six Vajra Yogas of Kālacakra. Living in caves and herding goats during his years of ascetic practice, he attained extraordinary realization and became renowned for his profound realization of the ultimate nature of mind. Returning to Zangwa Monastery, he dedicated himself to reviving the teachings, guiding retreats, conferring initiations, and nurturing countless disciples across the world.
In 1998, following the traditions passed down through generations, H.H. Dharma King Yundan Sangbu entrusted him with the sacred relics and formally appointed him the 47th Dharma Throne Holder of the Jonang Kalachakra lineage and the 11th Vajra Master of Zangwa Dazang Monastery. Later, in 2014, his peers elected him as the supreme leader of the entire Jonang tradition. Devoting his entire life to the flourishing of the authentic Dharma, he chose to enter parinirvāṇa auspiciously on the Kālacakra New Year, leaving a legacy of boundless compassion and realization that continues to inspire practitioners around the world.
HE Jigme Dorje Rinpoche’s endorses Khentrul Rinpoche
Shar Khentrul Jamphel Lodrö has attained great faith in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism through his intensive study of the five main traditions of Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Jonang and Geluk. On the basis of these teachings, he has written many great books on subjects such as the history of the Dharma and non-sectarian philosophical views. Through this work he has brought great benefit to the doctrine.
While having studied under many great masters from each of the traditions, his root master was the truly learned and accomplished master Jetsun Lama Lobsang Trinlé, also known as Lama Trinlé Tsang. From him, he spent a long time learning the complete teachings of Sutra and Tantra, specifically, the six branch practices of the Kalachakra Completion Stage. In recognition of his great effort to achieve mastery of all traditions, Jamphel Lodrö was awarded the title of Rimé Master by his root teacher. In particular, he was given the highly blessed Khenpo-hat which had been worn by Lama Lobsang Trinlé throughout that master’s life. This hat carries with it profound blessings and is a sign that Jamphel Lodrö will bring great welfare to beings in the future.
As a child, Jamphel Lodrö was recognised as the immediate reincarnation of the Golok lama Getse Khentrul; however, this truth was kept secret in order to expel obstacles to his life. Many years later, with permission from his root master and after all obstacles had been dispelled, the seal was lifted and he was publicly recognised as the second incarnation of the Washul Lhazu Lama—Ngawang Chözin Gyatso.
Presently, he has been giving extensive teachings on the sutras of definitive meaning and the profound philosophical views of Zhentong Madhyamaka, as well as the preliminary practices which form the foundation for the practice of Kalachakra. He has made great effort to make these teachings available in the Tibetan and English languages, with the aim to eventually translate them into many other languages in the future. Due to his determination to make the Zhentong philosophy accessible, many people all over this world have received great benefit and for that I am very grateful. I rejoice and thank him on behalf of all Jonang practitioners, and fully support him in his many activities.
I would particularly like to express my highest regard for his courage to take responsibility for the most rare and profound teachings of the Kalachakra as an authentic holder of the lineage, as well as for his emphasis for all traditions to come together in the name of global peace and harmony. From the bottom of my heart, I rejoice in these great deeds for they are truly the causes for a golden age to arise.
To all those who are currently supporting Khentrul Rinpoché to achieve these activities, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you and rejoice in the vast merit that you are creating. It is most rare to have the opportunity to encounter these teachings which can bring so much peace and harmony to this world. I make prayers and aspirations that in the future, we will all gather together in the sublime northern realm of Shambhala.
Written at the Dharma palace of the Great Eastern Monastery of Dzamthang Tsangwa by the 47th Vajra Throne Holder Tsangwa Geitrul, Supreme Incarnation Jigme Dorje on the sixth month of the fire monkey year during the 17th rabjung (August, 2016).
Abbott of Dzamthang &
Head of the Jonang Lineage
HH Jigme Dorje Rinpoche was such a great practitioner that people could see the spark of fire, visions of Rahula and smell the smoke of him following His Holiness around.
The Kalki’s Roar of Courage from the Depths of Grief
This prayer is for the Shar Dzamthang’s great Tsangwa Monastery’s most excellent Vajra Master, the most respected Jonang Leader, HH Jigme Dorje Rinpoche, who entered into Dharmatas Primordial equality with the freedom of choosing Kalachakra Day, Nagpa Dawa (Vesak). This style of prayer is to revolutionize our traditional way of grieving. Rinpoche wrote many additional prayers for the benefit of our disciples. However, the primary purpose of this particular one is to infuse the Lama Vajradhara’s Donchod Prayer with auspicious omens. From the great continent of Australia, in Melbourne, home to the Tibetan Buddhist Rime Institute, Jonang Thongzug Dechen Ling, this prayer was completed in English and Tibetan by Shar Khentrul Rinpoche Jamphel Lodrö on Dakini Day, the 25th day of Ngakpa Dawa in the year of the water rabbit.
Indestructible Thigle divine ecstasy’s smile
Impossible to extinguish, yet our merit exhausts.
Your pure form appears for we so impure and unfortunate
Unbearable sorrow, we must face our karma.
When the strength of beings’ good karma burns out,
even the victor’s immeasurable love and compassion appear measurable.
This is how things are.
How futile to fall into grief and anguish like a child.
Beautiful emanation spanning eighty years
Majestic, radiating Dharma sky, how fortunate!
Having not attained spiritual growth and liberation
Isn’t it too late for sorrow and self-pity?
In the pure field of faith and Samaya,
Having the right conditions, merit, and pure perception
Gives realisation the Lama is inseparable awareness of oneself
Why be surprised by the impermanence of the compounded
Like a magician’s magical performance.
Lamenting the Guru’s Bodhicitta and Samaya are released
It is our merit exhausted, so why complain?
Traditional habit of complaining with anguish
How ignorant to doubt unbiased wisdom.
All mighty victor of power and strength
Magical warrior emanation of Vajrapani and Suchandra
Embracing Samaya to bring forth the Golden Age
Why diminish the true inconceivable with childish acts
Lama of High Bodhisattva Bhumi, Tantric Master,
Samaya’s boundless activity of Golden Age Dharma
Connecting all beings of this earth;
Never doubt the multitude of eternal manifestations.
Simply one emanation passes today.
Pervasive form of totality is eternal.
Don’t forsake through sorrow and anguish
Forgetting joy and admiration brings despair.
The Kalki Lama’s vajra armour of courage and Bodhicitta
Why don’t we followers carry as our Guru?
We must accept his samaya as altruistic warriors
To bring the complete fortunate age now.
The Vajra Guru forms are always
surrounding us in all directions
Great confidence, omnipresence, free of two extremes
May we flourish in Dharma together for all beings.
We just need to emulate our Lama’s loving-kindness
Cultivate method and wisdom as he does
Reducing self-centredness, two siddhis arise
Like the sun shining from the Eastern mountain.
Pleasing the Lama in Dharmata
Guiding all mother beings to Shambhala’s pure land
Actualize the Kalki Lama inseparable from our own mind
accomplishing temporary and ultimate benefits for ourselves and all beings.
Evertrue Dharmata of the Lama’s expanse of love and compassion
Complete Primordial vastness is the Lama’s mind
May we, brothers and sisters, unite with our father
And bring forth the fortunate eon for all sentient beings.
༄༅།། གསོལ་འདེབས་བྱིན་རླབས་མུན་སེལ།།།
Prayer of Blessing to Clear the Darkness
Prayer for HH Jigme Dorje Rinpoche
A collection of Khentrul Rinpoche’s unrestricted prayers are available in the Dzokden Learning Center.