Contents
Longchen Rabjam (Longchenpa, 13081364)
Statue of Patrul Rinpoche, said to bear an accurate resemblance, made by his close disciples npo Tenga and Mura Tulku. About a foot high, it was placed as a relic inside another statue at Gemang Monastery and is therefore no longer visible. (Photo by Khenpo Dnnyi, ca. 1997)
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
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Boulder, Colorado 80301
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2017 BY SHECHEN PUBLICATIONS, INC .
All photographs are by Matthieu Ricard unless stated otherwise in the caption.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
eBook design adapted from printed book design by Michael Russem
Cover photograph by Raphale Demandre
Cover design: Graciela Galup
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Names: Ricard, Matthieu. | Wilkinson, Constance, editor.
Title: Enlightened vagabond: the life and teachings of Patrul Rinpoche / collected and translated from the Tibetan by Matthieu Ricard; edited by Constance Wilkinson.
Description: First edition. | Boulder, Colorado: Shambhala, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016036699 | ISBN 9781611803303 (paperback)
eISBN9780834840669
Subjects: LCSH: O-rgyan-jigs-med-chos-kyi-dbang-po, Dpal-sprul, 18081887. | Rnying-ma-pa lamasChinaTibet Autonomous RegionBiography. |
BISAC: RELIGION / Buddhism / Tibetan. | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Religious.
Classification: LCC BQ7950.O767 E55 2017 | DDC 294.3/923092 [ B ]dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016036699
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CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Thangka of Shakyamuni Buddha
Thangka of Guru Padmasambhava
Thangka of Longchen Rabjam
Thangka of Jigme Lingpa
Small statue of Patrul Rinpoche
Kangyur Rinpoche
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
Jamgn Kongtrul Lodr Thaye
Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Khenpo Ngawang Palzang
Tulku Urgyen Chemchog
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche
Kunu Rinpoche Tendzin Gyaltsen
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Khenpo Pema Wangyal
Khenpo Shnri
Khenpo Palga
Map of eastern Tibet
Karchung Khormo Olu
View of the Dzachukha region
Thanka of Jigme Gyalwai Nyugu
Entrance to Yamantaka Cave
Tro Sitrn mountain range
Pilgrims at Yamantaka Cave
Glacier Wilderness, Middle Lake
Glacier Wilderness, Upper Lake
The Palge Mani Wall
Ts Patrul
Patrul Namkha Jigme
Shukchen Tago Monastery
Ari Nak
Dzogchen Valley
Drelkar Cave
Dzagyal Trama Lung
Lotus Crystal Cave
Patrul Rinpoches cremation stupa
Patrul Rinpoches relics
Patrul Rinpoche Lineage Chart
Patrul Rinpoches Family Tree
THE DALAI LAMA
FOREWORD
Patrul Rinpoche, Orgyen Jigme Chkyi Wangpo, was one of the most influential Tibetan masters of the nineteenth century, renowned for the simplicity of his way of life, his dedication to spiritual practice, and his nonsectarian approach to all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Because he hailed from the region of Dzachukha in Kham, he was known as Dza Patrul Rinpoche. Emulating the homeless life of the Buddha and his followers, Dza Patrul lived the life of a wandering yogi with no settled abode and practiced in solitude.
He is particularly renowned for his putting into practice the instructions contained in Shantidevas Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara), which he also taught extensively. Legend has it that whenever he taught this text, serchen flowers would bloom in the vicinity with many more petals than usual. These came to be known as Bodhicharyavatara flowers, while Dza Patrul Rinpoche was known as the Bodhicharyavatara Lama.
Loved for his humility and respected for his vast and profound knowledge, as well as his great yogic realization, he attracted disciples from all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Although there is no extensive written biography of Dza Patrul Rinpoche extant, his legacy lives on in tales that are told about him. Ven. Matthieu Ricard has compiled many of these in this book and so made them available to a wider readership. I commend him for the hard work he has put into this.
Traditionally, biographies of eminent spiritual masters are not just stories for the purpose of entertainment. They serve as an inspiration for those who come after to learn from. I pray that this new book about Dza Patrul Rinpoche will long fulfill this worthy purpose.