Sunday, February 19, 2006

Lord of Siddhas


This is the great master Shakya Shri, who was the root guru of Tulku Urgyen's Uncle Tersey. A full chapter is dedicated to this incredible yogi in Blazing Splendor. Here are the opening lines to give you a taste:

During his stay in Central Tibet, Uncle Tersey frequented the encampment of his root guru Shakya Shri, the great siddha-master. Shakya Shri was also known as the Lord of Siddhas and as Precious Realised Master. His main guru was Old Khyentse.
"Shakya Shri lived with about seven hundred disciples in Kyipuk," Uncle Tersey told me. "His disciples had dug caves all around the two surrounding slopes, while others stayed in tiny tents made of either canvas or yak felt. Shakya Shri himself lived on a meadow in the only house around, which was a simple structure of stamped mud with one large window."

A fine translation of Shakya Shri's biography together with some of his teachings and poems has been made by Elio Guarisco and we look forward to its eventual publication.

8 comments:

sherabray said...

Does he had any Tulku now?

pensum said...

This is an interesting question. He certainly seems to have a lot of illustrious descendents including Sey Rinpoche, Apho Rinpoche, Khandro Rinpoche (the one described in the post below), etc. The doesn't appear to be included (yet) in the unpublished biography though it does include a pretty amazing account of Shakya Shri's life and some of his teachings. Someone out there must know the answer...

Anonymous said...

The yangzi of Shakya Shri lives in salt lake, and I'm sorry to say that
NO ONE knows who he is. Even the Tibetan in Salt Lake pay no mind to him. I visit with him very often, and though he has
never really taught dharma, I learn from our dharma talks. He is a student to Chatral Rinpoche, whos name cant be said with tears coming to Rinpoche face.

His name is Sampho Rinpoche from the Samdrak Podrang of Lhasa, the great sponsers of Nyingma masters such as Khyentse Chokyi Lodro, Dudjom, Dilgo, Chatral Rinpoches and many more from the past. Many books were written in there house. Read them and you will see.

pensum said...

Well there you have it: mystery solved! Thanks so much. I've recently read Kathok Situ's biography of Shakya Shri and he truly was the "Lord of Siddhas" remarkable lama he seems to have been.

Anonymous said...

I'm assumning that 'yangzi' means the same as 'tulku", yes? What are his circumstances? Does the person who write the book about Shakya Shri know this? If there is such deep devotion to Chatral Rinpoche, why is he not practicing in Nepal? What is the story? When there is a need........

Anonymous said...

Hi

I am currently doing postgraduate research on Shakya Sri and his lineage at the Australian National University, as well as translating his rnam thar and major works.

If anyone has any information about him, or any resources or ideas, please! let me know.
holmesapo@yahoo.co.nz

Also, how can I get a larger copy of the photo of Se Phagchog please?

His Tulku situation is actually quite complex. Contact me if you're interested.

This blog has the most amazing photos...

Keep up the good work

Anonymous said...

Information regarding The Great Shakya Shri can be found in www.khachodling.org/family.htlm As described in the site, he is the great grandfather of Khandro-la. A short biography about him and his students a available there. Khandro-la is presently doing a teaching tour in New Zealand and Australia. Please contact her via the email address given on the site.

p.s for the benefit of all sentient beings

Anonymous said...

Anonymous comment 02/06 - the statement is true that Samdrup Phodrang family (Sampho) was patron to such great masters such as Chatral Rinpoche. That is precisely how Chogyal Wangchuk of Sikkim, became a student of His Holiness Chatral Rinpoche. Chogyal Wangchuk La's mother is from the Sampho Family, and there fore the connection.