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Tertön Sogyal's revelation of the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Guru Statue

June 12, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey, Nechung, Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Guru Statue
from Chapter 9 of Fearless in Tibet

DISCOVERING THE WISH-FULFILLING JEWEL GURU STATUE
Drikok Encampment, Eastern Tibet
Year of the Earth Ox to the Iron Hare, 1889–1891

In Tertön Sogyal’s 35th year, he revealed a guidebook to the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Guru Statue, which stated, “Just as the veins of the body converge at the heart, go to the auspicious cave in the remote area of Derge where there are seven stone steps. You will see unmistakably, on the rock wall, an eight-spoked wheel. In the middle of the wheel there will be dakini script. There, behind, look for the extraordinarily blessed statue that liberates any individual who is fortunate to lay eyes upon it.”

The guide also instructed Tertön Sogyal about the astrologically appropriate date for revelation, the number of disciples who should accompany him, and the purification rituals to conduct, all of which needed to come together perfectly for the treasure revelation. The guidebook concluded, “When Guru Padmasambhava hid this statue, he entrusted it to Rahula and the naga treasure guardian named Jeweled Goddess. These two guardians will watch over the Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Guru Statue for many centuries.  Read More 
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The photograph of Tertön Sogyal by Alak Gurong

May 21, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey, Alak Gurong
Tertön Sogyal (1856-1926)
Except from Chapter 19 of “Fearless in Tibet: The Life of the Mystic Tertön Sogyal”

Jentsa and Xining, Northeastern Tibet
Year of the Water Ox to the Wood Tiger, 1913–1914

One chilly morning, Tertön Sogyal told his host he needed to go to Nyenbo Dzari Lake to conduct a ritual. Alak Gurong and a few of his attendants and monks saddled the horses and they left straightaway. Arriving at the high mountain lake known for its medicinal qualities, the group made camp while Tertön Sogyal began a ceremonial offering of beer and juniper smoke to the tellurian spirits and treasure guardians. He instructed everyone to leave him alone and told them to walk to the center of the frozen lake and to break open a large hole. When they returned, he told them to stay at the campsite; he then walked to the center of the lake. No sooner had Tertön Sogyal arrived at the hole than he dove headfirst into the frigid water. The group ran to save Tertön Sogyal from certain hypothermia. But they could see nothing when they looked into the cold water. They did not know what to do. Worried and anxious, some began to cry. Minutes seemed like hours.

“What have we done?”

“Our refuge has died.”

As if a lion were roaring, Tertön Sogyal emerged from the lake with a rush of wind. He held in his right hand a Buddha statue and in his left hand a bejeweled treasure casket  Read More 
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Tertön Sogyal in Golok and collaboration with Dodrupchen Rinpoche

May 19, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey, Dodrupchen
Dodrupchen Monastery, Golok
Extract from "Fearless in Tibet: The Life of the Mystic Tertön Sogyal"

Tertön Sogyal, with his wife and son and attendants, had crossed the Yellow River watershed and entered Golok. This gigantic landscape swallows travelers in dust storms and wind that can knock a sturdy Tibetan horse flat to the ground. Tertön Sogyal relied upon the treasure guardians to show the route. They steered the reins past the southern turnoff toward Kandze and ventured due east across the highland ranges with its rolling golden grasslands that extended as far as the eye could see. As they entered the sparsely populated region of southern Golok, the number of flat-roofed, stone-stacked houses in any village was no more than a dozen. Corn and barley sheaves hung among drying chilies from the three-story houses with the ubiquitous Tibetan mastiffs guarding the perimeter from sand foxes and wolves. Above the riverbanks where the barley terraces were planted, nomad children and women ran after Tertön Sogyal seeking his blessing, their devotion inspired by his tantric attire and nest of hair. In the high mountain meadows and pastures of rhododendron shrubs, and along the river basins, Tertön Sogyal’s caravan passed herds of yaks numbering in the thousands, tended by nomads.

This was the first time Tertön Sogyal had come to Golok, a region that rivaled Nyarong in its reputation of rugged nomads and roaming bandits. When locals camped for the night in Golok, horses were picketed under strong guard and men slept with their boots laced and their weapons at hand.  Read More 
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Assassination attempt of the 13th Dalai Lama (part 2)

May 14, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey, Dalai Lama
the 13th Dalai Lama and Tibet's Cabinet of Ministers
Part 2 of SORCERER’S ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE DALAI LAMA from 'Fearless in Tibet'

When the Dalai Lama was 24 years old, he began having recurring ominous dreams. He consulted Tertön Sogyal, who interpreted the dreams as life threatening and suggested antidotes and rituals to drive away the source of the aggression. The Nechung Oracle began to warn of similar dangers to the Dalai Lama’s life. A new menace had emerged. While the Oracle often gave cryptic allegories in his counsel, on this occasion he stated plainly that measures needed to be taken to protect the Dalai Lama.

The Nechung Oracle most often delivered his prophecies and advice to the Dalai Lama and government ministers in formal ceremonies. With the Dalai Lama presiding on a throne and the officials arranged by rank, the Oracle’s medium would enter the temple in a meditative state, waiting to become possessed. As the assembly chanted invocation verses, the medium’s ritual brocade robes and circular chest plate, weighing more than 100 pounds, were securely fastened. When Nechung entered the medium’s body, the monk stomped and jerked in wrathful dances as a massive helmet-crown that weighed more than 30 pounds was tied to his head. As he hissed and jumped,  Read More 
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Assassination attempt of the 13th Dalai Lama (part 1)

May 13, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey, Dalai Lama
Thubten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama; click on photo for more images
Extract from "Fearless in Tibet"

SORCERER’S ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE DALAI LAMA (Part 1)
Lhasa, Central Tibet Year of the Earth Pig, 1899

In 1886, when the Thirteenth Dalai Lama was 11 years old, Demo became Tibet’s regent. Demo was the head of the Tengyeling Monastery, and its estate was the largest and most powerful in Lhasa at the time. Demo served the young Dalai Lama well, and thanks to his position, his monastery increased its already substantial wealth. In the Wood Sheep year (1895), Demo stepped aside and the Dalai Lama was enthroned as the spiritual and political ruler of Tibet. Many in Demo’s court were not pleased with their loss of power. In particular, Norbu Tsering, Demo’s nephew and manager of the Tengyeling estate, was distressed at the sudden reduction in Tengyeling’s political clout after the Dalai Lama ascended to the throne.

The wealth of Tengyeling in the late 1800s was a testament to Norbu Tsering’s proficiency in worldly ways. He not only employed  Read More 
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The 13th Dalai Lama and Tertön Sogyal

May 9, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey, Dalai Lama
click here for more photos of the 13th Dalai Lama
Extract from Chapter 8 of "Fearless in Tibet"

OFFICIAL SUMMONS FROM THE DALAI LAMA
Drikok Encampment, Eastern Tibet
Year of the Earth Rat to the Earth Ox, 1888–1889

Accounts of Tertön Sogyal’s spiritual power spread throughout eastern Tibet to the marketplace and teahouses of Lhasa. Devout pilgrims arriving in central Tibet from Kham told of the emerging treasure revealer from Nyarong who was pulling termas out of granite and appearing in different villages at the same time. Traders brought stories of Tertön Sogyal’s blessed talismans that safeguarded them from the dangers of robbers and the punishing hailstorms. Even the monks and teachers in Lhasa at the great monastic universities of Sera, Drepung, and Ganden began hearing about Tertön Sogyal.

At the beginning of the Earth Rat year (1888), a messenger on horseback was dispatched from the Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace in Lhasa to eastern Tibet with a message for Tertön Sogyal. The horseman found  Read More 
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Patrul Rinpoche, Nyoshul Lungtok, and Tertön Sogyal

May 6, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey
Matteo Pistono with a monk near Patrul Rinpoche's retreat cave; click for more photos
Tertön Sogyal spent a few years in retreat under the great Dzogchen adept, Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpai Nyima. Nyoshul Lungtok spent nearly thirty years studying under Patrul Rinpoche. At the end of Nyoshul Lungtok’s decades of experiential-oriented training with his teacher, Patrul Rinpoche announced publicly, “With respect to the view, Nyoshul Lungtok surpasses me.”

When Tertön Sogyal learned of the great Patrul Rinpoche’s declaration of Nyoshul Lungtok’s realization of wisdom, he knew he needed to study with him. Donning his tattered robes and white shawl, and carrying a few texts, his prayer beads, and a wooden bowl, Tertön Sogyal  Read More 
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Jamgön Kongtrul and Tertön Sogyal

May 5, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey
Scroll painting of Jamgön Kongtrul with his hand and footprints; click on image for more photos from 'Fearless in Tibet'
After Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo passed away, Tertön Sogyal turned to
the remaining spiritual luminary in eastern Tibet, Jamgön Kongtrul,
as his touchstone. Tertön Sogyal had already received many
teachings and empowerments from Kongtrul. As their relationship
deepened, Kongtrul acknowledged that Tertön Sogyal was
unique among his  Read More 
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Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Tertön Sogyal

April 30, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey
Scroll painting of Jamyang Khyentse Wanpgo, with his foot and hand prints; click here for more photographs
After Tertön Sogyal had spent over five years in retreat in Drikok, he went to Dzongsar to meet the greatest living master of the day, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo. Their meeting was not by chance, as clearly found in many prophecy and predictions. During their first meeting, Jamyang Khyentse declared the young tertön  Read More 
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Tertön Sogyal's grandson, Tromge Tulku Khacho Dechen Wangpo

March 25, 2014
Tags: Fearless in Tibet, Tertön Sogyal photo journey
click on the photo for more photographs
This is the grandson of Tertön Sogyal, Tromge Tulku Khacho Dechen Wangpo, a great meditator who lives in eastern Tibet. I was honored to meet him a few times and to talk about Tertön Sogyal. I once told him that I wanted to write the biography of his grandfather, and asked for his blessing to do so. He gave me a white prayer bead from his rosary for the endeavor, which I put around my neck to bless my speech, and written word!  Read More 
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