Pabongka Rinpoche (sometimes spelt Phabongkha), Jampa Tenzin Trinlay Gyatso, (1878-1941) was one of the great Gelug lamas of the modern era of Tibetan Buddhism. He was the root lama of both Ling Rinpoche and Trijang Rinpoche, the two tutors of the present Dalai Lama.
Early life
Pabongka Rinpoche was born north of
Lhasa,
Tibet. His root guru was
Dagpo Lama Rinpoche (sometimes spelt Tagpo or Thagpo).
Teaching
In 1921 at
Chuzang Hermitage near Lhasa, Pabongka Rinpoche gave a historic 24-day exposition on the
Lam Rim, or "stages of the path," that was attended by many thousands of clergy and laypeople. These teachings were translated into English and published as
Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand. He was the first Gelug teacher who taught lay persons outside the monasteries and became very influential.
Controversies
Pabongka Rinpoche was at times at odds with the 13th
Dalai Lama over Pabongka's antagonism toward the
Nyingma lineage, which arose from a bout of serious illness he believed stemmed from his adoption of Nyingma practices as a young man. His related advocacy of the
Dorje Shugden protector practice was also a divisive issue in the Tibetan Buddhist world.
Books
- Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand, Wisdom Publications
Related
External links
1878 births | 1941 deaths | Lamas