Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub

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Dorje Drolö, according to the Dudjom Tersar lineage

Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo (Wyl. bdud 'joms khrag 'thung pad+ma'i srog sgrub zab mo), ‘The Vital Essence Sadhana of Dudjom Traktung Pema’ is the main Dorje Drolö cycle revealed by Dudjom Rinpoche in 1917 as a gongter. This particular sadhana was Dudjom Rinpoche's heart essence [1] and has become now the main Dorje Drolö sadhana within the Dudjom Tersar lineage.

Purpose

Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche, a main Dudjom Tersar lineage holder and direct student of Dudjom Rinpoche, imparted the following advice about the Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo: [2]

"The wrathful practice of Dorje Drolö is critically important in pacifying all the negative circumstances that we face in today's world. Since the whole spectrum of Buddhadharma teachings and its essence is love, compassion, and wisdom, this wrathful practice is not just the expression of some sort of ordinary rage; rather, it is the pinnacle practice of compassion and wisdom underlying the practice of Buddhadharma at its most profound level. Therefore, for the sake of all sentient beings, particularly in this degenerate time, the Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo “The Vital Essence Sadhana of Dudjom Traktung Pema” practice is a very powerful and immediately effective way of bringing peace and harmony to the world.”

Content

The Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo is centered on Dorje Drolö but also connected to Amitayus.

Revelation of the Terma

Dudjom Rinpoche wrote in the colophon of the terma text [3] [4]

“[In 1917], when I, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, was thirteen years old, I was practicing somewhat the phases of approach and accomplishment of Duddul Ter Jyön Drolö [5] when the creation phase and the mantra recitation for this [Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo] suddenly arose in my mind, with its unique system of recitation and visualization. Later on, [in 1928], when I was twenty-four years old, and practicing the approach and accomplishment phases of Dudjom Drolö [6], this sadhana [of the Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo] arose very clearly.”

According to Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche:

“This particular sadhana, called Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo “The Vital Essence Sadhana of Dudjom Traktung Pema” was Dudjom Rinpoche's heart essence. By doing this practice, Dudjom Rinpoche overcame many obstacles and gained long life”.

Propagation

After its first revelation, Dudjom Rinpoche kept secret the Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo during 37 years, as he himself wrote[7]:

"At that time, I was afraid on account of the sacred pledge that if I showed the sadhana to anyone, my life-force would be severed. Therefore, I practised it secretly while outwardly I practiced the two above-mentioned sadhanas. [8]. It became clear to me that when the obstacles of the Dark Age would surge like strong winds, only the power of this instruction would allow my life-force to be maintained, and then only like a butter lamp. I had great confidence in the power of this new terma. Now, [in 1954], I have crossed the difficult passageway of fifty-years ad Gyurme Yönten Gyatso, who is an excellent mantra-practitioner, has implored me earnestly and fervently, to reveal at all costs, the profound secret sadhana od Dudjom Dorje. Therefore, I released the secret seal and revealed this teaching”.

According to Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche[9]:

”The Dudjom Dorje Drolö wang is a serious, practice-oriented empowerment meant for those who are committed and feel connected to Dorje Drolö. Only those who have Refuge Vows and a previous empowerment from a Vajra Master are welcome to attend this kind of empowerment. Dorje Drolö is one of the most powerful of wrathful emanations of Guru Rinpoche. In the Nyingma tradition, this practice is only given as the final accomplishment practice of the secret Vajrayana. The results for those who undertake a Dorje Drolö retreat are immediate and final and those who do so will understand the strictness of his command. Most of the time, one comes out of the retreat either, blessed, realized or mentally unbalanced. It is advised to be really cautious both in receiving the Wang from a qualified master of the lineage, and in practicing Dorje Drolö.”

According to Sogyal Rinpoche[10]:

”Once, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche requested Dudjom Rinpoche to grant him his termas cycle empowerment, but because of the time available, he asked Dudjom Rinpoche to give him his most important practice empowerment. Dudjom Rinpoche then answered to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche that his most important terma was Dorje Drolö. And he gave it to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche”.

Today, the Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo, the main Dorje Drolö practice of Dudjom Rinpoche, is still kept very secret and is very rarely transmitted.

Translations

  • Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, ‘The Vital Essence Sadhana of Dudjom Traktung’, translated by Lama Dechen Wangmo and Ron Garry, Vajrayana Foundation Bero Jeydren Publications, Corralitos, CA, 1997, second edition 2002.

Notes

  1. According to oral instructions given by Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche.
  2. Presentation of a Dorje Drolö drupchen to be given by Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche.
  3. Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, ‘The Vital Essence Sadhana of Dudjom Traktung’, translated by Lama Dechen Wangmo and Ron Garry, Vajrayana Foundation Bero Jeydren Publications, Corralitos, CA, 1997, second edition 2002, colophon, page 29.
  4. Khenpo Tsewang Namgyal ‘Light of Fearless Indestructible Wisdom’, The life and Legacy of Dudjom Rinpoche, Snow Lion, 2008. Page 180-181.
  5. The Duddul Ter Jyön Drolö is a Dorje Drolö practice revealed by Rigdzin Düddul Dorje.
  6. The Dudjom Drolö is a Dorje Drolö practice revealed by Dudjom Lingpa, predecessor of Dudjom Rinpoche.
  7. Khenpo Tsewang Namgyal ‘Light of Fearless Indestructible Wisdom’, The life and Legacy of Dudjom Rinpoche, Snow Lion, 2008. Page 180-181.
  8. Dudjom Rinpoche was outwardly practising the Dorje Drolö sadhanas of Rigdzin Düddul Dorje and of Dudjom Lingpa, but in fact was secretly practising the Dudjom Traktung Pema Sokdrub Zabmo, his own terma.
  9. Instructions given for a Dorje Drolö empowerment granted by Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche in March, 2012, in Yeshe Nying Po, NYC, USA.
  10. Sogyal Rinpoche, oral story shared on August, 27th, 2009, in Lerab Ling, while Sogyal Rinpoche was doing his personal practice in the main temple, and before giving a blessing to Rigpa’s French sangha.

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