The Great Vidyadhara of Kathog: Rigzin Padma Wangchen, Descendant of Mongolian Lineage

I. Official Recognition

• The Great Vidyadhara of Kathog
• Rigzin Pema Wangchen of Mongolian descent
• Recognised by Kangtsang Tertön, Dokhu Rinpoche, Karma Chagme Rinpoche of Pelyul Monastery, Chatral Rinpoche, and Gopa Tulku as the reincarnation of the great Kathog Rigzin Tsal Wangpo

II. Educational Journey (Chronological)

Early Education (Ages 7-16)

• Under the guidance of Lama Thubten Norbu, who was both teacher and father figure, studied:
  • Tibetan language
  • Various Vajrayana rituals
  • Mudras, chanting, and scriptural exposition
  • Traditional medicine and astrology
  • Scripture memorisation

Achievement at Age Twelve:

• With minimal scriptural study, treasure teachings naturally flowed forth like a spring
• Composed "The Secret Treasury of All Buddhas' Wisdom"
• Received praise and respectful study from both Gopa Rinpoche and the yogi Sonam

Ages 17-18: Under Gelugpa Langa Rinpoche and Akhu Tsering, studied:

• Tibetan history
• Classical literature
• Stages of the Path to Enlightenment
• Atisha's lineage of Tara teachings and oral instructions

Ages 18-24: Under the great Kathog master Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche, studied:

• Partial teachings from Kathog Rigzin Terdzö
• Both distant and close lineages of Kathog tradition
• Complete common and uncommon Longchen Great Perfection teachings
• Dudjom New Treasure's preliminary and main practices through to Great Perfection teachings

III. Major Lineages and Teachings

Received Teachings:

• Partial teachings from Kathog Rigzin Terdzö (Tsal Wangpo)
• Taranatha's "Oral Transmission of Chakrasamvara"
• Dapupa's Secret Tara Teachings

Transmissions from Various Masters:

1. From Gopa Tulku:

• Complete Naropa's Six Yogas
• Kagyü Mahakala Activity Practices and Mandala Methods

1. From Khenchen Yeshe Gyatso:

• Three Treatises on Vinaya
• Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life
• Five Treatises of Maitreya
• Four Preliminary Practices
• Vajrayana Energy Practices

1. From Kangtsang Rinpoche:

• Twelve volumes of Rinpoche's own treasure teachings
• Empowerments and explanations of the two main Kathog treasure masters' collections
• Partial teachings from Tertons Apang and Aga
• Various Medicine Buddha empowerments, oral transmissions and explanations
• Hayagriva treasure teachings

1. From Pelyul Karma Chagme Rinpoche:

• Do Denpai Nyingma's "Commentary on Generation Stage"
• Most empowerments, oral transmissions and explanations from the Pelyul Celestial Dharma Collection

1. From Chatral Rinpoche:

• Kathog Rigzin Terdzö lineage of Guru Rinpoche's Thirteen Deities
• Rahula Protector Activity Practices
• Vajrasattva Five Stages
• Oral transmission and explanation of the Great Perfection's Three Spaces

1. From Kathog Situ Wangchuk Rinpoche:

• Three Root Treasure teachings' empowerments and instructions from Kathog's two treasure revealers, Düdül Dorje and Longsal Nyingpo
• Channel and essence-drop practices from the Kathog Rigzin Terdzö lineage

1. From Yogi Mudem Marthe:

• Complete teachings, empowerments, oral transmissions and instructions from the Kathog Rigzin Terdzö lineage

1. From His Holiness Penor Rinpoche:

• Complete empowerments of the "Great Treasury of Termas"
• Various distant and close lineage teachings including the Three Vajra Strikes

1. From Longchen Rabjam's heir, His Holiness Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche:

• Complete empowerments and oral transmissions of the Longchen lineage
• Zimay Protector Activity practices
• Nyingma Öser's fierce mantra treasury oral transmissions and instructions

IV. Retreat Practice Conducted over three years of extended retreats at sacred sites including Kathmandu's Vajravarahi power place, Lake Pokhara in Gorkha, Bodhi Spring, and the secluded Snow Mountains.

V. Special Accomplishments and Prophecies

• Received Dudjom New Treasure teachings from Tulku Nyenlo Rinpoche with instructions to spread these teachings widely
• Received oral transmissions and explanations of the Great Perfection's Three Self-liberations and Three Vajra Strikes from Khenchen Pema Tsewang
• Received transmission of the Jonang school's special 108 guidance texts from Akhu Drelha Lhagye
• Prophesied by Terton Apang, Dakini Dalai, and Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche to become a holder of Guru Rinpoche's lineage
• Received the Kathog lineage treasure—the skull of Kathog founder Dampa Deshek—from the Kathog elder and renowned Great Perfection yogi Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche

VI. Current Accomplishments

• Holds lineages of Kathog, Pelyul, Longchen, Dudjom, Kagyü and Jonang traditions
• Accomplished in various forms of Tibetan poetry
• Named best young poet by Eastern India's Tibet Mirror
• Named best young author by Nepal's Voice of Himalaya Magazine
• Currently serves as a Tibetan literature reviewer for various newspapers and magazines
• Authored thirteen books on Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan history, biography, poetry and fiction
• Compiled the complete works of Kathog Rigzin Terdzö II Tsal Wangpo and the collected works of Jonang master Taranatha

VII. Recent Teaching Programme (2023-2024)

2023 Teachings:

1. "Sutra of Recollecting the Three Jewels" A fundamental text explaining the qualities of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, essential daily practice for Buddhist practitioners after taking refuge, and a mandatory daily recitation in monasteries. In Tibetan Buddhism, this is considered the first text to be studied after entering the Buddhist path.
2. "Ornament of Precious Qualities" Composed by Lord Atisha, this text presents teachings on the views and conduct for Mahayana practitioners who have generated bodhicitta, cultivating right view and pure discipline. This relatively simple and accessible treatise from Atisha's works has influenced all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
3. "Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist Lineages" A concise presentation of the origins, views, practices, and representative monasteries and figures of major Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
4. "Garland of Views - Outer Path" A classic Nyingma text composed by Guru Rinpoche in Tibetan, containing essential teachings given to King Trisong Deutsen at Samye Monastery, analysing differences between various vehicles and views.

2023 Practice Instructions:

1. "Stages of Guru Rinpoche's Meditation" Meditation stages taught by Guru Rinpoche, preserved in the "Great Treasury of Termas". The most comprehensive and complete explanation was written by the Kathog scholar Getse Panchen.

2024 Teachings:

1. "Garland of Views - Śrāvaka Vehicle" A continuation of Guru Rinpoche's classic text examining the distinctions between various Buddhist vehicles and views.

2024 Practice Instructions: "The Vajra Bridge of the Great Perfection's Oral Transmission" This profound teaching method has the following distinctive features:

1. Accomplishments:

• Most ancient practitioners of this method attained enlightenment in one lifetime
• Produced the highest number of rainbow body attainments in Tibetan Buddhist history
• All lineage holders have been great accomplished masters

1. Historical Origins:

• Originated in the 8th century with Vimalamitra's disciple Bami Pang Gongpo
• At nearly 100 years old, Bami Pang Gongpo reversed aging through this practice and attained rainbow body
• His disciples maintained an unbroken lineage of rainbow body attainments

1. Kathog Tradition:

• Many of Kathog's hundred thousand rainbow body achievers attained realisation through this method
• Different methods were emphasised in different periods:
  • Initially focused on the Vajra Bridge of the Great Perfection
  • Later incorporated Yangda Practice (Yangda Heruka)
  • Included Northern Treasures' "Universal Penetration of Samantabhadra's Intent"
  • In recent centuries, primarily practiced termas revealed by Longsal Nyingpo and Düdül Dorje

1. Extraordinary Achievements:

• Instances of entire retreat centres achieving rainbow body simultaneously
• Whole villages attaining realisation together
• Even animals manifesting signs of rainbow body

1. Lineage Origins:

• Also known as Aro Great Perfection
• Transmitted by Master Aro Yeshe Jungne
• Specially praised by Lord Atisha:
  • Commended for its profound study and meaning
  • One of few Tibetan master's works specifically praised by Atisha