His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, delivered this talk on January 24, 2022, at Tsechen Kunchab Ling, U.S.A., in commemoration of the mahāparinirvāṇa anniversary of Drogön Chögyal Phagpa.
Drogön Chögyal Phagpa, the fifth Sakya patriarch, is an extraordinary figure in Tibetan history. He was an accomplished Buddhist teacher who was given the esteemed title of Dishi, or preceptor to the emperor Kublai Khan, who founded the Yuan Dynasty. Drogön Chögyal Phagpa became both the temporal and spiritual leader over the Land of Snow, and he made far-reaching contributions to the spread of Buddhism across the entire Himalayan region, and especially in Mongolia. It would be difficult to overstate the magnitude of his noble deeds for the Dharma and his influence on the subsequent history of Tibet. The following account from His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin is a fascinating introduction to the remarkable life of this master.
Source: This teaching was obtained from the Tsecheb Kunchab Ling Youtube.
Why was Drogön Chögyal Phagpa chosen as the Imperial Preceptor to the Yuan emperor? And why did he steadfastly refuse to unify all Tibetan Buddhist traditions under a single school? What insights can we draw from the extraordinary life of this legendary master?
As we read his biography, we might ask ourselves: is it enough to simply learn about his life, or are we truly ready to follow in his footsteps and bring his teachings into practice?
May this study not only deepen our understanding, but also open our hearts to the blessings that flow from genuine Dharma practice.
This Dharma teachings e-library is made possible by a grant from Sachen Foundation, and the generous donations of the Yueh Family Charitable Fund, and the Chan Family.