This is an account of the life of the precious Vajra Master (Dorje Lopon Rinpoche), the sublime Sonam, which is meaningful to behold, guides others and brings them to the spiritual path. It consists of a record of his place of birth, his ancestry and family, and a chronicle of his life. Sonam was born in Kham at a spiritual practice center in Nangchen, a place resplendent with the marvelous ten virtues. Born into the house Lingtshang, he holds a prestigious family lineage, which descends, in an unbroken, radiantly divine line from the Noble Dondrup, King Gesar of Tramo Ling. His father was the Tantric Master Pegyal and his mother was Nyima Drolma.
At a young age, Sonam inherently possessed faith and devotion, abandoned the poisons and non-virtues, focused himself solely on the dharma and had the genuine intention to guide and benefit others. Quite naturally he had good heart free from deceit, an open mind, great intellect, and a most excellent character. As for his father, the supreme Pegyal dedicated himself to the dharma for his entire lifetime. By means of the Four Reference Points (Tesa Shi), without his leaving the practice center for 12 years he trained in the sublime dharma. He perfected these practices, principally the training of the Great Seal of the sublime Dharma (Mahamudra) and the luminous clarity of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen). Using the text of geomancy (Sa Che Tsi), he was a holy being who always performed his Buddha activities for the benefit of beings, taming all with loving and compassionate methods.
As for the chronicle of the life of the supreme Sonam Rinpoche, at the age of eight he partook of the ceremony of cutting the hair as an offering of renunciation with Ngaktrin Tulku Rinpoche and entered the door of the teaching, receiving the vows of layperson. When in retreat practicing approach and accomplishment, Ngaktrin Rinpoche bestowed upon him transmissions, empowerments and instructions.
Under the Barom lineage holder of the Kagyu lineage, he became a monk and entered the Lhagon monastery. At the age of 18 he remained in retreat for three years and three months. In retreat, beginning with the preliminary practices, he trained in Tsemar of the New Treasures (Tersar), Overturning the Depths of the Lower Realms (Ngensong Dongtrug), the Four Deities that clear away Obstacles (Barched Selway Lha Shi) the Immovable Six Yogas of Naropa (Miyoway Cho Drug), the Great Seal of the Sublime Dharma (Mahamudra), and the luminous of the Great Perfection (Osel Dzogchen). He accomplished and perfected all of these practices.
Sonam then undertook some studies so as to dispel the darkness of ignorance. From H.H the Dalai Lama, he received the liberating instructions of the Sakya, Parting from the Four Attachments (Shenpa Shidrel), and the Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Dagpo Targyen), together with the ripening empowerments of the Kalacakra (Dukor) etc. From Kyabje Penor Rinpoche he received the transmissions and empowerment of the Treasury of Rediscovered Teachings (Terdzod) in their entirety, together with the empowerment for the Root Texts of Lengchenpa (Longchen Tsapo). From the Precious Scholar, the Omniscient Pema Tsewang he received the Four Collections of Tantra (Ngakgyu Deshi), and with the Kagyu Master Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso, he studied and reflected upon the scriptures and oral instructions. From Thrangu Rinpoche he received the transmission and empowerment for the Uttaratantrashastra (Gyu Lama), from Jamyang Lodro Rinpoche he received all the transmissions and empowerments for the traditions of the Barom Kagyu, and from Sangye Tendzin Rinpoche he received the transmissions and empowerments for the New Treasure (Tersar) in their entirety. In particular, from his father Pegyal, he received oral instructions on Chagmed’s Geomancy (Sa Che) and perfected the practice of this. He also received from his father the transmissions empowerment and instructions for the traditions belonging to the profound Lineage of Severance (Chod). In conclusion, Sonam had received and perfected both teachings from Barom Kagyu and Nyingma Lineages. The supreme Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche gave his the title Precious Vajra Master (Dorje Lopon Rinpoche), and Kyabje Ngaktrin Tulku gave him an official letter naming him the Vajra Master Precious Sonam (Dorje Lopon Sonam Rinpoche). Similarly, Kyabje Situ Rinpoche and Kyabje Penor Rinpoche also gave official letters in support of this recognition and confirming his title.
This is account of the treasure of outer activities and the inner compassion and mind enlightenment of the supreme spiritual friend Sonam Rinpoche, which is meaningful to behold. It has been composed with vast and profound aspirations of auspiciousness for the benefit of the teachings and beings, and without any exaggeration or deprecation. A complete and detailed account of his life is difficult to compile. However, this brief presentation is offered for all disciples to hear with the aspiration that by whatever roots of virtue has been generated, may future generations attain freedom.
Tulku Ngak Tenzin has composed this.
May it be Virtuous.