Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
Sakyong” is a Tibetan royal title meaning “earth protector.” The title of Sakyong is held by successive generations of “dharma holders” who are descendants of the legendary king of Ling, Gesar Norbu Dradül.
These successive generations of dharma holders hold a unique confluence of teaching streams rooted in the three yanas of Shakyamuni Buddha, the tantric teachings of Padmasambhava, the enlightened wisdom of the Rigden Kings of Shambhala, and the warrior teachings of King Gesar of Ling.
The Sakyong
The Tibetan title “Sakyong”, like the Indian title chakravartin, or “wheel-turning monarch,” was historically conferred on a great ruler or lama who protected and propagated the buddhadharma. In the Shambhala terma, a Sakyong is also the living embodiment of the Rigdens, the enlightened rulers evoked in the Kalachakra Tantra.
The title of Sakyong was held by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche based on the Shambhala terma that he received, and—as a member of the Mukpo Dong lineage—his ancestral hereditary descent from the legendary king of Ling, Gesar Norbu Dradül. He was formally enthroned as a Sakyong by His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in 1982 and given the name Dorje Dradül. Commanded by pure visions of the Rigdens and Gesar of Ling, the Dorje Dradül empowered his son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, as his heir and future Sakyong, establishing what is known in the Tibetan tradition as a dung-gyü, a spiritual family lineage.
The Family
Each successive “dharma holder” identifies and empowers a successor in the family line, who is trained and nurtured from birth to understand, maintain, propagate, and protect the SAKYONG LINEAGE™ teachings. This ensures the continuity, purity, and authenticity of the SAKYONG LINEAGE™ teachings.
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche was empowered by his father in 1979, and enthroned as Sakyong and lineage holder by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche in 1995, receiving the name Jampal Trinley Dradül. The Sakyong Wangmo Dechen Chöying Sangmo was empowered and enthroned by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche in 2008. Their family is blessed with three Jetsuns (feminine version of an honorific title for spiritual leaders): Jetsun Drukmo Yeshe Sarasvati Ziji Mukpo, Jetsun Yudra Lhamo Yangchen Ziji Mukpo, and Jetsun Dzedrön Ökar Yangchen Ziji Mukpo. Jetsun Drukmo Yeshe Sarasvati Ziji Mukpo has now been empowered, at an enthronement in 2023, to be Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s successor.
The Teachings
The SAKYONG LINEAGE™ teachings are a unique confluence of streams rooted in the three yanas of Shakyamuni Buddha, the tantric teachings of Padmasambhava, the enlightened wisdom of the Rigden Kings of Shambhala, and the warrior teachings of King Gesar of Ling. This wisdom tradition especially includes the teachings and transmissions of the great 19th century luminary Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche on Dzokchen, Gesar, and Kalachakra; and the terma and teachings of the Dorje Dradül, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Each successive holder of this precious lineage is empowered to transmit and teach the essence of the Shambhala terma, dzokchen, and mahamudra lineages, as well as their own revelations. As an unbroken lineage of tantric masters, each successive Rinpoche works with devoted and committed students to transmit and propagate these profound wisdom teachings.
The Mandala
The Sakyong Ladrang, and practitioners from around the world who have taken vows with and received transmissions directly from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, support, sustain, and protect the mandala of deities, dralas, and protectors. The mandala is committed to ensuring the perpetuity of the SAKYONG LINEAGE™ teachings and practices so that they can spread and flourish throughout the world for the benefit of generations for centuries to come.