3 years ago
Today, December 29 is the anniversary of Khenpo Jikme Phuntsok Jungné (1933-2004). Born in 1933, it is said that he started reciting the mantra of Manjushri, “Om a ra pa tsa na dhi '' as soon as birth from mother’s womb.
At the age of five, Rinpoche was recognised as an incarnation of Tertön Sogyal Lerab Lingpa. Tertön Lerab Lingpa was a prolific tertön and a teacher of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama.
He was terton who revealed several termas in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and India. Even in this life, he revealed many terma treasures.
During the Chinese invasion starting in 1950, for twenty years, Khenpo secretly engaged in meditation and practice based on pith instructions. After years of hiding, he played a vital role in the revival of Buddhism until 1976 after the Cultural Revolution.
Then, in 1980, he founded Larung Gar as per the prophecy of the First Dodrupchen Rinpoche. Many monastic Vinaya holders, with students from Mongolia, China, and other coming to Larung Gar for study. Therewith more than 10,000 students gathered around him at Larung Gar he revealed a terma. This, later on, became the largest Buddhist teaching centre in the world.
While travelling to India on request of Penor Rinpoche, he revealed termas of Guru Rinpoche and Yeshé Tsogyal in Nepal. His legacy is immense and continues to expand till today.
Usually, he would reveal treasures and ask his disciples to record. Because he would speak quickly it was the only way to capture his teachings. His students would listen to the recordings afterwards and transcribe it.
On 7th January 2004, at age of 71, he passed into parinirvana sitting in meditation. Unlike other reincarnated Lamas, he asked his disciples not to look for future reincarnation.
