Dzongsar Monastery, Tibet (1953)

Sitting in front：Sakya Gongma Dagchen Rinpoche, from back left：Lama Kang Tsao Rinpoche, Gona Tulku Rinpoche, Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

The Dharma lineage of the Khön lineage started from the time of the Great Tibetan King Triston Detsan (754-797). Before the Sakya tradition was established, the Khön lineage was an ancient family that had dwelled in Tibet for many generations. Khön Pal Po Che was a great minister to the King and his eldest son Khön Luyi Wangpo was one of the “seven men on trial.” He was a monk pure in conduct, a great translator well versed in Sutrayana and Tantric practices. He was also one of the twenty-five great students of Padmasambhava that received His great teachings, and was especially famed for the Vajrakilaya practice (1, 2).

In order to revive Buddhism during the later transmission period, the Khön lineage went to India and brought back new Sutrayana and Tantric teachings. The Sutrayana teachings include the lineages from Indian and Nepali scholars, such as Padmashri, Bhotarahula, Jnanavajra, Sakyashribhadra, and others (3, 4). For Tantric practices, the new teachings include the complete Lamdre-Hevajra system, the Cakrasamvra, the Kalachakra, the Yammataka, and Gurji Gonpo Mahakala. All these teachings also were transmitted into other traditions of Tibetan Buddhism such as the Kalachakra cycles. Furthermore, prolific writings of masters such as Sakya Pandita helped shape the landscape of Tibetan Buddhism for generations to come. The current throne holder of Phuntsok Phodrang, H.H. J.D. Sakya, has received all of the Khön lineage teachings from the last Sakya Throne Holder in Tibet, his Father, H. H. Trichen Ngawang Thutop Wangchuk. He also received teachings of the non-sectarian, Nyingma, and other traditions from great Masters such as Jamyang Chokyi Lodro and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. H. H. J.D. Sakya is also the sole lineage holder who has both the unbroken Khön family and Dharma lineages, as well as being one of the few living Lamas who was formerly trained and educated in Tibet.

Family Lineage

Historical Status

Notes:

1. C. W. Cassinelli and Robert B. Ekvall, A Tibetan Principality; the political system of Sa sKya, (Cornell University Press, N.Y.,

2. Sherab Gyaltsen Amipa, A Waterdrop from the Glorious Sea, (Tibetan Institute, Switzerland, 1976).

3. J.D. Schoening, The Sa-skya Throne Holder Lineage, Master’s Thesis, (University of Washington, Seattle, 1983).

4. J.D. Rhoton, A Clear Differentiation of the Three Codes, (State University of New York Press, N.Y. 2002).