According with a prophecy from the great Vidyadhara Dudul Dorje’s Damchö Tulkui Nyingthig, the reincarnation of Khenchen Karma Tashi, His Holiness Karma Gyurme Nyedon Tenzin Zangpo, was born in Mesho Mechugang in the Kham region in 1794, amidst many auspicious signs. He was recognized by the great realized master Dzigar Rinpoche and was enthroned in Palpung monastery in the presence of numerous devotees. Later, according to the heartfelt request from disciples of his previous life, he moved to Palyul Namgyal Jangchub Chöling Monastery where he received all the general and particular sacred teachings of the Buddhadharma and the Palyul tradition respectively. His Holiness relied on many accomplished masters and got the instructions of many sacred teachings. For instance, he received the Dzogchen Nyingthig teachings from Zatha Lama and Namkhai Dorje. He received the entire lineage teachings, transmissions, and empowerments of the victorious Palyul tradition from H.H. Khedrub Karma Lhawang, the fifth throneholder of Palyul Monastery. He took the fully ordained monk’s vows from Situ Pema Nyinjed and it is said that he observed them without even a single stain.
His Holiness Karma Gyurme Nyedon Tenzin spent most of his life in secluded retreat. Owing to this, he gained the highest realization of the impartial self-appearance samadhi of Dzogchen practice and became a great yogi. He met Guru Padmasambhava in a vision and received a prophecy to start the Sadhana of Making Sacred Medicine in every Sheep Year according to the Tibetan calendar. Since then, the tradition of doing this practice in the Palyul mother monastery is followed every Sheep Year.
His Holiness mastered the practice of the Vajra Kilaya Sadhana and clearly visualized all 75 deities of Kilaya. It is said that a vajra thrown by him could miraculously penetrate through walls without any hindrance. His Holiness was known for his intuitive powers and making footprints on stones as if they were mud. Likewise, due to his complete understanding of the ultimate view of Dzogchen, one could gain realization just by hearing his teachings. This is an auspicious sign of having attained high bhumis.
His Holiness bestowed numerous sacred teachings to thousands of disciples from all around. He travelled by foot to many places like Gyalrong, Hor-Tod, Hor-Med, etc., and poured out the nectar of the vast and profound teachings of the Buddha. He recognized the young incarnation of Rigzin Kunzang Sherab, the first throneholder of Palyul Monastery, and enthroned him in Palyul Namgyal Jangchub Chöling Monastery. In one of his visits to Khangyen in Golok, two ministers of that place earnestly requested him to build a branch of Palyul monastery in their district. Accordingly, he built a monastery in 1850 and named it Tarthang Dongag Shedrub Chökhor Dargyeling Monastery. Having set up a tradition of inspiring dharma activities, the monastery attracted great numbers of monks and played an important role in sustaining the Palyul tradition. Thus, it now holds the name of the “Second Mother Monastery of Palyul” and has produced many authentic scholars and accomplished masters up to now.
His Holiness worked tirelessly in upholding the teachings of the Buddha in general and particularly the Palyul tradition. Having devoted most of his life for the sake of helpless sentient beings, he finally attained mahaparinirvana at the age of 58 in 1851 with numerous auspicious signs. The cremation ceremony was presided by H.H. Gyatrul Pema Do-Ngag Tenzin Nyima, the seventh throneholder of Palyul Monastery, along with his disciples. A stupa containing the relics and remains of H.H. Karma Gyurme Nyedon Tenzin Zangpo was built in his memory. This concludes the biography of the sixth throneholder of the victorious Palyul tradition.
By Rigzen Losal
4th year, NNI
