In the Yungdrung Bön tradition, the place where the deities and objects of veneration are gathered is called the “Tsok Zhing”, the “Field of Accumulation”.  It is also sometimes translated as the “Field of Merit” or the “Merit Field” because what is being accumulated by paying homage and making offerings to this place is merit, or virtue.  This is the Merit Field according to the Menri Tradition from a drawing done by the great master and scholar HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche.

This is the lineage of monastic discipline.  These lineage masters have all taken monk’s vows and therefore wear the appropriate clothing to distinguish them from laypeople.

1. Tritsuk Gyalwa. 16,017 BC – 7,817 BC.  This is the name that the enlightened Lord Tönpa Shenrap Miwoche received upon taking ordination as a monk at the age of 31.  Although he was already a completely enlightened being, he showed the example of taking the path of renunciation.

Lord Tonpa Shenrap showing the path of renunciation as the monk Tritsuk Gyalwa

2. Tsukshen Gyalwa

3. Drangsong Gyalwa.  He was one of Tönpa Shenrap’s eight sons.  His birth name was Tobu Bumsang.

4. Tsukse Mawo

5. Tridé Gungdrak

6. Mucho Demdruk

7. Mutsa Trahé.  He was from the ancient land of Tazik.  He was one of The Six Translators who wrote down the words of Lord Tönpa Shenrap into their respective languages and brought them to their respective countries.

8. Tridé Öpo

9. Lhang Lhang Tsukphü

10. Dangwa Yi Ring 

11. Thukar Yeshé

12. Gung Rum Yeshe

13. Ölha Selbar

14. Dzütrul Yeshé

15. Yeshé Tsultrim

16. Yungdrung Tsultrim

17. Tsukphü Tsultrim

18. Gachu Gyalwa

19. Yagong Gyalwa

20. Détsun Rabsel

21. Jotsün Yeshé

22. Muzi Salzang.  He was a manifestation of Mucho Demdruk.  During a time of suppression, he retreated to a cave and went into a meditation of cessation, stopping all thoughts and sensations.  Hundreds of years later, Tribar Tsultrim came upon him in the cave.

23. Tribar Tsultrim.  He was the manifestation of Tsukshen Gyalwa.  He was born a prince but due to external circumstances, he was banished to Mongolia and became a slave of a local ruler.  One day, while looking after the ruler’s horses, he wandered into a cave that looked dark at the entrance but light on the inside.  Once inside the cave, he saw a figure that resembled a monk but whose hair had grown down to the ground and become entangled.  The karmic connection immediately ripened and he joyfully began prostrating and requesting that the monk awake from his meditation.  Day after day, he returned to the cave.  First, one of the monk’s eyebrows moved, then a portion of his face.  On the third day, he yelled at the slave, “Are you a human or non-human obstacle?”  The slave replied that he desired to become his disciple.  The monk agreed and gave him full ordination.  The monk in the cave was Muzi Selzang.

24. Gyalwa Tsukphü.  He was the manifestation of Tobu Bumsang, son of Lord Tönpa Shenrap.

25. Tsukphü Tsultrim.  He was the manifestation of Tsukse Mawo.

26. Lachen Mutur. He was born in 952 AD.  He was also known by his monastic name, Sherap Tsultrim.  He had many disciples, both Yungdrung Bön and Buddhist.  He gave his disciples the four signs of monastic ordination which were, Upper and lower garments, a lotus hat and a meditation mat that were all blue.  He said that if the articles could not be entirely blue, then they should have parallel seams of blue thread.  He was a manifestation of Mutsa Trahé.

27. Nyö Tsün Rinchen Gyaltsen.  He was the manifestation of Tridé Öpo.

28. Nyö Künga Tsultrim.  He was the manifestation of Lhang Lhang Tsukpü.

29. Gar Rinchen Tsukpü.  He was the manifestation of Dangwa Yi Ring

30. Trapü Tsultrim.  He was the manifestation of Tuk Kar Yeshé.

31. Nyöla Drukpa Tsultrim Yeshé.  He was the manifestation of Gang Rum Tsukpü.

32. Sheltsün Yungdrung.  He was the manifestation of Ölha Salwar.

33. Gur Tsün Yungdrung Gyaltsen.  He was the manifestation of Yeshé Tsultrim.

34. Khenlop Namnyi

35. Me’u Gongdzö Ritropa. 1038-1096.  He was the manifestation of Sertok Chejam and founder of the AH Tri Lineage of Dzogchen teachings.  (See previous post, The Saint.)

 After these lamas, the lineage splits into four different lines according to the families of Dru, Zhu, Pa and Shen. The following is the lineage of the 1st Abbot of Menri Monastery, Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen.

 36. Métön Sherab Ödzer

37. Shentön Namkha Gyaltsen.  He was the manifestation of the great lama, Drenpa Namkha.

38. Yorpo Métön Drakpa Pal.  He was a manifestation of the great lama, Drenpa Namkha.

39. Dütsi Gyaltsen.  He was the manifestation of Lhatri of Zhang Zhung.

40. Darma Gyaltsen.  He was the manifestation of Hripa Gyermé.

41. Tsultrim Lama

42. Drogön Martön Gyallé

43. Bartang Zhangtön Sonam

44. Sumtön Lhabum

45. Shentön Drogön Lodro Gyaltsen

46. Shentön Yeshé Lodro.  In 1173, he built the temple of Darding Sergo Tramo Tsukla Khang in Darding.

47. Men Gongwa Dülwa Lodro

48. Men Gongwa Sherap Lodro

49. Gya Rongwa Yungdrung Yeshé

50. Drutön Tsultrim Yeshé.  He was the Abbot who gave vows to Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen.

51. Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen. 1356-1415.  He is known as the Second Buddha and was the founder and 1st abbot of Tashi Menri Monastery in Tibet.  (See previous post, Celebration of the Second Buddha.)

In the Yungdrung Bön tradition, the place where the deities and objects of veneration are gathered is called the “Tsok Zhing”, the “Field of Accumulation”.  It is also sometimes translated as the “Field of Merit” or the “Merit Field” because what is being accumulated by paying homage and making offerings to this place is merit, or virtue.  This is the Merit Field according to the Menri Tradition from a drawing done by the great master and scholar HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche.

The Lineage of the Profound Guidance through AH, also known as the AH Tri, is one of three lineages of Dzogchen teachings in the Yungdrung Bön tradition.  (See previous posts regarding The Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhung and the Renowned Three Cycles of Dzogchen.) This lineage of Dzogchen teachings was closely associated with the Dru family.  From Menri Abbot Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen until Menri Abbot Kunzang Gyaltsen, the lineage was passed down through the abbots of Menri Monastery.

1. Founder of the lineage, Me’u Gongdzö Ritropa.  He is often referred to simply as Dampa, “The Sage” or “The Saint”. (See previous post, The Saint.)  He exhibited many signs of accomplishment such as flying through the sky and leaving his hand and foot prints in stone. Although his primary focus was upon his meditation, he also wrote a number of texts.   In addition to material he collected from other sources, he added his own gong ter, or mind treasure, to this collection.  He organized the practice of the A Tri into 80 meditation sessions.

Founder of the AH Tri Lineage of Dzogchen teachings, The Saint, The Supreme Gongdzo Ritropa Rinpoche

2. Gomchen Barwa.  He was an unconventional person and became a great yogi.  He was known for odd and somewhat dramatic displays.  One day, Gongdzo Ritropa took Gomchen to a grassy area that was quite wet.  The lama knew that Gomchen was known to have been quite athletic in his youth.  So he told him to make a great leap. In doing so, Gomchen slipped and violently fell down.  In that very instant, he achieved spiritual realization without interruption.  Rather than taking ordination, he remained a laymen his entire life. He had many disciples and attained the rainbow body of light.

3. Kyunggom Joyung.

4. Dampa Tsulshé.

5. Drogön Yorpo Mepal.  He composed a commentary for the Guidance through AH teachings.

6.  Dutsi Gyaltsen.

7. A Zha Lodro Gyaltsen, 1198-1263.  He condensed the number of meditation sessions to 30.

8. Dru Dulwa Gyaltsen. 

9. Druchen Gyalwa Yungdrung, 1242-1290 A.D.  He was born into the Dru family in the area of Yeru Wensaka in Central Tibet.  He received his monk vows from his older brother, Dru Dulwa Rinpoche.  He was once the abbot of Yeru Wensaka Monastery which was founded by his family.  He further condensed the number of meditation sessions of the Guidance through AH to 15 and composed the fundamental practice text  “AH Tri Practice in 15 Sessions”.

10. Dru Namkha Odzer.  He was the younger brother of Dru Gyalwa Yungdrung.

11. Dru Sonam Gyaltsen, 1268-1321.  He was the nephew of Dru Gyalwa Yungdrung.

12. Dru Sonam Lodro, 1277-1341.

13. Dru Namgyal Kara

14. Rinchen Lodro.  His mother was from the Dru family.

15. Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen, 1356-1415.  He is known as the Second Buddha and founded Tashi Menri Monastery in Tibet.  (See previous post, Celebration of the Second Buddha.)

16. Rinchen Gyaltsen.  He became abbot of Menri Monastery in 1415.

17. Namkha Yeshe.  He became abbot of Menri Monastery in 1446.

18. Kunzang Gyaltsen.  He became abbot of Menri Monastery in 1464.

19. Lodro Gyaltsen.

20. Tenpa Özer.

21. Nyima Özer.

Tsok zhing according to MenriThe Yungdrung Bon Merit Field of the Menri Tradition

In the Yungdrung Bön tradition, the place where the deities and objects of veneration are gathered is called the “Tsok Zhing”, the “Field of Accumulation”.  It is also sometimes translated as the “Field of Merit” or the “Merit Field” because what is being accumulated by paying homage and making offerings to this place is merit, or virtue.  This is the Merit Field according to the Menri Tradition from a drawing done by the great master and scholar HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche.

#1-101 depicts the Aural Lineage of Zhang Zhung, the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü. This lineage of Dzogchen teachings is continuous and unbroken.

#1-9 are the Nine Divine Beings of the Mind to Mind Transmission. These Beings transmitted the teachings by way of intrinsic awareness, rikpa.

1. The source of the lineage, the teacher Küntu Zangpo. This is the Bönku. He is naked and without ornamentation.

2. Shenlha Ökar, the pure, white light deity of compassion. This is the Dzok ku. His compassion is all-pervasive and he is the embodiment of exalted, positive qualities.

3. Gyalwa Shenrap, the divine being that descended to the human realm in order to guide sentient beings. This is the Tulku and he became known as the Lord Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché.

4. Tsemé Öden, the divine being that emanated into a god realm in order to guide bodhisattvas.

5. Trulshen Nangden, the divine being that emanated into a god realm from the mind of Küntu Zangpo.

6. Barnang Khujuk, the divine being that emanated into a god realm from the speech of Küntu Zangpo

7. Zangza Ringtsun, a divine emanation of the Great Mother Sherap Chamma and the divine mother of Chimé Tsukpü. Trulshen nangden descended upon her right shoulder in the form of a turquoise cuckoo and caused a subtle, internal heat. One year later, she gave birth to Chimé Tsukpü. Her body color is golden and she holds a golden vase in her right hand and a golden mala in her left hand.

8. Chimé Tsukpü, He is turquoise in color. Nine days after his birth, his mother Zangza Ringtsun found him suspended in space and radiating light. He taught both tantra and Dzogchen.

The beginning of the Aural Transmission Lineage

9. Sangwa Düpa, He received the transmission through rikpa and was the first to use speech as well as awareness to transmit the teachings. He was born a prince of Tazik and began the transmission among human beings. Because he was the first to use speech to transmit the teachings, he is also known as The Teacher of the Aural Transmission Lineage.

#10-33 The 24 Masters of the Aural Transmission Lineage of Zhang Zhung

These 24 Masters were all from the ancient kingdom of Zhang Zhung and used speech to transmit the teachings. Each of them attained the full realization of Dzogchen and displayed that realization by attaining the rainbow body of light. These 24 masters are divided into 4 groups.

#10-14 The Five Beyond-All Masters

#15-20 The Six Masters who show the Six Meanings of Dzogchen

#21-29 The Nine Masters of Experience Within

#30-33 The Four Masters of Ürgyen

The Five Beyond-All Masters

10. Lhabön Yongsu Dakpa, He received the transmission from Sangwa Düpa and spread the teachings in the god realm.
11. Lübön Banam, He received the transmission from Sangwa Düpa and spread the teachings in the lü (Sanskrit. naga) realm.
12. Mibön Tridé Zambu, He received the transmission from Sangwa Düpa and spread the teachings in the human realm.
13. Banam Kyolpo
14. Trisho Gyalwa, He was the son of Banam Kyolpo.

The Six Masters who show the Six Meanings of Dzogchen

15. Rasang Bönpo Samdrup
16. Darma Sherap
17. Darma Bodé
18. Zhang Zhung Bönpo Tripén
19. Muyé Lhagyung
20. Mashen Lézang

The Nine Masters of Experience Within

21. Gyershen Taklha
22. Rasang Bönpo Yungdrung Se
23. Séchen Yungdrung Pén
24. Gébar Döndrup
25. Gyerpung Gépén
26. Dése Gégyal
27. Zhang Zhung Namgyal
28. Muyé Lhagyung Karpo
29. Shen Horti Chenpo

The Four Ürgyen Masters

30. Shen Dönkün Druppa
31. Rasang Bönpo Péngyal
32. Gurip Sega
33. Dawa Gyaltsen
34. Tapihritsa, He was born into a nomadic family in the country of Zhang Zhung. He practiced at a place near Mt. Tise known as Sengé Tap. He practiced for nine years without interrupting it with ordinary, human speech. He achieved the rainbow body of light. After this, Tapihritsa manifested as a young boy and began working as a shepherd for a wealthy man in the area where Nangzher Lopo was practicing. Upon meeting, Nangzher Lopo asked the boy a series of questions and became annoyed at his answers. Challenging him to debate in front of the Zhang Zhung king, the boy laughed and began speaking about the true nature of mind. Realizing that this was an emanation and not an ordinary boy, Nangzher Lopo fainted. Regaining consciousness, he saw that the boy had transformed and was showing a clear and luminous body surrounded by a rainbow and suspended in space.
35. Gyerpung Nangzher Lopo, He extensively practiced the cycles of Zhang Zhung Meri and Gekho. In doing so, he acquired great magical power. He was the priest for the Zhang Zhung king and was well-known throughout the kingdom. Because of his devotion, he met and received teachings from Tapihritsa 3 times. He lived for 573 years.

Lineage Masters of the Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhang prior to the 8th Century

The Six Yogis from Zhang Zhung

36. Gyalzik Sechung, He first received these teachings when he was 72 years old. He lived for 317 years and attained the rainbow body of light.
37. Mu Shen Tsogé, At the age of 3, Nangzher Lopo identified him as a qualified student and he received the teachings at the age of 19. He lived for 173 years and attained the rainbow body of light.
38. Mu Gyershen Tsotang, He lived for 113 years and attained the rainbow body of light.
39. Mu Shotram Chenpo, He lived for 117 years and attained the rainbow body.
40. Mu Gyalwa Lodro, He was attendant to Mu Shotram Chenpo for nine years before he received teachings. He lived for 270 years and attained the rainbow body of light.
41. Pongyal Tsenpo, also known as Ponchen Tsenpo, He purified all the defilements of his physical body and therefore it was not necessary for him to eat food for nourishment. He lived for 1,600 years and his body showed no signs of aging. He then transformed himself into a turquoise cuckoo and flew off towards the southwest in order to subdue demons.

Here, the lineage splits into Upper & Lower systems of transmission according to the geographical location in which it was transmitted.

The Upper System of Transmission

The Six Realized Sages

To these disciples was transmitted the Four Cycles of the Precepts Transmission (the Ka Gyü Kor Zhi), but not the Experiential Transmission (the Nyam Gyü).

42. Gugé Loden, He received the teachings from Pöngyal Tsenpo in an area near Mount Tisé. As a youth, he worked as a goatherd and had often dreamt of a blue cuckoo speaking to him. One day, he watched as a cuckoo descended from the sky near him. Going closer, instead of a bird, he found a yogi in a blue robe. This was Pöngyal Tsenpo.
43. Pureng Kunga, He practiced in the area of Mount Tisé. By following his lama’s guidance on Dzogchen, he attained realization in one month.
44. Naljor Sechok, He had the power to prolong his life span and displayed many miracles.
45. Kyungji Mutur, He was a wandering yogi without any particular place of practice.
46. Dewa Ringmo
47. Tokmé Zhikpo, He lived most of his life in a cave. He gave the full transmission to Yangtön Sherap Gyaltsen. This same lama also received the full transmission of the Lower system of transmission. In this way, he reunited the two transmissions.

The Lower System of Transmission

48. Lhundrup Mutur
49. Shengyal Lhatse, He lived for 113 years.
50. Lhagom Karpo, He lived for 97 years.
51. Ngodrup Gyaltsen, He was the son of Lhagom Karpo. He asked his father for teachings but his father refused and told him that he had performed a divination that indicated that his son was not a good candidate. Ngodrup then abandoned his wife and child and went to study with a Buddhist. Soon after this, his father reconsidered his decision and agreed to teach him. He lived for 73 years.
52. Orgom Kündul, Few Bönpo followers sought teachings from him but many Buddhist practitioners sought him out. He lived for 80 years.

The Upper and Lower Systems of Transmission reunite in the person of Yangtön Sherap Gyaltsen

53. Yangtön Sherap Gyaltsen, He was born into the prestigious Yangtön lineage of Dolpo, Nepal. He lived and taught during the 11^th century. He received the full transmissions of both the Upper and the Lower Systems of Transmission and therefore united the transmissions. Out of compassion, he wrote down some of the teachings as well as commentaries. According to prophecy, his life span was to be 75 years but due to writing down the secret teachings, he died at the age of 63.

Here, the lineage splits again into the Southern and the Northern Lineage. Below is the list of the lamas of the southern Lineage of Transmission.

The Five Masters of the Mantra and the Mind:

These five masters held the transmission of both the precepts as well as the practice of the yidam and protector Zhang Zhung Meri

54. Dampa Bumjé, He spread the Bön teachings in the areas of Dolpo, Mustang and Western Tibet. His father was Yangtön Sherap Gyaltsen. After his death, Dampa received teachings from his mother. Because of his extraordinary meditative experiences, he added his own teachings to those of his father in the Experiential Transmission.
55. Lu Drakpa Tashi Gyaltsen, He was also a son to Yangtön Sherap Gyaltsen. Unlike his brother, he was a wandering yogi. He lived for 85 years.
56. Tokden Wonpo Yeshe Gyaltsen, His mother was Yangtön Sherap Gyaltsen’s daughter. His father was a bandit and he joined him in his exploits. One day, he father was killed during a fight and he was badly wounded. Once he recovered, he began to seek revenge. After some time had passed, he became tired with fighting and went to his uncle, Dampa Bumjé, to learn to read so that he could read the scriptures. However, his progress was slow and he went to his other uncle, Lu Drakpa, and asked for teachings that didn’t require the ability to read. Having received the teachings of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü, he practiced and attained realization.
57. Yangtön Gyaltsen Rinchen, From the age of 8 until 21, he practiced tantra. At the age of 21, he received the Dzogchen teachings. He founded the monastery of Samling in Dolpo, Nepal.
58. Chikchö Depa Sherap, He is also known as Tokden Depa Sherap. He practiced in the area of Mount Tisé among other places.
59. Druchen Gyalwa Yungdrung, 1242-1290. He was one of four brothers and received monk’s vows from his older brother. He was once the abbot of Yeru Wensaka Monastery which was founded by his family. He organized the practices of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü into a widely used practice manual commonly known as the Chak Tri. He wrote many prayers, ritual guides and commentaries.
60. Ripa Sherap Lodro, He was from Dolpo and traveled a great deal throughout Tibet.
61. Yeshé Rinchen
62. Rangdrol Lama Gyaltsen, He frequently debated Buddhist monks including Tsongkhapa.
63. A Tok Sherap Gyaltsen, He was the personal attendant to Dru Gyalwa Yungdrung. He showed many signs of realization and lived for 120 years.
64. Kartsa Sonam Lodro

The Transmissions for both the Southern and the Northern Lineages reunite in the person of Patön Tengyal Zangpo

65. Patön Tengyal Zangpo, He showed many signs of realization and is said to have circumambulated Mount Tisé in the form of a vulture.
66. Tokden Shepal
67. Namkha Özer
68. Yungdrung Yeshé
69. Rinchen Lodro
70. Nyamme Sherap Gyaltsen, 1356-1415 He founded Tashi Menri Monastery in Tibet. For further information, see the previous blog post “Field of Accumulation: Abbots of Menri”.
71. Rinchen Gyaltsen
72. Namkha Yeshé
73. Kunzang Gyaltsen
74. Tsultrim Gyaltsen
75. Sonam Yeshé
76. Sonam Yungdrung
77. Shetsu Drungmu
78. Sherap Özer
79. Yungdrung Gyaltsen
80. Sherap Lodro
81. Sherap Özer
82. Tsukpü Özer
83. Yungdrung Tsultrim
84. Rinchen Özer
85. Rinchen Lhundrup
86. Sherap Tenzin
87. Sherap Wangyal
88. Yungdrung Wangyal
89. Püntsok Namgyal
90. Sherap Gonggyal
91. Nyima Tenzin
92. Choklé Namgyal
93. Sherap Yungdrung
94. Sanggye Tenzin
95. Tenzin Tsultrim
96. Gyalwa Lodro
97. Tenpa Lodro
98. Nyima Wanggyal
99. Sherap Lodro
100. Sanggye Tenzin Lopon Tenzin Namdak
101. Lungtok Tenpé Nyima, the 33^rd holder of the golden throne of Menri Monastery
102. Lungtok Dawa Dargyal, the 34th holder of the golden throne of Menri Monastery

Lord of Refuge, His Eminence Menri Yongdzin Lopön Tenzin Namdak Rinpoché

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