Jadral Sangyé Dorjé
- Teacher
- Chödak
A self-arisen buddha, Jadral Sangyé Dorjé (1913-2015) was born into a nomad family in Nyakrong—eastern Tibet—, a land known for its bandits and great meditators. Jadral Sangyé Dorjé attained realization in one lifetime by following the swift path of Dzogchen. Never officially recognized as a trülku or reincarnated master, he demonstrated the potency of the heart essence teachings of the Nyingma School by awakening through the precious oral instructions of his lineage masters. In the manner of a carefree renunciant, Jadral Sangyé Dorjé spent more than half of his life in retreat, wandering Tibet’s wilds, and later, reveling in pure mountain sanctuaries and sacred places in Nepal, India and Bhutan.
Déwé Dorjé (Sera Khandro, 1892-1940) and Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (1879 -1941) were two of Jadral’s most important teachers. He directly received the nectar of their transmissions and then skillfully internalized the crucial key points through practice experience. He spent six years at Nyoshul Monastery with Khenpo Ngakchung and clarified all doubts, uprooting confusion from its root. Thereafter, he spent the remainder of his life deepening the realization that had already dawned, in unfabricated, open, and effortless ease.
He taught through direct and personal oral instructions, often just a few words, that powerfully illuminated the truth of the absolute nature of reality. He never traveled to the West, and was completely free from spiritual materialism. The majesty of his authenticity touched all connected with him, even in just a single meeting.
Jadral held fourteen different Nyingma lineages in their entirety, including those of Düdjom Lingpa, Déwé Dorjé, Düdjom Jikdral Yéshé Dorjé and the Longchen Nyingtik. He practiced each from its beginning stages all the way through to the advanced practices, culminating with Dzogchen. He was a perfect Vajra Master, qualified in every way.
As high as his view, Jadral was equally profound in ethical conduct. He championed a vegetarian lifestyle and devoted enormous material and physical resources to the practice of saving lives. While his great compassion for beings was unbiased, he especially cared for humble and simple people and loved animals. He was at home everywhere, perhaps happiest tenting in the pure elements of Guru Rinpoché’s Himalayan hidden lands.
Jadral and Düdjom Jikdral Yéshé Dorjé had a special connection. They were students and teachers to each other. In actuality, their connection was beyond the domain of ordinary comprehension. Since their deep spiritual bond transcends the confines of a single lifetime, Chatral recognized and took full responsibility for Düdjom Sangyé Péma Zhépa. The blessings of his legacy are unfathomable. Jadral’s teachings and exemplary life live on as a wellspring of wisdom and inspiration for future generations.
Since the early 8th century, Tibetans and Himalayan people have treasured "Namtars" as written or spoken narratives that demonstrate the realization of the Buddhist path by exceptional practitioners. These namtars, or spiritual biographies, serve as inspirational guides on the path to enlightenment.
Today, Namtars Foundation aims to record, preserve, and freely offer the world a written and electronic treasury of the oral wisdom of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.
