The Lords of the Northern Treasures: the Development of the Tibetan Institution of Rule by Successive Incarnations
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The Lords of the Northern Treasures: The Development of the Tibetan Institution of Rule by Successive Incarnations Jay Holt Valentine Baltimore, Maryland B.A., University of Delaware, 2002 M.A., Naropa University, 2004 A Dissertation presented to the Graduate Faculty of the University of Virginia in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Religious Studies University of Virginia August, 2013 ii Abstract This dissertation is a case study that critically examines the development of one particular incarnation lineage, the Lords of the Northern Treasure Tradition. The analytical goal of the case study is to develop the foundations of a theoretical framework for the further analysis of the social institution of rule by successive incarnations, which is a ubiquitous form of institutional leadership in Tibet. As the 14th Dalai Lama advances in age, his status as an “incarnate lama” (sprul sku) will increasingly become more important as the world turns its attention to the subject of his succession. This popular interest is mirrored by an equal measure of academic attention in the form of a series of books, dissertations, and conferences that also examine the subject of serial incarnation. This investigation of the development of the incarnate Lords of the Northern Treasure Tradition (byang gter) is based upon a series of biographies and autobiographies of the early patriarchs of the tradition. This collective of charismatic leaders include: Nanam Dorjé Dujom (8th c.), Tropu Lotsawa (13th c.), Gödem Truchen (14th c.), Lekden Dorjé (16th c.), Ngakgi Wangpo (17th c.), and Pema Trinlé (17th c.). The resulting perspective offers insight into the transformation of a non-monastic Nyingmapa tradition into one of the most important Nyingmapa monasteries of the seventeenth century. This dissertation also examines the implicit shift in meaning of the term "tulku." I argue that this term that was originally used to describe the Buddha as a "magical emanation" of enlightenment, is best translated as "incarnation" or "steadfast incarnation" when used in the context of the tulku system to describe patriarchs that reliably return to human form. iii Dedicated to the three loves of my life: Catherine, Shanti, and Naomi iv Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ ii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ iv Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................... ix Principle Personages ......................................................................................................................xiii The Lords of the Northern Treasures (Tibetan Incarnations) ....................................................xiii Incarnations of the Brother Lineage ..........................................................................................xiii Incarnations of the Yölmopa Masters ........................................................................................ xiv General Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 15 A Case Study of an Incarnation Lineage: The Lords of the Northern Treasures .......................... 2 Intersecting Institutions: Treasure Revelation & Rule by Incarnation ......................................... 5 Preview of Chapters ..................................................................................................................... 7 Methodological Reflection ......................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 1: Tulku: Emanations and Incarnations ............................................................................ 13 Introduction: The Great Miracle of Manifestation .................................................................... 13 Historical Background: The Order of the Ancients & the Treasure Traditions .......................... 16 Gödem Truchen & the Establishment of the Northern Treasure Tradition .............................. 21 Part I: The Magical Emanation of the Ray of Sunlight ............................................................... 26 The Dharma Body................................................................................................................... 33 The Relationship between Perfection and Impurity .............................................................. 35 Responsive & Dynamic Compassion ...................................................................................... 36 The Enjoyment Body .............................................................................................................. 39 The Manifestation Body: The Magical Emanations of The Ray of Sunlight ........................... 40 The Previous Lives of an Emanation ...................................................................................... 47 Emanation of Nanam Dorjé Dujom & Son of Guru Rinpoche ................................................ 50 Section Conclusion: The Magical Emanation of The Ray of Sunlight ..................................... 53 Part II: The Steadfast Incarnation of The Wondrous Ocean....................................................... 56 Historical Background ............................................................................................................ 57 Trikāya & The Wondrous Ocean ............................................................................................ 58 Distinguishing Incarnations from Emanations ....................................................................... 70 Chapter Conclusions: Incarnation: The Rationalized Emanation ............................................... 74 v Chapter 2: Preincarnations: The Narrative Appropriation of Authority ........................................ 76 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 76 Part I: Nanam Dorjé Dujom ........................................................................................................ 80 The Ray of Sunlight: A Tradition Bound by Sacred Geography .............................................. 81 The Wondrous Ocean: Transcending Sacred Geography ....................................................... 85 The Guru Trashi: Mixed Messages ......................................................................................... 90 The Contemporary Characterization of Nanam Dorjé Dujom ............................................... 96 Section Conclusion: The Development of Treasure Authority ............................................ 103 Part II: Tropu Lotsawa .............................................................................................................. 104 Sakyapa – Ordination Lineage .............................................................................................. 104 Nyingmapa – Incarnation Lineage ....................................................................................... 108 Nyingmapa – Rejection of an Incarnation............................................................................ 111 Nyingmapa – Incarnate Lama & Treasure Revealer ............................................................ 114 Kagyupa – Uncle-Nephew Lineage & Sacred Geography .................................................... 118 Chapter Conclusion: The Art of (Re)contextualization & Appropriation ............................. 127 Chapter 3: Stages in the Development of an Incarnation Lineage & a Treasure Tradition ......... 129 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 129 Historical Context ..................................................................................................................... 131 Sources ..................................................................................................................................... 132 Transmission of Scriptural and Institutional Authority: From Gödem Truchen to Śākya Zangpo (15th c.) ..................................................................................................................................... 133 Recognition of Adults, Karmic Relationships & Memory: From Śākya Zangpo to the Ngari Brother: Pema Wangyel & Lekden Dorjé (Mid-16th c.) ............................................................ 139 Consenting Adults: Initial Contact with the Northern Treasure Tradition .......................... 139 A Master of the Northern Treasures.................................................................................... 145 Recognition & Karmic Relationships between Treasure Revealers ..................................... 148 Remembering Past Lives ...................................................................................................... 152 Reunited Sibling: Lekden Dorjé to Trashi Topgyel (Late-16th c.) .............................................. 154 The Brother-Father Regent & the Incarnate Son: From Trashi Topgyel to Ngakgi Wangpo (Early-17th c.) ............................................................................................................................ 158 Contradictions & Consequences .........................................................................................