Chapter I: The lineage of Bakula Rinpoche

The Lineage of Bakula is the reincarnation system (Tulku) which is based on

the theory that Buddha’s soul never vanishes, but reincarnates in succession
to lead his followers and to accomplish his mission. “According to Buddhist
scholars, religious methods and rituals are used to identify the reincarnation
of a late high lama. A search party headed by another high lama begins the
search. After a religious retreat, lamas, dispatched in disguise, scour Tibet
for special signs: New mothers who have unusual dreams, children who
have special knowledge without being taught and special physical traits,
such as big ear lobes. The lamas refer to oracles, portents, dreams and the
late lama’s prophesy in order to aid them in their search. At times some
lamas are sent to Lhamo Latso, the oracle lake, to look for prophetic visions
to help locate the reincarnation. Usually dozens of candidates are sought.
They are tested with the late lama’s possessions; those who have amazing
knowledge in identifying their predecessor’s belongings win and become the
final candidates. Like wise the discovery of the 19th kushok Bakula was also
based on reincarnation system.”35 Till know there had been 20th Bakula’s
incarnated in ladakh. Monasteries of Ladakh, namely Stok, Sankar and
Saboo, are considered to be the branches of Spituk Gompa. The incumbents
serving in all these monasteries are the successive reincarnations of Skyabsje
Bakula Rinpoche. And the list of all the previous eighteenths Bakula who
were born in ladakh are as follows

35
Autobiography Bakula Kushok, (2006) : My Life, My Times, Published By World Buddhist
Culture Trust, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi p 6

36
“The following were the reincarnations of BAKULA RINPOCHE OF
LADAKH

1. GmÅ.zdm.z.>è.¾. ( Neten Bakula)

2. ¼Ûm-Vïm-z¯ôm-Iàz-z¸P-qô-
(sherab zangpo)

3. IÝz-Vïm-¿~-¿~-q-(Mahasiddhi Luipa )
4. ¤±ÞPÅ-¤ïh-hh-q-zdm-qô- king depa
tenpa (dopchen lavapa)

5. ÅÀôz-hqôm-hqº-zô- Arya Sura (lopon pavo)

6. M¿-z-VôÅ-h‚PÅ- (gyalwa chogyang)

7. ZÛ-¤-»Û-ÁïÅ-z¯ôm-ºIàz- (Nyamme Yeshi

Tsundue)

8. VôÅ-zÀôm-»Û-ÁïÅ-º²Ûm- (yeshi Dzin)

(dharma Guru of king Gedun Bang )

9. ¿ô‐¯-z-¼Ûm-Vïm-z¸j-qô-( lotsawa
Rinchen Zangpo )

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10. FÛ-¤VôG- (Geshe Chagpa Thrichog of Kadampa
Tradition)

11. ¼Å-Vàj-lôýXï.IGÅ.q. (Rechung Dorje dragpa)

12 zÀô.IôÅ.VôÅ-Bôj- (lodoe choes kyong )

13 VôÅ.ˆÛ-lô.³ïý (Drupchen choes kyi rdorje )

14 zÀô.z¸j.¢Ûm-q- (Ven. lobsang Jinpa)

15 »Û-ÁïÇ.M¾-¤±m. (Yongdzin yeshe Gyaltsen )
16 ³ï-zþèèm.³Ú-m.Å-¼- jetsun Ngawang Jamphel
17 z->è.¾.h;ôm.¤VôG.¼j.Iô¾.ZÛ.
¤. (Bakula Dkon-mchog-rang-grol-nyima)
18

z.>è.¾.zÀô.z¸P.»ï.ÁïÅ.zÇem.q.M
¾.¤±m-(Bakula lobsang-yeshe Tenpa Gyaltsen)
19 zÀô.z¸P.fàz.zÇem.¤VôG.mô¼.

38
(Bakula Lobsang Thupstan Chognor) 36

20 z>Þ¿-fÞz-zdïm-P-hzP- (Bakula Thuptan

Nawang 2008 (born in kiager village in Nubra valley in ladakh)

2. The detail account of previous Bakula Rinpoche

Another tradition is recorded in both the Manorathapurai (the venerable

Buddhaghosa’s commentary on the Anguttara Nikaya) and the pali version
36
Palden Thupstan, (1990) : Chagrabs Kunsal Melong Published by Pethub Monastery Leh Ladakh Printed
at Jayyed press Ballimaran, Delhi p305

39
of Milanda Panha. This tradition maintains that Bakula was born at
Kasumbi, in a minister’s family, before Sakyamuni appeared. One day,
when his nurse was bathing him in the Yamuna River, he was swallowed by
a fish. This fish was caught by an angler, who sold it the wife of a minister
of Benaras. When it was cut open, the child was found unharmed and alive,
through the power of his good karma. The wife of the minister adopted him,
then the dispute arose between the natural and adopted parents as to who
should have the boy. Placed before the king he judged that both should have
custody of him, and thus he became known as Deva Kula or the Families
which later became Bakula.

The second incarnation of Bakula manifested in the form of the Indian

Mahasiddhi Tilopa or Sherad Zangpo in order to spread the Buddha Dharma.
Tilopa was a learned guru. The king of Visnunagar offered to pay him 500
gold coins a day to live at his court, but Tilopa preferred the life of a yogi.
He quietly left the court, and went out to meditate near a cemetery. It was
then that Naropa came to serve him. By practicing the six famous yoga paths
he attained the Mahamudra Siddhi. After preaching extensively, he entered
the heavenly abode of Amitabha during his life time.

The third incarnation of Bakula was the Indian Mahasiddhi Luipa who
abandoned his kingdom in Sri lanka and journeyed to Ramesvaram where he
became bikshu. At Dorje Den( Both Gaya) a dakini revealed to him an
upaya for realizing Buddhahood, and in this way he practiced for many years
in cemetery. On receiving further instructions from Dakinis at pataliputra
that showed him how to remove his dualistic beliefs, he sat in meditation for
twelve years near the Ganga living on the minute remains of fish rejected by
fishermen. Thus he was called Luipa and he attained Great perfection.

40
The fourth incarnation of Bakula was the king Depa Tenpa who appears in
the religious books Kadam Buchos.

The fifth incarnation of Bakula Rinpoche was Arya Sura (Lopon Pawo), the
disciple of Acarya Nagarjuna (Gonpo Ludup). In his early life, Arya Sura
was non Buddhist religious teacher who very critical of Buddhism, doing his
best to oppose and undermine its influence. However, he converted, and it is
said that the Thirty-four selected Jataka tales (skyerab So Zhinpa) were
written by him. His selection from jatakas tales is one of his many excellent
contributions to Buddhist literature and it vividly illustrates the activity of
bodhisattva and especially in practicing the six paramitas that is dana
charity, sila morality, ksanti peace, virya assiduity, dhyana meditations and
prajna wisdom. It is related that he undertook his work in atonement for his
numerous bad karma he had accumulated whilst opposing the spread of
Buddhism.

The sixth incarnation was Gyalwa Choyang one of Lopon Padmasambhava’s

25th disciple. He attainment the great perfection through the means of
Hayagriva. Thus the symbol of horse appeared on crown of his head, as can
be seen in the depictions of him.

The seventh incarnation of Bakula was Ratna udam (Nyamme Rinchen

Tsondru) the disciple of khedrub khyghungpo.

The eight incarnation of Kushok Bakula as mentioned in the book Drinngon

Dawai Togzod was yeshi Dzin dharma guru of king Gedun Bang.

The ninth incarnation of bakula was Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo (954-1055)

when Lang dharma the last Tibetan king persecuted practitioners
Buddhadharma the Buddhist who survived the spurge fled to the western

41
Tibet, where the Dharma was preserved under the patronage of kings of
Ngari. These kings were the responsible for its revival, especially king yeshi
od,who erected the temples in pethub (ladakh) and Guge western Tibet). He
brought many Indian pundits to Tibet and selected 21 Tibetans to study in
India so as to become lotsawa (translator). Of these twenty one Lotsawa
Rinchen Zangpo proved to be the greatest. He was expert in tantra and with
the help of Indian pandits tantras was standardized into four sections. They
translated many yoga tantras including the Guhya samaja and helped prepare
the way for the coming of Dipankara Sri Jnana(Atisa) to Tibet in the 11th
century.

The tenth incarnation of bakula was Geshe Chagpa Thrigchog of Kadampa

Tradition.

The eleventh incarnation appeared as Rechung Dorje Drakpa, one of the

closest disciples of Jetsun Milarepa. As milarepa was about to enter
parinirvana, most of his principle disciples were present except for Rechung.
Mila said until Rechung arrives, no one is to touch my body. Such was the
respect he has for Rechung. He gave rechung his bamboo staff and his
famous cotton robe. When Rechung arrived at Chuwar despite many
obstacles he received darsan from Jetsun even though his jetsun’s greatest
disciple Gamgompa was the sun outshining all others, and rechung Dorje
Dragpa of the Gungthang was the moon.

The twelve incarnations of Bakula Rinpoche was Khedrup Rinpoche’s main

disciple Sthavira Lodros Choskyong. The thirteenth incarnation was
Drupchen Choskyi Dorje (mahasiddha Dharma Vajra) was the pupil of
basgo choskyi Gyaltsen( Dharmadhvaja)

42
The fourteenth incarnation was jetsun Ngawang Jamphel Yeshe Gyatso who
was the khenpo of the loseling.

The seventeenth incarnation was the first incarnation to appear in ladakh and
he appeared in Lamayuru Monastery which is situated some one hundred
and twenty kilometers west of Leh. He was known as Koncok Rangdrol
Nyima, he was monk at Lamayuru and held very high position and he was
unique among the other monks. He proved to be great scholar and eventually
he became head lama of the temple. Even today his hermitage is one of the
most sacred precincts in the monastery. He took the responsibility for
renovating lamayuru monastery which was turn into horse stable during the
Dogra war and thus results into destroying valuable books and statues. 37

3.The reincarnation of 18th Bakula Rinpoche

The eighteenth incarnation of Bakula took place in the royal palace of

Zangskar in 1860. He was known as the Lobsang Yeshi Tenpa Gyaltsen. He
was the son of the king so the people knew him as Gyal Sras or prince. It
had been for some time the misfortune of th pethub monastery which had
hundreds of monks to be without a scared or very holy lama who could
preach and lead them. Later there was a great scholar Lama at sankar Gonpa,
37
Shakspo Nawang Tsering and M.D Henry Vyer, (2006) : Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Saint and Statesman
Published by World Buddhist Culture Trust, New Delhi Lajpat Nagar,Culture and Languages, Leh Ladakh
pp 5-10

43
whose name was kachen Jigtenpa. He understood the obligations of high
lama and so he took upon himself the responsibility of finding a leader for
gonpa. After performing deep meditations he visited the spiritual heads of
Tibet and ladakh in connection with this matter and eventually the name of
Bakula entered his mind as the fruit of his sadhana. Very pleased and the
excited since he was familiar with Bakula as the Great mahasthavira he at
once rushed to Tibet and consulted the devas of ladakh to obtain their
confirmation of his vision.

Now he began to the search for the incarnations of Bakula first he again
visited the ladakh devas and the Tibetan oracle after which he discovered
that Bakula had reincarnated in ladakh. Although he didn’t know the exact
location, the oracle informed him that he must go to Zangla Palace in
Zangskar. Accordingly Kachen Jigtenpa sent some monks from pethub with
an appeal to, and auspicious gift for the king. He asked them to narrate his
vision and to request that king’s son become the Rinpoche of Pethub Gonpa.
The zangla king accepted this great demand with mixed emotions of sadness
and joy. When the prince was still young he left the palace and accompanied
by the retinue, he proceeded to the pethub.38

On his approaching the monastery the people of ladakh gathered to see the
young prince who was to be the first head lama of pethub.

After this investiture the prince sat on the throne of Pethub Rinpoche and at
that very moment he was con fronted by all the responsibilities and problems

38
Shakspo Nawang Tsering and M.D Henry Vyer, (2006) : Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Saint and Statesman
Published by World Buddhist Culture Trust, New Delhi Lajpat Nagar,Culture and Languages, Leh Ladakh
pp 10-11

44
of the monastery; its acute financial crisis and decline in number of
practicing bikshus. After this historic ceremony Kachen Jigtenpa himself
became the rinpoche’s first tutor and as well, his constant companion where
ever he went. It was great occasion when Rinpoche visited his sponsors, and
according to the tradition the money that donated to kachen was employed to
meet the expenses of sending the Rinpoche to Tibet.

4. Education of 18th Bakula Lobsang Yeshi Tenpa Gyaltsen

In his child hood the 18th Bakula Rinpoche developed a very sharp intellect
the fruit of karma. He completed his primary education in a short time and
then ordination of upasaka, getsul and Gelong were gradually conferred on
him along with the Vinaya instruction that they entail. At the age of
thirteenth he proceeded to Tibet for higher education And to receive the
blessing of learned Gurus. His holiness of Bakula had given the four choices
of the Gelugpa universities. Those were Drepung Gaden Sera and tashi
lhunpo. And he entered the Drepung university the largest university of
Tibet. And there He became the best student. After mastering the sutrs and
tantras he was granted highest degree in Buddhist studies and Metaphysics-
Geshe Lharampa.

After completing the higher studies of dharma, he returned back to his

homeland Ladakh. And there he assumed the personal control over the
monastic affairs. The main four gelug monasteries are Pethub, Stok, Sankar
and Sabu. Which were situated in the four cardinal directions of Leh. The
Rinpoche’s achievement was the centralization of power that made the
pethub Gompa influential and effective. At the age of 80 he visited Zangskar

45
his birth place and there he passed away in 1917 in Stongde Gonpa. Before
his death the Bakula is believed to have foretold the situation for his next
birth. He gave his mother an Ulab, a head ornament for high lama, a
Gyabyol, a back wall curtain, and a small silk carpet. He told her to take care
of them because these things would be in need in future. 39

5. The Contribution of the 18th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche

The previous 18th Bakula40 was born in 1860 as a prince to king of Zangla in
Zangskar. He had a remarkable life. He worked selflessly for the welfare of
his people and as he grew old he became more devoted to his spiritual
duties. After completing his higher studies in Tibet he returned back to

Ladakh. The great changes were taking place in ladakh in every field of
knowledge and action. Rinpoche’s advice and efforts were also required in

39
Autobiography Bakula Kushok: My Life, My Times, Published By World Buddhist
Culture Trust, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi , (2006) p 6

40
18th Bakula rinpoche name: Lobzang Yeshe Stanba Gyaltsen

46
regulating social activities and he began to play keen role in the politics of
both Jammu and Kashmir.

At that time ladakh was ruled by the king of Jammu

Pratap Singh. Although he was a excellent politician and a meritorious king
he and his escort were very up sad because they had no children to succeed
them. One of his ministers, who had just returned from Ladakh informed the
king about the kushok Bakula of Pethub Gonpa had some unique qualities as
both an incarnate lama and as a great sage in the field of dharma. He further
suggested that it would be possible to conceive crown prince through the
power of Rinpoche’s pujas. On hearing this with delight, the king Pratap
Singh, at once sent invitation to kushok Bakula, and Bakula readily accepted
the invitation and set out for Jammu along with main lamas of pethub.
Bakula received a royal reception and after hearing the problems of the king,
Bakula spent a week in the palace, reciting mantras and performed especial
the puja. During this period the king became greatly devoted to him. As a
mark of respect he would remove his crown before going to meet the
Rinpoche. To convey his deep feelings he offered to make a donation that
need of pethub Gonpa and Bakula himself. His holiness the Bakula
Rinpoche asked nothing for himself but requested the king Pratap Singh to
exempt all the monasteries of ladakh from government taxes. The king
wishes to confine such a privilege Pethub but at the end he yielded to
bakula’s demand by releasing all the monasteries from the taxation. This
traditional policy has been continued to this day.41

41
Kaul, S and Kaul, H.N (2004): Ladakh through the ages, towards a new identity, Indus Publishing
Company, New Delhi. p 45

47
 The British field marshal Lord Robert (1832-1914) was also visiting Sri
Nagar at that time, kushok Bakula was introduced to him. They talk in
particular about the sociopolitical problems confronting Ladakh. Some
Months later queen of Jammu and Kashmir gave a birth to a prince who
eventually succeeded to the throne under the name of Raja Hari Singh.

After his Jammu Visit, the Gonpa of Sankar was rebuilt in 1890 according to
its modern plan, and it’s still a dignified presence in the city of Leh. Bakula
worked industriously and selflessly for the welfare of his Ladakhi People.
As he grew older and older he became more and more devoted to spiritual
duties. At the age of 80 he visited Zangskar his birth place and there he
passed away in 1917 in Stongde Gonpa, when pethub heard of his
parinirvana, the lamas in deep shock held a big Pujas.42 There one can fine
all the pictures of all the previous incarnation Bakula Rinpoche in their main
temple on pethub monastery.

42
Chognor Bakula, (2001) : Rangnam Padma karpoi Tangwa, Published by Bakula Foundation Leh
Ladakh, Edited by Gyaltsen.Jamyang

48