On Qiong Bojue, The Founder Of The Xiangpa Kagyu Sect

Khyungpo Naljor was a learned and accomplished master during the Second Diffusion of Tibetan Buddhism in the 11 th century.At the age of thirteen,in accordance with the tradition of his father's spiritual legacy,he studied B?n teachings from Yungdrung Gyal.Then he became proficient in all internal and external B?n teachings,and wrote down many treatises and explanations for difficult commentaries.Through his work he helped spread B?n teachings to the provinces of Central,Eastern and Western Tibet.Later on,he was unsatisfied with B?n,and then received instruction in the three Great Perfections of vastness studies,mind studies and secret teachings of the Ningmapa Sect from Jungney Senge.He did not rest content with his achievements in all these different traditions,and finally left for India and Nepal.He was unconcerned about comforts for himself and endured much hardship.Over the course of three journeys,in total,he studied with a hundred and fifty sages such as two supreme wisdom dakinis-Naropa's consort Niguma and Sukhasiddhi,the Thirteen Great Adepts and the Four Glorious Root Lamas.Through the experience of these three major turning points in his life,he gradually founded a particular lineage called Shangpa Kagyu which mainly focused on the Five Golden Teachings of Niguma and other oral teachings.His work remains a splendid jewel for Tibetan Budhhist culture.Therefore,as one of the models of the Second Diffusion,to study Khyungpo Naljor is an essential part of the whole history of the Second Diffusion of Tibetan Buddhism.In particular,the Shangpa Kagyu lineage itself,which conceals and falls into a decline in a long time in the course of Tibetan Buddhist history,is also essential to study.Shangpa Kagyu was one of the early lineages among the Tibetan Buddhist lineages,and has influenced,to various extents,Marpa Kagyu and another later lineages.Its greatest influence has been the Mhakala Wisdom teaching which spread to numerous lineages.During the course of its development,Shangpa Kagyu,because of changes in the political climate,it,along with other sects,suffered from various outside forces and its former independent instruction,teachings and rituals fell into a danger.Although it is extremely difficult to recount it completely,I consider this lineage,which originated from the mouth of Khyungpo Naljor,as an integral part of Tibetan culture.I have taken the relevant points of its founder,Khyungpo Naljor,and divided them five chapters.Chapter one mainly analyses the historical background during the time of Khyungpo Naljor;his different names;his birth,death and his birthplace.Chapter Two describes Khongpo Naljor's three big turnning points in his life-long process of firstly practicing B?n,then taking part in the Ningmapa sect,and finally leaving for India and Nepal to seek further instructions.Moreover,this chapter describes the reason and times of going to India,and some important Indian lamas in the last part.Chapter Three mainly focuses on some monasteries related to Khyungpo Naljor.These monasteries include the studying places of Shomara,caves such as Ngarkongang Mahakala Cave and some monasteries in the Shang area and so on.Chapter Four mainly introduces some important instructions of Khyungpo Naljor such as;the Five Golden Doctrines;the Mahakala instruction and the special features of these intructions and the current status of them.Chapter Five will expound on some other related issues with Khyungpo Naljor: the different traditions of his disciples,the reason for the deterioration of Khyungpo Naljor's lineage,his commentaries on religious teachings,the Eight Great Religious Songs of Khyungpo Naljor and Songs of Shangpa Kagyu and some of his important belongings.Through this dissertation,I provide a definite conclusion on his clan and birthplace.Especially,for some important historical sites like monasteries and caves related with Khongpo Naljor,and other monasteries founded after him,I provide a complete and clear description of the reasons for their deterioration,which in turn shows their current status.These,of course,are an historical demonstration of the present existence of Shangpa Kagyu lineage.