Prologue

H.H. the 16th Karmapa with H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul the 3rd

H.H. the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje
with H.E. the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul in Rumtek monastery

Prologue

From now until enlightenment, Supreme Lama,
May we always serve and rely on you,
May we persevere in practice and complete the Path,
Giving up whatever is negative and perfecting the positive.

The Jamgon Kongtruls are the mind incarnations of Jamgon Kongtrul the Great, Lodro Thaye (1813-1899). He was born in eastern Tibet, and his previous incarnations, since the time of Buddha Shakyamuni, included deeply realised masters and teachers who were significant in establishing, preserving and upholding the Buddha's teachings. Amongst them were Ananda, the devoted attendant to the Buddha and a main holder of His teachings; Aryadeva, the principle disciple of Nagarjuna, who defeated the heretics; Lotsawa Vairocana, who was among the first Tibetan translators of the sutras and tantras; Khyungpo Naljor and Taranatha, founders of the Shangpa and Jonangpa lineages respectively; and Longchen Rabjam, a greatly realised master and scholar of the Nyingma lineage.

The First Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodro Thaye, was one of the founders of the Rime Movement* together with Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo the Great, and Chogyur Lingpa. His Root Teacher was the 9th Tai Situ, Situ Pema Nyinje. He became a main holder of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and the Root Teacher of the 15th Karmapa, Gyalwang Khakhyab Dorje.

The Second Jamgon Kongtrul, Palden Khyentse Oser (1902-1952) was born, as predicted by the 15th Karmapa, at Tsurphu monastery. He was the son of Khakhyab Dorje, and his principle disciple. A great meditator and a main holder of the Karma Kagyu lineage, he became one of the Root Teachers of the 16th Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje.

The Third Jamgon Kongtrul, Lodro Chokyi Senge (1954-1992) was born in central Tibet, as predicted by his Root Teacher, the 16th Karmapa. Enthroned by the Karmapa at Rumtek monastery in Sikkim, India, when he was 6 years old, he lived there all his life. Tirelessly travelling the world to fulfil the wishes and continue the activity of the Karmapa, the vision and activity of the Third Jamgon Kongtrul for his Root Teacher, for Buddhism in general, for the Karma Kagyu lineage, and for the poor, destitute and needy, are far too vast to tell. His qualities of devotion to the Root Teacher, of loving-kindness and compassion, of patience, sincerity and reliability are difficult for ordinary beings to emulate. His life was a profound teaching in guru devotion, and an inspiration to practitioners of the Path. To many who had the merit to meet him, the Third Jamgon Kongtrul epitomised all that practitioners seek to develop: devotion to the Root Teacher and wisdom born of loving-kindness and compassion.

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Note:
* The Rime movement in nineteenth century Tibet, at the wake of the culturo-religio renaissance, was aimed at transcending rigid sectarianism and emphasising the essence of the Buddha's teachings.