This commentary to the very sacred texts and meditation practices of the Dzogchen cycle of the Gongpa Zanghtal by Rigdzin Godem, the great terton (treasure finder) from Tibet, is know for its details and clarity and very high respected among Tibetan scholars of the Dzogchen tradition. The commentary is rarely available, only as an old wood print from Tibet. Tulku Tsultrim Zangpo is highly respected and also H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama speaks in great honour of his writings. The contained teachings are kept very sacred and secret among Tibetans and an introduction through a highly qualified master of the lineage is obligatory. It contains the highest peak of the Tibetan meditation and should be read only by the serious practitioner who is ready for these teachings. In Tibetan it is quiet common for other people just to keep the text on the altar for reverence.
Kun bZang dGongs Pa Zang Thal- Boundless Vision, Tulku Tsultrim Zangpo, Edition Khordong, Wandel Verlag, Paperback, 2012, 132 Pages, $25.00
Tulku Tsultrim Zangpo (Tib.tshul khrims bzang po) aka Tulku Tsullo ( Wyl. sprul sku tshul lo) (1884-c.1957) - one of the greatest Tibetan scholars of recent times, was an important student of Terton Sogyal Lerab Lingpa, as well as the author of his secret biography and a lineage-holder of his terma teachings. He was also a student of the Third Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima and of Amye Khenpo Damcho Ozer of Dodrupchen Monastery. Khenpo Damcho said of him on one occasion, "I am just a dog, but I have a lion for a student." Although it was notoriously difficult to meet Dodrup Jikme Tenpe Nyima in his later years, Tsullo was able to do so because of his work as a scribe. He copied many texts for Dodrupchen Rinpoche's personal library and used the work as an opportunity to get access to Rinpoche and to receive clarifications.
Shukjung Monastery photo courtesy of Matteo Pistono
Tsultrim Zangpo's father was Gonpo Wangyal and his mother was Shyiwam Tso, daughter of Khordong Terchen Nuden Dorje. His main residence was at Shukjung Monastery in the Do Valley, which is located about 15 to 20 miles from Dodrupchen Monastery and which belongs to the Northern Treasures tradition. He also spent time at Khordong Monastery, which was under the care of his younger brother, Gyurme Dorje.
Those who saw him say that he looked statuesque, seated in meditation posture, hardly ever moving, and with an impressive white beard.
He was the root teacher of Khordong Tertrul Chime Rigdzin, popularly known as C.R. Lama (1922-2002), as well as Orgyen Tendzin (Tulku Gyenlo) and Zhichen Ontrul Rinpoche, who passed away recently in Tibet.
