The 4th
Shamarpa Shamar Chokyi Drakpa Yeshe Pal Zangpo 1453 -1524 The
4th Shamarpa was born in Kangmar in the Treshö province of
Kham, eastern Tibet. Wonderous signs were ablaze at his birth,
which were variously interpreted by the local monastic communities,
according to their own anticipation. Some were of the mind that
it could only be the long awaited Karmapa Incarnate, while others
were more inclined towards the Shamarpa Incarnate or that of a
Mahasiddhi. Seven months had passed, speculations abound; conclusions,
there were none. The infant Rinpoche was invited formally to Tara
Kangmar Monastery, where a collection of books was laid before
him to select. He took none but works by the Karmapa. The indecisive
took this to be unmistakably an indication of the Karmapa's return.
Thus the solemn matter of identification was settled arbitrarily
on a simple test. From then on, the Shamarpa remained in the monastery.
The 6th Karmapa Tongwa Dönden was born the year after. When
he was four years of age, he embarked on an extensive Dharma tour
through Tibet. In due course, he arrived at the Lhündrup
Gön Monastery in the south, not far from Dra-Kangmar, where,
all the while, the disciples of the Shamarpa were anxiously waiting
for their Guru's return, without avail. They came to the Karmapa,
labourously recalling the passing of their Guru, whose last word
was "Dra-Kangmar", they said. It was to be the name of the place
of his next rebirth. The Karmapa reassured them that their Guru
had indeed taken rebirth, but in distant Tre-Kangmar. Tre and
Dra, an understandable confusion of words for his griefing followers,
in time of stress. His now jubilant disciples, planned on an instant
return of their Guru to his long awaited monasteries. The Karmapa
told them it was not to be so. As the Karmapa, he must himself
invite him, in full ceremonial honours, as befitting the return
of the Shamarpa.
By
the time the Dharma tour had reached the province of Treshö
the Karmapa was seven years old. He set up camp near Kangmar,
remaining in retreat, while he sent his gifted attendant-monk,
to invite the Shamarpa. This learned monk, a man of exceptional
realizations was none other than Paljor Döndrup, the 1st
Gyaltsab Rinpoche, who was to become a Guru to the Shamarpa. When
the Karmapa and the Shamarpa met, it was the renewal of a very
close tie, stretching far beyond history. In terms of human relationship,
it was to be compared to the joyful reunion of father and son.
The Karmapa gave the young Shamarpa the name of Chöji Drakpa
Yeshe Pal Zangpo. Returning the Red Crown, he enthroned him.
They
had been successively each others Guru up to then. The Karmapa
proposed that from then on, they were to propagate the Dharma
together, each in a different region of the country, with the
Shamarpa remaining in the Kongpo area in the south while the Karmapa
himself proceeding towards eastern Kham.
Some
years later, they were together again, at Treshö Kangmar.
The Shamarpa arrived laden with offerings for the Karmapa; the
Karmapa readily imparted to him the Mahamudra, the Six Teachings
of Naropa and the numerous instructions of the Kagyü Lineage.
The
Shamarpa became renowned as a great scholar and also for being
unsparing on himself in practice, whether it was on the teachings
received from the Karmapa, from Gyaltsap Rinpoche or from any
of the great lamas and scholars, thus setting a challenging example
of relentless perseverance.
The
4th Shamarpa went as far as to Bhutan to propagate the Dharma.
In southern Bhutan, there remains to this day a monastery built
by the Shamarpa. It stands sturdy and almost untouched by the
passing years. Apart from it being a shining testamony to the
craftsmanship of the period, it is indelibly a mark of his enduring
blessings.
In
central Tibet, where, at the insistence of the people, he became
king for eleven years, ruling the country strictly in accordance
with Buddhist principles. However, his first priority was Dharma.
As he studied, so he taught and meditated, never neglecting his
monastic obligations, thus fully accomplishing the three-fold
task of a Holder of the Buddha's Teachings.
The
5th Shamarpa Shamar Köncho Yenlak 1526 -1583
The S h a m a r p a
