The Treasury of Lives

The Zhije (zhi byed) and Chod (gcod) lineages weave in and out of almost all institutionally independent traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, although they themselves never became the established dominant tenet system of any monastery. The Zhije lineage in Tibet originated with the Indian master Padampa Sanggye, who is said to have visited Tibet five times. He had a number of disciples in the Tingri area of Tibet, to whom he taught his method of pacifying suffering. Padampa Sanggye also taught a method for cutting through demonic obstruction to his relative Kyoton Sonam Lama, who transmitted it to Machik Labdron. Her lineage of Chod, which she passed down to her children, came to be known as “Mother Chod” in contrast to the lineage stemming from Padampa Sanggye, which is known as “Father Chod.” Additional Chod developed, including one stemming from treasure revelations (“Treasure Chod”), the Gyeltang Chod, stemming from Machik Labdron’s disciple Gyeltang Samten Ozer, and the Zurmang Chod, transmitted by Rangjung Zhabla Ngawa.

The Yabzang Kagyu, one of the eight minor Kagyu lineages, was founded in the twelfth century by Pakmodrupa's disciple Zarawa Kelden Yeshe Sengge, whose student Yabzang Choje Chokyi Monlam systematized the teachings of Zarawa to form the basis of the tradition. Yabzang and Zara were important Yabzang Kagyu monasteries. Neither monasteries flourished for very long, and the Yabzang Kagyu teachings were absorbed into other traditions.

Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo, the founder of the Ngor Branch of the Sakya tradition.

Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo at the left and his successor Muchen Sempa Chenpo Konchok Gyaltsen sitting on the right, surrounded by lineage teachers.

This eighteenth century painting of Namkha Pelzang, the twelfth abbot of Ralung Monastery, belongs to a set of Ralung patriarchs. Two other paintings belonging to the set can be seen on Himalayan Art Resources.

A nineteenth century painting featuring the First Dorje Drak Rigdzin, Rigdzin Godemchen Ngodrub Gyeltsen, a Nyingma treasure revealer who discovered the Jangter, or Northern Treasures. 

An eighteenth century painting of Puchungwa Zhonnu Gyeltsen with Rinchen Zangpo.

Surkhang Wangchen Tseten and his first wife Lhagyari Tseten Chodzom, circa 1926. 

To the left, Khedrupje is depicted while thinking of his great teacher, Tsongkhapa, who appears above him on a cloud. On the middle right, Khedrubje is making an offering to Tsongkhapa. On the lower right, Khedrubje is seated while editing a manuscript.

Surkhang Wangchen Gelek with wife Dekyi Lhaze and daughter in Lhasa city with the Potala Palace in the background. The photo was taken by Heinrich Harrer. 

An 18th century painting of Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, the founder of Pelyul monastery, surrounded by deities and Nyingma masters.

A receipt dated September 9, 1965 documenting the dispersal of funds to the Sakya Trizin and the Sakya Settlement at Dehra Dun, by Lobsang P. Lhalungpa on behalf of the Tibet Society of United Kingdom.

Gyelrong Choktse Gyelpo, Tseten Zhabdrung and Meu Gyalpo photographed at the White Stupa in Beijing. 

Lobzang Chokyi Gyeltsen, the first person to hold the title of Paṇchen Lama, is pictured in this eighteenth century painting, with Maitreya to the right enveloped in a rainbow. The upper left depicts Cakrasaṃvara and to the right is Paṇchen Lama's teacher Khedrub Sanggye Yeshe. The lower left shows Vaiśravaṇa, with Begtse Chen to the right.

An unidentified person, Tseten Zhabdrung, Sungrab Gyatso (left to right)