The Treasury of Lives

Dzeng Dharmabodhi was born in the Tangchung (thang chung) region of Yarlung (yar klung). His mother, whose name was either Tsargu Kyide (mtshar dgu skyid bde) or Tsargu Zakyi ('tshar dgu gza' skyid), was a nun at Tangchung Monastery (thang chung dgon). She was seduced – possibly raped – by the eldest son of the ruler of Tangchung, Tashi Yungdrung (bkra shis g.yung drung). He took novice vows as a young man, receiving the name Tsultrim Gyeltsen (tshul khrims rgyal mtshan), but he never fully ordained.

After moving around among maternal relatives in his youth, Dzeng went to Dolpo Tsartsur (dol po 'tshar 'tsur) with a servant of the family and met the renowned Chod master Padampa Sanggye (pa dam pa sang rgyas, d.c.1117). Dzeng remained with Padampa Sanggye for fourteen months, after which the master sent the young man home with a blessing and a prophesy that he would be a lineage holder of the teaching for which he is primarily known, The Vajra Bridge (rdo rje zam pa).

After taking a transmission on the six-syllable mantra of Avalokiteśvara from Padampa Sanggye, Dzeng Dharmabodi returned to Tibet, receiving teachings on a variety of Buddhist topics from a number of teachers.

When he was thirty-five he met his principle lama, Bagom Yeshe Jangchub (sba sgom ye shes byang chub) at Pukpoche (phug po che). Briefly taking up the chores of an attendant who was away, Dzeng impressed the master enough to prompt him to grant him several Dzogchen teachings. By the time the previous attendant returned, Dzeng had developed faith in Bagom and remained with him as a disciple, making alms rounds to support his and his lama’s practice. Ultimately Bagom gave Dzeng the complete transmission of The Vajra Bridge, a teaching of the Longde class (klong sde) of the Dzogchen.

Dzeng Dharmabodi continued to train with other teachers as well, Machik Labdron (ma gcig lab sgron, 1055-1149), with whom he studied Chod, and Gampopa Sonam Rinchen (sgam po pa bsod nam rin chen, 1079-1153), who gave him the Six Yogas of Naropa (na ro chos drug) and the Yoga of co-emergence (lhan cig skyes sbyor), and to whom he taught The Vajra Bridge in return.

For the remainder of his life Dzeng Dharmabhodi lived the austere life of a yogin, once going naked for five years, and wandering Tibet with his consort, Jomo Chale (jo mo phya le), performing miracles and teaching The Vajra Bridge.

He is said to have lived to the age of one hundred seventeen years. His numerous students included Dzeng Jose ('dzeng jo sras) and Tsentangpa Nyang Dharmasiddha (btsan thang pa myang dharma simha). They taught Tulku Obar Sengge (sprul sku 'od 'bar seng+ge), who continued the lineage.