The Treasury of Lives

Drilungpa Tsultrim Sherab ('bri lung pa tshul khrims shes rab) was born in Tolung (stod lung) in the twelfth century into a family that belonged to Zhang clan, which was traditionally affiliated with the Bon tradition. When he was still young, he learned how to read and write and after a few years, he went to Yeru Wensakha (g.yas ru dben sa kha) where he studied under the guidance of numerous masters, including Dru Jetsun Yungdrung Lama (bru yi rje btsun), the then head of the Dru clan.

Drilungpa practiced intensively for years, training in listening, reflecting and meditating until he eradicated all his doubts. He eventually took the vows of monk from Zhangpa Tsultrim Lama (zhang pa tshul khrims bla ma), an abbot coming from U. On that occasion, he received the name Tsultrim Sherab (tshul khrims shes rab) and throughout his life, he carefully maintained the two hundred and fifty vows of a fully ordained Bon monk.

Later in life, Drilungpa met the master Drubtob Khyunggom Joyung (grub thob khyung sgom jo g.yung) who gave him the essential instructions of Dzogchen, starting with the instructions of the Atri cycle of teachings. Prior to meeting Joyung, Drilungpa had heard about the existence of a series of oral instructions on sky gazing, and a limitless devotion was born in him at that time. Once he met Joyung and found out that this master was the lineage holder of these oral instructions, he asked him to receive the direct introduction to the Great Vehicle (theg pa chen po'i ngo sprod). After this, he practiced the corresponding oral instructions continuously for years and became a “sky-like yogin” (nam mkha’i lta bu’i rnal 'byor), free from all elaborations.

Drilungpa later visited the monasteries of Tolung (stod lung) and Drilung ('bri lung) where he gathered numerous disciples from all directions. He taught them the principles of the three trainings (bslab pa gsum), as well as the art of debate, composition, and so forth. It is thus said that, for several years, he strove for the welfare of beings and the teachings of Bon, before eventually entering into nirvana, confirming the everlasting law of impermanence. The tradition says that numerous relics were found in the ashes of his cremation.

His main disciple was Drogon Yorpo Mepel ('gro mgon g.yor po me dpal) who played a key role in the written codification of the oral instructions of Atri.