Dudjom Sangyum Kusho Rigdzin Wangmo

Letter from Kyabjé Dungse Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche

My mother, Her Holiness Sangyum Rigzin Wangmo, dissolved her awareness into the Dharmakaya on August 27th, 2014, at 5:55 pm at the Yeshe Nyingpo center in New York City. Immediately then, she went into Thug Dam (unwavering meditation to benefit all beings).

My mother is recognized as a manifestation of White Tara and of Yeshe Tsogyal. She was the predicted and prophesied consort for Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche. My mother received this divine prophecy from the Dakinis when she was just eight years old. At the same time, at that young age, my mother received Dakini teachings from Yeshe Tsogyal which she immediately put into practice.

Their meeting was arranged by Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche’s Dharma Protector, Shenpa. Shenpa appeared to my mother’s father indicating the prophecy for her to marry Rinpoche. Shenpa simultaneously appeared to Rinpoche indicating when the meeting would occur. Rinpoche married her in Tibet while she was still in her teens.

An interesting historical parallel is that, again as a manifestation of Tara, she was the consort of Dudjom Lingpa, Rinpoche’s previous incarnation. In that life, she took her very body to the Buddhafield. One day when Dudjom Lingpa returned, she had already gone, with no trace.

The union of Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche and Sangyum Rigzin Wangmo produced one son and three daughters. The eldest daughter, Dekyong Yeshe Wangmo, dissolved her body into space at a very young age. Rinpoche recognized her as a Yeshe Tsogyal emanation, but unfortunately we didn’t have enough merit for her to live longer. Rinpoche composed the Dzang Dok Palri prayer (Copper Colored Palace of Guru Rinpoche) in her memory. Indeed, Rinpoche loved her profoundly. He often commented as to how sad he was that she did not live longer. The next eldest daughter Chimey Wangmo and the younger daughter Tsering Penzom are also manifestations of dakinis.

I, their son Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche, was predicted to be born to them and was personally delivered at birth by Rinpoche. I was recognized as the reincarnation of Prince Jamphen Norbu, Taksham Terton, Gyalsay Nangwa Thaye, and Tulku Pema Yeshe.

My consort, Sonam Chhoskit, was also predicted and chosen by Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche. From our union, we have two daughters, Dechen Yangzom and Tseyang Drolkar. From my previous marriage to Her Royal Highness Ashi Pema, I fathered two sons: His Eminence Kathok Situ Rinpoche and His Eminence Tulku Namgyal Rinpoche. Tulku Namgyal Rinpoche’s previous incarnation was Tulku Sangay Rinpoche, who was the root teacher of Rinpoche, from whom he received the Phurba transmissions. His Eminence Kathok Situ Rinpoche was recognized by Kaybjé Dudjom Rinpoche, and later by Kyabjé Chadrel Rinpoche and Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche, who is also related to my father. In short, all our family members incarnate together in one auspicious mandala.

My mother, Sangyum Rigzin Wangmo, has been the wisdom dakini manifestation who not only prolonged my father’s life but also fostered the auspicious flourishing of his wisdom revelations. I remember my father saying that his sunshine of happiness radiated when he first met my mother. I credit her with not only taking good care of Rinpoche but also unceasingly encouraging his activity to benefit all parent sentient beings.

As many of you know, my mother spent most of her life in strict retreat. She took a proactive role in recognizing the reincarnation of many Lamas. Her dreams were clairvoyant: they were all predictions. Before any tragedy fell on the family or others, she would foresee it and indicate methods to reverse it.

At this moment, she is still in Thug Dam, following the tradition, as we know, of great enlightened beings’ realization in the Dharmakaya. The benefit of their deep meditation, which is the expression of their bodhisattva commitment, removes all dangers, calamities, and sufferings such as war, disease, famine, and earthquakes. As well, from that meditative state, they empower us in our practice and multiply our purification practice to the fullest extent.

Currently, we are holding her 49 day ceremony at Yeshe Nyingpo in New York city by offering the Kater Dor Sem puja, discovered by Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche.

We are indeed fortunate she lived for 89 years. Generally in our tradition, it is known that when a tertön leaves his body, his Dakini consort follows. She had many visions and situations where she was invited by the Dakinis to leave her body to come to their Buddhafields, but she refused, saying she still wanted to be with her children. Once again I thank her for her consideration for being with us as long as she has been. I have no doubt that she has the full power to leave her body whenever she chooses.

It is now my ardent prayer that she will swiftly reincarnate and we have the good fortune to once again be in the midst of her presence. May her reincarnation be free of obstacles and may she grace and bless us soon.

I also wish to thank all disciples, friends, and well-wishers for their condolences and for grieving with us at this sad moment. We rejoice at her enlightenment and pray that her wisdom manifestation appears swiftly to teach and guide us.

With all my blessings,
Kyabjé Dungse Shenphen Dawa Norbu Rinpoche

Excerpted from www.tersar.org with authorization from His Eminence Dungse Namgay Dawa Rinpoche.