17. Ratna Badra 15th century

rje btsun ratna ba dra

“Spreading the bindu of the great wrathful one,

Lord Ratnabhadra, I supplicate you.” – “Supplication to the Kagyü Gurus”

 

Ratnabhadra was born into the well-known and very honourable family of Goshir Soksamkhar Drongbu in Soksam. From a young age, he was ordained as a monastic. He received the higher training in Buddhist philosophy, logic, and other fields of knowledge at Pälden Sangphu. Then he travelled to great monastic institutions in Tibet, engaging in debate and discussions on Madhyamika, Prajnaparamita, Vinaya, and Abhidharmakosha. Jetsün Ratnabhadra became one of the greatest scholars of Sutra and Tantra and was therefore called "Rigpe Rältri," “Sword of Philosophy and Logic.” He received the full transmission of the Glorious Kagyu Lineage from the Fifth Karmapa, Deshin Shegpa, attained complete realization of ultimate reality, and became one of the most illustrious meditation masters of the time.

 

Jetsün Ratnabhadra, Lineage-holder of the Kagyü Golden Rosary, passed on the full transmission of the Lineage to the Sixth Gyalwa Karmapa, Thongwa Dönden.

 

Reference:

Kagyu Office of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, “The Golden Rosary” (2008).

 

“May the truthful speech of Bodhisattvas and virtuous people, the truthful speech of the pure nature of reality, promote peace and harmony here in our world so that everyone can enjoy the wealth of happiness and well-being.” -- Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

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