Namchak Lineage and History
Protecting and Nurturing
a Living Tradition
The Namchak lineage represents a branch of the unbroken stream of wisdom teachings reaching back over 2,500 years to Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha. Through generations of devoted practitioners, these teachings have been practiced, realized, and passed down so that we, too, can benefit from their transformative power today.
The significance of lineage
A Living Thread of the Buddha’s Teachings
From the Buddha’s own students such as Shariputra, Avalokiteshvara, and Manjushri, realization was passed from teacher to student, century after century. Each generation safeguarded not only the words of the teachings but the inner understanding gained through practice. Because of the generosity of these students, this living thread connects modern practitioners directly with the Buddha’s original insight, teachings, and instructions.
The Three Paths of Buddhism
Rooted in the Buddha’s Teachings
After the Buddha passed into nirvana, Theravada, or the Foundation Vehicle, and Mahayana, or the Great Vehicle, became the two prevalent paths of Buddhism throughout Asia. The distinction between the two lies in the scope of the practitioner’s motivation.
Theravada emphasizes personal liberation from the cycle of suffering.
In Mahayana, the motivation is more vast – to free all living beings from cyclic suffering.
Vajrayana Buddhism, or the Diamond Vehicle, was born of Mahayana Buddhism, and includes Tibetan Buddhism and the Namchak lineage.
What differentiates Vajrayana from Mahayana is its tantric orientation and practices that build on the Mahayana tradition. Taking the view that enlightenment is not something to be newly achieved in the future, but in fact our very nature, Vajrayana practices are much more direct and swift, leading to enlightenment more quickly.
The Roots of the Namchak Lineage
Each school of Tibetan Buddhism, Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug, harkens back to an enlightened master and emphasizes a unique path to enlightenment. The Namchak lineage exists within the Nyingma school.
Guru Rinpoche transformed Tibet into a Buddhist country. Nupchen Sangye Yeshe was a heart student of Guru Rinpoche, and it was to him that Guru Rinpoche entrusted the transmissions that later became known as the Namchak lineage. Those teachings were hidden and then revealed hundreds of years ago by Tsasum Lingpa, a reincarnation of Nup Sangye Yeshe who is known as a revealer of hidden treasure teachings.
Today, Gochen Tulku Sangak Rinpoche is one of the lineage holders in the Namchak tradition, a high lama, and the Spiritual Director of the Namchak Foundation. He is the 6th incarnation of Drimey Lingpa and an emanation of Gyalwa Chokyang. He received authority to teach the Namchak lineage first from masters in Tibet, then from a master named Pedgyal Lingpa, before coming to the United States in 1994.
Khen Rinpoche Ngawang Gelek, Rinpoche’s brother and Dharma Heir, teaches around the world and in Montana.
Under the tutelage of Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, Lama Tsomo completed extensive spiritual retreats in the U.S. and abroad. Today, she is dedicated to sharing the teachings of the Namchak lineage with Western students, bringing greater happiness and meaning to life through meditation practice, community, and retreat.
After establishing the first Ewam center in the United States, Tulku Sangak Rinpoche’s Dharma activity has prospered worldwide, including in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bhutan, India, and elsewhere. In the United States, Rinpoche later bestowed the lama title on Sangak Tsomo, and she was given the responsibility of building the Namchak Retreat Ranch.
Stewards of the Namchak Lineage
01
02
Late 8th to early 9th century CE
Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava
Brought Buddhism to Tibet in the late 8th to early 9th century C.E.
9th century CE
Nupchen Sangye Yeshe
One of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava’s 25 closest students
1694–1738
Orgyen Tsasum Lingpa
Emanation of Nupchen Sangye Yeshe
18th century CE
Raton Topden Dorje
Personal student of Orgyen Tsasum Lingpa
18th century CE
Rigzin Tukchok Dorje
Son of Orgyen Tsasum Lingpa and personal student of Raton Topden Dorje
1714–1773
Orgyen Drimey Lingpa
Personal student of Rigzin Tukchok Dorje
Late 18th to early 19th century CE
Namdren Gyelwa Gyatso
1st Gochen Tulku incarnation
Early to mid 19th century CE
Pakpa Gelek
2nd Gochen Tulku incarnation
Mid 19th to early 20th century CE
Tsewang Tenzin
3rd Gochen Tulku incarnation
1912–1951
Namkha Tsewang
4th Gochen Tulku incarnation
1952–Present
Gochen Tulku Namchak Sangak Tenzin Rinpoche
5th Gochen Tulku incarnation
Current holder of the Namchak tradition and Spiritual Director of Namchak Foundation and Ewam Foundation
A lifeline of authentic practice
The Importance of Keeping This Lineage Intact
Keeping the Namchak lineage intact ensures that these precious teachings are passed on in their full depth and integrity for future generations. As stewards of this sacred history, we celebrate the rare gift of hearing and embodying these teachings by carrying them forward as purely as we can.