This founder of the branch of the Drukpa Kagyü school known as the Upper Drukpa came to attention as an artist. As a teenager, “Pagshi” (traveler) Dondrup Sengge was a handsome young itinerant artist who entertained people with a combination of song, dance, storytelling, and acrobatic feats. His early life was one of poverty and family strife. His insecure circumstances led him to consider a spiritual life, and he began studying with several teachers. Unsure of his path, he is said to have received a prediction in a dream saying he should go to Ralung monastery, the seat of the Middle Drukpa Kagyu tradition, located in Gyantse in Tsang. The prophecy told him to seek the master Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje, who would bring him temporary and ultimate happiness. He followed Tsangpa Gyare with great devotion, often undertaking solitary retreats in isolated places with few provisions and great hardship.
Upon his teacher’s passing, Gotsangpa followed the final instructions from Tsangpa Gyare’s testament, which were to “Give up concerns of the present life. Stay in mountain retreats.”
In his twenties, inspired by stories of Milarepa, Gostangpa decided to travel to Mt. Kailash (Gang Tise). Gotsangpa’s pilgrimage is one of the first known treks around Kailash, and he is credited with establishing the current Kora route. On his journey, Gotsangpa encountered many challenges. According to the story, heavy snow blocked his path in the Lha Chu Valley. Fortunately, a female Yak (“Drira”, in Tibetan) appeared and guided him through the snow to a safe place in the valley. It is said that Gotsangpa recognized the dri to be an emanation of Senge Dongma (Siṃhamukhā), the lion-faced dakini. She is said to have left a huge hoof-print that turned into a cave. He rested there for some time before the weather cleared and he was able to complete his circuit.
After completing his pilgrimage, Gotsangpa returned to the cave and meditated there for four years. The cave looks out on the north face of Mount Kailash. The cave became an important sacred place attached to a monastery that is called Drira phuk or Deraphuk Monastery. The name derives from the story. “Drira” means female Yak, and “Phuk” means cave. The stone cave is still part of the monastery today and can be visited on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.
Gotsangpa also traveled with the translator Gar Lotsāwa, encountering treacherous conditions and many hardships to reach the pilgrimage place of Jalandhara in India. They spent months practicing at this holy site, considered as one of the twenty-four Places of the Vajra Body of Heruka described in the Cakrasaṃvara Tantras.
After returning to Ralung monastery, Gotsangpa continued to practice at isolated places, following the advice of the new abbot Wonre Darma Sengge. It seems that he finally took full ordination after several years in solitary retreat.
Again, with the permission of abbot Wonre, Gotsangpa went into the mountains for seven years of solitary practice in a spot located in modern Ladakh, called Gotsang, literally, “vulture nest,” from where he received the name Gotsangpa, ‘the man of Gotsang.’ The hermitage built around his meditation cave is still accessible.
In his later years, Gotsangpa also established a number of monasteries, thereby founding the Drukpa Kagyu school, which became known as “Upper Druk”. His instructions to students was to follow his example and devote themselves to solitary meditation in isolated places.
Gotsangpa continues to be highly regarded by modern masters for his direct and simple advice to meditators. An example of this is:
Outer retreat is to stay put in isolation.
Inner retreat is to stay put in the retreat hut.
Secret retreat is to stay put on the mat.
Stay put upon the non-dual view.
Stay put upon undistracted meditation.
Stay put upon unattached conduct.
Additional Information:
1Za Patrul Rinpoche, Clear Elucidation of True Nature: An Esoteric Instruction on the Sublime Approach of Ati, trans. by Sarah Harding, Sky Dancer Press, p. 13.
In this short video, Phakchok Rinpoche teaches on the Three Kaya Supplication (also known as the “Fourfold Manam Refuge“) from the oral tradition of Drogön Tsangpa Gyare as written down by Götsangpa.
Phakchok Rinpoche shares an explanation from Götsangpa on the types of rebirth.
A number of advice texts for meditators by Götsangpa are available in Tibetan here.
Image credit: Himalayan Art Resources (HAR)
