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INDEX
- Adon instructions, 165
- alcohol consumption, 127–30, 131, 132, 135, 176
- Anuyoga (Subsequent Yoga), 4, 44, 173. See also Atiyoga
- appellations and pronouns, 95–99; authorizing referents, 69; “unwanted daughter,” 35, 96, 99–100
- Ardussi, John, 199n30
- Ashton, Gail, 107–8, 137
- Atiyoga (Highest Yoga), 4, 44, 62–63, 98, 173
- authority: “charismatic” (Weber), 74, 92, 194n13; and gender, 68, 103, 111, 139; “legal” (Weber), 91–92; and privilege, 25, 88–89, 101, 102–3; three modes of, 25–26, 71, 95, 98, 100–101, 103; Weber’s divisions, 71, 87. See also educational authority; emanation authority; institutional authority
- autobiography: “auto/biography,” 17, 28–29, 187n36; Lives, 17, 18, 74, 81; self-humbling strategies 29, 67–68, 194n5
- Bakhtin, Mikhail, 109
- beer. See alcohol consumption
- Bessenger, Suzanne, 16, 185n3
- bhikṣuṇī, 50, 51. See also nuns
- biography, 6–7. See also autobiography; hagiography; Lives
- Blazing Remains Tantra, 163, 203n5
- buddhavacana (Buddha’s word), 14
- Bumrap Jampa Orgyen Kelsang, 56
- Cabezón, José, 45
- celibacy: and Geluk norms, 135, 147, 148; as Mingyur Peldrön’s ideal, 49, 135, 147, 148; and Mingyur Peldrön’s previous lives, 48, 83–84; non-celibate religious paths, 12, 50, 129, 142; theme in Dispeller, 27, 48, 147; and women’s autonomy, 64, 82–83, 142–43. See also monasticism; non-monastic practice communities; nuns; and under Mingyur Peldrön
- Celis, Karen, 23, 194n4
- Chakdor Wangchen, 171
- Changkya Rölpé Dorjé, 198n24
- charlatans, 128, 130–31, 176
- Chöding hermitage, 203n21
- Chökyi Drönma, 2, 191n56; compared with Mingyur Peldrön, 18, 52, 53, 89; Life, 18; past lives, 75, 194n16
- Chökyi Gyatso: Pilgrimage Guide to Ütsang, 169
- Chökyi Wangchuk, 122
- Churner of the Depths of Hell (text and ritual), 44, 62
- civil war (1717–18), 53–59; deaths, 35–36, 54, 57, 92, 114, 153; and the Dzungar Mongols, 31, 54–56, 143, 150, 192n66, 193n83; and intersectarian tensions, 53–54, 112; flight and exile of Mingyur Peldrön, 3, 37–38, 55–59, 93, 114–16, 193n83; and Mindröling Monastery, 35, 55, 59, 78–79, 88, 93, 151–52, 155, 160, 193n80; presented in Dispeller, 29. See also Tibet in the eighteenth century
- Cixous, Hélène, 107
- Coakley, John, 108
- Columbel, Eric, 3
- commemoration rites, 168–69
- consort relationships, 18, 19; and alcohol, 127; Mingyur Peldrön’s rejection of, 27, 52, 143; offer by Fifth Lelung, 156–57; Padmasambhava and Yeshé Tsogyel, 80, 81, 82, 84; religious benefits of, 142, 157; Samantabhadra and Samantabhadrī, 76; of treasure revealers, 81–82, 129, 142
- Cooper, Brittney, 87
- Coston, Ethan M., 23
- Crenshaw, Kimberlé, “intersectionality,” 23. See also intersectionality
- Dajin Badur, 153
- ḍākinīs, 14, 97, 100; Venerable Master, Excellent Queen of the Ḍākinīs title, 97–98, 102, 155
- Dalai Lamas, incarnation lineage, 194n13
- Dalton, Jacob, 11, 13, 186–87n28
- Dargyé Chöding lineage, 12, 100, 106, 133
- Dechen Paldron (Jetsün Dechen Paldron), 174, 177
- Deden Drölma, 159, 168
- Definitive Secret Vajragarbha, 39, 165
- deloks, 77–79
- Depa Wangdu, 55
- Dharmavajra, 40, 41
- dialogue, 28–29, 96, 105, 107, 111–12, 136–37, 139
- Diemberger, Hildegard, 18, 73
- DiFranco, Ani, 174
- Dingri Lodrö Tenpa, 197n2
- Dispeller: account of Mingyur Peldrön’s death and funerary arrangements, 162–68; account of sectarian violence, 55–56; author’s agenda, 136–38, 177; author’s self-presentation, 70, 110; authorship of, 16, 104, 187n33; birth story, 32, 39; as bridge between time periods, 177; on childhood and religious education, 43, 45–46; closing colophon, 33, 171–72; date of, 8–9; description of institutional relationships, 89–90, 141; descriptions of previous incarnations, 7, 72–75, 76, 78, 82–83, 86–87, 101; dialogue and quotations, 28–29, 70, 96, 105, 108, 111–12, 130–31, 134, 135, 136–37, 139, 187n33; editions, 3; format, 22, 69–71; as hagiography, 6–7, 163–64; historical events in, 10, 19, 29, 177; literary style and linguistic conventions, 28–29, 70, 97–100, 111; on Mingyur Peldrön as nun, 50, 52, 190n46; on Mingyur Peldrön as teacher, 105, 120–23, 128–31, 137; miraculous accounts in, 7, 163–64, 167–68, 170; multivalent approach to, 68–69; as multivocal narrative, 28, 105, 108, 109, 117, 136, 138, 187n33; as “outer” namtar, 186n18; poetic verse attributed to Mingyur Peldrön, 70, 111–12, 114–17; on Polhané, 151, 154–55; portrayal of Mingyur Peldrön as emotional being, 79–80, 112–13, 115–16, 117, 135; presentation of Mingyur Peldrön’s siblings, 93; rainbows and portents, 40, 41, 63, 164, 167–68; reflection of Geluk-centrism, 31, 135; theme of monasticism and celibacy, 48, 118, 120, 123, 126, 131, 136–37, 148, 177; themes of privilege, authority, gender, and dialogue, 9, 22, 25–26, 29, 68–69, 72, 95, 98–99, 100–101, 102; treatment of gender, 2, 10, 19, 20, 21, 26–27, 66–69, 71–72, 73, 95–101, 103, 138–39; use of appellations and pronouns, 95–99, 155; use of senyik style, 42, 43, 49, 70, 92, 165; wide range of presentations, 112. See also Gyurmé Ösel
- Döndrup Gyel, 198–99n29
- Dorjé Drak Monastery, 11, 13
- Dorje Pakmo, 75, 196n50
- Dredging the Depths of Hell, 44, 62
- Drepu retreat center, 128–29, 200n61
- Drikung Kagyu denomination, 45
- Drimé Özer, 18
- Duckworth, Douglas, 146
- Dudjom Lingpa, 122
- Dudjom Rinpoche, 84, 118, 145, 173, 193n80
- Dzogchen. See Great Perfection teachings
- Dzungar Mongols, 192n62; and the civil war of 1717–18, 31, 54–56, 143, 150, 192n66, 193n83; destruction of non-Geluk sites, 112; Gyurmé Namgyel and, 144, 159; harassment of Nyingma women, 69; occupation of Lhasa, 54, 55, 192n66; violence against Mindröling Monastery, 55–56, 114
- educational authority, 71, 90–95, 98, 102, 111, 125; and Weber’s “legal authority,” 91–92
- emanation authority, 71, 72–87, 98, 101, 188n55; case of Nangsa Öbum, 77–79; case of Samantabhadrī, 76–77; case of Yeshé Tsogyel, 80–85; and religious authority, 85
- empowerments (wang), 25, 42, 43, 44, 121, 135, 159; and authority 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 98; Four Empowerments, 40; long-life, 164; Precious Word, 48; wrathful, 165
- Erzeel, Silvia, 23, 194n4
- esoteric texts, 13–14, 62, 159. See also terma
- factionalism, 30–31, 54, 144
- Festival of Victorious Conquerors, 49, 106–7, 173, 190n39
- Fifth Dalai Lama (Ngawang Losang Gyatso): death of, 30, 54, 191n60, 192n63; and the Ganden Podrang government, 11; initiation of Rinchen Namgyel, 45; and intersectarianism, 11, 30, 54; Life by the Desi Sangyé Gyatso, 194n12; patronage of Mindröling and relations with Terdak Lingpa, 15, 55, 88, 113, 154; tomb of, 153
- Fifth Lelung. See Jedrung Losang Trinlé
- five sciences (rikné), 15, 45–47, 64
- Ganden Podrang government: cabinet after civil war, 144, 150, 153; and death of the Fifth Dalai Lama, 30, 53–54; factions of, 54; under the Fifth Dalai Lama, 15, 55, 88; founding of, 11; under Polhané, 144; relationship with Dzungars, 54, 159; relationship with Mindröling, 63, 88. See also Fifth Dalai Lama
- Garchen Rinpoche, 85
- Gautami Thrinley Choedron, 174, 177
- Gayley, Holly, 19
- Geary, Patrick, 8, 31
- Gegen Rabten Gyau, 156
- Gelongma Palmo, 74, 75
- Geluk order: after civil war, 63, 143; competing factions, 31, 144; dominance of, 30, 31, 135; Dzungar forces backed by, 54 112; geshe system, 202n41; persecution of non-Geluk communities, 30; relations with Nyingma, 11, 144–47, 148, 152–56, 155
- gender: advice to women and men, 131–32, 139; appellations and pronouns, 95–100; and authority, 68, 85, 89–90, 103, 111, 125, 136, 139; and author-saint relationship, 107–8; in Dispeller, 2, 10, 19, 20, 21, 26–27, 66–69, 71–72, 73 ,95–101, 103, 138–39; in eighteenth-century Buddhist context, 26; in hagiography, 108; and monasticism, 51, 123–26, 131, 200n1; and official lineage at Mindröling, 140; and privilege, 2, 69, 101, 102–3, 175; and rebirth, 85–86, 134; and religious education, 38, 46–47, 105, 112, 136; and sex, 20, 26, 188n52; as theme in the life of Mingyur Peldrön, 2–3, 9, 20, 26–28. See also “lesser female birth”; nuns
- Gendun Tsampel, 57
- Gesar epic, 198n21
- Great Master of Oddiyana. See Padmasambhava
- Great Perfection teachings (Dzogchen), 2, 40, 49; Atiyoga and Anuyoga, 4, 44, 62–63, 98, 173; experts in, 58; Instruction category (Menakdé), 33, 44; Mingyur Peldrön’s works, 60, 105, 118; Nyingtik genre, 33; Samantabhadra and Samantabhadrī as progenitors, 41, 76–77; secret Vajragarbha, 39, 40, 165; Thögel, 33; Three Classes, 33, 42, 44; transmission of, 46–47; Trekchö, 32, 33
- Gung Lumpawa, 144
- gur (metered verse), 112–17, 134, 198nn16,18,21; and realization, 117, 199n30; seven goals of, 198–99n29
- Guru Rinpoche. See Padmasambhava
- Gyatso, Janet, 51, 112
- Gyurmé Chödron, 32, 34, 57, 151, 156
- Gyurmé Chöpel, 171
- Gyurmé Namgyel (king of Sikkim), 58, 157
- Gyurmé Namgyel (son of Polhané), 144, 159
- Gyurmé Ösel (Khyungpo Repa Gyurmé Ösel): counseled about drinking, 129–30; and the death of Mingyur Peldrön, 166; as disciple of Mingyur Peldrön, 4, 7, 8, 17, 29, 106, 110, 129–30, 171; on Dispeller, 133, 171–72; first meeting with Mingyur Peldrön, 109–10; life of, 4; relationship with Mingyur Peldrön, 104–6, 137, 138; self-presentation, 70, 110; views on monasticism, 175–76. See also Dispeller
- Gyurmé Pema Tenzin, 35
- Gyurmé Pema Wangyel, 133–34, 171, 172
- Gyurmé Samten Chogdrup, 105, 121, 159
- Gyurmé Tharchin, 121
- Gyurmé Trinlé Namgyel (Fifth Trichen), 172, 173
- Gyurmé Yangdzöm, 57, 151–52, 156
- Gyurmé Zangpo, 159
- Gyurrme Zhenpen Wangpo, 56
- hagiography: authorizing referents in, 69; author-saint relationship, 107–8, 137–38, 170; definition, 5; dialogic potential of, 28–29, 136–39, 176; Dispeller as, 9–10; of the Fifth Dalai Lama, 194n12; gender in, 108; and history, 8, 31; medieval European, 4–7, 107–8, 137; modes of authentication, 71; and namtar, 3–7, 69; as propaganda, 8. See also Dispeller; Lives; namtar
- Havnevik, Hanna, 51
- Heart Essence of Vimilamitra, 44
- histories (logyü), 7, 10
- History of Sikkimese Monasteries, 57
- Hong Taiji, 34
- Hor, 48, 55–56, 201n27. See also Dzungar Mongols
- householder life, 51–52, 120
- incarnation lineage: and gender, 85–87, 133–34; of Dalai Lamas, 194n13
- Indian poetry, 113
- Institut für Indologie und Tibetologie collection of senyik, 43
- institutional authority, 71, 87–90, 102; and gender, 89–90, 125; and social privilege, 88–89; terminology used for, 98–99
- intersectionality, 23, 67, 87, 90, 101, 103
- invention of tradition, 13, 187n29
- Irigaray, Luce, 107
- Jackson, Roger, 45
- Jacoby, Sarah, 18, 26, 74; “relational selfhood,” 109
- Jagöpa Chökyong Gyeltsen, 197n2
- Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thayé, 173; Great Collection of Precious Treasure, 118, 122
- Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, 84, 122, 173, 199n42
- Jara Taiji, 144
- Jedrung Losang Trinlé (Jedrung Rinpoche, Fifth Lelung): brokered peace between Geluk factions, 156, 157; connection with Mindröling, 157; love for women and alcohol, 127–28; relationship with Mingyur Peldrön, 49, 62, 98, 127, 135, 143, 156–58; representation in Dispeller, 49, 126–28, 158, 176
- jetsünma title, 140–41, 173–74, 177, 190n46
- Jigmé Dorjé, 58–59, 192n73
- Jigmé Lingpa, 105
- Jigmé Pawo (Lhatsun Chenpo Dzogchen Jigmé Pawo), 150
- Kachö Dechen Ling, 162, 203n21
- kama tradition, 14, 62
- Kangxi emperor, 54
- Karma Kagyu lineage, 204n49
- Katok Monastery (Kham), 62
- Kelsang Gyatso. See Seventh Dalai Lama
- Kham, 11, 62, 177
- Khandro Nyingtik, 165
- Khandro Rinpoche (Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche), 174, 177, 204n49
- Khandro Tāre Lhamo (Tāre Lhamo): compared with Mingyur Peldrön, 2, 19, 24, 53, 75–76, 89; Life, 73, 75, 76; past lives, 75, 81, 82
- Khangchenné (Khangchenné Sönam Gyelpo), 144, 150, 154
- Khyungpo Repa Gyurmé Ösel, The Life of Mingyur Peldrön: A Dispeller of Distress for the Faithful. See Dispeller; Gyurmé Ösel
- Kimmel, Michael, 23
- Kongpo, 59–60, 90, 151–52
- Kristeva, Julia, 107
- Kunkyen Drimé Özer. See Longchenpa
- Kunkyen Longchen Rabjampa. See Longchenpa
- Kunzang Drönma, 126
- Lady Drung, 37–38, 55, 58
- Lady Peldzin, 37–38, 55; education of, 37, 47, 64, 93–94; as incarnation of her grandmother, 37, 106; marriage alliance with king of Sikkim, 37, 38, 58, 64, 149–50, 157–58
- lama: translation of, 96; use of term jé lama, 96–97, 98
- Langenberg, Amy, 26
- laywomen, 21, 50, 169, 177; and “harlots,” 129, 132
- Lelung Jedrung Losang Trinlé. See Jedrung Losang Trinlé
- Lelung Monastery, 53
- “lesser female birth,” 20–21, 67, 68–69, 123, 133, 134, 188n45
- Lhadzin Yangchen Drölma. See Yangchen Drölma
- Lhakyi Peldzöm, 32
- Lhasa: as center, 10; during civil war of 1717–18, 54, 55, 192n66; under Gelukpa control, 152–54; murder of Han Chinese, 159
- Lhatsun Chenpo Dzogchen Jigmé Pawo. See Jigmé Pawo
- Lhazang Khan, 31, 54, 150, 192n63, 201n27; successors of, 158
- Life of Shakyamuni, 52
- lineage holders, 34, 49, 122; defined, 197n67; Mingyur Peldrön as, 25, 63, 83, 93, 102, 141, 160
- lineage systems, 12, 91; tulku, 73
- Lingza Chokyi, 75
- Lives: auto/biographical, 17, 18, 28–29, 74, 81, 187n36; European and North American medieval, 4–7, 107–8, 137; as hagiographies, 6, 29; male authorship of, 107, 137; related to Mindröling Monastery, 106–7; stylistic patterns, 22; of Tibetan Buddhist women, 16, 24, 176; treatment of gender, 2, 24–27, 67–68, 86, 101–2. See also Dispeller; hagiography; namtar
- Lives of the Orgyen Mindröling Lineage Succession: A Festival of Victorious Conquerors, 49, 106–7, 173, 190n39
- Lochen Dharmaśrī: arrest and execution in civil war, 55, 57, 114, 153; and birth of Mingyur Peldrön, 32; closeness to Fifth Dalai Lama, 15; and education of Mingyur Peldrön, 1, 15, 43, 45, 48–49, 92, 99, 100; establishment and leadership of Mindröling Monastery, 12, 30, 55, 140, 185n7; family of, 12; Life of his mother, 106–7, 197n2; and Mindröling’s Nyingma practice, 13, 62, 187n28; and monastic ordination, 12–13, 145; namtar, 197n2; quoted in Dispeller, 99–100, 139; works, 113, 186n26, 197n2
- “long eighteenth century,” 10–11, 19, 31, 178
- Longchenpa (Kunkyen Drimé Özer/Kunkyen Longchen Rabjampa), 33, 34; commentary on The Heart Essence of Vimilamitra, 44
- Lotus Garden Retreat Center (Stanley, Virginia), 174
- Losang Kalsang Gyatso. See Seventh Dalai Lama
- Machik Jomo, 74, 75
- Machik Labdrön, 74, 75; Severance (Chöd), 44
- Machik Zurmo, 74, 75
- Makley, Charlene, 51
- Manchus, 31, 159. See also Qing dynasty
- Martin, Dan, 191n56; on “lineage holder,” 197n67
- McIntosh, Peggy, 22–23
- meditation caves, 80
- Menji Monastery, 56
- Menji nunnery, 60–61, 193n82
- Milarepa, songs of, 112, 198n21
- Mindröling Monastery: association with Great Perfection teachings, 33, 77; as center for Lhasa elite and “mother monastery,” 15; code of conduct, 145, 193n77; curriculum, 14–15; descendants at Mindrolling in India, 177; founding, 12–13, 30, 140, 185n7; histories of, 10; inclusiveness, 13, 186–87n28; intersectarian engagements, 13, 155, 161; invention of tradition at, 13, 187n29; kama and terma traditions, 13–14, 62; leadership of, 55, 94; lineage holders, 25, 34, 49, 63, 83, 93, 102, 122, 160, 186n27; lineage systems, 12–13, 140, 172–74, 177, 204n49; Lives of lineage holders, 49, 106–7, 173, 190n39; location of, 1; and Mingyur Peldrön’s institutional authority, 87–90, 102; monasticism and ordination, 145–46, 147; non-monastic practitioners, 131, 141–42; nunnery, 60, 193n82; reputation in Sikkim, 57–58; restoration of, following invasion, 59, 78–79, 88, 151, 152, 155, 156, 160, 193n80; sectarian violence against, 55, 57, 114; spelling of name, 185n7; survival of teachings after civil war, 92–93; ties with Fifth Dalai Lama, 15, 88; visitors to, 121–22, 146; women’s roles, 46, 47, 142; in the year 1699, 30, 32
- Mindrolling Monastery (India), 3, 59, 145, 169, 173, 177–78, 193n78; jetsünmas, 177; spelling of name, 185n7
- Mingyur Dechen Leytroling center, 59
- Mingyur Peldrön: alignment with Geluk culture, 135; arranged marriage of her sister, 58, 64, 149–50; audience with Seventh Dalai Lama, 153; birth story, 32–33, 39; celibacy, 49, 64, 82–84, 135, 142–43, 147, 148, 157–58; cremation, 167–68, 203n21; decline and death, 63, 163–67; as diplomat, 141, 143, 149, 160; early years, 31, 32–35, 36–37; educational authority, 90–95; emanation authority, 72–87; empowerments and teachings, 60, 61, 121, 149, 150, 159, 164; engagements with political and religious leaders, 149–50, 152–53, 158–61; exile in Sikkim, 34–35, 37–39, 55–59, 64, 78–79, 88, 114–16, 164, 193n83; family, 1, 35–39, 106, 149; final teachings, 164–66; future birth as a man, 49–50, 52, 68, 132–34, 172; gender and authority, 21–22, 65–66, 68, 103, 136, 139; health, 61, 63, 193n83; institutional authority, 87–90; instruction of nuns, 112, 123–26, 134; involvement in her namtar, 110–11; memorials and images, 168–70; and monasticism, 63, 118–20, 123, 134, 146, 147; moral advice, 118–19; names and titles, 40, 97–98, 102, 153, 155, 189n18; as nun, 21–22, 47–53, 91, 92, 94, 125, 148, 169, 190n46; ordered to Kongpo, 59–60, 90, 151–52; ordination, 48–49, 52–53; previous lives, 7, 14, 33, 48, 70, 72–75, 80–86, 132–33, 170–71; privilege, 2–3, 9, 24, 25, 63–65, 84, 87–88; profound compassion, 33; quoted in Dispeller, 105, 111–12, 130–31, 133, 134, 135; references to, in collections, 121–22, 199nn42–43; refuge ceremony, 40–41, 48, 111; rejection of consort relationships, 27, 52, 143; relationships with religious and political leaders, 60, 63, 65; relationship with father, 39–42; relics, 167–68, 170; religious training, 1, 15, 38–39, 41–46, 48–49, 64, 90–91, 92, 103, 159, 165; roles and status at Mindröling, 47, 90, 94, 140–41; sainthood, 163, 168, 170; sense of humor, 110; stone throne outside Pemayangtsé, 1, 59, 122, 176, 177; supernatural abilities, 33–34, 35, 40–41, 158, 164; tantric practice, 49, 169; teaching activities, 2, 61–62, 102, 122–24; teaching career in Sikkim, 58–59, 93, 98, 122; travels, 60–62; as “unwanted daughter,” 35, 96, 99–100
- Mingyur Peldrön, works of, 2, 3, 60, 62, 105, 117–20, 134–35, 136, 176; Ambrosial Feast of Questions and Answers, 118–20; Elaborations on the Awareness-Empowerment Methods for the Ati Zabdön, 4; instruction manuals for rituals and praxis, 62–63, 122; literary style, 113; poetic verse, 112–15, 117, 134; Secret Wisdom Ḍākinī Instruction Manual, 121, 159
- Mipam, 146
- miracles, 7, 163–64, 167–68, 170
- Miwang Gyurmé Sönam Tobgyé. See Polhané Sönam Tobgyé
- monasticism: as escape from women’s circumstances, 51, 200n1; Geluk and Nyingma approaches, 147–48; and gender, 51, 123–26, 131, 200n1; Mingyur Peldrön’s approach to, 118–20, 132, 147–48; Nyingma approaches to, 145–46; tensions between monastics and non-monastics, 146; theme in Dispeller, 48, 118, 120, 123, 136–37, 148, 177; wayward behavior of monks, 126–29, 132, 135, 200n61. See also non-monastic practice communities; nuns; ordination
- Mongols, 202n45. See also Dzungar Mongols
- Mooney, Catherine, 108 multivocality, 109, 187n33. See also Dispeller: as multivocal narrative
- nakpas (non-celibate teachers), 12, 147
- Namdra Pendé Leksheling Monastery, 153
- namtar: contrasted with histories (logyü), 7–10; death narrative, 170; format, 7, 69–71, 72–73; genre of, 4–5; and hagiography, 4–7, 69; as literary works, 9, 70; of Lochen Dharmaśrī, 197n2; master-disciple relationships in, 104; of Rinchen Namgyel, 10, 36–37, 86–87, 92, 94; stylistic practices, 33, 35; systems of authority, 71; tripartite taxonomy of, 186n18. See also Dispeller; hagiography
- Namtar of the Bodhisattva Rinchen Namgyel, Dispeller of Longing for the Fortunate, The, 36. See also namtar: of Rinchen Namgyel
- Namtrul Rinpoche, 19, 81, 82
- Nangsa Öbum, 74, 75, 77–79, 195n21
- Ngawang Losang Gyatso. See Fifth Dalai Lama
- Ngödrup Namgyel, 159
- non-monastic practice communities, 128–29, 130–31, 132, 142
- Northern Treasure tradition (Jangter), 44
- nuns, 20–22; with Lives, 53; material concerns of, 124–26, 132, 143; at Mindröling, 141; Mingyur Peldrön as, 21–22, 47–53, 91, 92, 94, 125, 148, 169; Mingyur Peldrön’s instruction of, 123–26, 134; monastic hierarchy, 20–21; ordination, 48, 50–53, 191n56; reference to, in Dispeller, 190n46; women’s decisions to become, 49, 200n1. See also celibacy; Chökyi Drönma; monasticism; ordination
- Nyangral Nyima Ozer, hagiography of Padmasambhava, 123
- Nyangter Drakmar, 165
- Nyingma religious order, 1–2, 34; community in Sikkim, 58; division of kama and terma texts, 13–14; Dodrup tradition, 146; as ecumenical tradition, 13, 30, 145; under the Fifth Dalai Lama, 11, 30; lineages, 34, 204n49; monasticism, 145–46; postwar revival, 60; relations with Geluk order, 11, 30–31, 145, 146–47; six “mother monasteries,” 15. See also Great Perfection teachings; Mindröling Monastery; treasure revelation tradition
- Nyö clan, 12, 34
- Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), 33, 40, 56; hagiography, 123; Mother-Father Union practice, 126; Terdak Lingpa as, 41, 115–16; and treasure revelation, 14, 34, 196n38; and Yeshé Tsogyel, 80, 81, 82–84
- Padma’tsho, 26
- Pelchen temple (Rulugang), 169
- Pema Gyurmé Gyatso, 35–36, 43, 45, 55, 57; training of Situ Penchen, 146, 201n19
- Pema Katang, 82–83
- Pemalingpa (Rigdzin Pemalingpa), 171
- Pema Tenzin Rinpoche, 165
- Pemayangtsé Monastery (Sikkim), 38, 148, 149–50, 177–78; instruction by Mingyur Peldrön, 59, 64, 122; Mingyur Peldrön imagery, 169; Mingyur Peldrön’s refusal to enter and her stone throne outside gates, 1, 59, 122, 176, 177, 193n77
- Pesé Ngapö, 144
- Petech, Luciano, 54, 159, 191n60
- Phuntsok Peldzöm 1, 99, 142; accidental mention to Dzungars, 55, 57; and birth of Mingyur Peldrön, 32; exile in Sikkim, 58; quoted in Dispeller, 139; in Samten Gyatso’s History of Sikkimese Monasteries, 38
- poetic verse. See gur
- Polhané Sönam Tobgyé (Polhané), 36, 201n27; and the hagiography of Mingyur Peldrön, 171–72; ordered Mingyur Peldrön to Kongpo and Lhasa, 60, 90; as political leader of central Tibet, 144; relationship with Mingyur Peldrön, 60, 63, 88, 150–56, 158–59, 160
- Pomplun, Trent, 31
- Precious Word Empowerment, 48
- previous lives, 48; of Mingyur Peldrön, 7, 14, 33, 48, 70, 72–75, 80–86, 132–33, 170–71; of Rinchen Namgyel, 86; of Sönam Peldren, 75; of Tāre Lhamo, 76
- Price, Sean, 3
- privilege: application to Tibetan Buddhist history, 23–24; and authority, 3, 25, 87–89, 101, 102–3; education and, 15, 24, 38, 39, 94; and gender, 2, 9, 69, 101, 102–3, 175; in the life of Mingyur Peldrön, 2–3, 9, 24, 25, 63–65, 84, 87–88; of monks and nuns, 131; religious affiliation and, 23; scholarship on, 22–23; social, 24, 88–89; use of term, 24–25
- Ratna Biza. See Rinchen Namgyel
- rebirth: buddha/bodhisattva vs. human, 72, 73; and gender, 85–86, 134. See also previous lives
- relational selfhood (Jacoby), 109
- Revealed Treasure of the Empty Plain, 40
- Rigdzin Pelden Tashi, 146
- Rigdzin Tuktik, 40
- rikné (five sciences), 15, 45–46, 64
- Rinchen Namgyel (Ratna Biza): coleader of Mindröling, 2, 36–37; depictions in Dispeller, 36, 93; exile of, 55, 57, 94; namtar of, 10, 36–37, 86–87, 92, 94; previous lives, 86; as proponent of nonsectarianism, 145; references to, in collections, 122; relations with Mingyur Peldrön, 43, 60; relations with Polhané, 151, 154; religious education, 38, 41, 44–45, 64; return to Mindröling, 59, 152; training of Situ Penchen, 146, 201n19; and the transmission of Mindröling-specific teachings, 92–93, 122; as trichen of Mindröling, 46
- sainthood, 163, 170; signs of saintly death, 163–64, 167–68, 203n5; use of term “saint,” 185n3
- Sakya denomination, 43, 45
- Sakya Pandita, 198n21
- Samantabhadra, 41, 195n19; paired with Samantabhadrī, 76
- Samantabhadra palace, 40, 41, 156
- Samantabhadrī, 76–77, 195n19; as previous life of Mingyur Peldrön, 74, 75, 76–77
- Samding Dorje Phagmo, 75, 196n50
- Samding Nunnery, 18
- samsara, 4, 73, 83, 115, 116; and gender, 20, 21, 68; and nirvana, 34, 76, 195n19
- Samten Gyatso, History of Sikkimese Monasteries, 37, 38, 150
- Samten Tsé retreat center, 60–61, 174
- Sangnak Choeling Monastery (West Sikkim), 57, 59, 149, 169, 171
- Sangyé Gyatso (Desi Sangyé Gyatso), 11, 13, 31, 192n63; Life of the Fifth Dalai Lama, 194n12
- Schaeffer, Kurtis, 17
- Schulenburg, Jane Tibbetts, 8
- senyik (lists of teachings): for nine Sakya practitioners, 43; used in Dispeller, 42, 43–44, 49, 70, 92, 165; used in Rinchen Namgyel’s hagiography, 92
- Sera Khandro: compared with Mingyur Peldrön, 2, 17–18, 27, 53, 88–89; consort relationships, 18, 81; Life, 18, 104, 109; as past life of Tāre Lhamo, 82; past lives, 74, 75, 81, 194n16; privilege in the life of, 24; as treasure revealer, 81
- Serzang Drupchen Gyurmé Longdröl, 121
- Seventh Dalai Lama (Kelsang Gyatso): composed gur, 198n24; enthronement, 143; and the Gandren Podrang government, 54, 144; Mingyur Peldrön’s relationship with, 60, 63, 88, 151, 153, 154
- Severs, Eline, 23, 194n4
- sex and gender, 20, 26, 188n52
- Shakabpa, 153, 159
- Shakyamuni Buddha, 32
- Shauk Taggo, 126, 129; Terdak Lingpa’s Shauk Treasures, 121
- Shugsep Jetsün Rinpoche, 53
- Siddhartha Gautama, 32
- Siddha Yolmowa (Tenzin Norbu), 119, 199n35
- Sikkim: exile of Mingyur Peldrön, 34–35, 37–38, 55–59; histories, 10; king of, 37, 38; Mingyur Peldrön’s connections with aristocracy, 149; Mingyur Peldrön’s retreat center, 93, 149
- Situ Penchen, 146, 201n19
- Sixth Dalai Lama, 30, 191n60, 192n63
- Sönam Peldren: compared with Mingyur Peldrön, 16, 27, 53; Life, 16–17, 73, 104; previous lives, 75; privilege in the life of, 24
- sorcery, 158
- speech emanation, 195n21
- Spiraling Vine of Faith, 75, 76. See also Khandro Tāre Lhamo
- Spoken Teachings, 13, 187n29
- srémo, 99
- Starling, Jessica, 50
- Sukhasiddhi, 74
- tantrism, 12, 28, 117, 128, 153, 175, 198n28; of Mingyur Peldrön, 49, 105, 169; tantric consorts, 14; texts, 145; of Sera Khandro, 18; of Sönam Peldren, 16
- Tārā, 74, 76
- Tāre Lhamo. See Khandro Tāre Lhamo
- Tashi Wangchuk, 57, 151
- Taylor, Anna, 5
- Tenzin Norbu (Siddha Yolmowa), 119, 199n35
- Terdak Lingpa (Terdak Lingpa Gyurmé Dorjé): appellations of, 40, 114; closeness to Fifth Dalai Lama, 15, 88, 113; code of conduct for Mindröling Monastery, 145; as Dharmavajra and Padmasambhava, 40, 41, 83–84, 115–16; disciples of, 121; in Dispeller, 98, 139; establishment of Mindröling Monastery, 12–13, 30, 140, 185n7, 187n28; family of, 12, 32; as Great Tertön, 39, 40, 124, 150, 157; gur of, 113; heritage of, 34; illness and death, 35, 40, 41, 42–43, 48, 55, 61; instruction of Mingyur Peldrön, 1, 39–42, 44, 45–46, 92; naming of Mingyur Peldrön, 40; references to, in collections, 122; reincarnations of, 133, 172; reputation in Sikkim, 58; and treasure revelation, 4, 12, 14, 34, 36, 44, 48, 60, 62, 92, 123, 142, 165, 200n49; treasure revelation at Shauk Taggo, 126, 129; as trichen, 12; verse addressed to, 114–16; and women’s training, 46
- terma (hidden treasure texts), 12, 13–14, 62, 122, 129. See also treasure revelation tradition
- tertöns, 12, 39, 40, 82, 84, 124, 150, 157, 196n38. See also treasure revelation tradition
- Three Jewels, 56
- Three Vows, 39, 49
- Tibetan Buddhist women, 15; consort relationships, 18, 19; Lives of, 16, 20, 21; scholarship on, 17, 18, 19, 20. See also Chökyi Drönma; Khandro Tāre Lhamo; Orgyan Chökyi; Sera Khandro; Sönam Peldren
- Tibet in the eighteenth century, 143–44, 153–54; factionalism, 30–31. See also civil war; Polhané Sönam Tobgyé; Seventh Dalai Lama
- Tobgyé, 129
- Townsend, Dominique, 46, 145
- Transference of Consciousness (Powa), 173
- treasure revelation tradition: associ- ation with Padmasambhava, 14, 196n38; connection with Nyingma school, 34; consort relationships in, 81–82, 195n32; Mingyur Peldrön’s training in, 44; and Mingyur Peldrön’s works, 62, 118, 122, 134; Northern Treasure tradition, 44; pacification rituals, 155; Yeshé Tsogyel and, 14, 74, 80, 81. See also Terdak Lingpa; terma
- Trewang, 156
- trichen and khenchen, 12–13, 35, 36, 43, 46, 140, 173–74
- Trinlé Chödrön, 122, 172–73
- Trinlé Lhundrup (Sangdak Trinlé Lhundrup), 12, 33, 34
- Tsadra Foundation, 3
- Tsering Döndrup, 54, 55, 192n66
- Tsewang Norbu, 121–22
- Tsewang Rabten, 54, 192nn62,66
- tsünma (nun), 50, 190n46. See also nuns
- tulku lineage system, 73; of the Dalai Lamas, 194n13. See also rebirth
- Yangchen Drölma, 12, 37, 140, 142, 173, 196n56; Life, 106–7, 197n2
- Yellow Hats. See Geluk order
- Yeshé Tsogyel: association with treasure revelation, 14, 80, 81, 82; as celibate student of Padmasambhava, 83–84; as consort of Padmasambhava, 80, 81, 82; depiction in Dispeller, 80–81, 82–83; incarnations of, 74, 75, 81, 76, 82, 204n47; in other women’s Lives, 81; pilgrimage sites, 80; as previous life of Mingyur Peldrön, 48, 68, 74, 76, 82, 163, 170–71; visions of, in gur of Mingyur Peldrön, 115–16
- Yizhin Lekdrup, 35, 45
- yogini (neljorma), 50, 52, 191n50. See also tantrism
- Yongzheng emperor, 144