by Jean-Luc Achard (CNRS, CRCAO)
There is one single volume, in manuscript form, of works attributed to mNga’ ris paṇ chen Padma dbang rgyal (1487-1542), collated under the reference “Potala number 01272” and kept in the Potala Library. This volume contains only eleven individual texts which merely give an incomplete picture of the numerous works authored and revealed by Padma dbang rgyal. These eleven texts are:
- Rig ‘dzin yongs ‘dus las/ ‘Chi med ye shes ‘od mchog gi dbang chog grub dgon gyi phyogs bsgrigs (19 folios)
- Rig ‘dzin yong ‘dus las/ sPros bral bde chen ma’i dbang gi sgrub thabs grub dgon kun bzang gi phyogs sgrigs (29 folios)
- Rig ‘dzin yong ‘dus las/ bsTan pa rmad byung ma’i dbang sgrub grub dgon kun bzang gi phyogs sgrigs (35 folios)
- Rig ‘dzin yong ‘dus las/ Sin rdu rgya mtsho chung ba’i dbang sgrub thabs grub dgon kun bzang gi phyogs sgrigs (21 folios)
- Rig ‘dzin yongs ‘dus las/ Sin rdu rgya mtsho che ba’i dbang sgrub thabs grub dgon kun bzang gi phyogs sgrigs (15 folios)
- Zab chos rig ‘dzin yongs ‘dus kyi gter srung ma gza’ rdor gsum mchod thabs grub dgon gyi phyogs sgrigs (3 folios)
- Thug rje chen po ‘gro ba ‘dul ba’i dmar khrid kyi rim pa las rnam bshad rin chen gter (55 folios)
- Byang gter chos skor rnams kyi spyi chings gsal byed nor bu’i gter (15 folios)
- Rang bzhin rdzogs pa chen po’i lam gyi cha lag sdom pa gsum rnam par nges pa’i bstan bcos (18 folios)
- Yongs rdzogs bstan pa’i mnga’ bdag pan chen mnga’ ris pad ma dbang rgyal rdo rje grags pa rgyal mtshan gyi rtogs brjod rin chen phreng ba (48 folios)
- gNod sbyin tsi’u dmar po’i gsol kha rgyas pa (13 folios).
The first six works belong to The Complete Assembly of Knowledge-Holders (Rig ‘dzin yongs ‘dus), also known as bKa’ brgyad rig ‘dzin yongs ‘dus, an important treasure centered upon the collective deities known as the Eight Pronouncements (bKa’ brgyad). The first five works are concerned with liturgical practices associated with empowerment rituals, while the sixth deals with the offerings that are presented to the three main Protectors of Dzogchen teachings, Ma (Ma mo Ekajāti), gZa’ (gZa’ bdud Rāhula), and rDor (rDo rje legs pa).
Text no. 7 is an extensive explanation (the largest work of the whole volume) of the various stages of the practice of the Great Compassionate One Subjugating Migrating Beings (Thugs rje chen po ‘gro ba ‘dul ba) which is originally a treasure discovered by Nyang ral Nyi ma ‘od zer (1124–1192).
Text no. 8 is a very interesting work dealing with the “general outline” (spyi chings) of what the cycles of teachings of the Northern Treasures are about.
Text no. 9 is the famed root-text on the three vows (sdom gsum) that is generally associated with mNga’ ris Paṇ chen’s name.
Text no. 10 is a biographical account of the life of mNga’ ris Paṇ chen.
Text no. 11 consists in an extensive libation offering to the yakṣa Tsi’u dmar po.
To my knowledge, the Collected Works by mNga’ ris Paṇ chen have not yet been published, although a number of his revelations and commentatorial compositions have found their way in the massive Byang gter phyogs bsgrigs recent collection. The eleven works listed here are thus a meager sample of what this master discovered and wrote.
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Source: Dom po Thub bstan rgyal mtshan, Po la lar bzhugs pa’i rnying ma’i gsung ‘bum dkar chag (rNying ma’i gsung ‘bum dkar chag), Lha sa, 1992. BDRC bdr:MW19822.
Additional references on Padma dbang rgyal:
— Alexandra Sukhanova “The Life and Identity of mNga’ ris Paṇ chen Padma dbang rgyal (1487-1542) – the Outstanding Master from Mustang, the “Ordinary Bodily Being ”, Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines, no. 62, Février 2022, pp. 91-131.
— Jean-Luc Achard, “The Heart Drops of Samantabhadra (Kun bzang snying tig) as revealed by mNga’ ris paṇ chen (Padma dbang rgyal, 1487–1542), Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines, no. 62, Février 2022, pp. 132-163.
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Jean-Luc Achard (January 2, 2023). Northern Treasures Works by mNga’ ris paṇ chen Padma dbang rgyal (1487–1542) kept in the Potala. Northern Treasures Histories. Retrieved May 13, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/opei