Wisdom Eccentrics

Wisdom Eccentrics is a book by Ngakpa Chögyam recounting experiences of transmission (implicit teaching) that he received in meetings with Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche beginning whilst on pilgrimage in Nepal in the early 1970s. Ngakpa Chögyam carried a letter he received from Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche (then head of the Nyingma Lineage) that recommended him as a student to this reclusive and mercurially wrathful Lama to provide instruction on Dzogchen 'men-ngak-dé (the series of implicit instruction). That instruction was accomplished through the translated recounting of "wisdom lays" (stories) from the lives of Longchen Nyingthig lineage lamas such as Dza Patrül Rinpoche and DoKhyentse Yeshé Dorje followed with ruthless interrogations on their principle and function. When Künzang Dorje Rinpoche died in the fall of 2010, Ngak'chang Rinpoche collected the preliminary drafts of his writings documenting the teachings he received from Künzang Dorje Rinpoche and began to assiduously write 8 hours a day (at least) until this book was complete nearly a year later.

Table of Contents

Part I - now you something say

Provides background helpful to understanding the Vajrayana context in which these meetings transpire.

Part II - attack without mercy

Recounts the stories of the lineage Lamas as told by Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche, as well as the teacher-student discussions of principle and function in these stories as reflections of the Nature of Mind.

Part III - this is strange

After an interim number of years when Ngakpa Chögyam was separated from Künzang Dorje Rinpoche, this section recalls strange transmissions received in interactions with his other Lama, the renowned crazy wisdom master 'Khordong gTérchen Tulku Chhi'mèd Rig'dzin Rinpoche.

Part IV - tales from somewhere beyond time

This part witnesses the reunion of Ngakpa Chögyam with Kyabjé Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche and introduces Khandro Déchen, Ngakpa Chögyam's wife and sang-yum.

Part V - the portal of potency: describing the indescribable

Includes an autobiography of Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche, a listing of 21 of the 25 females disciples of Padmasambhava and Yeshé Tsogyel, and a discussion relating to the gö kar chang lo'i de (the tradition of non-monastic vajrayana practitioners who wear white skirts and have uncut hair)

The Author

Between 1970 and 1984, Ngakpa Chögyam spent extended periods in the Himalayas receiving teachings and transmissions from many of the most revered teachers of the Nyingma Tradition. During this time he accomplished all the traditional practices, and received all the necessary empowerments and transmissions, of a Nyingma Lama. With the encouragement of his Lamas, he began teaching in 1979. He is the author of nine books, many co-written with his wife and sang-yum Khandro Déchen. He is a Vajrayana calligrapher, poet, thangka painter, multi-talented Vajrayana craftsman, and exponent of Yogic Song and Lama-dance.

Ngakpa Chögyam was recognised as the Aro Tulku, the incarnation of Aro Yeshé (a siddha from the first half of the twentieth century) by Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentsé Rinpoche. Aro Yeshé was the son of the extraordinary twentieth century female visionary Khyungchen Aro Lingma – who was herself the incarnation of Jomo Menmo. Jomo Menmo was in turn the incarnation of Ma-gÇig Labdrön – who was the incarnation of Yeshé Tsogyel.

Today Ngakpa Chögyam is known as Ngak'chang Rinpoche, and together with his sang-yum Khandro Déchen, they are the current lineage holders of the Aro gTér.

Publishing details

  • Publisher: Aro Books, Inc.
  • First Edition, 2011
  • Library of Congress Control Number: 2011914259
  • ISBN 978-0-9653948-6-4