Drukpa Kunley

From Bhutannica

Drukpa Kunley or Drukpa Kunleg (Wylie: 'brug pa kun legs) (1455 - 1529) also known as "The Divine Madman of the Dragon Lineage" Kunga Legpa (Wylie: 'brug smyon kun dga' legs pa) was a great master of Mahamudra in the Buddhist tradition.

1 Biography
2 Main teachers
3 Main lineages
4 Alternate names
5 References

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Biography

He was born into the branch of the noble Gya (rgya) clan of Ralung Monastery which descended from Lhabum (lha 'bum) the second eldest brother of Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje. His father was nang so rin chen bzang po. He was the nephew of Gyalwang Kunga Paljor. Father of Ngawang Tenzin and Zhingkyong Drukdra. Established Khime Lhakhang (khyii med lha khang), near Punakha (spung thang) in 1499.

He was well known for his crazy methods of enlightening other beings, mostly women, which earned him the title "The Saint of 5,000 Women". He taught his teachings in exchange for chhang.

There is one book in English about him which tells of his strong magic (Bon po were no match for him) and his immediate and complete charm of women who either sought his blessings in the form of sex or at least welcomed him upon arrival for sex. His existence in Tibetan Buddhism reinforces and makes more plain the role of sexual union in some paths to enlightenment, a topic not often now broached, especially in the up tight West. However, the female consort had/has an important (if now secret) role in many monasteries in the East. Thanka paintings illustrate positions and some of the rituals, that must go with the actions, are available in English in various books. See also the text of the Kalichackra teachings.

Visitors to Drukpa Kunley's monastery in Bhutan are welcome, but there is a long walk from the road up to it. It is very modest, one building, but contains a wood and an ivory lingam from which one can obtain blessings from the monk in residence.

Visiting Bhutan is an adventure in itself. From Paro, for example, on must engage a driver who knows where the Kunley monastery is located. A hard road leads to the foot path for the walk to the monastery, which is clearly visable from the main road. This is an extremely powerful place and the visitor should be very careful what he wishes for while there. He may get a version of his wish that will, in Kunley's way, be surprising, to say the least.

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