The Bardo Prayer was composed by Gyalwang Kunga Paljor, the Second Gyalwang Drukpa. Here is a short bio of Gyalwang Kunga Paljor.
To support the practice of the Bardo prayer, a recording of the prayer along with the prayer text is shared here. A copy of the Bardo prayer is shared at [ Ссылка ].
May the merit accumulated through this practice benefit all sentient beings; May all sentient beings have the opportunity to practice diligently to be able to swiftly go through the stages of the bardo between death and rebirth and be born in the Pureland of Buddha Amitabha.
Gyalwang Kunga Paljor, the Second Gyalwang Drukpa
Gyalwang (Je) Kunga Paljor was born in 1428 to Yab (father) Sherab Zangpo, the 12th Throne Holder of Ralung and Yuenmo (mother) Kunga Dzom. His birth took place in the Gya lineage of Ralung, more than two centuries after the passing away of the first Gyalwang Drukpa Tshangpa Gyare.
Gyalwang Kunga Paljor was known for his attainment of philosophy, sanskrit and translation skills. From a very young age, Gyalwang Kunga Paljor was known for his ability to learn and understand the mainstream scriptural traditions (གཞུང་ལུགས). He also received Drukpa lineage teachings from his father at a very young age and was recognized as the 2nd reincarnation of Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorji at the age of eight in 1436. He was then enthroned as the 13th abbot of Druk Ralung in the same year and was said that numerous auspicious signs occurred during the enthronement. He gave a teaching on the condensed version of the Hevajra tantra (two segments -བརྟག་གཉིས) to the gathering at his enthronement.
Gyalwang Kunga Paljor received various teachings and vows from many great masters. He received his novice vow and teachings of Pratimoksha (personal liberation) sutra on aspiration toward supreme enlightenment (janghub sem ked) and Rechungpa’s advice on oral transmission from Khenpo Arhat (Drachompa) Gangchen Kunga Pel. He later received Bikshu vow from Dondrup Pel, principal of Jogdan Monastery. He also received teachings on the doctrines of Maitreya (བྱམས་ཆོས) and Kadampa teachings from Ngarigpa Yonten Singye, and Taklung teachings from Taklung Ngawang Drakpa.
After his father passed away in 1438, Je Kunga Paljor took Thrulsik Namkhai Naljor as his Root Guru from whom he received teachings of Six Yogas of Naropa (naro choe druk), the Equal Taste of Elements (jungwa ro yom) and Mahamudra (chagjachenpo) which he accomplished.
Amongst many enlightened activities of visiting auspicious sites and masters, Gyalwang Kuenga Paljor’s visit to Lam Ngoktoe Jangchub Pel was one of the most significant. Lam Ngoktoe Jangchub Pel granted Gyalwang Kunga Paljor the totality of the articles transmitted in the lineage of Ngok and offered him the Six Ornaments and the initiation vase of Lama Ngok, amongst other treasures. By proclaiming him the holder of his articles, he finally declared: “The Dharma returns in the hands of its Soverreign!” and he then announced that the Victorious Dragon was the incarnation of Lord Naropa. Gyalwang Kunga Paljor also met Penchen Ngagi Rinchen from whom he received teaching on chedrel gi kor sum and did the practice. It is said that Gyalwang Kunga Paljor was very thankful to Penchen Ngagi Rinchen for clearing all his doubts on the practice.
He not only received teachings from the Drukpa lineage tradition, but also received teachings from the Lams of Nyingma, Gelug and Shakya which he practiced and realized successfully.
Gyalwang Kunga Paljor had a vision in which Gampopa himself conferred the supreme authority upon him as the chief of Gampopa’s order. His outstanding disciples were the famous Three Divine Madmen of Tibet, Drukpa Kunley, Unyon and Tsangnyon, as well as yogi Thangthong Gyalpo.
Gyalwang Kunga Paljor passed into parinirvana at the age of 49 in 1476 with tremendously auspicious signs such as appearance of status, relic pills and Avalokiteshvara six mantras from his body.
