Chimey Dorje

Chimey Dorje (also spelled Tsangsar Chimey Dorje) was the biological father and the first spiritual teacher of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.¹

Their relationship was central to Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s life and lineage.² Here are the key details regarding their connection:

Father and Lineage Holder:

• Chimey Dorje was a member of the Tsangsar noble family in Nangchen, Eastern Tibet. He was the grandson of the great treasure revealer Chokgyur Lingpa (through Chimey Dorje's mother, Konchok Paldron).⁴ This familial connection made him a primary holder of the Chokling Tersar lineage, which he passed on to his son.

First Spiritual Teacher:

• Chimey Dorje was a lay Tantric practitioner (ngakpa) rather than a monk. He personally trained Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche from a young age. Most notably, he gave Tulku Urgyen the "pointing-out instructions" (introduction to the nature of mind) when Tulku Urgyen was just eight years old. Tulku Urgyen later cited this as a pivotal moment where he "realized the natural face of mind in actuality."

Transmission of Teachings:

• Besides the nature of mind instructions, Chimey Dorje transmitted the entire Kangyur (the translated words of the Buddha) and the Chokling Tersar (the New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa) to his son.

Personal Character:

• Historical accounts describe Chimey Dorje as a "hidden yogi." In his youth, he was known to be somewhat wild, brave, and skilled in riding and shooting, often carrying a rifle and sword. However, he later renounced worldly activities to focus entirely on practice, becoming a renowned master of Chöd (a practice designed to cut through ego-clinging) and spending years in solitary retreat.

Based on the context of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's memoirs (specifically Blazing Splendor) and lineage history, here are more specific details about his father, Tsangsar Chimey Dorje.

1. The "Rogue" Youth¹

Before becoming a renowned master, Chimey Dorje was known as a wild and fearsome character in his youth.

• Warrior Spirit: As a young nobleman of the Tsangsar clan, he was skilled in riding and shooting. He famously carried a rifle and a long sword, and he was known to enjoy a good fight.²
• Intimidating Presence: He was described as "incorrigible" and brave, with a reputation that ensured no one in the district dared to mess with him.³
• Transformation: This behavior lasted until he was about twenty-two.⁴ His complete transformation from a "rogue" warrior into a gentle, reclusive practitioner is often cited as a testament to the power of the Dharma.

2. The "Hidden Yogi"

Chimey Dorje was the definition of a "hidden yogi" (someone who hides their realization and avoids fame).

• Rejection of Monastic Rule: Although he was recognized as a tulku (reincarnate lama) of Tsangsar Namgon monastery, he refused to live as a monk or administrator.⁵ He chose to remain a layman (ngakpa) and spent his life in retreat hermitages rather than enthroned at a monastery.
• Appearance: He cared little for social conventions. One famous anecdote recounts how he sewed a piece of expensive brocade silk—which had been offered to him—onto his tattered, greasy sheepskin robe simply because it was a convenient patch.⁶ This horrified the local monastery manager but demonstrated his lack of attachment to worldly value.
• Retreats: Despite having a family, he spent over 15 years in strict retreat.

3. Unique Abilities & Characteristics

• The Voice: He possessed an incredibly resonant, powerful voice.⁷ It is said that when he chanted Chöd practices in his hermitage, he could be heard clearly across the valley.⁸ When he read scriptures, his enunciation was so perfect that listeners could memorize the text just by hearing him read it once.⁹
• Healing Powers: He was famous for his ability to cure the sick, particularly through the practice of Chöd (severing the ego).¹⁰ People would travel weeks to see him. During healing rituals, he would reportedly enter a meditative state where he could "see" the karmic causes of an illness.¹¹
• The Bird Anecdote: His compassion extended to animals. There is a story where a dying bird was brought to him; he gently blessed it with mustard seeds and mantras, treating it with the same seriousness he would a human student.¹²

4. Relationship with Tulku Urgyen

Their relationship inverted the typical strict father-son dynamic.

• Servant-Like Devotion: Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche described attending to his father like a servant, cooking for him and managing his household.¹³
• Gentleness: After his youthful transformation, Chimey Dorje became incredibly mild-mannered.¹⁴ Tulku Urgyen noted that his father never once hit him or scolded him, which was somewhat unusual for the time and culture.¹⁵
• The "Double" Role: Chimey Dorje was both father and Root Guru. He personally transmitted the Kangyur (words of the Buddha) to his son, reading through the massive collection of texts at a pace of about one and a half volumes per day.¹⁶

5. Death and Relics

Chimey Dorje passed away around 1948. A significant sign of his realization was found in his ashes after cremation: his tongue remained completely intact and unburned.¹⁷ In Tibetan tradition, this is considered a sign of "vajra speech," often attributed to someone who has perfected mantra recitation and spoken only the truth.