Khedrub Khyungpo Neljor (circa 1050-1140) was the founder of the Shangpa Kagyu tradition, which is one of the 16 sub-schools of the Kagyu tradition. He was born to the Khyungpo clan whose ancestral homeland is at Nyemo Ramang of Eastern Tsang, Tibet. His father was Khyunggyel Takye or Takla Kye, and his mother was known as Goza Tashi Kyi. There is some dispute regarding the scriptural records of the year of his birth. While sources state it to be 978 or 990 CE, most scholars today agree that it would have been more likely to be 1050 CE. When he was 13 years old, the young Khyungpo Neljor began his education in the Bon teachings with Yungdrung Gyalwa. He then moved on to study the Dzogchen teachings with Jungne Sengge, a charismatic teacher who had 700 disciples studying under him, before going on to study under Kong (or Car) Nirupa of Shamora in the Tolung region. According to the written works of Tsuklak Trengwa (1504-1564), Nirupa taught him the Amanasei Chokor Nyernga, which is a Dzogchen cycle of teachings that was reputed to have been developed by Sheuton Jang. Dissatisfied with the teachings available in Tibet at that time, Khyungpo […]