Yeshe Tsogyal

Yeshe Tsogyal was the founder-figure of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the Nyingma tradition considers Yeshe Tsogyal as equal in realization to Guru Pamdasambhava himself. Her “Most Elaborated Life Story” is found in the Treasure-teachings (Ter-choe) of Tagsham Nuden Dorje. The Tagsham Yeshe Tsogyal practice and retreat is one of the prinicple practices of the Ripa Lineage. His Eminence Kyabje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche (The Supreme Head of the Ripa Lineage) leads the Tagsham Yeshe Tsogyal retreat and empowerment every year in the West.

There are a large number of great Ripa masters who have been blessed by Guru Rinpoche and by the Dakinis. The role of female practitioners in the Ripa and Tagsham Lineage is recognized to be a key driving force authenticating the lineage. This is particularly true of the great practitionerssuch as Dakini Jomo Dolma, Yogini Tsunma Samten Tsultrim Choetso, also known as Kalsang Dolma, Gyalyum Ugyen Bhuti, His Eminence’s mother Mayum Palden Tsomo, his wife and his daughters.