** The Sixth Zurmang Gharwang

The life of the Sixth Zurmang Gharwang Tulku, Rinchen Nyingpo, was one of the most enchanting incarnations. Through numerous, ingenious displays of innate ability, he amply manifested the signs of having completely mastered all relative and ultimate aspects of phenomena, which are beyond the scope of ordinary man.

The birth of the Sixth Gharwang incarnate was prophesised by a Terton of the time, who claimed that "one would come with the name Nyingpo, and he would be a great being that firmly established many fellow beings on to the path of liberation."

Even before his birth, the young tulku could be heard reciting prayers inside his mother’s womb. When he was barely three months old, he was seen climbing with unbelievable agility tot he roof top, much to the alarm of his family. Fearing for his safety, his uncle hastily restrained him from proceeding further. As a result, the auspicious interdependent link of events was considered broken, and he was not recognized as the Gharwang incarnate until he was much older, at the age of twelve.

There existed at the time, a minor controversy regarding the identity of the genuine Gharwang incarnate. There was then, a widespread belief that a young nephew of the previous tulku was the rightful successor. However, the legitimate heir to the Lion Throne soon demonstrated his superiority through a spectacular display of his inconceivable power.

As a young child, he was able to shrink a metal spoon by folding it up three times. He often hung his clothes on the ray of a sunbeam, and ordered numerous chores to be done by his Protector who remained invisible to the naked eye. He was even able to perform the entire sequence of the traditional Zurmang Cakrasamvara Dance without it being taught to him. Moreover, he often disclosed intimate details of his past lives that were known only to his closest disciples.

In this most extraordinary incarnation, the Sixth Gharwang Tulku performed over a hundred million Amitayus and Chenrezig puja. He also collected an entire Kangyur totalling a hundred and four volumes, written completely on gold and silver leaf.

By this time, Zurmang had grown into a vast complex of monasteries comprising a Sherda (Buddhist Institute for Higher Studies), thirteen meditation centres and an affiliated nunnery catering exclusively to the female sangha. The main monastery at Namgyal-tse was home to five incarnate tulkus, and some two thousand lamas and monks. It was counted among the largest monastic institutions in all of Tibet, and commanded considerable respect as an excellent place of learning and practice, far exceeding many other religious establishment.

Unfortunately during this time, religious sectarian disputes had plunged Tibet into turmoil. In the midst of widespread and indiscriminate destruction of monasteries across the country, Zurmang was attacked by the zealous folowers of Gusri, the Khan of the Oirat Mongols. The Sixth Gharwang was captured. He was heavily chained and handcuffed. Despite this indignity, he repeated astounded his captors by melting the wrought iron cuffs.
Witnessing this remarkable feat, the Mongolians quickly realized they were in the presence of a highly spiritual being and were filled with remorse. They prostrated before him in humble devotion and hastened to release him. As a mark of repentance, the Mongolian ruler bestowed upon him the title of Peihutuktu, granting him the use of a personal seal, ceremonious hat and robe to mark the extension of his authority over the entire province.

At the age of sixty five, the Sixth Zurmang Gharwang dissolved into dharmakaya amidst great lamentation. Concluding a truly magical life, his heart, tongue and eyes leapt out simultaneously from the funeral pyre at the time of his cremation. Many rinsels were recovered from the ashes, and seed syllables were visible o his skull cap. For days, the sky was filled with rainbows, and showers of fragrant flowers rained down from heaven.

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