Foreword by His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa

The First Barway Dorje was a precious revealer of treasure and the rebirth of Nupchen Sangye Yeshe, one of Guru Padma’s twenty-five disciples. Barway Dorje appeared in Tibet during the nineteenth century, and was praised and respected by the many holy beings of his time as an authentic treasure revealer. His many treasures include Sadhanas of the Vidyadhara Guru, Vajrakila Cycle, and Dakini Cycle, all of which contain profound instructions pertaining to ripening and liberation. The previous Gyalwang Karmapa, Rikpe Dorje, displayed great interest in Vajrakila Cycle in particular.

In addition to his treasures, Terchen Barway Dorje composed many works of his own that have been of great service to the essence teachings, such as his Barom Kagyu Mahamudra and Six Doctrines.

One handwritten edition of his biography exists, and is found in both India and Tibet. I am delighted that English and Chinese translations of it are being published, and I make the dedication and aspiration that this good work may plant the seed of liberation in beings.

Translator's Introduction

Dechen Barway Dorje was one of several treasure revealers active at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth. A disciple of the Ninth Tai Situ Rinpoche, of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa, and of others, Barway Dorje was initially associated with Surmang Monastery. He went on to revive the lost teachings of the Barom Kagyu, and to reveal nine volumes of treasure teachings concealed by Guru Rinpoche, Yeshe Tsogyal, and Nupchen Sangye Yeshe. He was also the reincarnation of both Yeshe Tsogyal and Sangye Yeshe. Toward the end of his life he founded Raktrul Monastery, which is active to this day and has affiliated centers in the United States.

The editor of this autobiography was Kagyu Tashi of Kyodrak Monastery. He was a renowned teacher, scholar, and siddha in his own right, although he adopts a veil of modesty here in his role as a devoted disciple requesting his master to tell of his life and deeds. He became one of the principal holders of the Barom Kagyu teachings of Barway Dorje and of his teachings in general.

This autobiography is actually one of three biographies of Barway Dorje. One is his outer autobiography; one is what is translated here, his inner autobiography; and the third is an account of his funeral observances written by Kagyu Tashi.

The outer autobiography is an extremely modest account of his life in which almost all of his qualities are concealed. The exception is his devotion to his gurus, and in particular to Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa. Barway Dorje initially met this great master when Chokgyur Lingpa married Barway Dorje’s sister, Dechen Chödrön. From then on, until Chokgyur Lingpa’s death in 1871, Barway Dorje served him continuously.

The inner autobiography, translated here, describes the visionary, inner life of this great treasure revealer. It therefore shows us the wisdom and magnificence of the entire tradition in which Barway Dorje arose. The extraordinary teachings of Barway Dorje are practiced nowadays on both sides of the globe. An understanding of their origin will bring insight into their true value.