Zhalu

[dzoki]

I read Zhalupa is a subschool of Sakya. Is it true? I always thought that Zhalu is one of those small lineages like Bulug and Chagzam (even though it seems the present head of Chagzam had gone Nyingma). Does it still exist, if yes, what is or was its speciality, which sets it apart from other Sakya lineages or other schools.

[Kunga]

I thought it was a Sakya monastery, rather than a sub-sect, but I may be wrong as individual monasteries have and do evolve into their own practice lineages. It certainly was regarded as a Sakya monastery, home to Buton, who was abbot. The monastery still functions in Tibet and wasn't destroyed by the Chinese.

[dzoki]

Zhalu is one of those small lineages like Bulug

Sorry I meant to say Bodong, Bulug is of course just another name of Zhalupa, that is Bu for Buton - the head of Zhalu and lug for tradition.

[Kunga]

Hi again, we had the head of the Bodong lineage give a talk about this at the International Buddhist Academy recently. It seems that Bodong was steeped in some Sakya practices, but evolved into a separate stream, in the same way as Jonang. Now it's headed by a Geshe appointed by the Dalai Lama, who wants the lineage revived; Geshe la is restoring the practices and rituals of the tradition, having to incorporate dance styles etc. from already existing lineages as much was lost. He is giving the Bodong empowerments from what I understand. There is a special Yamantaka which was used for healing purposes by Bodong yogis which sounds very interesting, but I don't know where it comes from (Ra, Mal, etc.)

[dzoki]

Hi again, we had the head of the Bodong lineage give a talk about this at the International Buddhist Academy recently. It seems that Bodong was steeped in some Sakya practices, but evolved into a separate stream, in the same way as Jonang. Now it's headed by a Geshe appointed by the Dalai Lama, who wants the lineage revived; Geshe la is restoring the practices and rituals of the tradition, having to incorporate dance styles etc. from already existing lineages as much was lost. He is giving the Bodong empowerments from what I understand. There is a special Yamantaka which was used for healing purposes by Bodong yogis which sounds very interesting, but I don't know where it comes from (Ra, Mal, etc.)

Yes, this is great, there is also a complete Bodng Simhamukha in Rinchen Terdzo. Some other practices of Bodog are in Drubthab Kundu. HH. Dalailama is really trying to reinvigorate all the lost and dying lineages, such as Shije and Martsang Kagyu. I heard that Tsalpa Kagyu is also comming back (maybe just a rumor). It would be great to also save Rechung Kagyu, it is almost dead now. Chagzampa is also on a verge of dying it seems. of course the question also is how much of Tibetan buddhism and its many lineages will survive into the future. For example in Nyingma there are so many terma cycles that are completely lost or only some texts remain, for example Melong Ningthig of Melong Dorje.

I just recently heard in an older recording with Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, that Zhalu had their own special transmision of Kalachakra, which is also preserved in Gelug lineage and they had some special form of Green Tara according to anuttaratantra (not the Yoginitara of Jonang, some other form).

As far as I know also Bodong specialised in Kalachakra. So it seems that Jonang, Bodong and Zhalu all had their own lineages of Kalachakra. Plus Zhalu and Jonang had their own special practice of Green Tara according to HYT. Of course Jonang lineage is still alive and their yogini Tara is practiced also in Karma Kagyu it seems, at least the empowerment was given by HH. 16th Karmapa as well as by present 17th (Thaye Dorje).