Save the Oral Lineage of Machig Labdrön

Hi, my name is Joe Mariglio, and I'm raising funds for an urgent cultural preservation project in Bhutan.

In the 1950s, a group of Tibetans brought the oral lineage of the 11th-century female Buddha, Machig Labdrön, to the Druk Zangri Khamar (DZK) monastery in Lhuentse, Bhutan. They hoped to preserve this precious heritage. Today, Druk Zangri Khamar is widely regarded as the seat of this lineage.

Our project is dedicated to the preservation, dissemination, and study of this oral tradition. We aim to create a strong connection between the people of DZK and the international community of Vajrayana Buddhist practitioners, spreading the teachings to all who have permission to study them worldwide.

In 2017, Lama Tsültrim Allione-- the activity emanation of Machig Labdrön, and founder of the Tara Mandala international Buddhist community-- visited DZK and observed that it was the men, not the women, who practiced the Dakini Cham, a costumed mandala dance celebrating the sacred feminine principle in Tantric Buddhism. This trend, for men to take on the feminine roles in ritual practice, reflects a gradual power shift toward the patriarchy as various yogic techniques became ossified into organized religion, from their inception circa the 11th century until the present era. This visit empowered the women of DZK to participate in this practice once again.

During our visit to DZK in 2023, we collected hundreds of hours of video and audio recordings, primarily of the Rinchen Trengwa. This compendium includes some of the oldest and most essential teachings within Machig Labdrön’s oral lineage. While editing and studying this footage, we realized that this particular group of practitioners have set this text to song and dance that is unlike any other community we have studied with. We believe this singular essence is the result of its proximity to the authentic lineage of Machig Labdrön.

The Rinchen Trengwa, or Garland of Jewels, holds a pivotal place in the lineage of Chöd. This practice cycle was compiled by the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, during a time when the authenticity of Machig Labdrön’s lineage was threatened by external influences. Rangjung Dorje's effort to distill and preserve the essence of Chöd, weaving together the Prajnaparamita tradition with the secret mantra generation and completion stages, represents a monumental accomplishment-- by a highly realized being-- to safeguard the integrity of these teachings. The subsequent editorial and commentarial contributions by masters like the 8th Karmapa Mikyo Dorje, Karma Chagme Raga Asya, Terdak Lingpa Gyurme Dorje, and Lochen Dharmashri have enriched and clarified this lineage, making the Rinchen Trengwa an essential repository of legitimate Chöd practice.

Today, the urgency of preserving the Rinchen Trengwa is heightened by the historical events that have threatened its continuity. The original seat of this oral lineage, Zangri Khamar, was compromised during the events following the “Cultural Revolution” in Tibet, placing the lineage, initially devised to preserve the core teachings of Machig Labdrön, in jeopardy. Therefore, this project is more than merely an academic or spiritual endeavor, serving us as individuals; it is an essential undertaking in securing a historical treasure for practitioners around the world.

Our project aims to preserve this tradition through meticulous study, practice, and documentation. By recording the musical, ritual, and dance elements of the Rinchen Trengwa, we are creating a repository of knowledge to secure the longevity of these practices. However, it is crucial to note that the core of this material is highly secret, accessible only to those with the proper initiation. A cornerstone of our project is the consent and blessing of our Bhutanese teachers. Every step we take is in consultation with them, ensuring that we are in alignment with their wishes and the traditions they uphold. Our approach aligns with the wishes of our sister sangha, ensuring that this profound wisdom is transmitted and disseminated in a manner that befits it.

Our approach to this project is informed by the concept of the "return" in post-modern ethnography. We are not merely extracting knowledge from the DZK community; we are engaged in a reciprocal exchange. This includes providing material support to the DZK community and ensuring that the benefits of our study and practice flow back to them. This reciprocity strengthens the bond between our communities and ensures that our project contributes positively to the DZK community's well-being.

The project actively engages the Buddhist community, particularly initiated practitioners and scholars interested in Vajrayana Buddhism and its ritual practices. Through our online study groups and the planned intensive retreat at Tara Mandala, we are creating a space for practitioners to deepen their understanding and practice of the Rinchen Trengwa. This engagement is not limited to learning the rituals; it encompasses understanding the philosophical underpinnings of the practice, thereby enriching the participants' overall spiritual development.

However, there is still much work to be done. The complete practice of this text can take several days, and our previous visit was too short to learn every aspect of it. Additionally, the DZK community has requested our return as a demonstration of our commitment to these precious teachings and the people protecting them.

Druk Zangri Khamar is located in a remote valley in Bhutan, a three-day journey from Paro. Traveling within Bhutan is challenging and expensive due to the Kingdom's tariffs on foreign visitors. Despite applying for grants from various foundations dedicated to cultural and Buddhist causes, funding for our project has been difficult to secure.

We need your help. The next opportunity to return to DZK is in November of this year, when the community will practice the Rinchen Trengwa in its traditional context. The community has requested our presence and support, including the purchase of silver offering bowls for their shrine to Machig Labdrön and new costumes for the cham dancers-- designed for women's bodies, not for the men. Your contribution to our fundraiser will help us send a core team of practitioners to receive further teachings from this precious oral lineage and continue a cultural exchange that stretches across history into the present moment.

Thank you for your support.