Thangtong Gyalpo Ring

Sold out $125.00

*Please note that these ring sizes are variable. If the size is too large or too small, many practitioners will place the ring on a cord and wear it around their necks—as the primary function of this item is to serve as a practice support and connection with the great master, Thangtong Gyalpo.*

Description
History
Dimensions

These rings are made from 100% Thangtong Gyalpo iron. Recently, several of the bridges constructed in Bhutan by the great 14th-century master, Thangtong Gyalpo (1361 CE–1464 CE), have fallen into disrepair and have now been decommissioned. Several students of the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche acquired links from these iron suspension bridges and forged rings so that practitioners might form auspicious connections with the famous Buddhist adept.
Thangtong Gyalpo was born in 1361 in the village of Ölba Lhadsé in central Tibet. An emanation of the Indian mahasiddha Kukuripa, Thangtong Gyalpo was known for his eccentric demeanor and miraculous experiences. He was given the name Thangtong Gyalpo, or ”King of the Empty Plain,” by five dakinis in a pure vision.

Thangtong Gyalpo was a great siddha, poet, tertön, as well as an architect. In his spiritual life, he was connected with the Northern Treasure Text tradition and the Sixth Karmapa, however, he had connections with all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

He constructed numerous shrines and temples throughout India, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. As an engineer, he was best known for his iron chain suspension bridges. Some of these suspension bridges exist to this day. Due to his engineering knowledge, Thangtong Gyalpo’s lineage of treasure texts are known as the Chagsam, or Iron Bridge lineage, which still survives in the Nyingma School.
The size of each ring varies, as each is hand-forged in Bhutan.

Thangtong Gyalpo Ring

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