Minyak Kunzang Sonam

Minyak Kunzang Sonam (T. mi nyag kun bzang bsod nams) (1823 - 1905), also known as Thubten Chökyi Drakpa (T. thub bstan chos kyi grags pa), was the author of commentaries on the Bodhicharyavatara and Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Originally a Gelug adherent, Kunzang Sonam studied under the Nyingma master Patrul Rinpoche (1820–92) for over twenty years, becoming known as the foremost of Paltrul’s disciples from the Gelug tradition.

He received teachings on the Bodhicaryāvatāra from [Patrul Rinpoche] as many as eighty times together with Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpai Nyima (smyo shul lung rtogs bstan pa'i nyi ma, 1829–1901/2), as well as instruction on tantra, Dzogchen and other subjects. In time he became known as one of Patrul's four great dharma-heirs, each of whom excelled their teacher in a different way: Tendzin Drakpa (bstan 'dzin grags pa, d.u.) in logic and epistemology (tshad ma); Nyoshul Lungtok in view (lta ba); Orgyen Tendzin Norbu (o rgyan bstan 'dzin nor bu, 1841–1900) in exposition (bshad pa); and Kunzang Sonam in conduct (spyod pa). It is also said that Kunzang Sonam surpassed his teacher—by Patrul's own admission—in teaching the Bodhicaryāvatāra.

Writings

Minyak Kunzang Sonam's writings include:

• The Excellent Vase that Grants the Qualities of the Bodhisattvas - a commentary on the first eight chapters of the Bodhicharyavatara
• The Brilliant Torch - one of two famous commentaries to the ninth chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara

Further reading

• Minyak Kunzang Sonam, Treasury of Lives

• Minyak Kunzang Sönam, Tsadra Commons
• Thubten Chökyi Drakpa, Rigpa Shedra Wiki
• Minyak Kunzang Sönam Series, Lotsawa House
• TBRC Profile

Sources

• Chökyi Dragpa (2004), Illuminating the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, translated by Heidi Koppl, Wisdom Publications