Introduction of Machig Labdron
Machig Labdron was born in 1055 in the Labshi Region of Tibet. She was believed to be reincarnated as an Indian yogi who lived in South India. The Indian yogi passed his whole life practicing tantric teachings, living in a cave. His dead body was put in a cave, not cremated, since he was a revered yogi. His body remained alive for 20 years in a cave. According to the signs that appeared in a cave suggested his mindstreams had to enter the womb of a compassionate mother who lived in the area of Labchi of Tibet. When the yogi’s mindstreams, as Machig Labdorn to be entered into the mother’s womb, the mother dreamt that dakinies had surrounded her and purified, pouring water from the vase she held. Her mother had dreamed continuously that dakinies came until she was born. During her birth, extraordinary signs appeared, including a beautiful fragrance reminiscent of a flower, auspicious music, and a rainbow. Unlike other babies, Machig Labdron could talk with her mother and stand upright even though she had just been born. She had one more eye on her forehead. Since she had one more eye, the parents did not organize a baby purifying ceremony for some months. They had a fear that the people of the village might think the baby had three eyes and regard it as inauspicious. Eventually, the villagers learned about the baby, and many people came to see the miraculous baby. All people, great gurus, and the king of the local kingdom offered respect to her.
The king named her Labkyi Dronma meaning “LAMP of LABCHI.”
Early Life Of Mchig Labdron
The Machig Labdron was a renowned Tibetan tantric Buddhist master and Yogini of the 11th century. She developed the Chöd lineage after attaining vast tantric empowerment and transmissions from great tantric gurus. The Chöd lineage originated in Tibet and spread to Nepal and India. The Machig Labdron was a visionary yogini, mother, and founder of the Chod tradition in Tibet. Her tradition founded a unique path that integrated wisdom and compassion through the Chod practice to destroy ego and attachment. On one occasion, the Machig Labdron met the yogi named Thonyon Samdrup, whom she had wished to meet. She had heard him to be a great tantric guru. Once the Samdrup had met her, he noticed she was a woman of divine qualities and then recognized her as a wisdom dakini in human form. The yogi Thonyon Samdrup conferred powerful empowerment and transmissions of Mahamudra and Dzogchen.
Who had she studied with?
Drakpa Ngongshechen, an early teacher of Machig Labdron, conferred her reading transmissions for many sutras. He had suggested that she give up her present lifestyle and move to various places, gaining new experiences and practices to further her progress. She had gained further experiences when she had lived in a cave, roamed the charnel ground, eaten only available foods, and worn beggars’ clothes. On the way of her studying, practicing, she received tantras of the five Varahi deities, secret yoga mantras, direct mind instructions, the guru yoga path, and empowerment blessings from different yogi gurus. Afterwards, Machig Labdron met great yogi of India Padampa Sangye.
Challenge from India
How many of the Buddhist Dharma and philosophies existed was only originated in India. The great masters, scholars, mahasiddhas, and yogis were all from India. Therefore, Machig Labdron’s chod teachings innovation was not recognized by India’s great masters. Her Chod teachings were viewed suspiciously even in Tibet. Despite charging that her Chod teachings were unorthodox and heretical, her fame grew in Tibet. A group of elite scholars and siddhas arrived to assess her teachings and qualifications. She welcomed them, and they exchanged questions and answers about Chod teachings. Her answers stunned scholars and siddhas. On this occasion, she also conveyed to them that she was a reincarnation as a yogi named Monlam Drup who lived in a cave in South India, in a previous life. She instructed them to witness the body of the previous incarnation as Monlam Drup, and possessions that he had used. The Scholars found all true to have reached in place where she had instructed. Thus, further added validity to her status as a Chod master and teachings. Thereafter, her Chod teachings were established as Mahamudra Chod teachings that emerged in Tibet based on the authentic Mahayana tradition. The scholars proclaimed that her teachings were authentic, a new Dharma lineage, and worthy to be brought to India.
How do practitioners offer their bodies in Chod Practice?
The practitioners chant Machig Labdron’s Chod teachings concentratedly on visualizing her lively presence in front of them. They play Damaru with their right hand, Ghanti with their left, and Kangling, during which is needed to call Deities with a beautiful melody.
How does the Chod ritual practice perform?
The Chod practice is held in desolate places such as cremation grounds, caves, and forests. The practitioners often choose dreaded places that are traditionally regarded as spiritual. During practice, they visualize that Deities and dakinis are present in front of them. They imagine their consciousness and body are separated to offer as a mandala to feed spirits and demons. Thus, they remove their attachments self.