Nyawon Kunga Pal (1285-1379)
Published by Gene Smith on 01 May 2009
The great scholar Nyawon Kunga Pal was known throughout Tibet for his insightful studies of the Prajnaparamita and pramana. He was a teacher of Tsongkhapa and was a great influence on his Legs bshad gser ‘phreng (Mngon par rtogs pa’i rgyan ‘grel pa dang bcas pa’i rgya cher bshad pa legs bshad gser gyi ‘phreng ba vol. tsha, 18 of Bkra shis lhun po’i par rnying). In the colophon to this great work which was completed in 1387, Tsongkhapa gives primary credit to his master Rendawa Zhonu Lodro (1349-1412) after bowing to his root guru Lama Umapa Dondrup Rinchen (1309-1385). However the scholar of the tradition to whom he addresses his scholarly comments is Nyawon Kunga Pal.
Nyawon was a follower of the Jonang tradition. His commentary to the Prajnaparamita continues to be studied among the followers of his own tradition as well as the Sakya. Followers of the Gelug knew the work well. In the late 19th century or early 20th century, the two volume set of blocks for printing this rare text were carved at Labrang Tashikyil Monastery in Amdo. The colophon is signed by the 4th Jamyang Zhepa Kesang Tubten Wangchuk (1856-1916).
Nyawon is called Nyawon because he was a nephew of Khampa Geshe Nya Darma Rinchen. He was born in Nyangpo in southeastern Tibet near Kongpo. He counted among his chief teachers Dolpopa (1292-1361), Jonang Chogle Namgyal (1306-1386), Sakya Lama Dampa Sonam Gyaltsen (1312-1375), and Zhang Dodepal. He taught for many years at Sakya and was the founder of Tsechen Chode Monastery in Gyantse.
Among his students were Je Tsongkhapa, Rendawa Zhonu Lodro, and Yagton Mipham Sangye Pal (1350-1414), the famed Sakya writer on the Prajnaparamita.
[edited by Michael Sheehy]
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