Tulku Arik Rinpoche
(1905-1988)
Arik Rinpoche was born into the eminent and spiritual Atsap
Ladong family. He showed natural signs of someone holy and could read
and write
without difficulty. He studied and contemplated the sutras, tantras,
and other
fields of knowledge extensively under such masters as Khenchen Dupa
Gyatso of
Dokhol Monastery in Trom and Khenchen Gendun Gyatso of Nyarong.
Arik Rinpoche went to Katok Monastery, where he received full monastic ordination. His guru from past lifetimes was Khenchen Ngawang Palzang, Vimalamitra in person. He received from him the complete transmission of the tantras, explanatory commentaries, and pith instructions – the empowerments, instructions, and advice of the secret Nyingtik teachings – as well as the authorization to carry on the lineage. He applied himself to the very essence of spiritual practice.
From the great Sakya lineage holder Dezhung Choktrul Ajam, he received the entire transmission of the precious words of the great Lamdre cycle, including the oral tradition. Arik Rinpoche was a majestic wish-fulfilling gem. He lived to the age of eighty-four, turning the wheel of the dharma for recent generations of Tibetans in Derge, eastern Tibet. Tulku Arik Rinpoche is Tulku Nyima Gyaltsen Rinpoche's root teacher.