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The dates of Tangtong Gyalpo are not precisely known because of the different sources of the time not being in agreement (1385/61-1464/85). He can however be easily placed in the 14th/15th century because of the historical accounts of people that he met and the accounts of people who met him.
Tangtong Gyalpo was very closely related to the Sakya, Jonang and Shangpa Kagyu Traditions. He is even aknowledged as the founder or patriarch of a specific line of Shangpa known as the Chagzam Lineage. Most of the written works of Tangtong Gyalpo, of which there are not many, are meditational practices of various sorts that he developed based on 'Pure Vision' experiences gained at particular locations throughout Tibet. The other written materials are works related to Shangpa Kagyu meditation practices. Within the Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism there is a vast corpus of literature alleged to be from the hand of Tangtong Gyalpo dealing with the many 'Revealed Treasure' teachings he uncovered during his lifetime and countless travels throughout Tibet.
Tangtong Gyalpo is particularly associated with the traditions of:
- Chaturbhuja Avalokiteshvara
- Vajradhara Guruyoga
- Amitayus-Hayagriva Long-life
- Six Dharmas of Niguma
- Panjarnata Mahakala
- Brahmanarupa Mahakala
- Chaturbuja Mahakala
- Shadbhuja Mahakala
- Others...
Jeff Watt 4-2011
