Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsan ― The Hermit King

Dragpa Gyaltsan’s writings in Tibetan fill four volumes of almost a thousand pages each. He was a statesman, a physician, an historian, and a poet, not to mention an adept in Buddhist practice, both exoteric and esoteric. The present volume of translations represents a mere sampling of his extraordinary literary acumen. I have made selections from his poetry and historical writings, an account of his dreams, and a few practice related works. These works will be interesting to many kinds of readers, depending on their personal inclinations. I have included one work written by his brother, Sonam Tsemo: The Six Dharmas of Guru Vajrasana. I present these to you as literature for you to enjoy. The practices that are described in some of the works are meant to be pursued under the instruction of a qualified teacher. Readers who find them intriguing are encouraged to seek out such guidance. My translation of a biography of Dragpa Gyaltsan, written by Sakya Pandita, is to be found in the first volume of the Sakya Kongma Series: Sakya Pandita’s Poetic Wisdom. A Melody of Experience for Yeshe Dorje, included in this volume, was first published in Melody of Dharma, the official magazine of the Sakya Drolma Podrang.