Ma-gÇig Labdrön
originator of gÇod
Ma-gÇig Labdrön (Ma gCig Lap sGron – 1055-1145) ‘Unique Mother Torch of Practice’ was the incarnation of Yeshé Tsogyel. Ma-gÇig Labdrön took incarnation as Jomo Menmo and then as Khyungchen Aro Lingma. Ma-gÇig Labdrön was the great Tibetan
yogini who was the originator of the practice of gÇod – the Visionary practice of
cutting attachment to corporeal form (in terms of the dualistic proclivity to relate to ones
corporeal form as a reference-point that proves ones existence). Padmasambhava predicted that
Yeshé Tsogyel would take incarnation as Ma-gÇig Labdrön and that he himself
would manifest at that time as Padampa Sang-gyé. Furthermore, Padmasambhava predicted
that A-tsa-ra Sale would be reborn as Ma-gÇig Labdrön’s husband, Topabhadra; and that Tashi
Chhi’drèn would become Ma-gÇig Labdrön’s only daughter. Thus, all of the important figures of Yeshé Tsogyel’s life would take rebirth in the life of Ma-gÇig Labdrön. Ma-gÇig Labdrön was born with all the signs of a dakini, and by the time she was three, she knew many mantras. She learned everything as soon as it was shown to her. Her father said: Her prajna burns like uncontrollable fire. I will call her ‘Burning Torch of Prajna’.
