On the Title of His Holiness Kyabje Dungzin Garab Dorje Rinpoche — Lineage Holder of the Dudjom Tersar Tradition

🙏 On the Title of His Holiness Kyabje Dungzin Garab Dorje Rinpoche
— Lineage Holder of the Dudjom Tersar Tradition

1. The Meaning of the Title “Dungzin” in the Nyingma Tradition

In the Nyingma school, the title “Dungzin” signifies that the master:

• Has been formally established as the receiver, preserver, and continuer of the lineage
• Bears the responsibility to propagate, maintain, and transmit the empowerments, oral transmissions, and essential instructions of the lineage

👉 Therefore, Dungzin is higher than Dungsey in terms of lineage transmission,
not in terms of social honor or worldly status.

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2. The Meaning of “No Longer Using the Title Dungsey”

The statement:
“The official title of His Holiness Kyabje Rinpoche is ‘Dungzin,’ not ‘Dungsey’ anymore”
implies that:

• Previously, the title “Dungsey” did not fully reflect Rinpoche’s current lineage status
• There has now been a clear and formal establishment (usually arising from:
– Rinpoche himself,
– the lineage or senior masters,
– or the natural maturation of the transmission context)

that Rinpoche is not merely a member or descendant of the lineage, but the one who presently holds it.

In the Nyingma tradition, such matters are never announced casually, but are typically associated with:

• the formal assumption of responsibility for transmitting the Dharma, or
• the maturation of one’s role as a lineage master.

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3. The Request to Use the Full Title

“His Holiness Kyabje Dungzin Garab Rinpoche”

• HH (His Holiness): affirms the highest level of respect in both international and contemporary Buddhist contexts
• Dungzin: emphasizes the role of lineage holder, not merely a lineage descendant
• Garab Rinpoche: directly connects to the specific lineage and title—Garab Dorje being the primordial master of Dzogchen, a designation of great significance within Nyingma, especially for Dzogchen lineages

👉 Using the full title serves to:

• Prevent misunderstanding or diminishing of Rinpoche’s lineage status
• Maintain proper samaya in the use of honorific titles
• Ensure accuracy in transmission contexts, rituals, and official documents

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4. Why the Office Requests Timely Adjustment of the Title

In the Nyingma tradition, the correct use of titles is not merely a matter of etiquette, but may relate to:

• attentiveness to samaya,
• and the clarity of authorization for transmissions, particularly for empowerments and tantric instructions

Therefore, this announcement serves to:

• standardize traditional usage,
• protect the integrity of the lineage,
• and assist disciples, organizations, texts, and rituals in using the correct and Dharma-consistent title at the appropriate time.

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🌈 Concise Conclusion in the Spirit of the Nyingma Tradition

This announcement means that:

🙏 His Holiness Kyabje Garab Rinpoche has now been formally established and recognized as the holder of the lineage (Dungzin), rather than merely a descendant of the lineage (Dungsey).

Accordingly, the form of address should be adjusted to reflect his true lineage status, in order to preserve accuracy, respect, and the purity of the Dharma and samaya.

🙏🪷🙏