Brief history of Lingdro for the inspiration of audience.

How Lingdro came about?

Lingdro first originated in Dokham, the religious land of Tibet, by a gathering of heroic warriors (daka) and maidens (dakini) through their songs of joy and dance of happiness when the Supreme Being, Gesar Norbu Dradul was ceremoniously enthroned on the golden throne, Khamsum Silnon - Conquering the Three Worlds. The historical moment occurred in order to increase and disseminate the sublime Dharma teaching - the messenger of peace and happiness - throughout the world. Gesar Norbu Dradul rose from amongst the thirty brothers and the subjects of Ling descending from both gods and humans as one who had the power to heighten the status of the good from the evil. Guru Rinpoche and the Bodhisattvas on the path purposely took birth in Tibet as brothers.

How Lingdro flourished in Kham?

As mentioned before, whatever happened in Ling Kartoed on that auspicious occasion, Mipham Rinpoche remembered each and every moment clearly through the power of his clairvoyance and pure perception. He wrote them down in vajra words and gradually this was passed down in Dege later on and Dzogchen monastery in Kham was the place where Cham (Ritual Dance) of the Ling Warriors were carried out.

How Lingdro flourished in Central Tibet?

Jetsun Thupten Jampel Yeshe Sangpo, the fifth Radreng Rinpoche who was the regent of Tibet received Dzogchen teachings and Shingdup (Accomplishment of Pure Realms) Pema Drawe (Lotus Net) teachings from Shingdup Rinpoche and they established profound connection with each other. As Radreng was very much interested in dharma protector Gesar and his accomplishment practices, he told Tagsar Jamyang Sherab Ozer Rinpoche (also known as Jamtrul Rinpoche), the younger brother of Shingdup Ngawang Gyurme Rinpoche, who was the holder of Radreng Terchen Sangye Wangdu's treasure teachings, that it would be very wonderful if there is a way to stage the Gesar Lingdro which originates from Mipham Rinpoche's teaching into a play. Tagsar Jamyang Sherab Rinpoche replied that his brother Tagsar Norbu Zangpo is a skilled and experienced musician and dancer. Radreng Rinpoche prophesied that he is the predestined person to propagate the Lingdro and he should definitely spread it. Tagsar Norbu Zangpo, the descendent of Mugpo Dong lineage, then composed the play for the Lingdro that includes the tone, steps or movements which is full of blessings that marked a great milestone in the history of Lingdro. Radreng Rinpoche provided every facility and for the first time on the third day of the Tibetan New Year, the play was showed at Radreng Gephel Ling, the seat of Domtron Gyalwai Jungne. Since then, Norbu Zangpo came to be known as the dance master of Radreng. The regent Radreng Rinpoche also composed an appendix for the Lingdro. Thus, the tradition of Lingdro performance flourished widely.

How the Lingdro tradition came to India?

During the later half of the twentieth century, the sun of happiness and freedom eclipsed in the Land of Snow, Tibet under the ruthless occupation by the Chinese invasion. As a result, Tibet's rich cultural heritage and Buddhist teachings faced the danger of extinction and the Lingdro tradition was no exception. However, the dance master Tagsar Norbu Zangpo along with his daughter Yangzom escaped to India and settled at Phuntsokling Tibetan camp, Orissa, India, where they started to teach Lingdro to young Tibetans with sincere motivation. This marks the beginning of Lingdro tradition outside of Tibet. In 1964, Lingdro performance was carried out during His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement. His Holiness appreciated the performance very much. In 1965, during the visit of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, Lingdro was performed once again. Rinpoche praised the performers and stressed the significance of the dance regarding it's richness in blessing and its power to pacify the adversities of disease, famine, war and destruction. He also presented the dance master with a yellow chupa (traditional dress) and the performers received a traditional scarves and presents. Again in 1970, during the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Phuntsokling settlement, Lingdro was performed as a result of which His Holiness was very happy and impressed. He praised all the performers. Terchen Namkha Drimed Rinpoche was very inspired by the Lingdro and according to his wishes, dance master Tagsar Norbu Zangpo and his daughter Yangzom continued to teach Lingdro at the fourth camp of Phuntsokling Tibetan settlement which resulted in the spread of Lingdro tradition at the present.

In addition, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) established by CTA (Central Tibetan Administration) invited the dance master Norbu Zangpo to Dharamshala, HP, North India to teach Lingdro. Unfortunately, due to his old age, he could not visit Dharamshala. However, students from TIPA went to Phuntsokling Tibetan settlement to study Lingdro. After getting trained, they performed Lingdro at TIPA. Therefore, Norbu Zangpo and his daughter Yangzom are the responsible individuals who not only preserved the Lingdro but also spread it throughout the world through their sincere motivation and hard work.

Tagsar Norbu Zangpo, the dance master who was a descendant of Mugpo Dong lineage;

With the wind of his superior intention and hard work, he created waves of perfect Lingdro dance performance

Upon the ocean of Mipham's speech thus deriving the stream of Lingdro tradition unceasingly

To the glory of fortunate beings on earth which brings auspiciousness even in this dark-age.

How U.S. Lingdro Dance Group came about?

U.S. Lingdro dance group is a group of young talented individuals with sincere motivation under the leadership of Tagsar Wangdak Jigmey.

There are three reasons in making effort to perfectly establish the tradition of Lingdro in USA, the world superpower. The first reason is to ensure that Lingdro brings auspiciousness in all countries of the world by increasing peace and happiness within the minds of the entire humanity. Unlike other dance performances, Lingdro is special in its history, content and words of truth. Regarding history, it is distinct as it gradually stems from the superior and pure intention of great scholars and masters. Lingdro's content shows the display of all the deities arising from the pure vast expanse of emptiness and the unceasing clear light. Hence, it enhances the understanding of Buddhism. In terms of words that are used in Lingdro, it accords with Buddha's words and it excels other dances as it is free from colloquial language, joke and amusing anecdotes. Therefore, it has the power of the words of truth as it is uttered by noble beings and it has the benefit of reciting mantras that brings more blessings.

The second reason is to let people see with their own eyes how dance-master Norbu Zangpo made tremendous effort with great courage in preserving and propagating this Lingdro. Especially, Tagsar Jamyang Sherab Oser Rinpoche's son, Tagsar Wangdak Jigmey who was born in the lineage of Mugpo Dong rigorously trained in Lingdro under the guidance of Tagsar Norbu Zangpo and Jigmey got many opportunities to perform Lingdro before devotees. Therefore, Jigmey has the responsibility through lineage and history in preserving this rich tradition. Tagsar Wangdak Jigmey feels that it is in the best interest of the entire humanity to continue this Lingdro so that it serves as the prayer for world peace.

The third reason is to let all know that both the ancient and modern cultures are the basic foundation for the survival of human societies. The development and progress of a society should be based upon its culture. Particularly, in this modern world, even though a nation or a country may be rich in terms of material prosperity, but if it lacks the inner values of love and compassion, there is always the danger of misusing the external facilities for destruction of life and property. Without the basic human qualities, people always have to live in fear and suspicion. Therefore, there is a renewed interest in preserving and propagating ancient culture and tradition that glorifies human values through establishing organizations. Hence, the need for establishing an association that takes the sole responsibility of preserving the Lingdro is the need of the hour and it also accords with the times. The more one takes interest in Lingdro in its lyrics and meaning; the more one will avoid wasting time in immodest conventional dance and music. Particularly, if one learns the Lingdro words and their meaning from an experienced teacher, one will gain basic understanding of general Buddhism as well as Vajrayana teachings in particular.

Therefore, Tagsar Wangdak Jigmey, who was a descendent of Mugpo Dong lineage, has perfectly trained himself in Lingdro under the guidance of dance master Tagsar Norbu Zangpo. On top of that, on many occasions, he got the opportunity to actually perform Lingdro and gained much experience in this field. At the present, he teaches Lingdro to Tibetans living in United States in order to perform Lingdro dance. He also provided funds to buy the costumes needed for the Lingdro performance. May it increase goodness and virtue!

The virtue derived from devotion to the unfathomable secrets of all the Buddhas is unfathomable

The power of blessings arising from the unfathomable activities of Gesar is unfathomable

The words of truth arising from the unfathomable wisdom and intellect of Mipham is unfathomable.

"Eh Ma Ho"