Karmic Origin and Prophesized Birth 

According to the lineage accounts, Padmasambhava gave the Dzogchen teachings of the Khandro Nyingtik to a young girl called Princess Pemasal. She died soon afterwards, and Padmasambhava performed a special practice called phowa, transferring her consciousness to a pure land. He then prophesied that she would reincarnate as the tertön Pema Ledrel Tsal, and again as Longchen Rabjam, and later as the Bhutanese tertön Pema Lingpa. 

Prior to his incarnation as Longchenpa, he was a renowned tertön known as Pema Ledrel Tsal, or Pangangpa Rinchen Tsuldor. After awakening his earlier inclinations and drawing inspiration from the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche, Pema Ledrel Tsal made his way to Dang Valley. In this location, he spent three days in a cave at Tramo Drak Cliff, where he revealed the great termas that had been concealed. Among the treasures he discovered was the profound teaching of the Khandro Nyingthig, which acts as a wish-fulfilling jewel. This teaching allows individuals to achieve Buddhahood in just one lifetime, embodying the ultimate enlightened intent of the Great Orgyen, Padmasambhava.  

Before he passed away at the age of twenty-nine, he entrusted his ward, Gyalsé Legpa Gyaltsen, with the yellow scrolls. He told him and two others, "I will soon depart, but within eight to ten years, I will return and be your student again. Please ensure that my teachings remain unaltered. I will be reborn in Upper Dra of Central Tibet, the son of a father named Tenpa and a mother named Sönam. In the meantime, practice these teachings diligently and care for them, then return them to me. By following these teachings, we can benefit all sentient beings. I will see you all again at that time."  

He was born as Longchen Rabjam in a village called Todrong in Upper Dra Valley in Yoru, the eastern part of Central Tibet. His father was a Vajra Master, as well as his first teacher. His mother was a kind woman, who was visited by Namdru Remati, claiming that she would protect Longchen and he was the upholder of Dakini’s teachings. There have been many instances when she appeared to protect him from harm.  

Spiritual Visions and Guidance 

Longchenpa exhibited remarkable intelligence from a young age, speaking with clarity as if recalling past lives. By five, he could read and write without formal training. At sixteen, he had a vision of the dakini Sarasvati, who foretold his natural acquisition of knowledge and guided him through the four continents and Mt. Sumeru, enhancing his intellect and signaling his upcoming enlightenment. 

During an eight-month dark retreat, he experienced a significant vision after five months. A beautiful girl placed her jeweled crown on him, predicting he would meet his destined guru, Rigdzin Kumaradza, who would bless him with siddhis. Upon meeting Kumaradza, Longchenpa recognized him as Vimalamitra and achieved the same realization through dedicated practice. 

He also had numerous visions during retreats, encountering deities who supported his pursuits. Longchenpa expressed his attainments, saying, "I have no attachment to samsara; I am free from hope and fear, abiding in the view and meditation of absolute Dzogpa Chenpo."