Supporting the Jonang Foundation

Khyentse Foundation is supporting the Jonang Foundation in collecting and digitizing the writings of the Jonang author Kunga Drolchok (1507-1566), many of whose works have not been previously published. Read more about founder Michael Sheehey and his work.

The Jonang is a unique tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Isolated for centuries in the remote valleys of far eastern Tibet, the Jonangpa are the primary lineage holders of the Kalachakra 6-fold vajrayoga and zhentong meditative view.

The Jonang Foundation was conceived in the summer of 2004 in Golok by Michael and co-founder Cynthia Williams to uphold and promote understanding of the intellectual, creative, and spiritual heritage of the Jonang. Their vision is for greater preservation, education, translation, documentation, and revivification for the Jonangpa, and our work is to provide these services.

Khyentse Foundation is supporting the Jonang Foundation in collecting and digitizing the writings of Jonang author Kung Drolchok (1507-1566, many of whose works have not been previously published. This master is considered to have been and earlier embodiment of Taranatha and of Jamgon Kongtrul, and he was one of the major figures in both the Jonang and Shangpa transmission lineages. His work “The One Hundred and Eight Essential Guidance Instructions” was one of the earliest compilations of the various oral instructions in Tibet, and is said to have been an inspiration to Jamgon Kongtrul in his formulation of Rimé eclecticism.

Jonang Foundation Founder Michael Sheehey has a Ph.D. in Tibetan and Buddhist studies from the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco, and has lived closely with Jonang masters in the Dzamthang, Ngawa, and Golok regions of Amdo since 2004.