🙏Fortress Peak - Repa Rangwang Kunga's Kudung

Upon Naldjor s visit at Fortress Peak the special practice room for the lamas was opened and a number of relics such as Tsangsar Lhasung's meditation box or gomtri (sgom khri) were revealed.

Amongst them is the kudung of Repa Rangwang Kunga (ras pa rang dbang kun dga'i sku gsung), which is well preserved with hair, nails, skin sitting in meditation position with crossed legs and wearing a white shawl.

As no further Information could be obtained Naldjor didn't post about the cotton clothed yogic practitioner. Now, after a week or so we received more information. These details may be interesting for many regarding what is actually inside those kudung chörten or reliquaries stupas, etc. According to more ancient traditions the complete bodily remains such as those of Repa Rangwang Kunga were preserved in so-called dungbum (gsung bum) or pot-shaped reliquary vessel similar to stupas. With time it became tradition to cremate the body and preserve the ashes together with reliquary pearls and remaining parts such as the heart, tongue and eyes.

As for Repa Rangwang Kunga his kudung was originally installed in a dungbum together with two others in Drubchen Ralo Drubphug high up at Kucho Dragkar (sku cho brag dkar sgrub chen ra lo grub phug). With time the dungbum detoriorated and at a certain moment the skull of Repa Rangwang Kunga's kudung became gradually more and more visible. As this process continued some masters begann to discuss transferring the kudung while others hesitated or oposed. Finally, the bodily remains were braught to Fortress Peak and are well preserved there.

Written by Namkhai Naldjor in order to clarify questions and to give inspiration for all yogic practitioners. Lhalam Gon, September 9th, 2025.