Chapter 15c-f - Great and Middle Disciples of Gtsang pa rgya ras

Spa ri ba (first of the “first two” great disciples of gtsang pa rgya ras)

Now spa ri ba: In the beginning, when he was in charge of the gtor ma offerings of the teacher zhang, Dharmasvāmin gtsang pa came there for his ordination ceremony, and was very pleased with him. Zhang sent him (with gtsang pa), having perceived that gtsang pa could be of benefit to spa ri ba. He obtained precepts, and an excellent mind concentration was born in him.

He then established the Upper spa ri byang chub gling, and became known as the "Master of Knowledge" (rje mkhyen pa'i bdag po), and laboured extensively for the welfare of living beings. Numerous branch monasteries originated from that monastery, such as chu bo ri and la kha shat, and others.

His chief disciple was called rje dgon gsar pa. He had a vision of ye shes mgon po (Mahākāla), and possessed many signs of spiritual realization. His monastery was said to have been situated in the neighbourhood of spa ri.

Rkyang mo kha pa (second of the “first two” great disciples of gtsang pa rgya ras)

At first, he had been a kalyāṇamitra of bde ba can. He met the Dharmasvāmin gtsang pa when the latter was residing at 'brug. He heard from him precepts, and a mind concentration was born in him. He founded the monastery of rkyang mo kha at bur, and laboured extensively for the welfare of living beings.

Rgya yags pa (first of the “middle two” great disciples of gtsang pa rgya ras)

He founded the monastery of rgya yags at zar po of gra, and laboured for the welfare of others. (His school) was called rgya yags bka' brgyud.

'Bras mo pa (second of the “middle two” great disciples of gtsang pa rgya ras)

He was thus called after a monastery situated in Upper myang. (The story) of the last two "Great Ones" lo and rgod (tshang pa) will be told later.