|
The Nyingma Lineage Of The Buddhism Of Tibet
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Compiled specially for the web (2000)
1 of 2 | | 1, 2 The Nyingma
lineage is the oldest of the great Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Lineage heads revered by the Nyingma were responsible for bringing Buddhism from India to the "Land of the Snows," and for the establishment of
Buddhism in Tibet. The Nyingma lineage traces its origin to the Indian master, Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who came to Tibet in 817 C.E. at the invitation of the Tibetan King, Trisong
Detsen (742-797). In the eighth century, while the great buddhist traditions were flourishing in India, King Trisong Detsen invited the great Abbot Shantarakshita to establish buddhism in Tibet. The King
worked with Shantarakshita in establishing Buddhism, but they soon faced hindrances to their work. At Shantarakshita's suggestion, the King of Tibet invited Padmasambhava to Tibet, requesting him to pacify
the negative and obstructing forces. Through his compassion and wisdom, Padmasambhava overcame these obstacles, and genuine buddhism was successfully transplanted in Tibet . Together with the great bodhisattva, Abbot Shantarakshita, Padmasambhava built the renowned Samyey monastery (in
Southern Tibet), which became a principal center of learning, where most of the Sanskrit texts and literature from India were first translated into Tibetan. Under the guidance of
Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, and the Dharma King Trisong Detsen, the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, and commentaries of the Indian masters of Nalanda University and
other places were fully translated into Tibetan at Samye.Masters Of Vajrayana Guru Rinpoche was a Vajrayana master, and he taught widely from the highest classes of tantra, the textual vehicles of the
Vajrayana. In particular, he transmitted these Vajrayana teachings to his twenty-five principal disciples. These first Tibetan masters became renowned for their spiritual
accomplishments. The continuous, unbroken transmission from Guru Rinpoche through these principal disciples to their own disciples and so forth is called Kama, the oral transmission lineage.
Padmasambhava also hid hundreds of scriptures, images and ritual articles throughout Tibet. These items became known as "Treasures," and were concealed in many different ways. At the
same time, Padmasambhava left precise instructions on how to discover and reveal these treasures for the benefit of future generations. Since that time, over a hundred masters have
appeared who revealed these Treasures and taught them to their disciples, in this way continuing the lineage of Padmasambhava. The master who reveals such treasure is known as the terton
, or "treasure revealer." This transmission from Guru Rinpoche through the tertons is called the Terma, the revealed treasure lineage. These lineages of revealed
teachings include the Dzogchen, or Great Completion, teachings taught by Garab Dorje, Shri Simha, Padmasambhava, Jnanasutra, and Vimalamitra, and are known today in Tibet as the Nyingma lineage. The Nyingma Lineage Of The Buddhism Of Tibet, Part 2
1 of 2 | 1, 2 | Index of Teachings |
For detailed general information about the Nyingma lineage, including
various references to the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoches, see Tulku Thondup, Masters of
Meditation and Miracles (Shambhala 1996). 
The life story of the great woman saint of Tibet is told in Lady of the Lotus Born: Life and Enlightenment of Yeshe Tsogyal, by Gyalwa Changchub and Namkhai Nyingpo, trans. Padmakara
(Shambhala Publications 1999) 