The 'Nyingma' tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of
Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being the
Kagyu,
Sakya and
Gelug). "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as the "school of the ancient translations" or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from
Sanskrit into
Tibetan, in the eighth century. In modern times the Nyingma lineage has been centered in
Kham in eastern Tibet.
The Nyingma tradition actually comprises several distinct lineages that all trace their origins back to the
Indian master
Padmasambhava (Sanskrit for "lotus-born"; Tib. ''Guru Rinpoche,'' "precious teacher"), the legendary founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Historically, Nyingmapa are categorised into Red Sangha and White Sangha. Red Sangha denotes a celibate, monastic practitioner; whereas White Sangha denotes liberation or abstention from such vows.
Nyingma maintains the earliest
Vajrayana teachings. The other three schools are known collectively as
Sarma or "new translation" schools, having arisen from a second wave of translation. Followers of the tradition are known as Nyingmapa "pa" being a common suffix comparable to "er" or "ite" in English.
History
Origins
Around
760,
King Trisong Detsen invited
Padmasambhava and the
Nalanda University abbot
Shantarakshita (Tibetan ''Shiwatso'') to Tibet to introduce Buddhism in the "Land of Snows." At this point in time,
Bön, the indigenous spiritual tradition of Tibet, purports to have been in place for some 16,000 years in the huge region part of which we now call Tibet. King Trisong Detsen ordered the translation of all Buddhist
Dharma Texts into Tibetan. Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, 108 translators, and 25 of Padmasambhava's nearest disciples worked for many years in a gigantic translation-project. The translations from this period formed the base for the large scriptural transmission of
dharma teachings into Tibet. Padmasambhava supervised mainly the translation of
Tantra; Shantarakshita concentrated on the
Sutra-teachings. Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita also founded the first Buddhist monastery
Samye on Tibetan ground. It was the main center for dharma transmission in Tibet during this age.
25 disciples
The miracle-powers of the 25 disciples of Padmasambhava are widely accepted among Tibetan Buddhists. These disciples were: King
Trisong Detsen, Namkhai Nyingpo,
Nub Chen Sangye Yeshe, Gyalwa Choyang, the princess of Karchen Khandro
Yeshe Tsogyal, Palgyi Yeshe, Palgyi Senge, the great translator
Vairotsana, Nyak Jnanakumara, Gyalmo Yudra Nyingpo, Nanam Dorje Dudjom, Yeshe Yang, Sokpo Lhapal, Nanam Zhang Yeshe De, Palgyi Wangchuk, Denma Tsémang, Kawa Paltsek, Shupu Palgyi Senge, Dré Gyalwe Lodro, Drokben Khyenchung Lotsawa, Otren Palgyi Wangchuk, Ma Rinchen Chok, Lhalung Palgyi Dorje, Langdro Konchog Jungné and Lasum Gyalwa Changchup.
Early period
From this basis, Tantric Buddhism was established in its entirety in Tibet. From the 8th until the 11th century, the Nyingma was the only school of Buddhism in Tibet. With the reign of King
Langdarma (
836–
842) a time of political instability ensued which continued over the next 300 years, during which time Buddhism was persecuted and largely forced underground. From the 11th century onwards, the Nyingma tradition flourished along with the newer Sarma schools, and it was at that time that Nyingmapas began to see themselves as a distinct group and the term "Nyingma" came into usage.
The Nyingma tradition is unique among the four schools in that its supporters never held political power, and therefore it stood at a greater remove from the political machinations of Tibet. It is also distinguished by its decentralization and lesser emphasis on monasticism relative to the other schools, with a correspondingly greater preponderance of "
ngakpas", uncelibate householders and yogins.
Modern developments
There was never a single "head of the lineage" in the manner of the
Ganden Tripa (or
Dalai Lama) of the Gelugpa, the
Karmapa of the
Karma Kagyupa, and the
Sakya Trizin of the Sakyapa. It was only recently in exile in India that this role was created at the request of the Tibetan government, and it is largely administrative. Nevertheless, the lamas who have served in this role are among the most universally highly regarded. They are:
★ 'His Holiness Kyabje
Dudjom Rinpoche' (c.
1904–
1987), served from the 1960s until his death
★ 'His Holiness
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche' (c.
1910-
1991), served from
1987 until his death
★ 'His Holiness
Penor (Pema Norbu) Rinpoche' served from
1991 until retirement in
2003
★ 'His Holiness
Mindroling Trichen Rinpoche' is currently serving, since his appointment in 2003.
Features of the Nyingma lineage
Tantric system
The structure of tantric teachings of Nyingma is significant aside from the
terma-tradition. Nyingma-Schools distinguish 6 levels of tantric teachings; in other schools, 4 levels are common.
'Outer tantra'
★
Kriya
★
Carya or
Ubhaya
★
Yogatantra
'Inner tantra'
★
Mahayoga
★
Anuyoga
★
Atiyoga/
Dzogchen (The "Great Perfection")
In the later schools the inner tantric teachings are known as ''
Anuttarayogatantra'', which corresponds to Mahayoga in the Nyingma system, while the
Mahamudra teachings of the later schools are said to lead to similar results as the Dzogchen teachings.
Termas and tertons
The appearance of ''
terma'' ("hidden treasures") is of particular significance to the Nyingma tradition. Although there have been a few Kagyupa "
tertons" (treasure revealers) and the practice is endemic to The
Bönpo as well, the vast majority of Tibetan Buddhist tertons have been Nyingmapas. It is held that past masters, principally Padmasambhava, secreted objects and hid teachings for discovery by later tertons at appropriate and auspicious times such that the teaching would be beneficial. These teachings may be physically discovered, often in rocks and caves, or they may be "mind terma," appearing directly within the
mindstream of the
terton.
Terma
Padmasambhava and his main disciples hid hundreds of scriptures, ritual objects and relics in secret places to protect Buddhism during the time of decline under King Langdarma. These
termas were later rediscovered and special terma lineages were established throughout Tibet. Out of this activity developed, especially within the Nyingma tradition, two ways of dharma transmission:
The so called "long" oral transmission from Teacher to student in unbroken lineages and the "short" transmission or "whispered transmission" of "hidden treasures".
The foremost revealers of these termas were the
five terton kings and the
eight Lingpas. In the 19th century some of the most famous were the
Khen Kong Chok Sum referring to
Jamyang Khyentse,
Jamgon Kongtrul and
Chokgyur Lingpa.
Tertons
According to Nyingma tradition, tertons are often incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava. A vast system of transmission lineages developed through the ages. Nyingma scriptures were updated when the time was appropriate. Terma teachings guided many Buddhist practitioners to realisation and enlightenment.
The rediscovering of terma began with the first terton, Sangye Lama (1000–1080). Tertons of outstanding importance were
Nyangral Nyima Oser (1124–1192),
Guru Chowang (1212–1270),
Rigdzin Godem (1307–1408),
Pema Lingpa (1450–1521),
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892) and
Orgyen Chokyur Lingpa (1829–1870). The terma tradition had antecedents in India;
Nagarjuna, for example, rediscovered the last part of the "
Prajnaparamita-Sutra in one hundred thousand verses" in the realm of Naga, where it had been kept since the time of Buddha
Shakyamuni.
Various traditions and important historical figures
It is generally agreed that Longchenpa and Mipham are the two most important scholars to the Nyingma lineage.
Longchenpa (1308-1363)
During the ages, many great scholars and tantric Masters appeared within the Nyingma lineage. Most famous of all is the master and scholar
Longchenpa (Longchen Rabjam), who, along with Rongzom Mahapandita, is known as "omniscient one" or ''kun kyen'' – a title only bestowed upon these two masters in the Nyingma school. He wrote many scriptures on the whole Nyingma-dharma. He is especially known for his presentation of the Nyingma philosophical view, that of
Dzogchen in particular. His main works are the "seven treasuries" (''
Dzö dün''), "three cycles of relaxation" (''
Ngalso Korsum''), "three cycles of natural liberation" (''
Rangdröl Korsum'') and the three "inner essences" (''
Yangtig Namsum''). Longchen Rabjam also systematized the transmission of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection, in a collection of texts called "The Four-fold Heart Essence" (''
Nyingthig Yabzhi'').
Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798) and the Longchen Nyingthig
Jigme Lingpa further condensed the
Nyingthig Yabzhi of
Longchenpa into a cycle of termas called the ''
Longchen Nyingthig'', or "
Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse". The
Nyingthig Yabshi and the
Longchen Nyingthig are known, respectively, as the earlier and later "heart essence." The Longchen Nyingthig became both the foundation of the main Dzogchen teachings in the contemporary period and of the
Rime movement. Jigme Lingpa's teaching lineage flourished in
Kham (
eastern Tibet) around
Dege, and after his death three incarnations were recognised as being his emanations:
Do Khyentse (
1800?-
1859?), Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, (
1820-
1892) and
Patrul Rinpoche, (
1808-
1887), all of whom were central to the Rime movement.
The Rinchen Terdzod
The
Rinchen Terdzod is, along with the
Longchen Nyingthig, the most important terma treasure to Nyingmapas today. It is the assemblage of thousands of rare terma texts from all across Tibet by
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo,
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, and
Chogyur Dechen Lingpa in the 19th century.
Mipham Jamyang Gyatso (1846–1912)
Mipham Jamyang Gyatso (“Mipham the Great”) was born into an aristocratic family in 1846 in
Kham, a province of eastern Tibet. His name, Mipham Gyatso, means “Unconquerable Ocean,” and as a scholar and meditator he was so accomplished that he was enthroned as an emanation of the
Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom. As such, he was asked to compose a definitive articulation of the philosophical outlook of the Nyingma lineage. This had never been systematized in the manner of the other four lineages and, as a result, was vulnerable to attack by hostile scholars.
As requested, Mipham Rinpoche composed authoritative works on both the
Sutric and
Vajrayana teachings as understood in the Nyingma tradition, writing particularly extensively on dzogchen. He is said to have composed these vast works effortlessly. They reinvigorated and revitalized the Nyingma lineage enormously inestimably, and he soon became one of the most renowned
lamas in Tibet, attracting disciples from all traditions, many of whom became lineage holders. Mipham's works have become the foundation of study for not only the Nyingma lineage, but the
Kagyu lineage as well. They hold a central position in all Nyingma monasteries and monastic colleges. Along with
Longchenpa, he is considered the source of the Nyingma doctrine.
Six mother monasteries
Tradition has held that there are six monasteries known as "mother monasteries" of the Nyingma lineage, although there have been slightly different formulations of the six. At one time they included
Dorje Drag,
Mindroling monastery and
Palri monastery in Upper Tibet; and
Kathok,
Palyul and
Dzogchen monasteries in Lower Tibet. After the decline of Chongye Palri Thegchog Ling monastery and the flourishing of
Shechen, the mother monasteries became Dorje Drag and Mindroling in the upper region, Shechen and Dzogchen in the center, and Kathok and Palyul in the lower part of Tibet.
Dodrubchen is often substituted for Kathok in the list. Out of these "main seats of the Nyingma" developed a large number of Nyingma monasteries throughout
Tibet,
Bhutan and
Nepal.
★
Dorje Drak
★
Dzogchen
★
Kathok
★
Mindroling
★
Palyul
★
Shechen
Also of great importance to the Nyingma lineage is
Samye, the first Tibetan monastery, founded by
Shantarakshita.
The Nyingma lineage today
Contemporary Nyingma teachers
Authentic contemporary Nyingma teachers include His Holiness
Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje
Dudjom Rinpoche (c.
1904–
1987), His Holiness
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (c.
1910-
1991),
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, His Holiness
Penor (Pema Norbu) Rinpoche,
Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, filmmaker
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche (son of H.H. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche),
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche,
Tarthang Tulku and
Sogyal Rinpoche, the
ngagpa Vajranatha,
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo among others.
See also
Lamas
★
Chögyam Trungpa
★
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
Organizations
★
Rigpa
Teachings
★
Chokling Tersar
★
Longchen Nyingthig
Traditions
★
Ngagpa
References
★ Dudjom Rinpoche and Jikdrel Yeshe Dorje. ''The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism: its Fundamentals and History''. Two Volumes. 1991. Translated and edited by Gyurme Dorje with Matthew Kapstein. Wisdom Publications, Boston. ISBN 0-86171-087-8
Literature
'Introduction'
★ ''Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche'', "The Opening of the Dharma." Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala 1974
★ ''Keith Dowman'', "Skydancer - The Secret Life and Songs of the Lady Yeshe Tsogyal." Snow Lion Publ., Ithaca-New York 1996, ISBN 1-55939-065-4
★ ''Ngawang Zangpo'', "Guru Rinpoché - His Life and Times." Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca-New York 2002, ISBN 1-55939-174-X
★
Sogyal Rinpoche, ''
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying'', ISBN 0-06-250834-2
'Dzogchen'
★ ''Dudjom Lingpa'', Buddhahood Without Meditation, A Visionary Account known as Refining Apparent Phenomena. Padma Publishing, Junction City 1994, ISBN 1-881847-07-1
★ ''
Reynolds, John Myrdhin'', Self-Liberation through seeing with naked awareness. Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca-New York 2000, ISBN 1-55939-144-8
★ ''Longchen Rabjam'', A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission, a Commentary on The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena. Padma Publishing, Junction City 2001, ISBN 1-881847-30-6
★ ''Longchen Ragjam'', The Practice of Dzogchen. Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca-New York 1996, ISBN 1-55939-054-9
★ ''Longchen Rabjam'', The Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena. Padma Publishing, Junction City 2001, ISBN 1-881847-32-2
★ ''Longchen Rabjam'', The Precious Treasury of the Way of Abiding. Padma Publishing, Junction City 1998, ISBN 1-881847-09-8
★ ''Longchenpa'', You Are the Eyes of the World. Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca-New York 2000, ISBN 1-55939-140-5
★ ''Manjushrimitra'', Primordial Experience, An Introduction to Dzogchen Meditation. Shambhala Publications, Boston & London 2001, ISBN 1-57062-898-X
★ ''Nudan Dorje, James Low'', Being Right Here - A Dzogchen Treasure Text of Nuden Dorje entitled The Mirror of Clear Meaning. Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca-New York 2004, ISBN 1-55939-208-8
★ ''Padmasambhava'', Advice from the Lotus-Born. Rangjung Yeshe Publications, Hong-Kong 1994, ISBN 962-7341-20-7
★ ''Padmasambhava'', Natural Liberation - Padmasambhavas Teachings on the Six Bardos. Wisdom Publications, Boston 1998, ISBN 0-86171-131-9
★ ''
Reynolds, John Myrdhin'', The Golden Letters. Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca New York 1996, ISBN 1-55939-050-6
External links
★
Kathok Nyingma Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism
★
Nyingma Institute headed by Tharthang Tulku, with centres in Berkeley,
Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro
★
The Nyingma Lineage and Terma Tradition from Simhanada
★
Zangthal Translations of Tibetan texts into English.
العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
Español
