Nyingma Lineage

Nyingma is one of four principle schools in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Buddhism was brought into Tibet in the eighth century by Guru Padmasambhava at the request of King Trisong Deutsen. Padmasambhava is known to Nyingma practitioners as the ‘Second Buddha’ and is venerated as Guru Rinpoche or the ‘Precious Guru’. It was Padmasambhava who Shanktarakshita enlisted to aid the spreading of Buddhism in Tibet by having him tame the anger of Tibet’s local deities and spirits. His teachings provide the foundation of Nyingma practice.

“Guru Padmasambhava is not only for Tibetans. He worked for all sentient beings. For example, among the eight emanations of Guru Padmasambhava only two occur in Tibet. The rest happen in different parts of the world. He has always been blessing practitioners throughout all of history. As Guru Padmasambhava himself said, “Those who pray with confidence, concentration and bodhichitta are always heard by me.” - Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche

The Kama and Terma traditions firmly ground the Nyingma school in its original historical foundations while continuing to provide fresh context and renewed energy to its place in contemporary times. Kama represents textual lineages transmitted in an unbroken chain from Padmasambhava down to modern teachers thus maintaining the integrity of the teachings. Terma refers to spiritual “treasures” hidden during the early spreading of Buddhism in Tibet by Padmasambhava and his followers. Terma are discovered and revealed at later times by highly attained bodhisattvas (tertons) when the meaning and aim of the Terma are most relevant to that generation. It is in this way that the Nyingma tradition maintains close and continual contact with Padmasambhava and retains its vital and energetic character.

More detailed information about the Nyingma school can be found on the PBC National siteNyingma is one of four principle schools in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Buddhism was brought into Tibet in the eighth century by Guru Padmasambhava at the request of King Trisong Deutsen. Padmasambhava is known to Nyingma practitioners as the ‘Second Buddha’ and is venerated as Guru Rinpoche or the ‘Precious Guru’. It was Padmasambhava who Shanktarakshita enlisted to aid the spreading of Buddhism in Tibet by having him tame the anger of Tibet’s local deities and spirits. His teachings provide the foundation of Nyingma practice.

“Guru Padmasambhava is not only for Tibetans. He worked for all sentient beings. For example, among the eight emanations of Guru Padmasambhava only two occur in Tibet. The rest happen in different parts of the world. He has always been blessing practitioners throughout all of history. As Guru Padmasambhava himself said, “Those who pray with confidence, concentration and bodhichitta are always heard by me.” - Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche

The Kama and Terma traditions firmly ground the Nyingma school in its original historical foundations while continuing to provide fresh context and renewed energy to its place in contemporary times. Kama represents textual lineages transmitted in an unbroken chain from Padmasambhava down to modern teachers thus maintaining the integrity of the teachings. Terma refers to spiritual “treasures” hidden during the early spreading of Buddhism in Tibet by Padmasambhava and his followers. Terma are discovered and revealed at later times by highly attained bodhisattvas (tertons) when the meaning and aim of the Terma are most relevant to that generation. It is in this way that the Nyingma tradition maintains close and continual contact with Padmasambhava and retains its vital and energetic character.

More detailed information about the Nyingma school can be found on the PBC National siteNyingma is one of four principle schools in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Buddhism was brought into Tibet in the eighth century by Guru Padmasambhava at the request of King Trisong Deutsen. Padmasambhava is known to Nyingma practitioners as the ‘Second Buddha’ and is venerated as Guru Rinpoche or the ‘Precious Guru’. It was Padmasambhava who Shanktarakshita enlisted to aid the spreading of Buddhism in Tibet by having him tame the anger of Tibet’s local deities and spirits. His teachings provide the foundation of Nyingma practice.

“Guru Padmasambhava is not only for Tibetans. He worked for all sentient beings. For example, among the eight emanations of Guru Padmasambhava only two occur in Tibet. The rest happen in different parts of the world. He has always been blessing practitioners throughout all of history. As Guru Padmasambhava himself said, “Those who pray with confidence, concentration and bodhichitta are always heard by me.” - Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche

The Kama and Terma traditions firmly ground the Nyingma school in its original historical foundations while continuing to provide fresh context and renewed energy to its place in contemporary times. Kama represents textual lineages transmitted in an unbroken chain from Padmasambhava down to modern teachers thus maintaining the integrity of the teachings. Terma refers to spiritual “treasures” hidden during the early spreading of Buddhism in Tibet by Padmasambhava and his followers. Terma are discovered and revealed at later times by highly attained bodhisattvas (tertons) when the meaning and aim of the Terma are most relevant to that generation. It is in this way that the Nyingma tradition maintains close and continual contact with Padmasambhava and retains its vital and energetic character.

More detailed information about the Nyingma school can be found on the PBC National site.”