Nyingma School

Overview

The Nyingma (Ancient) school is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, tracing its origins to the Indian master Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) and his consort Yeshe Tsogyal, who transmitted the teachings in Tibet during the reign of King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century. The school preserves the first wave of tantric translations from Sanskrit into Tibetan and is distinguished by its unique corpus of Terma — hidden 'treasure' teachings concealed by Padmasambhava and revealed over subsequent centuries by Tertöns (treasure discoverers). Its highest and most subtle teaching is Dzogchen (Great Perfection), which points directly to the nature of mind as primordially pure, self-arising awareness. The Nyingma canon is organised into the Nine Yanas (vehicles), culminating in the three inner tantras: Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and Atiyoga (Dzogchen).

Transmission Lineage 傳承

Padmasambhava → Yeshe Tsogyal → Longchenpa (14th c.) → Jigme Lingpa (18th c.) → Patrul Rinpoche → Dudjom Rinpoche → Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche → contemporary holders

Principal Texts 要典

• ▸Bardo Thodol (Liberation Through Hearing in the Bardo)
• ▸Guhyagarbha Tantra (Secret Essence Tantra)
• ▸Seven Treasuries (Longchenpa)
• ▸Rigpa Rangshar (Self-arising Awareness)
• ▸Kunzang Lama'i Zhalung (Patrul Rinpoche)

Core Practices 修行法門