Originally posted by AtmataraDakini Zopa, May 26, 2005

The Nyingma tradition is one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. These four schools are Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug. Nyingma is actually comprised of several distinct lineages that trace their origins back to Padmasambhava, the legendary founder of Tibetan Buddhism. The name "Nyingma" means ancient, as Nyingma followers see themselves as maintaining the earliest Vajrayana teachings, which incoporates some elements of the indigenous Bön religion.

History

The Nyingma-school is also called the school of the ancient translations, because it developed out of the first translation-period of buddhist scriptures from sanskrit into tibetan, during the time of Trisong Detsen in the eighth century. King Trisong Detsen invited the indic Masters Padmasambhava (sanskrit for "lotusborn"), also called Guru Rinpoche ("precious Master) and the abbot Shantarakshita (tibetan Shiwatso) in 817 to Tibet, in order to introduce buddhism in the Land of Snows. King Trisong Detsen ordered the translation of the whole buddhist teaching (dharma) into tibetan. Guru Rinpoche, Shantarakshita and 108 translators, thereof 25 of Guru Rinpoches nearest disciples worked for many years in a gigantic translation-project. The translations from this period are building the base for the large scriptual transmission of dharma-teachings in Tibet. Guru Rinpoche supervised mainly the translation of tantric doctrine, Shantarakshita concentrated on the Sutra-teachings. Out of this reason buddhism was established in its entirety in Tibet. From the 8. until the 11. century Nyingma was the only school of buddhism in Tibet. With the reign of King Langdarma (government-period 836-842) buddhism declined in its outer form and a time of political instability took place for 300 years in Tibet. From the 11. century onwards four schools developed out of a new translation-period. They are the Kadampa, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug-school of tibetan buddhism. Guru Rinpoche and Shantarakshita 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 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche are well known of their miracle-powers. These disciples were: King Trisong Detsen, Namkhai Nyingpo, Sangye Yeshe, Gyalwa Choyang, the princess of Karchen Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, Palgyi Yeshe, Palgyi Senge, the great translator Vairocana, 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 und Lasum Gyalwa Changchup. The main monasteries of Nyingma are Samye-Ling, Mindrolling, Dorje Drag, Palyul, Dzogchen, Shechen und Dodrubchen. Out of this "main seats of the Nyingma" developed a large number of Nyingma-monasteries throughout Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal.

Terma and Terton

Significant for tibetan buddhism and Nyingma especially is the appearance of "hidden treasures" (tib. Terma).

Terma

Guru Rinpoche and his main disciples hid hundreds of scriptures, ritual objects and reliquia in secret places, to protect buddhism during the time of decline under King Langdarma. These Terma were later rediscovered and special terma-lineages were established throughout Tibet. Out of this activity developed especially within the Nyingma-tradition to ways of dharma transmission: The so-called "long" oral transmission from master to adept in unbroken lineages and the "short" transmission of "hidden treasures".

Terton

This hidden treasures were rediscovered by masters with special abilities, so-called treasure-revealers (tibetan: Terton) until the present day. Many of these terton were incarnations of the 25 main-disciples of Guru Rinpoche. Through the ages developed a vast system of transmission lineages. Nyingma-scriptures were updated when the time was appropriate. Terma-teachings guided many adepts to realisation and enlightenment in later centuries. Rediscovering of terma began with the first terton Sangye Lama (1000-1080). Treasure-revealers 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 (1829-70). But also in later schools of tibetan buddhism and in the Bön-tradition appeared tertons. In buddhist context hidden treasures appeared not only since the time of Guru Rinpoche. Even in India terma had been found. Nagarjuna for example rediscovered the last part of the "Prajnaparamita-Sutra in onehundredthousand verses" in the realm of Naga, where it had been kept since the time of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Teachers and Teachings

Notable modern Nyingma teachers include Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche (c. 1904-1987), Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Khenpo Choga Rinpoche, filmmaker Khyentse Norbu (also known as Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche), and Penor Rinpoche.

Longchenpa

During the ages many great scholars and tantric Masters appeared within the Nyingma-lineage. Most famous of all is the master and scholar Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363). He wrote many scriptures on the whole Nyingma-dharma and collected all available Nyingma-Terma of his age in the collection of the "onehundredthousand Nyingma-tantras". His main works are the "seven treasures" (Dzö dün), "three cycles of relaxation" (Ngalso Korsum), "three cycles of natural liberation" (Rangdröl Korsum) and the three "inner essences" (Yangtig Namsum). Longchen Rabjam systematicized the transmission of Dzogchen the Great Perfection of Nyingma. It is since then known as "Longchen Nyingthik" (heartessence of the wide dimension).

Tantric System

Significant, besides the terma-tradition, is the structure of tantric teachings of Nyingma. Nyingma-Schools decide 6 levels of tantric teachings, in other schools 4 levels are common.

Outer Tantra

* Kriyayoga
* Caryayoga
* Yogatantra

Inner Tantra

* Mahayoga
* Anuyoga
* Atiyoga/Dzogchen (The "Great Perfection")

In the later schools the inner tantric teachings are known as Anuttarayogatantra.

The Rime-movement

During the 19. century the tertons Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye and Orgyen Chokyur Lingpa founded the Rime-movement. An economic tradition who tried to incorporate all teachings of all schools to overcome the separation of buddhist transmission in different traditions. These Teachings today found in major collections, the most important are the "five great treasures" of Jamgön Kongtrul and the treasure of rediscovered teachings (Rinchen Terdzös).

~ from Wikipedia