Padmasambhava

Guru Rinpoche - Padmasambhava statue - near Kulu

Padmasambhava (8th century C.E.) (Sanskrit for "Lotus-born") was a Tantric Buddhist Master who helped to transmit Tantric Buddhism to Tibet during the eight century, and founded the first monastery in the region. Also known as Guru Rinpoche ("Precious Master") many Buddhists view Padmasambhava as an incarnation of Amitābha Buddha, and followers of the Nyingma school regard him as the founder of their lineage. The flavor of Tibetan Buddhism owes much to the input of Padmasambhava, and accordingly he is lauded as one of the most important figures in that region. There are many legends associated with the life of Padmasambhava including mystical powers reflecting a more escoteric side of Buddhism.

Biography

Many details about the life of Padmasambhava are debated including his origins, which are in dispute. Though traditionally thought to have been a native of northwestern India (modern day Pakistan), speculation that Padmasambhava came from what is now the Middle East (a region called Urgyan) has grown (Guenther, 1996). Speculation also exists that there may have been two figures calling themselves Padmasambhava, an original and a second copycat employing the name of the famous teacher. The main source of biographical information concerning the original Padmasambhava is found in a mystically recovered text called the Padma bka'i thang (any date?) , attributed to his Tibetan consort, Yeshe Tsogyal.

Stories surrounding the life of Padmasambhava parallel the life of Gautama Buddha. According to legend, Padmasambhava was born in a miraculus way as an eight year old child appearing in a lotus flower floating atop Lake Dhanakosha, (in India? in Tibet?) . His special nature was recognized by the local king Indrabodhi who married him to one of his daughters, Mandarava. It is said that Mandarava and Padmasambhava's other main consort, Yeshe Tsogyal of Tibet, developed into realised practitioners of tantric Buddhism, and many thangkas and paintings show Padmasambhava in the middle between his consorts.

Like Siddhartha Gautama Padmasambhava was raised as a prince in the court of his father (though in this case, adopted father). His also father forbade him from seeking a pious and religious life. When Padmasambhava attempted to convince his father of his desire to spread the dharma, he accidently stabbed the son of one of the king's ministers. To the onlookers it appeared as though he had killed the man, but in reality Padmasambhava had released the man from the bonds of reincarnation though his skill in yogic powers. He was banished from the court and freely chose to live in a cemetery district.

It is said that in exile he perfected his knowledge of Buddhist teachings. It is said that he developed the power to transcend the cycle of birth and death, transiting various heavens and hells, and accomplishing the so-called great transference (What is that?). He would eventually return to his father's court a great spiritual teacher. It is said that Padmasambhava knew of his impending calling to Tibet before word was sent to him from that region, and desired to preach to the people there. Again mirroring the biography of Gautama, Padmasambhava would leave his wife in order to spread the dharma.

Padmasambhava's ability to memorize and comprehend esoteric texts in a single hearing established his reputation as a master above all others. His fame became known to Trisong Detson, the king of Tibet (circa 740-798), whose kingdom was beset by evil mountain deities, sometimes identified with supernatural beings in the indigenous Tibetan religion Bön. These powerful beings had already driven away one Buddhist teacher from the West named Śāntaraksita. The king invited Padmasambhava to Tibet where he used his tantric and meditative powers to subdue the evil deities he encountered along the way. Though the demons used violence and illusions - creating incredibly powerful blizzards, for instance - Padmasambhava was able to quell the storms and eventually converted his opponents to Buddhism. The supernatural beings subdued by Padmasambhava swore loyalty to the dharma and became positive forces in Tibetan Buddhism. Eventually Padmasambhava received the Emperor's wife, identified with the dakini Yeshey Tsogyel, as a consort. This was in accordance with the tantric principle of not eliminating negative forces but instead redirecting them to fuel the journey toward spiritual awakening. Padmasambhava's battle with evil spirits echoes the original Buddha's battle against Mara, and closely mirrors the work of Shenrap, the founder of the Bön religion. The unique nature of Padmasambhava certainly had a great effect on the course of Tibetan Buddhist life. In Tibet he founded the first monastery in the country Samye Gompa, initiated the first monks, and introduced the people to the practice of Tantric Buddhism. The traditions involving his subjugation of Bön deities suggest that initial response to Padmasambhava's arrival in Tibet was not universally welcomed, and that his new teachings were considered a challenge by the practitioners of Bön.

Documents relating the life of Padmasambhava are not in consensus concerning the length of time he spent in Tibet. Accounts range between six months and fifty years. Eventually he decided to leave, and it is recorded that he spent time in many other regions of Asia. In Bhutan he is associated with the famous Taktshang or "Tiger's Nest" monastery built on a sheer cliff wall about 500 meters above the floor of Paro valley. It is also said that he flew there from Tibet on the back of his favorite consort, Yeshe Tsogyal, who he transformed into a flying tigress for the purpose of the trip. Later he traveled to Bumthang district (in modern day Bhutan) to subdue a powerful deity offended by a local king. according to local legend in the area, Padmasambhava's body imprint can be found in the wall of a cave at nearby Kurje Lhakhang temple, Bhutan.

Writings

There are a variety of texts attributed to Padmasambhava, some of which were held secretly by the Tibetan rulers immediately after being written with the intention of making them public later, and some that were disseminated after their production. His works were not quoted by Tibetan thinkers, likely due to a desire to quote only Indian Buddhist texts - Padmasambhava's works were almost completely written in Tibetan, with the help of translators. In the writings attributed to Padmasambhava, such as the sPros-bral dongsal, it is clear that though he was well versed in Buddhist practice and philosophy he was something of a revolutionary. He was not interested in perpetuating Buddhism exactly as it had been taught to him. Guenther describes Padmasambhava's writings in this way:

In these works he emerges as a visionary thinker who has little patience with the stolid and dull disquisitions of reductionist thinkers and the fastidious but tedious ritualists. He knows their tenets and practices and dismisses them as instances of imperfect movements and imperfect fixations. As a visionary thinker of the highest order he is one who knows and speaks from experience and, for this reason alone, he is a striking example of individuality. (Guenter, 1996, p. 205)

It is also said that Padmasambhava hid a number of "treasure texts" (called termas) in lakes, caves, fields and forests of the Himalayan region to be found and interpreted by future spiritual treasure finders (called tertons). These works were deemed too esoteric or advanced for the Tibetans of Padmasambhava's time and were thus occulted to ensure they were available as the religious climate developed. Termas can be tangible written documents physically hidden or revelations that are later received by later incarnations of Padmasambhava. Important works such as the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol) is a terma text recovered in the later history of Tibetan Buddhism.

Teachings

(Wayne, could you please insert a short paragraph here about his main teachings in the context of tantric Buddhism. Maybe something about Siddha if it is relevant?)

Manifestations

Padmasambhava is said to have taken eight forms or manifestations (Tib. Guru Tsen Gye) representing different aspects of his being (e.g. wrath, pacification, etc.):

• 1. Guru Orgyen Dorje Chang(See image + description)
• 2. Guru Shakya Senge (See image)
• 3. Guru Pema Gyalpo (See image + description)
• 4. Guru Padmasambhava (See image + description)
• 5. Guru Loden Chokse (See image + description)
• 6. Guru Nyima Ozer (See image + description)
• 7. Guru Dorje Drolo (See image + description)
• 8. Guru Senge Dradog (See image)

Impact and Significance

The life of Padmasambhava is of central importance in the genesis of Tibetan Buddhism. Though Buddhism was not originally introduced to Tibet by Padmasambhava, his transmission of Tantric teachings was important to the religious development of that region. Furthermore, Padmasambhava is recognized as establishing the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism. The flavor of Tibetan Buddhism owes much to the input of Padmasambhava, and accordingly he is lauded as one of the most important figures in that region - indeed, a second Buddha.

External links

• Translation of The Full Story of Guru Padmasambhava - 109 KB PDF - With permission of the copyright holder
• The Eight Manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava
• Tsering: Buddyjski Serwis Internetowy ( Padmasambhava, Nyingma, Ngak Phang )
• A Short Biography by Jamgon Kongtrul

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Guenther, Herbert V., The Teachings of Padmasambhava. E. J. Brill, 1996. ISBN 9004105425
• Powers, John. Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism. Snow Lion Publications, 1995. ISBN 1-55939-026-3
• Schmidt, Erik Hein, and Marcia Binder, ed. 1993. The Lotus-Born: The Life Story of Padmasambhava. Composed by Yeshe Tsogyal, revealed by Nyang Ral Nyima Öser, foreword' by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, clarification by Tsele Natsok Rangdröl. Translated from Tibetan by Erik Pema Kunsang. 1st edition, Shambhala Books. Reprint: Rangjung Yeshe Publications, Boudhanath. 1998. ISBN 962-7341-35-4.
• Tsogyal, Yeshe. The Lotus-Born: The Lifestory of Padmasambhava. Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang. Boudhanath: Rangjung Yeshe Publications, 2004. ISBN 962734155X
• Thondup, Tulku. Hidden Teachings of Tibet: An Explanation of the Terma Tradition of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. London: Wisdom Publications, 1986. ISBN 086171122X
• Zangpo, Ngawang. Guru Rinpoche: His Life and Times. Snow Lion Publications, 2002. ISBN 155939174X

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