Padmasambhava

Guru Rinpoche - Padmasambhava statue - near Kulu

Padmasambhava (c. 8th century) (Sanskrit for "Lotus-born") was a Tantric Buddhist Master who is credited with transmitting Tantric Buddhism to Tibet during the eight century, and founding the first monastery in the region. In Tibet he is better known as Guru Rinpoche ("Precious Master") where followers of the Nyingma school regard him as the second Buddha. He is also seen by many Buddhists as an incarnation of Amitābha Buddha.

Life

According to legend, Padmasambhava was Born in India (now Pakistan) as an eight year old child appearing in a lotus blossom floating in Lake Dhanakosha. His special nature was recognized by the local king Indrabodhi who married him to one of his daughters, Mandarava. Mandarava and Padmasambhava's other main consort, Yeshe Tsogyal, developed into realised practitioners. Yeshe Tsogyal was also Padmasambhava's biographer. Many thangkas and paintings show Padmasambhava in the middle between them. Like Siddhartha Gautama Padmasambhava was raised as a prince in the court of his father (though in this case, adopted father).

Padmasambhava's ability to memorize and comprehend esoteric texts in a single hearing established his reputation as a master above all others. However, his father forbade him from seeking a pious and religious life, as Gautama's father had. He attempted to convince his father of his desire to spread the dharma, but during this attempt 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. In exile he perfected his knowledge of Buddhist teachings. Transiting various heavens and hells, he developed the power to transcend the cycle of birth and death, accomplishing the so-called great transference. 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 spread the dharma there. Again mirroring the biography of Gautama, Padmasambhava would leave his wife in order to spread the dharma.

His fame became known to Trisong Detson, the 38th king of Tibet (742-797), 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 as he conquered them. The supernatural beings subdued by Padmasambhava swore loyalty to the dharma and became positive forces in Tibetan Buddhism. The astute reader will also notice the literary similarities between Padmasambhava's battle with evil spirits and the original Buddha's battle against Mara, a means to link the two biographies. This story also closely mirrors the work of Shenrap, the founder of the Bön religion. 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. 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.

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. Following his decision to leave it is recorded that he spent time in many other regions of Asia, both real and legendary. In Bhutan he is associated with the famous Taktshang or "Tiger's Nest" monastery built on a sheer cliff wall about 500m above the floor of Paro valley. 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 to subdue a powerful deity offended by a local king. Padmasambhava's body imprint can be found in the wall of a cave at nearby Kurje Lhakhang temple.

Impact

Though Buddhism was not introduced to Tibet originally by Padmasambhava, his introduction of Tantric Buddhism was critical to the religious development of that region. Padmasambhava is recognized as establishing the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Nyingma derives part of its prestige as the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism through its connection to Padmasambhava. It is thought that the traditions involving his subjugation of Bön deities is a literary expression of his work to bring threads of the indigenous religion of Tibet into the form of Buddhism he taught. These traditions may also indicate 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.

Padmasambhava also hid a number of religious treasures (termas) in lakes, caves, fields and forests of the Himalayan region to be found and interpreted by future tertons or spiritual treasure finders. 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 or Bardo Thodol are terma texts recovered in the later history of Tibetan Buddhism.

We find in the writings attributed to Padmasambhava 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)

The unique nature of Padmasambhava certainly had a great effect on the course of Tibetan Buddhist life. 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.

Manifestations

Padmasambhava is said to have taken eight forms or manifestations (Tib. Guru Tsen Gye) representing different aspects of his being - 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)

External links

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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