Northern treasures

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Tertön Rigdzin Gödem , the discoverer of the Northern Treasures

The tradition of the Northern Treasures ( Tib . Byang gter ) is a Buddhist teaching tradition within the Nyingma -School of Tibetan Buddhism . It originated in the 14th century and most likely got its name from the place where this terma tradition was found north of the first large monastery in Tibet, Samye . Other well-known Terma traditions in Tibet are the Middle (or Central) Treasure (tib .: dbus gter ) and the Southern Treasure tradition (tib .: lho gter ; see also Pema Lingpa ).

Emergence

The 5th Dalai Lama, a major lineage holder of the Northern Treasures

Rigdzin Gödem (1337–1409) discovered the terma texts of the “Northern Treasures”, a cycle of tantric teachings known for its extensive Vajrakilaya practices and Dzogchen texts, near the summit of the Tibetan mountain Riwo Trabzang . "Termas" are hidden texts, ritual objects and relics which, at the behest of Guru Rinpoche , were hidden by his closest disciples in Tibet and neighboring countries. This was done to protect the teachings of Tantric Buddhism ( Vajrayana ) from destruction by Langdarma , a Tibetan king (reign 836-842) who was hostile to Buddhism.

The transmission line of the “Northern Treasures” emanating from Rigdzin Gödem has been passed on uninterrupted to this day. Lines of transmission, as can be found in Tibetan Buddhism, involve the transmission of tantric teachings from a realized master to his students, who also attain realization ( enlightenment ) through practice of the teachings and in turn pass the teachings on to students. This creates “lines” for the transmission of tantric teachings. In this way the authenticity of tantric teachings is preserved and falsifications of Buddhist teachings are avoided. An important lineage holder of the Northern Treasures was the 5th Dalai Lama Ngawang Lobsang Gyatsho .

Famous Masters of Northern Treasures

distribution

Origin monastery Dorje Drag

The headquarters of the transfer of the “Northern Treasures” is the Nyingma Monastery Thubten Dorje Drag Ewam Chögar, or Dorje Drag for short in Gongkar District of Lhokha Government District in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China . Along with Kathog , Palyül , Dzogchen , Shechen and Mindroling, Dorje Drag is one of the so-called “six large seats” of the Nyingma. The tradition was originally predominant in Tibet, after the destruction of Tibetan culture after the uprising of 1959 and during the Chinese Cultural Revolution , this tradition has also settled in India, Europe and the USA.

Byangter and Khordong tradition

In Europe, the “Northern Treasures” have so far been transmitted together with the “ Khordong -Termas”. This Terma line was discovered by Nüden Dorje Drophan Lingpa (1809–1872). He was an incarnation of the drug Khyechung Lotsawa, who was also one of the 25 main disciples of Guru Rinpoche. An important lama of these lineages, who also taught in the West, was the 5th incarnation of Nüden Dorje Drophan Lingpa, named Chhimed Rigdzin (1922–2002).

Byangter and bill tradition

The "Northern Treasures" are u. a. passed on by Changling Trülku Rinpoche, who, in addition to this transmission, is also the lineage holder of the Rechungpa line .

Byangter-, Düdjom Tersar and Nyingthik

Lopön Urgyen Rinpoche from the Tibetan province of Amdo gives not only teachings on "Düdjom Tersar" and "Nyingthik", as well as teachings on the "Northern Treasures".

literature

  • Gangteng Tulku Rinpoche: Samantabhadra Dzogchen Prayer . Khampa Edition, Osterby 2000, ISBN 3980525155
  • Guru Padmasambhava: The Secret Doctrine of Tibet . Kösel Verlag, Freiamt 1998, ISBN 978-3466204397
  • Dudjom Rinpoche: The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism - Its Fundamentals & History . Wisdom Publications, Boston 1991, ISBN 978-0861711994
  • James Low: Being Here and Now- A Commentary on "Dong Sal Melong" - "The Mirror of Clear Meaning" - A Dzogchen Treasure Text by Nudan Dorje . Silver cord, 2005, ISBN 3-85466-063-4

Web links