Nyingma

The Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism is the oldest of the four major traditions of Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug. As Nyingma or Ancient school of Tibetan Buddhism, the followers of the original translations of the teachings of the Buddha are called into Tibetan and were made up to the time of the Indian translator Smirtijnanakirti the late 10th century. That is why it is also called early translation school ( Ngagyur Nyima ), to distinguish them from the translator Rinchen Zangpo ( 958-1055 ) of the later translations of the New Schools ( sarma) as Kagyu, Sakya, Kadam and Gelug. With regard to the overall structure and practice of all three " vehicles ", ie different religious forms, the Buddhist path Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana, there are between four great traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, no differences and jointly take the philosophical position of the Madhyamaka school one.

History

In the 8th century, Buddhism was transmitted from India to Tibet. The Tibetan king Thrisong Detsen invited 779 against the Indian master Padmasambhava ( "lotus -born " ), called by the Tibetans Guru Rinpoche ( " Precious Master " ), and Shantarakshita ( Tib. zhi ba ' tsho; "Guardians of Peace" ) to Tibet to teach Buddhism there. Padmasambhava emphasized the tantric aspects of Buddhism. He is subjected to the spirits and demons of Tibet through his power and achievement and by oaths as " protectors " (see: Dharmapala ) have bound to the Buddha's teachings. For this reason, sat in Tibet Vajrayana Buddhism against the then prevailing Bon religion through.

The Nyingma tradition is also known as the school of the "Old Translation " and goes back to the first wave tradition that began teaching with Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita.

Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita founded the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, Samye, which became the most important educational center of the Tibetan Buddhism of the time. From King Thrisong Detsen received Padmasambhava and his students, of which 25 secondary school students were famous for their high achievement, the task of the Buddhist teachings from Sanskrit to translate into Tibetan. Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita made ​​from 108 translator to accomplish this task. The writings of this great translation phase form the basis of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, only in the Tantric writings and broadcasts, there are differences. From the 8th to the 11th century, the Nyingma was the only Buddhist school in Tibet. From the 11th century, then the schools of the developed "new translations" (see: Sarma ), which mainly relate to the transmission not yet been translated Tantras.

The main monasteries of the Nyingma school, apart from Samye Ling, Kathog, Mindrölling, Dorje Drag, Pelyül, Dzogchen and Shechen. Of these " great seats " of the Nyingma conduct a large number of Nyingma monasteries from their origin.

Termas and tertöns

A distinctive feature of Tibetan Buddhism are the " hidden treasures " (see: Terma ). Padmasambhava and his closest pupils hidden hundreds of texts, ritual objects and relics in secret places, in order to preserve the teachings of Buddhism from destruction by the, Buddhism hostile, Tibetan King Lang Darma (9th century). In particular, among other things, two types of transmission emerged in the Nyingma tradition: the so-called "long" transmission line from master to student in an unbroken line, and the "short" transmission line of the " hidden treasures ". The Termas were later by masters with special skills, so-called "treasure finders " (see: Tertön ) rediscovered and passed down to their students. These masters were often incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava. Thus was created through the centuries a complex system of transmission lines that are constantly complemented the teachings of the Nyingma schools with "fresh" teachings that their time were each adequately and many students to achieve / led illumination.

Scholar

In the Nyingma tradition, there were many great scholars. The most important among them is Longchen Rabjam ( 1308-1363 ). His most notable works are the " seven treasures" ( Tib: klong chen mdzod bdun; " Dzö thin " ), the three " cycles of relaxation " ( Tib. gso skor gsum ngal; " NgalSo Korsum " ), the three " cycles the natural liberation " ( Tib: rank grol skor gsum; " Rangdröl Korsum " ) and the lyrics to the " four branches of the heart Essence " ( Tib: snying thig ya bzhi; " Nyingthig Yabshi "). Longchen Rabjam systematized the transmission of outgoing Garab Dorje of Dzogchen teachings of the Nyingma lineage, since the "heart essence of widths dimension " ( Tib: klong chen snying thig; " Longchen Nyingthig " ) are taught.

100,000 Nyingmapa tantras

The Tantric teachings of the Nyingma are in the collection of 100,000 Nyingmapa tantras ( Tib: rnying rgyud ma 'bum; " Nyingma Gyübum " ) together. A characteristic of the tantric system of the Nyingma is the division of their own classes of tantra. The Nyingmaschulen distinguish the tantric teachings in the so-called Outer Tantras:

And the Inner Tantras:

In schools the "new translations" the Inner Tantras by the anuttarayoga, also called " Highest Yoga Tantra " are called, represents. This corresponds roughly to the Mahayoga. Anuyoga and Atiyoga were in the new translation traditions initially not included, even if some of its representatives practice this yoga, and later the transfers of individual Tantras took place at different schools.

Head of the Nyingma

Historically, it was until the late 20th century, never a " head of the Nyingma ". The Nyingma tradition was to train some suitable central structures because of the diversity and complexity of different transfer lines. A fact that has been held the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan as the only schools largely from political conflicts in Tibet. The introduction of a large head of the respective schools were synonymous with the establishment of the Tibetan government in exile after the occupation of Tibet, now a representative for the big school traditions was sent to the. The " head of the Nyingma " is thus not, as one might suspect at first glance, lineage holder of all Nyingma lineages and transmissions, but this is merely for political office in the Tibetan government in exile. The eminent Nyingma master Düdjom Rinpoche (1904-1987) served as the first at the request of the 14th Dalai Lama in the function of a " head of the Nyingma ". Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was succeeded ( 1910-1991 ). After the death of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Penor (1932-2009) of the lineage holder of the Pelyül tradition was chosen by the Nyingma the head. At the suggestion Penor Rinpoche the 11th Mindröl -Ling was Thrichen Gyurme Kunzang Wanggyel ( 1930-2008 ) " head of the Nyingma ". There currently is S.H. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma tradition.

The Rime movement

In the 19th century originated among Tertön Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye and Ugyen Choggyur Lingpa the so-called " Rime movement ," which garnered cross-group lessons from all areas of Tibet and masters from all traditions, including the terma collections of Rinchen Terdzö.

Dissemination

In addition to the original distribution area in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim, which are also due to the terma tradition of particular importance to the Nyingma schools to Nyingma communities have become widespread in America and Europe. Many of these communities are also found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.