Difference between revisions of "Introduction to Gong Ter (Mind Treasure)"
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| − | With [[His Eminence]] [[Namkha Drimed]] [[Rabjam Rinpoche]] and Dungsey Lhuntrul Dechen Gyurmey | + | With [[His Eminence]] [[Namkha Drimed]] [[Rabjam Rinpoche]] and [[Dungsey Lhuntrul Dechen Gyurmey Rinpoche]] |
August 6, 2014 | August 6, 2014 | ||
| − | Program of the Bestowal of the [[Empowerments]] of the Great [[Terton]] [[Namkha Drimed | + | Program of the Bestowal of the [[Empowerments]] of the Great [[Terton]] [[Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche’s]] [[Complete Cycle of Gongter]] |
| − | TERTONS AND [[TERMA]]: TREASURE-REVEALERS AND TREASURE TEACHINGS | + | [[TERTONS]] AND [[TERMA]]: [[TREASURE-REVEALERS]] AND TREASURE TEACHINGS |
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| − | + | [[The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism]] is home to a [[transmission]] of [[Buddhist teachings]] known as the ‘[[Treasure Tradition]]’ (Ter-Lug), a unique [[religious]] system that only recently has become the focus of [[attention]] in the [[West]]. The [[Treasures]] are most often comprised of [[spiritual]] instructions concealed by [[enlightened beings]] for the {{Wiki|purpose}} of discovery at a later predestined time when their message will invigorate the [[Buddhist teachings]] and deepen [[spiritual]] [[understanding]]. Central to this process is the figure of the ‘[[Terton]]’ or Treasurer-revealer – the [[person]] who acts as a {{Wiki|medium}} for the re-emergence of this inspired material into the [[human world]]. | |
| − | + | The [[Tibetan]] term ‘[[Terton]]’ is sometimes also rendered as ‘[[treasure]] discoverer.’ Accordingly, beginning in the 11th century and continuing into the {{Wiki|present}}, the [[Nyingma School]] identifies a large number of [[Treasure revealers]] and grants authoritative {{Wiki|status}} to their discoveries. There are classifications according to their content, [[nature]], manner of [[concealment]], etc. All [[Tibetan]] [[Treasures]] share the claim that they were concealed during the golden age of the {{Wiki|Yarlung dynasty}} (7th– 9th centuries C.E.) by [[enlightened Buddhist masters]] who considered the needs and inclinations of the {{Wiki|future}} followers. | |
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| − | + | Most of the [[termas]] were hidden by [[Guru Padmasambhava]] or his immediate [[disciples]]; he prophesied the circumstances for the discovery of each [[Terma]] and the [[Terton]] who would find it. According to the [[tradition]], [[Tertons]] are [[Bodhisattvas]] who possess special qualities and [[insights]] that enable them to find [[Termas]]. The great [[Tertons]] are [[emanations]] of [[Padmasambhava]] whose primary {{Wiki|purpose}} is to find the appropriate [[Terma]] at the appropriate time. The [[Nyingma School]] [[traditionally]] traces the beginning of [[Treasure revelation]] [[in Tibet]] to the [[master]] [[Sangye Lama]] and [[Drapa Ngonshe]] in the 11th century. | |
| + | They were followed by [[Terton]] [[Nyangrel]] [[Nyima]] Woser (1124-1192), and Choekyi [[Wangchuk]] (1212-1270), who were referred to as the ‘{{Wiki|Sun}} and [[Moon]]’ of [[Tertons]]. The [[Terton]] [[tradition]] continued in the following centuries. This system has proven remarkably effective in regularly [[breathing]] new [[life]] into the [[Nyingma tradition]] while maintaining a [[perceived]] link with its origins. Each age finds the [[Terma]] appropriate to its [[spiritual]] needs, and each new [[Terma]] becomes a part of the [[tradition]]. The [[tradition]] continues today to [[breathe]] new [[life]] into the [[Nyingma tradition]], and many [[Terma]] have been incorporated into other [[lineages]]. | ||
| − | + | For instance, [[Kyabje Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje]], [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]], and [[Kyabje]] [[Terton]] [[Namkha Drimed]] [[Rabjam Rinpoche]] are some of the few [[Tertons]] of our time. [[Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche]] (1904-1987), was [[recognized]] as the direct [[rebirth]] of [[Dudjom Lingpa]] (1835-1904). He was the supreme head of the [[Nyingma lineage]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. [[Dudjom Rinpoche]] was born in [[Wikipedia:South Tibet|Southern Tibet]] in a region called [[Pemakod]], Bome County which is known in [[Tibetan]] as a [[Bey-Yul]], or a ‘[[hidden land]]’. | |
| + | [[Dudjom Rinpoche]] was the [[root teacher]] of many of today’s most prominent [[masters]], [[including]] [[His Eminence]] [[Kyabje]] [[Terton]] [[Namkha Drimed]] [[Rabjam Rinpoche]]. [[Dudjom Rinpoche]] established a number of [[vital]] communities of practitioners in [[India]], [[Nepal]] and throughout the [[world]]. [[Dudjom Rinpoche]] was a major [[Tertons]], and his New revealed [[treasure teachings]] (Dudjom-Tersar) are well known. The Dudjom Tersaar is the collective [[name]] of [[terma teachings]] revealed by [[Dudjom Lingpa]] and [[Dudjom Rinpoche]]. | ||
| − | + | He is considered one of the ‘Hundred Great [[Tertons]]’ in the [[Nyingma lineage]]. There are four major cycles in the [[Dudjom Tersar]] of [[Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche]], Jigdarl [[Yeshe Dorje]], which are all [[Mind-treasure]] teachings ([[Gong-Ter]]): (a) the cycle of teachings for the practices on the Outer, Inner, Secret, and [[Innermost Secret]] [[Sadhanas]] of the [[Lama]] or [[Guru]] is called ‘Tsokyi-Thugthig; (b) the cycle of teachings for the practices of the [[meditation deity]] ([[Yidam]]) is called ‘Pudri-Rekpung’; (c) the cycle of teachings for the practices on the Outer, Inner, Secret, and [[Innermost Secret]] [[Sadhanas]] of the [[Dakini]] ([[Khadro]]) is called ‘Khadro-Thugthig); and (d) the cycle of teachings on [[Guru Dorje Drolo]]. Among the widely read works of [[Kyabje]] Dudjpm [[Rinpoche]] are ‘[[The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, Its Fundamentals and History]]’, which he composed soon after his arrival in [[India]] as an exile. | |
| − | + | [[Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] (1910-1991), was a highly accomplished [[Vajrayana master]], poet, [[scholar]], and head of the [[Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism]] from 1987 to 1991. He was born in [[Eastern Tibet]], [[Kham]] [[Dege]], Denkhog, to a [[family]] directly descended from the 8th century [[Tibetan]] great [[king]] [[Trisong Deutsen]]. When he was seven, he was [[recognized]] as one of the [[reincarnations]] of the great [[Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo]] (1820-1892) by [[Shechen Gyaltsab Rinpoche]] (1871-1926). [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] spent thirteen years in [[silent]] [[retreat]] in remote hermitages and [[caves]] near his birthplace, and later became [[principal]] [[teacher]] to [[His Holiness the Dalai Lama]] in the [[Nyingma tradition]], [[including]] [[Dzogchen]]. He was a dedicated exponent of the nonsectarian [[Rime movement]] [[in Tibet]] and tirelessly worked to uphold the [[Dharma]] through the publication of texts, building of [[monasteries]], and [[stupas]]. | |
| − | The | + | The [[Mind-treasure]] teachings ([[Gong-Ter]]) revealed by [[Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] are: ‘[[Jampal-Nying-Thig]]’- the ‘[[Heart Essence]] of [[Manjushri]]’, the ‘[[Dzong-Trang]]’- the ‘Fortress Ravine of [[Nectar Medicine]]’, ‘[[Drol-Jang]]’ – Outer, Inner, and Secret [[Sadhanas]] of [[Green Tara]]’, ‘[[Guru Drakpo]]’ – [[Sadhana]], [[Empowerment]], [[Activity]] and [[Feast Offering]] of the ‘[[Wrathful Guru]]’, ‘[[Lhatsun-Lhadrub]]’, ‘[[Pema-Tseyi-Nying-Thig]]’, which is a practice of longevity based on [[Amitayus]], [[Rang-Jung-Pemai-Nying-Thig]] which is the ‘[[Heart Essence]] of the Self-born [[Lotus]]’, and the practice of the ‘[[Three Roots]]’. His writings in [[Tibetan]] fill twenty-five volumes. He is regarded as one of the greatest [[Dzogchen masters]] of the 20th century, and the very [[embodiment]] of [[Guru Padmasambhava]]. [[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] was the [[root teacher]] of many prominent [[teachers]] of today, [[including]] [[His Eminence]] [[Kyabje Namkha Drimed abjam Rinpoche]]. |
| − | The [[Dakini]] or [[Khandro]] Practices contain [[Dakini]] [[Yeshe Tsogyal’s]] abridged and extensive [[Sadhanas]]. The vast cycle of [[mind-treasure]] teachings | + | In summary, a number of [[Nyingma monasteries]] were founded to preserve and transmit the [[spiritual]] [[treasure teachings]], [[including]], for example, the [[monasteries]] of the [[Ripa Lineage]] [[in Tibet]], [[India]], [[Nepal]], and numerous [[Dharma]] centers in the [[West]]. Thus, many of the [[Nyingma lineages]] are based on particular [[Terma]], and the ‘[[Ripa Lineage]]’ bases its practices on the [[transmission]] of the [[Tagsham]] treasure-teachings, and the [[Mind-treasure]] Teachings of the [[Warrior]] [[King Gesar]], by H.E Kaybje [[Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche]]. |
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| + | [[GONGTER]]: [[MIND-TREASURE]] | ||
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| + | The ‘[[Termas]]’ are said to be hidden throughout the land of [[Tibet]], and they are safeguarded in a way that prevents them from being found before the appropriate time. When [[conditions]] are ripe for their dissemination, the [[Termas]] are discovered by [[Treasure-revealers]]. These [[people]] are prophesied by the [[masters]] who hid the [[Terma]], and there are strict controls and tests regarding the finding and [[propagation]] of [[Terma]]. Historically the most influential [[Terma]] have been the ‘[[Eight Heruka Sadhanas]]’ ([[Drubpa-KaJed]]) and the Innermost [[Essence]] of the Great Expanse ([[Longchen-Nying-Thig]]), which were hidden by [[Padmasambhava]]. Other texts were hidden by his [[consort]] [[Yeshe Tshogyal]], who memorized his teachings and then concealed them with the help of [[Padmasambhava]]. | ||
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| + | One of the greatest [[Treasure-revealers]], [[Nyangral Nyima Woser]], speaks of five [[Treasures]]. : Amongst them is the category of [[Spiritual Treasure]] ([[Thug-Ter]]), and these are considered to be particularly important teachings. In the 14th century, however, this notion of [[spiritua Treasure]] appears to function as the {{Wiki|etymological}} inspiration for the {{Wiki|concept}} of ‘[[Mind-Treasure]]’ ([[Gongter]]). The [[Mind-Treasure]], which although at first a [[Wikipedia:Semantics|semantic]] {{Wiki|synonym}} for [[Spiritual Treasure]] ([[Thug-Ter]]), is developed by later writers such as [[Jamgon Kongtrul]] and [[Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo]] into a prominent [[Treasure]] category by denoting a [[Treasure]] that is concealed in and revealed from the Treasure-revealer’s [[mind]]. | ||
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| + | The earliest occurrence of the term ‘[[Mind-Treasure]]’ appears to stem from the 14th century works of [[Longchenpa]] (in particular his Innermost [[Essence]] of the [[Dakini]]) and [[Orgyen Lingpa]] (in his famous Chronicle of [[Padmasambhava]]). According to the ‘[[earth Treasures]]’ ([[Sa-Ter]]) and ‘[[mind Treasures]]’ ([[Gong-Ter]]), the [[earth Treasures]] are divided into ‘[[actual earth Treasures]]’ ([[Sa-Ter-Ngoe]]) and ‘[[rediscovered Treasures]]’ ([[Yang-Ter]]), while [[mind Treasures]] consist of ‘[[actual mind Treasures]]’ ([[Gong-Ter-Ngoe]]) and ‘[[recollected Treasures]]’ ([[Jey-Dren-Ter]]). The basic [[division]] of [[earth]] and [[mind Treasures]] [[forms]] the primary {{Wiki|structure}} for [[Jamgon Kongtrul’s]] work while the remaining sub-categories are encountered throughout the text as he discusses the revelations of {{Wiki|individual}} figures, in particular those of Khyentse and [[Chokling]]. | ||
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| + | However, [[Mind Treasure]] Teachings are revealed purely from the [[mind]] of the [[Treasure revealer]] where [[Padmasambahva]] is claimed to have originally concealed them. For instance, [[His Eminence]] [[Kyabje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche]] is one of the few living [[Tertons]] in this {{Wiki|era}} who revealed various [[mind-treasure]] teachings ([[Gong-Ter]]). He was [[recognized]] as an [[incarnation]] of [[Terton]] Yonge Migyur Dorje]] (1628/41-1708) by [[Dungsey Phagchok Shedrub Tenzin]] (a son and [[spiritual]] heir of [[Tibet’s]] great [[Yogin]], [[Drubwang Shakya Shri]]). He was also [[recognized]] by [[Nyakrong]] [[Terton]] [[Jigme Choejung Lingpa]] as the [[manifestation]] of [[Dho Khyentse Yeshe Dorje]] (1800-1866). [[Kyabje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche]] is currently the Supreme Head of the [[Ripa Lineage]] of the [[Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism]] and holder of the [[Tagsham lineage]]. At the age of thirteen he had a direct [[vision]] of [[Guru Rinpoche]] who gave him the [[empowerment]] of the ‘Display of [[Awareness]]’ ‘[[Rig-Tsal]]’ and the secret [[name]] [[Dorje Zijid Tsal]]. Thus [[empowered]] as the [[Guru’s]] {{Wiki|regent}}, thereafter he revealed [[mind treasures]] of the [[awareness]] display. He repeatedly saw [[visions]] of the [[enlightened]] warrior-king [[Gesar of Ling]] and, being the [[reincarnation]] of [[Gesar’s]] elder brother [[Gyatsa Shalkar]], clearly remembered his former [[life]]. [[Kyabje Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche’s]] [[Mind-treasure]] teachings are characterized by the cycle of ‘[[Rig-Sum-Nor-Bue-Gong-Dzod]]’ – the ‘[[Jeweled Treasure Thought]] of the Three Families’ [[including]] the practices of the ‘[[Three Roots]].’ [[Guru]] Practices comprise the [[peaceful]] and [[wrathful]] aspects of [[Guru Rinpoche’s]] abridged, {{Wiki|medium}}, and extensive [[Sadhanas]] and [[Droje Drolo]]’s Cycle of teachings. The ‘[[Meditation Deity]]’ or [[Yidam]] Practices consist of [[Vajrasattva]] and [[Vajrakilaya’s]] Cycle of teachings. | ||
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| + | The [[Dakini]] or [[Khandro]] Practices contain [[Dakini]] [[Yeshe Tsogyal’s]] abridged and extensive [[Sadhanas]]. The vast cycle of [[mind-treasure]] teachings ‘[[Rigsum-Norbue-Gongdzod]]’, principally encompass the four aspects of [[Gesar]]: [[wrathful]], pacifying, enrichment, and magnetizing; these are called the [[four enlightened activities]], which are also connected with the [[hundred peaceful and wrathful deities]] ([[Zhi-Tro]]), and as a [[protector]] under the [[form]] of [[Gesar Drala]]. According to the [[Sadhana]] Practices of [[Gesar]] as [[Lama]] ([[La-Drub]]) and the [[Secret Practice]] ([[Sang-Drub]]), there is the section of [[mind-treasure]] called ‘[[Rigsum-Sangwe-Thigle]]’ – the ‘[[Secret Essence]] of the Three Families.’ The Cycle of Teachings called ‘[[Yang-Zab-Thug-Thig]]’ – the practice of the ‘[[Vast and Profound Heart Essence]],’ consists of the Practices of [[Vajrakilaya]], [[Vajrasattva]], [[Dorje Drolo]], and [[Yeshe Tsogyal]]. The Cycle of Teachings called ‘[[Rig-Dhue-Lamai-Thug-Drub]]’ – the ‘Compendium of the Three Families, [[Heart Practice]] of the [[Lama]],’ consists of all the [[peaceful]] and [[wrathful Deities]] ‘[[Zhi-Tro]]’. To this day, the [[Mind-treasure]] teachings of [[His Eminence]] flow spontaneously and continuously from the vast expanse of his [[mind-stream]]. | ||
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[[Category:Terma]] | [[Category:Terma]] | ||
[[Category: Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category: Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Tibetan Buddhism]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:36, 4 September 2022
With His Eminence Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche and Dungsey Lhuntrul Dechen Gyurmey Rinpoche
August 6, 2014
Program of the Bestowal of the Empowerments of the Great Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche’s Complete Cycle of Gongter
TERTONS AND TERMA: TREASURE-REVEALERS AND TREASURE TEACHINGS
The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism is home to a transmission of Buddhist teachings known as the ‘Treasure Tradition’ (Ter-Lug), a unique religious system that only recently has become the focus of attention in the West. The Treasures are most often comprised of spiritual instructions concealed by enlightened beings for the purpose of discovery at a later predestined time when their message will invigorate the Buddhist teachings and deepen spiritual understanding. Central to this process is the figure of the ‘Terton’ or Treasurer-revealer – the person who acts as a medium for the re-emergence of this inspired material into the human world.
The Tibetan term ‘Terton’ is sometimes also rendered as ‘treasure discoverer.’ Accordingly, beginning in the 11th century and continuing into the present, the Nyingma School identifies a large number of Treasure revealers and grants authoritative status to their discoveries. There are classifications according to their content, nature, manner of concealment, etc. All Tibetan Treasures share the claim that they were concealed during the golden age of the Yarlung dynasty (7th– 9th centuries C.E.) by enlightened Buddhist masters who considered the needs and inclinations of the future followers.
Most of the termas were hidden by Guru Padmasambhava or his immediate disciples; he prophesied the circumstances for the discovery of each Terma and the Terton who would find it. According to the tradition, Tertons are Bodhisattvas who possess special qualities and insights that enable them to find Termas. The great Tertons are emanations of Padmasambhava whose primary purpose is to find the appropriate Terma at the appropriate time. The Nyingma School traditionally traces the beginning of Treasure revelation in Tibet to the master Sangye Lama and Drapa Ngonshe in the 11th century.
They were followed by Terton Nyangrel Nyima Woser (1124-1192), and Choekyi Wangchuk (1212-1270), who were referred to as the ‘Sun and Moon’ of Tertons. The Terton tradition continued in the following centuries. This system has proven remarkably effective in regularly breathing new life into the Nyingma tradition while maintaining a perceived link with its origins. Each age finds the Terma appropriate to its spiritual needs, and each new Terma becomes a part of the tradition. The tradition continues today to breathe new life into the Nyingma tradition, and many Terma have been incorporated into other lineages.
For instance, Kyabje Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and Kyabje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche are some of the few Tertons of our time. Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987), was recognized as the direct rebirth of Dudjom Lingpa (1835-1904). He was the supreme head of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Dudjom Rinpoche was born in Southern Tibet in a region called Pemakod, Bome County which is known in Tibetan as a Bey-Yul, or a ‘hidden land’.
Dudjom Rinpoche was the root teacher of many of today’s most prominent masters, including His Eminence Kyabje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche. Dudjom Rinpoche established a number of vital communities of practitioners in India, Nepal and throughout the world. Dudjom Rinpoche was a major Tertons, and his New revealed treasure teachings (Dudjom-Tersar) are well known. The Dudjom Tersaar is the collective name of terma teachings revealed by Dudjom Lingpa and Dudjom Rinpoche.
He is considered one of the ‘Hundred Great Tertons’ in the Nyingma lineage. There are four major cycles in the Dudjom Tersar of Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdarl Yeshe Dorje, which are all Mind-treasure teachings (Gong-Ter): (a) the cycle of teachings for the practices on the Outer, Inner, Secret, and Innermost Secret Sadhanas of the Lama or Guru is called ‘Tsokyi-Thugthig; (b) the cycle of teachings for the practices of the meditation deity (Yidam) is called ‘Pudri-Rekpung’; (c) the cycle of teachings for the practices on the Outer, Inner, Secret, and Innermost Secret Sadhanas of the Dakini (Khadro) is called ‘Khadro-Thugthig); and (d) the cycle of teachings on Guru Dorje Drolo. Among the widely read works of Kyabje Dudjpm Rinpoche are ‘The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, Its Fundamentals and History’, which he composed soon after his arrival in India as an exile.
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991), was a highly accomplished Vajrayana master, poet, scholar, and head of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism from 1987 to 1991. He was born in Eastern Tibet, Kham Dege, Denkhog, to a family directly descended from the 8th century Tibetan great king Trisong Deutsen. When he was seven, he was recognized as one of the reincarnations of the great Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) by Shechen Gyaltsab Rinpoche (1871-1926). Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche spent thirteen years in silent retreat in remote hermitages and caves near his birthplace, and later became principal teacher to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Nyingma tradition, including Dzogchen. He was a dedicated exponent of the nonsectarian Rime movement in Tibet and tirelessly worked to uphold the Dharma through the publication of texts, building of monasteries, and stupas.
The Mind-treasure teachings (Gong-Ter) revealed by Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche are: ‘Jampal-Nying-Thig’- the ‘Heart Essence of Manjushri’, the ‘Dzong-Trang’- the ‘Fortress Ravine of Nectar Medicine’, ‘Drol-Jang’ – Outer, Inner, and Secret Sadhanas of Green Tara’, ‘Guru Drakpo’ – Sadhana, Empowerment, Activity and Feast Offering of the ‘Wrathful Guru’, ‘Lhatsun-Lhadrub’, ‘Pema-Tseyi-Nying-Thig’, which is a practice of longevity based on Amitayus, Rang-Jung-Pemai-Nying-Thig which is the ‘Heart Essence of the Self-born Lotus’, and the practice of the ‘Three Roots’. His writings in Tibetan fill twenty-five volumes. He is regarded as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the 20th century, and the very embodiment of Guru Padmasambhava. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was the root teacher of many prominent teachers of today, including His Eminence Kyabje Namkha Drimed abjam Rinpoche.
In summary, a number of Nyingma monasteries were founded to preserve and transmit the spiritual treasure teachings, including, for example, the monasteries of the Ripa Lineage in Tibet, India, Nepal, and numerous Dharma centers in the West. Thus, many of the Nyingma lineages are based on particular Terma, and the ‘Ripa Lineage’ bases its practices on the transmission of the Tagsham treasure-teachings, and the Mind-treasure Teachings of the Warrior King Gesar, by H.E Kaybje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche.
The ‘Termas’ are said to be hidden throughout the land of Tibet, and they are safeguarded in a way that prevents them from being found before the appropriate time. When conditions are ripe for their dissemination, the Termas are discovered by Treasure-revealers. These people are prophesied by the masters who hid the Terma, and there are strict controls and tests regarding the finding and propagation of Terma. Historically the most influential Terma have been the ‘Eight Heruka Sadhanas’ (Drubpa-KaJed) and the Innermost Essence of the Great Expanse (Longchen-Nying-Thig), which were hidden by Padmasambhava. Other texts were hidden by his consort Yeshe Tshogyal, who memorized his teachings and then concealed them with the help of Padmasambhava.
One of the greatest Treasure-revealers, Nyangral Nyima Woser, speaks of five Treasures. : Amongst them is the category of Spiritual Treasure (Thug-Ter), and these are considered to be particularly important teachings. In the 14th century, however, this notion of spiritua Treasure appears to function as the etymological inspiration for the concept of ‘Mind-Treasure’ (Gongter). The Mind-Treasure, which although at first a semantic synonym for Spiritual Treasure (Thug-Ter), is developed by later writers such as Jamgon Kongtrul and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo into a prominent Treasure category by denoting a Treasure that is concealed in and revealed from the Treasure-revealer’s mind.
The earliest occurrence of the term ‘Mind-Treasure’ appears to stem from the 14th century works of Longchenpa (in particular his Innermost Essence of the Dakini) and Orgyen Lingpa (in his famous Chronicle of Padmasambhava). According to the ‘earth Treasures’ (Sa-Ter) and ‘mind Treasures’ (Gong-Ter), the earth Treasures are divided into ‘actual earth Treasures’ (Sa-Ter-Ngoe) and ‘rediscovered Treasures’ (Yang-Ter), while mind Treasures consist of ‘actual mind Treasures’ (Gong-Ter-Ngoe) and ‘recollected Treasures’ (Jey-Dren-Ter). The basic division of earth and mind Treasures forms the primary structure for Jamgon Kongtrul’s work while the remaining sub-categories are encountered throughout the text as he discusses the revelations of individual figures, in particular those of Khyentse and Chokling.
However, Mind Treasure Teachings are revealed purely from the mind of the Treasure revealer where Padmasambahva is claimed to have originally concealed them. For instance, His Eminence Kyabje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche is one of the few living Tertons in this era who revealed various mind-treasure teachings (Gong-Ter). He was recognized as an incarnation of Terton Yonge Migyur Dorje]] (1628/41-1708) by Dungsey Phagchok Shedrub Tenzin (a son and spiritual heir of Tibet’s great Yogin, Drubwang Shakya Shri). He was also recognized by Nyakrong Terton Jigme Choejung Lingpa as the manifestation of Dho Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866). Kyabje Terton Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche is currently the Supreme Head of the Ripa Lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism and holder of the Tagsham lineage. At the age of thirteen he had a direct vision of Guru Rinpoche who gave him the empowerment of the ‘Display of Awareness’ ‘Rig-Tsal’ and the secret name Dorje Zijid Tsal. Thus empowered as the Guru’s regent, thereafter he revealed mind treasures of the awareness display. He repeatedly saw visions of the enlightened warrior-king Gesar of Ling and, being the reincarnation of Gesar’s elder brother Gyatsa Shalkar, clearly remembered his former life. Kyabje Namkha Drimed Rabjam Rinpoche’s Mind-treasure teachings are characterized by the cycle of ‘Rig-Sum-Nor-Bue-Gong-Dzod’ – the ‘Jeweled Treasure Thought of the Three Families’ including the practices of the ‘Three Roots.’ Guru Practices comprise the peaceful and wrathful aspects of Guru Rinpoche’s abridged, medium, and extensive Sadhanas and Droje Drolo’s Cycle of teachings. The ‘Meditation Deity’ or Yidam Practices consist of Vajrasattva and Vajrakilaya’s Cycle of teachings.
The Dakini or Khandro Practices contain Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal’s abridged and extensive Sadhanas. The vast cycle of mind-treasure teachings ‘Rigsum-Norbue-Gongdzod’, principally encompass the four aspects of Gesar: wrathful, pacifying, enrichment, and magnetizing; these are called the four enlightened activities, which are also connected with the hundred peaceful and wrathful deities (Zhi-Tro), and as a protector under the form of Gesar Drala. According to the Sadhana Practices of Gesar as Lama (La-Drub) and the Secret Practice (Sang-Drub), there is the section of mind-treasure called ‘Rigsum-Sangwe-Thigle’ – the ‘Secret Essence of the Three Families.’ The Cycle of Teachings called ‘Yang-Zab-Thug-Thig’ – the practice of the ‘Vast and Profound Heart Essence,’ consists of the Practices of Vajrakilaya, Vajrasattva, Dorje Drolo, and Yeshe Tsogyal. The Cycle of Teachings called ‘Rig-Dhue-Lamai-Thug-Drub’ – the ‘Compendium of the Three Families, Heart Practice of the Lama,’ consists of all the peaceful and wrathful Deities ‘Zhi-Tro’. To this day, the Mind-treasure teachings of His Eminence flow spontaneously and continuously from the vast expanse of his mind-stream.
