Nyingma Sect

Update: Dec. 28th, 2011

Nyingma Sect

According to Tibetan history record, there was a troublous period from 869 AD to 1239 AD. During the 370 years, the unified regime was never established, but the Buddhism has been developed again after the death of Langdarma. Tibet Buddhism gradually split into different sects and gained political influence, all of which the following five religious sects are the most influential ones.

Nyingma Sect – Origin

During the time from 11 century to 13 century, the society of Tibet region is good for the formation of religious sects. Different kinds of religions have been introduced into Tibet region continuously, which combined the Tibetan religious and clans. Some of clans and local forces closely combined with religious sects after 11 century.

Most of Tibet temples originally established by great Buddhist master and succeeded by the cousin or other families such as Sagya Monastery.

In the later 700 years from 13 century to 20 century, there are five influential religious sects such as Nyingma Sect, Kagyu, Kahdam, Sakya and Gelug.

Nyingma Sect – Historical Figure

The Tantra of Tibet Buddhism divided into two parts of old Tantra and new Tantra. The former is considered as the old teachings succeeded from the earlier period of Tibet Buddhism of Tu Bo Dynasty while the latter one is considered as the teachings translated during the later period. Nyingma Sect is mainly succeeded the old teachings dating back to Tu Bo Dynasty, which is the ancient religious sect of Tibet. Thus the name of Nyingma Sect means the "old" in English.

During the period of Tu Bo Dynasty padmasambhava, Vimalamitra and Vairochana are the important historical figures that bought Tantras into Tibet region.

It is generally agreed that Rongzom Pandita, Longchenpa and Ju Mipham are three of the greatest scholars in the history of Nyingma lineage.

Longchenpa (1308-1363) Longchenpa is said that he could recall the previous life and later study the Buddhism from the teacher of padmasambhava who is the founder of Nyingma Sect.

He wrote many scriptures that especially known for his presentation of the Nyingma philosophical view, that of Dzogchen in particular.

Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798) and the Longchen Nyingthig

Jigme Lingpa further condensed the thought of Longchenpa into a cycle of termas called the Longchen Nyingthig, or "Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse".

Jamgon Ju Mipham Gyatso (1846–1912)

Jamgon Ju Mipham Gyatso was born into an aristocratic family in 1846 in Kham, a province of eastern Tibet. His name, Mipham Gyatso, means "Unconquerable Ocean," and as a scholar and meditator he was so accomplished. As such, he was asked to compose a definitive articulation of the philosophical outlook of the Nyingma lineage. This had never been systematized in the manner of the other four lineages and, as a result, was vulnerable to attack by hostile scholars.

Nyingma Sect – Terma and Terton

The appearance of terma ("hidden treasures") is of particular significance to the Nyingma tradition. It is held by past Buddhist masters, principally Padmasambhava, secretly hid teachings for discovery by later tertons at appropriate and auspicious time so that the teaching would be beneficial. These teachings may be physically discovered by pious Buddhists who got the indications from Buddha in the mind, and then the teachings became the treasure of Terma of Nyingma Sect.

The Termas recorded that the teachings of philosophy by padmasambhava, most of which it said that Buddhists shouldn't indulge but instead of a simple life and keep a loyal heart, while the later generations should keep learning Terma for three years from then on.

Nyingma Sect – Monastery and Monk

There are still more than 700 monasteries preserved well including that more than 340 temples located in Tibet region, which representative of the higher status in Buddhism.

Kathok Temple

Kathok Temple located in Sichuan Province and founded in AD1159. During the initial time Kathok Temple taught both of old and new teachings of Buddhism and developed fast, which the disciples spread in Tibet region and other countries such as Nepal and Bhutan.

Dzogchen Monastery

Dzogchen Monastery was built in AD 1685 by an outstanding Buddhist who was the teacher of the 5th Dalai Lama. After his death, the reincarnation system of Dzogchen has been succeeded.