| The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major | | | | translator Vairotsana, Nyak Jnanakumara, Gyalmo |
| schools of Tibetan Buddhism (the other three being the | | | | Yudra Nyingpo, Nanam Dorje Dudjom, Yeshe Yang, |
| Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug). "Nyingma" literally means | | | | Sokpo Lhapal, Nanam Zhang Yeshe De, Palgyi |
| "ancient," and is often referred to as the "school of the | | | | Wangchuk, Denma Tsémang, Kawa Paltsek, |
| ancient translations" or the "old school" because it is | | | | Shupu Palgyi Senge, Dré Gyalwe Lodro, Drokben |
| founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures | | | | Khyenchung Lotsawa, Otren Palgyi Wangchuk, Ma |
| from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century. In | | | | Rinchen Chok, Lhalung Palgyi Dorje, Langdro Konchog |
| modern times the Nyingma lineage has been centered | | | | Jungné and Lasum Gyalwa Changchup. |
| in Kham in eastern Tibet. | | | | Early period |
| The Nyingma tradition actually comprises several | | | | From this basis, Tantric Buddhism was established in its |
| distinct lineages that all trace their origins back to the | | | | entirety in Tibet. From the 8th until the 11th century, the |
| Indian master Padmasambhava (Sanskrit for | | | | Nyingma was the only school of Buddhism in Tibet. |
| "lotus-born"; Tib. Guru Rinpoche, "precious teacher"), the | | | | With the reign of King Langdarma (836–842) |
| legendary founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Nyingma | | | | a time of political instability ensued which continued |
| followers maintain the earliest Vajrayana teachings | | | | over the next 300 years, during which time Buddhism |
| (the other three schools are known as Sarma or "new | | | | was persecuted and largely forced underground. From |
| translation" schools, having arisen from a second wave | | | | the 11th century onwards, the Nyingma tradition |
| of translation). Followers of the tradition are known as | | | | flourished along with the newer Sarma schools, and it |
| "Nyingmapa," "pa" being a common suffix comparable | | | | was at that time that Nyingmapas began to see |
| to "er" or "ite" in English. | | | | themselves as a distinct group and the term "Nyingma" |
| Origins | | | | came into usage. |
| Around 760, King Trisong Detsen invited | | | | The Nyingma tradition is unique among the four |
| Padmasambhava and the Nalanda University abbot | | | | schools in that its supporters never held political power, |
| Shantarakshita (Tibetan Shiwatso) to Tibet to | | | | and therefore it stood at a greater remove from the |
| introduce Buddhism in the "Land of Snows." At this | | | | political machinations of Tibet. It is also distinguished by |
| point in time, Bön, the indigenous spiritual tradition | | | | its decentralization and lesser emphasis on |
| of Tibet had been in place for some 16,000[citation | | | | monasticism relative to the other schools, with a |
| needed] years in the huge region part of which we | | | | correspondingly greater preponderance of "ngakpas", |
| now call Tibet. King Trisong Detsen ordered the | | | | uncelibate householders and yogins. |
| translation of all Buddhist Dharma Texts into Tibetan. | | | | Modern developments |
| Padmasambhava, Shantarakshita, 108 translators, and | | | | There was never a single "head of the lineage" in the |
| 25 of Padmasambhava's nearest disciples worked for | | | | manner of the Ganden Tripa (or Dalai Lama) of the |
| many years in a gigantic translation-project. The | | | | Gelugpa, the Karmapa of the Karma Kagyupa, and |
| translations from this period formed the base for the | | | | the Sakya Trizin of the Sakyapa. It was only recently |
| large scriptural transmission of dharma teachings into | | | | in exile in India that this role was created at the request |
| Tibet. Padmasambhava supervised mainly the | | | | of the Tibetan government, and it is largely |
| translation of Tantra; Shantarakshita concentrated on | | | | administrative. Nevertheless, the lamas who have |
| the Sutra-teachings. Padmasambhava and | | | | served in this role are among the most universally |
| Shantarakshita also founded the first Buddhist | | | | highly regarded. They are: |
| monastery Samye on Tibetan ground. It was the main | | | | His Holiness Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche (c. |
| center for dharma transmission in Tibet during this age. | | | | 1904–1987), served from the 1960s until his |
| 25 disciples | | | | death |
| The miracle-powers of the 25 disciples of | | | | His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (c. 1910-1991), |
| Padmasambhava are widely accepted among Tibetan | | | | served from 1987 until his death |
| Buddhists. These disciples were: King Trisong Detsen, | | | | His Holiness Penor (Pema Norbu) Rinpoche served |
| Namkhai Nyingpo, Nub Chen Sangye Yeshe, Gyalwa | | | | from 1991 until retirement in 2003 |
| Choyang, the princess of Karchen Khandro Yeshe | | | | His Holiness Mindroling Trichen Rinpoche served from |
| Tsogyal, Palgyi Yeshe, Palgyi Senge, the great | | | | 2003 to present |