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