Padmasambhava

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Padmasambhava. The great 8th century ce yogin, often known as Guru Rinpoche, who was instrumental in introducing Buddhism into Tibet during the reign of King Trisong Detsen (Tib., Khri srong lde brtsan). He is especially venerated by the Nyingma school who view him as a ‘second Buddha’. He is said to have been born in Oḍḍiyāna and travelled widely throughout India prior to visiting Tibet. His name means ‘Lotus-born’ and derives from a legend that he was born in a lotus blossom on the river Indus. During his relatively brief stay in Tibet, it was his task to subdue the native gods and spirits who were hostile to the introduction of Buddhism and the construction of the monastery at Samyé (c.767). In this role, Padmasambhava became especially associated with the teachings and practices of Vajrakīla. Many legends have been handed down about the events of his life such as his involvement with the Indian princess Mandarāvā and the Tibetan noble woman Yeshé Tshogyel who became his chief Tibetan disciple. The twelve most important events of his life are remembered and celebrated in turn on the tenth day of each month by followers of the Nyingma school. He is also supposed to have buried secret treatises (terma) in the earth which are periodically rediscovered from time to time.

Padmasambhava (‘Lotus-born’; Tib., Padmaʾbyuṅ-gnas). Prominent member of the Indian siddha tradition associated with the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet and founder of the Nyingma school. He is more commonly known by Nyingmapas as Gurū Rinpoche (Precious Teacher) and sometimes as the ‘second Buddha’. According to legend, Padmasambhava was born in Oḍḍiyana (possibly the Swat Valley in Pakistan) eight years after the Buddha's death, which would make him over a thousand years old when he visited Tibet. He took up the practice of Tantra, studied with many teachers including Ānanda, was ordained as a monk and achieved many siddhis (superpowers). For several hundred years Padmasambhava wandered, giving teachings and performing miracles, until receiving the invitation to Tibet. His intervention there successfully cleared the way for the introduction of Buddhism. Accounts vary as to how long he stayed in Tibet. Some say he left soon after Samyé was completed, others that he stayed for fifty-five years. All accounts say that Trisong Detsen's ministers conspired against him, and whenever he did leave, he did so in appropriate fashion by riding his horse through the air.