| These three sections of tantra are the special
characteristics of the Nyingma School of the Early Translations.
According to Jamgon Kongtrul the First, “The Three Inner
Tantras are also known as the ‘Vehicles of the Methods of
Mastery’ because they establish the way to experience that
the world and beings are the nature of mind manifest as kayas
and wisdoms, that everything is the ‘indivisibility of the
superior two truths,’ and hereby ensuring that the practitioner
will become adept in the method of gaining mastery over all phenomena
as being great equality.” The Three Inner Tantras are, respectively,
also renowned as ‘development, completion, and great perfection’
or as ‘tantras, scriptures, and instructions.’
According to Mipham Rinpoche, the Three Inner Tantras reached
Tibet through six different lines of transmission: 1) As perceived
by ordinary people in Tibet, Padmakara, the Second Buddha, taught
only the Instruction on the Garland of Views but bestowed both
the profound and extensive empowerments and instructions of all
of the Three Inner Tantras to his exceptional disciples including
Sangye Yeshe, Rinchen Chok, Lui Wangpo of Khon, and many others,
the oral lineages of which have continued unbroken until this
very day. Moreover, the major part of his teachings were sealed
as terma treasures for the benefit of followers in future generations.
2) When the great translator Vairotsana
extensively had received the profound teachings of the Great Perfection
from the Twenty-five Panditas, especially from Shri
Singha, he returned to Tibet and imparted the Mind Section
five times, as well as the oral lineage of the Space Section,
 both
of which are continued uninterruptedly. 3) The great pandita Vimalamitra
arrived in Tibet and taught the Instruction Section chiefly to
Tingdzin Sangpo of Nyang. This lineage was transmitted both orally
and through terma treasures.  4)
Sangye Yeshe of Nub received from four masters in India, Nepal
and Drusha innumerable teachings headed by the important scriptures
of Anu Yoga and Yamantaka. His lineage of the Scripture of the
Embodiment of the Realization of All Buddhas is still unbroken.
5) Namkhai Nyingpo
received the transmission of the teachings of Vishuddha from the
Indian master Hungkara
which he then spread in Tibet. 6) During following generations,
incarnations of the king and the close disciples of Padmasambhava
have, and still continue to do so, successively appeared, as great
masters who at opportune times reveal the profound teachings that
had been concealed as terma treasures, in order to ensure the
supreme welfare of people in Tibet and all other countries, both
temporarily and ultimately. |
