| Brief biographical
data for masters quoted in Rangjung Yeshe books |
| Adeu
Rinpoche, Trulshik. A major living master of the Drukpa
Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. Resides currently at Nangchen Tsechu
Gompa in Kham. |
| Aryadeva - One of the important
Buddhist philosophers of India and a disciple of Nagarjuna whose
writings he explained extensively. |
| Atisha - Eleventh century
Indian pandita from Vikramashila who spent the last twelve years
of his life in Tibet. Founding forefather of the Kadampa School
of Tibetan Buddhism and is also known as Dipamkara Shrijnana. |
| Barawa - (1310-1391) Early
Kagyu master of the Drukpa school. |
| Buddha Samantabhadra (sangs
rgyas kun tu bzang po) The primordially enlightened state of buddhahood
from whom all other buddhas of the peaceful and wrathful mandalas
emanate. This buddha principle is the ultimate source of all the
tantras. |
| Buddha
Shakyamuni, litt. 'the Sage of the Shakyas,' is our
historical buddha. He was born in Lumbini near the foothill of the
Himalayas in what is now Nepal, attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya,
turned the wheel of the Dharma in Sarnath, and passed away in Kushinagar.
For a detailed account of his life, please read Lalitavistara,
Dharma Publishing. |
| Carefree Vagrant (yan pa
blo bde) (?-1926?) The chief disciple and lineage holder of Mipham
Rinpoche. Carefree Vagrant was the unconventional name Shechen Gyaltsab
Pema Namgyal used for himself. He is one of His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse's
root gurus. His collected works were recently published in India
by His Holiness. |
| Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
was a Buddhist meditation master, scholar, artist and visionary.
He was the founder of Naropa Institute, Boulder, Colorado, and of
Shambhala Training and the former abbot of the Surmang monasteries
in Eastern Tibet. His seventeen years of teaching in the United
States and Canada has left an indelible mark of authenticity on
the practical application of American Buddhism. For his biography,
read Born in Tibet, Shambhala Publications. (www.shambhala.org) |
| Chokgyur
Lingpa - (1829-1870). A visionary and revealer of hidden
treasures. Regarded as one of the major tertons in Tibetan history,
his treasures are widely practiced by both the Kagyu and Nyingma
schools. For more details see The
Life and Teachings of Chokgyur Lingpa (Rangjung Yeshe Publications).
Chokgyur Lingpa means 'Sanctuary of Eminence.' |
| Chokyi
Nyima Rinpoche is the oldest son and a spiritual heir
of the widely renowned late Dzogchen master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.
He is the author of Indisputable Truth and Union of Mahamudra and
Dzogchen, Rangjung Yeshe Publications. His Holiness the 16th Karmapa
recognized Chokyi Nyima as a reincarnate bodhisattva and advised
him to turn his efforts toward instructing Western practitioners,
transmitting Tibetan Buddhism to the rest of the world. He is the
abbot of one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in Nepal, located
at the sacred Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu. (www.shedrub.org) |
| Dagnyima - Indian female
master in the early Dzogchen lineage. |
| Dakpo
Tashi Namgyal - (1513-1587). Important master in the
Kagyu lineage. |
| Dignaga - Fifth century
author of Abhidharma Kosha. Disciple of Vasubandhu, famed for his
contributions to pramana, logic and epistemology. Counted among
the most important Indian masters for valid cognition. |
| Dilgo
Khyentse Rinpoche (skyabs rje ldil mgo mkhyen brtse
rin po che). (1910-1991). Regarded by followers of all four schools
as one of the foremost masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Among his other
names are Rabsel Dawa and Tashi Paljor, and his terton names Osel
Trulpey Dorje and Pema Do-ngak Lingpa. His two root gurus were Shechen
Gyaltsab Pema Namgyal and Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro. His collected
works fill numerous volumes. |
| Drikung
Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon
- (1143-1217) A great master in the early Drigung Kagyu lineage. |
| Drubwang
Tsoknyi - (1849-1904) A great master of the Nangchen
province in East Tibet. His two main gurus were Chogyal Dorje, a
yogi who could fly, and Chokgyur Lingpa. Under his supervision were
more than 500 nunneries. |
| Dudjom
Rinpoche (1904-1987) The incarnation of the great treasure
revealer Dudjom Lingpa. His Holiness was the supreme head of the
Nyingma lineage after exile from Tibet. He is regarded as one of
the most prominent scholars of our time. |
| Dusum Khyenpa - the first
Karmapa (1110-1193). One of the main disciples of Gampopa. |
Dzongsar
Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche was born in Bhutan in 1961,
and was recognized as the main incarnation of the Dzongsar Khyentse
lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He has studied with some of the greatest
contemporary masters, particularly H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.
From a young age he has been active for the preservation of the
Buddhist teaching, establishing centers of learning, supporting
practitioners, publishing books and teaching all over the world.
 Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche supervises his traditional seat of Dzongsar
Monastery and its retreat centers in Eastern Tibet, as well as his
new colleges in India and Bhutan. He has also has established centers
in Australia, North America and the Far East. These are gathered
under Siddhartha's Intent (www.siddharthasintent.org). |
| Dzongsar
Khyentse Chokyi Lodro - a great master upholding the
Rimey (nonsectarian) tradition, as well as being one of the two
main root gurus of Dilgo Khyentse. |
| Gampopa
(1079-1153) Foremost disciple of Milarepa who possessed both supreme
realization and great scholarship. He was the author of The Jewel
Ornament of Liberation. Among his main disciples were the first
Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa and Phagmo Drubpa. More details can be found
in The Life of Milarepa and The Light of Wisdom, Shambhala Publications. |
Garab
Dorje - (Skt. Surati Vajra, Prahevajra, Pramoda Vajra).
 Immaculately conceived to the daughter of King of Uddiyana. He received
all the tantras, scriptures and oral instructions of Dzogchen from
Buddha Vajrasattva in person and became the first human master in
the Dzogchen lineage. Having reached complete enlightenment, he
transmitted the teachings to his retinue of exceptional beings.
Manjushrimitra is regarded as his chief disciple. Padmasambhava
is also known to have received the transmission of the Dzogchen
tantras directly from Garab Dorje's wisdom form. Garab Dorje means
'Indestructible joy.' |
| Guru
Rinpoche The lotus born tantric master who established
Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet in the 9th century at the invitation
of King Trisong Deutsen. He manifested the attainment of the four
vidyadhara levels. He hid innumerable Dharma treasures throughout
Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan to be revealed by destined disciples in
the centuries to come. Guru Rinpoche resides on the summit of the
Copper Colored Mountain on the southeastern continent. He is also
known under the names Padmasambhava and Padmakara. |
| Jamgon
Kongtrul ('jam mgon kong sprul). (1813-1899). Also
known as Lodro Thaye, Yonten Gyamtso, Padma Garwang and by his terton
name Padma Tennyi Yungdrung Lingpa. He was one of the most prominent
Buddhist masters in the 19th century and placed special focus upon
a non-sectarian attitude. Renowned as an accomplished master, scholar
and writer, he authored more than 100 volumes of scriptures. The
most well known are his Five Treasuries, among which are the 63
volumes of the Rinchen
Terdzo, the terma literature of the one hundred
great tertons. |
| Jamgon
Mipham Rinpoche - (1846-1912) A student of Jamgon Kongtrul,
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Paltrul Rinpoche. Blessed by Manjushri,
he became one of the greatest scholars of his time. His collected
works fill more than 30 volumes. His chief disciple was Shechen
Gyaltsab Pema Namgyal. Mipham was regarded as a direct emanation
of Manjushri. |
| Jamyang
Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892) He was the last of the
Five Great Tertons and was regarded as the combined reincarnation
of Vimalamitra and King Trisong Deutsen. He became the master and
teacher of all the Buddhist schools of Tibet and the founder of
the Rimey movement. There are ten volumes of his works in addition
to his termas. Jamyang means 'Manjushri, gentle melodiousness,'
Khyentse Wangpo means 'Lord of loving wisdom.' |
| Jigdrel
Yeshe Dorje, Dudjom Rinpoche - (1904-1987) The reincarnation
of the great treasure revealer Dudjom Lingpa. His Holiness was the
supreme head of the Nyingma lineage after exile from Tibet. He is
regarded as one of the most prominent scholars and enlightened masters
of our time. |
| Jigmey Lingpa (1729-1798)
The great master of the Nyingthig tradition who had three visions
of Longchenpa and received his direct lineage renowned as the Longchen
Nyingthig. He collected and organized the tantras known as Nyingma Gyubum and made a catalogue with a full explanation of the lineal
history. Among his immediate reincarnations are counted Jamyang
Khyentse Wangpo, Paltrul Rinpoche and Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje. |
| Karma
Chagmey (1613-1678) A great master of both to the Nyingma
and Kagyu traditions. His many writings include instructions for
retreat practice. |
 Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1334)
The third holder of the title Karmapa, he was a great siddha and
scholar and a propagator of both the mahamudra and dzogchen teachings
to such an extent that he is also counted among the lineage gurus
in the Nyingma tradition. |
| Khakyab
Dorje - (1871-1922). The fifteenth Karmapa. For his
biography, The History of the Karmapas, Prajna Press. |
| Khenpo Gangshar (20th century)
Root guru of both Chogyam Trungpa and Thrangu Rinpoche. He is mentioned
in Born in Tibet by Chogyam Trungpa. In addition to being a learned
scholar he is known to have performed many deeds as a crazy yogi. |
| Kunkhyen Jigmey Lingpa ('jigs
med gling pa) (1729-1798). The great master of the Nyingtig tradition
who had three visions of Longchenpa and received his direct lineage
renowned as the Longchen Nyingtig. He collected and organized the
tantras known as Nyingma Gyubum and made a catalogue with a full
explanation of the lineal history. Among his immediate reincarnations
are counted Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Paltrul Rinpoche and Do Khyentse
Yeshe Dorje. |
| Lama Putse, Pema Tashi was the
head-chanter, umdzey, at Neten Monastery in the tradition of Chokgyur
Lingpa. A learned, low-key meditator, he also edited the publication
of the New Treasures, Chokling
Tersar. |
| Lama Shabkar - (1781-1851) Literally,
'White Feet.' The name of Tsogdruk Rangdrol given to him because
wherever he placed his feet the area became 'white' or virtuous.
His autobiography, The Life of Shabkar, is a must-read. |
| Longchenpa
/ Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363) Longchen Rabjam was an
incarnation of Princess Pema Sal, the daughter of King Trisong Deutsen,
to whom Guru Rinpoche had entrusted his own lineage of dzogchen
known as Khandro Nyingthig. He is single-handedly regarded as the
most important writer on dzogchen teachings. His works include the
Seven Great Treasuries, the Three Trilogies and his commentaries
in the Nyingthig Yabshi. A more detailed account of his life and
teachings is found in Buddha Mind by Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, Snow
Lion, 1989. |
| Lorepa - (1187-1250). A
great master of the Drukpa Kagyu school. |
| Machik Labdron - (1031-1129).
The great female master who set down the Cho practice, cutting through
ego-clinging. Disciple and consort of the Indian master Phadampa
Sangye. Machig Labdron means 'Only Mother Lamp of Dharma.' |
| Maitreya - 'The Loving One.'
The bodhisattva regent of Buddha Shakyamuni, presently residing
in the Tushita heaven until becoming the fifth buddha of this aeon. |
 Manjushri - One of the eight
main bodhisattva disciples of the Buddha Shakyamuni. He is the personification
of the perfection of transcendent knowledge. |
| Manjushrimitra
- An Indian master of the Dzogchen lineage and disciple of Garab Dorje. |
| Milarepa
- (1040-1123) was one of the most famous yogis and poets in Tibetan
religious history. Much of the teachings of the Karma Kagyu schools
passed through him. For more details read The Life of Milarepa and
The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, both from Shambhala Publications. |
| Mingyur
Rinpoche (b 1976). The seventh in the incarnation line
of Yongey Mingyur Dorje, the youngest son of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche,
was brought up in the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages. His main
teachers are Salchey Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche
and his father. He currently teaches at Dharma centers world-wide.
(www.mingyur.org / www.yongey.org) |
| Mipham
Rinpoche (1846-1912) A student of Jamgon Kongtrul,
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Paltrul Rinpoche. Blessed by Manjushri,
he became one of the greatest scholars of his time. His collected
works fill more than 30 volumes. His chief disciple was Shechen
Gyaltsab Pema Namgyal. Mipham was a close student of Jamyang Khyentse
Wangpo and regarded as a direct emanation of Manjushri. |
| Nagarjuna
- Great Indian scholar at Nalanda university and founder of the
Madhyamika school of Buddhist philosophy. |
| Namcho Mingyur Dorje - (1645-1667),
of the Namcho tradition. Revealer of treasure teachings. |
| Naropa - The great mahasiddha
of India, chief disciple of Tilopa and the guru of Marpa in the
Kagyu Lineage. See Rain of Wisdom and The Life of Marpa, Shambhala
Publications. |
| Nyang
Ral Nyima Oser (1124-1192) The first of the Five Terton
Kings and a reincarnation of King Trisong Deutsen. Several of his
revealed treasures are included in the Rinchen
Terdzo among which the most well known is the Kagye
Deshek Dupa, a cycle of teachings focusing on the eight heruka sadhanas,
and the biography of Guru Rinpoche called Sanglingma. |
| Nyoshul
Khen Rinpoche (20th century) Regarded as the greatest
living khenpo of the Nyingma tradition. Renowned for his spontaneous
poetry and songs of realization. He is one of the holders of the
Hearing Lineage of Nyingthig which comes from Jigmey Lingpa and
Paltrul Rinpoche. |
| Orgyenpa - (1230-1309).
A disciple of Gyalwa Gotsangpa Gonpo Dorje and Karma Pakshi, the
second Karmapa (1204-1283). He travelled to the terrestrial pure
land Uddiyana where he met the female buddha Vajra Varahi who transmitted
special teachings to him. Teacher of the third Karmapa, Rangjung
Dorje. |
| Padmasambhava
- the miraculous great master who brought Vajrayana to Tibet in
the eight century. He is also referred to as Guru Rinpoche, the
precious teacher. For his biography, please read The
Lotus-Born, Rangjung Yeshe Publications, and the Life &
Times of Padmasambhava, Snow Lion. |
| Paltrul
Rinpoche was a great nonsectarian Tibetan master of
the nineteenth century and one of the foremost scholars of his time.
He was known not only for his scholarship and learning but also
for his example of renunciation and compassion. His most famous
works include The Words of My Perfect Teacher and his commentary
on Three Words Striking the Vital Point (Tsigsum Nedeg), the epitome
of the Dzogchen teachings. |
| Pema Ledrel Tsal (1291-1315?)
The incarnation of the daughter of King Trisong Deutsen and the
revealer of the dzogchen teachings of Guru Rinpoche renowned as
Khandro Nyingthig. His immediate rebirth was Longchenpa. |
| Pengarwa Jampal Sangpo -
early master in the Kagyu lineage. |
| Phadampa Sangye (pha dam
pa sangs rgyas) A great Indian siddha who visited Tibet five times,
the last time in 1098, where he taught the Shije system. His chief
Tibetan disciple was the yogini Machik Labdron. |
| Pundarika - the second King
of Shambhala. |
| Rangjung Dorje - (1284-1334)
The third holder of the title Karmapa, he was a great siddha and
scholar and a propagator of both the Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachings
to such an extent that he is also counted among the lineage gurus
in the Nyingma tradition. |
| Rangjung Rigpey Dorje -
(1924-1981) The 16th Karmapa. Founder of Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim
and countless Dharma centers around the world. |
| Rigdzin Godem (1337-1408)
The great treasure revealer of the Jangter Tradition. Among his
termas are the dzogchen teachings Kadag Rangjung Rangshar and the
more well known Gongpa Sangthal. |
| Sakya Pandita - (1182-1251)
One of the Five Sakya Forefathers. He also exercised political power
in Tibet on behalf of the Mongols. |
| Saraha - One of the great
siddhas of India and a master in the Mahamudra lineage. He is well
known for his three cycles of spiritual songs. |
Senge Wangchuk (11th-12th
century)  Chetsun Senge Wangchuk is counted among the lineage gurus
in the transmission of Nyingthig which he received from his root
guru Dangma Lhungyal as well as from Vimalamitra directly. As a
result of his high level of realization, his physical body disappeared
in rainbow light at the time of death. Before passing away, he uttered
this last song. His later reincarnation as Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
remembered the dzogchen teachings which Senge Wangchuk had transmitted
to the dakini Palgyi Lodro and wrote them down as the terma Chetsun
Nyingtig, one of the most important Dzogchen instructions based
on the transmission from Vimalamitra. |
| Shamar Konchok Yanlag (1525-1583)
was the fifth bearer of the Shamar crown and the disciple and lineage
holder of the eighth Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje. |
| Shantarakshita - 'Guardian
of Peace.' The Indian scholar and abbot of Vikramashila and of Samye
who ordained the first Tibetan monks. He is the founder of philosophical
school combining the Middle Way and Mind Only. This tradition was
reestablished and clarified by Mipham Rinpoche in his commentary
on the Ornament of the Middle Way. |
| Shantideva
was a seventh century master at Nalanda monastic university. He
is regarded as one of the 84 Siddhas; author of the Bodhicharyavatara,
published in English as The Way of the Bodhisattva, Shambhala Publications. |
| Shavaripa - A great Indian
master and the guru of Saraha. |
| Shri
Singha - The chief disciple of Manjushrimitra in the
lineage of the Dzogchen teachings. He was born in the Chinese city
of Shokyam and studied with the Chinese masters Hatibhala and Bhelakirti.
Later he met Manjushrimitra in the charnel ground of Sosaling, and
remained with him for 25 years. Among his chief disciples were Jnanasutra,
Vimalamitra, Padmasambhava and the Tibetan translator Vairotsana. |
| Sogyal Rinpoche. One of
the most renowned Buddhist teachers of our time and author of The
Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. He lectures world-wide and at
his main centers in France and United States. (www.rigpa.org) |
| Songtsen
Gampo - The king
of Tibet in the seventh century Tibetan who prepared the way for
transmission of the teachings. He is regarded as an incarnation
of Avalokiteshvara. He married Bhrikuti of Nepal and Wen Cheng of
China who each brought a sacred statue of Buddha Shakyamuni to Lhasa.
Songtsen Gampo built the first Buddhist temples in Tibet, established
a code of laws based on spiritual principles, and had his minister
Thonmi Sambhota develop the Tibetan script. During his reign the
translation of Buddhist texts into Tibetan began. |
| Terdag Lingpa Gyurme Dorje
- (1646-1714) Outstanding Nyingma master who built Mindrolling in
central Tibet, one of the most important Nyingma monasteries. |
| Thinley
Norbu Rinpoche, is a extraordinary teacher of the Nyingma
lineage. His father, Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche was a great treasure
revealer and scholar. He is the author of White Sail, Magic Dance,
Gypsy Gossip, a Brief history of a Himalayan and Echoes. |
| Thrangu
Rinpoche, Khenchen, ranks as one of the foremost masters
of the Kagyu lineage. He lives in Kathmandu, Nepal, and teaches
in numerous countries around the world. He is the author of Songs
of Naropa and King of Samadhi, both Rangjung Yeshe Publications. |
| Tilopa - (988-1069). Indian
mahasiddha, the teacher of Naropa and forefather of the Kagyu lineage
in Tibet. |
| Trisong Deutsen - (790-844) The
second great Dharma king of Tibet who invited Guru Rinpoche, Shantarakshita,
Vimalamitra, and many other Buddhist teachers. Until the age of
seventeen he was chiefly engaged in ruling the kingdom. He built
Samye, the great monastery and teaching center modeled after Odantapuri
in India, established Buddhism as the state religion of Tibet, and
during his reign the first monks were ordained. He arranged for
scholar and translators to render into Tibetan innumerable sacred
texts, and he established a large number of centers for teaching
and practice. Among his later incarnations are Nyang
Ral Nyima Özer (1124-1192), Guru Chowang (1212-1270), Jigmey
Lingpa (1729-1798), and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892). |
| Tsele
Natsok Rangdrol. (b. 1608) Important master of the
Kagyu and Nyingma schools. His published works in English include
Mirror of Mindfulness, Lamp of Mahamudra, Circle of the Sun, Heart
of the Matter, and Empowerment. About this master and his writings,
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche said: "People who harbor no ambition to become
a great scholar, but who want to focus on truly realizing the ultimate
point of Vajrayana training should study just a few of the writings
of Tsele Natsok Rangdrol. In these, they will find the pith instructions
that are the very heart of the Dharma." |
| Tsikey
Chokling II - (20th Cent.) the reincarnation of Chokgyur
Lingpa. He resided at Tsikey monastery and was one of the teachers
of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. |
| Tsoknyi
Rinpoche, Drubwang was recognized by His Holiness the
16th Gyalwang Karmapa as a reincarnation of Drubwang Tsoknyi, a
renowned master of the Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma traditions. Later
he was brought up by the great master Khamtrul Rinpoche. Among his
other teachers are Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, his late father Tulku
Urgyen Rinpoche, Adeu Rinpoche of Nangchen, and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.
Rinpoche is the head of the Drukpa Heritage Project to preserve
the literature of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage. He is also the abbot
of Ngedon Ösel Ling in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal and author
of Carefree Dignity and Fearless Simplicity, Rangjung Yeshe Publications.
(www.pundarika.org) |
| Tsongkhapa - (1357-1419)
Fifteenth century outstanding scholar and founder of Gelugpa school. |
| Tulku
Thondup, is an exceptional teacher and translator of
the Nyingma Lineage. He is the author of Masters of Meditation and
Miracles, Enlightend Living, Enlightened Journey, Hidden Treasures,
The Practice of Dzogchen, The Healing Power of Mind and Boundless
Healing, to mention a few. (www.tulkuthondup.com) |
Tulku
Urgyen Rinpoche was born in eastern Tibet on the tenth
day of the fourth Tibetan month in 1920 and passed away in Nepal
on February 13, 1996. H. H. Khakyab Dorje, the 15th Gyalwang Karmapa
recognized him, as an incarnate lama. He studied and practiced the
teachings of both the Kagyu and Nyingma orders of Tibetan Buddhism.
In the Nyingma tradition, Tulku Urgyen held the complete teachings
of the last century's three great masters: Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa,
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Kongtrul Lodro Thaye. He had an especially
close transmission for the Chokling Tersar, a compilation of all
the empowerments, textual authorizations and oral instructions of
Padmasambhava's teachings, which were rediscovered by Terchen Chokgyur
Lingpa, his great-grandfather.  Tulku Urgyen established several
monasteries and retreat centers in Nepal. The most important ones
in the Kathmandu region are at Boudhanath, the site of the Great
Stupa, at the Asura Cave, where Padmasambhava manifested the Mahamudra
Vidyadhara level and at the Swayambhunath stupa. He primarily lived
at the Nagi Gompa Hermitage above the Kathmandu Valley. He is the
father of tulku sons, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche,
Drubwang Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Rinpoche
instructed a growing number of Dharma students in essential meditation
practice. He was famed for his profound meditative realization and
for the concise, lucid and humorous style with which he imparted
the essence of the Buddhist teachings. His method of teaching was
'instruction through one's own experience.' Using few words, this
way of teaching pointed out the nature of mind, revealing a natural
simplicity of wakefulness that enabled the student to actually touch
the heart of awakened mind. |
| Vairotsana - The great translator
during the reign of King Trisong Deutsen. Among the first seven
Tibetan monks, he was sent to India to study with Shri Singha. Along
with Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra, he was one of the three main
masters to bring the Dzogchen teachings to Tibet. |
| Vajra Yogini - The teaching
on The Ground of Cutting Through, along with 51 others, were received
from Vajra Yogini by Yeshe Tsogyal in a vision during the dream
state. After being concealed as a terma for centuries, it was revealed
by the incarnated dakini Kunga Bum and given to Dungtso Repa, a
great terton known for the dzogchen transmission of the Yangti Nagpo.
Later, this same treasure was rediscovered by Chokgyur Lingpa. |
| Vimalakirti - enlightened
master and lay person at the time of Buddha Shakyamuni. A very subtle
sutra, in which he instructs the Buddha's chief disciples, is translated
into English in several versions. |
 Vimalamitra
- An early master in the Dzogchen lineage and disciple of Shri Singha
and Jnanasutra. Vimalamitra is regarded as one of the three main
forefathers for establishing the Dzogchen teachingsin Tibet, in
the ninth century. |
| Yeshe
Tsogyal (9th century) The chief Tibetan female disciple
of Guru Rinpoche who received almost all the transmissions he passed
on in Tibet and later compiled his teachings. After living for more
than 200 years she went to the Copper Colored Mountain without leaving
any physical remains behind. For more details, read her life stories
Lady of the Lotus-Born, Mother of Knowledge, Dharma
Publishing, and Sky Dancer, Rutledge & Kegan-Paul. |
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