Tertön
Encyclopedia
A tertön
is a discoverer of ancient texts or "terma
". Many tertöns are considered incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava
. A vast system of transmission
lineages developed. Nyingma
scriptures were updated by terma discoveries, and terma teachings have guided many Buddhist
and Bön
practitioners.
According to generally accepted history, the rediscovering of terma began with the first tertön, Sangye Lama (1000–1080). Tertöns of outstanding importance were Padmasambhava (1124–1192), Guru Chowang (1212–1270), Rigdzin Gödem (1307–1408), Dorje Lingpa (1346-1405), Ratna Lingpa (1403–1478), Pema Lingpa
(1450–1521), Migyur Dorje
(1645–1667), and Jigme Lingpa
(1729-1798), Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
(1820–1892) and Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa
(1829–1870).
In the 8th century, Padmasambhava predicted that in the future hundreds of tertöns would spread his teachings. Throughout the centuries many more people were known as tertön. Five of them were widely recognized as very important ones and called the "five tertön kings:"
Another noteworthy tertön is Tsangpa Gyare
, founder of the Drukpa Lineage (12th century).
to accelerate and enhance their capacity for realization, are thought to be very important to tertöns. Fremantle (2001: p.19) states that:
Tertön
A tertön is a discoverer of ancient texts or "terma". Many tertöns are considered incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava. A vast system of transmission lineages developed...
is a discoverer of ancient texts or "terma
Terma (religion)
Terma are key Tibetan Buddhist and Bön teachings, which the tradition holds were originally esoterically hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his consorts in the 8th century for future discovery at auspicious times by other adepts, known as tertöns. As such, they represent a...
". Many tertöns are considered incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava
Padmasambhava
Padmasambhava ; Mongolian ловон Бадмажунай, lovon Badmajunai, , Means The Lotus-Born, was a sage guru from Oddiyāna who is said to have transmitted Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet and neighbouring countries in the 8th century...
. A vast system of transmission
Dharma transmission
Dharma transmission refers to "the manner in which the teaching, or Dharma, is passed from a Zen master to their disciple and heir...
lineages developed. Nyingma
Nyingma
The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century...
scriptures were updated by terma discoveries, and terma teachings have guided many Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
and Bön
Bon
BON, Bon, or bon may refer to:Places:* Cap Bon, a peninsula in Tunisia* Flamingo International Airport, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles...
practitioners.
Prominent tertöns
Pema Lingpa
Pema Lingpa or Padma Lingpa was a famous saint and siddha of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was a preeminent terton , and is considered to be foremost of the Five Terton Kings...
(1450–1521), Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje
Migyur Dorje is the Terton who recognized Kunzang Sherab as the Lineage Holder of Nam Cho terma in the Palyul Lineage. Born in the Ngom To Rola region of Tibet...
(1645–1667), and Jigme Lingpa
Jigme Lingpa
Jigme Lingpa was one of the most important tertöns of Tibet. He was the promulgator of the Longchen Nyingthik, the Heart Essence teachings of Longchenpa, from whom, according to tradition, he received a vision in which the teachings were revealed...
(1729-1798), Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo , also known as Pema Ösal Do-ngak Lingpa, was a renowned teacher, scholar and tertön of 19th century Tibet. He was a leading figure in the nonsectarian Rime movement.-Biography:...
(1820–1892) and Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa
Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa
Chokgyur Lingpa or Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa was a terton or treasure revealer and contemporary of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgon Kongtrul. Regarded as one of the major tertons in Tibetan history, his termas are widely practiced by both the Kagyu and Nyingma schools...
(1829–1870).
The "seal" of all tertöns is said to have been Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892). In one of his visions, he could clearly see all the terma that were hidden throughout Tibet and other countries. He was the only master in Tibetan history to have not only received, but also transmitted the "seven transmissions" (bka' babs bdun), that are the canonical teachings, treasures taken from the earth, reconcealed treasures, mind treasures, recollections, pure visions, and aural transmissions received in visions. (Ricard, undated).
In the 8th century, Padmasambhava predicted that in the future hundreds of tertöns would spread his teachings. Throughout the centuries many more people were known as tertön. Five of them were widely recognized as very important ones and called the "five tertön kings:"
- Nyangral Nyima Özer (1124-1192)
- Guru Chökyi Wangchuk (1212-1270)
- Dorje Lingpa (1346-1405)
- Pema LingpaPema LingpaPema Lingpa or Padma Lingpa was a famous saint and siddha of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was a preeminent terton , and is considered to be foremost of the Five Terton Kings...
(1445/50-1521) - Jamyang Khyentse WangpoJamyang Khyentse WangpoJamyang Khyentse Wangpo , also known as Pema Ösal Do-ngak Lingpa, was a renowned teacher, scholar and tertön of 19th century Tibet. He was a leading figure in the nonsectarian Rime movement.-Biography:...
(1820-1892)
Another noteworthy tertön is Tsangpa Gyare
Tsangpa Gyare
The great ascetic Drogon Tsangpa Gyare was the main disciple of Lingchen Repa Pema Dorj and the founder of the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism the main or central branch of which was, until the 17th Century, transmitted by his hereditary family lineage at Ralung in the Tsang region of western...
, founder of the Drukpa Lineage (12th century).
Tertön practices
Consorts, with whom they practice sexual yogaYoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
to accelerate and enhance their capacity for realization, are thought to be very important to tertöns. Fremantle (2001: p.19) states that:
One of the special requirements for the discovery of termas is the inspiration of the feminine principle, just as it was necessary for their concealment. The great majority of tertöns have been men, and generally they are accompanied by their wives or female companions (who need not necessarily have a sexual relationship with them). Alternatively, something representing the tertön's complementary energy, whether male or female, must be present.