Padmasambhava was a sage guru who is said to have transmitted Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet & neighbouring countries in the 8th century. In those lands he is also known as Guru Rinpoche (“Precious Guru”), where followers of the Nyingma School regard him as the second Buddha. He was born into a Brahmin family of Northwest India in the kingdom of Oddiyana, traditionally identified with the Swat Valley of South Asia, in present-day Pakistan. His special nature was recognized by the local King of Oddiyana. He was chosen to take over the kingdom, but left Oddiyana for Northern parts of India.
His fame became known to Trisong Detsen, the first Emperor of Tibet (742–797), whose kingdom was beset by harmful mountain deities. The king invited Padmasambhava to Tibet where he used his powers to subdue the deities he encountered along the way, transforming them into a positive field of energy that became a fundamental basis for the spread of Buddhism in Tibet. In Tibet he founded the first monastery in the country, initiated the first monks, and introduced the people to the meditation practices of Vajrayana. Padmasambhava also hid hundreds of teachings and instructions as treasures, in the forms of scriptures, images, and ritual articles, to be revealed at an appropriate time in the future. He saw that though the time was not ripe for him to teach them at that time, many of the teachings would benefit future generations. Since that time, many masters have revealed these treasures & taught them to their disciples.
Guru Rinpoche displayed an unchallengeable mastery of all the teachings and techniques of the Vajrayana. In this age when famine, epidemics & wars prevail, Guru Rinpoche foresaw all this and out of his limitless compassion he provided effective means for beings in this era. If we practice these with sincerity, we could achieve the common and supreme accomplishments.
Padmasambhava
Practices related to Padmasambhava are not only practised by the Nyingma Tradition. Prominent figures of the Karmapa and Sakya lineages have practiced and taught these practices over the centuries. Padmasambhava established Vayrayana Buddhism and the forms of Dzogchen in Tibet and transformed the entire nation.
