Material: "Padmasambhava" embroidered thangka

Size: about 73 x 50 cm

Description:

Padmasambhava (Tibetan: པདྨ་འབྱུང་གནས་, Willy transliteration: Padma 'byung gnas, Tibetan pinyin: Pema Jungne, Sanskrit: Padmasambhava, meaning "Padmasambhava") is revered as the "Second Buddha" in Tibetan Buddhism. He is one of the founding patriarchs of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism and has a profound influence on the formation and development of Tibetan Buddhism. He is not only a historical figure, but also a sacred incarnation, carrying rich religious, philosophical and cultural significance. The following will explore in detail the origin, symbolic meaning and influence of Padmasambhava in Tibetan Buddhism.

1. The Origin of Guru Padmasambhava

1. **Historical Background**

Guru Padmasambhava was active in the 8th century and was born in Uddiyana (now in the Swat Valley of Pakistan) in the northwest of ancient India. In the middle of the 8th century of the Tibetan calendar, he was invited by the Tibetan King Trisong Detsen (742-797) to come to Tibet to spread Buddhism and laid the foundation of Tibetan Buddhism. This period was the pre-propagation period of Tibetan Buddhism (7th-9th centuries). Buddhism was introduced from India to Tubo and competed fiercely with the local Bon religion.

- **Introduction to Tibet**: In the 7th century, Songtsen Gampo introduced Buddhism to Tibet by marrying Princess Vijudi of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty, but the impact was limited. In the 8th century, Trisong Detsen was determined to vigorously promote Buddhism and invited the Indian monk Śāntarakṣita to Tibet to establish the Samye Monastery (the first monastery in Tibet). Due to the obstacles of Bon forces and natural disasters, Shantarakshita suggested inviting Guru Padmasambhava to subdue the opposing forces with his tantric powers.

- **Subjugation of Bon**: According to Tibetan Buddhist literature, Guru Padmasambhava subdued the gods and demons of Bon religion with his tantric powers and transformed them into Buddhist guardian gods. He played a key role in the construction of Samye Monastery, presided over the opening ceremony, and taught tantric teachings, laying the foundation of Tibetan Buddhism.

2. **Legends and Myths**

Guru Padmasambhava's life is full of myths. Tibetan Buddhism believes that he is an incarnation of Buddha or Yidam, and is closely related to Avalokiteśvara. The following are the main legends:

- **Divine Birth**: According to the Padma bKa'i Thang, Guru Padmasambhava was born from a lotus in Dhanakosha Lake in Uddiyana, without a father or a mother, symbolizing his pure and divine nature. He was adopted by the local king and later became a prince, but chose to become a monk and practice.

- **Tantric Accomplishment**: Guru Padmasambhava practiced exoteric and esoteric Buddhism in India, and studied under many masters (such as Puba Tashi, the incarnation of Samantabhadra) and became an accomplished person (Siddha). He was proficient in the eight great accomplishments (Siddhi), including supernatural powers, invisibility and longevity.

- **Enter Tibet to spread Buddhism**: In Tibet, he and Shantarakshita jointly spread Buddhism, Shantarakshita mainly spread exoteric Buddhism, and Padmasambhava mainly spread esoteric Buddhism. He taught the "Eight Great Dharma Practices" (Tibetan: bKa' brgyad), which is the practice of the eight major deities, which became the core doctrine of the Nyingma school.

3. **The creation of the treasure tradition**

Guru Padmasambhava foresaw that Tibet would face the crisis of extinction of Buddhism (such as Langdarma's extermination of Buddhism in the 9th century), so he hid a large number of scriptures, teachings and instruments in mountains, lakes and consciousness, which were called "terma". These hidden treasures were discovered by their designated tertons in later generations, ensuring the continuation of the Dharma. The hidden treasure tradition has become a unique feature of the Nyingma school, reflecting the foresight and compassion of Guru Padmasambhava.

2. The symbolic significance of Guru Padmasambhava

1. **The Second Buddha and the Avalokiteshvara**

Guru Padmasambhava is revered as the "Second Buddha", second only to Sakyamuni Buddha, because he brought the Dharma from India to Tibet and founded the Tantric tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He is regarded as the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara, embodying boundless compassion and guiding sentient beings out of the cycle of reincarnation. He is often depicted holding a vajra and a human bone bowl, wearing a lotus hat, symbolizing wisdom, compassion and Tantric power.

2. **The symbol of Tantric practice**

Guru Padmasambhava is a representative figure of Vajrayana, which emphasizes rapid enlightenment through mantras, visualization and rituals. His teachings (such as the Eight Great Dharma Practices) focus on the generation stage (generation into the image of the deity) and the completion stage (merging into the wisdom of the deity), symbolizing the process of the practitioner transforming the worldly mind into the Buddha nature. His supernatural powers and accomplishments symbolize the Tantric concept of becoming a Buddha in this life.

3. **Subjugation and transformation**

Guru Padmasambhava used his supernatural powers to subjugate the Bon gods and transform them into guardian gods, symbolizing the Tantric ability to transform obstacles. Tibetan Buddhism believes that troubles and obstacles are not eliminated, but transformed into wisdom and blessings. Guru Padmasambhava's stories of subjugating demons embody this philosophy and serve as a model for practitioners to overcome their inner ignorance.

4. **Compassion and salvation**

Guru Padmasambhava's teachings are centered on compassion, especially the six-syllable mantra (Om Mani Padme Hum) associated with Avalokitesvara. His terma teachings are intended to benefit future generations and ensure that the Dharma can continue in difficult times, reflecting the bodhisattva spirit of saving all beings.

5. **Symbol of culture and unity**

Guru Padmasambhava integrated the cultural elements of Indian Buddhism and Tibetan Bon religion, promoting the localization of Tibetan Buddhism. His teachings and rituals (such as the worship of guardian gods) absorbed the mountain and spirit beliefs of Bon religion and became an important part of Tibetan culture. His teaching activities also united the Buddhist forces in eastern, central and western Tibet, laying the foundation for Tibetan Buddhism.

III. The practice and influence of Guru Padmasambhava

1. **The founding of Nyingma school**

Guru Padmasambhava is the founding patriarch of Nyingma school (Red Sect), and his teachings are centered on Terma and the Eight Great Dharma Practices. Nyingma emphasizes intuitive experience and tantric practice, which contrasts with the academic nature of Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) and the ascetic tradition of Kagyu (White Sect). His main disciples, the "Twenty-five Accomplished Ones" (such as Yeshe Tsogyal), passed on his teachings and laid the foundation for Nyingma school.

2. **Termas and Lineage**

- **Types of Termas**: The termas hidden by Guru Padmasambhava include textual termas, ritual implements (such as the vajra), and mind termas (discovered by the terton through meditation). These termas were discovered by later tertons (such as Jena Lingpa and Longchenpa) to continue the Nyingma teachings.

- **Significance of Termas**: Termas are considered to be teachings tailored for specific times and beings, ensuring that the Dharma is adapted to the needs of different times. For example, the Bardo Thodol (The Tibetan Treasure of the Dead) is one of Guru Padmasambhava's termas.

3. **Rituals and Instruments**

Guru Padmasambhava promoted the use of various instruments, such as the damaru, drilbu, tingshag, and prayer wheels, which are used in tantric rituals for purification, invocation, and offering. His image often appears in thangkas, holding a vajra and a human bone bowl, wearing a lotus hat, and has become the focus of Nyingma ceremonies.

4. **Ceremony and pilgrimage**

- **Padmasambhava Day**: The 10th and 25th day of each Tibetan month are the commemoration days of Padmasambhava. Monasteries and believers hold ceremonies, chant his mantra (such as "Om Ah Hum Benza Guru Pema Siddhi Hum"), offer butter lamps and thangkas, and pray for blessings.

- **Pilgrimage sites**: Holy places such as Samye Monastery, Paro Valley (Bhutan) and Kailash are associated with Padmasambhava and attract pilgrims. His footprints at these places (such as footprints on stones) are regarded as sacred relics.

5. **Modern Communication**

- **Globalization Influence**: After the 20th century, Nyingma spread to Europe and the United States through Tibetan exiles, and Padmasambhava's teachings became the core of Western practitioners. For example, Nyingma centers in the United States and Europe teach their terma teachings and Avalokitesvara practices.

- **Cultural influence**: Guru Padmasambhava's image appears in thangkas, sculptures, and literature, becoming a symbol of Tibetan culture. Bhutan regards him as the national teacher, and Paro Taktsang in Paro Valley is the holy place where he retreated.

IV. Perspectives of different sects

1. **Nyingma (Red Sect)**

Guru Padmasambhava is the founder of the Nyingma sect, and his termas and the Eight Great Dharma Practices form the core of the sect. He is revered as "Guru Rinpoche" (Precious Master) and is the main deity of practitioners.

2. **Kagyu (White Sect)**

Although the Kagyu sect is centered on Mahamudra, it also reveres Guru Padmasambhava, especially in Avalokitesvara practices and guardian rituals. His teachings influenced the Kagyu sect's tantric practice.

3. **Sakya (Flower Sect)**

The Sakya sect absorbed the tantric elements of Guru Padmasambhava in the Lamdre Dharma, especially the guardian deities and mantra practices. His image occasionally appears in Sakya thangkas.

4. **Gelug (Yellow Sect)**

The Gelug sect is centered on Tsongkhapa and places less emphasis on Guru Padmasambhava, but recognizes his historical role in the formation of Tibetan Buddhism. Gelug monasteries (such as the Jokhang Temple) also enshrine his thangkas and statues.

V. Summary

Guru Padmasambhava is a key figure in Tibetan Buddhism. As the founding patriarch of the Nyingma sect, he is revered as the "Second Buddha" and the incarnation of Avalokitesvara. His origins can be traced back to the 8th century, when he was invited to Tibet by Trisong Detsen to spread tantra and subdue the Bon gods, laying the foundation for Tibetan Buddhism. The terma tradition and the Eight Great Dharma Practices he founded ensure the continuation of the Dharma, symbolizing wisdom, compassion and the power to transform obstacles. Guru Padmasambhava is widely revered in pujas, pilgrimages and thangkas, and his teachings are passed down to this day through ritual instruments (such as dingpas and prayer wheels) and rituals. With the globalization of Tibetan Buddhism, his influence has spread throughout the world and has become a core symbol of Tibetan culture and Tantric practice.