(1646-1714). Another name of Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje. A celebrated tertön and founder of the monastery of Mindroling, a major center of the Nyingma tradition in Central Tibet. Terdag Lingpa compiled the Nyingma kahma, the collection of the long (oral) lineage of the Nyingma school, and made a collection of all the earlier terma, or treasure teachings. +
lit. primordial-wisdom being. Invoked, in the context of the practice of the generation stage (''bskyed rim''), from the wisdom expanse of the dharmakaya. It then merges with, and abides in, the heart of the samayasattva (the commitment being), namely, the visualized meditational deity. +
The twofold status of every phenomenon: apparent existence on the relative level and emptiness of inherent existence on the ultimate level. The interpretation of the doctrine of the two truths is the criterion distinguishing the various levels of Buddhist tenet systems. +
Three dimensions that together constitute a single world-system. These are the desire realm (comprising the six realms of the gods, asuras, humans, animals, pretas, and hell-beings), followed by the heavens of the form realm and the formless realm. +
lit. wheel or channel-wheel. A configuration of spokes or petal-like channels resembling a wheel, which is supported by the central channel. Depending on the tantra, four or six chakras are mentioned. The dharmachakra is the channel-wheel situated at the level of the heart. +
(1820-92). One of the greatest figures in the recent history of the Sakya and Nyingma traditions and one of the principal founders of the Rimé, or nonsectarian, movement in Eastern Tibet. He was a great treasure-revealer, being considered the last of the five "tertön kings." +
A tantric deity, in male or female form, representing different aspects of Buddhahood. Yidams may be peaceful or wrathful and are meditated upon according to the nature and needs of the individual practitioner. +
(seventeenth century). A celebrated master and tertön of the Nyingma tradition. Among his discovered texts figures the autobiography of Yeshe Tsogyal, translated into English as the ''Lady of the Lotus-Born''. +
lit. treasure. Teachings and blessed substances concealed principally by Guru Padmasambhava, to be revealed later, at a time when they would be more beneficial for the world and its inhabitants. +