Buddhadharma or Buddhism, as it is widely known today, was founded more than 2,500 years ago in ancient India by the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. Over the following centuries, the teachings spread to the other countries of Asia, including Tibet. Nalandabodhi is connected with the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism, two of the great schools of Buddhism, which were established in Tibet during the first millennium. The Nyingma Lineage in particular is known for preserving and continuing the teaching lineage of Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who came from India to Tibet in the 8th century, C.E. The Kagyu Lineage puts special emphasis on the oral teaching transmission, and traces the lineage back specifically to the teachings of Tilopa who lived in India in the 11th century, C.E. The director of Nalandabodhi, The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, was trained as an abbot of the Dzogchen lineage of the Nyingma school as well as in the Karma Kagyu school. Rinpoche is a lineage holder of both the Nyingma school and the Karma Kagyu school. He was a heart son of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. Transmission from India to Tibet Fulfilling an ancient vow and aspiration to bring the teachings of the Shakyamuni Buddha to Tibet, three great masters established the Buddhadharma in Tibet:
• Padmasambhava, the Guru of Oddiyana • Shantarakshita, the Abbot of Nalanda University • Tri-song Deu-tsen, the second Dharma King
These masters are the reknowned forefathers of Tibetan Buddhism. Indeed, without their kind hearts, compassion, and wisdom, Buddhism may never haven taken root in Tibet. Tibetan Buddhist teachings were established in four major lineage streams, known as the Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Geluk. For more information about the major transmission from India to Tibet, see History Of Buddhism In Tibet. Recommended Readings and Links
For more extensive information on the Nyingma lineage, go to the Dzogchen Monastery website. Kagyu lineage holders are famous for composing spontaneous songs expressing spiritual understanding, some of which are collected in The Rain Of Wisdom, Nalanda Translation Committee (Shambhala 1989). You can purchase the book online from Amazon.com by clicking here.
For detailed general information about the Nyingma lineage, including various references to the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoches, see Tulku Thondup, Masters of Meditation and Miracles (Shambhala 1996). You can purchase the book online from Amazon.com by clicking here. For an extensive history of the Nyingma school, see Dudjom Rinpoche, The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism (Wisdom Publications).
