Hidden teachings of Tibet : an explanation of the Terma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism

In all religions, sacred texts and objects have appeared miraculously. Among the most remarkable of these revelatory traditions is the terma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Termas herald a fresh opportunity for the renewal of spiritual practice. Here Tulku Thondup Rinpoche tells the story of the terma tradition initiated by Padmasambhava, the ninth-century saint who established Buddhism in Tibet. COVER......Page 1 Titel......Page 4 Contents ......Page 6 Acknowledgements ......Page 8 Some Key Terms ......Page 9 Publisher's Acknowledgment......Page 10 PART ONE: BUDDHISM AND THE TERMA......Page 12 1. Termas ......Page 14 2. Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana......Page 16 3. Basic Philosophy of Sutra......Page 20 4. Basic Philosophy of Tantra......Page 33 5. Nyingma School......Page 38 6. Sangha......Page 41 PART TWO: TRANSMISSION OF ESOTERIC......Page 44 1. Transmission......Page 46 2. Guru Padmasambhava......Page 51 PART THREE: TERMAS. PURPOSE, CONCEALMENT AND DISCOVERY......Page 56 1. Termas: Purpose and Transmission......Page 58 2. Concealment of Termas......Page 68 3. Discovery of Termas......Page 72 PART FOUR: THE TEXT OF WONDER OCEAN......Page 96 The Author of Wonder Ocean ......Page 98 1. Authenticity and Transmission......Page 102 2. Script, Concealment and Protection......Page 112 3. Terma Texts and Scripts......Page 116 4. Classification and Transcription of Terma Scripts......Page 127 5. Discovery and Reconcealment of Termas......Page 138 6. Purpose and Greatness of Concealment......Page 146 7. False Termas......Page 155 8. Tertons and Doctrine-holders......Page 158 9. Mind and Earth Termas......Page 165 10. Terma System in th New Tantric Tradition......Page 168 11. Purpose of this Text, and Colophon......Page 169 Appendices......Page 172 1 Bon Rituals in Ter Teachings......Page 174 2 Description of Empowerment of Rig dzin Dii pa ......Page 178 3 Categories of Texts in The Collection of the Ancient Tantras ......Page 183 4 Categories of Texts in The Collection of Canonical Literature ......Page 185 5 Categories of Texts in The Precious Treasury of Termas ......Page 187 6 Names of Earth, Mind and Pure Vision Tertons ......Page 190 Key to Abbreviations ......Page 206 Bibliography of Works Cited ......Page 210 Notes ......Page 220 Glossary ......Page 266 Index ......Page 282 Terma pictures......Page 307 Pt. 1. Buddhism And The Terma Tradition -- 1. Termas -- 2. Hinayana, Mahayana And Vajrayana -- 3. Basic Philosophy Of Sutra -- 4. Basic Philosophy Of Tantra -- 5. Nyingma School -- 6. Sangha -- Pt. 2. Transmission Of Esoteric Teachings -- 1. Transmission -- 2. Guru Padmasambhava -- Pt. 3. Termas: Purpose, Concealment And Discovery -- 1. Termas: Purpose And Transmission -- 2. Concealment Of Termas -- 3. Discovery Of Termas -- Pt. 4. Text Of Wonder Ocean -- 1. Authenticity And Transmission -- 2. Script, Concealment And Protection -- 3. Terma Texts And Scripts -- 4. Classification And Transcription Of Terma Scripts -- 5. Discovery And Reconcealment Of Termas -- 6. Purpose And Greatness Of Concealment -- 7. False Termas -- 8. Tertons And Doctrine-holders -- 9. Mind And Earth Termas -- 10. Terma System In The New Tantric Tradition -- 11. Purpose Of This Text, And Colophon. App. 1. Bon Rituals In Ter Teachings -- App. 2. Description Of Empowerment Of Rig Dzin Du Pa -- App. 3. Categories Of Texts In The Collection Of Ancient Tantras -- App. 4. Categories Of Texts In The Collection Of Canonical Literature -- App. 5. Categories Of Texts In The Precious Treasury Of Discovered Termas -- App. 6. Names Of Earth, Mind And Pure Vision Tertons. Tulku Thondup Rinpoche ; Edited By Harold Talbott. Originally Published: London : Wisdom Publications, 1986. Includes Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. MYSTICAL REVELATIONS occur in virtually all of the world's religions. On numerous occasions throughout the world, sacred texts and material objects have appeared miraculously to Sages and saints. Among the most remarkable of these revelatory traditions is the terma tradition of Tibet. In this tradition, termas, or treasures , are hidden by buddhas and other realized beings to be rediscovered at the appropriate moment by realized masters who have the mystical vision necessary to see them. Sometimes the termas are hidden in such unlikely places as a lake, the sky, or even a disciple's mind. These hidden teachings manifest at unpredictable times and places when sentient beings are in need of their wisdom. As such, the discovery of a terma always creates a fresh opportunity for spiritual renewal. This significant book is the first of its kind to be published in the West. In it, the renowned Buddhist teacher Tulku Thondup tells the story of the special terma tradition initiated by Padmasambhava, the great ninth-century Indian Buddhist saint who established Buddhism in Tibet.