Biography Series

Literary Genres › Biography

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Drokmi Lotsāwa

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Translations of various namthar (rnam thar) or biographical works arranged by subject:

Adzom Drukpa

Böpa Tulku Dongak Tenpe Nyima

Chögyal Puntsok Rigdzin

Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Drakkar Lobzang Palden

Dudjom Lingpa

Golok Serta Rinpoche

Guru Jober

Guru Padmasambhava

This concise biography of the eighth-century master from Uḍḍīyana, Guru Padmasambhava, who established Buddhism in Tibet, was revealed in 1856 by the great treasure-revealer Chokgyur Lingpa as part of the Sevenfold Cycle of Profundity (zab pa skor bdun). The text consists of ten short chapters, each related to a different aspect of the master’s life and activities.

This seven-chapter biography is a late example of the Kathang (bka' thang) genre, a versified chronicle of Padmasambhava's life as recounted to Emperor Tri Songdetsen and his subjects. The text is unusually detailed in its description of Padmasambhava's personal practice, listing dozens of places where he meditated, how long he stayed, which practices he performed, which results he gained, and so on. It concludes with a chapter that includes prophecies and practical advice for the people of Tibet.

The tenth day of each lunar month of the Tibetan calendar is connected to a key event in the life of Guru Padmasambhava. In this brief text, Dudjom Rinpoche—who refers to himself here as "Padma's messenger"—explains the correlation of these events and the particular benefits that accrue from observing practice on such days.

Gönpo Tseten Rinpoche wrote this explanation of the significance of the Tenth Day (or Guru Rinpoche Day) of each lunar month for his American students, in California in 1981. He tells the life-story of Guru Rinpoche, highlights the significance of the tenth day, explains the practice of gaṇacakra, and outlines its benefits.

This epic of Guru Padmasambhava, as recorded by Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, was revealed by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye as a “siddhi”. The text consists of ten short chapters, each related to a different aspect of the master’s life and activities.

Extracted from the famous collection of the life stories of 108 treasure revealers called A Precious Garland of Lapis Lazuli, this account of Guru Padmasambhava's life and liberation synthesises and even comments upon earlier sources.

This revelation of Orgyen Lingpa, discovered at Samye Chimphu, provides a brief account of Guru Padmasambhava's life and deeds. Each of its sixteen chapters describes eight features, beginning with Padmasambhava's eight manifestations, his eight life-giving fathers, eight mothers, and so on. The text concludes with a series of prophecies.

Tāranātha composed this biography of Padmasambhava in 1610. It is unique insofar as it does not follow the version of the life-story recounted in numerous terma texts. Instead, it follows the historical perspective of the Testimony of Ba, as well as several Nyingma tantras and their commentaries.

Gyurme Jamyang Tenpel

Jamgön Kongtrul

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Jigme Lingpa

Khenpo Kunzang Palden

Khenpo Pema Vajra

Kumārādza

Kunga Palden

Melong Dorje

Nyima Bum

Patrul Rinpoche

Pema Dechen Gyalpo

Pema Kunzang Rangdrol

Pema Tekchok Loden

Rogza Sönam Palge

Second Degyal Rinpoche

Shechen Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal

Tāranātha

Trulzhik Sengge Gyabpa

Tsewang Paljor

Tsokhang Choktrul Rinpoche

Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

Vasubandhu

Yeshe Tsogyal

Zhangtön Tashi Dorje

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