History Series

• A Concise History of Orgyen Padma’s Enlightened Deeds by Orgyen Lingpa

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.

• How Our Supreme Teacher Generated Bodhicitta and Other Topics by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Notes on a number of topics, including how Buddha Śākyamuni generated bodhicitta and completed the accumulation of merit over three incalculable aeons, the four kāyas, the twelve deeds, and the three councils. The text is undated and has no colophon, but it is possible that Jamyang Khyentse drew upon Zhuchen Tsultrim Rinchen's (1697–1774) catalogue (dkar chag) to the Derge Tengyur or a similar source.

• A Brief History of the Lakar Family by Mayum Tsering Wangmo

The Lakar matriarch Pema Tsering Wangmo tells the fascinating story of her family, renowned for its patronage of monasteries and teachers throughout Tibet. She recalls the legend of how the family received its name from the great Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa, and speaks about the most significant figures from the last few generations, including her own sister, Khandro Tsering Chödrön.

• A History of Dzongsar Monastery by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Some notes on the history of Dzongsar Monastery, seat of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892), with emphasis on the sacred objects that the monastery housed during Khyentse Wangpo's time and thereafter.

• The Sevenfold Authoritative Transmission (Kabab Dün) by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

A simple guide to the seven types of authoritative transmission (bka' bab bdun) received by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892): oral teachings, earth treasures; rediscovered treasures; mind treasures; recollected treasures; pure visions and aural lineages.

• The History of the Hearing Lineage of the Profound and Secret Practice of Siṃhamukhā by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo recounts the origin of the teachings of Siṃhamukhā and how they have been subsequently passed down to him. He closely follows the story associated with the lineage of Bari Lotsawa (ba ri lugs).

• The History of the Female Practice of the Queen of Great Bliss by Jigme Lingpa

Jigme Lingpa describes how the cycle of Yumka Dechen Gyalmo was first revealed to him by a ḍākinī, while he was on pilgrimage in Drakyi Yangdzong in 1773.

• The History of the Kīla of Lightning-Forged Meteoric Iron, the Material Treasure of the Blazing Hayagrīva and Garuḍa by Jigme Lingpa

This letter relates the history of the kīla that Jigme Lingpa found as a material treasure at Mount Hepori. The text was written for Queen Tsewang Lhamo of Derge and offered to her together with the kīla itself. The letter is found only in the Lhasa edition of Jigme Lingpa's writings, which might indicate that it was initially kept secret and only discovered after her passing, too late to be included in the Derge edition.

• Genealogy of the Dharma Kings of Derge by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A list of the kings of Derge (sde dge) and their ancestors from the semi-divine progenitor Gar Namtsa Druk onwards, including numbered generations beginning with Gar Tongtsen, a minister to Songtsen Gampo.

• Royal Genealogy of Sikkim by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A concise summary of the history of Sikkim with a special focus on its royal genealogy, possibly notes taken when reading the original 'Bras ljongs rgyal rabs by the ninth Chogyal Thutob Namgyal and Maharani Yeshe Dolma.

• Liberation Upon Hearing: The History of the Great Jarung Kashor Stūpa by Ngakchang Shakya Zangpo

In this famous history of the sacred stūpa of Boudha, Guru Padmasambhava recounts the stūpa's origins. In response to a request from King Trisong Deutsen, he tells how a humble poultry-woman first extracted a promise from the king and then built the stūpa together with her four sons, who were all later reborn as prominent figures in the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet. Padmasambhava also describes the benefits to be gained from circumambulating the stūpa and making offerings before it, and concludes with a series of prophecies concerning the stūpa's restoration.

• A Brief History of the Sacred Image of White Tārā by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche

A brief history of the sacred image of Tārā, the Wish-Fulfilling Wheel (yid bzhin 'khor lo), in Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s residence, known as ‘The Garden of Immortality’ ('chi med grub pa'i dga' tshal), in Dzongsar Monastery, Derge, East Tibet.

• A History of the 'Display of Awakened Activity' Samaya Substances That Liberate Upon Taste and the Two 'Representative' Statues That Liberate Upon Sight by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo explains the history and benefits of some sacred substances and two statues of Guru Padmasambhava—the 'representative' images (kutsab) known as Tukjé Ötro and Ngödrup Palbar—that were revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa.

• Biography Series

• Jātaka Series