Padmasambhava

Semi-legendary tantric Buddhist master who revealed Vajrayana in Tibet.

Chronology: 717 – 762

Origins & Early Life

Padmasambhava ('Born from a Lotus'), also known as Guru Rinpoche ('Precious Guru'), was a semi-legendary tantric Buddhist Vajra master from medieval India, who according to hagiographical sources fully revealed the Vajrayana in Tibet, circa 8th – 9th centuries. He is considered an emanation or Nirmāṇakāya of Shakyamuni Buddha as foretold by the Buddha himself. According to early Tibetan sources including the Testament of Ba, he came to Tibet in the 8th century and designed Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, during the reign of King Trisong Detsen. He, the king, and Khenpo Shantarakshita are also responsible for creating the Tibetan Canon through translating all of the Buddha's teachings and their commentaries into the Tibetan language.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

According to Lewis Doney, while his historical authenticity was questioned by earlier Tibetologists, it is now "cautiously accepted." Padmasambhava himself was recorded as saying he was a historical person, and marks in rocks believed to be his footprints are regarded as evidence. Padmasambhava later came to be viewed as a central figure in the transmission of Buddhism to Tibet. Starting from around the 12th century, hagiographies...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Source: Wikipedia