Padmasambhava (Tibetan: པདྨ་འབྱུང་གནས་, Padma Jungne, meaning "Lotus-born") Introduction and Origin

Padmasambhava is revered as the "Second Buddha" in Tibetan Buddhism (especially the Nyingma school), second only to Shakyamuni Buddha, and almost on par with Shakyamuni Buddha and Avalokiteshvara as one of the three major deities of Tibet. He is considered to be the Sambhogakaya of Amitabha Buddha, the Nirmanakaya of Avalokiteshvara, and the Mind Body of Shakyamuni Buddha—a unified manifestation of the three bodies.

 

Legendary Birth

Padmasambhava was not born into an ordinary human form. According to the most popular legend (from the terma such as the *Sanglingma* and *Copper Palace*):

 

- In the ancient Indian kingdom of Uddiyana (present-day Swat Valley, Pakistan), in the "Sandalwood Sea" (Sindhu, part of the Indian Ocean), a giant, colorful lotus suddenly bloomed.

 

- At the center of the lotus sat a beautiful prince, appearing as an eight-year-old boy, with rosy complexion and dignified features, holding a vajra and a lotus.

 

- The then King of Uddiyana, Indrabhuti, had no children. While sailing, he saw this lotus, took the boy back to the palace, adopted him as his son, and named him "Padmasambhava" (Lotus-born).

 

- Later, he renounced worldly life, receiving ordination from monks, nuns, and many great masters, studying both exoteric and esoteric Buddhism. Finally, he received the Vajrasattva empowerment from Samantabhadra, attaining the state of Buddhahood.

 

Therefore, he is also known as "Padmasambhava" or "Guru Rinpoche" (Precious Guru). Padmasambhava's Connection with Tibet (Subduing Demons and Building the Monastery)

 

In the mid-8th century, the Tibetan king Trisong Detsen invited the Indian monk Shantarakṣita to Tibet to propagate Buddhism. However, due to the interference of local Bon deities and demons, the construction of Samye Monastery repeatedly failed (built during the day, destroyed by demons at night). Shantarakṣita told the king:

 

"Only Padmasambhava can subdue the demons of Tibet. Please invite him!"

 

Therefore, Trisong Detsen sent messengers to the borders of India and Nepal multiple times to earnestly invite Padmasambhava, who finally agreed to come to Tibet. Along the way, he used his supernatural powers to subdue countless heretics, mountain gods, yakshas, ​​and rakshasas, subduing them as protectors who vowed to uphold the Dharma.

 

Upon arriving in Tibet, Padmasambhava used a vajra dagger and mantras to subdue all the demons causing trouble near Samye Monastery, finally allowing the monastery to be successfully completed (around 779 AD). Samye Monastery was the first formal monastery in Tibet to possess all three jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, marking the formal establishment of Tibetan Buddhism on the Tibetan Plateau.

 

Later, Guru Rinpoche, together with Trisong Detsen and Shantarakshita, translated numerous exoteric and esoteric scriptures, laying the foundation for the early propagation of Tibetan Buddhism. He personally transmitted the esoteric teachings, including the "Eight Great Herukas" (Eight Great Practices), to 25 of his disciples (among whom Yeshe Tsogyal, Vairochana, and Langdro Nyingpo are the most famous).

 

The Monthly "Universal Offering Day"—the 10th day of the lunar calendar (Guru Rinpoche Day)

 

Tibetan Buddhism (especially the Nyingma school) designates the 10th day of each lunar month as the "Guru Rinpoche Universal Offering Day" (also known as the "Guru Rinpoche Tsok Offering Day" or the "Ten-Day Protector Day").

 

Origin:

 

According to the terma (hidden treasure) scriptures, before Guru Rinpoche left Tibet for Zangdok Palri (the pure land of the Rakshasa kingdom) in the southwest, he told his disciples:

 

"On the tenth day of each lunar month, I will manifest countless forms and personally descend upon the ten directions. Those who practice my teachings, make offerings to me, and recite my mantra on this day will be personally blessed by me, and their merit will be equivalent to practicing in my presence."

 

Therefore, the Nyingma school regards the tenth day as "the day when Guru Rinpoche and all the Dharma protectors gather," and the merit of practicing Dharma, performing tsog offerings, smoke offerings, reciting the Seven-Line Prayer, and chanting "Om Ah Hum Padma Guru Siddhi Hum" is considered exceptionally great (said to be millions of times greater than usual).

 

Guru Padmasambhava's Influence on Buddhism (Especially Tibetan Buddhism)

 

1. **Laying the Foundation for Tibetan Tantric Buddhism**

 

- He transmitted the complete late Indian Tantras (Anuttarayoga Tantra), especially Dzogchen (Atiyoga), which is considered the ultimate teaching by the Nyingma school.

 

- He transmitted highly efficacious methods of subduing demons and practicing, such as the Eight Great Herukas, the Seven-Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche, the Vajra Seven-Line Prayer, and the Vajrakilaya.

 

2. **Subduing Bon and Local Deities, Establishing a System of Protectors**

 

- He incorporated the Bon deities and local demons, originally opposed to Buddhism, into the ranks of "protectors," merging Tibetan indigenous beliefs with Buddhism. This was crucial for the long-term survival of Tibetan Buddhism on the plateau (for example, many protectors, such as Mahakala, Palden Lhamo, and Dorje Lekpa, were personally conjured by Guru Padmasambhava).

 

3. **The Founder of the Terma Tradition**

 

- Guru Rinpoche, foreseeing the future strength of demons and the weakness of Dharma, personally buried countless "terma" (hidden treasures) in sacred sites throughout Tibet, instructing 108 great tertons to retrieve them at the appropriate time. He himself is considered the true author of all terma, with the tertons merely "retrievers." This unique transmission method allowed Tibetan Buddhism to revive rapidly even after Langdarma's persecution of Buddhism in the 9th century.

 

4. **The "Second Buddha" of Popular Faith**

 

- In Tibetan folk religion, Guru Rinpoche's faith even surpasses that of Shakyamuni Buddha. Every household has an image of Guru Rinpoche, and when faced with any disaster, illness, or obstacle in their endeavors, the first thought is to pray to Guru Rinpoche. Even today, in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibetan areas of India, the tenth day of each lunar month remains a grand festival.

 

In short: Guru Rinpoche was the most crucial figure in transplanting late Indian Tantric teachings completely to Tibet, subduing demons, establishing protectors, founding the terma tradition, and allowing Buddhism to take root and flourish in the snowy plateau. Without him, there would be no Tibetan Buddhism. Therefore, Tibetans say:

 

"Shakyamuni Buddha is the Buddha of the past, Padmasambhava is the Buddha of the present, and Maitreya Bodhisattva is the Buddha of the future."

 

On the tenth day of each lunar month, never forget to recite:

 

Om Ah Hum Padma Guru Siddhi Hum

 

(Oṃ Āḥ Hūṃ Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hūṃ)

 

Padmasambhava said, "As long as someone recites my mantra, I will never leave them."