Prominent Nyingma tertöns
According to generally accepted history, the rediscovering of terma began with the first tertön, Sangye Lama (1000–1080).The Five Tertön Kings
Throughout the centuries, many Nyingmapas were known as tertöns. Five of them were widely recognized as very important ones and called the "five tertön kings": # Nyangral Nyima Özer (1124–1192) # Guru Chöwang (1212–1270), also known as Guru Chökyi Wangchuk # Dorje Lingpa (1346–1405) # Pema Lingpa (1445/50–1521) # Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892)Female Tertöns
Some influential female tertöns have all been considered to be emanations of Yeshe Tsogyal: *Other Nyingma tertöns
Other important Nyingma tertöns include: * Zhangtön Tashi Dorjé (1097–1167), revealed the '' Vima Nyingthig'' * Rinchen Lingpa (1295–1375) * Sangye Lingpa (1340–1396) * Rigdzin Gödem (1307–1408), revealed the ''Northern Treasures'' * Karma Lingpa (14th. century), revealed the ''Kar-gling zhi-khro'', which includes the '' Bardo Thödrol'' * Thangtong Gyalpo (1385–1510) * Ratna Lingpa (1403–1471) * Kunkyong Lingpa (1408–1489) * Tennyi Lingpa Padma Tsewang Gyalpo (1480–1535) * Lhatsün Namkha Jikmé (1597 – ) * Jatsön Nyingpo (1585–1656), revealed the ''Könchok Chidü'' * Namchö Mingyur Dorje (1645–1667), known for the ''Namchö'' (Sky Dharma) * Terdak Lingpa (1646–1714) * Jigme Lingpa (1729–1798), known for the '' Longchen Nyingthig'' * Orgyen Chokgyur Lingpa (1829–1870) * Dudjom Lingpa (1835–1904), revealed part of the '' Dudjom Tersar'' * Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje (10 June 1904 – 17 January 1987), reincarnation of Dudjom Lingpa, revealed part of the '' Dudjom Tersar'' * Jigme Phuntsok (1933 – 7 January 2004)In other Tibetan Buddhist schools
The 15th Karmapa Khakyab Dorje of the Karma Kagyu Lineage was a tertön. There was a prophecy from Yeshe Tsogyal that he should take tantric consorts. Initially, he wished to stay a monk, but his health was failing. Meditation masters told him he would die if he didn't fulfill his functions as a tertön. In 1892, he was convinced to marry when he was 20 years old. By the time the 15th karmapa died, he had accumulated 40 boxes of termas, texts and objects. Another noteworthy tertön is Tsangpa Gyare, founder of the Drukpa Lineage (12th century). The Drikung Kagyu also have a Dzogchen terma tradition, the ''Yangzab Dzogchen'', based on termas revealed by Rinchen Phuntsog (16th century). The 5th Dalai Lama was a tertön who revealed a Dzogchen terma cycle through his pure visions known as the ''Sangwa Gyachen ''(Bearing the Seal of Secrecy). The Fifth Lelung Jedrung, Lobzang Trinle (1697–1740) was also a terton.Tertön practices
Consorts, with whom they practice sexualOne of the special requirements for the discovery of termas is the inspiration of the feminine principle, just as it was necessary for their concealment. The great majority of tertöns have been men, and generally they are accompanied by their wives or female companions (who need not necessarily have a sexual relationship with them). Alternatively, something representing the tertön's complementary energy, whether male or female, must be present.Fremantle, Francesca (2001). ''Luminous Emptiness: Understanding the Tibetan Book of the Dead''. Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc. . p. 19.Yet, even very realized female practitioners bring forth terma, sometimes with an living male consort and sometimes alone. Dakini Sera Khandro is a notable example of a woman tertön. Although the authenticity and value of a terma may be questioned or debated, tertöns are exempt from being judged according to their behavior and lifestyle, with Guru Rinpoche having cautioned that "hidden enlightened beings appear in uncertain form" and, by contrast, "fool-deceivers are great hypocritical mimics of the dharmic practitioner".Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, ''Hidden Teachings of Tibet: An Explanation of the Terma Tradition of the Nyingma School of Buddhism'', Wisdom Publications, London, 1986, p. 157.
References
* Trungpa, Chögyam (2005).External links