Tertön

In Tibetan Buddhism, a tertön is a person who discovers ancient hidden teachings known as terma. These discoveries are vital to the Nyingma school of Buddhism. They help keep the tradition updated with new wisdom. Many followers believe these teachings were hidden long ago. The teacher Padmasambhava and his consort Yeshe Tsogyal are said to have hidden them. They foresaw a dark time in Tibet. They wanted to leave these treasures to benefit people in the future.

The process of finding terma is quite unique. These treasures are not always written books or scrolls. Some terma are physical objects, such as statues. Other teachings are found in nature, like in rocks or water. Some tertöns even find these teachings within their own minds. These discoveries are considered incarnations of Padmasambhava's twenty-five main disciples. A tertön must find the teaching at the exact right time and place. The content can range from simple transmissions to entire meditation systems.

History records that the rediscovery of terma began with Sangye Lama. He lived from the years 1000 to 1080. Over many centuries, several individuals became famous for this work. Five people were widely recognized as the "five tertön kings." These influential figures include Nyangral Nyima Özer (1124–1192). Guru Chöwang (1212–1270) is another important king. Pema Lingpa (1445/50–1521) and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892) are also among them.

Female tertöns have also played a significant role in this tradition. Many influential women are considered emanations of Yeshe Tsogyal. Jomo Menmo was a notable female tertön in the 13th century. Other important women include Mingyur Paldrön Sera Khandro (1892–1940). Tāre Lhamo (1938–2003) and Ayu Khandro (1839–1953) were also influential. Some female practitioners bring forth terma while working alone. Others work with a living male consort.

Terma traditions exist in other Buddhist schools as well. The 15th Karmapa, Khakyab Dorje, belonged to the Karma Kagyu lineage. He was a tertön who followed a prophecy from Yeshe Tsogyal. He initially wanted to remain a monk. However, meditation masters told him he must fulfill his functions as a tertön. By the time he died, he had accumulated 40 boxes of termas and objects. The 5th Dalai Lama was also a tertön. He revealed a cycle of teachings called the Sangwa Gyachen through visions.

Many other specific tertöns have left a lasting mark on history. Zhangtön Tashi Dorjé revealed the Vima Nyingthig. Rigdzin Gödem revealed the Northern Treasures in the 14th century. This included the Bardo Thödrol. Thangtong Gyalpo was another important figure from the 15th century. Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo lived in the 19th century. Dudjom Lingpa was a major figure who lived from 1835 to 1904. His reincarnation, Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje, also revealed parts of the Dudjom Tersar.

There are specific practices associated with being a tertön. Some tertöns use a partner to help their spiritual work. This practice is sometimes called karmamudra or sexual yoga. These partners help accelerate the capacity for realization. The presence of a complementary energy is often required for discovery. This energy can be male or female. Some people may debate the value of a specific terma. However, Guru Rinpoche cautioned that tertöns should not be judged by their behavior. He said that enlightened beings might appear in uncertain forms.