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Nyingma
The
Nyingma school is the oldest in Tibetan Buddhism. The name Nyingma
means Ancient / Old Translation and relates to the translation into
Tibetan of the earliest Buddhist teachings to take root in Tibet. This
occured when Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) came to Tibet in 817 CE at
the invitation of King Trisong Deutsan.
 This
image is of the Nyingma Refuge Tree with Guru Rinpoche at it's centre.
The
Nyingma tradition includes two types of teachings: Kama and terma. Kama
teachings are handed down through the lineage of teachers and students.
Terma teachings were concealed by Guru Rinpoche for the benefit of
future beings to be revealed over time by accomplished masters.
The
Nyingma tradition divides Buddhist teachings into nine yanas, or
vehicles, The first six of these are common to all schools of Tibetan
Buddhism.
The Three Common Vehicles which are the Hearer, Solitary Realizer, and
Bodhisattva vehicles: These relate to the sutra teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni.
The
Three Outer Tantras: These consist of Kriya Tantra which focuses on practising
proper external behaviour, physical and verbal conduct, all of which
are aimed at purification, and also simple visualisation practice.
Upa
Tantra
places
emphasis
on developing both the external and internal faculties with the
intention of
achieving affinity with the meditational deity. Yoga
Tantra, is aimed at developing the inner vitality as taught by
Vajrasattva.
The
last three vehicles are exclusive to the Nyingma school and are
the Three Innermost Tantras of Mahayoga, Annuyoga, and
Atiyoga. Mahayoga
primarily focuses on the Generation Stage practice. Annuyoga focuses on Completion
Stage practice in which the vajra body is used to actualise primordial
awareness. Atiyoga
is completely focused on the generation and completion stage
practices, enabling the yogi to transcend all ordinary time, activity
and experience, as taught by Samantabhadra Buddha.
Ati Yoga is also known as the Great Perfection, Dzogpa Chenpo, or
simply as Dzogchen. The practice of Dzogchen is the heart of the
Nyingma tradition. It is the most ancient and direct stream of wisdom
within the teachings of Buddhism.
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