The hidden treasures of Tibet

Throughout the history of the world, writings and material objects have been miraculously discovered. Termas, Dharma treasures, are one such phenomenon: these are texts and objects that have been hidden, to be rediscovered at an appropriate time by so-called tertöns - realized masters. Termas are teachings that represent a profound and authentic tantric form of Buddhist training. Tertöns have found thousands of scriptural volumes and sacred objects hidden in the earth, water, mountains and rocks, sky and mind by Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, over the centuries. The Nyingma School, founded in the 8th century and the oldest of the four Tibetan schools, has one of the richest and most vibrant terma traditions.This book contains, in addition to an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and the terma tradition, a translation of the most important and detailed Tibetan text on the subject: The Miracle Ocean by the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche (1865-1926). In addition to detailed explanations, this text is supplemented by a comprehensive appendix, including a description of a tantric initiation, a listing of the texts in the collection of ancient tantras (rNying Ma rGyud 'Bum) and canonical literature (bKa' Ma), a listing of all tertöns, and an extensive, specific glossary. In The Hidden Treasures of Tibet, Tulku Thondup presents in great detail and knowledge the multi-layered mystical tradition of Tibet - a tradition that has since spread from Tibet throughout the world and continues to inspire countless people today. Tulku Thondup is a respected scholar and prolific author who has written and translated numerous works on Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in Golok, eastern Tibet and received his education there at Dodrup Monastery until his escape in 1958. In India, he studied and taught at Lucknow and Visva Bharati Universities and has lived in the United States since 1980.