The Nyingma lineage, particularly the Dzogchen tradition, traces its origins to Buddha Samantabhadra and was transmitted to Garab Dorje. It continued through great Mahasiddhas such as Shri Singha, Jnanasutra, Vimalamitra, and Guru Padmasambhava.
Buddhism spread to Tibet and the Himalayan region in the 8th century when Tibet King Trisong Deutsen invited Shantarakshita from Nalanda University, India, Guru Padmasambhava from Pharping, Nepal to teach the Dharma. Under their guidance, a group of translators primarily Kawa Paltsek, Chokro Lui Gyaltsen, and Zhang Yeshe De including Vairotsana, translated the sacred texts of both sutra and tantra into Tibetan. These translations formed the foundation of the Nyingma tradition or Old translation.
Later, three other major Tibetan Buddhist schools Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug emerged through newer translations and became known collectively as the Sarma traditions or New translation.
The Nyingma tradition outlines nine Yana (vehicles) of practice:
- Sravaka vaka Yana
- Pratyekabuddha Yana
- Maha yana
- Kriya Tantra Yana
- Carya Tantra Yana
- Yoga Tantra Yana
- Maha yoga Yana
- Anuyoga Yana
- Atiyoga Yana
Within the Nyingma tradition, there are six main Mother monasteries, each associated with a specific place, region, temperament, and unique treasure lineage. These are Dorjee Drak, Mindroling, Shechen, Dzogchen, Kathok, and Palyul!