Nyingthig (Skt. Chitta-tilaka), the Innermost Unexcelled Cycle of the Heart Essence teaching, is one of the most important teachings in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the essence of all tantras, the pinnacle of all yanas, the mother of all scriptural transmissions, and the quintessential combination of the innumerable Clear Light Dzogchen teachings.
The origin of the Nyingthig teaching is in the Akanistha heaven, which is inseparable from the three kayas of Buddha Samantabhadra. It is the teaching similar to that which is present in this world and has been transmitted up till now, liberating numberless sentient beings through myriad manifestations.
According to the Nyingma tradition, in general there are three ways of transmitting the teachings: the mind-to-mind transmission of the victorious ones, the transmission of the vidyadharas through symbols, and the aural transmission of ordinary individuals.
The mind-to-mind transmission of the victorious ones: The primordial Buddha Samantabhadra taught the Spontaneous Clear Light Dzogchen Teaching to Jnana Sagara in the dharmakaya mansion. Unwavering from the dharmakaya, the five buddha families taught the Wisdom Mind of Clear Light Gnosis to the boundless mandala deities in the form of the sambhogakaya. Emanating from the abovementioned forms, the twelve Dzogchen teachers1 spread the teaching in this world.
The transmission of the vidyadharas through symbols: Vajrasattva appeared in front of Acharya Prahevajra, bestowed upon him the empowerments of the Complete Immersion of Intrinsic Awareness, after which he realized the wisdom beyond training. Dakini Vajradhatu and other dakinis, endowed with all perfections, inscribed all the Dzogchen teachings into volumes. Then, according to the prophecy of Manjutiksna (Jampal Nonpo), Manjushrimitra received the complete empowerments and teachings on all the tantras, agamas (statements) and upadeshas (pith instructions) of the Dzogchen teachings from Prahevajra. Manjushrimitra divided the teachings into three sections: the mind, space and pith instruction sections.
Later, Sri Singha, who was prophesied twice by Avalokiteshvara, received the pith instructions from Manjushrimitra. Sri Singha further classified the teachings into four cycles: the exoteric, esoteric, secret and innermost cycles. According to the prophecy of Vajrasattva, Vimalamitra and Jnanasutra then received from Sri Singha the orally transmitted instructions of the Dzogchen teachings; the outer, inner and secret cycles of the essential drop; and the unexcelled innermost secret teachings. Guru Padmasambhava also received the teachings from Sri Singha, fulfilling a prophecy of Vajravarahi. Guru Padmasambhava miraculously went to Sri Singha, made prostrations, circumambulated him with veneration, and requested that he bestow the precious teachings of the Nyingthig. Responding to this, Sri Singha taught him all the cycles of mind, space and pith instructions. In particular, while receiving the outer, inner and secret cycles of the essential drop, Padmasambhava exhorted his teacher, “Great acharya! Please bestow upon me the instructions that enable us to see the sambhogakaya mansion without perceiving impure compounded entities, and provide the enlightenment in the pure land of the dharmakaya in this lifetime.” Sri Singha joyously accepted the request and bestowed the innermost unexcelled empowerment of Dzogchen known as Khandro Nyingthig, its practicing manuals, as well as the eighteen other tantras, all of which Padmasambhava put into practice for 25 years.
The Aural transmission of ordinary individuals: According to the three divisions of Dzogchen—mind, space and pith-instruction—the Innermost Unexcelled Cycle of the Heart Essence has two traditions in Tibet, through Vimalamitra and Padmasambhava, which are popularly known as the Vima Nyingthig and the Khandro (sometimes Padma) Nyingthig respectively. However, they both received these teachings from Sri Singha.
Vima Nyingthig
During the reign of King Trisong Deutsen in Tibet (755–797 CE), Acharya Vairochana was invited to bestow the Dzogchen teachings in Tibet. Unfortunately, some evil-minded ministers tried to obstruct this effort. Vairochana was therefore forced to leave Tibet, but he directed the king to invite Vimalamitra from India. Accordingly, Vimalamitra was invited to Tibet, where he taught all the tantra teachings to fortunate beings. In particular, he taught the profound Nyingthig teaching secretly Nyangben Tingzin Zangpo. Then the teaching was passed down through Bey Lodro Wangchug, Dom Rinchen Bar, Dangma Lhungyal, Chetsun Senge Wangchug, Tulku Zhangton Chenpo, Khepa Nyibum, Guru Jober, Thrulzhig Senge Gyawa, Drubchen Melong Dorje, Rigzin Kumaraja and Omniscient Longchen Rabjam.
Khandro Nyingthig
Guru Padmasambhava thought that the blessings of the Dzogchen teachings spread by Vimalamitra and Vairochana might decline in the future. Hence, he secretly taught Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal the profound Dzogchen teachings at Zhotö Ti Dro (a waterfall southeast of Lhasa). Padmasambhava, in the form of an ordained monk, passed the teaching to Terton Padma Ledrel Tsal (a reincarnation of King Trisong Deutsen’s daughter, the princess Padma Sal). Then the terton entrusted all the teachings to Tulku Legden (or Gyalse Legpa), by saying, “Practice these profound treasure teachings with the proper accomplishment manual. You are the sole prophesized Lord of these teachings.” Accordingly, he preserved the teachings, taught them to many disciples, and finally they were passed down to Omniscient Longchen Rabjam.
Omniscient Longchen Rabjam (1308–1363) was considered to be like the second Buddha, in his spreading of the Dzogchen teachings in Tibet. He met Rigzin Kumaraja at the age of 29 and received all the Dzogchen teachings in general and the complete cycle of the Vima Nyingthig in particular. He practised them for six years and liberated many fortunate disciples by giving these teachings.
He also went to Tulku Legden, and requested him to give the Nyingthig teachings that were transmitted from Padmasambhava. However, Tulku Legden said, “You’re my own root guru; only the physical appearance has changed. Hence there’s no need to give these instructions and empowerments.” To this, Longchen Rabjam replied, “Since I have changed my physical form, it is important to hold the lineage in an unbroken way.” Tulku Legden then bestowed upon him the transmissions, empowerments and instructions of the Khandro Nyingthig. Longchen Rabjam then condensed the teachings of the Vima Nyingthig and Khandro Nyingthig and gave them the names Vima Yangthig and Khandro Yangthig respectively. Since then, the profound teaching called the Nyingthig Yab Zhi came into existence that has also been transmitted uninterruptedly till now. These teachings were passed down through Khenchen Khyabdal Lhundrub, Tulku Dragpa Wozer, Thrulzhig Sangye Wön, Gyalse Dawa Dragpa, Drubchen Kunzang Dorje, Khedrub Gyaltsen Palzang, Tulku Natsog Rangdrol, Gyalwang Tenzin Dragpa, Khedrub Dongag Tenzin, Rigzin Thinley Lhundrub, Terchen Gyurme Dorje, Gyalse Rinchen Namgyal, Rabjam Ogyen Chodrag, Drubwang Shrinath, and Omniscient Rigzin Jigme Lingpa.
Omniscient Jigme Lingpa (1729–1798) condensed the profound instructions of both the Vima and Khandro Nyingthigs and named them Dzogpa Chenpo Longchen Nyingthig. He passed down these teachings to his four heart disciples: Do Drubchen Jigme Thinley Wozer, Dza Jigme Gyalw󠆑é Nyugu, Getse Lama Jigme Ngotsar and Mon-la Jigme Kundrol.
Dza Jigme Gyalw󠆑é Nyugu passed this teaching to Patrul Rinpoche. From him, the teaching was unbrokenly transmitted to Nyoshul Lungtog Tenpai Nyima, Khenchen Ngawang Palzang, the second Drubwang Penor Rinpoche Rigzin Palchen Düpa, Chogtrul Thubten Chökyi Dawa, the third Drubwang Penor Rinpoche Jigme Thubten Shedrub Chökyi Drayang Pal Zangpo, and then to Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, who is the current throneholder of the Palyul lineage. This is the completely unbroken, pure Nyingthig lineage in the Palyul tradition.
By Rigzod Editors
Note: Lineage histories were gathered from the Dzogchen history called “Rosary of Wondrous Bedurya” by Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje.
- 1. Buddha Kheyu Nangwa Dampa 2. Buddha Kheyu Wod Mithrugpa 3. Buddha Jigpa Kyob 4. Buddha Zhonnu Rolpa Tsal 5. Buddha Vajradhara 6. Buddha Zhonnu Tobden Pawo 7. Buddha Drangsong Thrope Gyalpo 8. Buddha Serwod Dampa 9. Buddha Tsewe Rolpe Lodro 10. Buddha Wodsug Drepo 11. Buddha Ngondzog Gyalpo 12. Buddha Shakyamuni
