VBA

Buddhism Under the Nyingma Tradition


The Lineage

Master Tam is a disciple of the late H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism (1904–1987). He inherited a number of items from His Holiness to represent the continuation of the lineage.

t1

A piece of loincloth worn by Dudjom Rinpoche when he passed away. It was granted to Master Tam by the wife of Dudjom Rinpoche.

 

t2

A piece of loincloth worn by Longchen Rabjampa (1308–1364) when he passed away. After the passage of eight generations, Master Tam was left with a threadbare piece.

 

A khatak, a ceremonial scarf, granted to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche, as one of the symbols of Tam’s lineage.

A khatak, a ceremonial scarf, granted to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche, as one of the symbols of Tam’s lineage.

 

Upon Dudjom Rinpoche’s request, the 16th Karmapa granted Master Tam a Kagyu khatak, after empowering Master Tam with Black Crown and Kagyu’s lineage empowerment.

Upon Dudjom Rinpoche’s request, the 16th Karmapa granted Master Tam a Kagyu khatak, after empowering Master Tam with Black Crown and Kagyu’s lineage empowerment.

 

The radraksha beads used by generations of gurus at Nyingma Mindrolling Monastery. Inherited by Dudjom Rinpoche, he granted the beads to Master Tam as a symbol of the lineage.

The radraksha beads used by generations of gurus at Nyingma Mindrolling Monastery. Inherited by Dudjom Rinpoche, he granted the beads to Master Tam as a symbol of the lineage.

 

The beads granted to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche. The beads are radraksha beads. Dudjom Rinpoche used it exclusively for the Vajrakilaya practice, which represents the lineage.

The beads granted to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche. The beads are radraksha beads. Dudjom Rinpoche used it exclusively for the Vajrakilaya practice, which represents the lineage.

 

The Buddhist relic (sarira) granted by Dudjom Rinpoche is currently kept in a bronze stupa.

The Buddhist relic (sarira) granted by Dudjom Rinpoche is currently kept in a bronze stupa.

 

A blessed pill made out of pills from previous generations of Nyingma masters, in addition to the Rinpoche’s fingernails and hair. This pill was given to Tam at the same time as the sarira.

A blessed pill made out of pills from previous generations of Nyingma masters, in addition to the Rinpoche’s fingernails and hair. This pill was given to Tam at the same time as the sarira.

 

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Ten such statuettes of Padmasambhava were made out of the blessed pills (dutsi rilbu) left behind by generations of Nyingma masters. One was granted to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche. Shown here, the statuette is now kept in a golden shrine.

Ten such statuettes of Padmasambhava were made out of the blessed pills (dutsi rilbu) left behind by generations of Nyingma masters. One was granted to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche. Shown here, the statuette is now kept in a golden shrine.

 

t12

A thangka of Dorje Drolö given to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche. This thangka is more than a thousand years old and was kept by Nyingma masters from generation to generation.

t14 A thangka of Dorje Drolö given to Master Tam by Dudjom Rinpoche. This thangka is more than a thousand years old and was kept by Nyingma masters from generation to generation.