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Guru Padma Sambhava is popularly
known as Guru Rinpoche, the precious teacher. He was powerful
tantrik Buddhist master who was invited to Tibet in the eight
century to diffuse the Buddhism in Tibet. He subdued many
harmful influences and forces that hindered the spread of
compassionate teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni. Through his
miraculous powers and enlightened experiences, he taught many
disciples who came out to be perfect masters of Tantrik
Buddhism. He is said to have 25 great disciples who were
instrumental in preserving the sacred teachings of Lord Buddha
till today through their various manifestations.
Guru Rinpoche's body is depicted
as golden in color. His hat is usually red. So, Nyingmapa is
generally called Red Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. He wears
different robes of different colors symbolizing his enlightened
experiences and attainments. His inner garment is white
symbolizing clear light aspect of his mind and outer garment of
red color which means he has deep and great compassion for all
sentient beings. His outermost coat is brown symbolizing his
renunciation. He is seated upon a lotus of alternating blue with
red and green with orange petals.
Guru Rinpoche is said to have
eight manifestations called Guru Tsangye in peaceful and
wrathful posture. Through them he caused Vajrayana Dharma to
spread widely in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet. Guru Rinpoche
is revered as founders in Nyingma or ancient tradition of
Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetans believe Guru Rinpoche as no different
from Shakyamuni Buddha himself. |