Also Known As Guru Rinpoche c. 730-805

The Himalayan yogis knew him as the greatest of the MahaSiddhas. He is known by many names. Buddhists recognize him as the supreme spiritual teacher and the Tantric Buddha. He single handedly spread the Buddhist teachings all over the Himalayas, establishing the dharma in Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Padmasambhava's life is a vital living essence that continues to nourish us today, twelve hundred years after his lifetime. He embodied and spread the MahaSiddhas teachings, and is venerated widely by many traditions.

Padmasambhava who lived in the 8th century, was born in India in the valley of Oddiyana, the son of Indrabhuti. During his life, he received teachings, empowerments and initiations directly from the wisdom Dakinis in human form, through visionary transmission and received training and instruction from all of the MahaSiddhas, completing and synthesizing all this within himself. He taught and established Mahasiddha style of Buddhist practice, the Tantric and Dzogchen teachings, as well as many other teachings based on the needs of the students. He taught with his main disciple and consort, Yeshe Tsogyal. Together they introduced Buddhism to Tibet and taught many disciples both monastic and yogic (non-monastic). Also known as Guru Rinpoche, he established the tradition of the" terma", or hidden dharma treasure teachings, with the intent that the teachings would be continuously refreshed and enlivened through their discovery in future times.

He is depicted with his right hand holding the vajra, the symbol of the indestructible diamond-thunderbolt that is beyond ignorance. His left hand holds a kapala, a skullcup filled with nectar, symbolizing enjoyment and emptiness united. He is clutching the khatvanga, a ritual staff representing his division-less union with his consort.

"Hung! On the north-west border of the land of Odiyana, on the pollen bed of a lotus, You who have attained the wondrous, are renowned as the Lotus-Born, surrounded by a circle of many Dakinis. Following after you, I will practice the path. I beseech you; come and grant your blessings! Guru Pema Siddhi Hung!"

OM AH HUNG BENZDRA GURU PEMA SIDDHI HUNG!