The Path of Compassion: A Biography of Hor shul Khenpo Gelek Palsang Rinpoche — Part One: An Introduction to the Lineage of the Nyingma Tradition — The Nonhuman Vidyādhara Lineage

The Nonhuman Vidyādhara Lineage

In each of the three enduring kalpas of past, present, and future, one thousand buddhas who are emanations of Vajradhara appear in the world. The fourth in this Fortunate Kalpa is Buddha Śākyamuni. Although he did not teach the profound and vast teachings extensively, he nevertheless turned the wheel of the esoteric Dharma for those of superior faculties.

As his nirvāṇa drew near, the Buddha said to the disciple among his retinue who possessed great miraculous powers: “Gather the disciples of the six classes and the ten directions; I wish to leave a final teaching.” The one with great miraculous powers then proclaimed: “Sentient beings of the six classes in the buddha realms, disciples of the Buddha, please listen. The Buddha is leaving in the world three amṛtas; those wishing to purify the three poisons, assemble.”

The assembly gathered, but the five vidyādharas among gods, nāgas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and humans were absent. The Buddha said: “I am about to pass into nirvāṇa. If any of you have doubts, ask swiftly. Do not remain doubtful or leave a question unresolved.” From among the disciples, the vidyādhara king Guzara rose from his seat, gazed respectfully upon the Blessed Buddha, and said: “Blessed One, you are like the sky, free from falling and unsurpassable. Merely to accord with worldly beings, your mind utterly tamed, you display nirvāṇa. You have taught the Dharma of the three vehicles, through which one proceeds gradually along the path of the ten bhūmis to liberation and attains perfect awakening, but you have not transmitted the exceptional sequential method of neither accepting nor rejecting and not seeking awakening outside oneself.”

The Blessed One replied: “Twenty-eight years after my passing, the Dharma will already have been taught within the three sacred realms. In the east of Jambudvīpa, King Ja of noble family will fortunately obtain the essence of the Buddhadharma, preceded by auspicious signs and omens. On the peak called Fearsome Mountain, Vajrapāṇi will appear and propagate it for the lord of Laṅkā and others who, though outwardly of lower rank, inwardly possess the roots of awakening.” “This wondrous Mahāyāna Dharma naturally appears on twelve occasions: when the suffering of ignorance is cleared away; when a lamp illuminates the entire world; when certainty is sought; when primordial awakening reaches its utmost; when enlightened intent is explained; when those to be tamed attain liberation; when blessings appear; when the lineage becomes renowned; when actions benefiting beings are performed; when the sūtras are taught directly; when saṃsāra is cut through; and when enlightened intent is put into practice.” Just as the Buddha’s prophecy states, the wondrous Mahāyāna Dharma appeared “when the suffering of ignorance is cleared away.”