The Tibetan Treasure Literature: Revelation, Tradition, and Accomplishment in Visonary Buddhism

The Treasure tradition of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism is richly permeated with wonder and controversy. This unique and mysterious tradition embraces revelation as the primary path to spiritual awakening. Over the course of Tibetan history, revelations known as Treasures have been discovered, hidden in nature, or have emerged directly from the great minds of the Nyingma School, creating a profound and lasting effect on Tibetan religious society and culture. This book discusses central themes in the history and practice of Treasure revelation and presents translations of seminal texts of the tradition. It includes a discussion by the renowned master Ju Mipham (1846–1912) of the criteria by which to evaluate the authenticity of those who claim to have discovered such Buddhist scriptures. In addition, it introduces (for the first time in the West) the tradition and revelations of a major Treasure revealer of the nineteenth century.