Padmasambhava Buddha

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Padmasambhava (Sanskrit for "born of the lotus flower") was a renowned teacher at Nalanda in northern India. In the mid-8th century, he was invited by Tibet's King, Trisong Detsen, to spread the Buddha's teachings in Tibet.

Prior to the arrival of Padmasambhava, the Tibetan king had tried unsuccessfully to establish Buddhism as a major religion in Tibet. King Trisong Detsen was determined to replace the native Tibetan cult because its sacrificial practices and sorcery were causing great sufferings among the Tibetan people. His effort met stiffed resistance from the aristocrats and the priests of the native religion. The construction of a Buddhist monastery at Bsam-yas (Samye) was also sabotaged by the sorcerers of the native Tibetan cult. The Buddhist priest living in the Tibetan court advised the king that only a master of the Tantric Buddhism can overcome these oppositions.

The original Padmasambhava statue in Tibet's Samye Monastery. It was said that Padmasambhava had remarked, "It looks like me," upon seeing this statue. After he had blessed this statue, he said, "Now it is same as me!" A colorized photo of this statue can be found at the following site. This is currently the Padmasambhava statue in Tibet's Samye Monastery

Padmasambhava drove out the demons obstructing the monastery construction and overcame the native Tibetan sorcerers after many challenges. Some deities from native Tibetan cults were converted and adopted as Buddhist dharma protectors. Tantric Buddhism took roots in Tibet and was declared by the Tibetan King to be the state religion. Tantric Buddhism spread from Tibet into China and then into Japan.

The Samye Monastery was built based on Universe's structure in the Buddhist cosmology. The central temple represents Mount Sumeru, the "mountain" at the center of the cosmos. There are four smaller additional temples which represents the four continents situated in the vast ocean to the four directions of Mount Sumeru. The central temple of Samye Monastery. This monastery was the first buddhist temple in Tibet. Built under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen, it was designed by Shantarakshita. Its construction was supervised by Padmasambhava. This stone stupa marks the spot where Padmasambhava first met King Trisong Detsen. It is located a short distance away from the Samye Temple.

Tantric Buddhism places extreme importance on the practitioner's spiritual master, the "root guru". The "root guru" is the Buddha's representative on Earth and directly links the practitioner to the Buddha. This direct link is what empowers the practitioner and make it possible for the practitioner to achieving enlightenment in one life time. Hence, Tantric Buddhism teaches the practitioner to hold the "root guru" at the highest esteem.

The sacred "Three Jewels" (The Buddha [the enlightened teacher], the dharma [Buddha's teaching], and the Sangha [the communities of monks who assist in the spreading of Buddha's teaching]) are the instruments which lead sentient beings to enlightenment. The role of "root guru" in Tantric Buddhism is in fact the living embodiment of all three jewels: The "root guru" is a spiritual master who has achieved enlightenment (Hence, he/she is buddha's earthly representative). The "root guru" achieved enlightenment by verifying the teaching of the Buddha through practice (embodiment of the dharma). The "root guru" transmits the Buddha's teaching to sentient beings (preserving and transmitting the Buddha's teaching). This is the reason why Tantric Buddhism hold the "root guru" at highest esteem. Describing the "root guru" as the living embodiment of the sacred "Three Jewels" is more accurate and appropriate. Previous version of this page had presented the erroneous view that Tantric Buddhism regards the "root guru" as a "fourth jewel". That view was not well thought-out and is inaccurate.

Padmasambhava' statue at Jokhang Temple Padmasambhava is usually depicted wearing royal robes and seated on a lotus blossom which rises from a lake. In his right hand is a vajra. He holds a vase containing the nectar of immortality in his left hand. A tantric staff is in the fold of his left arm. Padmasambhava is also called Guru Rinpoche which means the "Precious Master". He wears a red hat representing the Nyingma order (which he had founded).


The original Padmasambhava statue in Tibet's Samye Monastery. It was said that Padmasambhava had remarked, "It looks like me," upon seeing this statue. After he had blessed this statue, he said, "Now it is same as me!" A colorized photo of this statue can be found at the following site.	This is currently the Padmasambhava statue in Tibet's Samye Monastery


The Samye Monastery was built based on Universe's structure in the Buddhist cosmology. The central temple represents Mount Sumeru, the "mountain" at the center of the cosmos. There are four smaller additional temples which represents the four continents situated in the vast ocean to the four directions of Mount Sumeru.	The central temple of Samye Monastery. This monastery was the first buddhist temple in Tibet. Built under the patronage of King Trisong Detsen, it was designed by Shantarakshita. Its construction was supervised by Padmasambhava.	This stone stupa marks the spot where Padmasambhava first met King Trisong Detsen. It is located a short distance away from the Samye Temple.


Padmasambhava' statue at Jokhang Temple	Padmasambhava is usually depicted wearing royal robes and seated on a lotus blossom which rises from a lake. In his right hand is a vajra. He holds a vase containing the nectar of immortality in his left hand. A tantric staff is in the fold of his left arm.	Padmasambhava is also called Guru Rinpoche which means the "Precious Master". He wears a red hat representing the Nyingma order (which he had founded).