LAMA
Lama is a term used in Tibetan Buddhism to refer to a spiritual teacher or guide. It is the Tibetan equivalent of the Sanskrit term guru and holds deep reverence as a title for those who impart teachings, guide disciples, and embody wisdom and compassion on the path to enlightenment.
LAMA
PADMASAMBHAVA
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also known as Guru Rinpoche, is one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism. He is credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century and is considered the founder of the Nyingma school, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Surrounded by eleven smaller depictions of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, lineage masters, and dakinis
SAKYA PANDITA (1182–1251)
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also known as Chökyi Drakpa, was one of the most prominent scholars and spiritual leaders in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly within the Sakya school. He is renowned for his deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy, logic, and his contributions to the intellectual and religious landscape of Tibet during the 12th and 13th centuries.
Born in the Sakya region of Tibet, Sakya Pandita was the eighth leader (or "Pandita") of the Sakya school, a sect of Tibetan Buddhism that was founded by his ancestor, Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. Sakya Pandita is best known for his role in further developing the Sakya tradition and establishing it as one of the major Tibetan Buddhist schools.
MILAREPA
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Jetsun Milarepa (རྗེ་བཙུན་མི་ལ་རས་པ་, 1052–1135) is one of Tibet's most revered yogis, poets, and saints. He is considered a key figure in the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and is famous for his extraordinary spiritual transformation, deep meditation practice, and inspiring songs of realization. Milarepa teaching a hunter outside his retreat cave.
PADMASAMBHAVA
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also known as Guru Rinpoche, is one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism. He is credited with bringing Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century and is considered the founder of the Nyingma school, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
VIRUPA AND HERUKA
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The 11th-century Indian Mahasiddha Virupa transmitted the Hevajra Tantra and had a Tibetan disciple, Dongbi Heruka. He was a primary source of the Sakya lineage (commonly known as the "Flower Sect"). The walls of the monasteries of this tradition are painted with red, white, and blue stripes, hence the popular name "Flower Sect."
MARPA THE TRANSLATOR
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(Marpa Lotsawa) was an 11th‑century Tibetan Buddhist teacher renowned for his journeys to India to acquire Buddhist teachings and texts, which he then translated into Tibetan. His work laid the foundation for the Kagyu lineage, ensuring that the profound teachings of Indian Buddhism were accurately transmitted to Tibet.
Milarepa, one of Marpa’s most famous disciples, is celebrated as one of Tibet’s greatest yogis and poets. Born into hardship and having led a troubled early life, Milarepa underwent a dramatic transformation through rigorous meditation and ascetic practice. His life and teachings emphasize the possibility of profound personal change and spiritual attainment through sincere effort and discipline.
Together, Marpa and Milarepa exemplify the transmission of wisdom from India to Tibet and the transformative potential of the Buddhist path.
BLACK HAT KARMAPA MASTER
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The founder of the Karma Kagyu school practiced while wearing a black hat, leading this lineage to be known as the "Black Hat Sect." In 1283, this school established the tradition of recognizing reincarnated lamas (tulkus), which was later adopted by other Tibetan Buddhist schools and further developed by the Gelug school.
BLACK HAT KARMAPA MASTER
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The founder of the Karma Kagyu school practiced while wearing a black hat, leading this lineage to be known as the "Black Hat Sect." In 1283, this school established the tradition of recognizing reincarnated lamas (tulkus), which was later adopted by other Tibetan Buddhist schools and further developed by the Gelug school.
TSONGKHAPA
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TSONGKHAPA (1357–1419) was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist scholar, philosopher, and the founder of the Gelug school (Yellow Hat sect) of Tibetan Buddhism. His full name was Je Tsongkhapa Losang Drakpa (ཙོང་ཁ་པ་བློ་བཟང་གྲགས་པ). He was one of the most influential figures in Tibetan Buddhist history, known for his scholarly rigor, emphasis on monastic discipline, and synthesis of various Buddhist traditions.
TSONGKHAPA
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TSONGKHAPA (1357–1419) was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist scholar, philosopher, and the founder of the Gelug school (Yellow Hat sect) of Tibetan Buddhism. His full name was Je Tsongkhapa Losang Drakpa (ཙོང་ཁ་པ་བློ་བཟང་གྲགས་པ). He was one of the most influential figures in Tibetan Buddhist history, known for his scholarly rigor, emphasis on monastic discipline, and synthesis of various Buddhist traditions.