Terma – a unique genre of instructions
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The Tibetan word, terma, literally means “treasure” and refers to Buddhist scriptures and artefacts retrieved from the distant past through a process of revelation.
The 8th century master Padmasambhava concealed many teachings called termas for the benefit of future generations. There are various kinds of termas but the two
principal types of treasures are: earth terma, discovered in the landscape, and mind terma, discovered in the mind of the tertön or “treasure revealer.”
Tara’s Triple Excellence is a mind terma, which appeared in the vast wisdom mind of the wondrous terma revealer Chogyur Lingpa, after meeting Tara in person. She spoke three times the word Excellent in Tibetan “Legso” and through this encounter and verbal utterance these powerful teachings manifested in the mind of Chokgyur Lingpa.
He then wrote them down and practiced them in seclusion for three years. Only then did he give them further to the illustrious master Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, who then also practiced them until he gained accomplishment. Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo then transmitted them further to the non-sectarian master Kongtrul Lodro Thaye and instructed him to write a commentary on it, which will be published soon.
Beginning from Kongtrul Lodro Thaye this precious terma then continued to be taught to Tsewang Norbu the son of Chokgyur Lingpa who then taught it further to the master Samten Gyatso. Samten Gyatso taught it the late meditation master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche who then transmitted it further to Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche is now transmitting it to us so that we can gain the same realization based on these unique wisdom teachings as the awakened masters of the past. If you wish to get a better understanding of this lineage and also the Terton Chokgyur Lingpa, please read Tulku Urygen biography called Blazing Splendour.
Our Tara terma was not revealed that long time ago and therefore is said to carry immensely powerful blessings. “Blessings” here means transformative power. The instructions come to us directly from the vast wisdom mind of Tara and therefore resonate with the vibrant energy of enlightenment. They are said to bring about awakening much faster than other instructions. The teachings mention that the terma and its blessings are so fresh and undiluted, that the breath of the dakinis (female enlightened beings) can still be felt. Tara will be in the centre of all of Tara’s Triple Excellence practices, from the beginning of our path till its very end. Her unique feature is her amazingly speedy enlightened activity which is said to be superior to all the buddhas. Her compassionate resolve is extremely courageous and vast and she is therefore known to free beings from their fears as faster than a flash of lightening.
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