Lineage

Lineage & Transmission

Lama Tenzin Samphel Rinpoche teaches within the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He holds and transmits several transmission lineages and practice cycles within that tradition.

The Nyingma tradition

Nyingma is the oldest of the major traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Over many centuries, its teachings and practices have been preserved and transmitted through numerous lineages and practice cycles.

The Nyingma tradition includes both long-established transmission lineages and terma traditions — revealed teachings and practice cycles that form an important part of its heritage.

Rinpoche's training and transmission

Lama Tenzin Samphel Rinpoche received teachings, empowerments, oral transmissions and practice instructions from masters including Kyabjé Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Chadral Rinpoche and Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche.

Within the Nyingma tradition, he holds and transmits several transmission lineages and practice cycles, including the complete transmission of Dudjom Tersar, Longchen Nyingtik and Yangti Nakpo. In 1999, Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche enthroned him as a lineage holder and entrusted him with spiritual authority at Shedup Kunsang Chöling.

Although Rinpoche teaches primarily within the Nyingma tradition, his training also reflects a broader non-sectarian, or Rimé, approach to Tibetan Buddhism. During his training he received teachings and transmissions from masters of different Tibetan traditions, while the Nyingma tradition, and Dudjom Tersar in particular, remains central to his own teaching activity.

Dudjom Tersar

Dudjom Tersar is a terma tradition within the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, associated with Dudjom Lingpa and Dudjom Rinpoche, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje. It is not a separate school, but a body of teachings and practice cycles transmitted within the wider Nyingma tradition.

Dudjom Tersar has a central place in many of the practices, empowerments, oral transmissions and teachings that Lama Tenzin Samphel Rinpoche gives through Padma Pura Foundation activities.

Longchen Nyingtik

Longchen Nyingtik (Wyl. klong chen snying thig) is a Nyingma cycle of teachings and practice, revealed by Jikmé Lingpa as mind terma.

Yangti Nakpo

Yangti Nakpo (Wyl. yang ti nag po), the Black Quintessence, or in full The Single Golden Letter of the Black Quintessence (yang ti nag po gser gyi 'bru gcig), is a cycle of Dzogchen teachings that includes practices focusing on dark retreat.

Living transmission

Through his Dharma activity, Lama Tenzin Samphel Rinpoche continues to transmit the teachings and practice cycles he has received and practised, through teachings, empowerments, oral transmissions and practice guidance.

Padma Pura Foundation supports this activity in the Netherlands, helping create the practical conditions for Rinpoche's visits and for students to receive his guidance and practise together.