The Great Tertön (Revised Edition)

The Great Tertön is at once a history book, a collection of oral instructions, and a support for our practice. It presents the life-stories of Guru Rinpoché, Chokgyur Lingpa, all the subsequent Chokling incarnations, and some of the main lineage masters from the line of transmission that now rests with Phakchok Rinpoché. These biographies have been taken either from original Tibetan texts or from the oral teachings that great masters have given in recent years. Each text benefits from a commentary by Phakchok Rinpoché, and each section is accompanied by a supplication or aspiration prayer, giving us the means to apply what we have learnt, directly in our practice.

The Great Tertön is thus an indispensable book for all Chokling Tersar practitioners, and a source of wisdom and inspiration for any follower of the Vajrayana. Filled with amazing accounts, replete with teachings on devotion and pure perception, The Great Tertön offers practitioners all the necessary resources to cultivate the right approach toward our practice and our teachers. The choice of texts and the structure were designed by Phakchok Rinpoché himself, gently guiding us towards a deeper understanding of the ground, path, and fruition of Vajrayana practice.

Samye Translations has prepared this thoroughly revised and updated edition of The Great Tertön to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Chokgyur Lingpa’s passing, the 100th anniversary of Kyapjé Tulku Urgyen Rinpoché’s birth, and the life of Kyapjé Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche. This process has been much like polishing a great gem, which is now presented to the world anew. In addition, the reader will find a freshly-translated commentary by Kyapjé Dilgo Khyentsé Rinpoché on the three names of the Great Tertön—Chokgyur Dechen Zhigpo Lingpa.

Chokgyur Lingpa Chokgyur Dechen Shikpo Lingpa (mchog gyur bde chen zhig po gling pa) (1829-1870) was one of the great tertöns and an emanation of Prince Murub Tsenpo. He was a contemporary of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrül, and, like Khyentse Wangpo, was entrusted with the seven special transmissions. His terma revelations – the Chokling Tersar (New Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa) – include the Thukdrup Barché Kunsel, the Zabtik Drolchok, the Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, the Seven Profound Cycles, and the Three Sections of the Great Perfection. Profound teachings meant for our times, his revelations are known for including practices that are both concise and easy to apply. You can read more about Chokgyur Lingpa here: