Tertön

A tertön () is a discoverer of ancient texts or, one who finds terma. Many tertöns are considered incarnations of the 25 main disciples of Padmasambhava. A vast system of transmission lineages developed. Nyingma scriptures were updated by terma discoveries and terma teachings have guided many Buddhist and Bön practitioners.
Guru Padmasambhava predicted that in the future hundreds of tertöns will spread his teachings. Throughout the centuries many more people were known as tertön.
Five of them were widely recognized as very important ones and called the five tertön kings:http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Terton
* Nyang Ral Nyima Özer (1124-1192)
* Guru Chökyi Wangchuk (1212-1270)
* Dorje Lingpa (1346-1405)
* Pema Lingpa (1445/50-1521)
* Padma Ösel Do-ngak Lingpa (Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo) (1820-1892)
Another noteworthy tertön is Tsangpa Gyare, founder of the Drukpa Kagyu order.
Consorts, with whom they practice sexual yoga to accelerate and enhance their sexual powers, are thought to be very important to tertöns.Courtesans and tantric consorts: sexualities in Buddhist narrative ... By Serinity Young; p155 Fremantle (2001: p.19) states that:
One of the special requirements for the discovery of termas is the inspiration of the feminine principle, just as it was necessary for their concealment. The great majority of tertöns have been men, and generally they are accompanied by their wives or female companions (who need not necessarily have a sexual relationship with them). Alternatively, something representing the tertön's complementary energy, whether male or female, must be present.Fremantle, Francesca (2001). Luminous Emptiness: Understanding the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN 1-57062-450-X p.19.
According to generally accepted history, the rediscovering of terma began with the first tertön, Sangye Lama (1000–1080). Tertöns of outstanding importance were Nyangral Nyima Oser (1124–1192), Guru Chowang (1212–1270), Rigdzin Godem (1307–1408), Pema Lingpa (1450–1521), Migyur Dorje (1645–1667), Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820–1892) and Orgyen Chokyur Lingpa (1829–1870). 
The "seal" of all tertöns is said to have been Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892). In one of his visions, he could clearly see all the terma that were hidden throughout Tibet and other countries. He was the only master in Tibetan history to have not only received, but also transmitted the "seven transmissions" (bka' babs bdun), that are the canonical teachings, treasures taken from the earth, reconcealed treasures, mind treasures, recollections, pure visions, and aural transmissions received in visions. (Ricard, undated).
==Notes==
Category:Tertons
Category:Buddhist terms
Category:Treasure of Asia
Category:Tibetan Buddhist texts
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