{"id":66040,"date":"2025-12-17T08:00:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T07:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/?p=66040"},"modified":"2026-02-17T16:31:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T15:31:34","slug":"the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color_gradient_direction=”75deg” background_image=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/concreteBackground.png” height=”250px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” locked=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg” background_size=”initial” width=”80.9%” width_tablet=”72%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”476px” custom_margin=”-100px||1px|18px|false|false” custom_padding=”1px|0px|111px|155px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_enable_image=”off” width=”72%” max_width=”1277px” module_alignment=”right” custom_margin=”|-80px|-50px|98px|false|false” custom_padding=”2px|0px|2px|113px|true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” text_text_color=”#121516″ header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#121516″ header_font_size=”70px” background_color=”#ffffff” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”left” min_height=”91px” custom_margin=”-75px|23px|30px|-40px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|false” header_font_size_tablet=”60px” header_font_size_phone=”50px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment_tablet=”center” module_alignment_phone=”” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|tablet” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+IiwiZW5hYmxlX2h0bWwiOiJvZmYifX0=@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Feature 14″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”2px||0px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#d9c6a4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”column1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”||50px|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” padding_tablet=”||50px|” padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding__hover=”|||” padding_phone=”||50px|”][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3IiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiJXcml0dGVuIEJ5ICIsImFmdGVyIjoiIiwibmFtZV9mb3JtYXQiOiJkaXNwbGF5X25hbWUiLCJsaW5rIjoib24iLCJsaW5rX2Rlc3RpbmF0aW9uIjoiYXV0aG9yX2FyY2hpdmUifX0=@” image=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/DSCF7812.jpg” alt=”dzogchentoday-paul Baffier” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”33px” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”title,content” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||-2px|||” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”18px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” icon_font_size=”33px” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” icon_color__hover=”#13204d”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJlbmFibGVfaHRtbCI6Im9mZiJ9fQ==@[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”column2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5IiwiZW5hYmxlX2h0bWwiOiJvZmYifX0=@” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#e2e2e2″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”33px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_font_size=”20px” body_text_color=”#967b5d” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_padding=”||26px|||” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”18px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” icon_font_size=”33px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” icon_color__hover=”#13204d” icon_color__hover_enabled=”on”]<\/p>\n

The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the complete realization of the ultimate nature of all reality.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Feature 14″ _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”695px” custom_margin=”-1px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||49px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”|auto|-17px|auto||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ module_class=”column1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”||50px|” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” padding_tablet=”||50px|” padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding__hover=”|||” padding_phone=”||50px|”][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=”0px” quote_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_id=”up1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” link_font=”Montserrat|700||||||#BF9E77|” link_text_color=”#BF9E77″ link_font_size=”18px” link_line_height=”1.8em” quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||” quote_text_color=”#13204d” quote_line_height=”1.3em” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font=”Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#13204d” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_letter_spacing=”12px” header_5_font=”|300|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#bfbfbf” header_5_letter_spacing=”12px” header_6_font=”|700|||||||” header_6_letter_spacing=”12px” module_alignment=”left” min_height=”905.7px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”29px||29px||true|” quote_font_size_tablet=”” quote_font_size_phone=”” quote_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Series: The Lineage<\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana<\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is said that the nature of mind (the tath\u0101gatagarbha<\/em>, \u201cthe essence of the dynamics of suchness\u201d) remains within us, and that searching for it would be like someone who has lost their wallet and is desperately searching in every room of their house for it, when in fact the wallet is in the inside pocket of their jacket, right next to their heart.<\/p>\n

(I am adapting the story of the man who sleeps on a treasure without knowing it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0\u201cIt is said that the nature of mind (tath\u0101gatagarbha<\/span>, \u201cthe essence of the dynamics of suchness\u201d) remains within us, and that searching for it would be like someone who has lost their wallet and is desperately searching for it in every room of their house, when in fact the wallet is in the inside pocket of their jacket, right next to their heart.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission-1.jpg” alt=”@dzogchentoday-The-Tibetan-Transmission” title_text=”The Tibetan Transmission.” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”51.2%” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”325.2px” custom_margin=”|265px||198px||” custom_padding=”|66px||0px||” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=”0px” quote_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_id=”up2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” link_font=”Montserrat|700||||||#000000|” link_text_color=”#BF9E77″ link_font_size=”18px” link_line_height=”1.8em” quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||” quote_text_color=”#13204d” quote_line_height=”1.3em” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font=”Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#13204d” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_letter_spacing=”12px” header_5_font=”|300|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#bfbfbf” header_5_letter_spacing=”12px” header_6_font=”|700|||||||” header_6_letter_spacing=”12px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”29px|||||” quote_font_size_tablet=”” quote_font_size_phone=”” quote_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

However, since we are slow to understand, the Indo-Tibetan system of the four initiations\u2014or \u201cpower transmissions,\u201d a translation that is perhaps more suited to the Sanskrit term abhi\u1e63eka<\/em> and the Tibetan dbang<\/em> (\u201cwang\u201d) \u2014allows us to empower<\/em> (dbang<\/em> means \u201cpower, might, strength\u201d) this presence by gradually actualizing its potential through stages that serve to unveil it by gradually purifying the layers of our obscuration…or our too many jackets.<\/p>\n

The qualified Master plays a crucial, unbreakable role in adequately transmitting these four initiations that mature the mind of the seeker. A Master is an expert of this system who has fully realized it.<\/p>\n

The four transmissions of power (Skt. caturabhi\u1e63eka,<\/em> Tib. dbang<\/em> bzhi<\/em>) correspond to the successive realization of the four Bodies of the Perfectly Enlightened Ones, through increasingly subtle direct experiences, on the path to deepening the nature of mind. So that \u201cnature of mind\u201d is not an empty word or a distant concept, but rather immediate knowledge, that is, unmediated by our conceptual imagination and our tendency toward abstraction.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission-2.jpg” alt=”@dzogchentoday-The-Tibetan-Transmission” title_text=”The Tibetan Transmission..” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”64.5%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|265px||192px||” custom_padding=”|119px||0px||” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=”0px” quote_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_id=”up3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” link_font=”Montserrat|700||||||#000000|” link_text_color=”#BF9E77″ link_font_size=”18px” link_line_height=”1.8em” quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||” quote_text_color=”#13204d” quote_line_height=”1.3em” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font=”Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#13204d” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_letter_spacing=”12px” header_5_font=”|300|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#bfbfbf” header_5_letter_spacing=”12px” header_6_font=”|700|||||||” header_6_letter_spacing=”12px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”29px|||||” quote_font_size_tablet=”” quote_font_size_phone=”” quote_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The structure of the four empowerments corresponding to the four Bodies is found, for example, in the Longchen Nyingthik system and comes from the Guhyagarbhatantra<\/em>, the root tantra, and other Mah\u0101yoga tantras. However, it is also found in the unsurpassable tantras (Skt. anuttarayogatantra<\/em>, Tib. bla na med pa\u2019i rnal sbyor gyi rgyud<\/em>) of the new schools:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    the vase empowerment (Skt. kala\u015b\u0101bhi\u1e63eka<\/em>, Tib. bum pa’i dbang<\/em>) empowers<\/em> the visualization and, enabling the practice of the creation phase, allows one to purify the negative actions of the body and, thus, the subtle channels, that is, to purify the form-support of manifestation and attain the Body of Manifestation (Skt. nirm\u0101\u1e47ak\u0101ya<\/em>, Tib. sprul pa’i sku<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    The secret empowerment (guhy\u0101bhi\u1e63eka<\/em>, gsang ba’i dbang<\/em>) empowers<\/em> mantras and purifies speech defects by enabling mastery and refinement of the breath, and thus attainment of the Body of Perfect Fulfillment (Skt. sa\u1e43bhogak\u0101ya<\/em>, Tib. longs spyod rdzogs pa\u2019i sku<\/em>);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    the empowerment of higher knowledge-primordial knowledge (Skt. praj\u00f1\u0101j\u00f1\u0101n\u0101bhi\u1e63eka,<\/em> Tib. shes rab ye shes kyi dbang<\/em>) purifies the imperfections of the mind and actualizes the practices of bliss-emptiness of the perfection phase (Skt. sampannakrama<\/em>, Tib. rdzogs rim<\/em>) via<\/em> the ability to practice candali<\/em>, the inner fire, which enables the realization of the Body of Reality (Skt. dharmak\u0101ya<\/em>, Tib. chos kyi sku<\/em>), undifferentiated from Samantabhadra ;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    the empowerment of the reality of the word (Tib. tshig don gyi dbang<\/em>, also called the \u201cfourth empowerment,\u201d Skt. caturth\u0101bhi\u1e63eka<\/em>, Tib. bzhi pa\u2019i dbang<\/em>) purifies the triad of body, speech, and mind by consuming (\u2018tshig<\/em>) the ground<\/em>*-*of-all<\/em> consciousness (Skt. \u0101layavij\u00f1\u0101na,<\/em> Tib. kun gzhi rnam shes<\/em>) and cognitive obscuration: it is then the realization of the Empty Essence Body (Skt. svabh\u0101vavikak\u0101ya<\/em>, Tib. ngo bo nyid sku<\/em>) that is made possible, the essence of the Three Bodies, the nature of mind in its pure fullness.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The radical Dzogchen path is more direct. There is no need to remove all your clothes one by one if your jacket has a zipper. Just unzip it.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#FFD62F” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=”0px” quote_border_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” module_id=”down” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” link_font=”Montserrat|700||||||#000000|” link_text_color=”#BF9E77″ link_font_size=”18px” link_line_height=”1.8em” quote_font=”Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||” quote_text_color=”#13204d” quote_line_height=”1.3em” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font=”Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#13204d” header_2_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_letter_spacing=”12px” header_5_font=”|300|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#bfbfbf” header_5_letter_spacing=”12px” header_6_font=”|700|||||||” header_6_letter_spacing=”12px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”29px|||||” quote_font_size_tablet=”” quote_font_size_phone=”” quote_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    Bibliography<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Jamg\u00f6n Kongtrul, Esoteric Instructions<\/em>, The Treasury of Knowledge<\/em>, (trad. Sarah Harding), Snow Lion, New York, 2007.<\/p>\n

    Jigm\u00e9 Lingpa, \u00ab Gourou Yoga \u00bb, Manuel du Longch\u00e8n Nyingthig Ng\u00f6ndro<\/em>, Rim\u00e9 Thrinl\u00e9 Ling, Paris.<\/p>\n

    Philippe Cornu, \u00ab Les sp\u00e9cificit\u00e9s du Mah\u0101yoga par rapport \u00e0 l\u2019Anuyoga \u00bb, Droupdra<\/em>, 4.1, Institut Khy\u00e8nts\u00e9 Wangpo, Paris, 2025.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0BACK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#f7f2e8″ border_width_left_tablet=”0px” border_width_left_phone=”” border_width_left_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=”Dzogchen Today!|d54422a3b4″ name_field=”on” title=”Sign up for Our Newsletter” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ form_field_focus_background_color=”#f7f2e8″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”32px” use_background_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/concreteLight.png” background_layout=”light” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||||false|false” border_radii_fields=”on||||” border_width_bottom_fields=”1px” border_color_bottom_fields=”#d9c6a4″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_signup][et_pb_divider color=”#BF9E77″ divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_sidebar area=”sidebar-1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_font=”Quattrocento Sans||||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_text_color=”#13204D” body_font_size=”18px” body_letter_spacing=”1px” body_line_height=”1.8em” background_image=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/concreteBackground.png” text_orientation=”left” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|10px||10px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar show_border=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_orientation=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/concreteBackground.png” parallax=”on” min_height=”709px” background_color_tablet=”#f7f2e8″ background_last_edited=”on|tablet” background_enable_color_tablet=”on” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    More Posts<\/h2>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”3″ include_categories=”2″ excerpt_length=”150″ show_date=”off” offset_number=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ border_width_all=”0px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_blur=”31px” box_shadow_spread=”0px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the complete realization of the ultimate nature of all reality. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":66034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,783,71,78],"tags":[407,83],"class_list":["post-66040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-dzogchen-philosophy","category-dzogchen-general-introduction","category-dzogchen-basics","tag-lineage","tag-transmission"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana - Dzogchen Today!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the realization of the ultimate nature of all reality.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the realization of the ultimate nature of all reality.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dzogchen Today!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/Dzogchen-Today\/61559373905108\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-17T07:00:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-17T15:31:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1184\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"609\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Paul Baffier\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@KhyentseMila\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@KhyentseMila\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Paul Baffier\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Paul Baffier\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/6fa32ac0f086c2b3d1fd8c632d023001\"},\"headline\":\"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-17T07:00:22+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-17T15:31:34+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2609,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Lineage\",\"Transmission\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\",\"Dzogchen philosophy\",\"General Introduction to Dzogchen\",\"The Dzogchen basics\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana - Dzogchen Today!\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-17T07:00:22+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-17T15:31:34+00:00\",\"description\":\"The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the realization of the ultimate nature of all reality.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/12\\\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg\",\"width\":1184,\"height\":609,\"caption\":\"@dzogchentoday-The-Tibetan-Transmission\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"Dzogchen Today!\",\"description\":\"Ancient Tradition for the Modern World\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Dzogchen Today!\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/logo-DzT-512.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/01\\\/logo-DzT-512.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Dzogchen Today!\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/people\\\/Dzogchen-Today\\\/61559373905108\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/KhyentseMila\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/dzogchentoday\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.reddit.com\\\/user\\\/dzogchentoday\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tumblr.com\\\/blog\\\/view\\\/dzogchentoday\",\"https:\\\/\\\/vimeo.com\\\/dzogchentoday\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/6fa32ac0f086c2b3d1fd8c632d023001\",\"name\":\"Paul Baffier\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e7f1ef1c5c9bcc26a91cc573f3369c8e176b80ea6979505cc8def6667b92011b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e7f1ef1c5c9bcc26a91cc573f3369c8e176b80ea6979505cc8def6667b92011b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e7f1ef1c5c9bcc26a91cc573f3369c8e176b80ea6979505cc8def6667b92011b?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Paul Baffier\"},\"description\":\"Paul, translator from Tibetan into English and French. He was trained at INALCO and Rangjung Yeshe Institute.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dzogchentoday.org\\\/author\\\/paul\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana - Dzogchen Today!","description":"The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the realization of the ultimate nature of all reality.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana","og_description":"The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the realization of the ultimate nature of all reality.","og_url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/","og_site_name":"Dzogchen Today!","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/Dzogchen-Today\/61559373905108\/","article_published_time":"2025-12-17T07:00:22+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-17T15:31:34+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1184,"height":609,"url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Paul Baffier","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@KhyentseMila","twitter_site":"@KhyentseMila","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Paul Baffier","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/"},"author":{"name":"Paul Baffier","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#\/schema\/person\/6fa32ac0f086c2b3d1fd8c632d023001"},"headline":"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana","datePublished":"2025-12-17T07:00:22+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-17T15:31:34+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/"},"wordCount":2609,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg","keywords":["Lineage","Transmission"],"articleSection":["Blog","Dzogchen philosophy","General Introduction to Dzogchen","The Dzogchen basics"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/","url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/","name":"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana - Dzogchen Today!","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-17T07:00:22+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-17T15:31:34+00:00","description":"The Tibetan transmission, according to the four initiations of Vajrayana, leads to the realization of the ultimate nature of all reality.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/The-Tibetan-Transmission.jpg","width":1184,"height":609,"caption":"@dzogchentoday-The-Tibetan-Transmission"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-tibetan-transmission-the-transmission-according-to-the-four-initiations-of-vajrayana\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Tibetan Transmission: the Transmission According to the Four Initiations of Vajrayana"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/","name":"Dzogchen Today!","description":"Ancient Tradition for the Modern World","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#organization","name":"Dzogchen Today!","url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/logo-DzT-512.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/logo-DzT-512.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Dzogchen Today!"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/people\/Dzogchen-Today\/61559373905108\/","https:\/\/x.com\/KhyentseMila","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dzogchentoday\/","https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/user\/dzogchentoday\/","https:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/blog\/view\/dzogchentoday","https:\/\/vimeo.com\/dzogchentoday\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/#\/schema\/person\/6fa32ac0f086c2b3d1fd8c632d023001","name":"Paul Baffier","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e7f1ef1c5c9bcc26a91cc573f3369c8e176b80ea6979505cc8def6667b92011b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e7f1ef1c5c9bcc26a91cc573f3369c8e176b80ea6979505cc8def6667b92011b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e7f1ef1c5c9bcc26a91cc573f3369c8e176b80ea6979505cc8def6667b92011b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Paul Baffier"},"description":"Paul, translator from Tibetan into English and French. He was trained at INALCO and Rangjung Yeshe Institute.","url":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-author\/paul\/"}]}},"lang":"en","translations":{"en":66040,"fr":66047},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66040"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66060,"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66040\/revisions\/66060"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogtod-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}