{"id":66681,"date":"2026-03-18T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T07:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/?p=66681"},"modified":"2026-04-01T00:24:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T22:24:45","slug":"a-living-tradition-the-kama-and-terma-lineages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/a-living-tradition-the-kama-and-terma-lineages\/","title":{"rendered":"A Living Tradition: The Kama and Terma Lineages"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_color_gradient_direction=&#8221;75deg&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/concreteBackground.png&#8221; height=&#8221;250px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||true|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; 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_dynamic_attributes=&#8221;title,content&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||-2px|||&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;18px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; icon_font_size=&#8221;33px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; icon_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; icon_color__hover=&#8221;#13204d&#8221;]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9hdXRob3JfYmlvIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJlbmFibGVfaHRtbCI6Im9mZiJ9fQ==@[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; module_class=&#8221;column2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6ImNhdGVnb3J5IiwiZW5hYmxlX2h0bWwiOiJvZmYifX0=@&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xe08c;||divi||400&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#e2e2e2&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; image_icon_width=&#8221;33px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _dynamic_attributes=&#8221;title&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#967b5d&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||26px|||&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;18px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; icon_font_size=&#8221;33px&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; icon_color__hover=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; icon_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>In\u00a0 &#8220;A Living Tradition: The Kama and Terma Lineages&#8221;, Denis introduces the two lineages of transmission central to the Nyingma tradition<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Feature 14&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; min_height=&#8221;695px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-1px|||||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||49px|||&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;2&#8243; make_equal=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;|auto|-17px|auto||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; module_class=&#8221;column1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;||50px|&#8221; custom_padding_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; padding_tablet=&#8221;||50px|&#8221; padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221; padding_phone=&#8221;||50px|&#8221;][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_border_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0)&#8221; module_id=&#8221;up1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Montserrat||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; link_font=&#8221;Montserrat|700||||||#BF9E77|&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#BF9E77&#8243; link_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; link_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; quote_font=&#8221;Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||&#8221; quote_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; quote_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_4_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|300|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#bfbfbf&#8221; header_5_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; min_height=&#8221;845.7px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||-4px|||&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2px||2px||true|&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; quote_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>\u00a0<\/h5>\n<h5>Series: Highlighting the Terma Lineages<\/h5>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>A Living Tradition: The Kama and Terma Lineages<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In order \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/dzogchen-purity-lineage\/\"><em>to keep their purity, freshness, great effectiveness and blessing until now<\/em>,<\/a>\u201d the Dzogchen teachings must be faithfully and vigorously transmitted from generation to generation. A tradition&#8217;s authenticity depends on its living continuity, which allows its essence to be recognized and actualized. Otherwise, the teachings risk being reduced to static texts or practices distorted by wrong views.<\/p>\n<p>While the full potential to realize one&#8217;s own nature is transmitted from the ultimate perspective, most engage with the teachings through oral instructions, rituals, texts, and spiritual practices. These serve as formal means to access the teachings.<\/p>\n<p>In the tradition of the Great Perfection of the Tibetan world, however, transmission has encompassed multiple dimensions from the very beginning according to the capacities of sentient beings. Transmission can occur mind to mind, without verbal expression or a tangible medium, directly through the primordial nature, or through signs, symbols, or pure vision. From the first human master, <a href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-story-of-the-first-masters-garab-dorje\/\">Garab Dorje<\/a>, through the lineage of the <a href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-four-testaments-of-the-vidyadharas\/\">Vidy\u0101dharas<\/a>, up to Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), these transmissions primarily occurred between a single master and disciple. Subsequently, the teachings were disseminated more widely, through more conventional skillful means &#8211; notably oral transmission &#8211; within the lineages we know today. The various dimensions of transmission, or <a href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/the-transmission-lineage\/\">transmission lineages<\/a>, continue to be perpetuated among masters and disciples of great realization even now.<\/p>\n<p>Within the Ancient School (Nyingma tradition) <strong><a href=\"#down\">[1]<\/a><\/strong>, two distinct yet complementary systems of transmission ensure the continuity and ongoing vitality of the teachings.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #bf9e77;\">\u00a0\u201cAlongside the long oral Kama lineage, the tantric and Dzogchen teachings of the Nyingma tradition were also transmitted, beginning in the 11th century, through the short Terma lineage, following a process of gradual revelation of cycles of teachings.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px; font-family: Montserrat, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; text-align: left; color: #4d4d4d; font-weight: 500;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_border_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0)&#8221; module_id=&#8221;up2-2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Montserrat||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; link_font=&#8221;Montserrat|700||||||#000000|&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#BF9E77&#8243; link_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; link_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; quote_font=&#8221;Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||&#8221; quote_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; quote_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_4_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|300|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#bfbfbf&#8221; header_5_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; min_height=&#8221;538.5px&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;29px|||||&#8221; quote_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Kama<\/em> lineage (Tib. <em>ring brgyud bka\u2019 ma<\/em>, pronounced <em>ring gyu Kama<\/em>), or \u201clong oral lineage\u201d, is based on an unbroken transmission of the teachings from the founding masters to contemporary generations, thereby guaranteeing their authenticity and continuity. Three great masters &#8211; Padmasambhava, Vairocana, and Vimalamitra &#8211; are traditionally regarded as the primary sources of this dissemination in Tibet, which began in the 8th century.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Terma<\/em> lineage (Tib. <em>nye brgyud gter ma<\/em>, pronounced <em>ny\u00e9gu Terma<\/em>), or the \u201cshort lineage of revealed treasures\u201d or <em>Termas<\/em>, emerged as early as the 11th century. This lineage comprises teachings that originated directly from Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, and Vairocana, and were later revealed by qualified masters known as <em>Tert\u00f6ns<\/em>. Rediscovered at the appropriate time, these teachings provide access to instructions that have preserved their original vitality (blessing) and efficacy, while remaining adapted to their own historical context.<\/p>\n<p>The significance of the <em>Kama<\/em> lineage, also known as the \u201clong canonical transmission,\u201d lies in its role in preserving and transmitting the entire Nyingma corpus, from the fundamental teachings of the Sutras and Mahayana to the most profound Dzogchen practices.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#down\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Kama-and-Terma-Lineages-1.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;dzogchentoday-Kama Terma-Lineages&#8221; title_text=&#8221;The Kama and Terma Lineages.&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;67%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_border_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0)&#8221; module_id=&#8221;up2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Montserrat||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; link_font=&#8221;Montserrat|700||||||#000000|&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#BF9E77&#8243; link_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; link_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; quote_font=&#8221;Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||&#8221; quote_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; quote_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_4_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|300|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#bfbfbf&#8221; header_5_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;29px|||||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; quote_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>In this regard, the <em>Kama<\/em> tradition is often described as the backbone of the Nyingma school because it grounds its teachings in both their Indian origins and in an unbroken oral transmission lineage that preserves their purity and authenticity. The orally transmitted teachings were memorized and practiced within lineages of realized masters, ensuring the continuity of living, verifiable experiences. In the Ancient School, the primary guarantee of the authenticity of the <em>Kama<\/em> lineages lies in their direct affiliation with the original teachings of the first Tibetan holders: Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, and Vairocana.<\/p>\n<p>Over the centuries, the teachings gradually developed and became more complex in both their doctrinal and practical aspects. Eventually, they were written down to support the oral instructions. From the 13th century onward, thanks to the considerable work of compilation and classification carried out by great masters such as Ratna Lingpa (1403\u20131478), Terdak Lingpa (1646\u20131714), and Jigm\u00e9 Lingpa (1729\u20131798), the original texts of the Nyingma school were collected and catalogued into two major compilations: <em>The<\/em> <em>Collection of<\/em> <em>Kama Teachings<\/em> (Tib. <em>bka\u2019 ma<\/em>, Kama) and <em>The Collected Tantras of the Ancients<\/em> (Tib. <em>rnying ma rgyud\u2019bum<\/em>; Nyingma Gy\u00fcboum).<\/p>\n<p>The Dzogchen teachings, particularly those found in the <em>Nyingma Gy\u00fcboum<\/em>, follow the structure of the Three Series (Tib. <em>sde gsum<\/em>): the Mind Series (Tib. <em>sems sde<\/em>; Semd\u00e9), the Matrix Space Series (Tib. <em>klong sde<\/em>; Longd\u00e9), and the Direct Instruction Series (Tib. <em>man ngag sde<\/em>; Menngagd\u00e9). <a href=\"#down\"><strong>[2]<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0The first two series were introduced to Tibet by Vimalamitra and Vairocana, and the Direct Instruction Series by Vimalamitra and Padmasambhava.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside the long oral <em>Kama<\/em> lineage, the tantric and Dzogchen teachings of the Nyingma tradition were also transmitted, beginning in the 11th century, through the short <em>Terma<\/em> lineage, following a process of gradual revelation of cycles of teachings. Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), accompanied by his spiritual consort Yeshe Tsogyal and several disciples, originated this particular mode of transmission. Some teachings were also concealed by Vairocana and Vimalamitra.<\/p>\n<p>Two main types of termas are generally distinguished: those of the earth, hidden in various locations such as lakes, rocks, temples, or other sacred sites, and those of the mind, hidden directly within the mind of future tert\u00f6ns. In both cases, the teachings reside in the minds of the tert\u00f6ns; however, the guide of the teachings <a href=\"#down\"><strong>[3]<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0may be tangible &#8211; such as a yellow text, an object, etc.- in the case of earth termas, or intangible in the case of mind termas. Even when a text is discovered as an earth terma, its various levels of meaning are already present in the tert\u00f6n\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/The-Kama-and-Terma-Lineages.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;dzogchentoday-Kama Terma-Lineages&#8221; title_text=&#8221;The Kama and Terma Lineages..&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; width=&#8221;67%&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_border_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0)&#8221; module_id=&#8221;up4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Montserrat||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; link_font=&#8221;Montserrat|700||||||#000000|&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#BF9E77&#8243; link_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; link_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; quote_font=&#8221;Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||&#8221; quote_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; quote_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_4_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|300|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#bfbfbf&#8221; header_5_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;29px|||||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; quote_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Tert\u00f6ns<\/em>, or \u201ctreasure discoverers,\u201d are regarded as manifestations of accomplished disciples who received a direct transmission from Padmasambhava in the 9th century. Their activities manifest when the appropriate time arrives for rediscovering the hidden termas. They play a central role in the renewal and vitality of the Nyingma tradition. The first <em>Tert\u00f6n<\/em>, Sangy\u00e9 Lama, who is considered an emanation of King Trisong Detsen, appeared in the 11th century.<\/p>\n<p>The teachings revealed by these masters are not limited to the mere discovery of ancient texts or sacred objects. The rediscovered teachings are practiced, adapted, and integrated into the spiritual and cultural context of their time, while preserving \u201c<em>the warm breath of the one from whom they emanate.<\/em>\u201d<a href=\"#down\"><strong>[4]<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0Padmasambhava effectively established the tradition of what can be described as genuine \u201cspiritual mandates,\u201d by prophesying the birth of the tert\u00f6n and specifying not only the place but also the precise time at which the hidden teachings, or termas, were to be discovered.<\/p>\n<p>As Jigme Lingpa, who holds a particularly important place today for having revealed the <em>Longchen Nyingthig<\/em> cycle, reminds us, termas were hidden and later rediscovered for four main reasons: \u201c<em>so that the doctrine would not disappear, so that the instructions would not be altered, so that the blessings would not weaken, and so that the lineage of transmission would be shortened<\/em>.\u201d<a href=\"#down\"><strong>[5]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Terma tradition introduced a dynamic that led to an increase in the number of cycles of teachings and transmission lineages, both monastic and yogic. This diversification intensified, particularly from the 17th century onward, and expanded further in the 19th and 20th centuries, notably through the Rim\u00e9 movement (Tib. <em>ris med<\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>While this diversification meets the needs of sentient beings, it also implies rigorous criteria of authenticity (lineage and reference to the teachings). The short <em>Terma<\/em> lineages also rely on the validation of the teachings through the realization of the lineage holders and the direct experience of practitioners, thereby ensuring the living continuity and authenticity of the transmission.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#FFD62F&#8221; divider_position=&#8221;center&#8221; divider_weight=&#8221;3px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_border_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0)&#8221; module_id=&#8221;down&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.6&#8243; text_font=&#8221;Montserrat||||||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; link_font=&#8221;Montserrat|700||||||#000000|&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#BF9E77&#8243; link_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; link_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; quote_font=&#8221;Cormorant Garamond|700|||||||&#8221; quote_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; quote_line_height=&#8221;1.3em&#8221; header_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Quattrocento Sans|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#13204d&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.6em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_4_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|300|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#bfbfbf&#8221; header_5_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_letter_spacing=&#8221;12px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_phone=&#8221;&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;29px|||||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; quote_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; quote_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bibliography<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tulku Thondup Rinpoch\u00e9, <em>Les tr\u00e9sors cach\u00e9s du Tibet. La tradition Terma de l&#8217;\u00e9cole Nyingma du bouddhisme tib\u00e9tain,<\/em> (trad. Virginie Rouanet et Philippe Cornu). Editions Guy Tredaniel, 2000.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[1]<\/strong> The B\u00f6n tradition in Tibet also includes Kama and Terma lineages.<i> \u00a0<\/i><a href=\"#up1\"><strong>BACK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>[2]<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/fr\/quest-ce-que-le-dzogchen-11\">https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/fr\/quest-ce-que-le-dzogchen-11<\/a> ; <a href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/what-is-dzogchen-12\/\">https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/what-is-dzogchen-12\/<\/a> ; <a href=\"https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/what-is-dzogchen-13\/\">https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/what-is-dzogchen-13\/<\/a><i> \u00a0<\/i><a href=\"#up2\"><strong>BACK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>[3]<\/strong>\u00a0 \u201c<em>The guides contain the prophecies and instructions given to the tert\u00f6ns before they discover the termas. They inform them of their status as tert\u00f6ns and indicate how, where, and when the treasures were hidden and will be discovered, the person designated to support them, the holder of the doctrine, and who will be the main disciples<\/em>.\u201d (free translation) Cf. Tulku Thondup Rinpoch\u00e9, <em>Les tr\u00e9sors cach\u00e9s du Tibet. La tradition Terma de l&#8217;\u00e9cole Nyingma du bouddhisme tib\u00e9tain,<\/em> (trad. Virginie Rouanet et Philippe Cornu). Editions Guy Tredaniel, 2000, p. 67.\u00a0 \u00a0<a href=\"#up2\"><strong>BACK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>[4]<\/strong> <em>Op. cit.<\/em>, <em>Les tr\u00e9sors cach\u00e9s du Tibet<\/em> (\u2026), p. 58.<i> \u00a0<\/i><a href=\"#up4\"><strong>BACK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>[5]<\/strong> <em>Op. cit.<\/em>, <em>Les tr\u00e9sors cach\u00e9s du Tibet<\/em> (\u2026), p. 57.<i> \u00a0<\/i><a href=\"#up4\"><strong>BACK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true&#8221; border_width_left=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_left=&#8221;#f7f2e8&#8243; border_width_left_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_width_left_phone=&#8221;&#8221; border_width_left_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_signup mailchimp_list=&#8221;Dzogchen Today!|d54422a3b4&#8243; name_field=&#8221;on&#8221; title=&#8221;Sign up 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global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_sidebar area=&#8221;sidebar-1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; body_font=&#8221;Quattrocento Sans||||||||&#8221; body_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#13204D&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; body_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; body_line_height=&#8221;1.8em&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/concreteBackground.png&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|10px||10px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset2&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar show_border=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/dzogchentoday.org\/wp-dzogtodaychen-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/concreteBackground.png&#8221; parallax=&#8221;on&#8221; min_height=&#8221;709px&#8221; background_color_tablet=&#8221;#f7f2e8&#8243; background_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; background_enable_color_tablet=&#8221;on&#8221; background_enable_image_tablet=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>More Posts<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; posts_number=&#8221;3&#8243; include_categories=&#8221;2&#8243; excerpt_length=&#8221;150&#8243; show_date=&#8221;off&#8221; offset_number=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.21.0&#8243; border_width_all=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset3&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;31px&#8221; box_shadow_spread=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.2)&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In  &quot;A Living Tradition: The Kama and Terma Lineages&quot;, Denis introduces the two lineages of transmission central to the Nyingma tradition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":66675,"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":[31,71],"tags":[2015,79,407,1148,83],"class_list":["post-66681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture-and-tradition","category-dzogchen-general-introduction","tag-benediction","tag-dzogchen","tag-lineage","tag-master","tag-transmission"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Living Tradition: The Kama and Terma Lineages - Dzogchen Today!<\/title>\n<meta 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