Lamdre

Lamdre (Tibetan lam 'bras) represents one of the most precious non-canonical literatures of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. It generally covers esoteric teachings of Vajrayana and Hevajra Tantra. The term Lamdre means the path including its result. The original Lamdre teachings are from the Indian mahasiddha Virupa, especially an oral tradition of a text called Vajra Verses.

Lamdre covers teachings and practices of both Sutra Mahayana and Vajrayana. The main teachings based based on the Hevajra tantra.

History

Lamdre arrived in Tibet by the famous Tibetan translator Drogmi Lotsawa around the mid 10th century. It was later written down and organized by the Sakya lama Sachen Kunga Nyingpo in the 12th century.

Contents of the Lamdre Literature

Generally the Lamdre literature could be be classified into six parts:

1. Expositions on the Hevajra Tantra (rgyu bad)
2. Classical Lamdre Manuscripts (lam 'bras glegs bam)
3. Hagiography of the Lineage Masters (bla ma brgyud pa'i rnam thar)
4. Treatises on Common Lamdre Teachings (lam 'bras tshogs bad)
5. Manuals on Uncommon Lamdre Teachings lam 'bras slob bad)
6. Liturgy on Initiation Rites, Rituals and Hevajra Sadhana ([dba da dkyil chog sgrub thabs skor)

External References

• Lamdre Lobshe Collection from TBRC
• Lamdre Tsogche Collectionfrom TBRC
• The Origin of the Lamdre Tradition in India by Choetak
• Complete Catalogue of Lamdre Literature by Choetak