Guru Padmasambhava, Idams and Guardians

Padmasambhava (tib. pad ma sam bha ba) or Padmakara (tib. pad ma ka ra — «Lotus Born») was born from the lotus flower on the lake Dhanakosha, Uddiyana in the country, which, according to modern scholars, was located in the valley Swat in Pakistan. He was born eight years after the Mahaparinirvana Buddha Sakyamuni.

Padmasambhava attained siddhi status through tantric practices and learning from many of the greatest masters of that time. In 750AD, Tibetan King Trisrong Deutsen (742-797) invited Padmasambhava to spread the Vajrayana teaching in Tibet.

Padmasambhava said: «At the end of the next era will be a lot of false teachers who will be using the Dharma as a commodity». So the teaching that he prepared was also addressed to the future times. These teaching he would put in «Terma», and sealed until the right time arises.

His followers believe that he is still living in the country Rakasha (tib. srin po’i gling) and can be seen by realized beings.