The 1st significant event in the history of Tibetan Buddhism occurred in 641, when King Songtsen Gampo (C609-650) unified Tibet and took 2 Buddhist wives (Princess Wencheng from China and Princess Bhrikuti Devi from Nepal). Before long, King Gampo helped spread Buddhism to Tibet.
However, the most important event of Tibetan Buddhist history was the arrival of the great tantric mystic Padmasambhava (top picture) in 774 at the invitation of King Trisong Detsen. It was Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche who merged Tantric Buddhism with the local Bon religion to form what we recognised now as Tibetan Buddhism. In summary according to the Tibetan Buddhist Text, after a series of changes as various births in many different intermediate existences, it was His Holiness Terchen Nyidrak Garwang Drodul Lingpa (picture below, 1647-1710) who mastered and practiced contemplation and meditation without hearing, he reappeared as the great Treasure Revealer, the Great Treasure Founder of Vidyadhara, Dharma-King and Nyima Drakpa Tsal. Through the Nyingma (means the ancient one) practice, from
the beginning until today, many practitioners have achieved enlightenment of rainbow body.Nyingma is the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism and HE Tulku Ashak Thutob Rinpoche is the spiritual master of Terchen Nyima Drakpa Centers in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. He was born in 1971 and came from a family of great spiritual practice and attainments. At the age of 3, he started to talk about his past life to his parents and sangha. He was ordained as a monk at the age of 5. He was recognised as a Tulku (reincarnation master) by HE Phentul Chogyal Drakpa Rinpoche and His Holiness Dzarong Trulshik Shatrul Rinpoche and His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. He received his English Education in Dharamsala. He then studied in Rumtek Monastry in Sikkim to study Buddhism for which he obtained 1st Class Honors. He was also educated in Medicine since the previous Ashak Rinpoche (past life) was renowned for his spiritual Traditional Tibetan healing ability. He also studied and received numerous teachings from many realised masters including HH the 17th Karmapa, HH Penor Rinpoche, Kempos, high lamas and yogi masters. Learning the Kalachakra tradition, twice from Dalai Lama, Rinchen Terdrog from both Taklong Tsetul and Namkha Rinpoche, and the Dzogchen teaching from Donse Thinly. Tulku Ashak Thutob Rinpoche was enthroned by HH Terchen Nyima Drakpa, HE Gyalse Rinpoche and HE Chongpo Lobsang Rinpoche and also an abbot of Driyal Drudul Sang Ngak (Ashak's Monastery), Pal Ratna and Samtem Choling Nunnery with 500 monks and nuns including Nyidrak lineage Sanghas in Eastern Kham Nangchen.
