About Drenpa Namkha

Drenpa Namkha is renowned in both Buddhist and Bön traditions as a significant master for their respective lineages. According to Buddhist sources, he was initially an accomplished Bön priest who converted to Buddhism and became one of the twenty-five disciples of Guru Rinpoche. He is credited with organizing scriptures of the Dzogchen Semde and spreading Padmasambhava’s teachings. On the other hand, Bön sources claim Drenpa Namkha to be an important lineage holder born in the eight century in Khyunglung Ngulkhar. They acknowledge his conversion to Buddhism, but believe it to be a skilful means to uphold the Bön tradition which was being persecuted at the time. He is also believed to have authored several terma treasures that were later revealed by various tertöns.