Longchen Rabjam (1308-1364)
Longchen Rabjam “Drime Özer – Infinite, Vast Expanse of Space” (1308-1364) was one of the most brilliant teachers of the Nyingma lineage.
He was the reincarnation of Princess Pemasal, the daughter of King Trisong Deutsen and direct disciple of Guru Rinpoche. His birth in the Tra Valley in southern Tibet was accompanied by miraculous events and auspicious omens. He began his Dharma training at the age of seven when he received empowerments and teachings from his father, a tantric yogi. At the age of twelve, he took novice vows at Samye Monastery, the first monastery or university in Tibet.
Longchenpa studied and practiced teachings from a variety of lineage holders and masters who were very amazed that he could easily memorize all the scriptures and practices. Therefore, he was given the name Samye Lung Nampa, “the One of Samye with many transmissions.”
Although he is mainly associated with the Nyingma lineage, he also studied many teachings of the Sarma or New Schools, including the Kalachakratantra, Chöd, and the path and result teachings of the Sakya lineage.
The influence of Longchen Rabjam on the Nyingma lineage is unparalleled. He systematized the Nyingma teachings in his “Seven Treasures” (one of which is Drubtha Dzö – The Treasure of Philosophical Systems, on which Dolpo Tulku Rinpoche relies in the Longchen Shedra) and wrote extensively on the view and practice of Great Perfection (Dzogchen).
He transmitted the Longchen Nyingtik Dzogchen cycle of teachings and practice to Jigme Lingpa, which has since become one of the most widely practiced traditions.
Source: Rangjung Yeshe Institut Wiki
Jikme Lingpa (1730-1798)
Jikme Lingpa (1730-1798) is regarded as one of the most important figures in the Nyingma lineage. Also known as ‘Khyentse Özer’, ‘Rays of Compassion and Wisdom’, he was a great scholar and visionary, and discovered the Longchen Nyingtik cycle of teachings and practice through a series of visions from the great fourteenth century master, Longchenpa.
With the patronage of the Dergé royal family, Jikme Lingpa published the compilation of Nyingma tantras known as the Nyingma Gyübum and composed a catalogue to accompany it.
One of his most famous texts is “The Treasure of Precious Qualities” (Yönten Rinpoche Dzö), in which all the contents of the Buddhist path, from the Four Noble Truths to the highest view of Dzogchen, were explained in unique detail and system. The first nine chapters cover the Theravada and Mahayana paths.
Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912)
Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912) — a great Nyingma master and writer of the last century, student of Jamgön Kongtrul, Jamyang Khyentsé Wangpo and Patrul Rinpoche. Blessed by Manjushri, he became one of the greatest scholars of his time. His collected works fill more than thirty volumes. His chief disciple was Shechen Gyaltsab Pema Namgyal.