Four kinds of teacher

Four kinds of teacher or lama (Tib. lama nampa shyi) —

1. gangzak gyüpé lama - the individual teacher who is the holder of the lineage
2. gyalwa ka yi lama - the teacher which is the word of the buddhas
3. nangwa da yi lama - the symbolic teacher of all appearances
4. rigpa dön gyi lama - the absolute teacher, which is rigpa, the true nature of mind

Further Reading

• Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche, Indisputable Truth, Rangjung Yeshe, 1996, pages 16-17 & 79-80.