Four kinds of teacher or lama (Tib. lama nampa shyi) —
- gangzak gyüpé lama - the individual teacher who is the holder of the lineage
- gyalwa ka yi lama - the teacher which is the word of the buddhas
- nangwa da yi lama - the symbolic teacher of all appearances
- rigpa dön gyi lama - the absolute teacher, which is rigpa, the true nature of mind