Namtar

Namtar (Wyl. rnam thar) — the literary genre of traditional religious biographies. We often distinguish outer namtars (Wyl. phyi'i rnam thar), which recount deeds manifesting themselves directly to others, from inner and secret namtars, which tell of the inner qualities of learning, reflection, meditative experiences, and realization.

Alternative Translations

• hagiography
• life of liberation
• life (rnam) and liberation (thar)
• spiritual career

Further Reading

• M. Kapstein, in Buswell and Gimello, eds., pp 219. n 10, quotes Kong sprul, plate 89, who gives a long explanation of the usual Tibetan term for 'hagiography', rnam thar.