Holder of the terma teaching
The holder of the terma teaching (Wyl. chos bdag, chödak) means custodian of a terma cycle. It is the fortunate person prophesied in the terma prophecy as the principal person who will uphold the tradition of the tertön by studying, teaching and practising the terma teachings. [1]
According to Tulku Thondup[2], "A chödak is the chief receiver and holder of a terma, and the most important figure in the lineage after the tertön himself".
A chödak is responsible for the spreading of a specific terma cycle, and is often involved in the sponsoring of the printing of its different texts. A chödak is sometimes also responsible for writing a commentary to the different practices of a terma cycle.
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References
- ↑ Dodrupchen Jikmé Tenpé Nyima, Wonder Ocean, translated by Tulku Thondup in Hidden Teachings of Tibet: An Explanation of the Terma Tradition of the Nyingma School of Buddhism (Boston: Wisdom, reprint edition 1997), p.162-163.
- ↑ Tulku Thondup, Hidden Teachings of Tibet (Boston: Wisdom, reprint edition 1997), Notes, page 226.