The Nyingma Gyubum, or the Collected Tantras of the Nyingma School, is a canonical collection of esoteric tantric texts that are generally excluded from the bipartite Himalayan Buddhist canons of the Kagyur and Tengyur. This collection comprises esoteric teachings believed to have been delivered by a Buddha, either in this world or in celestial realms. Claimed to be authentic translations from no longer extant Indic texts created during the Early Propagation of Buddhism in Tibet, the Nyingma Gyubum holds a revered canonical status in Bhutan’s religious tradition. The Nyingma Gyubum primarily consists of esoteric tantric texts belonging to the Unsurpassable Vehicle, also known as Inner Tantra. Different versions of the Nyingma Gyubum exist, resulting in variations in the number of volumes. This particular collection is the Derge edition of the Nyingma Gyubum, printed from woodblocks carved at the renowned printing house in Derge. This effort was undertaken under the supervision of Gyurme Tsewang Chokdrup and the patronage of the regent queen of Derge, Tsewang Lhamo. As the only block-printed edition of the Nyingma Tantras, it comprises 26 volumes, including a detailed history and narrative account of the Nyingma Tantras authored by Gyurme Tsewang Chokdrup. The collection is printed on cream-colored dhabne handmade paper with red ink. Each volume features opening pages adorned in golden ink on dark blue paper. Preserved as a sacred relic, this Nyingma Gyubum is housed in Yongla Temple, stored without shelves in a specially designated room. Each volume is wrapped in layers of cloth, secured between two wooden boards, and fastened with a string, symbolizing the utmost reverence and care dedicated to safeguarding this spiritual treasure.
Extent: 26 volumes of manuscripts.
Arrangement: The texts within the Nyingma Gyubum are organized according to the three tantric doxographical systems of Atiyoga, Anuyoga, and Mahāyoga. These texts encapsulate the highest philosophies and practices of Vajrayāna Buddhism as preserved by the Nyingma tradition.
Author(s)/Creator(s): This particular collection of the Nyingma Tantra, printed from woodblocks carved at the Derge Printing House, represents the first edition of the Derge Nyingma Tantra. It was initially offered to Jigme Lingpa by the Queen of Derge, Tshewang Lhamo, as the first portion of the printing. When Jigme Kundrol, one of Jigme Lingpa’s four chief disciples bearing the name Jigme, visited his master, Jigme Lingpa bestowed the Nyingma Tantra upon him. Jigme Kundrol subsequently transported the collection to Yongla Gonpa, where he adorned the opening pages of each volume with gold ink, enhancing its sanctity and aesthetic appeal.
