The general history of Tibetan Buddhism, especially Ngagyur Nyingmapa, particularly in Nyidrak Lineage, the ancient translation lineage and a brief explanation of the plan to build the Ngagyur Garwang Drodul Ling Monastery in relation to this lineage.

The history of the spread and flourishing of the teachings of Buddha, the King of the Shakyas, are shared throughout the universe and in particular in Tibet has been illuminated by many great scholars and masters of the past.

The great masters Khenpo Khenlop Chosum, Guru Padmasambhava and the Dharma-king Trisong Duetsen introduced the Ngagyur Nyingma tradition ( the Ancient Translation School) by first translating the entire sutras and tantras into the Tibetan language. Their blessed efforts enabled the teachings of the Buddha Dharma to flourish like the shining sun.

As it is said in the Eight Thousand Verses of the Prajnaparamita Sutra:

Also from the sutra requested by King Drimed states:

1. The Beginning of the Dharma
When Lhatho Thori Nyen Tsen, the incarnation of the Bodhisattva Kuntuzangpo was in Yumbu Lagang Palace, a golden casket landed on the rooftop of the palace. When he opened it he saw the Hundredfold Homage for Mending Breaches, Skt. Sakshi Purnam Sudraka. A mould engraved with the Dharanis of Chintamani. In it was the Sutra Designed as a Jewel Chest, Skt: Ratnakaranda Sutra; the Six Syllables and a Golden Stupa. The prophecy said that in five generations the meaning of those would be understood. This was the way the Dharma was first established.

Such as this and other similar prophecies, a great being, King Songtsen Gampo, an emanation of Avalokiteshvara was born. He was crowned as the King at the age of 13. Since there was no written language at that time in Tibet, he sent his wisest minister, Thonmi Sambhota to India to study the Sanskrit language. Thonmi Sambhota learned and mastered different fields and in particular, the art of language. He then created the Tibetan written language and composed the Eight Texts of Tibetan Language. He also translated the 21 sutras and tantras of Avalokiteshvara and so forth. The Dharma King Songtsen Gampo propagated the 10 wholesome actions and enforced the 16 pure humanitarian doctrines. From the heart of the sandalwood trees of southern India he revealed the Eleven-Face Avaloketishvara. He also revealed the other emanations of the Wrathful Mother: the Nepali Lady Thritsun, Buddha Akshobya (Lha Mikyod Dorje), Jampa Chhokhor, and a Mother Tara from a sandalwood and so forth. From China he invited Kong Jo, the emanation of Noble Mother Tara and a twelve-year-old Buddha Shakyamuni. And later built many monasteries for the vinaya practice. From India he invited the great master Kusara, and from China he invited the great scholar Hashang Mahayana and others. Having invited them, they began the Dharma teachings translating the Tripitakas and the Root tantras.

3. The Flourishment of the Dharma
Thrisong Duetsen, the emanation of Noble Manjushree inscribed the phophecy on a copper plate that during the period of the rule from his grandfather Srongtsen Gampo and to his great grandson Gyalpo De that Dharma would flourish. After the installation, all came true as Songtsen Gampo became the King when he was thirteen years old. Till he was 20 he flourished the Dharma and cultivating the precious mind to benefit all sentient beings.

King Songtsen Gampo invited the Zahor Khenpo Bodhisattva Shanta Rakshita to gave the teachings on the 10 virtuous actions and the 18 psychophysical constituents. During that time the demon and evil was hostile and forceful knowing that it was impossible to tame through peaceful manner, King Songtsen Gampo envisioned the powerful activity of Guru Pemasambhava, who was endowed with miraculous power and magical display. Subsequently, Guru Pemasambhava was invited as prophesized. He then subdued all evil and malicious beings and made them vow to protect the Buddha Dharma. Through his miraculous power he traveled all corners of Tibet and blessed each and every place he visited. Khenpo investigated the place, and Guru Pemasambhava brought all gods and demons under his power and control. Keeping in example of the Odantapuri temple, they built the Samye Temple.

Then Khenpo and Guru Pemasambhava translated many texts of Sutra and Tantras. Wishing to plant the foundation of Buddha Dharma, they trained the most intelligent children of Tibet to become translators. They invited holy masters and teachers from India and founded the vinaya tradition of the Buddha Dharma. Translators like Vairochana, Kawapeltseg and Chogro Luigyaltsen, who were the emanations of Manjushree, translated the Kangyur, the canon, and the Tangyur, the commentaries to the Buddha’s teachings.

In the snowy mountains, cliff hills and lakes Guru Pemasambhava buried treasure teachings and spread the glorious sun of the Buddha Dharma in every corners of Tibet. Although later, during the time of King Langdarma, the teachings of the sutra diminished yet great lamas like Gongpa Rabsel, Mar Yo and Tsang and other revived the Vinaya tradition and thus it was called the Latter Phase of Vinaya practice. The tradition of the Secret Tantra that is alive here in this present day is because of the kindness of Nubchen Sangyay Yeshe and so forth.