Zhangtön Tashi Dorjé (Wylie: zhang ston bkra shis rdo rje, c. 1097 – 1167) was a Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen teacher who was an important treasure revealer (terton) in the Menngagde lineage of Dzogchen. He is particularly known for revealing the Vima Nyingthig, a key Dzogchen cycle of teachings which includes the Seventeen tantras of Dzogchen.^[1][2][3] Zhangton was born in Yamdrok Tonang and was a disciple of Chetsün Sengé Wangchuk.^[1][4]

Traditional Nyingma histories hold that Zhangton had visions of Vimalamitra and discovered the Vima Nyingthig as a hidden treasure (terma) in Chimpu, Central Tibet.^[5] Zhangton is also known for his authorship of The Great History of the Dzogchen Nyingtik (rdzogs pa chen po snying thig gi lo rgyus chen mo), a detailed chronological account of the Dzogchen tradition and lineage.^[1][3][6] Zhangton's main successor was his son Nyibum.^[5]

Some modern Tibetologists like David Germano and Christopher Hatchell think that Zhangton may have been the main author of the Vima Nyingthig.^[2][3]

References

Sources

• Dudjom Rinpoche (1991). The Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism, Its Fundamentals and History, trans. and ed. by Gyurme Dorje. Boston: Wisdom Publications, pp. 559–561.
• Nyoshul Khenpo, A Marvelous Garland of Rare Gems: Biographies of Masters of Awareness in the Dzogchen Lineage (Junction City: Padma Publications, 2005), pp. 86–88.