The Refuge Tree of the Dudjom Tersar lineage is a sacred representation of the entire field of blessing of the lineage: the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Gurus, Yidams, Dakinis, and Dharma Protectors.

For Vajrayana practitioners, the Refuge Tree is not merely an image for devotion or contemplation. It is an important object of visualization in the practices of taking refuge, generating bodhicitta, Ngondro, and the practices of the Dudjom Tersar lineage.

When practitioners turn their minds toward the Refuge Tree, they take refuge in the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, while connecting with the unbroken stream of pure blessing that flows from Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya down to the lineage masters in the human realm.

What Is Dudjom Tersar?

Dudjom Tersar is a New Treasure lineage within the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism.

“Tersar” means “new treasure” and refers to teachings revealed by tertöns, or treasure revealers, at the appropriate time for the benefit of beings.

The Dudjom Tersar lineage is closely connected with Dudjom Lingpa and Dudjom Rinpoche II, Jigdral Yeshe Dorje. It is a particularly pure lineage that gathers many profound essences of Dzogchen, Guru Rinpoche practice, Yidam practice, Dakini practice, and Dharma Protector practice.

The Meaning of the Refuge Tree

In the Dudjom Tersar tradition, the Refuge Tree represents the entire path to awakening.

On the Refuge Tree, practitioners visualize the enlightened beings in different levels: Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, Nirmanakaya, the lineage Gurus, the Yidams, the Dakinis, and the Dharma Protectors.

Dharmakaya is the ultimate ground, the naturally pure enlightened nature.

Sambhogakaya is the complete and perfect display of enlightened wisdom.

Nirmanakaya is the compassionate manifestation that appears in the world to guide beings directly.

The lineage Gurus are those who have received, realized, and transmitted the teachings without interruption.

The Yidams are skillful means through which practitioners transform ordinary body, speech, and mind into enlightened body, speech, and mind.

The Dakinis and Dharma Protectors are sources of blessing, protection, support, and enlightened activity.

Therefore, when practitioners behold or visualize the Refuge Tree, they are not simply looking at an external image. They are opening their hearts to the living stream of blessing of the Buddhas and lineage masters.

The Main Figures on the Refuge Tree

At the top of the Refuge Tree is Samantabhadra, representing the enlightened Dharmakaya, the primordial nature of mind that has been pure from the very beginning.

From Dharmakaya arises Vajrasattva, representing Sambhogakaya, indestructible wisdom, and the power of purification.

From Sambhogakaya emanates Garab Dorje, the first human master of the Great Perfection, Dzogchen.

The lineage then continues through the great masters of Dzogchen and the Nyingma tradition, such as Manjushrimitra, Shri Singha, Guru Rinpoche, and Yeshe Tsogyal.

At the center of the Refuge Tree is Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, the incomparable master and the central source of blessing in the Nyingma tradition and the Dudjom Tersar lineage.

Beside him is Yeshe Tsogyal, the wisdom consort and supreme Dakini, who preserved and concealed many treasure teachings for the benefit of future generations.

The Dudjom Tersar lineage continues through great tertöns and lineage holders such as Dudjom Lingpa, Gyurme Ngedon Wangpo, Dudjom Rinpoche II, Dungse Thinley Norbu, and Dungse Garab Dorje.

The Three Jewels and the Three Roots

The Refuge Tree of the Dudjom Tersar lineage gathers the Three Jewels and the Three Roots.

The Three Jewels are the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

The Three Roots are the Guru, Yidam, and Dakini.

In Vajrayana, the Guru is the root of blessing, the Yidam is the root of accomplishment, and the Dakini is the root of enlightened activity.

Dharma Protectors are also present to protect the teachings, support practitioners, and remove obstacles on the path.

In this way, the Refuge Tree gathers all objects of refuge: the Buddhas of the three times, the Dharma, the Sangha, the lineage Gurus, the Yidams, the Dakinis, and the Dharma Protectors.

The Meaning for Practitioners

For practitioners of the Dudjom Tersar, the Refuge Tree is the foundation of all practice.

When reciting refuge prayers, generating bodhicitta, practicing Ngondro, or engaging in Yidam practice, practitioners turn their minds toward the Refuge Tree in order to awaken devotion, pure faith, and connection with the lineage.

The Refuge Tree reminds us that the spiritual path does not begin from our individual effort alone. Practitioners are supported by the boundless stream of blessing of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Gurus, and realized masters.

Through relying on the Refuge Tree, the practitioner’s mind gradually becomes softer, humbler, and more open. Faith is nourished, bodhicitta increases, and practice becomes firmly rooted in the living lineage.

The Refuge Tree of the Dudjom Tersar lineage is a sacred symbol of the entire lineage. From Samantabhadra, Vajrasattva, and Garab Dorje, to Guru Rinpoche, Yeshe Tsogyal, Dudjom Lingpa, Dudjom Rinpoche, and the lineage holders, all sources of blessing gather to guide practitioners on the path to awakening.

To behold the Refuge Tree is to behold the living lineage.

To visualize the Refuge Tree is to open oneself to blessing.

To rely on the Refuge Tree is to enter the path of faith, wisdom, and liberation.

May all who see, hear, read, recite, or remember the Refuge Tree of the Dudjom Tersar lineage connect with the pure stream of blessing of the Buddhas and Gurus, give rise to bodhicitta, purify obstacles, and complete the path to awakening.