The Nyingma lineage is the oldest Vajrayana lineage of the Buddhism of Tibet. "Nyingma" literally means "the old school," which is a reference to the old translation school.

The Nyingma lineage is specifically known for preserving and continuing the specific teachings of Padmasambhava, Santiraksita and Dharma King Trisong Detsen.

The Dzogchen Atiyoga teaching transmission comes from Samantabhadra, Vajrasattva and the Prince Garab Dorje, from Oddiyana. The latter lived in India a few centuries after the parinirvana (death) of the Buddha. Those teachings were transmitted to Manjusrimitra and from him to Shri Singha. The Indian teachers Padmasambhava and Vimalamitra, and the Tibetan teacher Vairocana, received the transmission of this lineage directly from the aforementioned lineage holders, and in turn transmitted and brought the lineage and teachings to Tibet.

The Abbots of Dzogchen, such as the Dzogchen Rinpoches and the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoches, as well as other great masters of Dzogchen such as Patrul Rinpoche, transmitted these lineages over the years, and continue to transmit these lineages to this day.

Nyingthik Lineage

The pinnacle of the Nyingma classification of the Buddhist teachings are the Atiyoga or Dzogpa Chenpo teachings (Skt. Mahasandi or Ati). These are further subdivided into categories. Amongst these, the most precious are known as the "Innermost Essence," or Nyingthik, teachings.

The lineages of the Nyingthik teachings are  characterized according to different masters who have practiced and transmitted the teachings. Adepts of Dzogchen Monastery have traditionally passed on the lineage of the Dzogchen Khandro Nyingthik, which is initially traced through the following line:

• Omniscient Longchenpa
• Gyalwa Yeshe Rabjam
• Trulshik Samten Sangpo
• Drubchen Jinpa Sangpo
• Dzogchenpa Sakya
• Dzogchen Sonam Rinchen and Chakhyungpa Ngawang Pema
• Dzogchenpa Sonam Wangpo
• Rigdzin Chokyi Gyatso
• Drubwang Pema Rigdzin (the first Dzogchen Rinpoche)

Dzogchen Monastery and the Longchen Nyingthik