Stone Carving of Padmasambhava,Tubo Period figural statue,67.2 cm long,43.7 cm wide

Padmasambhava,master of Esoteric Buddhism in the eighth century,was born in Yu-gyan (within the territory of present Pakistan).Therefore,he was also called Master Yu-gyan.Around 751,he arrived in Tubo to preach Buddhist doctrines.By esoteric magic,he subdued all Bonpo deities and made them take a vow to protect Dharma(Doctrines of Buddha).Tantras introduced into Tibet by Padmasambhava exerted great influence on formation of the rNing-ma-pa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.Therefore,he was respectfully called the forefather of the rNing-ma-pa Sect.Due to his achievements in preaching Buddhist doctrines,Tibetan Buddhist believers call Padmasambhava,Santaraksita and Khri-srong-lde-btsan as "Triad of the Abbot,the Master,and the King".