terma (religion)

Terma (; "hidden treasure") are various forms of hidden teachings that are key to Tibetan Buddhist and Bon religious traditions. The belief is that these teachings were originally esoterically hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his dakinis () during the 8th century, for future discovery at auspicious times by other adepts, who are known as tertöns. As such, terma represent a tradition of continuous revelation in Tibetan Buddhism. Termas are a part of tantric literature.