Tertsab
Tertsab is a substitute object left in place of a terma. When a tertön reveals a sater (earth terma), he conceals religious objects—which may be specified in the terma's inventory (khajang)—in place of the original treasure and reseals the concealment site. This practice maintains the energetic balance and sacred power of the location. As Antonio Terrone explains, “In order to maintain harmony in the physical and spiritual environment, a Tertön is expected to replace the termas he or she retrieves with a substitute item made up of precious and consecrated substances.”. These substitutes are known by a variety of names, such as ter tsab, ter bum, or ter khug ་, and are offered to the spirits or deities who have protected and guarded the revealed treasure as a way of acknowledging their crucial role in preserving the Dharma. It is also believed that replacing a terma with a valuable substitute helps preserve the “essence” of the earth (sa chü) and its fertility and maintain the force and abundance of the land.
Since the early 8th century, Tibetans and Himalayan people have treasured "Namtars" as written or spoken narratives that demonstrate the realization of the Buddhist path by exceptional practitioners. These namtars, or spiritual biographies, serve as inspirational guides on the path to enlightenment.
Today, Namtars Foundation aims to record, preserve, and freely offer the world a written and electronic treasury of the oral wisdom of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.
