Revealing the Hidden: Theorizing and Narrating Treasure Discovery in Early Tibetan Buddhism

This paper explores the treasure origin (gter 'byung) genre in Tibetan literature, focusing on the works of Guru Chowang (1212–1270 CE.) and Ratna Lingpa (1403–1478), whose works provide some of the earliest systematic reflections on treasure revelation. These texts serve dual purposes: they not only theorize the nature of treasures—defining their origins, categories, and legitimacy—but also offer richly detailed narratives of the discovery process. These accounts describe how revealers located treasures through visions, prophecies, and signs in the landscape, how they negotiated with guardian spirits, and how they verified and authenticated their finds. By examining both the theoretical frameworks and vivid discovery narratives, this study sheds light on how treasures shaped Tibetan Buddhist understandings of revelation, sacred geography, and lineage.