Tonpa Shenrab[edit]

From the traditional point of view of the Bon religion, Bon was the original religion of Tibet and
Zhangzhung which was taught there by various Buddhas, including Tonpa Shenrab (whose name
means “Supreme Holy Man”).[13][30]
Tonpa Shenrab is believed to have received the teaching from the transcendent deity Shenlha
Okar in a pure realm before being reborn in the human realm with the purpose of teaching and
liberating beings from the cycle of rebirth.[13] He attained Buddhahood several hundred years
before Sakyamuni Buddha, in a country west of Tibet, called Olmo Lungring or Tazig (Tasi), which is
difficult to identify and acts as a semi-mythical holy land in Bon (like Shambala).[13][31][32] Various dates
are given for his birth date, one of which corresponds to 1917 BCE.[33] Some Bon texts also state that
Sakyamuni was a later manifestation of Tonpa Shenrab.[31]
Tonpa Sherab is said to have been born to the Tazig royal family and to have eventually become the
king of the realm. He is said to be the main Buddha of our era.[34] He had numerous wives and
children, constructed numerous temples and performed many rituals in order to spread Bon.[34] Like
Padmasambhava, he is also held to have defeated and subjugated many demons through his
magical feats, and like King Gesar, he is also believed to have led numerous campaigns against evil
forces.[34]