Tibetan writers, like Pawo Tsuglag Threngwa, also make it clear that Gayadhara was a lay practitioner (Upāsaka) and not an ordained monk and in paintings he is commonly depicted wearing the white robes of a layman in contrast to the red robes of a monk.

The scholar, Cyrus Stearns, believes that through looking at the sources, it is clear that Gayadhara visited Tibet on three occasions.

Go Khukpa Lhetse wished to compete with his former teacher Drogmi and invite the famed Indian Buddhist master, Maitripa to Tibet.

Ngor Chen states that during this second visit, Gayadhara also encountered Gö Lotsawa Zhönnu-pel and together they translated the Guhyasamāja Tantra.

[2] All sources agree that Gayadhara's last visit to Tibet was under the invitation of Gyijo lotsāwa Dawe Öser.

He was sat with two disciples of Gyijo named Se and Rog in Kharak Töpu when he became aware of the fact that he would soon die.