Offerings and Sadhanas © Temple White Lotus, LLC

Mandala, Water and Lamp Offerings: Shakyamuni and Tara Sandhanas: Bows to the 35 Confessional Buddhas

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TABLE OF CONTENTS OFFERING THE MANDALA …………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 2

WATER AND LAMP OFFERINGS ……………………………………………………………………………. PAGE 6

BOWS TO THE 35 CONFESSION BUDDHAS ……………………………………………………………… PAGE 15

PRAISES TO THE 21 TARAS …………………………………………………………………………………. PAGE 31

SHAKYAMUNI SADHANA ……………………………………………………………………………………. PAGE 37

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OFFERING THE MANDALA

THE PLACEMENT OF OBJECTS AND THE TEXT TO RECITE

Holding the Plate which holds the Mandala

(East to toward you.)

(Rub your wrist 3x clockwise and then 3x counterclockwise while reciting:)

OM vajra ground AH HUM, mighty golden ground.

OM vajra fence AH HUM, the iron fence around the edge,

(Put first ring on.)

Building the first piles

(middle) In the center is Mount Meru, the king of mountains,

(E) in the east the continent Videha,

(S) in the south Jambudvipa,

(W) in the west Godaniya,

(N) in the north Kuru.

(SE, NE) In the east are the sub-continents Deha and Videha,

(SW, SE) in the south Camara and Aparacamara,

(NW, SW) in the west Shatha and Uttaramantrina,

(NE, NW) in the north Kurava and Kaurava.

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(E) Here are the precious mountain,

(S) the wish-granting tree,

(W) the wish-fulfilling cow,

(N) the unploughed harvest.

(E) Here are the precious wheel,

(S) the precious jewel,

(W) the precious queen,

(N) the precious minister,

(SE) the precious elephant,

(SW) the precious horse,

(NW) the precious general,

(NE) the great treasure vase.

(Place the second ring.)

Building the second pile

(E) Here are the goddess of beauty,

(S) the goddess of garlands,

(W) the goddess of song,

(N) the goddess of dance,

(SE) the goddess of flowers,

(SW) the goddess of incense,

(NW) the goddess of light,

(NE) the goddess of perfume.

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(Put the third ring on.)

Building the third pile

(S) Here are the sun,

(N) moon,

(E) precious parasol,

(W) and victory banner.

(middle) In the center are the marvelous riches of gods and humans, with nothing missing, pure and delightful.

(Place the mandala’s top-piece.)

OM VAJRASATTVA SAMAYAM ANUPALAYA

VAJRASATTVA TVENOPATISHTHA

DRHIDHO ME BHAVA SUTOSHYO ME BHAVA SUPOSHYO ME BHAVA

ANURAKTO ME BHAVA SARVA-SIDDHI ME PRAYACCHA

SARVA-KARMASU CHA

ME CHITTAM SHREYAH KURU HUM HA HA HA HAH HOH

BHAGAVAN SARVA-TATHAGATA

VAJRA MA ME MUNCHA MAJRI BHAVA

MAHASAMAYASATTVA

AH (3x)

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I offer these as a Buddha field to my glorious, holy, kind root guru, the lineage gurus, to the great Je Tsongkhapa, the

Buddha who is the King of Sages, Vajradhara, and the entire assembly of deities. Please accept these

with compassion for the sake of migrating beings. Having accepted them, please bestow on me and on the mother

sentient beings abiding as far as the limits of space your inspiration with loving compassion.

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THE PRELIMINARY PRACTICE OF ALTAR SET-UP &

WATER BOWL OFFERINGS (THE 7 WATER BOWLS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOLLOWING THE STANDARD PROCEDURE.)

(AS EACH BOWL IS FILLED, RECITE THE FOLLOWING EACH, 3X)

AUM AH HUM (3X PER BOWL)

THEN RECITE, 3X:

OFFERING CLOUD MANTRA

OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VAJRA SARA PRAMARDANE / TATHAGATAYA / ARHATE SAMYAKSAM BUDDHAYA / TADYATHA / OM VAJRE VAJRE / MAHA VAJRE / MAHA TEJA VAJRE / MAHA VIDYA VAJRE / MAHA BODHICHITTA VAJRE / MAHA BODHI MÄNDO PASAM KRAMANA VAJRE / SARVA KARMA AVARANA VISHO DHANA VAJRE SVAHA (3x)

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Extensive Offering of Truth

By the power of truth of the Three Rare Sublime Ones, The blessings of all the buddhas and bodhisattvas, The great wealth of the completed two collections, and the sphere of phenomena being pure and inconceivable; May these piles of clouds of offerings arising through transformation by the bodhisattvas Arya Samantabhadra, Manjushri, and so forth – unimaginable and inexhaustible, equaling the sky – arise and, in the presence of the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, be received.

First, we make offerings to all the holy objects here in this place, every single thangka, statue, stupa, scripture, picture, tsa-tsa, relic, and prayer wheel, by seeing them as inseparable from our own virtuous friend, who is one with all other virtuous friends. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) Then, we make all these offerings both real and visualized to every single holy object in this country – all the statues, stupas, scriptures, 30 Altar Set-up & Water Bowl Offerings pictures, all the centers’ altars, every single altar in peoples’ homes, the prayer wheels, tsa-tsas, and any virtuous friend in this country, by seeing them as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. We present these offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all

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the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) Then, we make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to every single holy object in India, including the Bodhgaya stupa where 1000 buddhas descended. Also we make offerings to all the holy beings in India, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other virtuous friends that you have there. By seeing them as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend, we make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) We make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to every single holy object in Tibet, including the Jowo Rinpoche in Lhasa that was blessed by Guru Shakyamuni Buddha himself, by seeing them as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. We make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) We make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to every single holy object in Nepal, including Bouddhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa and any virtuous friends in Nepal. By seeing them as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend, we make the offerings

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many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) We make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to every single holy object in the other Buddhist countries such as mainland China, Thailand, Taiwan, Burma, etc., by seeing all the holy objects as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. We make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) We now make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to every single holy object in the rest of the world, by seeing all the holy objects as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. We make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) We make all these offerings both real and visualized to all the ten direction Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha by seeing all of them as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. We make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) We make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to all the ten direction statues, stupas, and scriptures by seeing them as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. Make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.)

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We make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to Buddha Chenrezig, by seeing Chenrezig as inseparable from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and one’s own virtuous friend. Make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) We make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to the seven Medicine Buddhas (which is the same as making offerings to all the buddhas) by seeing them as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. We make the offerings many times and in this way generate 32 Altar Set-up & Water Bowl Offerings great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.) Then, we make all these offerings, both real and visualized, to the bodhisattva Kshitigarbha by seeing him as inseparable from one’s own virtuous friend. Make the offerings many times and in this way generate great bliss in all the holy minds. (Prostrate, offer, and generate great bliss.)

Light Offering Prayer Composed by Lama Atisha One may recite this prayer when making an individual light offering, or in the context of the Extensive Offering Practice. After lighting a candle, a butter lamp, or any form of light, this prayer can be recited in conjunction with the visualization described below.

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May the light of the lamp be equal to the great three thousand worlds and their environments. May the wick of the lamp be equal to the king of mountains – Mount Meru. May the butter be equal to the infinite ocean. May there be billions of trillions of lamps in the presence of each and every buddha. May the light illuminate the darkness of ignorance of all sentient beings From the peak of samsara down to the most torturous hell, Whereby they can see directly and clearly all the ten directions’ Buddhas and bodhisattvas and their pure lands. OM VAJRA ALOKE AH HUM E MA HO I offer these beautifully exalted clear and luminous lights To the thousand buddhas of the fortunate eon, To all the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the infinite pure lands and of the ten directions, To all the gurus, meditation deities, dakas, dakinis, dharma protectors, and the assembly of deities of all mandalas. Due to this, may my father, mother, and all sentient beings in this life and in all their future lives, Be able to see directly the actual pure lands of the complete and perfect buddhas,

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May they unify with Buddha Amitabha in inseparable oneness, Please bless me and may my prayers be actualized as soon as possible, Due to the power of the truth of the Triple Gem and the assembly of deities of the three roots. TADYATHA OM PÄNCHA GRIYA AVA BODHANI SVAHA (7x) Visualization The light transforms into brilliant five-color wisdom. On a lotus and moon disk the syllables OM and DHI appear. From them, one hundred and eight beautiful goddesses of light, Marmema, appear, wearing beautiful garments and precious garlands. Every goddess holds lights in her hands and from them emanate billions of trillions of infinite replicas of light-offering goddesses. All of them make light offerings uninterruptedly to all the buddhas in the buddha-fields throughout all of space and to the peaceful and wrathful deities. Dedication Thus, due to the merits of having made such a light offering May all the benefactors, the deceased and migrating beings of the six realms benefit; May all their degenerated samaya and broken vows be restored; May all their superstitious obscurations be purified;

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May all their bad karma, negativities, and obscurations be purified; May the three realms of samsara become empty immediately. Please grant control, power, and realization.

Ge wa di yi nyur du dag Due to the merits of these virtuous actions La ma sang gyä drub gyur nä May I quickly attain the state of a Guru-Buddha Dro wa chig kyang ma lü pa And lead all living beings, without exception De yi sa la gö par shog Into that enlightened state. Jang chhub sem chhog rin po chhe May the supreme jewel bodhichitta Ma kyi pa nam kye gyur chig That has not arisen, arise and grow; Kye pa nam pa me pa yang And may that which has arisen not diminish, Gong nä gong du phel war shog But increase more and more.

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Due to these infinite merits, may whatever sufferings sentient beings have ripen on me right now. May whatever happiness and virtue I have accumulated, including all the realizations of the path and the highest goal enlightenment, be received by each hell being, preta, animal, human, asura, and sura right now. Having dedicated in this way, you have accumulated infinite merit, so rejoice. May the precious sublime thought of enlightenment, the source of all success and happiness for myself and all other sentient beings, be generated without even a second’s delay. May that which has been generated increase more and more without degeneration. Due to all the merits of the three times collected by me, buddhas, bodhisattvas and all other sentient beings, which are empty from their own side, may the I, which is empty from its own side, achieve enlightenment, which is empty from its own side, and lead all sentient beings, who are empty from their own side, to that enlightenment, by myself alone. Whatever white virtues I have thus created, I dedicate as causes enabling me to uphold the holy Dharma of scriptures and insights and to fulfill without exception all the prayers and deeds of all the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the three times. By the force of this merit, in all my lives may I never be parted from Mahayana’s four spheres, and may I reach the end of my journey along the paths of renunciation, bodhichitta, the pure view, and the two stages.

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THE PRACTICE OF PROSTRATIONS TO THE THIRTY-FIVE CONFESSION BUDDHAS

First, recite the mantras for multiplying the merit of making prostrations CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ RINCHHEN GYÄLTSHÄN LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO (7X) OM NAMO BHAGAVATE RATNA KETU RAJAYA / TATHAGATAYA / ARHATE SAMYAK SAMBUDDHAYA / TADYATHA / OM RATNE RATNE MAHA RATNE RATNA BIJA YE SVAHA (7X) OM NAMO MANJUSHRIYE / NAMAH SUSHRIYE / NAMA UTTAMA SHRIYE SVAHA (3x) NA MO JANG CHHUB SEM PÄI TUNG WA SHAG PA Homage to the Confession of the Bodhisa� va’s Downfalls!

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DAG [MING] DI ZHE GYI WA I, (say your name) throughout all times, DÜ TAG TU LA MA LA KYAB SU CHHI WO Take refuge in the Guru; SANG GYÄ LA KYAB SU CHHI WO I take refuge in the Buddha; CHHÖ LA KYAB SU CHHI WO I take refuge in the Dharma; GE DÜN LA KYAB SU CHHI WO (3x) I take refuge in the Sangha. (3x) TÖN PA CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ PÄL GYÄL WA SHA KYA THUB PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Founder, Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Glorious Conqueror Shakyamuni Buddha, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA DOR JE NYING PÖ RAB TU JOM PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Thoroughly Destroying with Vajra Essence, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA RIN CHHEN Ö THRÖ LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Radiant Jewel, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA LU WANG GI GYÄL PO LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata King, Lord of the Nagas, I prostrate.

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DE ZHIN SHEG PA PA WÖI DE LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Army of Heroes, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA PÄL GYE LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Delighted Hero, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA RIN CHHEN ME LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Jewel Fire, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA RIN CHHEN DA Ö LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Jewel Moonlight, I prostrate.

DE ZHIN SHEG PA TONG WA DÖN YÖ LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Meaningful to See, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA RIN CHHEN DA WA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Jewel Moon, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRI MA ME PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Stainless One, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA PÄ JIN LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Bestowed with Courage, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA TSHANG PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Pure One, I prostrate.

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DE ZHIN SHEG PA TSHANG PÄ JIN LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Bestowed with Purity, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA CHHU LHA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Water God, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA CHHU LHÄI LHA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Deity of the Water God, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA PÄL ZANG LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Goodness, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA TSÄN DÄN PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Sandalwood, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA ZI JI THA YÄ LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Infi nite Splendor, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA Ö PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Light, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA NYA NGÄN ME PÄI PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Sorrowless Glory, I prostrate.

DE ZHIN SHEG PA SE ME KYI BU LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Son of Non-craving, I prostrate.

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DE ZHIN SHEG PA ME TOG PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Flower, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA TSHANG PÄI Ö ZER NAM PAR RÖL PÄ NGÖN PAR KHYEN PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Pure Light Rays Clearly Knowing by Play, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA PÄ MÄI Ö ZER NAM PAR RÖL PÄ NGÖN PAR KHYEN PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Lotus Light Rays Clearly Knowing by Play, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA NOR PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Wealth, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRÄN PÄI PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Mindfulness, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA TSHÄN PÄL SHIN TU YONG DRAG LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Name Widely Renowned, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA WANG PÖI TOG GI GYÄL TSHÄN GYI GYÄL PO LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata King Holding the Victory Banner of Foremost Power, I prostrate.

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DE ZHIN SHEG PA SHIN TU NAM PAR NÖN PÄI PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious One Totally Subduing, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA YÜL LÄ SHIN TU NAM PAR GYÄL WA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Utterly Victorious in Ba� le, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA NAM PAR NÖN PÄ SHEG PÄI PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Transcendence Through Subduing, I prostrate.

DE ZHIN SHEG PA KÜN NÄ NANG WA KÖ PÄI PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata Glorious Manifestations Illuminating All, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA RIN CHHEN PÄ MÄI NAM PAR NÖN PA LA CHAG TSHÄL LO To Tathagata All-Subduing Jewel Lotus, I prostrate. DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ RIN PO CHHE DANG PÄ MA LA RAB TU ZHUG PA RI WANG GI GYÄL PO LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO (3X) To Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, King of the Lord of Mountains Firmly Seated on Jewel and Lotus, I prostrate. (3x)

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Prostrations to the Seven Medicine Buddhas CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ TSEN LEG PA YONG DRAG PÄL GYI GYÄL PO LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Renowned Glorious King of Excellent Signs, I prostrate. CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ RIN PO CHHE DANG DA WA DANG PÄ MÄ RAB TU GYÄN PA KHÄ PA ZI JI DRA YANG KYI GYÄL PO LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, King of Melodious Sound, Brilliant Radiance of Skill, Adorned with Jewels, Moon, and Lotus, I prostrate. CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ SER ZANG DRI ME RIN CHHEN NANG TÜL ZHUG DRUB PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Stainless Excellent Gold, Illumina� ng Jewel Who Accomplishes All Conduct, I prostrate.

CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ NYA NGÄN ME CHHOG PÄL LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Glorious Supreme One Free from Sorrow, I prostrate.

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CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ CHHÖ DRAG GYA TSHÖ YANG LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Melodious Ocean of Proclaimed Dharma, I prostrate. CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ CHHÖ GYA TSHO CHHOG GI LÖ NAM PAR RÖL PÄ NGÖN PAR KHYÄN PA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Clearly Knowing by the Play of Supreme Wisdom of an Ocean of Dharma, I prostrate. CHOM DÄN DÄ DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ MEN GYI LHA BÄI DUR YÄ Ö KYI GYÄL PO LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Medicine Guru, King of Lapis Lazuli Light, I prostrate.

Confession Prayer

DE DAG LA SOG PA CHHOG CHÜI JIG TEN GYI KHAM THAM CHÄ NA DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI SANG GYÄ CHOM DÄN DÄ GANG JI NYE CHIG ZHUG TE TSHO ZHING ZHE PÄI SANG GYÄ CHOM DÄN DÄ DE DAG THAM CHÄ DAG LA GONG SU SÖL DAG GI KYE WA DI DANG / KYE WA TOG MÄI THA MA MA CHHI PA NÄ KHOR WA NA KHOR WÄI KYE NÄ THAM CHÄ DU DIG PÄI LÄ GYI PA DANG GYI DU TSÄL WA DANG / GYI PA LA JE SU YI RANG PA AM / CHHÖ TEN GYI KOR RAM / GE DÜN GYI KOR RAM / CHHOG CHÜI GE DÜN GYI KOR

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THROG PA DANG / THROG TU CHUG PA DANG / THROG PA LA JE SU YI RANG PA AM / TSHAM MA CHHI PA NGÄI LÄ GYI PA DANG / GYI DU TSÄL WA DANG / GYI PA LA JE SU YI RANG PA AM / MI GE WA CHÜI LÄ KYI LAM YANG DAG PAR LANG WA LA ZHUG PA DANG JUG TU TSÄL WA DANG / JUG PA LA JE SU YI RANG PA AM / LÄ KYI DRIB PA GANG GI DRIB NÄ DAG SEM CHÄN NYÄL WAR CHHI PA AM / DÜ DRÖI KYE NÄ SU CHHI PA AM / YI DVAG KYI YÜL DU CHHI PA AM YÜL THA KHOB TU KYE PA AM / LA LOR KYE PA AM / LHA TSHE RING PO NAM SU KYE PA AM WANG PO MA TSHANG WAR GYUR PA AM / TA WA LOG PA DZIN PAR GYUR PA AM / SANG GYÄ JUNG WA LA NYE PAR MI GYI PAR GYUR WÄI LÄ KYI DRIB PA GANG LAG PA DE DAG THAM CHÄ SANG GYÄ CHOM DÄN DÄ YE SHE SU GYUR PA / CHÄN DU GYUR PA / PANG DU GYUR PA / TSHÄ MAR GYUR PA / KHYEN PÄ ZIG PA DE DAG GI CHÄN NGAR THÖL LO CHHAG SO / MI CHHAB BO / MI BE DO / LÄN CHHÄ KYANG CHÖ CHING DOM PAR GYI LAG SO SANG GYÄ CHOM DÄN DÄ DE DAG THAM CHÄ DAG LA GONG SU SÖL DAG GI KYE WA DI DANG / KYE WA THOG MÄI THA MA MA CHHI PA NÄ KHOR WA NA KHOR WÄI KYE NÄ ZHÄN DAG TU JIN PA THA NA DÜ DRÖI KYE NÄ SU KYE PA LA ZÄ KHAM CHIG TSAM TSÄL WÄI GE WÄI TSA WA GANG LAG PA DANG / DAG GI TSHÜL THRIM SUNG PÄI GE WÄI TSA WA GANG LAG PA DANG / DAG GI TSHANG PAR CHÖ PÄI GE WÄI TSA WA GANG LAG PA DANG / DAG GI SEM CHÄN YONG SU MIN PAR GYI PÄI GE WÄI TSA WA GANG LAG PA DANG / DAG GI JANG CHHUB CHHOG TU SEM KYE PÄI GE WÄI TSA WA GANG LAG PA DANG / DAG GI LA NA ME PÄI YE SHE KYI GE WÄI TSA WA GANG LAG PA DE DAG THAM CHÄ CHIG TU DÜ SHING DUM TE DOM NÄ LA NA MA CHHI PA DANG / GONG NA MA CHHI PA DANG / GONG MÄI YANG GONG MA / LA MÄI YANG

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LA MAR YONG SU NGO WÄ LA NA ME PA YANG DAG PAR DZOG PÄI JANG CHHUB TU YONG SU NGO WAR GYI O JI TAR DÄ PÄI SANG GYÄ CHOM DÄN DÄ NAM KYI YONG SU NGÖ PA DANG / JI TAR MA JÖN PÄI SANG GYÄ CHOM DÄN DÄ NAM KYI YONG SU NGO WAR GYUR WA DANG / JI TAR DA TAR ZHUG PÄI SANG GYÄ CHOM DÄN DÄ NAM KYI YONG SU NGO WAR DZÄ PA DE ZHIN DU DAG GI KYANG YONG SU NGO WAR GYI O DIG PA THAM CHÄ NI SO SOR SHAG SO / SÖ NAM THAM CHÄ LA NI JE SU YI RANG NGO / SANG GYÄ THAM CHÄ LA NI KÜL ZHING SÖL WA DEB SO / DAG GI LA NA ME PÄI YE SHE KYI CHHOG DAM PA THOB PAR GYUR CHIG MI CHHOG GYÄL WA GANG DAG DA TAR ZHUG PA DANG / GANG DAG DÄ PA DAG DANG DE ZHIN GANG MA JÖN / YÖN TÄN NGAG PA THA YÄ GYA TSHO DRA KÜN LA / THÄL MO JAR WAR GYI TE KYAB SU NYE WAR CHHI WO All those [you Thirty-Five Buddhas] and others, as many tathagatas, arhats, perfectly completed buddhas as there are existing, sustaining, and residing in all the world systems of the ten direc- tions; all you buddha-bhagavans, please pay attention to me. In this life and in all the states of rebirth in which I have circled in samsara throughout beginningless lives, whatever negative actions I have created, made others create, or rejoiced in the creation of; whatever possessions of stupas, possessions of the Sangha, or possessions of the Sangha of the ten directions that I have appropriated, made others appropriate, or rejoiced in the appropriation of; whichever among the five actions of

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immediate (retribution) I have done, caused to be done, or rejoiced in the doing of; whichever paths of the ten non-virtuous actions I have engaged in, caused others to engage in, or rejoiced in the engaging in; whatever I have created, being obscured by these karmas causes me and sentient beings to be born in the hell realms, in the animal realm, and in the preta realm; in irreligious countries, as barbarians, or as long-life gods; with imperfect faculties, holding wrong views, or not being pleased with Buddha’s descent. In the presence of the buddha-bhagavans, who are transcendental wisdom, who are eyes, who are witnesses, who are valid, and who see with omniscient consciousness, I am admitting and confessing all these negativities. I will not conceal them nor hide them, and from now on in the future I will abstain and refrain from committing them again. All buddha-bhagavans, please pay attention to me. In this life and in the other states of rebirth in which I have circled in samsara throughout beginningless lives, whatever roots of virtue I have created by generosity, even as little as giving just one mouthful of food to a being born in the animal realm; whatever roots of virtue I have created by guarding morality; whatever roots of virtue I have created by following pure conduct; whatever roots of virtue I have created by fully ripening sentient beings; whatever roots of virtue I have created by generating bodhichitta; and whatever roots of virtue I have created by my unsurpassed transcendental wisdom: all these assembled

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and gathered, combined together, I fully dedicate to the unsurpassed, the unexcelled, that higher than the high, that superior to the superior. Thus, I completely dedicate to the highest, perfectly complete enlightenment. Just as the previous buddha-bhagavans have fully dedicated, just as the future buddha-bhagavans will fully dedicate, and just as the presently abiding buddha-bhagavans are fully dedicating, like that I too dedicate fully. I confess all negativities individually. I rejoice in all the merits. I urge and implore all buddhas to grant my request: may I receive the highest, most sublime transcendental wisdom. To the conquerors, the best of humans — those who are living in the present � me, those who have lived in the past, and those who will likewise come — to all those who have qualities as vast as an infinite ocean, with hands folded, I approach for refuge.

THE GENERAL CONFESSION

U HU LAG! LA MA DOR JE DZIN PA CHHEN PO LA SOG PA CHHOG CHU NA ZHUG PÄI SANG GYÄ DANG JANG CHHUB SEM PA THAM CHÄ DANG GE DÜN TSÜN PA NAM DAG LA GONG SU SÖL DAG [MING DI] ZHE GYI WÄ TSHE RAB KHOR WA THOG MA MA CHHI

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PA NÄ DA TA LA THUG GI BAR DU / NYÖN MONG PA DÖ CHHAG DANG ZHE DANG DANG TI MUG GI WANG GI LÜ NGAG YI SUM GYI GO NÄ DIG PA MI GE WA CHU GYI PA DANG / TSHAM MA CHHI PA NGA GYI PA DANG / DE DANG NYE WA NGA GYI PA DANG / SO SOR THAR PÄI DOM PA DANG GÄL WA DANG / JANG CHHUB SEM PÄI LAB PA DANG GÄL WA DANG / SANG NGAG KYI DAM TSHIG DANG GÄL WA DANG / PHA DANG MA LA MA GÜ PA DANG / KHÄN PO DANG LOB PÖN LA MA GÜ PA DANG / DROG TSHANG PA TSHUNG PAR CHÖ PA NAM LA MA GÜ PA DANG / KÖN CHHOG SUM LA NÖ PÄI LÄ GYI PA DANG / DAM PÄI CHHÖ PANG PA DANG / PHAG PÄI GE DÜN LA KUR PA TAB PA DANG / SEM CHÄN LA NÖ PÄI LÄ GYI PA LA SOG PA / DIG PA MI GE WÄI TSHOG DAG GI GYI PA DANG / GYI DU TSÄL WA DANG / ZHÄN GYI GYI PA LA JE SU YI RANG WA LA SOG PA / DOR NA THO RI DANG THAR PÄI GEG SU GYUR CHING KHOR WA DANG NGÄN SONG GI GYUR GYUR PÄI NYE TUNG GI TSHOG CHI CHHI PA THAM CHÄ LA MA DOR JE DZIN PA CHHEN PO LA SOG PA CHHOG CHU NA ZHUG PÄI SANG GYÄ DANG JANG CHHUB SEM PA THAM CHÄ DANG / GE DÜN TSÜN PA NAM KYI CHÄN NGAR THÖL LO / MI CHHAB BO / CHHAG SO CHHIN CHHÄ KYANG DOM PAR GYI LAG SO / THÖL ZHING SHAG NA DAG DE WA LA REG PAR NÄ PAR GYUR GYI / MA THÖL MA SHAG NA DE TAR MI GYUR WA LAG SO U hu lag! (Woe is me!) O great Guru Vajradhara, all other buddhas and bodhisattvas who abide in the ten directions, and all the venerable Sangha,

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please pay attention to me. I, who am named [say your name], circling in cyclic existence since beginningless time until the present, overpowered by mental afflictions such as attachment, aversion, and ignorance by means of body, speech, and mind have created the ten non-virtuous actions. I have engaged in the five uninterrupted negative karmas and the five nearing uninterrupted negative karmas. 1 I have transgressed the vows of individual liberation, transgressed the vows of bodhisattvas, and transgressed the samaya of secret mantra. 2 I have been disrespectful to my parents, have been disrespectful to my vajra masters, and to my abbot, and have been disrespectful to my spiritual friends living in ordination. 3 I have committed actions harmful to the Three Jewels, avoided the holy Dharma, 4 criticized the arya Sangha, 5 harmed sentient beings, and so on. These and many other non-virtuous negative actions I have done, have caused others to do, have rejoiced in others’ doing, and so forth.

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In the presence of the great Guru Vajradhara, all the buddhas and bodhisattvas who abide in the ten directions, and the venerable Sangha, I admit this entire collection of faults and transgressions that are obstacles to my own higher rebirth and liberation and are causes of cyclic existence and miserable lower rebirths. I will not conceal them, and I accept them as negative. I promise to refrain from doing these actions again in the future.6 By confessing and acknowledging them, I will attain and abide in happiness, while by not confessing and acknowledging them, true happiness will not come.

Dedication Due to all the three time merits accumulated by myself, all the buddhas and bodhisattvas and all sentient beings, which are completely empty of existing from their own side, may the I, which is completely empty of existing from its own side, quickly achieve the state of full enlightenment, which is completely empty of exis ting from its own side, in order to lead all sentient beings, who are completely empty of existing from their own side, to that state by myself alone, who is completely empty of existing from its own side. Due to all the three � me merits accumulated by myself, all the buddhas and bodhisattvas and all sentient beings, may the precious supreme enlightened thought, bodhichitta – letting go of self and cherishing others – which is the source of all success and

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happiness for myself and all sentient beings, immediately be generated within my own mind, and within the minds of all sentient beings. May that which has already been generated never decline, but increase more and more.

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PRAISES TO THE 21 TARAS Recite these praises and offer prostrations (optional). As you recite, contemplate as follows: with each praise and prostration, just as one spark of fire comes from another, a replica of (the respective) Tara manifests and sinks into you.

Invocation From your sublime abode at the Potala, O Tara, born from the green letter TAM Your crown adorned with Amitabha, Action-mother of the buddhas of the three times, Tara, please come with your attendants. Prostration The gods and demi-gods bow To your lotus feet, O Tara; You who rescue all who are destitute, To you, Mother Tara, I pay homage.

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The Praises OM Homage to the Venerable Arya Tara. Homage to you, Tara, the swift heroine, Whose eyes are like an instant flash of lightning, Whose water-born face arises from the blooming lotus Of Avalokiteshvara, protector of the three worlds. Homage to you, Tara, whose face is like One hundred full autumn moons gathered together, Blazing with the expanding light Of a thousand stars assembled.

Homage to you, Tara, born from a golden-blue lotus, Whose hands are beautifully adorned with lotus flowers, You who are the embodiment of giving, joyous effort, asceticism, Pacification, patience, concentration, and all objects of practice. Homage to you, Tara, the crown pinnacle of those thus gone, Whose deeds overcome infinite evils, Who have attained transcendent perfections without exception, And upon whom the sons of the Victorious Ones rely.

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Homage to you, Tara, who with the letters TUTTARA and HUM Fill the (realms of) desire, direction, and space, Whose feet trample on the seven worlds, And who are able to draw all beings to you. Homage to you, Tara, venerated by Indra, Agni, Brahma, Vayu, and Ishvara, And praised by the assembly of spirits, raised corpses, Gandharvas, and all yakshas. Homage to you, Tara, whose TRAT and PHAT Destroy entirely the magical wheels of others. With your right leg bent and left outstretched and pressing, You burn intensely within a whirl of fire. Homage to you, Tara, the great fearful one, Whose letter TURE destroys the mighty demons completely, Who with a wrathful expression on your water-born face Slay all enemies without an exception. Homage to you, Tara, whose fingers adorn your heart With the gesture of the sublime precious three; Adorned with a wheel striking all directions without exception With the totality of your own rays of light.

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Homage to you, Tara, whose radiant crown ornament, Joyful and magnificent, extends a garland of light, And who, by your laughter of TUTTARA, Conquer the demons and all of the worlds.

Homage to you, Tara, who are able to invoke The entire assembly of local protectors, Whose wrathful expression fiercely shakes, Rescuing the impoverished through the letter HUM. Homage to you, Tara, whose crown is adorned With the crescent moon, wearing ornaments exceedingly bright; From your hair knot the buddha Amitabha Radiates eternally with great beams of light. Homage to you, Tara, who dwell within a blazing garland That resembles the fire at the end of this world age; Surrounded by joy, you sit with your right leg extended And left withdrawn, completely destroying all the masses of enemies. Homage to you, Tara, with hand on the ground by your side, Pressing your heel and stamping your foot on the earth; With a wrathful glance from your eyes you subdue All seven levels through the syllable HUM.

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Homage to you, Tara, O happy, virtuous, and peaceful one, The very object of practice, passed beyond sorrow. You are perfectly endowed with SOHA and OM, Overcoming completely all the great evils. Homage to you, Tara, surrounded by the joyous ones, You completely subdue the bodies of all enemies; Your speech is adorned with the ten syllables, And you rescue all through the knowledge-letter HUM. Homage to you, Tara, stamping your feet and proclaiming TURE. Your seed-syllable itself in the aspect of HUM Causes Meru, Mandhara, and the Vindhya mountains And all the three worlds to tremble and shake. Homage to you, Tara, who hold in your hand The hare-marked moon like the celestial ocean. By uttering TARA twice and the letter PHAT You dispel all poisons without an exception.

Homage to you, Tara, upon whom the kings of the assembled gods, The gods themselves, and all kinnaras rely; Whose magnificent armor gives joy to all, You who dispel all disputes and bad dreams.

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Homage to you, Tara, whose two eyes – the sun and the moon – Radiate an excellent, illuminating light; By uttering HARA twice and TUTTARA, You dispel all violent epidemic disease. Homage to you, Tara, adorned by the three suchnesses, Perfectly endowed with the power of serenity, You who destroy the host of evil spirits, raised corpses, and yakshas, O TURE, most excellent and sublime! Thus concludes this praise of the root mantra and the offering of the twenty-one homages.

OM I prostrate to the goddess foe destroyer, liberating lady Tara, Homage to TARE, saviouress, heroine, With TUTTARE dispelling all fears, Granting all benefits with TURE, To her with sound SVAHA, I bow. Tara’s Mantra OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SVAHA (108x)

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A TREASURY OF BLESSINGS - THE LITURGY OF SHAKYAMUNI

Homage to Guru Shakyamuni!

In the Samadhiraja Sūtra, it is said: While walking, sitting, standing or

sleeping, whoever brings to mind themoon-like sage,

the buddha remains constantly in front of him and he will fully attain nirvana.

And also: Since the complexion of his body is like gold, the world protector is

extremely beautiful in all respects.

Whichever bodhisattva focuses his mind upon him is in meditative equipoise.

Engage in the practice of recollecting our matchless teacher, lord of the sages.

First go for refuge, develop bodhicitta and cultivate the Four Immeasurables,

starting with: "To the excellent buddha, dharma and supreme assembly etc...".

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[refuge & arousing bodhicitta]

[Repeat three times:] sangyé chö dang tsok kyi chok

nam la jangchup bardu dak ni kyap su chi

To the excellent buddha, dharma and supreme assembly,

I go for refuge until the attainment of awakening.

dak gyi jinsok gyipai sönam kyi dro la phen chir

sangyé drupar shok

Through the merit of my generosity and so forth, may I

attain buddhahood for the welfare of all sentient beings.

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[Repeat three times:] semchen thamché dewa dang

dewai gyu dang denpar gyur chik dukngal dang

dukngal gyi gyu dang dralwar gyur chik

May all beings possess happiness and the cause of

happiness; may they be free from suffering and the cause

of suffering;

dukngal mepai dewa dampa dang midralwar gyur

chik nyering chakdang nyi dang dralwai tangnyom

tséme pala nepar gyur chik

may they never be separated from the supreme happiness

devoid of suffering; may they remain in boundless

equanimity,

beyond attachment and aversion to those near and far.

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[the visualization]

All things appear but lack intrinsic nature. While reflecting on this, recite the

following:

ah kyemé tongpa nyidang tenjung gi nangwa gakmé sungjuk gyumai tsul

ĀḤ Like the magical display of the union of unborn emptiness and unceasing

interdependent appearances,

rang dün nam khar chötrin gyatsoi ü rinchen sengtri penyi dawai teng

tönpa tsungmé shakya sengé ni

in the sky in front of me, amidst ocean-like cloud banks of offerings, is the

peerless teacher, Lion of the Shakyas

upon a bejewelled lion-throne, lotus, sun and moon.

sergyi dokchen tsen dang pejé den chögö sum sol dorjé kyiltrung shuk

He is golden-hued, with the major signs and minor marks, attired in the three

dharma robes and seated in vajra posture.

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chakyé sanön chakgya lék kyang shing chakyön nyamshak dütsi lhungsé nam

His right hand is fully outstretched in the earth-touching gesture and his left hand in the gesture of

meditative equipoise

holds a nectar-filled alms bowl.

sergyi ri tar siji palbar wa yeshé öser drawé khaying khyap

Radiating glory and splendor, he is like a golden mountain. Nets of wisdom light-rays fill the sky.

nyewai segyé neten chudruk sok phaktsok gyatsoi khor gyi yongkor shing

He is completely surrounded by an ocean-like retinue of noble ones, such as the eight close sons, the

sixteen elders and the like.

drenpa tsamgyi si shi thanyi lé namdröl dewa chokgi pal tsol wa kyapkün düpai daknyi

chenpor sal

Merely by recollecting him, liberation from the two extremes of existence and peace, the glory of

supreme bliss, is bestowed.

He is present as the great embodiment of all refuges.

If, concentrating thus upon the body of the buddha, one thinks that he is really seated there, then he

will actually be present.

For the wisdom body of the buddhas there are no distinctions of place, time or distance.

In a sutra, it states: “The buddha is present before whoever brings him to mind - receiving blessings

continuosly, one will be liberated from all faults.”

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The accumulation of merit through visualizing the buddha will be an inexhaustible root of virtue which will never

diminish.

In the Avatamsaka Sūtra, it is said: “By seeing, hearing and making offerings to the buddhas, an immeasurable

amount of merit will develop.

Until all the sufferings of samsara and defilements have been abandoned, these components of merit will be not be

exhausted.”

Whatever aspirations are made in front of him, will be achieved. In the Mañjuśrī Ksetravyuha, it is said:

“All phenomena arise in accordance with conditions and depend upon one's intention. Whatever aspirations are

made, the appropriate results will be achieved.”

Develop a firm confidence in these statements, and then recite and practice the following Seven Branch Prayer:

nyingjé chenpö tsöden nyikmai shing sung né mönlam chenpo ngabgya tap

[Homage :] The great compassionate one accepted this turbulent degenerate world and made five-hundred

aspirations.

pekar tar ngak tsen thö chir mi dok tönpa thukjé chenla chaktsal lo

Praised as the white lotus, whoever hears his name shall not return. To this gracious teacher, I pay homage!

dakshen gosum getsok longchö ché künsang chöpai trindu mikné bul

[Offerings:] Visualizing the accumulation of merit through the three doors and the enjoyments of myself and

others as

Samantabhadra's offering cloud, I offer it.

thokmé nésak diktung malü pa nyingné gyöpa drakpö sosor shak

[Confession:] All my misdeeds and transgressions, accumulated since time immemorial, I confess, one by one,

with fervent heartfelt repentance.

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phak dang sosoi kyewoi gewa ni düsum sak la jesu yirang ngo

[Rejoicing:] In all the merit the noble ones and ordinary beings have accumulated throughout the three times, I

rejoice!

sap ching gyaché chökyi khorloi tsül chokchur gyünmi chepar kor du sol

[Requesting teachings:] Turn, I pray, the profound and vast dharma wheel unceasingly throughout the ten

directions!

khyé ni namkha tabui yeshé ku düsum phogyur mepar shuk mö kyi

[A prayer to remain :] While your space-like wisdom body dwells immutably throughout the three times,

düljai nangngor kyejik tsultön kyang trulpai suknyen taktu nang war dzö

in the perception of disciples, you nonetheless demonstrate birth and decay. May you forever display your

emanation body!

dakgi düsum sakpai getsok kyi khakhyap drowa künla phen le du

[Dedication:] Through the merit I have gathered throughout the three times, in order to benefit the host of infinite

beings,

chökyi gyalpo taktu nyejé ching chöjé gyalwai gophang thopar shok

may I always delight the dharma king and attain the state of the victorious lord of dharma.

dakchak nyikmai drowa gönmé nam thukjé lhakpar sungwai kadrin lé

[The invocation:] Out of kindness, you completely embrace with compassion all of us, defenseless beings in this

degenerate age.

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shing dang düdir rinchen namsum gyi nangwa ji nyé

khyekyi trinlé nyi

Whatever light of the triple gem exists in this realm and

time is your enlightened activity.

dechir kyapchok tsungmé chikpu ru yiché depé

nyingné soldep na

Therefore, when I supplicate from the bottom of my heart

with trust and faith, only refuge, peerless and sublime,

ngön gyi damcha chenpo ma nyel war jangchup

bardu thukjé jezin dzö

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don't forget your mighty covenant of the past, embrace

me with compassion until I reach enlightenment!

[recitation of the buddha's name]

Thus, with fervent trust and devotion, think that the buddha is

actually present and one-pointedly visualize his form.

[Recite the following as many times as you can:]

lama tönpa chomdendé deshin shekpa drachom pa yang

dakpar dzokpai sangyé pal gyalwa shakya thupa la

chaktsal lo

chödo kyapsuchio.

Supreme Spiritual Teacher, Blessed One, Tathāgata, Arhat,

Completely Perfect Buddha, Glorious Victor, Shakyamuni,

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I pay homage, make offerings and seek refuge in you!

[recitation of the dhāraṇī]

To invoke the continuum of the buddhas mind, recite the dhāraṇī

from the "Concise Prajnaparamita" as much as you can:

TADYATHA OM MUNE MUNE MAHA MUNAYE SOHA

Thus, beginning with "OM", (omitting "tadyatha"), recite this same

dhāraṇī as many times as you can: (oṃ mune mune mahā munaye

soha).

While recalling the teacher's qualities, concentrate one-pointedly

and devoutly upon his vividly visualized form, utter his names and

recite his dhāraṇī.

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Strive in this to the best of your ability, perceiving that through

this, the following occurs:

tönpai kulé yeshé kyi öser na tsokpai nangwa chenpö dak dang semchen

thamché kyi dripa thamché sal shing

thekpa chenpoi lamgyi yönten tsul shindu kyeté chir mi dokpai sa nönpar

gyur

From the teacher's form, multicoloured light-beams of wisdom shine forth

brightly and dispel all obscurations of myself and all sentient beings.

The good qualities of the mahayāna path arise flawlessly and the state of a non-

returner is achieved.

Endeavour as much as you can in this practice.

Between sessions, do the mandala offerings and other offerings. To the best of

your ability, read any sūtras that you wish, such as The Praises of the Buddha,

Karunapundarika, Lalitavistara, Accounts of Buddha's Previous Lives, and the

Hundred and Eight Names of the Tathāgata.

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Conclude by dedicating the roots of virtue to unsurpassable enlightenment and

seal this with prayers of aspiration.

[Dedication of merit]

deshék seché küngyi thukyé dang dzepa mönlam khyentsé nüpai tsul

Just as all the sugatas and their children have developed bodhicitta, and

just as their activities, aspirations, wisdom,

lamé yeshé gyutrül jidra wa dendra khonar drokün gyurwar shok

love and power are a miraculous display of unsurpassable wisdom, may

all beings develop in exactly the same manner.

gewa diyi nyurdu dak dzokpai sangyé drupgyur né

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Through this virtue, may I quickly accomplish perfect buddhahood for

myself,

drowa chikyang malü pa deyi sala göpar shok

and establish all beings, without a single exception, in that very state.

tönpa jikten khamsu jönpa dang tenpa nyiö shindu salwa dang

The teacher has appeared in this world and the teachings have illuminated it like the light of the sun.

tenzin phunu shindu thünpa yi tenpa yünring nepai tashi shok

May the holders of the teachings be in harmony, like siblings, and may there be the auspiciousness

that the teachings endure.

jangchup semchok rinpoché makyepa namkyé gyur chik

May the supreme and precious mind of enlightenment, awaken in those where it has not yet arisen,

kyepa nyampar mepa yang gongné gongdu phelwar shok

Where it has arisen, may it never decrease, but continue to flourish forever more.

semchen thamché dedang dengyur chik ngendro thamché takdu tongpar shok

May all sentient beings be happy. May the lower realms become forever emptied.

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jangchup sempa gangdak sarshuk pa dedak küngyi mönlam drupar shok

May the aspiration prayers of all the bodhisattvas dwelling on the bhūmis, be entirely fulfilled.

sönam diyi tamché sikpa nyi thopné nyepai dranam phamjé né

By this virtue may I attain omniscience. Having defeated the enemy, misdeeds,

kyega nachi balap trukpa yi sipai tsolé drowa drölwar shok

may I free all beings from the ocean of existence, with its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness

and death.

In general, whatever we are doing - whether moving, walking, sleeping or sitting - we should constantly remember

our teacher, the buddha.

At night also, we should fall asleep thinking of the teacher as actually present, shining light in all directions, like

the light of a very clear day.

Within a state of perfect observance of the precious bodhicitta commitment, in which we continuosly emulate the

lives of the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the three times,

beginning with how the teacher himself engendered this attitude, we should likewise make this precious life

meaningful by exerting ourselves

in the conduct of a bodhisattva in general and the practice of tranquillity and insight in particular.

In many sūtras, is said that by merely hearing the name of our teacher, one will not be diverted from the path of

great enlightenment.

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In the "Concise Prajñāpāramitā" Sūtra, it is said that the above-mentioned dhāraṇī is the source of all the

buddhas.

By means of this dhāraṇī , the king of the Śakyas himself achieved enlightenment and Avalokiteśvara became the

supreme exemplar among bodhisattvas.

Just by hearing this dhāraṇī, one will accumulate vast merit without hardship and purify all karmic obscurations.

If one practices mantrayāna, negative forces will not arise.

Other canonical scriptures also have mentioned the immeasurable virtue of this dhāraṇī. For example, by reciting

the dhāraṇī just once,

one will purify all the negative karma accumulated for 80,000,000,000 kalpas. It is said to be the sacred essence of

the Tathāgata, Shakyamuni.

Colophon:

It occured to me to write this sādhanā when Won Urgyen Tenzin Norbu, who holds the

treasure of the three trainings, made auspicious offerings and urged me to do so.

Then recently, the Won Rinpoche sent Tulku Jigme Pema Dechen with auspicious

offerings, such as gold, saying "Please, finish it quickly!" So, at the request of these two

noble men, I, Mipham Jamyang Gyatso, a follower of Shakyamuni bearing merely the

name of a dharma teacher in this final age, having gained unwavering faith in the

Sublime Teacher, completed it at Phuntsok Norbu Ling below Mount Dza Dorje Penchuk

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on the eighth day of the Great Miracle month of the Year of the Iron Rat [09-Feb-1900].

May it be of continual and sublime benefit to the doctrine and beings;

May the incomparable blessings of the teacher, the lord of sages truly enter all the beings

who see, hear, remember or touch this sādhanā.

- A Liturgy of Buddha Shakyamuni byMiphan Rinpoche

"Treating the representations of Body, Speech and Mind with respect and veneration

creates a tremendous amount of merit. Please do not place dharma texts where people

walk and sit."

-Ch ökyi Nyima Rinpoche-

The translation of this sādhanā is a dharma offering of Dharmachakra Practices.