Tibetan Buddhist Altar » Prayers

Heart Nectar of the Saints: His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche

Jetsunma — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:58:47 +0000

The following is respectfully taken from “The Lamp of Liberation: A Collection of of Prayers, Advice and Aspirations”

Heart Nectar of the Saints: A Prayer of Aspiration That Condenses the Essence of the Oral Teachings:

by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche Jigdral Yeshe Dorje
Sole unfailing and unchanging Refuge, Lord of the Mandala,
Most precious and kind Root Guru, hold me with compassion
When I squander the freedoms and endowments,
Ignoring death, providing only for this life.

The fleeting human life, like a dream,
If it’s happy that’s all right, if it’s unhappy that’s all right.
Without concern for happiness or sorrow,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This mortal existence, like a candle in the wind,
If it’s long that’s all right, if it’s short that’s all right.
Without intensifying the tight grip of the ego,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These intellectual judgements, like the lure of a mirage,
If they’re suitable that’s all right, if they’re not that’s all right.
Discarding, like hay, whatever carries the eight worldly concerns,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This entourage, like of flock of birds in a tree,
If it’s assembled that’s all right, if it’s scattered that’s all right.
Without letting others lead me by the nose,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This illusory body, like a hundred year old house,
If it survives that’s all right, if it collapses that’s all right.
Without becoming obsessed by food, clothes and medicine,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This religious position, like a child’s game,
If it’s kept up that’s all right, if it’s dropped that’s all right.
Without deceiving myself with numerous diversions,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These gods and demons, like reflections in a mirror,
If they’re helpful that’s all right, if they’re harmful that’s all right.
Without perceiving my own hallucinations as enemies,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This delusive talk, like a trackless echo,
If it’s pleasing that’s all right, if it’s unpleasant that’s all right.
Taking the Three Jewels and my own mind as witness,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

That which is useless at the time of need, like the antlers of a deer,
If it’s known that’s all right, if it’s unknown that’s all right.
Without simply relying on various sciences,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These religious possessions, like virulent poisons,
If they come that’s all right, if they don’t that’s all right.
Without devoting my life to sinful, unwholesome means of survival,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This form of greatness, like dogshit wrapped in brocade,
If it’s obtained that’s all right, if it’s not that’s all right.
Having smelled the rot of my own head,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These relationships, like gatherings on a market day,
If they’re loving that’s all right, if they’re spiteful that’s all right.
Cutting the ties of passionate attachment from deep within the heart,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This material wealth, like what’s found in a dream,
If it’s acquired that’s all right, if it’s not that’s all right.
Without deceiving others by flattery and assent,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This rank, like a little bird perch on top of a tree,
If it’s high that’s all right, if it’s low that’s all right.
Without aspiring to that which actually brings sorrow,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This black magic, like a sharpened weapon,
If it’s successful that’s all right, if it’s not that’s all right.
Without buying the blade that will cut off my life,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These recitations, like parrot’s six syllables,
If they’re repeated that’s all right, if they’re not that’s all right.
Without counting numbers of the various practices,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

Mere religious discourse, like a mountain cascade,
If it’s eloquent that’s all right, if it’s not that’s all right.
Without thinking of this glibness as Dharma,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The mind quick to judge, like a pig’s snout,
If it’s sharp that’s all right, if it’s dull that’s all right.
Without uselessly digging up the rubble of anger attachment,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The yogi’s experience, like a stream in summer,
If it expands that’s all right, if it recedes that’s all right.
Without chasing rainbows like a child,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These pure visions, like rain on a mountain top,
If they happen that’s all right, if they don’t that’s all right.
Without giving credence to illusory experiences,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The freedoms and endownments, like a wish-fulfilling gem,
If I do not obtain them, there is not way to accomplish Dharma.
When I have them in hand, without letting them spoil,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This glorious Guru, light on the path of liberation,
If I do not meet him, there is no way to realize the true nature.
When I know the way to go, without jumping into the precipice,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The holy Dharma, like a medicine that cures sickness,
If I have not heard it, there is no way to decide what to give and what to take up.
Distinguishing the beneficial from the harmful, without swallowing the poison,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The alternation of happiness and suffering, the changing of summer and winter,
If I do not recognize it, there is no way to develop renunciation.
Being certain I will suffer in turn,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This immersion in Samsara, like a stone in deep water,
If I do not get out of it now, I will not be free of it later.
Holding on to the lifeline of the compassionate Three Jewels,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The qualities of liberation, like an island of jewels,
If I am unaware of them, there is no way to develop diligence.
Seeing the unending benefits to be gained,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The life stories of the great saints, like the essence of nectar,
If I am unacquainted with them, there is no way to awaken faith.
When I recognize the real gains and losses,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The aspiration towards enlightenment, like a fertile field,
If I do not cultivate it, there is no way to attain Buddhahood.
Without becoming indifferent to the accomplishment of the great goal,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These thoughts of mine, like a monkey’s antics,
If I do not tame them, there is no way to eliminate my afflictive emotions.
Without falling into all kinds of crazy mimicry,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This attachment to ego, like an inherent shadow,
If I do not give it up, there is no way to reach a peaceful place.
When I recognize the enemy, without befriending it,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The five poisons, like embers glowing in the ash,
If I do not extinguish them, I cannot abide in the mind’s self-nature.
Without breeding venomous baby snakes in my bed,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This temperament of mine, like the stiff hide of a butter-bag,
If I do not soften it, the Dharma and my mind will never blend.
Without indulging the child that is born from my self,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These ingrained bad habits, like the course of a river,
If I do not eliminate them, I cannot part from the profane.
Without delivering weapons into the hands of the enemy,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

These distractions, like the ceaseless rippling of water,
If I do not reject them, there is no way to become steadfast.
When I have the freedom of choice, without devoting myself to Samsara,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The Guru’s blessing, like the warming of earth and water,
If I do not receive it, there is no way to recognize my own true nature.
When I step on the short path, without turning in circles,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The solitary place, like a summer valley of medicine plants,
If I do not dwell there, there is no way for the good qualities to grow.
When I stay in the mountains, without wandering off to dark cities,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This desire for comfort, like a greedy ghost lodged at the hearth,
If I do not part from it, painful efforts will never cease.
Without making, as to a god, offerings to a hungry demon,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This alert mindfulness, like the key to a fortress,
If it is not relied upon, the movements of delusion will never stop.
At the time the thief arrives, without leaving the latch unfastened,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The true nature, like unchanging space,
If I do not realize it, the ground of the view will not be established.
Without chaining myself in iron fetters,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

This awareness, like a stainless crystal,
If I do not see it, the clinging and effort of meditation cannot dissolve.
When I have this inseparable companion, without searching for another,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

The natural mind, like an old friend,
If I do not recognize it, all my activities will be deluded.
Without fumbling around with my eyes closed,
May I constantly practice the Supreme Teaching.

In short, if I do not abandon the concerns of this life,
There is no way to apply the teachings for the benefit of the next life,
Having resolved to be kind to myself,
May whatever I do become the Supreme Teaching.

To doubt the Guru’s instructions that accord with the Dharma,
To feel bitterness toward the deity when bad karma emerges,
To discontinue the sadhana and so forth when adverse circumstances arise,
May such obstacles not occur as accomplishment approaches.

All this doing has no more meaning than walking around a desert,
All these efforts make my character rigid.
All this thinking just reinforces my delusions,
What worldly beings consider to be Dharma is the cause of binding myself.
All this exertion produces no result,
All these ideas bring not a single actualization,
All the numerous wants will never be fulfilled,
Abandoning activities, may I be able to meditate on the oral instructions.
If you think you want to do it, take the Victorious One’s words as witness,
If you think you can really do it, blend your mind with Dharma,
If you think you will practice, follow the example of the past saints.
You spoiled ones, is there any other way?
Taking a humble position, rich with the treasure of contentment,
Free from the binds of eight worldly concerns, firm and strong-hearted in practice,
Receiving the Guru’s blessing, realization becomes equal to space.
May we inherit the Kingdom of Kuntuzangpo.

Thus having united the meaning of the diamond words of the past saints, I have written this as my own prayer.

Jigdral Yeshe Dorje

Prayer to Take Rebirth in Dewachen (Realm of Great Bliss)

Jetsunma — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:45:48 +0000

The following prayer is from the Great Perfection Buddha in the Palm of the Hand: The Lama’s Oral Instructions Upon the Recitation and Visualization of the Preliminary Practices of Ngondro revealed by Terton Migyur Dorje

If the following prayer is recited daily with faith, it will assure an auspicious rebirth:

EH MA HO The wondrous Buddha Amitabha and

The Lord Avalokiteshvara to your right and

The Bodhisattva of power, Vajrapani, to your left,

Surrounded by a boundless retinue of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,

Into the wondrous, immeasurably blissful

Pure Realm of Great Bliss (Dewachen),

May I, at the moment that I must transfer from this life,

Without any other births intervening,

Be reborn, to behold the face of Amitabha,

And through the force of this prayer I am making,

May the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions

Grant blessings to accomplish this prayer without interruption.

TA DYA THA PENTSA DRI YA AH WA BHO DHA NI SWAHA

Thus through this generation and completion stage meditation and mantra recitation, and

Whatever virtue I have and will accumulate in the three times,

May I enjoy a long life, without illness, and an increase of understanding and realization.

When the time comes to transfer from this life, by taking rebirth in the Realm of Great Bliss,

And seeing the precious face of Dharmakaya Buddha, Amitabha,

I shall obtain the ten stages, and from all the pure realms of the ten directions,

May I send forth manifestations to guide beings without exception!

Purification of Moral Conduct

Jetsunma — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:43:19 +0000

The following is a prayer from the Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony as translated in the Nam Cho Daily Practice book from Palyul Ling International:

Prostrate to all the Tathagatas!

Prostrate to Bodhisattva Mahasattva Avalokiteshvara!

OM AH MO GHA SHI LA SAMBHARA SAMBHARA BHARA BHARA MAHASHUD DHA SATO PEMA BHI BHU KHE TE BU DZA DARA DARA SAMANTA AVALOKETE HUNG PHET SOHA (repeat 21 times)

May the Dharma of the perfection of moral self-discipline be thoroughly complete in my and all sentient being’s mind streams!

May all non-virtuous deeds and obstructions arising from discipline broken because of defilements be cleansed and purified!

May there be the fortune of discipline pleasing to the Aryas!

May I be placed in contact with the bliss of liberation not oppressed by defilement.

May proper moral self-discipline be without faults.

May moral self-discipline be possessed purely.

And the perfection of moral self-discipline without hypocrisy be completed!

May I be trained as a follower of all the Jinas,

Completing the conduct of Samantabhadra.

May my conduct of discipline be completely immaculate!

May my moral self-discipline have the sweet essence of being well-kept!

May my conduct always be without damage and without faults!

Request to Remain Firm

Jetsunma — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:04:49 +0000

The following is a prayer from the Nam Chö Daily Practice Book from Palyul Ling International:

As the single source of benefit and bliss,
May the doctrine remain in this world indefinitely and
May those of supreme birth who uphold the precious doctrine,
Live long firm lives like banners of victory!
May the lives of the glorious spiritual teachers be firm and
May all sentient beings, who are equal in number to space, be well and happy.
Through myself and all others, accumulating merit and cleansing obscurations,
May we quickly be placed on the stage of Buddhahood.
I pray that the spiritual teachers may enjoy excellent health.
I pray for their supreme long life as well.
I pray that their enlightened activities may spread forth and expand.
Grant blessings to never be separated from my spiritual teachers.
May myself and limitless beings without exception,
By the root of this very virtue,
Completely cleanse the karmic negativities and obscurations of all lifetimes,
And be liberated in the expanse of the profound Dharma treasury.

Incense Offering

Jetsunma — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:04:45 +0000

The following is a prayer from the Namchö Daily Practice Book from Palyul Ling International:

TSUL TRIM DRI DEN PÖ CHOG DAM PA DI
This pure supreme incense, which bears the scent of pure moral self-discipline,

TING DZIN NGAG DANG CHAG JYAI JYIN LAB KYI
By the blessings of mantra, mudra and samadhi

SANG GYÉ SHING DU PÖ DRI NGED DANG WA
Is offered to the realms of the Buddhas. May this fragrant incense

GYAL WA GYA TSÖI TSOG NAM NYE GYUR CHIG
Completely please and satisfy the ocean-like assembly of Buddhas!

NAMA SARWA TATHAGATA BENZA DUPE PRATITSA PUDZA MEGHA SAMUDRA SA PHA RA NA SAMAYE AH HUNG

A Prayer From the Sang Ti Kagyama: Secret Esoteric Instruction by Dudjom Lingpa

Jetsunma — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:14:28 +0000

The following is from “The Lamp of Liberation: A Collection of Prayers, Advice and Aspirations“

Kye! To all the Buddhas of the three times
Inseparable from the great absolute space,
Great intrinsic nature of phenomena,
Space of awareness uncontrived and ever-free,
We bow in order to realize our self-nature,
And vow from now not to separate from it.
Realizing the essential sameness, may we be liberated in the absolute space!
Ho! In the vast space of the great expanse, the Wisdom-Mind
Of the Buddhas, the essence of the Sugatas,
wisdom, the rising power of gnosis
Displays a powerful pure aspiration.
The primordial space of the Ground, Dharmakaya,
Is the Adi Buddha among all Buddhas,
Unimproved by positive qualities,
Unimpaired by defects and stains–
The great space beyond conceptualized views.
May we realize the nature as it is.

All-pervasiveness beyond all partiality and limitations,
Expanse free from attributes and labels,
Great confidence that there is nothing to give up and nothing
to gain:
May we realize the nature as it is.

Purity and essential sameness of samsara and nirvana,
Dharmakaya;
Spontaneous display, perfect Sambhogakaya;
Complete self-liberation, Nirmanakaya:
May we realize the nature as it is.

There is no Buddha, there are no beings;
There is no cause, no conditions, no result.
There is no path, no wisdom to gain:
May we realize the nature as it is.

From the beginning it is pure from defects and stains;
Luminosity in depth: knowledge, realization and gnosis fully blossomed–
Space beyond the three times, beginning and end.
May we realize the nature as it is.

Thus the face of the Dharmakaya is perfect
Without having to be sought; the habitual tendencies which veil it
Are intrinsically pure in the great state which is without object.
May we enter the perfect path.

The supreme Wisdom, unborn and ungenerated,
Free from obscurations and veils of ignorance
Is the great natural state of suchness;
May we realize the nature as it is.

The powerful blessings of great Wisdom
having liberated the obstacle-makers of deviations, errors
and mistakes,
There is the primordial state beyond effort:
May we enter the perfect path.

Without alterations, changes, training or progress
Is the supreme path among paths, the perfect path.
With the gnosis which sees whatever there is
May we recognize the nature as it is
And reach the primordial space.

By observing one does not see the perfect View;
Leaving as is, without observing, ones sees the self-nature.
Not to observe is the vital point of the profound View:
May we enter the perfect path.

By acting one does not accomplish the activity beyond action;
Without acting the great meaning of naturalness is realized.
Not to act is the vital point of great action.
May we enter the perfect path.

The Wisdom-Eye of great gnosis
Freed from the murk and dust of habitual tendencies,
May we actually recognize Dharmata
And attain the level of the Fully Matured Vidyadhara.

All phenomena are like the ten similes of illusion.
With pure perception free from grasping
May the visionary experiences develop,
And may we attain the level of the Vidyadhara of the
Power Over Life.

Without depending on causes and conditions
Obtaining in reality independence and self-liberation,
May we reach the culmination of ground-awareness
And attain the level of Mahamudra Vidyadhara.

The dualistic phenomena of subject and object perceived
through deluded mind
Dissolve in the great Dharmata beyond intellect.
May we hold the invincible position of attainment of confidence
And attain the level of Spontaneously Accomplished Vidyadhara.

All mental perceptions of the three worlds of samsara,
As if waking from a dream into the absolute expanse,
Dissolve in the great primordial inner space:
May we fully awaken in the Youthful Vase Body!

Prayer to Guru Rinpoche

Jetsunma — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:49:53 +0000

The following prayer is from the Nam Cho Daily Practice Book by Palyul Ling International:

HRIH NGÖN GYI KAL PAI DANG PO LA
In the past, at the beginning of this aeon,

O GYEN YUL GYI NUB JYANG TSAM
In the northwest country of Uddiyana,

DHANA KO SHAI TSO LING DU
On an island in Lake Danakosha,

PEMA GESAR DONG PO LA
Born in the pollen heart of a lotus,

YA TSEN CHOG GI NGÖ DRUB NYE
Endowed with the most marvelous spiritual attainments,

PEMA JYUNG NE SHE SU DRAG
You are endowed as the “Lotus Born.”

KHOR DU KHANDRO MANG PÖ KHOR
Surrounded by a retinue of many Dakinis,
KHYED KYI JE SU DAG DRUB KYI
Following in your footsteps,

JYIN GYI LAB CHIR SHEG SU SOL
I pray to you: Please come forth and grant your blessings!

NE CHOG DI RU JYIN PHOB LA
Bestow blessings upon this supreme place of practice!

DRUB CHOG DAG LA WANG SHI KUR
Confer the four empowerments upon me, an excellent practitioner!

GEG DANG LOG DREN BAR CHED SOL
Dispel the obstacles arising from obstructing forces and misguiding spirits!

CHOG DANG THÜN MONG NGÖ DRUB TSOL
Please grant the common and supreme spiritual attainments!
OM AH HUNG BENZA GURU PEMA TÖTRENG TSAL BENZA SAMAYA DZA SIDDHI PHA LA HUNG AH

Prayer to Manjushri

Jetsunma — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:23:04 +0000

Prayer To Manjushri

Obeisance to my Guru and Protector, Manjushri,

Who holds to his heart a scriptural text symbolic of his seeing all things as they are,

Whose intelligence shines forth as the sun, unclouded by delusions or traces of ignorance,

Who teaches in sixty ways with the loving compassion of a father for his only son,

All creatures caught in the prison of samsara, confused in the darkness of their ignorance, overwhelmed by their suffering.

You, whose dragon thunder-like proclamation of Dharma, arouses us from the stupor of delusions

And frees us from the iron chains of our karma, who wields the Sword of Wisdom

Hewing down suffering wherever its sprouts appear, clearing away the darkness of ignorance.

You whose princely body is adorned with the 112 marks of a Buddha, who has completed the stages achieving the highest perfection of a Bodhisattva, who has been pure from the beginning.

OM AH RA PA TSA NA DHI
(Repeat the mantra many times through. The last time:
DHI DHI DHI DHI DHI…..SOHA)

I bow down to you, O Manjushri. With the brilliance of your wisdom, O Compassionate One,

Illuminate the darkness enclosing my mind.

Enlighten my intelligence and wisdom so that I may gain insight

Into Buddha’s words and the texts that explain them.

Waking Up From the Deep Slumber of Ignorance

Jetsunma — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:02:47 +0000

The following is a prayer from the Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony as translated in the Nam Cho Daily Practice Book from Palyul Ling International:

Alas! Fortunate ones!

Do not let ignorance overwhelm you.

Wake up now and be diligent.

Since beginningless time to this very moment

You have been sleeping in ignorance. Enough!

Now sleep no more and devote your three doors to the practice of Dharma.

Don’t you understand the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death?

No moment of what is called “today” is permanent.

Now the time has arrived to practice diligently.

This is the moment to accomplish permanent happiness.

And not the moment to fritter away in the state of laziness.

Contemplate death and strive to accomplish y9our practice.

Life is uncertain, as the causes and conditions for death are innumerable.

If you do not attain the confident state of fearlessness in this very life,

Then what is the use of being alive?

All phenomena are selfless, empty by nature and free of elaboration.

They are like magical illusions, mirages, dreams, reflections, the cities of Ghandarvas, echoes,

Reflections of the moon in water, bubbles, optical illusions and manifested illusions.

By these ten known examples of the illusoriness of phenomena,

Understand all worldly and transcendental phenomena as these.

Thus sang the wisdom dakinis who then dissolve into space with sharp whistling sounds. By being mindful of the meaning and importance, generate awareness and determination to wake up immediately from the slumber if ignorance.

Swift Rebirth Prayer for Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche

Jetsunma — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:48:49 +0000

NGA GYUR KA TER TSUR KHOR LO GYUR; KHÉ DRUB GYAL PO THINLEY NORBU YI
“You who have turned the wheel of oceans of transmitted and revealed texts of the Early Translations, king of enlightened scholars and practitioners, Action Jewel (Thinley Norbu),

CHOG GI TRUL KU DA ZHEL NYUR CHAR TÉ; SA SUM TRA SHI NANG WAY CHAB GYUR CHIK
May the full moon of (your) supreme nirmãnakãya (tulku) arise, appearing and pervading the three planes of existence with auspiciousness!

PEL DEN LA MAY THUK GONG ZOG PA DONG; KHA NYAM YONG LA DÉ KYI JUNG WA DONG
Please perfect the intention of the Glorious Lama’s enlightened mind, giving rise to happiness and well-being amongst all beings, as many as space is vast,

DAK ZHEN MA LU TSOK SAK DRIP JANG NAY, NYUR DU SANG GAY SA LA GÖ PAR SHO
All amassing the Accumulations (of merit and wisdom) and purifying the defilements (afflicting) self and others, so that (we) are swiftly established in buddhahood.”

In response to requests from both Lama Kunzang Wangdi and Dolop Sonam (I,) Namkhai Nyingpo, have made this supplication (prayer) for the Tulku.