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ISSN 2753-4812
ISSN 2753-4812

Longchen Rabjam Series

Tibetan Masters Longchen Rabjam

English (74) | Deutsch (15) | Español (9) | Français (16) | Italiano (2) | Nederlands (1) | Português (4) | 中文 (6) | བོད་ཡིག (74)

The Six Ornaments and Two Supreme Ones beautify this world of ours.

In the depth of your compassion, learning and realization, you are their equal,

Yet as a hidden yogi, Longchenpa, you practise in forest retreats,

And perfect saṃsāra and nirvāṇa as dharmakāya—

Drimé Özer—'Stainless Light’—at your feet I pray.

Texts by and about Longchen Rabjam (klong chen rab 'byams, 1308–1364), also known as Drimé Özer (dri med 'od zer), who is widely acknowledged as the greatest exponent of Dzogpachenpo, or the Great Perfection, in Tibetan history:

Advice

Essential advice on every stage of the path from beginning to end. As Longchenpa puts it in the text itself: "Even if we were to meet in person, I would have no greater instruction to give you than this. So take it to heart, all the time, and in any situation."
Advice Dzogchen
From the famed Trilogy of Finding Comfort and Ease (ngal gso skor gsum), this brief guide to Finding Comfort and Ease in Illusion or Being at Ease with Illusion (sgyu ma ngal gso) explains how to meditate on the illusory or dream-like nature of all phenomena.
Dzogchen
In this profound instruction on the process of dying and the intermediate state, or bardo, the great Longchen Rabjam explains how to see death from a Dzogchen perspective and how to attain liberation either at the moment of death or thereafter in the bardos of dharmatā or becoming.
Dying & the Bardos Advice
Longchen Rabjam tells us that he composed these thirty verses of heartfelt advice for himself and others like him, out of a sense of renunciation. In what has become one of his most famous and popular teachings, he advocates simplicity, ethical discipline, humility, and, above all, diligent practice.
Advice Mind Training (Lojong)

Aspiration Prayers

This brief prayer, extracted from Longchen Rabjam's Treasury of Pith Instructions (man ngag mdzod), was added to the Longchen Nyingtik preliminaries.
Aspiration Prayers
by Amdo Geshe Jampal Rolwé Lodrö
This prayer for the spread of the teachings of the great Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) is also an extensive panegyric on the qualities of those teachings. It is unusual in that the author was himself a Gelugpa — albeit one who studied with Nyingma teachers and wrote on Dzogchen.
Aspiration Prayers Nyingma

Biography

As part of his history of the Lama Yangtik lineage, Longchenpa offers a first-hand account of his own early life, a brief but important reference for later biographers.
Autobiography Lama Yangtik
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this brief biography of Guru Jober (1196–1255) provides details about his spiritual training and accomplishment.
Biography Lama Yangtik
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this short biography of Zhangtön Tashi Dorje (1097–1167) describes his encounters with emanations of the protectors Vajrasadhu and Ekajaṭī and his discovery of the Dzogchen teachings as hidden termas in a cave.
Biography Lama Yangtik
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this short biography of Khepa Nyima Bum (1158–1213) provides some details about his spiritual training and accomplishment.
Biography Lama Yangtik
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this biography of Longchenpa’s root guru became an important source for later historians, such as Gö Lotsawa Zhönnu Pal, Guru Tashi, Dudjom Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje.
Biography Lama Yangtik
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this biography of Kumārādza’s root teacher became an important source for later historians, such as Gö Lotsawa Zhönnu Pal, Guru Tashi, Dudjom Rinpoche and Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje.
Biography Lama Yangtik
Extracted from The Jewel Rosary History, this brief biography of Trulzhik Sengge Gyabpa, root teacher of Melong Dorje (1243–1303), provides details about his training and accomplishment.
Biography Lama Yangtik
Belonging to the history and biography section at the end of the Vima Nyingtik, this brief account is of unknown authorship but might represent the earliest available version of the master's life story.
Biography Vima Nyingtik
Taken from the biography section at the end of the Vima Nyingtik, this brief account is of unknown authorship but might represent the earliest available version of the master's life story.
Biography Vima Nyingtik

Calling the Guru from Afar

by Khenchen Ngawang Palzang
Khenpo Ngawang Palzang adapted this devotional prayer to Longchen Rabjam from a famous song addressed to the Karmapa written by the Fifth Shamarpa, Könchok Yenlak (1525–1583).
Calling the Guru from Afar
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
A prayer invoking the omniscient Longchen Rabjam and calling upon his assistance to realize the nature of reality and master the practice of the Great Perfection.
Calling the Guru from Afar

Dzogchen

This pithy Dzogchen text belongs to the Zabmo Yangtik, and, according to Longchenpa himself in the collection catalogue called Sun, Moon, Planets and Stars, it reveals "how enlightened intent is" (dgongs pa'i yin tshul).
Zabmo Yangtik Dzogchen Restricted
Key points for Trekchö and Tögal and for various phases of time—on an outer level, the four seasons; on an inner level, four periods of the day; and on a secret level, four divisions related to mind.
Lama Yangtik Restricted
by Khenchen Ngawang Palzang
While Khenpo Ngawang Palzang was accumulating the maṇḍala offering as part of the Longchen Nyingtik preliminary practices, he received this pointing-out instruction from Longchenpa in a pure vision.
Dzogchen
Instructions on guru yoga, maṇḍala offering, contemplating the freedoms and advantages, impermanence, saṃsāra and karma, cultivating faith and compassion, contemplating dreamlike illusoriness, and meditating on non-conceptuality.
Zabmo Yangtik Ngöndro Restricted
A topical outline of The Fully Fledged Garuḍa, the Zabmo Yangtik's poetic summary of Trekchö (khregs chod).
Zabmo Yangtik Dzogchen Restricted
According to the catalogue, this short text reveals “the ultimate enlightened intent” (don gyi dgongs pa). Herbert Guenther believed that it contains "probably the profoundest phenomenological descriptions of experience-as-lived ever written".
Zabmo Yangtik Dzogchen Restricted
A practical guide to finding liberation upon encountering: 1) fundamental reality, 2) meditative experiences, 3) negative circumstances, 4) apparent objects, 5) sickness, 6) spirits and demons, 7) the five poisons, and 8) thoughts of death.
Lama Yangtik Restricted

Empowerment

Lists of possible names for disciples receiving the elaborate empowerment of Lama Yangtik, arranged according to the direction of the maṇḍala in which their flower lands.
Lama Yangtik Damngak Dzö Restricted

Following a Teacher

This frequently cited text discusses the guru-disciple relationship in a Dzogchen context—a means of bringing about boundless blessings and realization.
Lama Yangtik Following a Teacher Restricted

Guru Rinpoche Prayers

by Longchen Rabjam and Jigme Lingpa
This prayer to Guru Padmasambhava for the swift fulfilment of all wishes begins with a verse from ‘The Infinite Cloud Banks of Profound Meaning’ (zab don rgya mtsho'i sprin phung), which is part of Longchen Rabjam’s Khandro Yangtik (mkha' 'gro yang tig), and concludes with several verses written by Jigme Lingpa. It is said to be particularly beneficial for Tibet, as it has the power to pacify illness, prevent famine and border invasions, and contribute to the welfare of the teachings and beings.
Guru Rinpoche Prayers Guru Padmasambhava Khandro Yangtik Nyingma Mönlam

Guru Yoga

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
This short guru yoga, which features Longchenpa and Mañjuśrī, was composed at the request of a monk named Kunga Rabgye.
Guru Yoga Mañjuśrī
by Shechen Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal
A very simple practice of guru devotion focused on Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364), referred to here as Kunkhyen Chenpo, the Great Omniscient One.
Guru Yoga
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
A guru yoga focusing on the so-called Three Mañjuśrīs of Tibet, i.e., Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364), Sakya Paṇḍita (1182–1251) and Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (1357–1419). Here, Jamyang Khyentse further identifies Longchen Rabjam with the bodhisattva Vajrapāṇi and Tsongkhapa with the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.
Guru Yoga Nonsectarianism

Inventories

One of two inventories to the Lama Yangtik that Longchen Rabjam wrote, this text identifies the thirty-five main sections of the collection and explains their purpose.
Inventory Lama Yangtik Restricted
The longer of two inventories to the Lama Yangtik authored by Longchen Rabjam, this one identifies the fifty-one texts that constitute the collection and explains their purpose.
Inventory Lama Yangtik Restricted

Lineage Prayers

Verses of praise to the masters of the lineage of Lama Yangtik, from Samantabhadra to one's own root guru.
Lineage Prayers Dzogchen Lama Yangtik
This lineage prayer for the secret cycle of the Zabmo Yangtik continues for several generations beyond Longchen Rabjam, down to Sönam Rinchen of Katok.
Zabmo Yangtik 8 Jul 2024
This prayer to the lineage of the pith-instruction section, or Mengak Dé (man ngag sde), of Dzogchen teachings appears in the Vima Nyingtik and has been supplemented over the centuries by masters including Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö.
Lineage Prayers Dzogchen Vima Nyingtik

Maṇḍala Offering

A liturgy to be recited at the time of the extremely unelaborate empowerment (shin tu spros med dbang) as part of the Lama Yangtik.
Maṇḍala Offering Lama Yangtik Damngak Dzö
This three-kāya maṇḍala offering rite belongs to the Clouds Trilogy within the Lama Yangtik collection and is also included in the Chetsün Nyingtik section of the Rinchen Terdzö.
Maṇḍala Offering Lama Yangtik Damngak Dzö Rinchen Terdzö Chetsün Nyingtik
This maṇḍala offering from the Lama Yangtik is appended to The Clouds of Twofold Accumulation and is also found in the Chetsün Nyingtik section of the Rinchen Terdzö.
Maṇḍala Offering Lama Yangtik Rinchen Terdzö Chetsün Nyingtik
A liturgy to be recited at the time of the utterly unelaborate empowerment (rab tu spros med dbang) as part of the Lama Yangtik.
Maṇḍala Offering Lama Yangtik Damngak Dzö

Meditation

The first chapter of Longchenpa's Finding Comfort and Ease in Meditation (samten ngalso), describing ideal environments and dwelling places for cultivating meditative concentration and insight throughout the year.
Meditation Retreat & Solitude Dzogchen
The second chapter of Finding Comfort and Ease in Meditation (samten ngalso), describing the qualities and character of an ideal practitioner of meditation in the Great Perfection, or Dzogpachenpo.
Meditation Dzogchen

Mind Training

Belonging to the Lama Yangtik, these are the seven preliminary contemplations of: 1) impermanence, 2) temporary and lasting happiness, 3) manifold conditions, 4) the futility of ordinary enterprises, 5) the qualities of buddhahood, 6) the guru's instructions, and 7) non-conceptuality.
Lama Yangtik Mind Training (Lojong) Restricted

Poems

Longchenpa composed this famous abecedarian poem to express his disgust at the conduct of his classmates from Kham, Eastern Tibet, which had prompted his decision to leave the college of Sangpu Neuthog.
Songs and Poems Acrostic

Praise

by Khenpo Shenga
Taken from his miscellaneous writings, Khenpo Shenpen Nangwa's text compares the great Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam to the most celebrated Buddhist saints of India and praises him as the unique embodiment of all the qualities exhibited by Tibet's own learned and accomplished figures.
Praise
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
An eight-verse poem in praise of Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) written in January 1954.
Praise
This poetic tribute to Sarasvatī, the goddess of eloquence, is taken from Longchenpa's miscellaneous writings.
Sarasvatī Praise Ḍākinī Treasury
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) during a visit to the master's cave on the slopes of Gangri Tökar.
Praise

Prayers

This famous four-line prayer of dedication (bsngo ba) appears in the author's magnum opus, The Treasury of the Supreme Vehicle (theg mchog mdzod).
Dedication
This famous food offering prayer is recited by practitioners in the Nyingma tradition before they consume the distributed offerings in a gaṇacakra feast, or even before each meal. The prayer reminds the practitioner that all foods are to be offered to the deities that reside within the body. In return for this offering, the deities bestow accomplishments (siddhi; dngos grub), and induce the experience of great bliss.
Tsok
A prayer to the masters of the lineage of the Zabmo Yangtik, invoking inspiration and blessings.
Zabmo Yangtik
This popular prayer is extracted from Ocean of Siddhis: The Stages of Guru Service (bla ma'i rim pa dngos grub rgya mtsho), which is part of the Lama Yangtik.
Prayers Lama Yangtik
This popular supplication, said to derive from the Vima Nyingtik, appears in a number of liturgies, including Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo's Direct Path to the Primordial (gdod ma'i gseng lam).
Prayers Vima Nyingtik
by Pema Ledrel Tsal
A prayer to the lineage of Khandro Nyingtik: Samantabhadra and Samantabhadrī, the peaceful and wrathful deities, Vajradhara, Garab Dorje, Śrī Siṃha, Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogyal, Pema Ledrel Tsal, Gyalse Lekpa, Longchen Rabjam, Jamyang Khyabdal Lhundrup and Tulku Drakpa Özer.
Khandro Nyingtik
by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
This seven-line prayer to Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) was composed at the request of Karme Khenpo Rinchen Dargye (b. 1835).
Prayers
by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche composed this 16-line prayer to the great Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam (1308–1363) based on the writings of Ju Mipham.
Prayers
by Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche added a line to this popular invocation of Longchen Rabjam, transforming it into a prayer to realize the natural state, which is the true nature of the mind.
Prayers
This invocation, drawn from the Khandro Yangtik collection, includes additional verses for some of the masters who followed Longchenpa in the lineage: Chökyi Drakpa, Nyima Özer, Kunga Gyaltsen, and Chöying Drakpa.
Khandro Yangtik Prayers Dzogchen
Longchenpa composed this prayer to the lineage of Zabmo Yangtik, the Profound Quintessence, while residing in Chimphu.
Zabmo Yangtik
This prayer invokes the blessings of all the three-kāya gurus, yidam deities, ḍākinīs and dharmapālas to inspire recognition of the ultimate nature of the Great Perfection (Dzogpachenpo), which Longchenpa describes in evocative detail.
Prayers Dzogchen

Sādhanas

by Jigme Lingpa
The innermost secret guru practice of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle focuses on Longchen Rabjam and is considered an indispensable preliminary to Dzogchen practice. Jigme Lingpa revealed the practice some time around 1761, during his second three-year retreat, then kept it secret for five years.
Guru Sādhana Tiklé Gyachen Khyentse Kabab Rinchen Terdzö Restricted
Longchenpa outlines a simple guru sādhana practice focused on the great paṇḍita Vimalamitra through which one can ultimately obtain "the vajra-like form that is beyond birth and death".
Zabmo Yangtik Guru Sādhana Restricted
From the Jewel Trilogy of the Lama Yangtik, this is the heart-practice of the guru featuring Vimalamitra, which, Longchenpa tells us, confers the blessings and attainments of realization the view and meditation.
Lama Yangtik Guru Sādhana Restricted
From the Jewel Trilogy of the Lama Yangtik, this is the practice of the yidam, which, Longchenpa tells us in his inventory to the collection, confers the blessing of immortal life.
Lama Yangtik Restricted

Samaya

In this brief survey of commitments related to the Lama Yangtik, Longchenpa explains the categories of samaya to be maintained, the methods for maintaining them, and the results of putting such methods into practice.
Lama Yangtik Samaya Restricted

Songs

In this oft-cited vajra song, Longchen Rabjam employs a series of metaphors to encourage practitioners to renounce ordinary concerns and cultivate the practice of Dzogchen meditation.
Songs and Poems
Longchenpa describes this text as a letter sent from his mind to itself, and, as befits such a personal message, it is heartfelt and candid. The core of the message is simple enough: to leave behind the busyness of saṃsāra and set out instead for the peace and tranquility of the forest, where "meditation naturally grows" and "one can find the bliss of inner peace." Yet while Longchenpa makes this point uncompromisingly, his language, particularly in describing the kind of wild woodland sanctuary he recommends, is often beautifully evocative and poetic.
Songs and Poems Advice Retreat & Solitude
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
This song of devotion, composed on the master's anniversary in 1950, emphasizes the ultimate nature of Longchen Rabjam, according to which he does not exist externally but in the nature of one's own mind.
Songs and Poems Prayers
This vajra song employs a series of metaphors—the rising sun, brilliant moon, a total eclipse, and the wish-fulfilling jewel atop a banner of victory—to explain the benefits of advanced realization.
Songs and Poems
Taken from the collection of Longchen Rabjam's vajra songs, this is a joyful declaration of realization and accomplishment.
Songs and Poems
from the Words of the Buddha
This famous vajra song (rdo rje’i glu), named after its initial syllables "ema kiri", appears in the Tantra of the Union of the Sun and Moon (nyi zla kha sbyor). It consists of a series of arranged syllables which a practitioner should intone melodiously. The individual syllables and their arrangement as a mantra are considered particularly sacred since they are said to have been revealed by the primordial buddha Samantabhadra.
Dzogchen Tsok Songs and Poems
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse composed this poetic, devotional invocation of the great Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) in 1934.
Songs and Poems Prayers
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Composed in 1932, this song of devotion invokes the Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) and appeals for his inspiration and blessings as a means to progress along the path.
Songs and Poems

Testament

One of three final testaments included in the Khandro Yangtik collection, this is the longest and most famous. It includes a series of similes that illustrate the key themes of the general teachings and concludes with Longchenpa's declaration of delight at the prospect of his own death.
Testament Khandro Yangtik

Transference (Phowa)

Longchenpa says in the inventory to the Lama Yangtik that this profound transference practice is a means of bypassing the terrors of the bardo and arriving at the primordial state.
Lama Yangtik Transference Restricted
Longchen Rabjam

Longchen Rabjam

Courtesy of David Christensen

Name variants:

Dorje Ziji
Drimé Özer
Ngakgi Wangpo
Tsultrim Lodrö

Previous incarnation(s):

Pema Ledrel Tsal

Further information:

Treasury of Lives Author Bio
BDRC Author Profile (P1583)

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ISSN 2753-4812

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