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Mipham Rinpoche Series

Tibetan Masters › Mipham Rinpoche

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Mipham Rinpoche

Ju Mipham Namgyal Gyatso

From the murals of Shechen Monastery. Used with permission of Rabjam Rinpoche.

Name variants:
  • Dhīḥ
  • Jampal Gyepe Dorje
  • Ju Mipham
  • Lodrö Drimé
  • Mipham Namgyal Gyatso
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Through the blessings of the youthful Mañjuśrī, the union of awareness and emptiness,

You released the eight brilliant treasures,

Master of an ocean of treasure-like teachings of the Dharma in both aspects, transmission and realization—

To you, Mipham Rinpoche, Mañjuśrī in person, I pray!

Texts by and about the great Nyingma polymath Jamgön Mipham Namgyal Gyatso (mi pham rnam rgyal rgya mtsho, 1846-1912), arguably the most influential Tibetan scholar of recent times:

Advice

This very short yet practical set of instructions, composed in verse, was written at the request of several beginners.

Mipham Rinpoche gave this text in thirty-seven verses to the Third Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima as a sealed scroll while they were both at Dzongsar Monastery. Although the precise date is unclear, it seems likely that this was in or around 1886. The text is a mixture of personal, often cryptic advice and prophecy.

In a few lines of verse, Mipham explains the essence of Dzogchen Atiyoga, which is, in turn, the essence of the 84000 approaches of the Dharma.

A short text in verse that outlines various stages in the cultivation of śamatha, or calm abiding.

Written in 1906, this short text contains the most profound instruction on the practice of śamatha, or calm abiding, in which mind is turned upon itself.

Properly titled Wondrous Talk Brought About by Conversing with a Friend (Grogs dang gtam gleng ba'i rkyen las mtshar gtam), this playful text pokes fun at followers of the Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyü and Gelug (or Gendenpa) schools, in order to highlight potential pitfalls associated with each tradition, while also pointing out the absurdity of sectarian prejudice in general.

In these six pithy verses, composed in 1896, Mipham explains the relative strengths of each of the four main Tibetan Buddhist Schools—Nyingma (rnying ma), Kagyü (bka' brgyud), Gelug (dge lugs) and Sakya (sa skya)—and appeals to their followers to tolerate and respect one another.

This short advice in verse explains the perfect equality (mnyam pa nyid) of the dharmadhātu (chos kyi dbyings), the space-like nature of phenomena, which, Mipham says, is a crucial point to understand in both sūtra and tantra. Mipham wrote this text in 1901.

Aspiration Prayers

This famous prayer for the spread of the teachings of the Nyingma tradition is among Mipham Rinpoche's most famous compositions. It is recited daily at the annual Monlam Chenmo festival and was the subject of a major commentary by Mipham's student and lineage-holder, Shechen Gyaltsab Pema Namgyal (1871–1926).

A short prayer of aspiration to accompany the offering of a butter lamp (mar me).

A short prayer incorporating the four causes of rebirth in Sukhāvatī, namely: 1) visualizing the pure realm, 2) accumulating merit and purifying obscurations, 3) generating bodhicitta, and 4) making prayers of aspiration and dedicating all sources of virtue towards rebirth in Sukhāvatī.

This 72-line liturgy for the practice of yang-guk (g.yang 'gugs), or 'summoning the spirit of abundance (or prosperity)' was composed in 1896.

A brief prayer to be reborn on the Copper Coloured Mountain of Glory, or Zangdok Palri, in the presence of Guru Padmasambhava, and to complete the path to enlightenment in that pure realm, so as to work for others’ benefit.

This popular prayer, which Mipham wrote in 1896, is addressed to the eight sugatas, eight bodhisattvas, eight goddesses of auspiciousness, and eight guardians of the world. It is recited at the outset of any virtuous project, or indeed any activity of any kind, in order to bring about auspiciousness, success and good fortune.

Averting Obstacles

A summary of the fuller dhāraṇī which was spoken by Mañjuśrī and is included within the Compendium of Dhāraṇīs (gzungs bsdus), this is a practice for averting obstacles linked to particular moments in time.

Benedictory Verses

Verses of aspiration written for the publication of A Brilliant Elucidation of Logical Reasoning (rigs lam rab gsal snang ba), Ju Mipham Namgyal Gyatso's annotation commentary (mchan 'grel) to Dignāga's Pramāṇasamuccaya.

Five verses of benediction written for the colophon of Mipham's White Lotus, a detailed explanation of the Seven-Line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava.

Buddhist Philosophy

In this short text, Mipham Rinpoche succinctly explains what is meant by the self of the individual (pudgalātman; gang zag gi bdag) and the 'self' (or identity) of phenomena (dharmātman; chos kyi bdag), and he describes how to become certain as to the non-existence of them both. The author also highlights the importance of distinguishing between a more superficial, conceptual understanding and a genuine, non-conceptual realization of ultimate reality.

This section of Gateway to Learning (mKhas 'jug) explains the so-called "Four Great Logical Arguments of the Middle Way" (dbu ma'i gtan tshigs chen po bzhi), which are: 1) investigation of the cause: the Diamond Splinters; 2) investigation of the result: refuting existent or non-existent results; 3) investigation of the essential identity: ‘neither one nor many’; and 4) investigation of all: the Great Interdependence. This translation also includes some comments from Khenpo Nüden's celebrated commentary.

Extracted from Gateway to Learning (mKhas 'jug), this section on the selflessness of the individual (gang zag gi bdag med) explains the absence of any permanent, unitary, independent and all-pervading self, either identical to or distinct from the five aggregates (pañcaskandhā; phung po lnga).

Composed in 1892 and appended to The Wheel of Analytical Meditation (dpyad sgom 'khor lo ma), this instruction continues that text's analysis, extending it to all phenomena. Its central message is that the nature of all things, i.e., appearance and emptiness, can only be fully understood through meditation.

One of Mipham's best known works, this treatise in 104 verses was written in just a single day in 1885. It is structured around the four principles of reasoning (rigs pa bzhi)—of causal efficiency, dependence, nature and establishing a proof—and the four reliances (rton pa bzhi), i.e., Rely not on the individual but the Dharma; Rely not on the words but the meaning; Rely not on the provisional but the definitive meaning; Rely not on ordinary consciousness but wisdom.

This short verse-text sets out to clarify the term "self-awareness" (rang rig; svasaṃvedana), especially as it is used in Dzogchen, and challenges those who reject the notion. Mipham points out that self-awareness is something to be experienced firsthand, not debated or speculated about.

Composed in a single day in 1891, this celebrated verse text offers a practical guide to meditating analytically on the multiplicity, impermanence, suffering nature and selflessness of the aggregates, as an antidote to the mental afflictions (kleśa; nyon mongs).

Dharma Protectors

A four-line prayer to accompany offerings to Ekajaṭī, protectress of the Dzogchen teachings.

A four-line prayer to accompany offerings to Tsiu Marpo, the special protector of Samye Monastery.

A four-line prayer to accompany offerings to Za Rāhula, a major protector of the Nyingma teachings.

A four-line prayer to accompany offerings to Vajrasādhu (Tib. Dorje Lekpa), a major protector of the Nyingma teachings.

A four-line prayer to the Five Medicine Sisters (sman btsun mched lnga), who are also known as the Five Sisters of Long Life, together with a mantra, composed in 1892.

Dzogchen

Also known as the "instruction that points directly to the very essence of mind in the tradition of ‘the old realized ones’ (rtogs ldan rgan po)", this is a pithy guide to Dzogchen meditation written for 'village yogis' and other practitioners without a background in study. It includes three separate instructions, for: 1) cracking open the egg-shell of ignorance, 2) cutting the web of saṃsāric existence, and 3) remaining in space-like equalness.

Written using the language of the Great Perfection, this prayer, which Mipham wrote in 1886, is an aspiration to realize the nature of mind — indestructible awareness and emptiness — and the true meaning of Mañjuśrī.

In this short text, Mipham Rinpoche attempts—by his own admission—to express the inexpressible. Aware of the challenge and the apparent contradiction, he nevertheless offers various descriptions of mind's ineffable essence "for the sake of those fortunate individuals who seek to penetrate the profound meaning of dharmatā."

In this, one of his most popular Dzogchen instructions, Mipham Rinpoche explains how to go beyond the initial stage of the recognition (ngo shes) of the face of rigpa, or pure awareness, to the subsequent stages of perfecting the strength (rtsal rdzogs) and gaining stability (brtan pa thob).

Written in 1893/4, this brief versified instruction outlines the key points of Trekchö (khregs chod) practice through an explanation of the four ways of leaving things as they are (cog bzhag bzhi).

This short instruction in verse was written in 1876. It explains the nature of mind, which is 'seen', or realised, in an experience that transcends the duality of seeing and seen.

Gesar

A brief, eight-line windhorse invocation focused especially on Gesar and his retinue, which Mipham composed in his hermitage in Rudam in 1903.

A short, four-line prayer to accompany offerings to Gesar.

This brief 'first-portion' offering (phud mchod) to Gesar and his retinue for the sake of prosperity, which Mipham composed in 1872, is said to bring about "the four treasures of longevity, glory, wealth and prosperity," and fulfilment of all wishes and requirements.

Mipham wrote this four-line prayer to Gesar—the "Great Lion and Foe-Subduing Jewel" (seng chen nor bu dgra 'dul)—in 1896.

Mipham composed this short, four-line windhorse prayer to Gesar and his retinue in 1905.

This brief rite of offering and requesting Gesar to carry out activity was written in 1880. As with the other texts in this section of Mipham's works Gesar appears not only as powerful warrior-figure but as an enlightened emanation of Guru Padmasambhava.

Composed in 1884, this is a short eight-line prayer together with a mantra to accompany the offering of amṛta nectar and torma.

This practice of guru yoga focused on "the great lion Gesar" it said to be especially swift in bringing blessings and signs of accomplishment. Mipham wrote it in 1887.

Guru Yoga

This arrangement of Mipham Rinpoche's famous Shower of Blessings Guru Yoga practice adds opening verses of refuge and bodhicitta, a torma offering to the obstructing forces, visualization of the protective sphere and the descent of blessings, as well as concluding verses for the remainder offering, aspiration and dedication.

This simple and popular guru yoga focusing is based on the famous seven-line prayer (tshig bdun gsol 'debs) to Guru Padmasambhava first revealed in the thirteenth century by Chökyi Wangchuk (1212–1270).

A simple guru yoga to invoke the nirmāṇakāya Garab Dorje and receive the blessings of his wisdom mind.

Mipham composed this very short guru yoga focusing on the 11th-century paṇḍita Smṛtijñānakīrti for the practice of a disciple named Karma Wangyal.

A simple guru yoga focusing on the celebrated Nyingma scholar Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo, who is here identified with Mañjuśrī, the embodiment of wisdom.

The shorter of two guru yoga texts focusing on Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche that Shechen Gyaltsab, one of the master's foremost disciples, composed.

Lineage Prayers

A four-line prayer to the gurus of the lineage of the Great Perfection, from Samantabhadra down to one's own root teacher.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche composed this 16-line prayer to the great Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam (1308–1363) based on the writings of Ju Mipham.

Long Life Prayers

This general prayer for the long life of the holders of the teachings was composed by Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche in 1888. It is part of the daily liturgy at the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, or great prayer festival, held every year in Bodhgaya.

Lungta

This brief windhorse invocation (rlung rta'i gsol bsdus) is a shorter version of The Swift Fulfilment of All Wishes ('dod dgu myur stsol); both texts were composed on the same day in 1903.

This popular practice, which includes a long series of mantras, is said to enhance one's lungta and protect against obstacles. Daily recitation is encouraged.

A short prayer to Dhvajāgrakeyūra (rgyal mtshan rtse mo'i dpung rgyan), a female deity whose dhāraṇī is particularly treasured as a method for enhancing windhorse (rlung rta).

Mipham wrote this longer practice for offering the flag of windhorse (rlung rta) in 1903. It includes optional verses addressed to Gesar, Hayagrīva, Gaṇapati (tshogs bdag), and Magyal Pomra (rma rgyal spom ra), the protector of the Amnye Machen mountain range.

Mantras

This collection of secret mantras, compiled by Mipham Rinpoche in 1898, is said to be especially powerful in overcoming the various forms of disease and harmful influence prevalent in the current age.

This visualization and mantra recitation for the Wrathful Guru in dark blue form and mounted upon a wild boar is extracted from the collection called Profound Fierce Mantras to Subdue All Infectious Disease (nad rims kun thub sngags rgod zab mo).

Offering

This poetic offering is one of a series of related 'offering garland' (mchod phreng) texts that Mipham composed, all with titles based on the fabled cintāmaṇi, or wish-granting gem.

Praise

A poem of eight verses praising the bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha (Essence of the Earth), playing on the literal meaning of his name and evoking the earth's qualities as a nurturing support and foundation for growth and development.

This praise to the Abbot Śāntarakṣita is part of a set of three praises commemorating the lives of the so-called Abbot, Master and Dharma-King (Khen Lob Chö Sum), i.e., Śāntarakṣita, Guru Padmasambhava and Trisong Detsen.

This praise to the Emperor Trisong Detsen is part of a set of three praises commemorating the lives of the so-called Abbot, Master and Dharma-King (Khen Lob Chö Sum), i.e., Śāntarakṣita, Guru Padmasambhava and Trisong Detsen.

This praise to the Master Padmasambhava is part of a set of three praises commemorating the lives of the so-called Abbot, Master and Dharma-King (Khen Lob Chö Sum), i.e., Śāntarakṣita, Guru Padmasambhava and Trisong Detsen.

Prayers

A prayer to receive the protection of Buddha Akṣobhya in order to overcome anxiety and suffering and to discover the lasting peace and happiness of freedom from fear.

A four-line prayer to the famous 11th-century paṇḍita and translator who travelled to eastern Tibet.

Three prayers—a petition for the purification of impairments and breakages of samaya, a brief supplication to Mañjuśrī, and an appeal to the Three Roots—all composed in the Earth Pig year, i.e., 1899/1900.

Prayers to Guru Rinpoche

A simple four-line prayer to the Lotus-born Guru of Oḍḍiyāna for the elimination of all obstacles and the spontaneous fulfilment of all aspirations.

This short text in verse, written in 1902, outlines the twelve major deeds of Guru Padmasambhava, which are to be commemorated in the course of a year—a different deed being recalled on the tenth day of each month.

A short prayer to the eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava, eight vidyādharas, eight bodhisattvas, and eight maṇḍalas of Kagye (bka' brgyad). It was composed in 1897.

This prayer of magnetising (dbang du bsdud pa) all appearance and existence, which Ju Mipham wrote in 1879, focuses on nine deities associated with magnetising: Padmasambhava in the form of Padmarāja or Pema Gyalpo (padma rgyal po), Vajradharma (rdo rje chos), Amitābha, Avalokiteśvara in the form of Padmapāṇi, Hayagrīva, Guhyajñāna, Vajravārāhī, Kurukullā and the King of Desire ('dod pa'i rgyal po). It was made popular in recent years by the late Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok.

Prayers to Mañjuśrī

This praise of Mañjuśrī for increasing the power of one's intelligence consists of fourteen four-line verses—fourteen, says Mipham, being the number of vital essences (dwangs ma) in beings and the world. The text was written in 1906.

Mipham wrote this short text of praise in 1881 during a retreat that was focused upon Mañjuśrī.

A succinct four-line praise of Mañjughoṣa's enlightened body, speech and mind.

One of many four-line prayers to Mañjuśrī that Mipham Rinpoche composed, this one invokes the deity's glorious powers of speech.

Prayers to Śākyamuni

This eight-line prayer to the Buddha, Eight Great Bodhisattvas and Sixteen Arhats was written at the end of the Fire Sheep year (early 1908).

Ju Mipham composed this sādhana of Śākyamuni Buddha, or '[Śākya]muni-ritual' (thub chog), at the request of Orgyen Tendzin Norbu (1841–1900). Both the sādhana and its vast 'supporting teaching' known as The White Lotus (rgyab chos padma dkar po) are among the most popular of Mipham's works.

Preliminary Practice

A set of common and uncommon preliminary practices, beginning with the four thoughts that turn the mind away from saṃsāra and continuing with taking refuge, generating bodhicitta, maṇḍala offering, Vajrasattva visualization and mantra recitation, and guru yoga.

Sādhanas

A simple sādhana of Yellow Jambhala, deity of wealth.

A simple practice of Kurukullā, the female deity associated with magnetizing activity.

A short means of accomplishment (sādhana) focused on the goddess Sitātapatrā in her two-armed form.

A simple sādhana of White Sarasvatī, the goddess of eloquence, to bring mastery of speech.

This simple sādhana of the deity Acala, the 'Immovable One'—here in his dark blue, genuflecting form—is described as a powerful antidote to obstacles including infectious disease.

This simple visualization and mantra recitation for the bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha draws on both the Sūtra of the Ten Wheels of Kṣitigarbha (Daśacakrakṣitigarbhasūtra) and the Ḍhāraṇī of the One Hundred and Eight Names of Kṣitigarbha.

A very brief sādhana of Mārīcī, goddess of the dawn, in the form known as Aśokakāntā-Mārīcī, who is golden and has one face and two hands.

This simple practice of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, includes a visualisation to accompany the recitation of the six-syllable mantra, oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ, or, optionally, the seven-syllable mantra, oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ hrīḥ.

Sang Offering

A simple practice of smoke offering, which Mipham composed at Thrangu hermitage in 1905.

A very short, four-line liturgy for a purificatory smoke offering (mnol bsang) based on the view of the Great Perfection.

Saving Lives

A simple practice of 'freeing lives' (tshe thar) composed by Mipham Rinpoche in 1897.

Tārā

This four-line verse of homage to noble Tārā is also a prayer that incorporates the syllables of her root mantra: oṃ tāre ture tuttāre svāhā.

Tsok

A brief gaṇacakra liturgy to be recited when accumulating tsok offering on a large scale.

The Excellent Vase of Splendour (dpal gyi bum bzang) is the tsok feast offering (tshogs mchod) to accompany the famous guru yoga based on the seven-line prayer, A Shower of Blessings (byin brlabs char 'bebs).

Vajrasattva

A simple method of purifying impairments and breakages of samaya through the visualization and mantra recitation of Vajrasattva.