Aspiration Prayers

• The King of Aspiration Prayers: Samantabhadra's “Aspiration to Good Actions” (Zangchö Mönlam) from the Words of the Buddha

So popular and influential is Samantabhadra’s “Aspiration to Good Actions” (bzang spyod smon lam) from the Gaṇḍavyūha chapter of the vast Avataṃsaka Sūtra, it is known as the king of all aspiration prayers.

• The Rishi's Maledictory Incantation: An Invocation of Wisdom Mind and Sacred Pledges for Reversing the Disturbances and Agitations of Dark Times In the Form of an Aspiration Prayer by Chatral Rinpoche

This is a prayer for the modern age, or kaliyuga, calling upon Buddha Śākyamuni, Guru Padmasambhava and all enlightened deities, gurus and protectors, in order to transform the minds of those in positions of power, so that terrible weapons of war may be eradicated, and the threats they pose to Dharma and living beings removed, allowing peace to reign throughout the world.

• Wisdom's Melody: An Aspiration to Realize Madhyamaka, Mahāmudrā, and Mahā Ati by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Written in Sikkim, this is an aspiration to realize the view of the Middle Way (Madhyamaka), the meditation of the Great Seal (Mahāmudrā), the conduct of single-taste, and the fruition of Dzogpachenpo, the Great Perfection.

• Aspirations in Accordance with the Dharma by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima

A series of aspirations to devote one's life to the Dharma—which, Dodrupchen Rinpoche says, is the only thing of any real value or meaning—to practice it with sincerity, and to accomplish it successfully.

• Aspiration at the Moment of Death by Dodrupchen Jigme Trinle Özer

Jigme Trinlé Özer made this series of altruistic aspirations as he was approaching the moment of death.

• Aspiration Prayer of the Ultimate Definitive Meaning by Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen

• The Prayer of the Words of Truth by Fourteenth Dalai Lama

In this prayer, which he wrote in 1960, shortly after arriving in exile, His Holiness the Dalai Lama invokes all the buddhas and bodhisattvas, especially Avalokiteśvara, and the power of truth itself, in order to bring an end to the turmoil in Tibet so that the Dharma and all aspects of Tibetan culture can flourish there once again.

• The Song of Devotion: Verses of Aspiration for the Fulfilment of the Enlightened Vision of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok, the Reincarnation of Terton Lerab Lingpa by Fourteenth Dalai Lama

Shortly after Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok's passing in 2004, His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote this prayer "so that the enlightened intentions of this great being may be fulfilled completely and to help dispel the anguish of his disciples."

• Prayer for Peace and Stability in Tibet by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

Jamgön Kongtrul wrote this for his own practice during a time of great turmoil and upheaval, after Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo advised him of the importance of regular prayer for peace and stability. It has been popular ever since, especially when Tibet faces challenging times.

• The Indestructible Vajra Garland, An Aspiration Prayer for the Lives of the Supreme Holders of the Non-Sectarian Teachings by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

Kongtrul wrote this prayer while at the site of Yamalung, sacred for its connection with Guru Padmasambhava. In a series of verses aspiring for the longevity of all non-sectarian teachers, he offers not only a powerful practice text, but also a concise statement of his celebrated Rimé ideals.

• Entering the City of Omniscience—An Aspiration Prayer for Actualizing Words of Truth—Ngödrup Gyatso—Ocean of Siddhis by Jigme Lingpa

This popular prayer by the vidyādhara Jigme Lingpa includes aspirations related to every stage of the path, from gaining a precious human rebirth and following a qualified teacher through to accomplishing the most advanced practices of Dzogpachenpo and, thereafter, working for others' benefit.

• The Last Testament of Katok Dampa Deshek by Katok Dampa Deshek

This five-line aspiration for the spread of the teachings is said to be the final testament (zhal chem) of the great Dampa Deshek, founder of Katok Monastery.

• Aspiration for Future Lives by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

A four-line prayer of aspiration spoken in front of a vast assembly in 1986.

• Aspiration to be Cared For in Every Lifetime by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

This aspiration to be cared for by the guru throughout all future lifetimes was composed at Wutai Shan at the request of a disciple named Rigdrol.

• Middle Way Aspiration by Khenpo Shenga

A prayer of aspiration to understand the nature of reality, just as it is explained in the Madhyamaka teachings, and then, having perfectly realized this view, to teach it to others, and in so doing, emulate great figures from the past like Nāgārjuna and Āryadeva.

• Prayer of Aspiration Incorporating the Eight Thoughts of Great Beings who follow the Way of the Mahāyāna by Lala Sonam Chödrup

A prayer of aspiration based on the so-called eight thoughts of great beings (skyes bu chen po'i rnam rtog brgyad).

• The Secret Vajra Knot by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje

One of the most popular prayers in the Nyingma tradition, The Secret Vajra Knot (rdo rje rgya mdud) includes aspects of the dedication of virtue (dge ba bsngo ba), as well as various aspirations related to the path in general and the path of the three yogas, i.e., Mahāyoga, Anuyoga and Atiyoga, in particular.

• The Source of Beings' Happiness by Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo

This famous prayer is taken from the author's text in praise of the Vasudhārā (Tib. Norgyünma) maṇḍala, dPal ldan lha mo nor rgyun ma'i dkyil 'khor gyi lha tshogs la bstod pa chos dang dpal 'byor rgyas byed.

• Yeshe Tsogyal's Prayer revealed by Pema Lingpa

This famous prayer of aspiration, which was a terma revelation of Pema Lingpa (1450–1521), is said to record the words of Yeshe Tsogyal to Guru Padmasambhava as he was about to leave Tibet for the land of the rakṣasa demons.

• Prayer to Recite while Prostrating by Sakya Pandita

This short prayer, which tradition attributes to Sakya Paṇḍita, relates the various elements of prostration to aspirations for successfully following the path to enlightenment.

• Prayer for Dispelling Famine by Thangtong Gyalpo

First spoken in the presence of the sacred Jowo Rinpoche statue in Lhasa, this prayer of aspiration is credited with ending a famine that affected Tibet, especially Kham, in 1437.

• The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness: A Prayer for Pacifying the Fear of Disease by Thangtong Gyalpo

This prayer is said to have ended a virulent epidemic which had swept through the famous monastery-town of Sakya, proving effective where all other measures, including tantric rituals, had failed.

• A Prayer for Translators by Trulshik Rinpoche

Composed in Lerab Ling, France in 2005 at the request of several translators, led by Tenzin Jamchen (Sean Price) and Chökyi Nyima (Richard Barron), this is a prayer of aspiration to be recited by modern-day lotsāwas.

• Prayer of the View, Meditation and Conduct by Trulshik Rinpoche

Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche composed this short prayer for the realisation of the ultimate view, meditation and conduct at the request of a devoted student by the name of Changchub Chökyi Drolma.

• An Aspirational Prayer to Behold the Beautiful Face of Khecharī by Tsarchen Losal Gyatso

A prayer of aspiration to meet the Khecarī form of Vajrayoginī face to face and to be led to her celestial pure realm.

• Aspiration for the Stages of the Path by Tsongkhapa

This very short prayer of aspiration, just seven quatrains long, focuses on accomplishing the stages of the path (lamrim) as a means to benefit all beings.

• Aspiration Prayer by Tupten Chöpel

A simple four-line prayer to realize the ultimate nature and thereby benefit all beings each according to their needs.

• The Prayer of the Ground, Path & Fruition – From the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse by Jigme Lingpa

This famous aspiration to realize the ground, path and fruition of the Great Perfection (rdzogs pa chen po) is part of the Longchen Nyingtik revelation of Jigme Lingpa.

• The Jewelled Garland: An Aspiration for the Spread of the Teachings of the Omniscient Father and Son, Masters of the Teachings of the Ancient Translations 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.

• Prayer for the Future of the Dharma from the Words of the Buddha

Popularly known as 'The Teachings Blaze' (bstan 'bar ma), this prayer for the spread of the teachings (bstan rgyas smon lam) is especially popular in the Gelug tradition. The first verse appears to be taken from the Pratimokṣa-sūtra (so sor thar pa'i mdo), while the remainder of the prayer, from the second verse onwards, is to be found in Atiśa Dīpaṃkara's Great Compendium of the Sūtras (Mahāsūtrasamuccaya; mdo kun las btus pa chen po).

• Aspiration Prayer for the Flourishing of the Jonang Teachings by Fourteenth Dalai Lama

His Holiness composed this prayer fo aspiration for the florishing of the teachings of the Jonang tradition in 2001 at the request of Khenpo Ngawang Dorje (b.1967).

• The Sage's Harmonious Song of Truth: A Prayer for the Flourishing of the Non-Sectarian Teachings of the Buddha by Fourteenth Dalai Lama

At the request of Trulshik Rinpoche (1924–2011) and others, His Holiness composed this prayer for the flourishing of the Buddhist teachings in 1999. It is a non-sectarian (ris med) aspiration extending to all the major and minor traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

• The Sage's Powerful Words of Truth—A Prayer for the Spread of the Omniscient Buddha's Teachings by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Written in Bodhgaya at a time when Tibet was facing great turmoil and an uncertain future, this is a non-sectarian prayer for the spread of the Buddhist teachings (bstan rgyas smon lam) in all their authentic forms.

• Clouds of Offerings to Delight the Victorious Ones – An Aspiration Prayer for the Spread of the Teachings of the Lord of Siddhas, Dzogchen Rinpoche by Khenpo Tsöndrü

A prayer for the spread of the teachings of the successive incarnations of Dzogchen Rinpoche Pema Rigdzin (1625–1697) and other figures closely associated with Dzogchen Monastery.

• Words of Truth: An Aspiration for the Spread of the Noble Gendenpa Tradition by Könchok Tenpe Drönme

This aspiration for the flourishing of the Riwo Gendenpa tradition of Je Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa is one of the most commonly recited prayers in the Geluk School.

• A Prayer of Aspiration for the Flourishing and Spread of the Ancient Translation Tradition entitled “Words to Delight the Sovereigns of the Dharma” by Mipham Rinpoche

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).

• Prayer for the Flourishing of the Teachings by Tertön Sogyal

This short prayer for the flourishing of the teachings (bstan rgyas smon lam) was spoken by a ḍākinī in a vision.

• Prayer for the Flourishing of the Dzogchen Teachings of Sogyal Rinpoche, the incarnation of Lerab Lingpa by Yangthang Rinpoche

Composed in Lerab Ling in 2013, this is at once an aspiration to realize the natural state of the Great Perfection, a prayer that the teachings of Clear Light Dzogpachenpo may spread throughout the world and a supplication for the long life of Sogyal Rinpoche.

• The Way to Explain the King of All Aspiration Prayers, the Secret Vajra Knot by Patrul Rinpoche

This brief guide to explaining Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje's famous aspiration prayer, known as 'The Secret Vajra Knot' (rdo rje rgya mdud), provides a topical outline of its contents, and, in so doing, reveals the vastness of its vision.

• A Prayer of Aspiration for the Copper-Coloured Mountain of Glory by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

A four-line prayer to be reborn on the Copper-Coloured Mountain of Glory, or Zangdok Palri, in the company of Guru Padmasambhava and his retinue.

• A Joyful Chariot for the Fortunate: An Aspiration to Travel to the Copper-Coloured Mountain of Glory by Dudjom Rinpoche

Dudjom Rinpoche composed this prayer of aspiration to be reborn on the Copper Coloured Mountain of Glory, or Zangdok Palri (zangs mdog dpal ri), after his firstborn daughter, Dekyong Yeshe Wangmo, had left this world. The inspiration for this prayer, it is said, was therefore her parting gift.

• A Prayer of Aspiration for the Copper-Coloured Mountain of Glory by Dudjom Rinpoche

A four-line prayer to be reborn on the Copper Coloured Mountain of Glory, or Zangdok Palri, in the company of Guru Padmasambhava and his retinue.

• A Prayer of Aspiration for the Mountain of Glory by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

An aspiration to be reborn on the Copper-Coloured Mountain of Glory, or Zangdok Palri, in the company of Guru Padmasambhava and his retinue.

• Secret Path to the Mountain of Glory—A Prayer of Aspiration for the Copper-Coloured Mountain of Glory by Jigme Lingpa

This prayer of aspiration to be reborn in Guru Padmasambhava's heaven of Zangdok Palri (zangs mdog dpal ri), the Copper-coloured Mountain of Glory, includes detailed descriptions of its wonderful features and extraordinary qualities. The text is a terma (gter ma) revelation and part of the Longchen Nyingtik cycle.

• Amitābha and Sukhāvatī Series

• Dedication Series

• Light Offering Prayers

• Longchen Nyingtik Series