Bodhicitta Series

• Advice for Tenzin Jamchen by Trulshik Rinpoche

This short instruction on relative and absolute bodhicitta was composed at the request of the English monk Tenzin Jamchen (Sean Price).

• The Blissful Path to the Ocean of Bodhichitta: A Brief Prayer of Aspiration for Mind Training by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

This prayer of aspiration for training the mind in bodhicitta by exchanging all the world's suffering for genuine happiness is based on Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye's longer text, The Gateway to the Ocean of Bodhicitta.

• Bodhicitta Aspiration by Nyoshul Lungtok

In this short text, the celebrated Dzogchen teacher Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpe Nyima offers a prayer to the root and lineage gurus and all the buddhas and bodhisattvas requesting their blessings and inspiration so that we might perfect the cultivation of bodhicitta in all its aspects.

• Aspiration to Generate Bodhicitta, Utterly Pure and Supreme by Patrul Rinpoche

This prayer of aspiration covers the entire Buddhist path, but places special emphasis on the cultivation of bodhicitta in its various forms. For to have bodhicitta, says Patrul Rinpoche, is to have "all that's needed to attain enlightenment."

• An Extensive Commentary on the Four Immeasurables by Buddhagupta

A brief guide to cultivating immeasurable loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity; it is attributed to the Indian master Buddhagupta and included within the Tengyur (Toh 3914).

• A Brief Commentary on the Refuge & Bodhichitta Prayer known as Sangyé Chö Tsok Ma by Ngawang Tenzin Norbu

A simple commentary on the most famous four-line prayer of taking refuge and arousing bodhicitta; it explains the nature of the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha as well as relative and absolute bodhicitta.

• An Essential Instruction on Refuge and Bodhichitta by Patrul Rinpoche

Taking a famous four-line prayer as his basis, Patrul Rinpoche explains the practice of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha, and arousing bodhicitta, in both its relative and ultimate forms.

• The Brightly Shining Sun: A Step-by-Step Guide to Meditating on the Bodhicaryāvatāra by Patrul Rinpoche

Patrul Rinpoche was renowned for his mastery of, and fondness for, Śāntideva's classic guide to the way of the bodhisattvas, and this is his practical manual for applying its wisdom and meditating on its key themes.

• How Our Supreme Teacher Generated Bodhicitta and Other Topics by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Notes on a number of topics, including how Buddha Śākyamuni generated bodhicitta and completed the accumulation of merit over three incalculable aeons, the four kāyas, the twelve deeds, and the three councils. The text is undated and has no colophon, but it is possible that Jamyang Khyentse drew upon Zhuchen Tsultrim Rinchen's (1697–1774) catalogue (dkar chag) to the Derge Tengyur or a similar source.

• Daily Confession (from the Vajrapañjara Tantra) from the Words of the Buddha

These verses taken from the Vajrapañjara Tantra, which are often recited as part of longer rituals and practices, include lines for taking refuge and generating bodhicitta.

• The Ritual of the Bodhisattva Vow According to the Tradition of Patrul Rinpoche arranged by Chatral Rinpoche

This elaborate ritual for taking the bodhisattva vow, which includes preliminary recitations and practices as well as the vow itself, was arranged according to the tradition of the great Dza Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887) by the holder of his lineage, Chatral Rinpoche Sangye Dorje, in 1986.

• Vast Clouds of Samantabhadra’s Display: A Ritual of Worship to Delight the Teacher, his Eight Heart-Sons, and their Retinue by Neten Chokling Ngedön Drubpe Dorje

A ritual for paying homage to the Buddha and eight main bodhisattvas as a means of generating bodhicitta. The text belongs to The Great Compassionate One, Lotus Uṣṇīṣa (thugs rje chen po pad+ma gtsug gtor) cycle within the Chokling Tersar.

• Verses of Refuge and Bodhicitta by Śākyaśrībhadra

Extracted from Śākyaśrībhadra's Seven Branches for Practising the Sacred Dharma (Saptāṅgasaddharmacaryāvatāra), these verses for taking refuge and generating bodhicitta are often recited independently of their original source.

• Entranceway for the Faithful: Refuge and Bodhicitta Prayers by Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol

Three verses for taking refuge, generating bodhicitta and offering hearfelt prayer, composed at Mount Kailash for a student named Lobzang Gelek.

• The Three Noble Principles by Khenpo Shenga

A brief explanation of the three noble principles (of arousing bodhicitta in the beginning, remaining without reference in the middle, and dedicating merit at the end), which are said to be the root of the Mahāyāna path.

• Bodhicaryāvatāra Series

• Bodhisattva Vow Series

• Mind Training (Lojong)

• Preliminary Practices & Commentaries

• Six Pāramitās Series

• Taking Refuge Series