English
Deutsch Español Français Italiano Nederlands Português 中文 བོད་ཡིག
Explore Projects Updates About Donate
The Home of Tibetan Buddhist Texts in Translation
ISSN 2753-4812
ISSN 2753-4812

Commentary Series

Commentary

English (51) | Deutsch (3) | Español (7) | Français (20) | Português (5) | 中文 (11) | བོད་ཡིག (49)

Commentarial texts of various kinds related to various topics:

Auspiciousness

by Mipham Rinpoche
In response to a request from an anonymous correspondent, Mipham Rinpoche briefly sets out the benefits of invoking the eight buddhas, eight male and female bodhisattvas, and eight guardians of the world.
Auspiciousness Benefits 14 Aug 2025

Avalokiteśvara

by Jigme Lingpa
This is one of two commentaries by Jigme Lingpa on the Dukngal Rangdrol practice of Avalokiteśvara that he himself revealed. Here, Jigme Lingpa offers a word-by-word explanation of the sādhana, both its preliminaries and its main part, in a simple yet precise manner. He does not comment on the feast offering section, which was added only later by the First Dodrupchen, Jigme Trinle Özer (1745–1821).
Dukngal Rangdrol Avalokiteśvara Restricted 6 Jan 2022

Calling the Guru from Afar

by Pema Rigtsal Rinpoche
This word-by-word commentary on Dudjom Rinpoche's famous song of calling the guru from afar (bla ma rgyang 'bod), Spontaneous Song of the Genuine Nature, includes a discussion of the ultimate three-kāya guru and an explanation of how to practice the path of Dzogchen, the Great Perfection.
Calling the Guru from Afar Dzogchen 13 Feb 2024

Chöd

by Pema Dechen Gyalpo
This detailed commentary on the White Feast practice from the Dudjom Tröma cycle emphasises the profound perspective of Ati Yoga. The text provides detailed instructions on all aspects of the practice, from the preliminaries to the conclusion, while also offering practical guidance for those who have not yet fully comprehended the highest view.
Chöd Dudjom Tersar Restricted 5 May 2025

Confession

by Jigme Lingpa
A word-by-word commentary on the Ultimate Inexpressible Confession practice—popularly known as Yeshe Kuchokma—which is the fourth chapter of the Immaculate Confession Tantra. The commentary belongs to the Collection of Discourses (gtam tshogs) section of Jigme Lingpa’s writings.
Confession Restricted 25 Jul 2024

Dependent Origination

by Jamyang Loter Wangpo
In this short annotation commentary, Loter Wangpo explains the nature and subdivisions of dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda) and identifies the somewhat cryptic numerical references in Nāgārjuna's verses.
Dependent Origination 2 Mar 2019
by Nāgārjuna
This short text attributed to Nāgārjuna, which appears in the Abhidharma section of the Tengyur (Toh 4101), is a commentary on the so-called ye dharma formula of dependent origination.
Dependent Origination Tengyur 13 Dec 2021

Dzogchen

by Khenpo Yönten Gyatso
In this brief commentary Gemang Khenpo Yönten Gyatso explains the meaning behind every word of Jigme Lingpa's famous revelation, The Prayer of the Ground, Path and Fruition (gzhi lam 'bras bu'i smon lam).
Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtik 13 Jan 2007
by Patrul Rinpoche
Patrul Rinpoche's own commentary to the root verses of his most famous Dzogchen work, The Special Teaching of the Wise and Glorious King (mkhas pa śrī rgyal po'i khyad chos).
Striking the Vital Point in Three Statements 6 Jul 2013
by Pema Kunzang Rangdrol
Annotations to clarify the root verses of Patrul Rinpoche's popular text, The Special Teaching of the Wise and Glorious King (mkhas pa śrī rgyal po'i khyad chos), which elaborates on the 'three statements that strike the vital point' (tshig gsum gnad brdegs) by Garab Dorje.
Striking the Vital Point in Three Statements 7 Mar 2019
revealed by Pema Ledrel Tsal
A short commentary on the first of the six tantras of 'liberation through wearing' within the Khandro Nyingtik.
Khandro Nyingtik Takdrol Dzogchen Restricted 28 Mar 2025
by Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol
An explanation of The Vajra Verses on the Natural State, a revelation of Jigme Lingpa, which describes the pure awareness that is the natural state of the mind and how all the qualities of the path and fruition are complete within it.
Dzogchen Longchen Nyingtik Restricted 25 Sep 2015

Guru Rinpoche Prayers

by Dudjom Rinpoche
In this commentary on the famous prayer to Guru Padmasambhava popularly known as Dü Sum Sangye (referred to here as the Vajra Verses Prayer) Dudjom Rinpoche explains the outer, inner and secret significance of every line.
Guru Rinpoche Prayers Chokling Tersar 20 Mar 2015
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
In this brief commentary, Jamyang Khyentse reveals the outer or literal, inner or hidden and secret or ultimate layers of meaning in the famous Düsum Sangyé or Six Vajra-Line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa (1829–1870).
Guru Rinpoche Prayers Chokling Tersar 24 Dec 2021

Guru Yoga

by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima
In twelve points, Jigme Tenpé Nyima offers detailed instructions and clarifications on The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel, the outer guru yoga practice from the Longchen Nyingtik cycle. He describes the realm of Lotus Light and its Copper-Coloured Mountain, highlights Guru Rinpoche's qualities, and stresses the importance of concentration, devotion and inspiration.
Guru Yoga Longchen Nyingtik Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro 11 Apr 2022
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Extensive notes on the Bright Lamp of the Heart Essence (Nyingtik Saldrön) practice preceded by a general discussion of guru yoga and the importance of following a teacher.
Nyingtik Saldrön Guru Yoga Following a Teacher Restricted 7 Apr 2020

Lamrim

by Gompa Tsultrim Nyingpo
A commentary on the text by Gampopa Sonam Rinchen entitled The Root of Dakpo's Four Dharmas: A Precious Garland for the Supreme Path of the Three Types of Individual.
Lamrim 4 Aug 2018
by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
Khyentse Wangpo composed this commentary to The Essence of Nectar: Graduated Stages of the Path (lam rim bdud rtsi'i snying po) at the request of Chöying Palden, who had also requested the original root verses. The text covers every stage of the paths according to the vehicles of the transcendent perfections (pāramitā) and secret mantra.
Advice Lamrim Khyentse Kabab 4 Jun 2021

Mañjuśrī

by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye
This commentary on the Ārya Mañjuśrī Tantra Garbha, which is said to encapsulate the famous Mañjuśrī Nāma Saṃgīti, appears anonymously in the Treasury of Precious Revelations (rin chen gter mdzod), but is thought to have been written by the editor of that collection, Jamgön Kongtrul.
Mañjuśrī Rinchen Terdzö 8 Sep 2007
by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
A clear and concise commentary on the words of the most famous of praises to Mañjuśrī, Glorious Wisdom's Excellent Qualities (dPal ye shes yon tan bzang po), attributed to the Indian master Ācārya Vajrāyudha/Vajraśastra.
Mañjuśrī 26 Sep 2004

Mantra

by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima
This profound explanation of the individual syllables of Padmasambhava's famous Vajra Guru mantra is written in colloquial language that is concise and easy to understand. The text is explicitly aimed at 'town-dwelling mantrins' who mistakenly confuse the fundamentals of Secret Mantra.
Mantra Guru Padmasambhava 15 Feb 2019
by Jampal Dewe Nyima
A commentary on the famous six-syllable mantra of Mañjuśrī (oṃ arapacana dhīḥ), relating each mantra syllable to aspects of generation stage (bskyed rim), completion stage (rdzogs rim) and Great Perfection (rdzogs chen) practice.
Mañjuśrī Mantra 7 Oct 2020
revealed by Karma Lingpa
Revealed as a 'treasure' (gter ma), this short text explains the benefits and significance of Guru Padmasambhava's famous twelve-syllable mantra oṃ āḥ hūṃ vajra guru padma siddhi hūṃ.
Mantra Guru Padmasambhava Benefits Termas 31 Dec 2006
by Tertön Sogyal
This succinct explanation of the Vajra Guru mantra places special emphasis on the various meanings of the ‘vajra name’ by which Padmasambhava is invoked, i.e., Vajra Guru Padma.
Mantra 14 Apr 2019

Middle Way

by Khenchen Namdrol Tsering
In this teaching, translated from an audio recording, Khenchen Namdrol Tsering explains the background to Candrakīrti's classic work by discussing the texts of the 'collection (or corpus) of reasoning' (rigs tshogs) attributed to Nāgārjuna, the great philosopher and founder of the Madhyamaka tradition.
Madhyamakāvatāra Middle Way
by Khenchen Namdrol Tsering
In this, the second part of his extensive oral commentary on Candrakīrti's Madhyamakāvatāra, Khenchen Namdrol Tsering discusses the title of the text and the translator's homage.
Madhyamakāvatāra Middle Way

Mind Training

by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo
This is among the best known and most commonly taught commentaries on the popular mind training slogans. The author, famous for his Thirty-Seven Practices of the Bodhisattvas, writes in the style of the pith instructions, in plain and simple language.
Seven Points of Mind Training Damngak Dzö 16 Aug 2018

Ngöndro

by Chökyi Drakpa
This word-by-word explanation of the Longchen Nyingtik preliminaries draws upon and summarizes earlier commentaries, especially the most celebrated of them all, Patrul Rinpoche's Words of My Perfect Teacher (Kun bzang bla ma'i zhal lung). Yet Chökyi Drakpa's text is not entirely derivative and its relative brevity makes it ideal as a reminder of the most important points of the practice. This is why some lamas recommend reading and studying it regularly, together with the liturgy (which appears in bold).
Ngöndro Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro 5 Aug 2005

Parting from Four Attachments

by Nubpa Rigdzin Drak
Little is known about the author, Nubpa Rigdzin Drak, who may have been a student of Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen (1147–1216), but his commentary is among the best known works on Parting from the Four Attachments—partly as a result of its inclusion in the Blo sbyong brgya rtsa compendium. The text explains the antidotes to each of the four attachments and the results that will accrue from applying them.
Parting from the Four Attachments Damngak Dzö 11 Sep 2018
by Sakya Paṇḍita Kunga Gyaltsen
A brief commentary on Parting From the Attachments (zhen pa bzhi bral), the famous four-line instruction originally revealed by Mañjuśrī to Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092–1158), Sakya Paṇḍita's great uncle.
Parting from the Four Attachments Sakya Kabum Damngak Dzö 10 Apr 2014

Prajñāpāramitā

by Khenpo Shenga
Having identified the Abhisamayālaṃkāra as one of the five treatises of Maitreyanātha, Khenpo Shenga explains the features of each of the five texts in this collection, before focusing on the Ornament of Realization itself, which he discusses under five rubrics: its author, sources, category, theme, and purpose.
Abhisamayālaṃkāra Pedagogy 5 Mar 2005
by Śrī Siṃha
This short commentary (Tōh. 4353) on the secret mantra or tantric meaning of the famous Heart Sūtra is attributed to the Atiyoga teacher Śrī Siṃha. According to the colophon, he gave this explanation to his disciple Vairotsana, who put it into writing and taught it to King Tri Songdetsen.
Prajñāpāramitā Tengyur Nyingma Kama 13 Sep 2019

Pramāṇa

by Gorampa Sonam Senge
Taken from the author's commentary on Sakya Paṇḍita's Treasury of Valid Reasoning (tshad ma rigs gter) entitled The Unmistaken Commentary on the Intention of the Seven Treatises [of Dharmakīrti] and the Sūtra [i.e the Pramāṇasamuccaya of Dignāga]—Clarifying the Meaning of the Treasury of Valid Reasoning, this is an examination of the objects of cognition according to Buddhist epistemology.
Tsema Rikter Pramāṇa 23 May 2019
by Jamyang Loter Wangpo
This first chapter of the author's word-by-word commentary on Sakya Paṇḍita's Treasury of Valid Reasoning (tshad ma rigs gter) discusses the object, defined as that which can be known by the mind.
Tsema Rikter Pramāṇa 25 Nov 2022

Refuge & Bodhicitta

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.
Taking Refuge Bodhicitta
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.
Taking Refuge Bodhicitta 26 Sep 2004

Riwo Sangchö

by Gyalse Shenpen Thaye
In this rare commentary on the Mountain Incense-Smoke Offering (ri bo bsangs mchod), Gyalse Shenpen Thaye explains the historical origins of the practice and then offers a word-by-word interpretation of Lhatsün Namkha Jigme's revelation.
Riwo Sangchö 19 Dec 2005

Sojong

by Patrul Rinpoche
In this brief text, Patrul Rinpoche elaborates upon the standard text used when adopting the eight-branched one-day vow (bsnyen gnas) of lay householders, or Sojong (gso sbyong) practice, and describes the associated benefits.
Sojong 24 Jul 2021

Songs

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
A word-for-word commentary (tshig ’grel) on the hidden meaning of Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa’s renowned Song of the Feast (tshogs glu). Through vivid poetic analogies, this text expresses the profound realization of the vajra body, speech, and mind as attained on the Vajrayāna path, particularly through advanced Anuyoga yogic practices, which form a cornerstone of the gaṇacakra.
Tsok 20 Aug 2025
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Notes on one of Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen’s (1147–1216) best known songs, which incorporates key points related to both sūtra and mantra, written at the request of Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche (1929–2016).
Songs and Poems Advice 22 Nov 2021

Tārā

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö wrote these detailed instructions on how to practise the short 'single-form' daily sādhana of Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik based on teachings he received from Katok Situ Chökyi Gyatso, who, in turn, received them from Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, the revealer of the practice, himself.
Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik Kyerim Restricted 18 Jan 2021
by Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen
Drakpa Gyaltsen's influential, word-by-word commentary to the popular Praise to Tārā with Twenty-One Verses of Homage.
Tārā Sakya Kabum 15 Jul 2020

Testament

by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima
An explanation of the final words of the great Dzogchen master Orgyen Tendzin Norbu (1841–1900): "I am Guru Padmākara of Oḍḍiyāna, a buddha free from birth and death. Awakening mind is impartial and unbiased, beyond labels of the eight stages, the four pairs."
Dzogchen Stages and Paths Testament 5 Apr 2015
by Minling Khenchen Ngawang Khyentse Norbu
A brief explanation of the famous final testament of Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje (1646–1714) that is commonly recited as an aspiration.
Testament 11 Nov 2023

Transfer of Consciousness

by Karma Chakme
This famous commentary on the 'transference of consciousness' ('pho ba; Skt. saṃkrānti/utkrānti) describes the various forms of the practice in general and the specific details of the Namchö (gnam chos) transference in particular. It offers instructions on how to perform the transference both for oneself and others.
Transference Namchö

Tsok

by Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje
This commentary by Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje (1895–1969) presents a clear Nyingma perspective on the practice of gaṇacakra. The text does not refer to a particular sādhana, but offers a generic explanation that is remarkable for its clarity and detail.
Tsok 2 Nov 2018
by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye
This description of gaṇacakra, preserved in The Treasury of Extensive Teachings (rgya chen bka’ mdzod), presents a clear Nyingma perspective on the practice of gaṇacakra. The text does not refer to any particular sādhana, but offers a generic explanation that is remarkable for its clarity and detail.
Tsok 1 Oct 2021
by Sakya Paṇḍita Kunga Gyaltsen
This short text by Sakya Paṇḍita (1182–1251) explains gaṇacakra practice from the Sakya perspective according to the traditions of the Hevajra and Cakrasamvara tantras. It is among the earliest Tibetan commentaries on the subject but was originally composed to clarify an even earlier work by Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen (1147–1216).
Tsok Sakya Kabum Restricted 27 Sep 2021
by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol
In this brief guide, Tsele Natsok Rangdrol explains the essence of the feast-gathering, its literal meaning and various types, as well as how to practise it, and the benefits to be gained.
Tsok 15 Sep 2017

Vajrakīlaya

by Guru Chökyi Wangchuk
This concise instruction on the practice of Vajrakīla (or Vajrakīlaya) was given by Guru Padmasambhava to his closest disciple, Khandro Yeshé Tsogyal. Rooted in the Atiyoga approach, the text elaborates on the oft-quoted verses from the Vajrakīla Root Tantra Fragment (Tōh. 439). Preserved within the Treasury of Revelations (Rinchen Terdzö), it stands as one of the few unedited, original revelations by Guru Chöwang from his Vajrakīla cycle, The Extremely Secret Razor Vajrakīla (phur ba yang gsang spu gri).
Vajrakīlaya Termas Rinchen Terdzö Restricted 18 Mar 2020

Yoga Tantra

by Dola Jigme Kalzang
In this short text Dola Jigme Kalzang explains the meaning of the four mudrās that provide a context for tantric practice: the karma mudrā, which is the basis of practice; the dharma mudrā, which is the object of practice; the samaya mudrā, which is the means of practice; and the mahāmudrā, which is the fruition of practice.
Vehicles Restricted 20 Dec 2018

Related Topics

Notes Pedagogy Replies Scholasticism Tengyur Thirteen Major Texts

Orgyen Tendzin Norbu

Courtesy of Tertön Sogyal Trust

Further information:

BDRC T132 (‘grel pa)

DONATIONS

If you find this site useful, please consider helping us to achieve our goal of translating more classic works from the Buddhist tradition and making them freely available. Please support us on Patreon.

Quick Links

Words of the Buddha | Indian Masters | Tibetan Masters | Topics

Tools

Other Sites

84000 | Rigpa Wiki | Himalayan Art | Buddhist Digital Resource Center | Treasury of Lives

Social

Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

LICENSE

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

ISSN 2753-4812

This website uses cookies to collect anonymous usage statistics and enhance the user experience.
Decline
Accept