Compendium of Sādhanas

• The New Glorious Bestower of Immortality: A Long-Life Practice and Empowerment that Unites the Oral, Treasure and Visionary Teachings by Chöje Lingpa

This long-life practice (tshe sgrub) and empowerment (tshe dbang) of Thangtong Gyalpo (1361–1485?) is said to bring together the oral, treasure and visionary teachings. It combines Thangtong Gyalpo's original Glorious Bestower of Immortality ('chi med dpal ster) with Chöjé Lingpa's own treasure revelation and visionary account.

• The Sādhana and Empowerment for the Extremely Close Lineage of the Long-Life Practice that Unites the Oral, Treasure and Visionary Teachings by Chöje Lingpa

This pith instruction for accomplishing longevity (tshe sgrub) through Thangtong Gyalpo (1361–1485?) is said to bring together the oral, treasure and visionary teachings. According to its colophon, Chöjé Lingpa received the instruction from Thangtong Gyalpo directly in a vision. Jamgön Kongtrul included the text in the Precious Treasury of Revelations (Rinchen Terdzö).

• The Sweet-Sounding Song that Fulfils All Aims: A Prayer to Noble Tārā Combined with Her Root Mantra by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This brief supplication to the saviouress Tārā incorporates and expands upon the literal meaning of the syllables of her root mantra (oṃ tāre tuttāre ture svāhā).

• Words of Advice on Accomplishing Immortality: An Extremely Concise Daily Practice Uniting the Short Lineages of Amitāyus and Hayagrīva by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This concise instruction for accomplishing longevity (tshe sgrub) is said to be an abridgement of Thangtong Gyalpo's (1361–1485?) original sādhana. According to the colophon, Khyentse Wangpo composed the practice in a meditation cave used by Thangtong Gyalpo himself.

• Bestower of the Light of Intelligence: A Prayer to the Lineage of the Profound Sādhana Based Upon the Praise to Venerable Mañjughoṣa by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Lineage prayer for the Mañjuśrī sādhana based on the Gang gi Lodröma praise attributed to Vajrāyudha, which is included in Compendium of Sādhanas.

• Wisdom's Bestowal: A Way to Accumulate the Recitation of the Tantra 'Chanting the Names of Mañjuśrī' (Mañjuśrī Nāmasaṅgīti) by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

For this 'means of recitation' (bklag thabs), which provides additional prayers and practices to be said before and after the root text of Chanting the Names of Mañjuśrī (Mañjuśrī-nāmasaṅgīti; 'jam dpal mtshan brjod), Khyentse Wangpo relied upon and adapted the writings of the great Sakya patriarchs Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen and Sakya Paṇḍita.

• Prayer to the Lion of Speech by Karma Chakme

This prayer to Buddha Amitābha, Mañjuśrī the 'Lion of Speech' (smra ba'i seng ge) and the goddess Sarasvatī was composed by Karma Chakmé for his own daily practice. It includes a series of aspirations related to wisdom and intelligence.

• The Praise to Mañjuśrī—Glorious Wisdom's Excellent Qualities by Vajrāyudha

Popularly known as the Gang gi lodröma (based on its first four syllables), this is perhaps the most famous praise of Mañjuśrī recited by Tibetan Buddhists. According to legend it was composed by 500 Indian paṇḍitas simultaneously, in response to a request from their abbot, after whom it takes its formal name—Śrī Jñāna Guṇaphala (dpal ye shes yon tan bzang po), "Glorious Wisdom's Excellent Qualities". It is included in the Kriyātantra section of the Tengyur (Toh 2711).

• The Noble Incantation entitled ‘The Rituals for the Blue-Clad Vajrapāṇi’ from the Words of the Buddha

A popular text (Tōh. 748) teaching the incantation (dhāraṇī) and rituals associated with the Blue-Clad (nīlāmbaradhara) form of the deity Vajrapāṇi. According to Karmavajra’s commentary (Tōh. 2676), the dhāraṇī is at once a powerful protection against, and remedy for, spirits, demons and disease.

• The Method of Accomplishment of Ārya Avalokiteśvara: The Practice of Great Compassion & Mahāmudrā in Union by Chögyal Pakpa Lodrö Gyaltsen

This brief sādhana of Avalokiteśvara in the form of Mahākāruṇika, The Great Compassionate One, incorporates instructions on examining the nature of mind according to the approach of Mahāmudrā. It is included within the Compendium of Sādhanas (sgrub thabs kun btus).

• Aspiration for the Maṇi Reciter of Kham by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo

A two-verse prayer of aspiration to follow Avalokiteśvara, the Great Compassionate One, and contribute to his enlightened activity.

• Concise Seven-Heap Maṇḍala Offering by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This short maṇḍala liturgy is included within the Compendium of Sādhanas (sgrub thabs kun btus). It features seven heaps representing: 1) Mount Meru; 2-5) the four continents; 6) the sun and 7) the moon.

• Prayer to Jetsün Tārā for the Fulfilment of Wishes by Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen

Extracted from Drakpa Gyaltsen's Four-Maṇḍala Prayer to Tārā (sgrol ma'i gsol 'debs maN+Dal bzhi pa).

• Praise of Noble Avalokiteśvara by Lakṣmī

This is the commonly recited version of Bhikṣuṇī Lakṣmī’s famous praise of Avalokiteśvara, often known as the Po Praise. It includes several differences from the version preserved in the Tengyur, as noted in the text.

• Seven-Branch Offering to Tārā by Lakṣmī

This seven-branch offering, which is found in many Tārā sādhanas, is attributed to the famous nun Lakṣmī (Gelongma Palmo), founder of the Nyungné tradition.

• The Method of Accomplishment of Ārya Avalokiteśvara: The Practice of Great Compassion & Mahāmudrā in Union by Ngorchen Könchok Lhundrup

This sādhana of Mahākāruṇika, The Great Compassionate One, incorporates instructions on examining the nature of mind according to the approach of Mahāmudrā. It is included within the Compendium of Sādhanas (sgrub thabs kun btus).

• Vajra Speech of the Prayer to Noble Avalokiteśvara from the Great Siddha Thangtong Gyalpo's Lifetime as Bhikṣu Padma Karpo recalled by Thangtong Gyalpo

Thangtong Gyalpo recalled this supplication to Noble Avalokiteśvara from the devotional practices of a previous lifetime as the bhikṣu Padma Karpo.

• Fast Track to Happiness and Peace: A Very Brief Meditation and Recitation of the Medicine Buddha by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A simple practice of visualization and mantra recitation for Bhaiṣajya Guru, the Buddha of Medicine, which appears in the Kriyā tantra section of the extended Nyingma Kama collection.

• Vajravidāraṇa Dhāraṇī (Nyingma Version) from the Words of the Buddha

Vajravidāraṇa (rdo rje rnam ‘joms) is a semi-wrathful form of Vajrapāṇi and the deity’s dhāraṇī (gzungs), counted as a kriyā-tantra, is known for its healing and purifying effect. The dhāraṇī has inspired a large number of ritual liturgies and commentaries, both Indic and Tibetan, and is commonly recited by Tibetan and Newar Buddhists. In Tibetan it is preserved mainly in two forms, one in the Kangyur and the Nyingma version presented here, which is said to be a reconstruction based on commentarial literature.

• The Swift Fulfillment of All Wishes (Sampa Nyur Drupma): A Prayer to Master Padmasambhava by Jamgön Amnye Zhab Ngawang Kunga Sönam

Amnye Zhab Ngawang Kunga Sönam composed this supplication to Guru Padmasambhava for the swift fulfilment of all wishes in 1641, when war and chaos were afflicting the regions of Ü and Tsang. The prayer is included within the Compendium of Sādhanas (sgrub thabs kun btus).

• Averting Obstacles through Sitātapatrā by Lhodrak Namkha Gyaltsen

A short practice requesting Sitātapatrā (gdugs dkar) to come to the aid of practitioners and avert or repel (zlog pa) all forms of obstacle and misfortune.

• 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.

• Prayer to the Lineage of Seven-Point Mind Training by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo

A supplication to the lineage of the Seven Points of Mind Training (blo sbyong don bdun ma), or Verses of Mahāyāna Mind Training.

• The Flower of Faith: A Prayer to the Twenty-Five Founders of Buddha's Teachings in Tibet by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A non-sectarian (ris med) prayer to 25 of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, five for each of the five major traditions: Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyü, Kadam and Geluk.

• The Seed of Faith: A Prayer to the Sublime Ones by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This brief prayer to the buddhas and bodhisattvas, learned and accomplished masters of India, and figures from all Tibetan traditions, reflects the author's famously nonsectarian approach.

• Praise of the Buddha: With Skilful Means & Compassion... by Nāgārjuna

Popularly known as "With Skilful Means and Compassion..." (thabs mkhas thugs rje ma), this is the liturgical arrangement of the Dvādaśakārastotra, Nāgārjuna's praise of the twelve great acts performed by Buddha Śākyamuni.

• Bodhicaryāvatāra Lineage Prayer by Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo

This supplication to the gurus of the lineage of transmission for Śāntideva's classic text down to Kunga Zangpo himself includes a request for the inspiration and blessings required to perfect the bodhisattva path.

• Prayer to the Lineage of Parting from the Four Attachments by Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo

A prayer to the lineage of masters who held the instructions for the famous four-line teaching from the Buddha and Mañjuśrī down to Ngorchen's own guru, Sharchen Yeshe Gyaltsen (shar chen ye shes rgyal mtshan, 1359–1406).

• Aspiration of the Eleven Perfections from the Words of the Buddha

This aspiration to accomplish the eleven transcendent perfections—generosity, ethical discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, insight, skilful methods, strength, aspiration, primordial wisdom and the dharmakāya—is popular in the Sakya tradition, and is included within the Compendium of Sādhanas.

• Maitreya's Aspiration from the Words of the Buddha

In the sūtra The Question of Maitreya (Toh. 85, Maitreya­paripṛcchā, byams pas zhus pa), Buddha Śākyamuni recounts this prayer that Maitreya made as a bodhisattva aspiring to accomplish the six perfections and attain the ten bodhisattva levels. The prayer is also included in the Miscellaneous section of the Tengyur (Toh 4378).

• 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).

• 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. It is included in the Dhāraṇī section of the Kangyur (Toh 1095) and the Miscellaneous section of the Tengyur (Toh 4377).

• Verses of Auspiciousness from the Words of the Buddha

These three famous verses, related to the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha, are drawn from a longer text that appears in the Kangyur and in the Tengyur, where the text is attributed to Nāgārjuna. The version here is taken from the Compendium of Sādhanas.

• The Sūtra of Boundless Life and Wisdom from the Words of the Buddha

The Aparimitāyurjñāna-nāma mahāyāna-sūtra ('phags pa tshe dang ye shes dpag tu med pa zhes bya ba theg pa chen po'i mdo, Toh 674 & 849) is said to bring extraordinary merit and longevity when written out, read aloud, copied, or venerated with offerings.

• A Shortcut to the Siddhi of Immortality: Guru Yoga of Union with the Three Deities of Long Life by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This guru yoga of the three deities of longevity—White Tārā 'Wish-fulfilling Wheel', Amitāyus and Uṣṇīṣavijayā—is considered an auxiliary to the Chimé Pakmé Nyingtik practice.

• A Section of the Vajrakīla Root Tantra from the Words of the Buddha

The Vajrakīla Root Tantra Section (or Fragment) (Tōh. 439), the remains of a much larger Vajrakīla tantra, was discovered and translated into Tibetan by Sakya Paṇḍita (1182–1251). According to the text's colophon, it was Guru Padmasambhava who brought the original to Tibet. The tantra contains several famous verses that appear in most Vajrakīla sādhanas and is the only Vajrakīla text included within the Kangyur. The edition translated here includes a colophon by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and benedictory verse by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö.

• A Brief Prayer to the Precious Master Padmākara for Swiftly Fulfilling Wishes by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This brief prayer to Guru Padmākara, which Khyentse Wangpo says came to him spontaneously, includes requests to dispel all obstacles and fulfil all wishes.

• Brief Prayer to the Earlier and Later Terma Lineages by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A compilation of several well-known prayers, including the Seven-Line Prayer, verses from the Le'u Dünma, and four-line invocations of the masters Nyangral Nyima Özer (1124–1192) and Guru Chökyi Wangchuk (1212–1270), which is included in the Compendium of Sādhanas (sgrub thabs kun btus).

• The Means for Accomplishment called the Blazing Wheel revealed by Tulku Zangpo Drakpa

This terma (gter ma), which Tulku Zangpo Drakpa revealed and passed on to Rigdzin Gödem (1337–1408), presents a sūtra-like scenario in which Buddha Śākyamuni reveals a dhāraṇī for subduing enemies and demonic forces.

• The Prayer to Guru Rinpoche that Spontaneously Fulfils All Wishes (Sampa Lhundrupma) by Tulku Zangpo Drakpa

This famous prayer to Guru Padmasambhava for the spontaneous fulfilment of wishes forms the outer section of The Guru’s Heart Practice: The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel (thugs sgrub yid bzhin nor bu). This version of the prayer, without the colophon, appears in volume thirteen of the Compendium of Sādhanas compiled by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.

• An Aspiration Prayer by Gyalse Tokme Zangpo

This simple prayer of aspiration in five verses is included in the final volume of the Compendium of Sādhanas (sgrub thabs kun btus).

• 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.

• Prayer of Truthful Words to Pacify the Fear of War by Thangtong Gyalpo

This prayer to alleviate the terrors of conflict was spoken by the great siddha Thangtong Gyalpo at a time when war ravaged Minyak in eastern Tibet. Such was the power of his words, it is said, the conflict instantly came to an end, and peace and prosperity reigned.

• The Verses that Saved Sakya from Sickness: A Prayer for Quelling the Fear of Diseases 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.

• Rinchen Terdzö Series

• Sādhanas Series

• Sakya Series