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The Home of Tibetan Buddhist Texts in Translation
ISSN 2753-4812
ISSN 2753-4812

Dhāraṇī Series

Dhāraṇī

English (16) | Deutsch (1) | Español (3) | Français (3) | 中文 (1) | བོད་ཡིག (16)

A selection of texts related to dhāraṇī (gzungs), mantric formulae or incantations:

Amitāyus

from the Words of the Buddha
This brief invocation of Buddha Amitāyus, featured in the Nyingma Mönlam, combines the famous four-line Praise of Amitāyus with the mantra and passages from The Sūtra of Boundless Life and Wisdom.
Longevity Amitāyus Nyingma Mönlam

Amoghapāśa

from the Words of the Buddha
This version (Toh 683) of the Amoghapāśa dhāraṇī originates from the sūtra of the same name (Toh 682) but diverges in certain ways from its source. Not only does it abbreviate the introductory verses of homage, it also concludes with its own instruction on how to perform the dhāraṇī.
Kangyur
by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
A brief 'means of recitation' (bklag thabs) that provides the necessary prayers and visualization for reciting the longer and shorter dhāraṇīs of Amoghapāśa.
Avalokiteśvara Reading Methods

Averting Obstacles

from the Words of the Buddha
As its name suggests, this brief incantation (dhāraṇī) is intended to liberate the one who recites or uses it as a cakra from all physical, vocal and mental constraints, including those caused by evil schemes, maleficence, spells and curses. Although the incantation is attributed to Buddha Śākyamuni, it is not included in any extant Kangyur collection but is preserved in various dhāraṇī compendia (gzungs 'dus).
Averting Obstacles

Averting Periodic Obstacles

from the Words of the Buddha
This dhāraṇī, which is part of the larger corpus of texts on astrology (nag rtsis) taught by Mañjuśrī in China, begins with an invocation of the buddhas and bodhisattvas and then features a long series of requests to prevent inauspicious astrological combinations that might result in periodic obstacles. The text is part of the Compendium of Dhāraṇīs (gzungs bsdus).
Astrology Averting Obstacles

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.
Termas Rinchen Terdzö Compendium of Sādhanas Nyingma Mönlam Northern Treasures

Dependent Origination

from the Words of the Buddha
This short text, which appears twice in the Derge Kangyur (Toh 521 & 981), includes the formula of dependent origination, the so-called ye dharma, said to have been told to Śāriputra as an encapsulation of Buddha Śākyamuni's teachings.
Dependent Origination Kangyur

Mārīcī

from the Words of the Buddha
This popular canonical work (Tōh. 564) reveals the incantation (dhāraṇī) associated with Mārīcī, goddess of the dawn, and explains how it confers the deity's qualities and guards against adversity, danger and disease.
Mārīcī Kangyur

Parṇaśavarī

by Chögyal Pakpa Lodrö Gyaltsen
A simple practice of Parṇaśavarī consisting of homage (from a longer praise by Chögyal Pakpa Lodrö Gyaltsen), mantra and dedication, which is particularly recommended as a means to heal and dispel contagious disease.
Parṇaśavarī Sickness & Healing

Sitātapatrā

from the Words of the Buddha
This popular canonical work, which is included in the Kangyur (Tōh. 591), teaches the incantation (dhāraṇī) and rituals associated with the goddess Sitātapatrā, who is renowned for her power to avert or repel all types of spirits, demons, obstacles, misfortune and disease and is thus invoked by many Tibetan Buddhists on a daily basis.
Sitātapatrā Kangyur Ten Royal Sūtras

Vajraṇakhī

from the Words of the Buddha
Vajraṇakhī (rdo rje sder mo), 'Vajra Claw', is a wrathful ḍākinī whose mantra has a long history and can be found in various forms in, e.g., the Guhyasamāja, Vajravārāhī, and Vajrakīla traditions. In this text, her independent dhāraṇī, Vajraṇakhī is invoked as to protect the practitioner's domestic space, family, friends, and allies, and to avert any obstacles that might threaten them. Although her dhāraṇī is here attributed to Buddha Śākyamuni, it is not found in any of the extant Kangyur collections but is preserved in various dhāraṇī compendia (gzungs ‘dus).
Vajraṇakhī
by Karma Chakme
A brief version of the Vajraṇakhī dhāraṇī (rdo rje sder mo’i gzungs) arranged for daily recitation, invoking Vajraṇakhī to protect the practitioner's domestic space, family, friends and allies and to avert any obstacles that might threaten them.
Vajraṇakhī

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.
Vajrapāṇi Kangyur Ten Royal Sūtras Compendium of Sādhanas

Vajravidāraṇa

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.
Vajravidāraṇa Ten Royal Sūtras Compendium of Sādhanas

Various

revealed by Guru Chökyi Wangchuk
A collection of brief ḍhāraṇīs that are said to encapsulate the essence of the entire Kangyur (bka' 'gyur), or Collected Words of the Buddha, and serve as a powerful means of purification when recited.
Termas Kangyur Rinchen Terdzö

Vasudhārā

from the Words of the Buddha
This popular canonical work (Tōh. 662) teaches the incantation (dhāraṇī) and rituals associated with the goddess Vasudhārā. According to the text, the dhāraṇī grants prosperity and wealth and averts spirits, demons and disease.
Vasudhārā Kangyur Ten Royal Sūtras

Related Topics

Mantra

Stūpa image containing mantras and dhāraṇī

Courtesy of Himalayan Art Resources

Further information:

BDRC T933 (gzungs sngags)

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ISSN 2753-4812

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