Long-Life Prayers

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Three Deities of Long Life

Courtesy of Terton Sogyal Trust

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A selection of prayers for longevity (zhabs brtan), first more general ones, then those for specific individuals (arranged alphabetically by subject):

General

The author mentions that he wrote this general long-life prayer with teachers such as the Karmapa and Shamarpa particularly in mind, and that he was instructed to compose a practice incorporating both Guru Padmasambhava and Vajrakīla—although several other long-life deities are also invoked, including Tārā.

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.

These verses in which the guru's body, speech and mind are related to the three kāyas—nirmāṇakāya, sambhogakāya and dharmakāya—constitute a brief prayer for longevity, or 'stable abiding' (brtan bzhugs), which can be recited to support the long life of any teacher.

This general prayer for the long life of the holders of the teachings was composed by Jamgön Mipham Rinpoche in 1888. It is part of the daily liturgy at the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, or great prayer festival, held every year in Bodhgaya.

Alak Zenkar Rinpoche

Zenkar Rinpoche composed this prayer himself in May 2022 at the request of Tsewang Rigdzin, attendant and secretary to Pewar Rinpoche. Rather than praising the subject's own qualities, as is the custom for such prayers, Zenkar Rinpoche takes the opportunity to highlight what he sees as his own faults.

A three-verse supplication for the longevity of Alak Zenkar Rinpoche (b. 1943), which the author humbly claims is neither elegant nor profound but heartfelt.

Katok Rigdzin Chenpo composed this four-line prayer for the long life of Alak Zenkar Rinpoche in 2007 at the request of both Sogyal Rinpoche and Pewar Rinpoche.

This is the shorter of two prayers that Thinley Norbu Rinpoche composed for the long life of Alak Zenkar Rinpoche.

Kyabje Rinpoche composed this short prayer for the long life of Alak Zenkar Rinpoche at the request of the Rigpa saṅgha in December 2005.

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche

A prayer for the longevity of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche (b. 1951), who is the seventh in the line of Gar Drupchen incarnations.

A four-line prayer for the longevity of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche (b. 1951), who is the seventh in the line of Gar Drupchen incarnations.

Ḍākinī Muntso Rinpoche

His Holiness wrote this prayer for the long life of Jetsünma Muntso Rinpoche, who is the niece of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, in 2000 at the request of Khenchen Rinpoche and others.

Dezhung Rinpoche

Gatön Ngawang Lekpa composed these verses for the occasion of Dezhung Rinpoche's enthronement at Tharlam Monastery in 1923.

Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche

Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche wrote this prayer for the longevity of Urgyen Tenzin Jigme Lhundrup (b. 1993), the incarnation of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910–1991), at the sacred Māratika cave in Nepal on Friday, 29 December 1995.

Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima

Khyentse Wangpo composed this three-verse longevity prayer for the Third Dodrupchen Rinpoche (1865–1926) at the same time as he bestowed upon him the name Kunzang Jigme Tenpai Nyima Trinlé Kunkhyab Palzangpo.

Dodrupchen Rinpoche

A four-line prayer for the long life of the Fourth Dodrupchen, Jikmé Tubten Trinlé Palbar.

Dudjom Rinpoche

Jamyang Khyentse composed this seven-verse prayer for the longevity of Dudjom Rinpoche (1904–1987) during the Earth Ox year (1949–1950).

Dzogchen Rinpoche

A four-line prayer for the long life of the Seventh Dzogchen Rinpoche, Jikmé Losal Wangpo.

This eight-line prayer for the longevity of the Seventh Dzogchen Rinpoches interweaves syllables from the name of his predecessor, Pema Rigdzin who was the first Dzogchen Rinpoche, and from his own name, Tendzin Jikdral Lhunpo.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

A three-verse prayer for the long life of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche composed at the request of Sherab Gyaltsen.

A short prayer for the long life of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche which Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche composed in the sacred Kurjé cave in Bumthang, Bhutan.

This three-verse prayer for the long life of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche was composed in Bodhgayā, India, in 1991.

This supplication was composed in time for Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche's sixty-first year, a potential period of obstacles according to Tibetan astrology.

Fourteenth Dalai Lama

One of several prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama that Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche composed.

The most commonly recited prayer for the longevity of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, which was adapted from a verse composed by Polhané Sonam Tobgyé (1689–1747) for the Seventh Dalai Lama, Kalzang Gyatso (1708–1757).

Composed in December 1957 at the request of Tibetans resident in Gangtok, this is one of at least four prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's longevity by Jamyang Khyentse.

It was while he was staying in Lhasa in the mid-1950s that Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö composed this prayer for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö wrote this shorter long-life prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in three four-line verses, in the sacred place of Yamalung near Samye (most likely in 1956).

This prayer for longevity, which Jamyang Khyentse composed at the request of Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche (1929–2016) incorporates the syllables of the Dalai Lama's full name: Jetsün Ngawang Lobzang Tenzin Gyatso Sisum Wangyur Tsungmé Palzangpo.

Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok composed this prayer for the longevity of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama on 17 July 1990, shortly after their first meeting.

A four-line prayer for the long life of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

This five-line prayer is constructed around the syllables of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's full name: Jetsün Jampal Ngawang Lobzang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso.

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

This four-line prayer for the longevity of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö describes the master’s qualities using the trope of threefold categories.

Jamyang Khyentse composed this brief prayer for his own and Khandro Tsering Chödrön's (1929–2011) longevity at the request of Muksang Rinpoche Pema Kunzang Rangdrol (1916–1984).

This three-verse prayer for the longevity of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö was written at the behest of Dzongsar Ngari Tulku (1945–2008).

A four-line prayer for the longevity of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, which was later adapted into a popular supplication.

Jetsün Lochen Incarnation

Written in 1957, possibly for the daughter of Sonam T. Kazi, this is an eight-line prayer for the longevity and flourishing of the incarnation of Lochen Chönyi Zangmo (1853/1865–1950/1951).

Khandro Tāre Lhamo

A short prayer in three stanzas for the longevity of Khandro Tāre Lhamo (1938–2003).

Khandro Tsering Chödrön

Jamyang Khyentse composed this prayer entitled 'Removing Obstacles in the Life of the Ḍākinī' (ḍā ki'i sku tshe'i 'phrang bzlog) for the longevity of his consort Khandro Tsering Chödrön (Āyu Dharma Dīpam) at the request of Parkö Chöpel, a carver of printing blocks at Dzongsar.

Khyenrab Chökyi Özer

A three-verse prayer for the longevity of the great Sakya scholar Öntö Khyenrab Chökyi Özer (1889–1959).

A short prayer for the longevity of the celebrated scholar Öntö Khyenrab Chökyi Özer (1889–1959), who taught at Dzongsar Monastery's scriptural college.

This, the longer of two prayers for the longevity of Öntö Khyenrab Chökyi Özer (1889–1959) that Jamyang Khyentse composed, is full of praise for the master's erudition and skill as a teacher.

Lochen Dharmaśrī

A three-verse prayer for the longevity of Lochen Dharmaśrī (1654–1717/18).

Lodi Gyari Rinpoche

Trulshilk Rinpoche wrote this prayer for the longevity of Lodi Gyari Rinpoche in December 2005 in France, at the request of Sogyal Rinpoche and the Rigpa saṅgha.

Mayum Tsering Wangmo

This long-life prayer for Mayum Tsering Wangmo of the Lakar family, who was renowned as an emanation of Uṣṇīṣavijayā, was composed in France in 2003.

Minling Chung Rinpoche

A five-verse prayer for the longevity of Chung Rinpoche, Ngawang Chödrak (1908–1980) of Mindrolling, who was both Jamyang Khyentse's teacher and student.

Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

A prayer for the longevity of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche (1938–2018), composed in Kathmandu, Nepal, 1995.

Neten Chokling Rinpoche

A prayer for the longevity of Neten Chokling Rinpoche (b. 1973) incorporating the name Rigdzin Gyurme Dorje (rig 'dzin 'gyur med rdo rje), which was given to Neten Chokling Rinpoche at his enthronement by His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa.

Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche

As he explains in the colophon, Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche wrote this short prayer himself for recital during group rituals, in place of the more laudatory, effusive prayers composed by some of his teachers.

Patrick Gaffney

Alak Zenkar Rinpoche composed this prayer for the long life of Patrick Gaffney, whose Tibetan name is Yeshe Wangyal, in 2007.

Penor Rinpoche

Composed in 1990 at the sacred site of Tso Pema in response to repeated requests from Khenpo Namdrol, who studied with both Penor Rinpoche and Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok.

Pewar Rinpoche

This prayer for the longevity of Pewar Rinpoche Chimé Dorje (b. 1933) was written by Katok Rigdzin Chenpo at the request of Alak Zenkar Rinpoche.

Sakya Dagchen and Son

A short prayer for the long life of Jigdal Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche (1929–2016), head of the Puntsok Podrang, and his eldest son Mañjuvajra Rinpoche (b. 1953), alias Dhungsey Minzu Sakya.

Sakya Trichen

Composed to mark Sakya Trichen's enthronement in 1952, this a poetic prayer for the master's longevity and an aspiration for the flourishing of the Sakya teachings.

The most commonly recited prayer for the longevity of His Holiness Sakya Trichen, Ngawang Kunga Tekchen Palbar.

Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche composed this four-line prayer for the longevity of the Seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Jikmé Chökyi Senge (b. 1966), by adapting the words of a prayer by Shechen Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Pema Namgyal (1871–1926).

Sixteenth Karmapa

This seven-verse prayer for the longevity of the Sixteenth Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpé Dorje (1924–1981) was written by Sakya Trichen Ngawang Kunga Tekchen Palbar (b. 1945) and is reproduced in the 2012 edition of the collected writings of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö (1893–1959).

Sogyal Rinpoche

Written in 2003, this long-life prayer for Sogyal Rinpoche features typically erudite and poetic references to Nyingma history and tradition.

This prayer for the long life of Sogyal Rinpoche was composed in 2007 at the request of the Rigpa saṅgha.

This prayer for the long life of Sogyal Rinpoche was composed in 1995 in Māratika Cave, Nepal. At that time, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche had completed a retreat focused on longevity and gave a long-life empowerment to Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche and Sogyal Rinpoche.

Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche wrote this four-line prayer for the longevity of Sogyal Rinpoche in September 1999.

This extensive prayer for Sogyal Rinpoche's longevity, entitled The Attainment of Immortality ('chi med grub pa), was written at Kyabje Rinpoche's monastery of Tupten Chöling in Nepal in 2005.

Soktsé Rinpoche

A prayer for the longevity of Soktsé Rinpoche, Kunzang Tendzin Gyaltsen (b. 1928), a senior holder of the Dudjom Tersar lineage.

Tai Situ Rinpoche

A prayer for the longevity of the Twelfth Tai Situpa, Pema Dönyö Nyinché (b. 1954), written at the behest of the Ninth Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche (1897–1962).

Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche

This longevity supplication, written in 2000, incorporates the syllables of Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche's full name: Shedrup Trinlé Nyinjé Pal Zangpo.

Tenth Paṇchen Lama

A prayer for the long life of the Tenth Paṇchen Lama, Trinlé Lhundrup Chökyi Gyaltsen (1938–1989) composed at the behest of Sakya Dagchen Rinpoche (1929–2016).

Tertön Sogyal Lerab Lingpa

Verses of truth dedicated to the longevity of Tertön Sogyal Lerab Lingpa (1856–1926), from whom Jamyang Khyentse received numerous transmissions in 1920.

Trulshik Rinpoche

His Holiness composed this ten-verse prayer for the longevity of Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche (1924–2011) in 2001 at the request of the master's nephew Ngawang Chöpel Gyatso.

In this short, four-line prayer for Trulshik Rinpoche's longevity, His Holiness alludes to the Dzogchen teachings that he himself received from the master.

Tulku Thondup Rinpoche

A four-line prayer for the longevity of Tulku Thondup Rinpoche composed by Gyalse Möndrup Dorje, or Gyalse Pelo.

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