Praise Series

Literary Genres › Praise

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Saluting them with an endless ocean of praise,

With the sounds of an ocean of different melodies

I sing of the buddhas’ noble qualities,

And praise all those who have gone to perfect bliss.

A selection of praises (Skt. stotra; Tib. bstod pa) to various Buddhist deities and prominent masters (arranged according to subject):

Abhidharma Lineage

Verses in praise of the lineage of Abhidharma teachers, from the Buddha down to Asaṅga and Vasubandhu, then on to the Indian commentators and the earliest specialists in Tibet.

Akṣobhya

Four verses in praise of Buddha Akṣobhya extolling his appearance and his power to remove faults and bring about awakening.

Amitāyus

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of the Buddha of Boundless Life in Gangtok on the first day of the Tibetan year of the Earth Dog (1958).

One of three praises—to each of the Three Deities of Long Life (White Tārā, Amitāyus and Uṣṇīṣavijayā)—that Jamyang Khyentse composed while travelling in a boat along the River Ganges.

Avalokiteśvara

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.

This is the version of Bhikṣuṇī Lakṣmī’s famous praise of Avalokiteśvara (known as the Po Praise) that appears in the Kriyātantra section of the Tengyur (Toh 2738).

Buddha Śākyamuni

Although not to be found in the Tengyur, this short praise of Buddha Śākyamuni's deeds is commonly attributed to the Indian master Āryaśūra and became very popular in Tibet.

A poetic praise of the Buddha's qualities, which Jamyang Khyentse composed at the Mahābodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, in 1956.

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses of praise, prayer and aspiration when travelling to India for a second time, in or around January 1958.

In a series of poetic verses Jigme Lingpa pays homage to the Buddha Śākyamuni by recalling his most significant deeds, from his initial descent from the heaven of Tuṣita to his final attainment of parinirvāṇa.

This text (Toh 1134) is the shorter of Ārya Nāgārjuna’s two short eulogies praising the stūpas at the eight great sacred places commemorating significant events in the life of the Buddha.

This text (Toh 1133) is the longer of Ārya Nāgārjuna’s two short eulogies praising the stūpas at the eight great sacred places commemorating significant events in the life of the Buddha.

This is the version of Dvādaśakārastotra found in the Tengyur (Toh 1135). The text, which is attributed to Nāgārjuna, is a praise of the twelve great deeds performed by the Buddha Śākyamuni.

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.

Buddha's Words

In these twenty-one verses, composed in 1952, Jamyang Khyentse extols the qualities of the Buddha's Words and prays that the teachings may endure until the very end of existence.

Butön Rinchen Drup

This lengthy praise to the great polymath and prolific scholar Butön Rinchen Drup (1290–1364), which evidently draws upon his biography, was written in October 1941.

Candragomin

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of the famous upāsaka Candragomin when feeling inspired by the master’s life story.

Candrakīrti

Verses in praise of the famous Mādhyamika master Candrakīrti that the author composed in Darjeeling towards the end of his life.

Verses in praise of the famous Mādhyamika scholar Candrakīrti concluding with the mantra of Mañjuśrī.

Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829–1870) while at Tsikey Norbu Ling Monastery, in the presence of the stūpa commemorating the great tertön.

Dezhung Tulku Ajam

This four-line verse in praise of Dezhung Tulku Ajam Rinpoche (1885–1952) incorporates the syllables of the master's name, Jamyang Kunga Tenpé Gyaltsen.

Drikung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön

Verses in praise of Drikung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön (1143–1217), alias Rinchen Pal, founder of the Drikung Kagyü tradition.

Fourteenth Dalai Lama

Written to coincide with Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Lerab Gar in France in 2000, this short text pays tribute to His Holiness's qualities and achievements in this and previous lifetimes.

These verses of praise were written as a prologue to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's book The Vision of Enlightenment, published in 2006.

Ga Rabjampa Kunga Yeshe

In these five verses, Ngawang Lekpa praises the body, speech, mind, qualities and activity of Ga Rabjampa, the great scholar and founder of Tharlam Monastery. The author incorporates the syllables of the master's name, Kunga Yeshe (meaning total joy and wisdom), into every verse.

Gatön Ngawang Lekpa

Verses in praise of the great Sakya teacher Ngawang Lekpa (1864–1941) composed at the request of two of his devoted disciples, Yeshe Nyima and Ngawang Rinchen.

General

In this verse summary of a teaching from the Bodhisattva Piṭaka, the Buddha explains the importance of sentient beings and how pleasing them is the greatest form of offering.

Trulshik Rinpoche compiled these brief verses of praise and mantras so that all those connected with him could recite them daily or on special occasions. The deities included are Buddha Śākyamuni, Vajrasattva, Amitāyus, Amitābha, Ratnaśikhin, Medicine Buddha, Maitreya, Avalokiteśvara, Mañjuśrī, Vajravidāraṇa, Vijayā, Tārā, Guru Padmasambhava, and the union of Hayagrīva, Vajrapāṇi and Garuḍa.

Gorampa Sonam Senge

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of the famed Sakya scholar Gorampa Sonam Senge in 1958 following a vivid experience that brought the master clearly to mind.

Guru Padmasambhava

This very short work in praise of Guru Padmasambhava—the Great Guru of Uḍḍiyāna—appears at the beginning of the first volume of the Drikung Yangre Gar (ʾbri gung yang re sgar) edition of Jikten Sumgön's collected works.

This praise to the Master Padmasambhava is part of a set of three praises commemorating the lives of the so-called Abbot, Master and Dharma-King (Khen Lob Chö Sum), i.e., Śāntarakṣita, Guru Padmasambhava and Trisong Detsen.

This four-line praise may be the earliest prayer to Padmasambhava preserved in writing. It forms the colophon of the Noose of Methods (IOL Tib J 321, Thabs zhags, or Upāyapāśa), a Mahāyoga commentary attributed to Padmasambhava. A 10th century manuscript of the Noose of Methods including this praise was found at the Dunhuang caves. The prayer shows some similarity to the famous Seven-Line Prayer (tshig bdun gsol ‘debs).

Jamyang Gyaltsen

Three verses in praise of the Sakya lama Jamyang Gyaltsen (1870–1940), who is known primarily for his efforts to gather and publish the collected writings of Gorampa Sonam Senge (1429–1489).

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A four-line prayer to Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo composed by the master himself at the behest of Wangchuk Sengé of Nangso.

Jamyang Loter Wangpo

These verses in praise of the great Sakya master Jamyang Loter Wangpo (1847–1914) were composed at the behest of Tsangsar Choktrul Rinpoche.

Jigme Lingpa

In these verses, Jamyang Khyentse highlights the special qualities of Jigme Lingpa (1730–1798) by describing his superiority to the majority of scholars, adepts and authors.

Kālīdevī

Written in Kolkata, a city associated with Kālī, these verses of praise identify the goddess as having "a hundred names and thousand attributes" and as being one with Samantabhadrī, Prajñāpāramitā, Ekajaṭī and many other prominent female deities in the Tibetan Buddhist pantheon.

Khenpo Kunzang Palden

This lengthy tribute, composed in Sikkim, is an important source of information concerning Khenpo Kunpal's life, even though it seemingly misidentifies his birth year.

Kṣitigarbha

A poem of eight verses praising the bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha (Essence of the Earth), playing on the literal meaning of his name and evoking the earth's qualities as a nurturing support and foundation for growth and development.

Longchen Rabjam

An eight-verse poem in praise of Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) written in January 1954.

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of Longchen Rabjam (1308–1364) during a visit to the master's cave on the slopes of Gangri Tökar.

Taken from his miscellaneous writings, Khenpo Shenpen Nangwa's text compares the great Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam to the most celebrated Buddhist saints of India and praises him as the unique embodiment of all the qualities exhibited by Tibet's own learned and accomplished figures.

Lords of the Three Families

A short text in praise of the 'Lords of the Three Families' (rigs gsum mgon po), i.e., Mañjughoṣa, Avalokiteśvara and Vajrapāṇi.

Machik Labdrön

In this verse panegyric, Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö praises the great Machik Labdrön (ma gcig lab sgron, 1031–1129) and incorporates references to many key terms and concepts from the Chöd ('Cutting') practice for which she is renowned.

Mandāravā

Verses in praise of the eighth-century princess and ḍākinī Mandāravā, one of the principal consorts of Guru Padmasambhava.

Mañjuśrī

Poetic verses describing Mañjuśrī's appearance, praising his qualities and invoking the light of his wisdom.

Jamyang Khyentse drew heavily upon the famous tantra Chanting the Names of Mañjuśrī (Mañjuśrī-nāma-saṅgīti) in order to compose this praise and supplication to the deities of the five families of Mañjuśrī.

Jamyang Khyentse composed this poetic paean to Mañjuśrī, with its long, seventeen-syllable lines, in Gangtok in the summer of 1957.

Eleven verses in praise of Mañjuśrī which Jamyang Khyentse composed at the end of the Water Dragon year (i.e., in January 1953), while he was in retreat.

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of Mañjuśrī at the request of his master of ceremonies, Lama Chokden, while relaxing in a forest in Darjeeling.

Verses in praise of Mañjughoṣa written at the behest of the Third Palpung Öntrul—five verses in praise of the deity's body, speech, mind, qualities and activity, followed by a verse of dedication.

This praise of Mañjuśrī for increasing the power of one's intelligence consists of fourteen four-line verses—fourteen, says Mipham, being the number of vital essences (dwangs ma) in beings and the world. The text was written in 1906.

Mipham wrote this short text of praise in 1881 during a retreat that was focused upon Mañjuśrī.

A succinct four-line praise of Mañjughoṣa's enlightened body, speech and mind.

In thirty-two verses, Mipham Rinpoche praises the ultimate Mañjuśrī, beyond colour and physical characteristics, the basic space of enlightened mind in which all is equal.

Mipham Rinpoche composed this short text at the age of just eighteen. It inspired a commentary by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

This short praise attributed to Ācārya Nāgārjuna focuses on the ultimate nature of Mañjuśrī—insubstantial, non-dual, colourless, sizeless, and profound. The text is included in the Tengyur (Toh 1131).

A short, five-verse praise to Mañjughoṣa, the foremost bodhisattva and father of all the victorious ones.

This edition of the so-called Gang gi lodröma presents the famous praise of Mañjuśrī as it is commonly recited by Tibetan Buddhists—with the deity’s mantra and two additional verses.

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).

Mārīcī

Jigme Lingpa says that he wrote this brief text in praise of Mārīcī ('od zer can ma), the goddess of the dawn, in order to bring protection from fear during turbulent times.

Milarepa

Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö praises the great eleventh-century poet and yogi Milarepa, describing him as a ‘crown-jewel’ among the many siddhas, or accomplished adepts, to have appeared in the Land of Snows.

Jamyang Khyentse composed these eight verses in praise of the great yogi Milarepa on the anniversary of the master's parinirvāṇa in March 1947.

This four-line verse of praise, which is attributed to Nāropa, appears in Milarepa’s famous biography by Tsangnyön Heruka.

Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo

These nine verses in praise of the great Sakya teacher Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo (1382–1456) include elements of supplication and the aspiration to emulate the master and receive his continued guidance.

Niguma

These verses in praise of the great Indian yoginī Niguma are included in the recently compiled anthology known as Ḍākinīs' Great Dharma Treasury.

Patrul Rinpoche

Verses in praise of Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887), which Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima wrote for his own personal recitation.

Rogza Sönam Palge

These verses in praise of Rogza Sönam Palge (rog bza' bsod nams dpal dge, 1800–1884) provide a rough sketch of the master's life, including his dates. In fact, this is the only known text that specifies the years of his birth and parinirvāṇa.

Sachen Kunga Nyingpo

Jamyang Khyentse composed these eleven verses of praise on the anniversary of the master's parinirvāṇa while he was staying at Lhundrup Teng, Derge, in 1928.

Sacred Places

This is a poetic guide to the sacred site of Yangleshö (yang le shod) near the village of Pharping to the south of the Kathmandu Valley, where it is said that Guru Padmasambhava attained the level of a Mahāmudrā vidyādhara. Jamyang Khyentse wrote the text following a series of visionary experiences; it has the quality of a revelation and ends with a series of cryptic prophecies.

Verses in praise of three sacred sites: Rājgṛha (rgyal po'i khab), the ancient capital of Magadha; Vulture Peak (bya rgod spungs ri), where Buddha taught the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras; and Nālandā (nālendra), site of the famous monastic university.

Jamyang Khyentse wrote these verses in praise of Yerpa while visiting its sacred Moon Cave (Dawa Puk), most likely in 1955.

A panegyric on Devāvatāra or Sāṃkāśya, the place where Buddha supposedly returned to earth after spending a rainy season teaching Abhidharma to his mother and others in the deva realm.

A short poetic text in praise of Kuśinagara, the scene of Buddha Śākyamuni's final act, passing beyond this world and into parinirvāṇa.

Although entitled a praise of Vārāṇasī, this short poetic work concerns Sarnath or Ṛṣipatana, located approximately 10 kilometres from that ancient city. It was in the deer park of Sarnath that Buddha Śākyamuni first taught, setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma.

Verses in praise of the sacred site of Yangleshö (yang le shod) near the village of Pharping to the south of the Kathmandu Valley, where it is said that Guru Padmasambhava attained the level of a Mahāmudrā vidyādhara.

In this verse text, probably composed in 1958, Jamyang Khyentse playfully marvels at modernity and expresses a sense of wonder upon encountering the vast Indian city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and all its unfamiliar attractions for the first time. The real highlight of the city as he sees it, however, is the chance to view the Buddha's relics, which were housed at the Indian Museum.

Composed in 1955 when Jamyang Khyentse passed through the area, this is a short verse text in praise of Redreng/Reting, the famous monastery founded by Atiśa's foremost disciple, Dromtönpa Gyalwé Jungné, in 1056–1057.

Jamyang Khyentse wrote this text in praise of Lhodrak Kharchu as he passed through the sacred place in 1956. The site is associated with Namkhai Nyingpo, who is said to have attained accomplishment here through the practice of Yangdak Heruka.

A short poetic text in praise of Śrāvastī (mnyan yod), where Buddha Śākyamuni spent many rainy seasons and where, it is said, he defeated rival teachers in a contest of miraculous ability. Jamyang Khyentse composed the work during a visit to the town in 1956.

Tso Pema (mtsho padma) or 'Lotus Lake' in Rewalsar, Northern India is identified with a lake in the ancient kingdom of Zahor, which was created, it is said, when the king and his ministers attempted to burn Guru Padmasambhava and his consort Mandāravā alive. The master transformed his funeral pyre into a lake, where he appeared, unharmed and seated upon a lotus.

Jamyang Khyentse composed this poem in praise of Lumbinī, the site of Buddha's birth and a major place of pilgrimage, during a visit in the late 1950s.

A short laudation of Vulture Peak Mountain (bya rgod phung po'i ri bo; Gṛdhrakūta), located in modern Bihar state in India, and renowned as the site at which Buddha taught the Prajñāpāramitā.

Sakya Paṇḍita

This brief paean to the famed scholar Sakya Paṇḍita Kunga Gyaltsen (1182–1251) is the shortest of at least six such texts composed by Jamyang Khyentse.

Śāntarakṣita

This praise to the Abbot Śāntarakṣita is part of a set of three praises commemorating the lives of the so-called Abbot, Master and Dharma-King (Khen Lob Chö Sum), i.e., Śāntarakṣita, Guru Padmasambhava and Trisong Detsen.

Sarasvatī

Jamyang Khyentse composed this poetic hymn to Sarasvatī while travelling along the Ganges river in the Fire Monkey year (1956).

This brief tribute to Red Sarasvatī was composed by moonlight during an evening boat trip on the Ganges.

Jamyang Khyentse wrote this hymn in praise of the goddess Sarasvatī while he was visiting Palpung Monastery in Eastern Tibet. The text includes her mantra, the recitation of which is said to bring increased intelligence.

This poetic tribute to Sarasvatī, the goddess of eloquence, is taken from Longchenpa's miscellaneous writings.

This famous poem is a combined invocation, praise and prayer to Sarasvatī, goddess of eloquence. It is included in the recently compiled anthology known as Ḍākinīs' Great Dharma Treasury.

Smṛtijñānakīrti

Jamyang Khyentse wrote these verses in praise of the famed 11th-century Indian paṇḍita Smṛtijñānakīrti in 1958 after an inspiring dream of the master.

Tārā

Tārā herself is credited with composing this short praise, through which Atiśa, who had fallen sick in Nyethang, recovered his health.

Perhaps the most popular of all prayers to Tārā, this tantra praises her twenty-one forms, both peaceful and wrathful. The first twenty-one verses are at once a series of homages to Tārā and a poetic description of her physical features, postures, qualities, abilities, mantras, and hand gestures. The remaining six verses describe how and when the Praise should be recited, as well as the benefits of its recitation.

This praise of Tārā is one of several such texts attributed to the famous Indian master Candragomin. It focuses on Green Tārā (śyāmatārā), who is lauded for her swiftness in action.

An acrostic text extolling the goddess Tārā, which Jamyang Khyentse wrote in 1924 when he was 31 years old (or 32 by Tibetan reckoning).

Tāranātha

Jamyang Khyentse says that he spontaneously composed these verses in praise of the great Jetsün Tāranātha (1575–1634) some time during the Water Bird year (1933–1934) after reading the master's writings.

Thirty-Five Buddhas

A poetic eulogy (Toh 1142) that extols the thirty-five Buddhas, who feature in confession practices, such as the Bodhisattvas’ Confession of Downfalls (byang chub sems dpa’i ltung bshags), also known as the Sūtra of the Three Heaps (phung po gsum pa’i mdo).

Thönmi Sambhoṭa

An acrostic poem in praise of Thönmi Sambhoṭa who is credited with inventing the Tibetan writing system and composing the first Tibetan grammatical treatises.

Three Great Lotsāwas

A poetic tribute to three of Tibet's greatest translators, Zhang Yeshé Dé, Chokro Lüi Gyaltsen, and Kawa Paltsek.

Three Jewels

This short text, which is included in the Tengyur (Toh 1144), consists of only four verses, paying homage to the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha from the Mahāyāna perspective.

A very short text included in the Tengyur (Toh 1146), which praises the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha from a Mahāyāna perspective.

Tri Songdetsen

This praise to the Emperor Tri Songdetsen is part of a set of three praises commemorating the lives of the so-called Abbot, Master and Dharma-King (Khen Lob Chö Sum), i.e., Śāntarakṣita, Guru Padmasambhava and Tri Songdetsen.

Tseringma

Composed in Darjeeling in 1958, these verses in praise of the goddess Tseringma are in abecedarian form, meaning that each line begins with successive letters of the Tibetan alphabet (ka, kha, ga, nga, and so on).

Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa

One of two texts in praise of Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (1357–1419) that Jamyang Khyentse composed, this one dates from early 1959 and follows what he describes as a delusory dream of filling a statue of the master.

Uṣṇīṣavijayā

One of three praises—one to each of the Three Deities of Long Life (White Tārā, Amitāyus and Uṣṇīṣavijayā)—composed while travelling in a boat along the River Ganges.

Vaiśravaṇa

Verses in praise of Vaiśravaṇa, the guardian of the northern direction, who is associated with wealth and prosperity, together with the eight principal figures in his retinue, known as the eight masters of the horses (rta bdag brgyad).

Vajrakīla

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of Vajrakīla while engaged in intensive meditation upon the deity,

Vajrasattva

Composed during the ceremonies that followed the death of Princess Sangay Deki in 1957, this short texts focuses on the ultimate significance of Vajrasattva as the teacher of threefold tantra.

Jamyang Khyentse composed these verses in praise of Vajrasattva during a visit to Katok Monastery in Kham.

In this series of verses Patrul Rinpoche praises the deity Vajrsattva (rdo rje sems dpa') by describing his unique qualities, forms and functions.

Vajravārāhī

Tertön Sogyal wrote this praise, which explains the symbolism of Red Vajravārāhī's appearance and attributes, following a dream on the evening of 29 January, 1893.

Vajrayoginī

In these verses in praise of the Khecara realm of Vajrayoginī, Könchok Lhundrup provides a poetic description of the place as well as a supplication to be led there by the deity herself.

Virūpa

Verses in praise of the great lord of yogis (rnal 'byor dbang phyug) Virūpa, who is renowned as a mahāsiddha on account of his mastery of tantric practice.

Yeshe Tsogyal

In poetic language, this fifteen-verse tribute recounts the legend of Yeshe Tsogyal's life of liberation, extolling her accomplishments and qualities.

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