Sādhanas Series

• Acala Sādhana by Mipham Rinpoche

This simple sādhana of the deity Acala, the 'Immovable One'—here in his dark blue, genuflecting form—is described as a powerful antidote to obstacles including infectious disease.

• A Daily Practice of Buddha Akṣobhya by Karma Chakme

A simple practice focusing on Buddha Akṣobhya (mi 'khrugs pa) for purifying karmic obscurations, especially those of the deceased.

• A Daily Long-Life Practice of Amitāyus by Dudjom Rinpoche

A brief daily sādhana of Amitāyus, the Buddha of Boundless Life, composed at the request of Jigme-la from the aristocratic Sampho (Samdrup Phodrang) family of Lhasa.

• 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.

• 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).

• Visualization and Mantra Recitation of the Great Compassionate One by Dudjom Lingpa

A very concise and simple practice of Four-Armed Avalokiteśvara, the Great Compassionate One (Mahākāruṇika; thugs rje chen po).

• Visualization and Recitation of the Six-Syllable Mantra of Avalokiteśvara by Mipham Rinpoche

This simple practice of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, includes a visualisation to accompany the recitation of the six-syllable mantra, oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ, or, optionally, the seven-syllable mantra, oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ hrīḥ.

• 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).

• The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel: A Daily Sādhana of the Noble Avalokiteśvara by Rigdzin Gödem

A popular practice of Avalokiteśvara in his four-armed form, this sādhana was discovered by Rigdzin Gödemchen Ngödrup Gyaltsen as part of the Northern Treasures (byang gter) revelation.

• The Sādhana of the Five Self-Arisen Noble Brothers: An Instruction in the Union of Generation and Completion by Shikpo Lingpa

Revealed during a vision in 1557, this is a sādhana of the five self-arisen Avalokiteśvara brothers ('phags pa rang byon mched lnga). These are four ancient statues associated with King Songtsen Gampo, i.e., Ārya Vati Zangpo, Ārya Bukham, Ārya Jamali, and Ārya Lokeśvara, as well as the self-visualization of Avalokiteśvara generated by the practitioner.

• Far-Reaching Benefit of Beings, Extensive as the Sky: Visualization and Mantra Recitation of the Great Compassionate One by Thangtong Gyalpo

One of the most popular Avalokiteśvara liturgies in Tibet, this practice of visualization and mantra recitation for the Great Compassionate One (mahākāruṇika) is attributed to the great adept Thangtong Gyalpo.

• A Brief Practice of Paying Homage and Making Offerings to the Sixteen Elders by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

The longer of two ritual texts by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo featuring the sixteen arhats, both of which appear in recent editions of the extensive Nyingma Kama (bka' ma shin tu rgyas pa).

• The Heart of Wish-Fulfilling Jewels: A Brief Practice for Paying Homage and Making Offerings to the Buddha together with his retinue of Arhats by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

The shorter of two ritual texts by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo featuring the sixteen arhats included in the extensive Nyingma Kama and elaborating on the famous text attributed to Śākyaśrībhadra.

• A Practice of Paying Homage and Making Offerings to the Sixteen Elders by Jigme Lingpa

Written for the Third Nyidrak Rinpoche, this liturgy takes Śākyaśrībhadra's text as its basis and adds a few verses at the beginning and end.

• The Treasury of Blessings: A Practice of Buddha Śākyamuni by Mipham Rinpoche

Ju Mipham composed this sādhana of Śākyamuni Buddha, or '[Śākya]muni-ritual' (thub chog), at the request of Orgyen Tendzin Norbu (1841–1900). Both the sādhana and its vast 'supporting teaching' known as The White Lotus (rgyab chos padma dkar po) are among the most popular of Mipham's works.

• The Daily Practice of the Secret Sādhana of Dorje Drolö by Dudjom Rinpoche

A short daily practice of Guru Dorje Drolö composed at the request of some American students.

• Accomplishing All Activity: A Daily Practice of the Great and Glorious Dorje Drolö by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

A short sādhana of Dorje Drolö, one of the wrathful manifestations of Padmasambhava, revealed as a terma at Paro Taktsang, Bhutan, in 1990.

• Extremely Secret Unelaborate Daily Sādhana for the Heart Practice of the Great Demon-Slayer by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A short daily practice of Dükyi Shechen (bdud kyi gshed chen)—The Great Demon-Slayer—from the Tukdrup Barche Kunsel (‘Dispelling All Obstacles’) cycle of the Chokling Tersar.

• Daily Practice of Guru Drakpo by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A short daily practice of Guru Drakpo, a wrathful form of Padmasambhava, here in his red, two-armed appearance.

• Increasing Intelligence – Sealed with Profundity by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A practice for developing wisdom; it is focused on Guru Loden Chokse (blo ldan mchog sred), a form of Guru Padmasambhava, and incorporates two other deities associated with wisdom, the goddess Sarasvatī and the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī.

• Daily Practice of Hayagrīva by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A simple daily sādhana of Red Hayagrīva composed at the request of a disciple named Sonam Gyaltsen.

• A Sādhana of Hayagrīva’s Assembly, from the Heart-Essence of the Vast Expanse by Jigme Lingpa

A sādhana of Hayagrīva, the wrathful form of the Natural Liberation of Suffering (Dukngal Rangdrol) practice of Avalokiteśvara, from the Longchen Nyingtik cycle.

• The Falling Rain of Blessings: A Brief Daily Practice of the Wealth Deity White Jambhala by Adeu Rinpoche

Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche composed this short daily sādhana of White Jambhala for a student and patron.

• A Sādhana of Jambhala by Mipham Rinpoche

A simple sādhana of Yellow Jambhala, deity of wealth.

• Daily Practice of Kagyé by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A short daily practice of Kagyé (bka’ brgyad), the Eight Herukas.

• A Sādhana of Kurukullā from the Tidro Dharma Cycle by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

The first part of the Tidro (ti sgro) cycle to be revealed, this Kurukullā practice is—in Khenchen's own description—not entirely terma yet not entirely his own composition either.

• A Sādhana of Kurukullā by Mipham Rinpoche

A simple practice of Kurukullā, the female deity associated with magnetizing activity.

• A Daily Practice of Lama Sangdü by Dudjom Rinpoche

A short daily practice of Lama Sangdü (bla ma gsang ’dus)—the Guru who is the Embodiment of Secrets.

• Light from the Wisdom Sun by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche

Zenkar Rinpoche composed this sādhana when he was just fifteen years old at the request of his tutor. Its focus is Mañjuśrī, the embodiment of all the buddhas' wisdom.

• A Sādhana of Golden Mañjughoṣa by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

This brief sādhana of Orange Mañjuśrī, which incorporates the famous Gang gi lodrö praise, was written for students in Bhutan.

• Swift Bestowal of Blessings: A Peaceful Sādhana of Mañjuśrī by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

The Peaceful Sādhana of Mañjuśrī, which Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok composed spontaneously while in the Cave of Nārāyaṇa at Wutaishan.

• A Brief Mañjuśrī Sādhana by Patrul Rinpoche

A concise and simple sādhana focused upon Mañjuśrī, the embodiment of all the buddhas' wisdom.

• Sādhana of Mañjughoṣa revealed by Tertön Sogyal

This terma revelation is a simple sādhana focusing on orange Mañjuśrī as a means to increase intelligence.

• A Sādhana of Mārīcī by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Jamyang Khyentse composed this simple sādhana of the radiant goddess Mārīcī at the request of the cabinet minister Lukhangpa Tsewang Rabten (1895–1966).

• Sādhana of Mārīcī by Mipham Rinpoche

A very brief sādhana of Mārīcī, goddess of the dawn, in the form known as Aśokakāntā-Mārīcī, who is golden and has one face and two hands.

• Making Great Bliss the Path: Visualisation and Mantra Recitation of Medicine Buddha by Dudjom Lingpa

Taken from the visionary revelation known as the Net of Wisdom (ye shes drwa ba), this is a simple liturgy for meditating upon the Medicine Buddha (Bhaiṣajya Guru; sman bla).

• 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.

• Sādhana of Bhaiṣajya Guru (Medicine Buddha) by Karma Chakme

A brief sādhana of the Medicine Buddha (Bhaiṣajya Guru) with a special emphasis on pacifying the sickness and mental toxins of all beings.

• A Brief Visualization and Recitation of the Great Mother Prajñāpāramitā by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A short practice of visualization and mantra recitation focused on the Great Mother (yum chen) Prajñāpāramitā in her golden, four-armed appearance.

• A Sādhana of Tārā Sarasvatī by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

This daily practice of Tārā Sarasvatī belongs to the Inner Female Practice (Yumka) of the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse (Longchen Nyingtik), A Treasure Vase Containing the Essence of Great Bliss, through which all enlightened activities are carried out based on the Twenty-One Tārās.

• A Sādhana of White Sarasvatī by Mipham Rinpoche

A simple sādhana of White Sarasvatī, the goddess of eloquence, to bring mastery of speech.

• A Concise Meditation and Mantra Recitation of Sarasvatī from the Heart Essence of the Ḍākinī of Suchness (Chönyi Khandrö Tuktik) revealed by Sera Khandro

A simple practice of Sarasvatī including refuge, bodhicitta, deity visualisation, mantra recitation, praise and dedication of merit.

• A Daily 'Hand-Clapping' Practice of Siṃhamukhā by Dudjom Rinpoche

This daily 'hand-clapping' (thal rdeb) practice of the lion-faced ḍākinī Siṃhamukhā/Siṃhavaktrā (seng gdong ma) is particularly associated with the elimination of adversity, threats and dangers.

• The Blazing Tower: A Daily Practice of Uṣṇīṣa-Sitātapatrā by Dudjom Rinpoche

In this sādhana arranged for daily recitation, Dudjom Rinpoche synthesizes the visualisations of earlier Sitātapatrā practices with the mantras and key passages from the dhāraṇī known as The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitātapatrā (Tōh. 591; gdugs dkar mchog grub ma).

• The Swift Steed of Garuḍa, King of Birds: An Instruction for Travelling to Sukhāvatī: A Visualization and Recitation of Uṣnīṣa-Sitātapatrā by Karma Chakme

To practise this short sādhana of the deity Sitātapatrā (gdugs dkar, “White Parasol”) is, in the words of the text itself, "to hold aloft an indestructible vajra sword that can avert disease, obstacles, black magic, evil spells and all oppressing forces." The sādhana is also said to be a swift means of travelling to Sukhāvatī, akin to flying on the back of a garuḍa.

• A Sādhana of Sitātapatrā by Mipham Rinpoche

A short means of accomplishment (sādhana) focused on the goddess Sitātapatrā in her two-armed form.

• The Condensed Essence: A Daily Practice of the Wrathful Guru Takhyung Barwa by Chatral Rinpoche

A short daily practice of Takhyung Barwa, the revelation of Jigme Lingpa (1730–1798) that combines the practices of Hayagrīva, Garuḍa and Guru Drakpo, and is renowned for its capacity to subjugate negative forces and cure disease.

• Condensed Daily Practice of The Heart Essence of the Sublime Lady of Immortality by Dudjom Rinpoche

A brief daily practice of The Heart Essence of the Sublime Lady of Immortality, or Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik ('chi med 'phags ma'i snying thig), the popular long life sādhana discovered as a mind treasure by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo in 1855.

• A Means to Pacify the Fear of Natural Disasters by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

This brief text, which includes ter marks, is of uncertain origin, but the editors of the latest edition of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö's writings included it on the basis that it is possibly a revelation of his and note that he encouraged his students to recite it during a period of frequent earthquakes.

• Concise White Tārā Sādhana by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A brief sādhana of White Tārā with a special focus on increasing longevity through purifying the potential for untimely death. It was composed for a lama from Dodrup named Tendzin.

• Swift Enchantment of the Three Realms: A Sādhana of Red Tārā by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

This short sādhana of Red Tārā, who is associated with the activity of magnetizing, was composed at the request of Khandro Tsering Chödrön (1929–2011) and her sister Tsering Wangmo of the Lakar family.

• A Shower of Blessings: A Sādhana of Blue-Green Tārā by Tsultrim Zangpo

This simple sādhana, which includes a feast offering, focuses on Ārya Tāra in blue-green form, surrounded by her retinue of twenty other forms.

• A Daily Practice of Ucchuṣma by Dudjom Rinpoche

This short daily sādhana of Ucchuṣma (sme brtsegs) includes a simple visualization and mantra recitation. The practice is particularly associated with the purification of tantric commitments, or samaya.

• Moonlight of Pacifying Amṛta: A Daily Visualization and Recitation for the Dispeller of All Samaya Corruptions and Pollutions by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A practice of Damdrip Nyepa Kunsel (dam grib nyes pa kun sel)—which derives from the revelations of Trengpo Sherab Özer (1518–1584)—based on the deity Ucchuṣma (sme brtsegs), with added preliminary and concluding sections and further instructions on purifying samaya defilements.

• Daily Practice of Vajrakīla by Apang Tertön

This short daily sādhana of Vajrakīla concentrates on the ultimate nature of the deity, which is one's very own awareness, beyond imagery and attributes.

• The Essential Daily Practice of Vajrakīla by Dudjom Rinpoche

A popular practice of Vajrakīla in standard form, consisting of refuge and bodhicitta, visualization, mantra recitation, dissolution, dedication of merit, and prayer for auspiciousness.

• Daily Practice of Vajrakīla by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

This simple sādhana of Vajrakīla, requested by Sogyal Rinpoche, contains, in the words of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's colophon, 'the concentrated blessings of kama and terma'.

• The Accomplishment of Supreme Enlightened Activity: A Recitation Manual for The Vajrakīla Root Tantra Section by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Jamyang Khyentse wrote this recitation guide (bklags thabs) for the Vajrakīla Root Tantra Section (phur pa rtsa dum) at the request of his master of ceremonies, Lama Chokden.

• Inlaid Jewels: Addenda to the 'Neck-Pouch Dagger’ (Purba Gulkhukma) Cycle by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

The concluding stages of the Purba Gulkhukma sādhana: offering, praise, receiving the attainments, dissolution, dedication of merit and words of auspiciousness.

• The Single Mind Kīla Practice, Part of the 'Neck-Pouch Dagger’ (Purba Gulkhukma) Cycle by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

This is the main text of the Purba Gulkhukma cycle of Vajrakīla practice, which Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok revealed at the Asura cave in Yangleshö, Nepal. It includes the empowerment, sādhana and gaṇacakra offering.

• The Wisdom Mind Practice of One Kīla by Tertön Sogyal

This brief Vajrakīla sādhana, complete with tsok offering, was revealed as a terma at Katok Monastery.

• Concise Daily Practice of Vajrasattva by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Khyentse Rinpoche composed this simple sādhana of Vajrasattva by adapting a section of the Tukdrup Sheldam Nyingjang (thugs sgrub zhal gdams snying byang), the root text of the Barche Kunsel revelation of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa.

• Brief Vajrasattva Visualisation and Mantra Recitation by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A simple practice of purification by means of Vajrasattva and consort, including recitation of the hundred-syllable and shorter, six-syllable mantras.

• The Cintāmaṇi (Wish-Fulfilling Jewel) Instruction: A Sādhana of the Glorious Vajrasattva, a Method of Purification and Accomplishment for Both Self and Others by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

This short Vajrasattva sādhana, which incorporates the four powers as a means of purifying negative actions, obscurations and breakages of samaya, was composed spontaneously in April 1997. The translation also includes additional verses for refuge, bodhicitta, dedication and aspiration, as recited in Larung Gar.

• Daily Practice of Mañjuśrī Yamāntaka by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A simple daily sādhana focused on Yamāntaka, the wrathful manifestation of Mañjuśrī.

• The Concentrated Essence: A Sādhana of Yeshe Tsogyal by Dudjom Rinpoche

A very simple practice focusing on the ḍākinī Yeshe Tsogyal, composed for some of Rinpoche's American students.

• A Glorious Garland of Great Bliss, the Root Sādhana of the Queen of Great Bliss, Yumka Tsogyal, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse revealed by Jigme Lingpa

Yumka Dechen Gyalmo (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo), the Queen of Great Bliss, is the peaceful ḍākinī practice from the Longchen Nyingtik cycle. It features Yeshe Tsogyal in the form of a wisdom ḍākinī.

• The Light of Primordial Wisdom: An Instruction Manual for the Primordially Pure Perfection Stage of the Powerful & Wrathful Dorje Drolö, Conqueror of Demons by Dudjom Rinpoche

This direct instruction on the perfection stage (rdzogs rim) practice for the Dorje Drolö form of Guru Padmasambhava includes the preparatory state of śamatha, and the main part, which is to generate the wisdom of vipaśyanā through view, meditation and action.

• A Daily Practice of Vajraṇakhī by Dudjom Rinpoche

This short daily sādhana of the wrathful ḍākinī Vajraṇakhī (rdo rje sder mo) includes a simple visualization and mantra recitation. According to the colophon, Dudjom Rinpoche extracted the practice from 'The Profound Long-Life Practice of the Three Roots' (rtsa gsum tshe zab), which is part of the Sevenfold Profundity revelation of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829-1870).

• Guru Sādhana Series