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

Testament Series

Testament

English (18) | Deutsch (3) | Español (5) | Français (4) | Nederlands (2) | 中文 (4) | བོད་ཡིག (18)

The following texts are currently available as part of our Testament series:

Advice

from the Words of the Buddha
The first of three testaments received by Garab Dorje and preserved in the Vima Nyingtik. This text is also reproduced in the Damngak Dzö collection.
Vima Nyingtik Damngak Dzö Restricted 10 Oct 2024
from the Words of the Buddha
The second of three testaments received by Garab Dorje and preserved in the Vima Nyingtik. This text is also reproduced in the Damngak Dzö collection.
Vima Nyingtik Damngak Dzö Restricted 23 Oct 2024
from the Words of the Buddha
In this sūtra (Toh. 311) the Buddha teaches eleven perceptions to be cultivated at the time of death to the assembled monks as his final testament.
Dying & the Bardos Kangyur 26 Jan 2021
from the Words of the Buddha
The third of three testaments received by Garab Dorje and preserved in the Vima Nyingtik. This text is also reproduced in the Damngak Dzö collection.
Vima Nyingtik Damngak Dzö Restricted 13 Nov 2024
by Fifteenth Karmapa
Six lines of essential advice from the Fifteenth Karmapa Khakhyab Dorje to his spiritual consort, the celebrated ḍākinī Urgyen Tsomo (1897–1961).
Advice 21 Jan 2020
by Garab Dorje
The famous three lines spoken by Garab Dorje as his last testament to Mañjuśrīmitra.
Striking the Vital Point in Three Statements Vima Nyingtik
by Longchen Rabjam
One of three final testaments included in the Khandro Yangtik collection, this is the longest and most famous. It includes a series of similes that illustrate the key themes of the general teachings and concludes with Longchenpa's declaration of delight at the prospect of his own death.
Khandro Yangtik 2 May 2024
by Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje
These four lines, which Terdak Lingpa Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje is said to have pronounced before passing into parinirvāṇa, are commonly recited as a prayer of aspiration. The great Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo reportedly recited them himself before his own passing.
Nyingma Mönlam 30 Jan 2017
revealed by Pema Ledrel Tsal
The first of three testaments of the buddhas contained in the Heart-Essence of the Ḍākinīs collection, this contains an extremely succinct summary of the preliminaries, Trekchö and Tögal, as received by Garab Dorje.
Khandro Nyingtik Restricted 6 Sep 2024
revealed by Pema Ledrel Tsal
The second of three testaments of the buddhas preserved in the Heart-Essence of the Ḍākinīs collection, this focuses on the preliminary practices of body, speech and mind. The same text, with minor differences, is also found in the Vima Nyingtik.
Khandro Nyingtik Restricted 24 Oct 2024
revealed by Pema Ledrel Tsal
The third of three testaments of the buddhas contained in the Heart-Essence of the Ḍākinīs collection, this covers the crucial points of body, speech and mind in Tögal practice.
Khandro Nyingtik Restricted 13 Nov 2024
by Thirteenth Dalai Lama
Dating from 1932, this response to a plea for longevity has come to be regarded as the Thirteenth Dalai Lama's final testament, in which he offers stern advice and a prophetic warning of what might befall Tibet.
Prophecy 1 Mar 2024
by Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol
This final testament, which succinctly expresses the view, meditation, action and fruition of the Great Perfection, was transmitted to Lama Rigdzin Nyima (b. 1931).
Dzogchen 15 Nov 2017

Aspiration Prayers

by Katok Dampa Deshek
This five-line aspiration for the spread of the teachings is said to be the final testament (zhal chem) of the great Dampa Deshek, founder of Katok Monastery.
Aspiration Prayers

Commentary

by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima
An explanation of the final words of the great Dzogchen master Orgyen Tendzin Norbu (1841–1900): "I am Guru Padmākara of Oḍḍiyāna, a buddha free from birth and death. Awakening mind is impartial and unbiased, beyond labels of the eight stages, the four pairs."
Dzogchen Stages and Paths 5 Apr 2015
by Minling Khenchen Ngawang Khyentse Norbu
A brief explanation of the famous final testament of Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje (1646–1714) that is commonly recited as an aspiration.
11 Nov 2023

Prayers

by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
As stated in the colophon this prayer to the Guru of Oḍḍiyāna is extracted from a biography which Chokgyur Lingpa revealed as a treasure (gter ma) at Karmé Damchen Drak (karma'i dam can brag).
Guru Rinpoche Prayers Guru Padmasambhava Termas Chokling Tersar
by Tra Gelong Tsultrim Dargye
In his final words, Tra Gelong Tsultrim Dargye invokes the Khecharī form of Vajrayoginī, together with her retinue, makes offerings before them, and prays to enter the ranks of the sky-faring ḍākas and ḍākinīs.
Vajrayoginī 9 Feb 2017

Minling Terchen Rigdzin Gyurme Dorje

Courtesy of Himalayan Art Resources

Further information:

BDRC T1KG1401 (zhal chems)

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ISSN 2753-4812

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