Translations by Laura Dainty

• A Prayer to the Vidyādhara Gurus by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

This prayer invoking the blessing of the buddhas, bodhisattvas and accomplished practitioners (vidyādharas) of Tibet is taken from the compilation A Shower of Precious Blessings: A Garland of Supplications to Guru Rinpoche, Embodiment of All Refuge Objects, and to the Three Roots and Lineage Masters.

• Advice on Nonsectarianism (from Radiant Sunlight of the Victorious Ones' Teachings: A Brief, First-Hand Account of the Liberating Life-Story of the Great Emanated Treasure Revealer) by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

In an address to disciples, Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa sets out a vision of nonsectarianism, in which he emphasizes the commonality of traditions and decries the divisiveness that periodically plagues Tibet and constitutes an act of forsaking the Dharma.

• Pearl Droplets of Blessings: A Prayer to the Guru Who Embodies All by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

A short prayer to Guru Rinpoche as the source and embodiment of all tantric lineages in Tibet, composed at the request of Riwoche Jedrung.

• The Concise Cleansing Offering from The Guru’s Heart Practice: Dispelling All Obstacles on the Path by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa revealed this concise smoke offering practice (bsang mchod) as part of the famous cycle known as The Guru's Heart Practice: Dispelling All Obstacles on the Path (bla ma'i thugs sgrub bar chad kun sel).

• Drumbeat of the Deathless Vajra: A Fervent Invocation and Prayer by Dudjom Rinpoche

Dudjom Rinpoche wrote this short prayer when he was engaged in long-life practice at Māratika cave in Nepal, the sacred site where Guru Rinpoche achieved immortality with his consort, Mandāravā.

• The Dhāraṇīs That Encapsulate the Essence of the Kangyur, the Collected Words of the Buddha 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.

• Essence of Accomplishment: A Concise Feast-Offering to Noble Tārā by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

This short Tārā feast-offering was composed for practitioners who wish to offer a simple gaṇacakra feast within a Tārā sādhana, such as the Zabtik Drolchok.

• Music to Delight the Ḍākinī: A Praise to the Deathless Mandāravā by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

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

• 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.