Translations by Peter Woods

• Windhorse Practice of Tārā by Adeu Rinpoche

A simple invocation of Tārā in various forms—White, Yellow, Red, Blue and Green—as a means to increase windhorse and perfect different forms of enlightened activity.

• The Bodhisattva’s Confession of Downfalls (Nyingma Version) from the Words of the Buddha

A popular Nyingma version of the famous 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), invoking the thirty-five buddhas of confession as a means of purifying transgressions of vows and downfalls of the bodhisattva vow.

• The Dhāraṇī of Stream of Wealth (Vasudhārā) from the Words of the Buddha

This popular canonical work (Tōh. 662) teaches the incantation (dhāraṇī) and rituals associated with the goddess Vasudhārā. According to the text, the dhāraṇī grants prosperity and wealth and averts spirits, demons and disease.

• The Dhāraṇī “Vanquishing Constraints of Body, Speech and Mind” from the Words of the Buddha

As its name suggests, this brief incantation (dhāraṇī) is intended to liberate the one who recites or uses it as a cakra from all physical, vocal and mental constraints, including those caused by evil schemes, maleficence, spells and curses. Although the incantation is attributed to Buddha Śākyamuni, it is not included in any extant Kangyur collection but is preserved in various dhāraṇī compendia (gzungs 'dus).

• The Noble Dhāraṇī of The Supreme Accomplishment of Sitātapatrā Born from the Tathāgata’s Uṣṇīṣa, the Great Invincible Dispeller from the Words of the Buddha

This popular canonical work, which is included in the Kangyur (Tōh. 591), teaches the incantation (dhāraṇī) and rituals associated with the goddess Sitātapatrā, who is renowned for her power to avert or repel all types of spirits, demons, obstacles, misfortune and disease and is thus invoked by many Tibetan Buddhists on a daily basis.

• The Noble Incantation entitled ‘The Rituals for the Blue-Clad Vajrapāṇi’ from the Words of the Buddha

A popular text (Tōh. 748) teaching the incantation (dhāraṇī) and rituals associated with the Blue-Clad (nīlāmbaradhara) form of the deity Vajrapāṇi. According to Karmavajra’s commentary (Tōh. 2676), the dhāraṇī is at once a powerful protection against, and remedy for, spirits, demons and disease.

• The Praise to Tārā with Twenty-One Verses of Homage and The Excellent Benefits of Reciting the Praise from the Words of the Buddha

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.

• The Song of the Vajra from the Words of the Buddha

This famous vajra song (rdo rje’i glu), named after its initial syllables "ema kiri", appears in the Tantra of the Union of the Sun and Moon (nyi zla kha sbyor). It consists of a series of arranged syllables which a practitioner should intone melodiously. The individual syllables and their arrangement as a mantra are considered particularly sacred since they are said to have been revealed by the primordial buddha Samantabhadra.

• A Guide to Uḍḍiyāna (Ujjain), Benglor by Chatral Rinpoche

In this brief guide to Ujjain, most likely part of a personal pilgrimage diary, Chatral Rinpoche repeatedly refers to the city as Uḍḍiyāna. Ujjain is home to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Śiva, attracting thousands of devotees every day. Rinpoche concludes with a guide to Khoteshwar, identified here as the Sindhu Isle, birthplace of Guru Padmasambhava.

• A Profound and Concise Guru Yoga by Chatral Rinpoche

A short yet profound guru yoga composed at the insistence of close students and which is still recited daily by many disciples. The practice incorporates a unique mantra based on Rinpoche's name and employs imagery associated with the Great Perfection.

• Melodious Tambura of Delight: A Guide to Māratika Cave, Supreme Site of Immortality by Chatral Rinpoche

Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche wrote this brief guide to the sacred Māratika cave at the request of his daughter, Sarasvatī. In a series of verses, he describes the significance of this powerful place of longevity — the "destroyer of death" is the literal meaning of its name — where Guru Padmasambhava and the Lady Mandāravā attained immortality.

• The Sādhana and Empowerment for the Extremely Close Lineage of the Long-Life Practice that Unites the Oral, Treasure and Visionary Teachings by Chöje Lingpa

This pith instruction for accomplishing longevity (tshe sgrub) through Thangtong Gyalpo (1361–1485?) is said to bring together the oral, treasure and visionary teachings. According to its colophon, Chöjé Lingpa received the instruction from Thangtong Gyalpo directly in a vision. Jamgön Kongtrul included the text in the Precious Treasury of Revelations (Rinchen Terdzö).

• The Secret Practice of Dorjé Draktsal According to the Trio of the Guru’s Heart Practices by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Chokgyur Lingpa revealed the secret cycle of The Heart Practice of Mighty Vajra Wrath (Tukdrup Dorjé Draktsal) from Yegyal Namkha Dzö. This particular Guru Draktsal sādhana is regarded as the auxiliary practice to Chokgyur Lingpa’s The Gradual Path of Wisdom Essence (lam rim ye shes snying po).

• The Single-Page Practice of the Guru of Great Bliss by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

This concise practice of Guru Dewa Chenpo (gu ru bde ba chen po), the Guru of Great Bliss, was revealed as a terma by Chokgyur Lingpa and transcribed by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye at Tsurpu Monastery.

• All Wishes Swiftly Fulfilled: A Prayer to the Mahāguru of Uḍḍiyāna in Eight Chapters by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

This prayer to Guru Padmasambhava incorporates the twelve syllables of the Vajra Guru mantra, elaborating upon their meaning in different ways in each of the eight chapters.

• Light of Compassion: A Prayer to the Wisdom Ḍākinīs by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

A prayer to invoke various wisdom ḍākinīs, including Yeshe Tsogyal, Tārā and Vajravārāhī, in order to request their blessings and aid.

• The Sun of Ambrosial Wisdom: A Guru Yoga of Dharmarāja Sakya Paṇḍita by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche composed separate outer, inner and secret guru yoga practices with the great scholar, Sakya Paṇḍita as their object. Here is the outer practice, complete with visualization, prayer and mantra recitation, in which the focus is on the master as inseparable from Mañjuśrī.

• The Vajra Sitar of Immortality: A Prayer for the Long Life of the Fourth Incarnation of Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa by Dilgo Khyentse 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.

• Garland of Night-Blooming Water Lilies: A Commentary on the Guru Siddhi Mantra by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima

This profound explanation of the individual syllables of Padmasambhava's famous Vajra-Guru Mantra is written in colloquial language that is concise and easy to understand. The text is explicitly aimed at 'town-dweller mantrins' who mistakenly confuse the fundamentals of Secret Mantra.

• A Concise Lineage Prayer by Dudjom Rinpoche

A simple invocation of Dudjom Rinpoche's lineage masters, from the dharmakāya Padma Amitāyus down to his own root teacher.

• The Sublime Path to Immortality: The Quintessence of Profoundly Secret Pith Instructions on Attaining Vajra Longevity by Dudjom Rinpoche

A short daily practice for longevity focusing on Amitāyus, which, in Kyabjé Düdjom Rinpoche's own words, distils "the many vast and profound longevity practices of the treasure tradition."

• A Prayer to the Precious Guru from Uḍḍiyāna That Spontaneously Fulfils All Wishes by Dzongter Kunzang Nyima

This popular Sampa Lhundrupma (bsam pa lhun grub ma) prayer to Padmasambhava was revealed as a terma by Dzongter Kunzang Nyima, alias Jigme Nüden Dorje, the grandson and speech incarnation of Dudjom Lingpa (1835–1904).

• A Prayer to Khandro Yeshé Tsogyal by Fifteenth Karmapa

A short prayer invoking Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal in order to dispel obstacles and fulfil wishes.

• Meeting the Buddha Face to Face: A Pith Instruction on Realizing the Fortress, Ravine, and View of the Practice of Vajrakīla by Guru Chökyi Wangchuk

This pith instruction on how to accomplish Vajrakīla (or Vajrakīlaya) was given by Guru Padmasambhava to his closest disciple Khandro Yeshé Tsogyal. Following the Atiyoga approach, the text comments on the oft-quoted verses of the Vajrakīla Root Tantra Fragment (Tōh. 439). This and a short protector offering, also preserved in the Treasury of Revelations (Rinchen Terdzö), are the only two surviving texts from Guru Chöwang’s Vajrakīla revelation.

• The Swift Fulfillment of All Wishes (Sampa Nyur Drupma): A Prayer to Master Padmasambhava by Jamgön Amnye Zhab Ngawang Kunga Sönam

Amnye Zhab Ngawang Kunga Sönam composed this supplication to Guru Padmasambhava for the swift fulfilment of all wishes in 1641, when war and chaos were afflicting the regions of Ü and Tsang. The prayer is included within the Compendium of Sādhanas (sgrub thabs kun btus).

• Cloud-Banks of Everything Desirable: The Wealth Deity Smoke Offering from The Guru’s Heart Practice, Dispeller of All Obstacles by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

This practice of smoke (bsang) offering to supplement The Excellent Vase of Jewels Wealth Practice (nor sgrub rin chen bum bzang) from the Chokling Tersar was composed at Chokgyur Lingpa's request.

• The Essence of Benefit and Happiness: A Method for Saving Lives by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

This simple practice of 'freeing lives' (tshe thar), which is included in the Rinchen Terdzö, was arranged by Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoche, who drew mainly upon The Innermost Secret, Unsurpassed Longevity Practice (tshe sgrub yang gsang bla med) of Longsal Nyingpo (1625–1692).

• The Life and Liberation of Padmākara, the Second Buddha from A Precious Garland of Lapis Lazuli by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

Extracted from the famous collection of the life stories of 108 treasure revealers called A Precious Garland of Lapis Lazuli, this account of Guru Padmasambhava's life and liberation synthesises and even comments upon earlier sources.

• The Meaning of the Six Syllables of the King of Vidyā-Mantras, the Heroic Lord Mañjuśrī by Jampal Dewe Nyima

A commentary on the famous six-syllable mantra of Mañjuśrī (oṃ arapacana dhīḥ), relating each mantra syllable to aspects of generation stage (bskyed rim), completion stage (rdzogs rim) and Great Perfection (rdzogs chen) practice.

• A Prayer to the Three Stūpas of Nepal by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A prayer to the three main stūpas of the Kathmandu Valley: Jarung Khashor or Boudha, Svayambhū, and Namo Buddha, which commemorates the bodhisattva Mahāsattva's sacrifice to a starving tigress.

• A Short Guide to Yangleshö in Nepal by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

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.

• Guru Yoga Based on the Dü Sum Sangyé Prayer by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

This practice unites the recitation of the famous Dü Sum Sangyé Prayer with a corresponding visualisation of the four main forms of Guru Padmasambhava according to the Chokling Tersar’s Four Cycles of Guru Yoga (bla sgrub skor bzhi), namely Barché Kunsel, Sampa Lhundrup, Tsokyé Nyingtik and Guru Draktsal. It was composed at the request of a minister to the king of Lingkar.

• The Unifying Practice of the Prayer by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

This practice unites the recitation of the famous Dü Sum Sangyé Prayer with a corresponding visualisation of the four main forms of Guru Padmasambhava according to the Chokling Tersar’s Four Cycles of Guru Yoga (bla sgrub skor bzhi), namely Barché Kunsel, Sampa Lhundrup, Tsokyé Nyingtik and Guru Draktsal.

• The Vajra Words Unveiled: A Commentary on the Düsum Sangyé Prayer to the Guru by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

In this brief commentary, Jamyang Khyentse reveals the outer or literal, inner or hidden and secret or ultimate layers of meaning in the famous Düsum Sangyé or Six Vajra-Line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa (1829–1870).

• A History of the 'Display of Awakened Activity' Samaya Substances That Liberate Upon Taste and the Two 'Representative' Statues That Liberate Upon Sight by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo explains the history and benefits of some sacred substances and two statues of Guru Padmasambhava—the 'representative' (kutsab) images known as Tukjé Ötro and Ngödrup Palbar—that were revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa.

• The Chariot Bound for Sukhāvatī, the Blissful Realm: The Liturgy for Cultivating Buddha Amitābha’s Pure Realm by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

According to the colophon, this elaborate ritual for cultivating the pure realm of Amitābha was compiled by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo at the passing of Chokgyur Lingpa’s mother, Tsering Yangtso. Taking Chokgyur Lingpa’s treasure Amitābha sādhana from the Essence Manual of Oral Instructions (zhal gdams snying byang) as a basis, Khyentse Wangpo added further instructions and verses, primarily from The Array of Amitābha Sūtra (Toh 49, 'od dpag med kyi bkod pa) and The King of Aspiration Prayers (bzang spyod smon lam).

• The History of the Hearing Lineage of the Profound and Secret Practice of Siṃhamukhā by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo recounts the origin of the teachings of Siṃhamukhā and how they have been subsequently passed down to him. He closely follows the story associated with the lineage of Bari Lotsawa (ba ri lugs).

• Brilliant Rays of Light: A Commentary on the Praise to Tārā by Jetsün Drakpa Gyaltsen

Drakpa Gyaltsen's influential, word-by-word commentary to the popular Praise to Tārā with Twenty-One Verses of Homage.

• Upon Arriving at Yangleshö by Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok

Composed at the cave of Yangleshö in Nepal, this spontaneous song praises the power of this sacred site, a place where Guru Padmasambhava once meditated and gained accomplishment, while also attesting to Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok's own poetic mastery and realization.

• Ornamented with Precious Names, in Praise of the Thirty-Five Sugatas by Mātṛceṭa

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).

• Clarifying the Profound Meaning: A Concise Commentary on the Final Testament in Four Lines 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.

• The Glorious Gift of Longevity and Granting All Desires: A Liturgy for Saving Lives by Mipham Rinpoche

A simple practice of 'freeing lives' (tshe thar) composed by Mipham Rinpoche in 1897.

• In Praise of the Stūpas at the Eight Great Sacred Places by Nāgārjuna

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.

• In Praise of the Stūpas at the Eight Great Sacred Places by Nāgārjuna

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.

• Liberation Upon Hearing: The History of the Great Jarung Kashor Stūpa by Ngakchang Shakya Zangpo

In this famous history of the sacred stūpa of Boudha, Guru Padmasambhava recounts the stūpa's origins. In response to a request from King Trisong Deutsen, he tells how a humble poultry-woman first extracted a promise from the king and then built the stūpa together with her four sons, who were all later reborn as prominent figures in the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet. Padmasambhava also describes the benefits to be gained from circumambulating the stūpa and making offerings before it, and concludes with a series of prophecies concerning the stūpa's restoration.

• Luminous Clouds of Spontaneous Song: A Prayer to Call the Guru from Afar by Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje

Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche wrote this song of "calling the guru from afar" (bla ma rgyang 'bod) to accompany the Ultimate Guru Sādhana of Simplicity (spros med don gyi bla sgrub) composed by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920–1996).

• The Invocation of Uḍḍiyāna on the Tenth Day by Ratna Lingpa

In this brief treasure text, Padmasambhava prophesies the many ways in which he will reveal himself to disciples in the future. He encourages his students to pray to him continually and gives specific instructions on how to invoke him on the tenth day. The text concludes with a description of the destined revealer of this treasure, Ratna Lingpa.

• A Shower of Blessings: A Guru Yoga Practice to Accompany the Seven-Line Prayer (Addendum) by Shakya Shri

This arrangement of Mipham Rinpoche's famous Shower of Blessings Guru Yoga practice adds opening verses of refuge and bodhicitta, a torma offering to the obstructing forces, visualization of the protective sphere and the descent of blessings, as well as concluding verses for the remainder offering, aspiration and dedication.

• A Clear, Concise and Simple Explanation of the Generation and Completion Stages for the Benefit of Beginners by Shechen Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal

This pithy text provides beginners with a clear, comprehensible explanation of kyerim (bskyed rim), or the generation stage, including all the most important points of practice, such as the three samādhis, four aspects of recitation, and four stakes that secure the life-force (srog sdom gzer bzhi).

• Instructions on the Fivefold Mahāmudrā by Situ Paṇchen Chökyi Jungne

This concise commentary draws from the tradition of Fivefold Mahāmudrā teachings passed down from Pakmodrupa to Jikten Sumgön, and thus especially emphasized within the Drikung Kagyü lineage. When included in a single session of practice, these five points—bodhicitta, guru yoga, yidam practice, Mahāmudrā, and dedication—are held to provide a complete path to awakening. Chokyi Jungné’s instruction expands upon traditional presentations by concluding with specific instructions on how to practice during all periods of the day, as well as at the time of death.

• Unravelling Mantra’s Meaning in The Heart of Wisdom Sūtra by Śrī Siṃha

This short commentary (Tōh. 4353) on the secret mantra or tantric meaning of the famous Heart Sūtra is attributed to the Atiyoga teacher Śrī Siṃha. According to the colophon, he gave this explanation to his disciple Vairotsana, who put it into writing and taught it to King Tri Songdetsen.

• The Wish-Fulfilling King of Great Might: A Universally Beneficial Prayer, Aspiration, and Supplication to the Three Jewels and Three Roots by Tai Situ Rinpoche

Brief verses of prayer invoking Buddha Śākyamuni, Prajñāpāramitā, Avalokiteśvara, Guru Padmasambhava, Vajrasattva, and the protector Bernakchen, together with their mantras, composed for daily recitation or use on special occasions.

• The Means for Accomplishment called the Blazing Wheel revealed by Tulku Zangpo Drakpa

This terma (gter ma), which Tulku Zangpo Drakpa revealed and passed on to Rigdzin Gödem (1337–1408), presents a sūtra-like scenario in which Buddha Śākyamuni reveals a dhāraṇī for subduing enemies and demonic forces.