6 Yogas of Naropa by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
Dear friends,
I am publishing esoteric tantric teachings here, if you do not have this initiation and permission, please do not continue and read. Thank you. These teachings are available in books across major bookstores and online these days. Same as in Tibet and India, where you can go to a Tibetan Monastic library and find these teachings available. But just because they are available it is still left to the student to get all the prior initiations, transmissions and commentaries before engaging in the practice. It is also not allowed to listen to the teachings and read the texts without the proper prerequisites. So why have it available here? Because when you are ready, it is all here for you for your convenience. I wish to have it easy and at your fingertips as I do the other tantric teachings. Also to find teachings on this profound subject by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche will be difficult for many and here you can listen to his incredible voice giving us teachings. I wanted to have this teaching by Zong Rinpoche here always for everyone even available after I am long gone.
Lord Tsongkapa the King of Dharma Himself practiced and perfected this 6 Yogas of Naropa and passed it down to His disciples where it was a very secret and esoteric practice among the Gelugs with Sera, Gaden, Drepung and Tashilunpo Monasteries. The teachings of Tilopa (988-1069 CE) are the earliest known work on the six yogas. Tilopa is said to have received the teachings directly from Cakrasamvara. Naropa learned the techniques from Tilopa. The Six Yogas of Naropa (Wylie: na ro’i chos drug), also called the six dharmas of Naropa, are a set of advanced Tibetan Buddhism tantric practices and a meditation sādhanā compiled in and around the time of the Indian monk and mystic Nāropa (1016-1100 CE) and conveyed to his student Marpa Lotsawa. The six yogas were intended in part to help in the attainment of Buddhahood in an accelerated manner. The six Dharmas are a synthesis or collection of the completion stage practices of several tantras. In the Kagyu traditions by which the six dharmas were first brought to Tibet, abhiseka into at least one Anuttarayoga Tantra system (generally Cakrasamvara and/or Vajrayogini/Vajravarahi Tantras) and practice of its utpatti-krama are the bases for practice of the six dharmas; there is no particular empowerment for the six Dharmas themselves.-(from Wikipedia and various online sources)
His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is a fully attained master and erudite scholar cum laude of Sutra and Tantra. Anything His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche shares with us will have no faults whatsoever and will bring us benefits and attainments. To have this rare teaching recorded by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is only the fruitioning of our merits. I will not explain too much as you can listen to the audio.
May you be blessed,
Tsem Rinpoche
Inner heat
(Tib.gtum-mo) Visualizing the channels, Visualizing the mantric syllables and engaging in the vase breathing technique. This gives rise to five signs: like a mirage, like a wisp of smoke, like the flickering of fireflies, like a glowing butter lamp, and like a sky free of clouds.
Four blisses
(Tib.dga’-ba bzhi) Bliss at the throat chakra, supreme bliss at the heart chakra, inexpressible bliss or special bliss at the navel chakra, and innate bliss at the secret place, tip of the jewel. This is accomplished by relying on two conditions; the internal condition of meditating on inner heat yoga and the external condition of relying upon a karmamudrā.
The four types of Karmamudrās
- Karma Mudrā – A maiden possessing the physical attributes of a woman, for dull yogis.
- Jñāna Mudrā – A maiden created through the power of one’s visualization, for middling yogis.
- Mahā Mudrā – The images within one’s own mind spontaneously arise as various consorts, for sharp yogis.
- Samaya Mudrā – The mudra experienced as a result of accomplishing the former three.
These are usually termed the ‘four handseals’ with only the last one called mahamudra. There are various lists, usually some combination of the following: Action Mudra (Karmamudra), Wisdom Mudra (Jnanamudra), Phenomena Mudra (Dharmamudra), Pledge Mudra (Samayamudra), and Great Mudra (Mahamudra). Action mudra is a woman, phenomena mudra is all appearance, commitment or pledge mudra is tummo, wisdom mudra is the meditation deity, and non-duality is the great mudra.
Pure illusory body
(Tib.dag-pa’i sgyu-lus) Meditations on all appearances as illusory, dream illusions, and bardo experience.
Actual clear light
(Tib. don-gyi ‘od-gsal) The four emptinesses lead to the experience of clear light during the waking period and during sleep. Emptiness, Very Empty, Great Emptiness, and Utter Emptiness. They are associated with external and internal signs of the appearance of mirage, smoke, fireflies, butterlamp, cloudless sky; and whiteness, redness, blackness, and the clear light of early dawn which resembles a mixture of sunlight and moonlight, respectively.
Union of clear light and illusory body
(Tib. zung-‘jug) Actualizing the results. The state of a Buddha Vajradhara.
Transference of consciousness and forceful projection (Tib. phowa grong ‘jug)
The branches of that path. There are two ways to practice the transference of consciousness: with a support and without a support.
Separating the body and the mind without a support is achieved through the emptiness of great conceptlessness whereby the mind is not attached to the body and the body is not attached to the mind.
Separating the body and the mind with a support, on the other hand, requires one to imagine the mind as a substance. With awareness one draws the mind up the central channel and then with force expels the mind into the space of the sky.
There are two methods to separate a body and a mind with support: transference in stages, and transference all at once at the time of death.
Transference in stages involves dissolving the sufferings of the six realms into a bindu which ascends the body and travels upwards in the central channel.
Starting under the sole of the feet, each point radiates colored light. Feet: black-hell, joining yellow-hungry-ghosts together at the secret place. At the navel: gray-animals. At the heart: green-human. At the throat: red-demigods, and at the crown: white-gods.
Once the bindu has reached the crown, it has the nature of five colors, corresponding to the last five stages (black is not counted). This bindu then leaves the central channel through the crown and comes to rest inside the heart of a deity that is one cubit above in space.
“The Tibetan tradition known as the Six Yogas of Naropa is one of the most popular tantric systems with all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Structured and arranged by the eleventh-century Indian masters Tilopa and Naropa from various buddhist tantric legacies, this system of yogic practice was carried to Tibet by Marpa the Translator a generation later. These “six yogas” — inner heat, illusory body, clear light, consciousness transference, forceful projection, and bardo yoga — continue to be one of the most important living meditation traditions in the Land of Snows.”-From Glenn Mullin’s book
Naro Choduk by HH Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
I was very fortunate to be at this teaching. It was requested and sponsored by the Most Venerable Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen-la of Los Angeles Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre which I was a part of before going to India. Geshe-la was so kind to all of us to arrange all of this. I am indebted and miss Geshe-la so much. Geshe-la and all of us had rented a hall with cafeteria and guest houses in Yucca Valley which is a few hours from Los Angeles. It was beautiful Californian desert setting, clean and clear. Beautiful weather, cacti, wind and pleasant weather. We all packed up stayed in Yucca Valley for ten blissful days. Needless to say I was beyond excitement. I was the attendant to His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche at the time and had a room right next to his. During that time His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche conferred the full Vajra Yogini initiation and commentary and the Six Yogas of Naropa. Bliss.
In 1:33:10 of this video you can see me walking over and sitting down. I am tall and lanky wearing a rock T-shirt and military fatigue pants. I was sitting down next to my good friend of that time Ani Lobsang Dolma whom I miss very much. I was 18 years old and it was in 1983. We were so incredibly fortunate to receive these teachings from His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche himself who is considered to have become one in mind with Heruka Chakrasamvara.
Some auspicious and holy images
of the Queen Vajra Yogini to share with you
Beautiful statue of Vajra Yogini courtesy and available at www.vajrasecrets.com
Naropa meets the Dakini
We are in ancient northeastern India more than one thousand years ago. Let’s meet Naropa, one of the great Indian masters of the time, a Mahasiddha. He used to be a university professor, a very important one. In today’s world he would have been interviewed by CNN, called to hold important seminars, wooed to participate to conventions, conferences and debates. He would have gone around the world and would also probably have his own press agent. However, debates at that time were much more heated and absorbing than today. You would gamble your reputation and your students as well. If you lost, all your students would leave you and follow the winner. Harvard would not want to change place with the way things were back then!
They say that one day, the knowledgeable Naropa met a very old woman, actually quite revolting to see. She actually had the canonical thirty seven elements of ugliness. It is interesting to list them: red sunken eyes, ruffled yellowish reddish hair. Her wide forehead pertruded. She had a wrinkled face, huge long ears, a crooked red nose. She had a yellowish beard with white streaks and her mouth was oblique and open while her rotten teeth went inward. She moved her tongue constantly as if she were chewing and moistening her lips. Every time she yawned she made a whistleling sound and when she wept lavish tears ran down her cheeks. She shook with chills and gasps at every breath. She had a bluish complexion as her skin was thick and rough. Her body bent sideways as her neck and had a hump on her back . She carried a cane since she limped. In short…not a pretty sight!
Actually, the old woman met that day by Naropa was a Dakini in action who wanted to be his reflection. But Naropa was proud and didn’t recognize her. He was surrounded by students,people coming and going. The university background noises were muffled as he buried his attention in his books, sitting on the ground, leaning against a wall or a tree. Today they would say he was a brilliant teacher, a high brow professor of the prestigious University of Naland, India. You just couldn’t disturb him for anything…
– What are you doing? Suddenly asked the old lady, in her magnificent, let’s say- ugliness, in front of Naropa.
I’m studying the teachings of the Buddha, grammar, logic, epistemology, spiritual precepts – he answered.– Do you understand them?
Yes, I do.– Just the words or what they mean as well?
I understand the words- Naropa admitted in an instant of sincerity.This answer pleased the Dakini as she started to laugh and dance. She had become really beautiful, a wonderful young woman. But Naropa immediately added: … And I understand the meaning!
The Dakini reappeared old. She threw her cane to the ground and started crying. She trembled in convulsions. Naropa had lied, he was passing himself off as a realized person, a yoghi, instead he was only a scholar that understood teachings at an intellectual level, who had never had any spiritual experience.
Seeing the Dakini change, Naropa was filled with shame. He blushed and asked her: Why were you happy when I said that I understood the words and became sad when I added that I understood the meaning as well?
– At first I felt happy because you, such a famous intellectual, had told the truth, admitting to understand only the words. Then I got sad, when immediately you lied, affirming to understand the meaning. But you don’t understand the meaning of Dharma!
Who on earth understands…?– My brother Tilopa does.
Then let me meet him! Take me to him, wherever he is.– You will go alone. Go to him, render homage to him and ask that he teach you the to understand the meaning.
As she said this, the Dakini dissolved herelf as a rainbow in the sky. Naropa had met a Dakini. The appearance of an old hag was the reflection of Naropa’s shortcomings, of his pride, his vanity. Analytical knowledge alone was not sufficient to reach understanding. This Naropa began to realize and so he stayed in Nalanda for a while, got other degrees, awards but all this was no longer enough. Now he wanted to experiment. So he started looking for Tilopa, his future teacher.
Naropa seemed to be a hopeless case. Tilopa was not very kind with his rigid, intellectual mind. He overworked him, he pushed him to his limits in various situations, he pushed him to the brink of disaster. But this is another story and we’ll tell it to you later.
Irma Cantoni
Translated by Amy Agostino
Do visit their beautiful blog: http://lospecchiodelledakini.blogspot.my/2012/11/naropa-and-dakini-translated-by-amy.html
She was just as attained and studied under the same masters as her brother Naropa. The six yogas of Niguma are almost identical to the six yogas of Nāropa but are the version taught by Niguma. The second Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso has compiled a work on these yogas. Niguma transmitted her teachings to yogini Sukhasiddhī and then to Khyungpu Neldjor.
The Bliss of Inner Fire: Heart Practice of the Six Yogas of Naropa, click here to download
I highly recommend everyone to get a copy of these books by Glenn H. Mullin
I was 18 years old when this was taken back in 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Here I am in this photo with my most precious root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He has profoundly changed my life for the better forever. Not a day goes by I don’t think about him, love him, miss him and yearn for his presence and teachings.
I meditate on him in my heart every single day. He was everything that a high Tibetan lama is said to be and more. From the moment I heard his name before meeting him from a friend who had met him already, faith instantly arose in me. Instantly faith arose in me. I did 100 prostrations to his picture everyday until I met him. I wanted to make a spiritual karmic connection with him so that when I met him, I can receive many teachings and that is why I made the prostrations.
No other spiritual teacher although all of them were great has this sort of meteoric impact on me. It’s unexplainable. 30 plus years down the line, my faith, respect and trust in Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is unshakable. I will always follow and practice what he has taught me and given me. I will never abandon my teacher or any practice he has given me no matter what obstacles come my way.
No matter if my life is threatened, or I am disliked or segregated for following his instructions, I will never abandon any of his teachings. No other teacher will ever have me change my practice I have received from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. May I meet Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in all my future lives too and come under his care. I forever bow to him and place the crown of my unworthy head to his feet. I will follow, meditate, trust and believe in my guru always.
Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche
这是我与我的至宝根本上师,至尊嘉杰宋仁波切于1983年在加利福尼亚洛杉矶拍下的合照。当年我18岁。他深刻地改变了我的生命,永恒地使我的生命变得更美好。没有那么一天,我不想起他,不珍爱他,不思念他,或是不切盼他的出现与教诲。
每一天,我都在心中忆念嘉杰宋仁波切。他拥有人们眼中一个西藏高僧该具备的一切条件,甚至拥有更多。我从一个曾拜见嘉杰宋仁波切的朋友口中听见宋仁波切的殊胜名字,自那一刻起,我虽未见过仁波切一面,但信心即刻油然而生。在见到仁波切之前的每一天,我都向着他的法照顶礼一百遍,我想跟他结下法缘,那么等到见到他的时候,我能接受到大量的教诲。这是我每日顶礼的原因。
其他所有上师固然殊胜,但没有一个像嘉杰宋仁波切那样对我造成犹如陨星撞击般的影响。这种感受无从解释。我对嘉杰宋仁波切的信心、敬重和信任,三十余载从未动摇。他教过我的,给过我的,我都会一直跟从并且实修。
我永远不会背弃我的上师,或是背弃他赐予我的任何修行,不管我眼前出现什么阻难。即使我因为遵从他的指示而面对生命威胁,或遭受厌弃或排挤,我仍然不会背弃他的任何一个教诲。没有任何一位上师能够动摇嘉杰宋仁波切赐予我的修行。祈愿我生生世世都能遇见嘉杰宋仁波切并得到他的引导。我永世顶礼于嘉杰宋仁波切足下。我将永远遵从上师的教诲,忆念他,信任他,相信他。
谦卑的詹杜固仁波切
སྤྱི་ལོ་༡༩༨༣ ལོར་ལོས་ཨེན་ཇེ་ལེ་ས་ཀལ་ལི་ཕོ་ནི་ཡ་(Los Angeles, California.) ནང་ང་ལོ་ ༡༨ ཡིན་པའི་སྐབས་ཀྱི་འདྲ་པར་རེད། འདྲ་པར་འདི་ནང་ང་དང་བདག་གི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ལྷན་དུ་ཡོད། སྐུ་ཉིད་ཀྱི་གཏིང་ཚུགས་པའི་སྒོ་ནས་བདག་གི་མི་ཚེ་གཏན་དུ་བསྒྱུར་བར་འཕྲིན་ལས་བརྩོལ་ཡོད་པས། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མར་དགའ་བ་མ་སྒོམ་པ་དང་། མི་དྲན་པ། ཁོང་གི་སྐོར་མ་བསམ་པ། ཁོང་གི་མདུན་ནས་སློབ་ཁྲིད་སོགས་ཞུ་འདོད་མེད་པ་ཉིན་གཅིག་ཀྱང་མེད།
ཉིན་ལྟར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་གྱི་ཡོད། ཁོང་ནི་བོད་པའི་བླ་མ་མཁས་པ་ཞིག་ལ་ཚང་དགོས་པའི་ཡོན་ཏན་བླ་ན་མེད་པ་དང་ལྡན། བདག་གིས་ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་གོང་དུ་བདག་གི་གྲོགས་པོས་ཁོང་མཇལ་ཡོད་པས་ངའི་གྲོགས་པོའི་རྒྱུད་ནས་ཁོང་གི་མཚན་ཐོས་པ་ད་སྐབས་བདག་གི་སེམས་ནང་ལམ་སང་དད་པ་སྐྱེས། ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་བར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་གི་སྐུ་པར་ལ་ཉིན་ལྟར་ཕྱག་ཚར་༡༠༠ འཚལ་གྱི་ཡོད། གང་ཡིན་ཟེར་ན། ཁོང་དང་ཆོས་ཀྱི་འབྲེལ་བ་ཡོང་བ་དང་ཁོང་མཇལ་ནས་ཆོས་མང་པོ་ཞུས་ཐུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་ངས་ཕྱག་འཚལ་དགོས་དོན་དེ་འདྲ་ཡིན།
བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་རྣམས་ཁྱད་པར་དུ་འཕགས་པ་ཡིན་ཡང་བདག་ལ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ནི་ཤིན་ཏུ་བཀའ་དྲིན་ཆེ། འདི་གསལ་བཤད་བྱེད་མི་ཐུབ། ལོ་ ༣༠ རྗེས་ལའང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཆོག་ལ་ངས་དད་པ། རྩི་བཀུར། ཡིད་ཆེས་སོགས་གཡོ་བ་མེད་པ་རེད། ཁོང་གི་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་སྦྱོང་བརྡར་སོགས་བདག་གིས་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་ཉམས་ལེན་བགྱིད། བདག་གི་ཆོས་ཉིད་ཀྱི་ལམ་དུ་བར་ཆད་ཆེ་ཆུང་གང་འདྲ་འཕྲད་ཀྱང་བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་ཀྱིས་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དེ་དག་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་འདོར་གྱི་མིན།
བདག་གི་མི་ཚེར་ཉེན་ཚབས་བཟོ་ནའང་། བདག་ལ་མ་དགའ་བ་བྱེད་ནའང་། ཡང་ན་བདག་གི་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་སྒྲུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་བདག་དང་འབྲེལ་ཐག་གཅོད་ནའང་ཁྱད་མེད་བཞིན་བདག་གིས་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་མི་འདོར། ༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་ཐོབ་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་བདག་གི་དད་པ་དམ་ཚིག་བླ་མ་གཞན་སུའང་ཞིག་གིས་འགྱུར་མི་ཐུབ། བདག་གི་ཚེ་ཕྱི་མར་ཡང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཇལ་བ་དང་ཁོང་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་བྱམས་སྙིང་རྗེ་ཐོབ་པའི་རེ་སྨོན་ཡོད། ཁོང་གི་ཞབས་ཀྱི་པད་མོར་ཐུག་ཏེ་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་གུས་ཕྱག་འཚལ། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་བླ་མ་རྗེས་སུ་བཟུང་ཞིང་། ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་ཞིང་། རྒྱུན་དུ་དད་པ་དང་ཡིད་ཆེས་བགྱིད།
གུས་པས་ཚེམས་སྤྲུལ་སྐུ་ནས།།
Click here to read The Life and Teaching of Naropa, a biography of the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa by Herbert Guenther. Naropa’s lineage of Vajrayogini practice was transmitted to Tibet and has become the most widespread within Tibetan Buddhism.
Precious Footage of His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche
A master of sutra and tantra, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche performed countless holy deeds and gave thousands of Dharma teachings during his lifetime, some of which were filmed for the benefit of sentient beings in the future. Thanks to those recordings, we are able to present you with some very precious footage of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s activities. Be blessed as you listen to the holy voice of the Buddha that is Zong Rinpoche.
Admin
Disclaimer: This footage is presented for strictly educational, non-commercial purposes only. No profit is being made from the display of the footage.
Venerable Lama Yeshe’s Cremation
This video shows the integral role that His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche played in the funeral of his close student, Venerable Lama Yeshe. A highly accomplished tantric master and lifelong Dorje Shugden practitioner, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche led and advised Lama Yeshe’s students on the proper funerary and cremation rites befitting a practitioner of Lama Yeshe’s qualities and attainments.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/LamaYesheCremation.mp4
The Basis of the Spiritual Path
In this teaching translated by Venerable Geshe Namgyal Gangchen of Drepung Monastery, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives a teaching on the nature of cyclic existence, the first of the Four Noble Truths as taught by Buddha Shakyamuni, as well as the six realms of suffering.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/BasisSpiritualPath.mp4
The Principles of the Spiritual Path (Part 1 of 2)
In this teaching translated by Venerable Geshe Namgyal Gangchen of Drepung Monastery, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives a clear explanation on the Three Principal Aspects of the Path: renunciation, bodhicitta and the right view of emptiness.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PrincipleSpiritualPath1.mp4
The Principles of the Spiritual Path (Part 2 of 2)
In this teaching translated by Venerable Geshe Namgyal Gangchen of Drepung Monastery, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives a clear explanation on the Three Principal Aspects of the Path: renunciation, bodhicitta and the right view of emptiness.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/PrincipleSpiritualPath2.mp4
Melodies of the Ensa Ear-Whispered Chod Lineage
At the request of Venerable Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen in 1983 at Thubten Dhargye Ling in Los Angeles, USA, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche recited and taught the Ensa Ear-Whispered Chod practice from memory. These melodies are chanted according to prayers known as: Cutting through Self-grasping; Dedicating the Illusory Body as Ganachakra; and the Ganachakra Offering according to Chod practice. Zong Rinpoche chose to present the melodies of certain verses of these prayers and remarked that there may come a time when Chod melodies are taught according to this recording.
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/ZongRinpocheRecitesChod.mp4
For more interesting information:
- H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s biography
- Choose your guru always
- Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Cuts My Hair
- The Vajrayogini category on my blog
- Download FREE high resolution Buddha images
- Don’t miss this: Offering onto Vajra Yogini
- TRANSCRIPT: How Lama Tsongkhapa transforms to Vajrayogini
- Facebook Answered: Vajrayogini’s Sacred Initiation
- Facebook question: What is Vajra Yogini’s Left Foot Stepping On?
- Facebook question: What are the Commitments After Receiving Vajra Yogini’s Sacred Initiation?
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Each time passing by this article, how I wish I can read up, learn and practice.
I sincerely aspire and wish (with incense in my hands ) that those who come across this teaching, will receive its initiation and empowerment soonest and practice it sincerely, firmly and strongly, both in generation and completion stages. May they receive signs, gain attainments & accomplish this practice smoothly and continue benefitting others, just like what all the Gurus have done in the past, present and will be doing in future. May all of us continue to practice and propagate Dharma tirelessly, using our body, speech and mind regardless any circumstances.
Saying the same aspiration for today .. ?
Starting on Vajra Yogini now. Practicing Vajra Yogini without initiation.
Find out more- https://bit.ly/2JjTTXp
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/2019/04/chat-1554237623.mp4
Be loyal to your guru. Be close to your guru. Be honest with your guru. Never give your guru excuses but always accomplish your assignments that your guru has given you. Be loving, devoted and sincere with your guru. If you conduct yourself in this way, you will see positive transformations in your mind. ~ Tsem Rinpoche
Please ‘enjoy’ these beautiful images of His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche and His Holiness Ling Rinpoche, the precious tutors of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. These masters shared a very special, close relationship; it was well-known that when in Trijang Rinpoche’s company, Ling Rinpoche was often seen to be laughing. After Trijang Rinpoche’s passing, Ling Rinpoche remarked many times how much he missed Trijang Rinpoche due to the unique and close relationship that they shared.
Please ‘enjoy’ these beautiful images of His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche and His Holiness Ling Rinpoche, the precious tutors of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. These masters shared a very special, close relationship; it was well-known that when in Trijang Rinpoche’s company, Ling Rinpoche was often seen to be laughing. After Trijang Rinpoche’s passing, Ling Rinpoche remarked many times how much he missed Trijang Rinpoche due to the unique and close relationship that they shared.
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is in Dharamsala, which is broken into two parts. Upper Dharamsala is where the Dalai Lama’s palace is located with his audience room & main prayer hall. It’s also the location of the Dialectics School, Gaden Shartse’s guesthouse, restaurants, tourist hotels & main tourist areas.
A short ride down takes you to the lower part of Dharamsala where the Tibetan government is located. It is the location of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Nechung monastery, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, the Tibetan arts centre…it’s all in one area. And the reason why it’s split into upper and lower Dharamsala is because the area is mountainous.
The Library of Tibetan Works and Archives was established by the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government to preserve all the ancient texts – both secular and spiritual – of Tibet and in the process, translate them into various languages like English. This book, Overview of Buddhist Tantra, by Panchen Sonam Drakpa was one of the books translated into English. What’s very interesting is that the book very clearly says that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, one of the five main disciples of Lama Tsongkhapa. It also says that after that, he was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen.
So the book is basically saying that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sonam Drakpa and Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen – the three Drakpas – are of the same mindstream.
Now that’s very peculiar because if Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen’s previous life is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, the renowned composer of 45 volumes of Dharma texts, the abbot of three monasteries AND the 15th Gaden Tripa, the holder of Lama Tsongkhapa’s throne…if that’s the case, how can Panchen Sonam Drakpa take rebirth as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen and become an evil spirit and have a negative mind?
Prior to Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, he was Panchen Sonam Drakpa and before that, he was Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa. How can a heart disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa reincarnate as the erudite master Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and then die and reincarnate as Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen…and then Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, due to a bad and negative prayer, become the evil spirit Dorje Shugden? How is that possible? Logically, it’s not.
What’s incredible is that all of this was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives under the Dalai Lama’s guidance. They contradict themselves because on one hand, the Tibetan leaders say Dorje Shugden is an evil spirit. On the other hand they’re printing a book saying that Panchen Sonam Drakpa, whose later incarnation became Dorje Shugden, is of this illustrious mindstream.
So how can the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, which is under the auspices of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government, print the translation of a book composed by the previous incarnation of a so-called evil spirit? How can they then say in the book that Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s previous life is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, and his next life was Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen?
Prior to the Dorje Shugden ban and controversy, everyone in Tibet knew that Dorje Shugden is Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen, that Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen is Panchen Sonam Drakpa, and that Panchen Sonam Drakpa is Duldzin Drakpa Gyaltsen. The three Drakpas, they are one mindstream emanating again and again to benefit other beings.
And as we all know, Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen became Dorje Shugden so it totally doesn’t make sense to call him an evil spirit, then highlight all of his previous lives as erudite masters, and publish all of this information under their own library. So you can see the contradictions. You can read all of this for yourself in Overview of Buddhist Tantra, which was printed by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
—–
OVERVIEW OF BUDDHIST TANTRA
GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE CLASSES OF TANTRA,
CAPTIVATING THE MINDS OF THE FORTUNATE ONES
rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa
skal bzang gi yid ‘phrog ces bya ba bzhugs so
BY
PANCHEN SONAM DRAGPA
(Pan-chen bSod-nams grags-pa, 1478-1554)
O Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel! (Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal!)
In the vast expanse of Your bodhi-mind,
The mind that the Buddhas have lauded for as many as
one hundred times,
You have developed “merit” shining like the sun.
Through Your skill in learning, debate and writing,
As illuminating as one hundred thousand sun rays,
You have developed in You a complete knowledge of
the entire sutras and tantras,
Resembling a garden of flowers in full bloom.
The power of Your speech is like the sun;
The fame of your name has reached the three realms of
this world.
O Sonam Dragpa, the teacher of teachers!
I bow down at your feet.
In the vast garden of Your great teachings,
The intelligent young people gather for
The ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission,’
Just as they are attracted to
The one hundred thousand types of nectar
Dripping from a flower of one hundred petals.
May I be able to experience
The taste of the secret tantra!
Panchen Choje Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen Chos-rje bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the holder of sutra and Vajrayana teachings, was a master whose outstanding learning and spiritual accomplishments are well known by all the learned ones in Tibet. His first incarnation came in the form of one of the five prestigious disciples of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) and became known as Vinaya Holder (Dulzin) Dragpa Gyaltsen (Gragspa rgyal-mtshan). Then came Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal), the author of the present text. The next was Nagri Tulku Dragpa Gyaltsen (mNga’-ris sPrul-sku Grags-pa rgyal-mtshan). In this way, a line of his incarnations, each with the Dragpa (gragspa) surname, followed successively.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was born in the 14th century in Tsetang (rTsed-thang) in the Lhoka (Lho-kha) region of Central Tibet. He entered the great seat of learning, Sera Thekchenling (Se-ra theg-chen-gling) monastic university, where he became the personal disciple of spiritual master Donyo Dangden (Dhon-yod dang-ldan) and His Holiness the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (dGe-‘dun rgya-mtsho). Under them, he studied the entire teachings of sutra, tantra and their commentaries, and became known for his outstanding learning. He also received from them the empowerments, reading transmissions, guides and instructions of the entire body of spiritual training. On becoming the fully blessed one, the Dalai Lama appointed him the abbot of the Loseling (Blo-gsalgling) college, one of the four colleges of Drepung (‘Bras-dpung)- the most prestigious monastic university in Tibet before 1959, with over 10,000 monks on its register. He continued to be the abbot of this college for the next six years; and after him the tenure for each of his successors in this position was fixed for a period of six years, a rule that is followed even today.
He was then appointed the head of the Gelugpa (dGe-lugs-pa) order, the throne holder of Gaden (dGa’-ldan), thus becoming the 15th regent of Lord Tsongkhapa (Tsong-khapa), the second Buddha. In his eulogy to him, Khedrub Gelek Pelsang (mKhas-grub dGe-legs dpal- bzang) says:
O Lama, the second successor of the Unsubduable One,
The regent of the Lord of Dharma,
You are the one who made the virtuous qualities thrive;
You are the one who ascended to the golden throne uplifted
by the fearless lions.
May Your success thrive forever!
He continued to be the throne holder for the next seven years, during which time he promoted the spread of Lord Tsongkhapa’s (Tsong-kha-pa) precious teachings, the Gelug (dGe-lugs) tradition, across the land in all directions. He also paid special attention to the practice of monastic rules and the learning and meditation of Buddhism in the monasteries such as Sera (Se-ra), Drepung (‘Bras-spungs), Kyomolung (sKyo-mo-lung), Phagmo Chode (Phag-mo chos-sde), Nyeding (Nye-sdings), Ödna (’Od-sna) and Chöde Rinchen (Chos-sde rin-chen) etc. and improved them to a great extent. He taught the Third Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso (bSod-nams rGya-mtsho) as the latter’s spiritual master. It was from him that the Dalai Lama received the name Sonam (bSod-nams).
His contributions in the literary field are enormous; and, indeed, they are the most valuable of all his contributions. Tsongkhapa (Tsong-kha-pa) has rightly said:
Of all one’s deeds,
The ‘deeds of speech’ are the most valuable.
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) was a person with an extraordinary talent for teaching, debate and writing. In his colophon to Bu mey chi don zab don sel wey dron mey (dBu ma’i spyi don zab don gsal ba’i sgron me), he wrote:
In the field of teaching, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would outdo them in this field, Arya Asanga and his
brother transmigrated into another realm.
In the field of debate, I am [next to none!] Knowing that
I would find out the areas they had contradicted and
that I would examine them and put forth my arguments,
the logician Dignaga (Digh-naga) and Dharmakirti tactfully
bypassed me.
In the field of writing, I am [next to none!] [In my eyes,]
Arya-sura was just good at spreading the works, which
are like ‘disputes~ between an insect and a field.’
I am the learned man. Peerless in the field of teaching,
debate and writing!
For some this passage might sound utterly nonsensical, but the most learned master of our age, the talented teacher, logician and writer, the late tutor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Trijang Dorjechang (Yongs-‘dzin Khri-byang rDorje-‘Chang), said: “Now, some people of our time, who consider themselves learned scholars, think that this is utter nonsense; but they are wrong.”
Panchen Sonam Dragpa Pel (Panchen bSod-nams grags-pa-dpal) wrote over 45 volumes of books dealing with many different subjects, such as the commentaries on the sutras and tantras, the saddhana manuals of the tutelary deities, history, religious history and so forth. Among these, one that is very important for all who wish to learn and meditate on the path-of the practical aspect of Buddhism in general and that of Vajrayana in particular is the Leg shey gyu de chi nam par shagpa kelsang gi yi trod (Legs bshad rgyud sde spyi’i rnam par bzhag pa skal bzang gi yid ‘phrod). In this book, he has explained precisely how the four tantras differ from one another. He has also fully described the stages of the two spontaneous path practices of the Vajrayana tradition, dealing with the ‘six ultimates’ and the ‘four modes of transmission’, thus interpreting without mistake the intention of Adhi-Buddha Vajradhara.
May the reprint of this text, which the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is publishing herewith, bring peace and happiness in this world!
Prof. Nawang Jinpa
St. Joseph’s College
Darjeeling
January 24 1996
A sacred image of the rare form of Vajrayogini known as Ucheyma, the Buddha that shows us the path to eradicate the ego. For this and many other high-resolution images of the enlightened beings to download for free visit: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini) (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): H.H. the 7th Panchen Lama, Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini), Vajra Varnani (green assistant), Vajra Vairocani (yellow assistant), Dorje Shugden and Citipati.
The central deity is known as Chinnamasta or Dorje Neljorma Ucheyma. Both Chinnamasta (Sanskrit) and Ucheyma (Tibetan) literally mean, ‘She Whose Head is Severed’. The meaning behind her form is to show practitioners that they need to completely remove the grasping and self-identification with the “I” or the ego. Generally, the identity of the self is strongly associated with our face more than any other part of our body. We usually recognise a person when we look at a person’s face. Hence, our self-identification or ego is strongly associated with our face. To show us that this self-identification needs to be overcome on the spiritual path to enlightenment, Vajrayogini uses her ritual chopper to decapitate herself. This is symbolic of her practice eradicating the ego.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini, as she is also known, removes all afflictive mental constructs by removing the root cause – the identification of the self, the ego. We are either attached to or averse to people and circumstances because we have an ego to please, gratify and protect. But in the grander scheme of things, this self-identification with the ‘I’ is illusory and does not really exist. Therefore, Vajrayogini reveals this ultimate truth through the dramatic decapitation of her head and at the same time is still able to live and function. She is able to live due to her direct perception of emptiness and egolessness.
Contrary to what some people might think, the eradication of the self does not destroy individualism, our personality or make us into a mindless person. In fact, the eradication of the ego makes us become a vibrant and compassionate person, someone that has greater awareness of the suffering of others. In other words, we become much warmer, kinder, forgiving, tolerant, conscientious, generous, contemplative and we are become a joy to be with. The cutting of the ego or the ‘I’ brings us towards awakening our true self, the Buddha nature within.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini has two dakini attendants. From the trunk of her neck, there are three severed blood vessels spurting three jets of blood that flow into the mouths of her own decapitated head that she carries in her left hand and into the mouths of her two attendants. Tsem Rinpoche explained that the three jets of blood represent that her practice purifies the three psychic poisons of ignorance, hatred and desire. In turn, this leads to the attainment of the three bodies of a Buddha – the emanation body, the enjoyment body and the truth body. In other words, the severance of the ego via her tantric path leads to the purification of all delusions and ultimately, the attainment of Buddhahood itself.
The 7th Panchen Lama, Palden Tenpai Nyima is featured floating above because of his compilation of sadhanas from the ancient Sadhanamala texts. This includes a particular sadhana or collection of prayers, visualisation and mantra focused on Ucheyma. Incidentally, Dorje Shugden in many of his previous lives was a lineage master of the Vajrayogini tantras as well. These previous lives include the likes of the Mahasiddha Naropa and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso. The Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground, known as Citipati, are one of the main protectors of the Vajrayogini Tantra.
Last of all, the ascetic meditator engaging in his devotional practices towards Ucheyma in the cemetery represents the ideal environment for tantric practice because such environments invoke deep renunciation towards worldly affairs and attachments. All Buddhist traditions advocate meditating on the bones of the deceased because it reminds us of our mortality and hence, we develop revulsion towards the transient nature of worldly or ordinary existence.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini) (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Maitri Kacho (Flying Vajrayogini), Maitri Kacho (One-Leg Up Vajrayogini), Naro Kacho, Sukhasiddhi, Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini), Vajra Varnani (green assistant), Vajra Vairocani (yellow assistant), Citipati, Vajravarahi and Dorje Shugden.
The central deity is known as Severed Headed Vajrayogini, Chinnamasta or Dorje Neljorma Ucheyma. Both Chinnamasta (Sanskrit) and Ucheyma (Tibetan) literally mean, ‘She Whose Head is Severed’. The meaning behind her form is to show practitioners that they need to completely remove the grasping and self-identification with the “I” or the ego. Generally, the identity of the self is strongly associated with our face more than any other part of our body. We usually recognise a person when we look at a person’s face. Hence, our self-identification or ego is strongly associated with our face. To show us that this self-identification needs to be overcome on the spiritual path to enlightenment, Vajrayogini uses her ritual chopper to decapitate herself. This is symbolic of her practice eradicating the ego.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini removes all afflictive mental constructs by removing the root cause – the identification of the self, the ego. We are either attached to or averse to people and circumstances because we have an ego to please, gratify and protect. But in the grander scheme of things, this self-identification with the ‘I’ is illusory and does not really exist. Therefore, Vajrayogini reveals this ultimate truth through the dramatic decapitation of her head and at the same time is still able to live and function. She is able to live due to her direct perception of emptiness and egolessness.
Contrary to what some people might think, the eradication of the self does not destroy individualism, our personality or make us into a mindless person. In fact, the eradication of the ego makes us become a vibrant and compassionate person, someone that has greater awareness of the suffering of others. In other words, we become much warmer, kinder, forgiving, tolerant, conscientious, generous, contemplative and we are become a joy to be with. The cutting of the ego or the ‘I’ brings us towards awakening our true self, the Buddha nature within.
The Severed Headed Vajrayogini has two dakini attendants. From the trunk of her neck, there are three severed blood vessels spurting three jets of blood that flow into the mouths of her own decapitated head that she carries in her left hand and into the mouths of her two attendants. Tsem Rinpoche explained that the three jets of blood represent that her practice purifies the three psychic poisons of ignorance, hatred and desire. In turn, this leads to the attainment of the three bodies of a Buddha – the emanation body, the enjoyment body and the truth body. In other words, the severance of the ego via her tantric path leads to the purification of all delusions and ultimately, the attainment of Buddhahood itself.
Severed Headed Vajrayogini is surrounded by some of her other forms, including Naro Kacho, two forms of Maitri Kacho, Sukhasiddhi and Vajravarahi. These forms of Vajrayogini are more commonly practised compared to Severed Headed Vajrayogini and are prevalent in most Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Though they may look different, all forms are indivisible from her true nature and all her practices can lead practitioners to enlightenment. Naro Kacho arose from a vision beheld by the Mahasiddha Naropa, Maitri Kacho from a vision beheld by Maitripa, and Indra Kacho from a vision beheld by Indrabodhi. The Lord and Lady of the Charnel Ground, known as Citipati, are one of the main protectors of the Vajrayogini Tantra.
Last of all, Dorje Shugden is a protector with special affinity with Vajrayogini practitioners because he arose from an incarnation lineage that includes Naropa and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso who practised and proliferated her Tantra.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Vajrayogini (Main figure)
(Top to bottom): Naropa, Vajradharma, Hero Vajradharma, Naro Kacho, Maitri Kacho (Flying Vajrayogini), Dorje Shugden and Vajravarahi.
Vajrayogini is a female tantric Buddha and she has many forms that are derived from various lineages. She mainly embodies the fully enlightened female (shakti) aspect of a Buddha. She belongs to the Mother Tantra classification, which refers to her practice concentrating on the wisdom aspect of the path to Buddhahood. She is also the principal dakini, the compassionate female guides and nurturers of tantric meditation who lead practitioners to enlightenment. In the thangka, the main figure in the middle is Naro Kechari as she arose from the pure vision of the Mahasiddha Naropa.
In Anuttara (Highest) Yoga Tantra, principal dakinis normally appear in union with a male consort and this can be seen in the cases of deities such as Guhyasamaja, Hevajra, and Kalachakra. In the case of Vajrayogini, she is the principal female Buddha of the Chakrasamvara Tantra and therefore, she is normally in union with Heruka Chakrasamvara. Furthermore, Vajrayogini is also considered a Vajradakini, who are yidams or meditational deities in their own right. Their practices have evolved from the main practices of their consorts, simplifying the otherwise complicated original practice by reducing it to a single-deity meditation without sacrificing the main benefits and features of the original. Hence, Vajradakini practices such as Vajrayogini and Nairatmya are derived from the original Chakrasamvara Tantra and Hevajra Tantra respectively.
In essence, Vajrayogini is known as “Sarvabuddha-dakini” or the Dakini Who is the Essence of all Buddhas. Her mantra is known as the King of All Mantras as it has the most powerful ability to bless us with spiritual attainments even without any visualisation or meditation. There are 11 Yogas in the generation stage of her practice and a few which have the power of transforming ordinary actions like sleeping, waking and ordinary daily tasks into a collection of merits. Ultimately, her Tantra offers salvation for ordinary practitioners at death with her special promise of guiding practitioners towards Kechara, or the Paradise of the Dakinis, in which we can continue deep practices to become a Buddha without fear, obstacles and interruptions.
Within Vajrayogini practice, soliciting the blessings of the lama and the lineage master are of paramount importance in order for our practice to bear results. Hence, the lama is visualised as the red Vajradharma with arms crossed at the heart, holding the vajra and bell. The lineage masters are visualised as Hero Vajradharma, holding a damaru and skullcup while cradling a khatvanga. Aside from the main Naro Kechari form, Vajrayogini also appears in the form of Maitri Kechari, who is known as Flying Vajrayogini, and arose from the vision of Maitripa. Another common form is known as Indra Kechari, or Vajravarahi, who arose from the vision of Indrabodhi.
Last of all, Dorje Shugden is a Dharma protector with a special affinity with Vajrayogini practitioners. This is because he himself arose from an incarnation lineage that includes the likes of Naropa, the progenitor of Naro Kechari practice, and Tsarchen Losel Gyatso who had practised and proliferated her Tantra and is listed as one the lineage masters invoked upon every day by Vajrayogini practitioners.
More free downloads: https://bit.ly/2oxb4qU
Read more about Vajrayogini: https://bit.ly/2iVLCuG
Original illustration and text posted by Eric D Hatchell as a reply to H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s facebook post on Vajrayogini here: http://bit.ly/VYogini0001
The Dākiṇī with the Essence of all Buddhas, Vajrayoginī
Her practice includes methods to end the otherwise repetitive states of Bardo and rebirth, by transforming the process into a journey, which may lead to full enlightenment. In preparation for which, Vajrayoginī further offers the omnipresent ability to reconstruct the nature of the most, mundane everyday experiences, such that they may reveal higher destinations, via the spiritual paths she may choose to reveal. [1] Vajrayoginī being defined as, “The Dākiṇī who is the Essence of all Buddhas”, [2] is amplified by scholar Miranda Shaw when she implied that this deity is no less than, the supreme nature of the very Tantric pantheon. No male Buddha, including her divine consort, Heruka-Cakrasaṃvara, further advances her in metaphysical implications. [3]
Vajrayoginī’s sādhanā originates from India circa 10/12th C, [4] when summoned as Heruka-Cakrasaṃvara’s Yab-Yum consort [5], with later forms including Vajrayoginī as “Solitary Hero”, she may be visualized with the deep red complexion of a 16-year-old female, whose stance is nude amidst a blazing fire of pristine awareness and most exalted wisdom. Her head is adorned with a crown of five skulls and upon her forehead, the third eye of wisdom is set vertically (represented here by an auspicious jewel). She drapes a necklace of fifty dried human skulls and is depicted with her traditional vajra-handled knife in her right hand; with a blood filled kapala in her left, she drinks with upturned head while looking above, toward the pure realm of Khechara. This seemingly gruesome gesture is actually symbolic of her clear light in great joy, known as “mahasukha” (the great bliss), [6] [7] thus the blood she drinks may be offered to us all as if a fine wine.
Resting on the left shoulder is a Katvanga staff as she stands tall with her two feet, trampling the bodies of red Kalaratri and black Bhairava (with heads bending backward), representing the embodiment of illusion and ego-awareness. The composition, all of which rests above a sun disc and multicolored lotus pedestal, she is rendered here after a thankga of Naropa Tradition (passed down from a special teaching of the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa). Vajrayoginī herself may be classified as the personification of “Wisdom” or “Mother” and her practice originates with the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Tantras, which is one of the five principal tantric practices of the Sakya School, although found in one form or another, she is included in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. [8]
Vajrayoginī also appears in versions from the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, with one popular system having the practitioner visualize themselves as Vajrayoginī, as such, their guru taking the form of Milarepa. [9] Thus depicted above the central deity here we see Milarepa on our right, with his great Guru Marpa left (whose guru was Naropa himself, and other great Indian masters). [10]
Vajrayoginī is a simplified, single most form of the female Buddha, who is otherwise a collection of alternate forms. From her sādhanās she is visualized in English terms as “Vajra Sow”, “Wrathful Lady”, “Fierce Black One”, and other such similar manifestations of female energy found in numerous iconographic renderings and traditions. Each feature of Vajrayoginī’s visualization conveys important spiritual concept. For example, her three eyes indicate her ability to see all (past, present and future); her red-colored body symbolizes the blazing of her ”inner fire”, and the curved knife she wields, demonstrates the power to sever the delusions and obstacles of her followers and of all living beings. [11]
—–
Wordmarque Design and Photography
—–
References:
[1] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996, p.xii.
[2] “The Berzin Archives.” Bonding Practices for Mother Tantra. Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.berzinarchives.com/…/bonding_prac_mother_tantra_….
[3] Shaw, Miranda Eberle. Buddhist Goddesses of India. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006, p. 8.
[4] English, Elizabeth. Vajrayoginī: Her Visualizations, Rituals & Forms: A Study of the Cult of Vajrayoginī in India. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2002.
[5] “Vajrasattva (Buddhist Deity) – White (with Consort).” Vajrasattva (Buddhist Deity). Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.himalayanart.org/items/77598.
[6] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996 p. 123-127.
[7] Glenn H. Mullin
[8] “Item: Vajrayogini (Buddhist Deity) – (Naropa Tradition).” Vajrayogini (Buddhist Deity). Accessed February 18, 2016. http://www.himalayanart.org/items/290.
[9] English, Elizabeth. Vajrayoginī: Her Visualizations, Rituals & Forms: A Study of the Cult of Vajrayoginī in India. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2002, p. xxiii.
[10] Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet’s Beloved Saint, Milarepa … by Mi-la-ras-pa, Rinpoche Lama Kunga, Brian Cutillo, p.305.
[11] Gyatso, Kelsang. Guide to Dakini Land: The Highest Yoga Tantra Practice of Buddha Vajrayogini. London: Tharpa, 1996, p.123-127.
Be blessed with these rare videos featuring explanation and advice about Dorje Shugden practice by His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in his own voice. The teaching was requested by Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the earliest masters who taught Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
Video 1: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche Explains Dorje Shugden Initiation and Benefits (With English Subtitles)
Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet. At the request of Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Tibetan Buddhism in America, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gives clear explanation and advice about the life-entrustment initiation of Dorje Shugden and how to go about the practice and get the maximum benefits in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzFMvlxAqtc&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche speaks on the History and Lineage of Dorje Shugden (With English Subtitles)
In this video, an erudite scholar, ritual master and practitioner of the highest degree from Tibet, Kyabje Zong Rinpoche talks about the incarnation lineage of Dorje Shugden and how the practice arose, with examples of Dorje Shugden’s previous lives that reveal his powerful spiritual attainments and contributions. This very rare teaching was given at the request of Kyabje Zong Rinpoche’s student, Geshe Tsultrim Gyeltsen, one of the pioneers who taught Buddhism in the West to many disciples since the 1970s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIzKSJgK618&feature=youtu.be
For more information: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/kyabje-zong-rinpoches-advice-on-dorje-shugdens-practice.html
For more free high resolution images of Vajrayogini, visit: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html?nggpage=9
This is my beautiful Bodhgaya Vajra Yogini on my personal altar. May you be blessed by her always. Read about her here https://bit.ly/2AfEK4Q
Tsem Rinpoche
The current form of Naro Kacho Vajra Yogini appeared to the Indian Mahasiddha Naropa after he meditated intensely on her practice inside a cave. He beheld her glorious form in a vision. This unique form became known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini or Naro Kacho, as it had never existed before. Later, in Tibet, His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche also had visions of Vajra Yogini. His vision differed slightly from the vision of her that Naropa beheld. In the original Naro Kacho form, Vajra Yogini looks towards her pure land named Kechara. However in Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s vision, she looked straight at him, symbolic of the deity empowering him to bestow her practice to many people in order to benefit them. The practice of Vajra Yogini belongs to the Highest Yoga Tantra classification that leads to tremendous inner transformation and can even grant enlightenment within just one lifetime.
Video of Tsem Rinpoche’s shrine taken July 16, 2018. Very beautiful, well done and meticulous.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPAfpMoN2bA
Video of Tsem Rinpoche’s shrine taken July 16, 2018.
Very beautiful, well done and meticulous.
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1531752637.mp4
Beautiful picture of His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. It is amazing I was able to meet him and learn from him. It was such an amazing opportunity. Tsem Rinpoche
Vajra Yogini has many different forms and in each of these forms, the positioning of her sacred body, the various implements she holds and the expressions on her face have profound meaning into various aspects of enlightenment. The implements she holds, the expressions on her face, and her body symbolise specific aspects of enlightenment that suit people during a particular time and place according to their karma. So, therefore, Vajra Yogini’s pose, forms and emanations change over time in order to suit different karmically-connected practitioners. It will keep changing because enlightenment is fluid, compassionate and skilful. To gaze upon Vajra Yogini is to look at a complete ‘roadmap’ to enlightenment as every aspect of her body is a manifestation of enlightenment. Therefore to have her form, picture, painting or statue is very blessed. We should make offerings to her daily diligently.
After the great Mahasiddha Naropa had served his guru the Mahasiddha Tilopa for 12 years, Tilopa conferred the Vajra Varahi (another form of Vajra Yogini) initiation with full instructions unto Naropa. Then, Naropa diligently meditated on Vajra Varahi and had a vision of her, and when she appeared to him directly, she appeared in the form of Vajra Yogini. Normally, when he engaged in the Vajra Yogini (Vajravarahi) practice, she was in the form of facing him directly, holding a skull cup and a curved flaying knife in front of her heart. One leg was up and one leg was down as in a dancing pose. That was the form of Vajra Yogini that he had meditated on to gain the highest attainments.
After he had meditated on Vajra Varahi and gained visions of her, she appeared to him in a different form, with her face looking up at Kechara Paradise instead of facing him directly. Her left hand holding the skullcup was thrust in the air and her right hand holding the curved flaying knife, also known as a cemetery knife was facing down at sentient beings or samsara to help beings cut their bonds to suffering. Her left leg was bent, and her right extended while standing in a pose of looking towards Kechara Paradise like she is about to take off there. This form signifies she will take you there and out of suffering. That form of Vajra Yogini became special and that was called Naro Kacho or the Vajra Yogini of Naropa. This Naropa’s Vajra Yogini was initiated to the Nepalese Pamtingpa brothers and they meditated diligently and this tradition of Naropa’s Vajra Yogini just became prevalent and took off from there. Naropa started initiating his other disciples as well into this special form of Vajra Yogini and she became known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini till this day and it is considered a highly blessed lineage. That is the lineage we have now and most prevalent.
She is looking up because this Naropa’s Vajra Yogini is indicating she will lead her practitioners to her Kechara Paradise within one lifetime if you are diligent in her practice. Realizing enlightenment is harder for people in today’s world and needs more time during Kaliyuga degenerate period, she leads you to her paradise where you can practice undisturbed to Buddha-hood.
In this brilliant artwork, what you see is the Mahasiddha Naropa having a direct vision of Vajra Yogini. It’s the first time she has appeared to Naropa in this form. This form is associated with Naropa. Prior to Naropa, this form of Vajra Yogini did not exist. She in this vision is initiating him into this form (Naro Kacho) of herself indicating this form will be most efficacious now according to our karmic period. In the background, you will see a cave with a light in it because when Naropa used to meditate in that cave, it is said that from his body would emit a light and people could see it from afar. You can also see animals surrounding Vajra Yogini, they can feel her compassion and her great blessings and they are at peace around her.
Vajra Yogini brings peace, love, compassion, wisdom and freedom to everyone who practices her incredibly powerful tantra. Therefore, this artwork is a very beautiful representation of the time when Naropa had a vision of Vajra Yogini in this form for the first time and it is now known as Naropa’s Vajra Yogini. This artwork was offered to me as a gift from a very talented artist. I deeply appreciate this piece of visual spirituality very much.
Tsem Rinpoche
To download for your shrine, please click here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=62528
H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche is very devoted to his root guru, H.H. Zong Rinpoche.
Do watch this short video of H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche ?
https://video.tsemtulku.com/chat-videos/chat-1508414004.mp4
Lama Yeshe was a very devoted student of His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Lama Yeshe very much loved and respected Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and was the first lama to invite Kyabje Zong Rinpoche to the west. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche gave vast amount of empowerments, oral transmissions, teachings and sogtae of Dorje Shugden to many of Lama Yeshe’s senior students. Towards the end of Lama Yeshe’s fruitful life, he was in the hospital and physically shutting down. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was giving teachings in Switzerland and was requested to fly in which Kyabje Zong Rinpoche most graciously did. Here in this picture is Kyabje Zong Rinpoche doing special prayers for his student Lama Yeshe. Lama Yeshe was already partially paralyzed, but true to a meditation master, his mind was extremely clear and bright. You can see Lama Yeshe leaning towards Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in deep respect and devotion. Lama Yeshe practiced all the lineages, yidams, protectors such as Dorje Shugden given to him till the end of his life. He never gave up on any of his practices as he has great devotion to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and his other lamas. Lama Yeshe’s samaya with Kyabje Zong Rinpoche was so pure, intact and perfect till the end. A great inspiration.~Tsem Rinpoche
耶喜喇嘛是至尊嘉杰宋仁波切的忠诚弟子。耶喜喇嘛十分敬爱嘉杰宋仁波切,他是第一位把宋仁波切邀请到西方弘法的上师。嘉杰宋仁波切曾为耶喜喇嘛的许多资深弟子传授灌顶、口传、教诲和多杰雄登托命灌顶。在耶喜喇嘛即将走完丰富人生旅程之际,他躺在医院病床上,身体已经逐渐衰败。当时正在瑞士弘法的嘉杰宋仁波切被邀请前去探望他,宋仁波切欣然答应了。这张照片显示嘉杰宋仁波切正为弟子耶喜喇嘛进行特殊的法会。耶喜喇嘛那时已经处于半瘫痪状态,但作为一位禅修大师,他的心识却极度清醒。在这张照片中,可见耶喜喇嘛以无限的敬意和依止心,把身体倾向宋仁波切。耶喜喇嘛终其一生都修持上师所传授的传承、本尊、护法修持如多杰雄登法门等。他从不放弃任何上师所传授的教法,因为他对嘉杰宋仁波切和其他上师均拥有极大的依止心。耶喜喇嘛由始至终都对嘉杰宋仁波切保持清净、完整和完美的三昧耶。这真是一个启发人心的典范。~詹杜固仁波切
I was 18 years old when this was taken back in 1983 in Los Angeles, California. Here I am in this photo with my most precious root guru, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He has profoundly changed my life for the better forever. Not a day goes by I don’t think about him, love him, miss him and yearn for his presence and teachings. I meditate on him in my heart every single day.
He was everything that a high Tibetan lama is said to be and more. From the moment I heard his name before meeting him from a friend who had met him already, faith instantly arose in me. Instantly faith arose in me. I did 100 prostrations to his picture everyday until I met him. I wanted to make a spiritual karmic connection with him so that when I met him, I can receive many teachings and that is why I made the prostrations. No other spiritual teacher although all of them were great has this sort of meteoric impact on me. It’s unexplainable.
30 plus years down the line, my faith, respect and trust in Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is unshakable. I will always follow and practice what he has taught me and given me. I will never abandon my teacher or any practice he has given me no matter what obstacles come my way. No matter if my life is threatened, or I am disliked or segregated for following his instructions, I will never abandon any of his teachings. No other teacher will ever have me change my practice I have received from Kyabje Zong Rinpoche.
May I meet Kyabje Zong Rinpoche in all my future lives too and come under his care. I forever bow to him and place the crown of my unworthy head to his feet. I will follow, meditate, trust and believe in my guru always.
Humbly,
Tsem Rinpoche
这是我与我的至宝根本上师,至尊嘉杰宋仁波切于1983年在加利福尼亚洛杉矶拍下的合照。当年我18岁。他深刻地改变了我的生命,永恒地使我的生命变得更美好。没有那么一天,我不想起他,不珍爱他,不思念他,或是不切盼他的出现与教诲。每一天,我都在心中忆念嘉杰宋仁波切。他拥有人们眼中一个西藏高僧该具备的一切条件,甚至拥有更多。我从一个曾拜见嘉杰宋仁波切的朋友口中听见宋仁波切的殊胜名字,自那一刻起,我虽未见过仁波切一面,但信心即刻油然而生。在见到仁波切之前的每一天,我都向着他的法照顶礼一百遍,我想跟他结下法缘,那么等到见到他的时候,我能接受到大量的教诲。这是我每日顶礼的原因。其他所有上师固然殊胜,但没有一个像嘉杰宋仁波切那样对我造成犹如陨星撞击般的影响。这种感受无从解释。我对嘉杰宋仁波切的信心、敬重和信任,三十余载从未动摇。他教过我的,给过我的,我都会一直跟从并且实修。我永远不会背弃我的上师,或是背弃他赐予我的任何修行,不管我眼前出现什么阻难。即使我因为遵从他的指示而面对生命威胁,或遭受厌弃或排挤,我仍然不会背弃他的任何一个教诲。没有任何一位上师能够动摇嘉杰宋仁波切赐予我的修行。祈愿我生生世世都能遇见嘉杰宋仁波切并得到他的引导。我永世顶礼于嘉杰宋仁波切足下。我将永远遵从上师的教诲,忆念他,信任他,相信他。
谦卑的詹杜固仁波切
སྤྱི་ལོ་༡༩༨༣ ལོར་ལོས་ཨེན་ཇེ་ལེ་ས་ཀལ་ལི་ཕོ་ནི་ཡ་(Los Angeles, California.) ནང་ང་ལོ་ ༡༨ ཡིན་པའི་སྐབས་ཀྱི་འདྲ་པར་རེད། འདྲ་པར་འདི་ནང་ང་དང་བདག་གི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ལྷན་དུ་ཡོད། སྐུ་ཉིད་ཀྱི་གཏིང་ཚུགས་པའི་སྒོ་ནས་བདག་གི་མི་ཚེ་གཏན་དུ་བསྒྱུར་བར་འཕྲིན་ལས་བརྩོལ་ཡོད་པས། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་རྩ་བའི་བླ་མར་དགའ་བ་མ་སྒོམ་པ་དང་། མི་དྲན་པ། ཁོང་གི་སྐོར་མ་བསམ་པ། ཁོང་གི་མདུན་ནས་སློབ་ཁྲིད་སོགས་ཞུ་འདོད་མེད་པ་ཉིན་གཅིག་ཀྱང་མེད།
ཉིན་ལྟར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་གྱི་ཡོད། ཁོང་ནི་བོད་པའི་བླ་མ་མཁས་པ་ཞིག་ལ་ཚང་དགོས་པའི་ཡོན་ཏན་བླ་ན་མེད་པ་དང་ལྡན། བདག་གིས་ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་གོང་དུ་བདག་གི་གྲོགས་པོས་ཁོང་མཇལ་ཡོད་པས་ངའི་གྲོགས་པོའི་རྒྱུད་ནས་ཁོང་གི་མཚན་ཐོས་པ་ད་སྐབས་བདག་གི་སེམས་ནང་ལམ་སང་དད་པ་སྐྱེས། ཁོང་མ་མཇལ་བར་བདག་གིས་ཁོང་གི་སྐུ་པར་ལ་ཉིན་ལྟར་ཕྱག་ཚར་༡༠༠ འཚལ་གྱི་ཡོད། གང་ཡིན་ཟེར་ན། ཁོང་དང་ཆོས་ཀྱི་འབྲེལ་བ་ཡོང་བ་དང་ཁོང་མཇལ་ནས་ཆོས་མང་པོ་ཞུས་ཐུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་ངས་ཕྱག་འཚལ་དགོས་དོན་དེ་འདྲ་ཡིན།
བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་རྣམས་ཁྱད་པར་དུ་འཕགས་པ་ཡིན་ཡང་བདག་ལ་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རྡོ་རྗེ་འཆང་ནི་ཤིན་ཏུ་བཀའ་དྲིན་ཆེ། འདི་གསལ་བཤད་བྱེད་མི་ཐུབ། ལོ་ ༣༠ རྗེས་ལའང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཆོག་ལ་ངས་དད་པ། རྩི་བཀུར། ཡིད་ཆེས་སོགས་གཡོ་བ་མེད་པ་རེད། ཁོང་གི་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་སྦྱོང་བརྡར་སོགས་བདག་གིས་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་ཉམས་ལེན་བགྱིད། བདག་གི་ཆོས་ཉིད་ཀྱི་ལམ་དུ་བར་ཆད་ཆེ་ཆུང་གང་འདྲ་འཕྲད་ཀྱང་བདག་གི་དགེ་བའི་བཤེས་གཉེན་ཀྱིས་གནང་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དེ་དག་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་འདོར་གྱི་མིན།
བདག་གི་མི་ཚེར་ཉེན་ཚབས་བཟོ་ནའང་། བདག་ལ་མ་དགའ་བ་བྱེད་ནའང་། ཡང་ན་བདག་གི་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་སྒྲུབ་པའི་ཕྱིར་བདག་དང་འབྲེལ་ཐག་གཅོད་ནའང་ཁྱད་མེད་བཞིན་བདག་གིས་བླ་མའི་བཀའ་དུས་ནམ་ཡང་མི་འདོར། ༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་ཐོབ་པའི་མཉམ་ལེན་དང་བདག་གི་དད་པ་དམ་ཚིག་བླ་མ་གཞན་སུའང་ཞིག་གིས་འགྱུར་མི་ཐུབ། བདག་གི་ཚེ་ཕྱི་མར་ཡང་༧སྐྱབས་རྗེ་ཟོང་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་མཇལ་བ་དང་ཁོང་སྐུ་མདུན་ནས་བྱམས་སྙིང་རྗེ་ཐོབ་པའི་རེ་སྨོན་ཡོད། ཁོང་གི་ཞབས་ཀྱི་པད་མོར་ཐུག་ཏེ་དུས་རྟག་ཏུ་གུས་ཕྱག་འཚལ། བདག་གིས་སོ་སོའི་བླ་མ་རྗེས་སུ་བཟུང་ཞིང་། ཡིད་ལ་སྒོམ་ཞིང་། རྒྱུན་དུ་དད་པ་དང་ཡིད་ཆེས་བགྱིད།
གུས་པས་ཚེམས་སྤྲུལ་སྐུ་ནས།།
Excellent tx Rinpoche.
From Tsem Rinpoche: Every person who has Maha-anuttaratantra empowerments (Eg. Heruka, Guhyasamaja, Yamantaka, Vajra Yogini, Chittamani-Tara, Kalacakra, Hevajra, Gyalwa Gyatso Chenresig, etc) should keep a copy of this on their shrine or prayer book. These are all the ritual items tantric practitioner must keep by commitment. If it is in picture form, it is alright also.
Thanks Dear Tsem Tulku very great blessing this teachings of Song Dorje Chan.I am doing One months Heruka Lukil Tzam with three monks in albagnano Italy please send Your blessings for success in the practise for the benefit of all sentient beings.laghen champa togme.
May Kechara retreat be of great sucess in having millions of serious yoghi and yogini from all over the world quickly realizing the six yoga of Naropa.
Dear paolorossi4444,
Thank you for sharing with us about your retreat and keeping the success of Kechara Forest Retreat (KFR) in mind. May you have a successful retreat!
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the precious teachings of 6 Yogas of Naropa by H.H. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Though I do not have the merits to listen now, may I create the connections and have the merits to have the initiation and able to practice it one day.