Chöd Practice Manual and Commentary
Chöd Practice Manual
and Commentary
By the
Fourteenth Karmapa, Thekchok Dorje
and Jamgön Kongtrül Lodö Taye
Preface by H.E. Bokar Rinpoche
Translated by V.V. Lama Lodö Rinpoche
Snow Lion Publications
ithaca, new york • boulder, colorado
Snow Lion Publications
P. O. Box 6483
Ithaca, NY 14851 USA
(607) 273-8519
www.snowlionpub.com
Copyright © 2007 by Lama Lodö Rinpoche
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced
without prior written permission from the publisher.
Printed in U.S.A. on acid-free recycled paper.
Designed and typeset by Gopa & Ted2, Inc.
Illustrations on pages 22, 34, and 82 are by Chris Banigan.
isbn-10: 1-55939-267-3
isbn-13: 978-1-55939-267-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
.
Kon-sprul Blo-gros-mtha’-yas, 1813-1899.
.
[Mchod sbyin gyi źin mdor bsdus kun dga’i skyed tshal ces bya ba bźugs so.
English]
Chöd practice manual and commentary / by the Fourteenth Karmapa, Thekchok Dorje and Jamgön Kongtrül Lodö Taye ; preface by Bokar Rinpoche ;
translated by Lama Lodö Rinpoche.
p. cm.
isbn-13: 978-1-55939-267-9 (alk. paper)
isbn-10: 1-55939-267-3 (alk. paper)
1. Theg-mchog-rdo-rje, Karma-pa XIV, 1797-1867. Rgyun khyer gyi lus sbyin
bsdus pa bźugs so. 2. Gcod (Buddhist rite) I. Theg-mchog-rdo-rje, Karma-pa
XIV, 1797-1867. Rgyun khyer gyi lus sbyin bsdus pa bźugs so. English. II.
Lodru, Lama. III. Title.
BQ 7699.G36T473513 2007
294.3'4446—dc22
2006024820
? Contents
Preface by H.E. Bokar Rinpoche
7
Foreword to the Second Edition
by V.V. Lama Lodö Rinpoche
9
Life of Machig Labdrön
11
Lineages of Chöd
15
Chöd Sadhana: The Condensed Daily Practice
of Offering the Body by the Fourteenth Karmapa,
Thekchok Dorje
23
Commentary to the Chöd Practice:
The Garden of All Joy by Jamgön Kongtrül Lodö Taye
35
Preliminary Stage of Practice
36
Generating Bodhicitta (Enlightened Mind)
36
Taking Refuge
37
Accumulation of Merit
38
Clearing Away Obscurations
41
Making Offerings
44
Actual Practice
46
Transference of Consciousness
46
Body Mandala
49
The Three Cycles of White Feasts Condensed into One
51
The Red Feasts Condensed into One
56
6 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Ganachakra (Feast Offering)
69
Remainder Offering (Branch of the Ganachakra)
76
Concluding Stage of Practice
76
Dedication
76
Dissolving Stage
76
Carrying on the Path
77
Lü Jin (Chöd Sadhana)
In Tibetan
81
Phonetic Rendering of the Tibetan
95
English Translation
105
Tibetan Text of the Commentary
117
8 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Lama Lodö, a yogin of the profound generation and completion stages, has
been responsible for the translation of The Garden of All Joy into English. This
wonderful teaching by Jamgön Lodö Taye consists of the instructions for the
pacification and cutting through of all suffering. As a result of this work, may
all beings cut through attachment to the self, which is the root of samsara.
May they realize the view of the Great Mother, the Perfection of Wisdom,
which is the realization of selflessness. With love and compassion for all
beings, may they fully complete the benefit for oneself and for others until
samsara is emptied.
Bokar Tülku
7th August 1994.
? Foreword to the Second Edition
I
strongly suggest that whoever wants to read this book and practice
Chöd have the initiation from a qualified teacher and have their permission
to study this book. Because this practice is of the high tantric class of
Vajrayana, it may be dangerous rather than beneficial to do this practice without initiation and explanation from a qualified teacher.
The commentary on the Chöd text was written by Jamgön Kongtrül Lodö
Taye, the Great One. First I gave a class on this text and commentary for the
Kagyü Droden Künchab students who practice Chöd, and then I thought it
would be a good time to have an English translation in print for students to
read directly.
The first edition of this book was completed in 1994 with the able assistance
of my students, especially Donga Paul Seaton, Ron Garry, and Alexis Kostich,
who contributed their expertise in a number of areas from typesetting
through editing and proofreading. I am grateful to them all for their help. In
particular, Alexis created the drawings, based upon my oral instructions, of all
the different stages of visualization for this commentary. It was not just my
effort but her devotion and diligence that have made this book possible, so I
wish to thank her.
The line drawings of Dampa Sangye and Six-Armed Mahakala are courtesy
of the well-known Tibetan thangka painter Gega Lama.
The second edition contains a letter from Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche that was
intended for inclusion in the first edition, but which arrived after the first edition went to press. With the blessing of this great teacher, who is well known
in the West, may the teachings flourish and benefit all sentient beings.
This new edition also contains the Chöd sadhana [daily practice text], which
10 : chöd practice manual and commentary
was composed by the Fourteenth Karmapa, in three versions: Tibetan, phonetic rendering of the Tibetan, and the English translation. This was intended
for the practitioner to have easy access to both the commentary and the sadhana. Lama Gyeltsen [Jay Eilertson], who is my longtime disciple, has completed a three-year retreat under me. He has practiced Chöd and has lots of
background, so I have asked him to check the translation and make corrections
to the grammar. He has assisted me in reviewing the translation as well. In
addition to that, he has done collating and reordering. I would like to give him
thanks for helping me. Craig Janke and Alexis Kostich provided invaluable
assistance by modifying the illustrations for the stages of visualization
described within the commentary. Lama Sherab [Don Iocca] is also my disciple, and he has also undertaken the three-year retreat. He also helped correct
the Tibetan, and he has assisted me with some of the Tibetan corrections. So,
I would like to thank him for his generosity as well. I would also like to thank
Cone Beckham, Deborah Janke, Kris Burson, and Maude Honemann for their
help in proofreading. Without the assistance of these contributors, this project would not have been possible.
Lama Lodö Rinpoche
Kagyü Droden Künchab, San Francisco
August 2005
? Life of Machig Labdrön
Oral Biography by Very Ven. Lama Lodö Rinpoche
T
he especially well-known, profound practice of Chöd was brought
from India to Tibet by the great mahasiddha Dampa Sangye. This teach-
ing flourished through the great wisdom dakini Machig Labkyi Drönma by the
depth of her realization and compassion. Specifically, the Chöd teachings and
practice were transmitted in Tibet by Machig Labdrön, who thus played a very
important role in the Chöd lineage. Here, therefore, we will give a brief history of the wisdom dakini Machig Labdrön.
First, she manifested from Dharmata in the form of Prajñaparamita. From
that, she emanated as the great pandit and mahasiddha Döndrub Zangpo in
India. He was a very well-known scholar and accomplished yogi. At that time,
he received many prophecies from divine beings and his own teacher that he
must go to Tibet to benefit many beings in the snowy regions. He quickly
accomplished complete realization in the cave of Potari, and while he was
practicing and experiencing clear realization, a dakini appeared and told him
he needed to go to Tibet to benefit many beings in the snowy regions, and
must transmute his consciousness into her heart.
As the dakini requested, he transmuted his consciousness into her heart and
took birth in Tibet in the town of Labchi Kangra as the daughter of a couple
who had great devotion to the Dharma. Her father and mother, Chökyi Dawa
and Bumcham, were patrons of the Buddhadharma and lords of that town.
After entering her mother’s womb, during the pregnancy many special and
divine signs appeared, such as her reciting the Mani and Ga-Te and other different mantras and even speaking to her mother from the womb. All these
unusual indications were heard by the mother. During the pregnancy the
12 : chöd practice manual and commentary
mother had many omens, dreams, and blissful and joyful experiences. Many
neighbors and villagers also had incredibly unusual omens, dreams, and experiences.
Machig was born without any kind of difficulty to the mother and immediately stood in a mass of rainbow light and manifested many divine signs, such
as a third eye and being able to speak right away to her mother.
Her wisdom and compassion naturally caused people to be devoted to her
as an emanation of Buddha and to bow, pray, and receive blessing from her
without any doubt.
She followed her mother in her daily practice in the shrine room, reciting,
bowing, and saying prayers, expressing devotion at an early age. She also
showed unimaginable intelligence in reading, matched by no other; even her
own teacher could not equal her intelligence.
Her special ability and unusual qualities became known throughout the
kingdom; even the king heard of her, and extended an invitation to her and her
family to meet with him. He offered them gifts and prayers, and gave her the
name of “Labdrön,” as the one born in the village of Labchi Kangra and already
called Drönma by her mother.
She was an extremely fast reader and mastered all aspects of Buddhist science, including logic, etc., without effort. When she was thirteen her mother
died; afterward she followed her sister as a disciple of Lama Drapa Ngönshe
and stayed for four years with him, learning the teachings and practice of the
sutra and tantra traditions, and reading the sutras for that lama.
Afterward she met Kyotön Sönam Lama, who bestowed on her the empowerments of all traditions. She received teachings, and both Lama Drapa
Ngönshe and Kyotön Sönam Lama foretold that she must unite with the
Indian mahasiddha Sangye Tönpa, who had come to Tibet to benefit sentient
beings; that she had the karma to unite method and wisdom and benefit
beings with him.
She met and practiced tantric union with the great mahasiddha [Sangye
Tönpa] and again returned to her two gurus, telling them what she had done
and requesting more teaching. Finally they sent her back to the yogi to continue with him, even saying that to start a family lineage with him would
greatly benefit sentient beings. So she followed her gurus’ instructions, went
life of machig labdrön : 13
back to him, and had two sons and a daughter. After having the daughter, she
completely renounced worldly life and practiced in isolated places. After that,
she met Dampa Sangye and requested all the teachings directly from him. He
foretold that she would greatly benefit beings and should go practice at the
mountain of Zangri Kamar; that many disciples would be gathered there, and
that it would greatly benefit sentient beings.
According to her gurus’ instructions, she meditated there and began to
teach many beings—humans, nonhumans, spirits, and nagas. She composed
her own tradition, Pungpo Sengyurma, “Offering the Body as Food for
Demons.” She developed this and taught it to many beings; then her tradition
flourished all over Tibet. She had many disciples; abbots, learned pandits, and
many yogis and yoginis became her students.
Her doctrine of Pungpo Sengyurma became popular all over Tibet, and
rumor of it even spread to India. Then pandits and mahasiddhas were sent to
verify that an emanation of Prajñaparamita had appeared in human form, had
developed a specific tradition, and was benefiting beings. Two accomplished
siddhas, both pandits and great beings, were sent to Tibet to meet Machig,
question her, and check her teachings. When they first spoke to her, Machig
replied in the Indian tongue. They asked her how she learned the language, and
she replied that she had no need to learn it; she had been born in India before
her present birth in Tibet, and had never forgotten it. This impressed the two
pandits; here was a great being who could change lives and yet not forget the
language.
They stayed and debated with her for many days concerning the Hinayana,
Mahayana, and Vajrayana points of view. The two great scholars could not
defeat her; she won the debate, and her teaching became popular not only in
Tibet but in Nepal and India as well. While the teachings of the Buddha had
been faithfully carried from India to Tibet and elsewhere, never before had any
tradition been transmitted from Tibet to India. Machig’s Chöd of Mahamudra
transmission was the first time in history that a valid source of Dharma went
from Tibet to India. Thus, such a great being, Machig Labdrön, was the first
lineage holder, and this unbroken lineage continues until the present guru, as
shown on the following pages.
Dampa Sangye by Gega Lama
? Lineages of Chöd
Lineage of the Sutra Tradition
3.R-=$?-o.-0,
(do lug gyü pa)
Buddha Shakyamuni
Maitripa
Asanga
Vasubandhu
Aryadeva
Dampa Sangye
etc.
Long Sutra Lineage
<A%-o.,
(ring gyü)
Prajñaparamita
Buddha Shakyamuni
Mañjushri (Mer.seng, “Lion of Speech”)
Green Tara
Sukhasiddhi
Aryadeva
Dampa Sangye
Kyotön Sönam Lama
Machig Labdrön
16 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Jetsün Zilnan
Gyalwa Döndrub
(Machig’s elder blood son)
Khugom Chökyi Senge
bKa’ bab bu chen bcu drug—the Sixteen Great Sons
of the Lineage of Descended Word—
and the 108 Lineage Holders
Labdül Dorje Drölma
Penchen Dönyö Dorje
Second Karmapa, Drubchen Karma Pakshi
Kyedrub Urgyenpa
Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje
Künga Namgyal
Karma Chagme
Long Lineage of the Mantra Tradition
}$?-=$?-<A%-o.,
(ngag lug ring gyü)
Prajñaparamita
Vajradhara
Buddha Shakyamuni
Mañjushri
Sukhasiddhi
Aryadeva
Dampa Sangye
lineages of chöd : 17
Father Lineage of Skillful Means
1-o.,
(pha gyü)
Buddha Shakyamuni
Rabjor
Kungao (Arhat Ananda)
Nagarjuna
Aryadeva
Mother Lineage of Wisdom
3-o.,
(ma gyü)
Prajñaparamita
Green Tara
Sukhasiddhi
Dampa Sangye
Machig Labdrön
Lineage of Absolute Meaning
.R/-IA-o.,
(dön gyi gyü)
Buddha Shakyamuni
Mañjushri
Green Tara
Machig Labdrön
18 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Close Lineage of the Mantra Tradition
}$?-=$?-*J-o.,
(ngag lug nye gyü)
Vajradhara
Green Tara
Machig Labdrön
Thönyön Samdrub
(Machig’s younger blood son)
Close Lineage of Lamas
*J-o.-]-3,
(nye gyü la ma)
Vajrayogini
Machig Labdrön
Kambu Yale
Drubchen Yeshe Barwa
Close Lineage of the Sutra Tradition
3.R-=$?-*J-o.,
(do lug nye gyü)
Gyalwa Döndrub
(Machig’s elder blood son)
Nyenjung Lotsawa
Drapa Harten
Kambu Yale
lineages of chöd : 19
Lineage of the Chöd Feast Offering
$&R.-5S$?-o.-0,
(chö tshog gyü pa)
Thönyön Samdrub
(Machig’s younger blood son)
Gangbu Muksang
(Machig’s heart son, who received the entire
Chöd lineage directly from Machig)
Kangpa Lhündrub
Drubchen Karma Pakshi
etc.
Lineage of Union
9%-:)$-o.-0,
(zung jug gyü pa)
Khugom Chökyi Senge
Sangye Nyentün
Sangye Tönpa
Khedrup Chöje
Shang Tönpa
Khyungpo Tsültrim Gyatso
Ritrö Rechen
Shangkar Ringyel
Sangye Palzang
Namkha Gyaltsen
Gyagom Leggyel
Semkyi Dödröl
Lhawang Dragpa
Künga Gyaltsen
Sangdag Drölwai Gön
Yeshe Gyatso
Lodö Namgyal
20 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Rinchen Nyamzhag
Yeshe Gyaltsen
Jinpai Tsenchen
Namgyal Döndrub
Tsewang Künkhyab
Thrinle Rabgye
Ösel Gyurme
Lodö Taye
Norbu Döndrub
Rangjung Künkhyab
Ngedön Chökyi Lodö
Lineage of Chöd Explanation
$&R.-:OA.-o.-0,
(chö thri gyü pa)
Togden Yeshe Barwa
Rangjung Dorje (Karmapa)
Yungtönpa
Rolpei Dorje (Karmapa)
Togden Kacho Wangpo
Dezhin Shekpa (Karmapa)
Ratnabhadra
Tongwa Dönden (Karmapa)
Jampal Zangpo
Sangye Nyenpa
Mikyö Dorje (Karmapa)
Künchog Yenlag
Wangchug Dorje (Karmapa)
Chökyi Wangchug
Künga Namgyal
Karma Chagme
(and continuing through the general Kagyü and Nyingma
lineages until the present guru)
lineages of chöd : 21
Terma Lineage
$+J<-$&R.-o.-0,
(ter chöyü pa)
Machig Labdrön
Tülku Labdül
Tsöndu Senge
Kambu Yale
Machig Labdrön
? Chöd Sadhana:
The Condensed Daily Practice of Offering the Body
by the Fourteenth Karmapa, Thekchok Dorje
G
lorious and precious Root Lama who sits on a lotus-moon seat on
the crown of my head, through your great kindness, having taken me as
your disciple, grant me the accomplishments of the body, speech, and mind of
the Buddhas. Great Dorje Chang, Tilopa, Naropa; Marpa, Mila, Gampopa,
Lord of Dharma; All-Knowing Karmapa, who understands the three times;
holders of the four great lineages and the eight lesser ones, Dri, Tak, Tsal, the
Glorious Drukpa, etc.; those who attained mastery in the profound path of
Mahamudra, the unequalled protectors of beings, the Dagpo Kagyüpas, to
you, Kagyü lamas, I pray: I am following your lineage; grant me your blessings
so that I may attain perfect liberation. It is taught that revulsion and nonattachment are the legs of meditation; to this meditator who has severed the ties
to this life, who is without desire for food or possessions, grant the blessing of
being indifferent to possessions and honors. It is taught that aspiration-devotion is the head of meditation; to this meditator, who continuously prays to
the Lama who opens the door to the treasure of oral instructions, grant your
blessing so that uncontrived aspiration-devotion may arise. It is taught that
nondistraction is the body of meditation. The nature of every thought that
arises is new; to this meditator who remains in thatness, without contrivance,
grant your blessing so that meditation may be free of intellectualization. It is
taught that the essence of thought is Dharmakaya. It is nothing and yet it
arises in all forms; to this meditator in whom unimpededness appears grant
your blessing so that the indivisibility of samsara and nirvana be realized.
Throughout all my births may I not be separated from the perfect guru and so
24 : chöd practice manual and commentary
enjoy the splendor of Dharma. Perfecting the virtues of the paths and bhumis,
may I speedily attain the state of Vajradhara.
Herein is contained the condensed daily practice
of offering the body.
If you wish to do the condensed daily practice of offering the body, etc., after visualizing the refuge object:
For the angry enemies of myself and others, for harmful obstructors, for obstacles cutting between [myself and my goal], for the Demon Lord of Death, for
place demons and body demons; first, my kind parents, and then all sentient
beings [in number] equal to the sky: may we obtain the state of the unsurpassable Great Mother (Prajñaparamita). Therefore, I will do this holy and profound practice, “Cutting Off Demons.” [Don’t be afraid. Don’t panic. Don’t
be very panicked. All beings, from the peak of samsara to the depths of hell, listen! Gather! Quickly gather!]
Here are refuge and generation of bodhicitta:
With the angry enemies of myself and others, with harmful obstructors, with
obstacles cutting between [myself and my goal], with the Demon Lord of
Death, with place demons and body demons; first, my kind parents, and then
all sentient beings [in number] equal to the sky: *we take refuge in the Lama;
we take refuge in the Buddha; we take refuge in the Dharma; we take refuge in
the Sangha. [Repeat three times from * .] We take refuge in the glorious lamas,
the siddhas of the Chöd lineage; we take refuge in the Mother Dakinis of the
three places; we take refuge in the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions; we take refuge in the Five Tathagatas; we take refuge in the three classes
of Protectors; we take refuge in the Lama with his retinue of Vajra dakinis; we
take refuge in the Kagyü lamas with their retinue of dakinis; we take refuge in
the kind Root Lama and his retinue of dakinis; we take refuge in the empty,
unborn Dharmakaya of our own mind. Grant us protection; may we enter your
holy refuge. I and all sentient beings depend upon the Buddha, depend upon
the condensed daily practice of offering the body : 25
the Dharma, depend upon the Sangha. May the bodies of sentient beings be
virtuous; may their speech be virtuous; may their mind be virtuous. May the
404 classes of disease be purified. May we be liberated from the ninety-one
instant obstacles. May the 360 coemergent demons do no harm. May the
eighty thousand types of obstructors be pacified in themselves, purified in
themselves, [made] empty in themselves. I prostrate to the Three Jewels. I take
refuge in the Three Jewels. I make offerings to the Three Jewels. I confess each
sin and nonvirtue. I rejoice in the virtue of beings. I hold the Buddha’s enlightenment [in my mind]. Until enlightenment I take refuge in the Buddha,
Dharma, and Sublime Assembly. In order to best accomplish benefit for myself
and others may I generate bodhicitta. After having given rise to this most
excellent mind of enlightenment I invite all beings as my guests. May I engage
in the most excellent, suitable enlightened conduct. May I accomplish enlightenment for the benefit of sentient beings. Just as the Protectors of the three
times have achieved certain, perfect enlightenment, may I generate this unsurpassable, holy enlightened mind. May I recollect these [things] that I have generated; may I fully grasp what I have generated. In the sky in front is the kind
Root Lama, inseparable from Machig Labkyi Drönma, with a body white in
color like a conch shell, one face, and two arms. The right [hand] beats a golden
damaru aloft; the left holds a silver-white bell at the side. Her three eyes gaze
into space. Her long hair is bound into a topknot tuft, with the remainder flying loose upon her back. Her naked body is adorned with bone and precious
ornaments. Her right foot is drawn up, with the left [foot] extended in the
dancing manner. She is surrounded by the lamas of the Kagyü lineage. On her
right is Dampa Sangye, surrounded by the lineage of the Father tantra of skillful means. On her left are the five Jetsün goddesses, surrounded by the lineage
of the Mother tantra of wisdom. Above [her head] is the Protector of the Doctrine [i.e., Buddha Shakyamuni], surrounded by the lineage of nondual meaning. Above his head is the Dharmakaya Great Mother, surrounded by the lamas
of the Chöd siddha lineage. Under Machig’s seat reside the gods and demons
of samsaric appearance, obedient gods, demonesses, the eight classes of disease demons, and debt collectors, assembled together in a manner of obedient
attendance. On the crown of the heads of those assembled deities is OM; at
their throats, AH; at their hearts, HUNG. From the HUNG in their hearts light
26 : chöd practice manual and commentary
rays emanate to the Dharmakaya palace of the Eastern Pure Land. All refuge
objects of the Chöd lineage, come here. BEDZRA SA MA DZA DZA HUNG
BAM HO They become inseparable.
Do the eight-limbed accumulation of merit:
To the Mother of the Victorious Ones, who is beyond all expression in speech
or thought, I prostrate. To the able one, the all-knowing excellent one of the
Shakya, I prostrate. To the one who benefited beings during seven lifetimes,
Dampa Sangye, I prostrate. To the nonhuman wisdom dakini, to the body of
Labdrön, I prostrate. To the father lamas who show the wisdom of self-awareness I prostrate. To the yidam deities who bestow true accomplishment I prostrate. To the Buddhas who have abandoned [nonvirtue] and realized [virtue],
and who have gathered the Three Wishes, I prostrate. To the Holy Dharma,
which pacifies and removes desire, I prostrate. To the Sangha, an advantageous
[object of] offering, I prostrate. To the one possessing youthful handsomeness, manner, and good qualities, to Mañjushri I prostrate. To the one truly
filled with compassion, to Chenrezig I prostrate. To the one who tames the
evil one through great power, to Vajrapani I prostrate. To the Dharma Protectors who subdue obstructors and wrongdoers I prostrate. Until the heart of
enlightenment is reached, I take refuge in all of you. I pray to all of you. I offer
the Five Desirables. I confess each sin and nonvirtue. I request that you turn
the Wheel of Dharma. I pray that your form will remain [in this world] and not
enter nirvana. I dedicate this virtue in order to benefit sentient beings.
Thus, with the visualization of continuous wisdom water to purify defilements, recite
the GATE mantra:
TEYATHA OM GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SOHA
Afterwards, according to the original meaning, from the heart of the body that is
absolutely pure, like crystal, emanate offering goddesses.
the condensed daily practice of offering the body : 27
Offer the mudra of the body, speech, mind, and qualities:
All forms appearing in the vast three thousand worlds I offer as the supreme
mudra of body; please grant the siddhi of unchanging form. All sound, and
sources of sound, appearing in the three thousand worlds I offer as the
supreme mudra of speech; please grant the siddhi of unimpeded speech. All
the mind’s discursive thought in the vast three thousand worlds I offer as the
supreme mudra of mind; please grant the siddhi of undeluded mind. All happiness and suffering in the vast three thousand worlds I offer as the mudra of
auspiciousness. If happy, I gather and dedicate all happiness; may all the sky be
pervaded by great bliss. If suffering, I will bear the suffering of all beings; may
the ocean of samsara’s suffering dry up.
PHAT
Then do the extended or condensed version of transference of consciousness, “Opening
the Door of the Sky.” Then meditate and visualize according to the source text for offering the body mandala. Afterward:
The skin becomes the golden earth; the fingernails, the surrounding iron
mountains; the head, Mount Meru, adorned with the two eyes, the sun and
moon; the four limbs, the four continents; etc. This perfect and complete body
mandala I offer to the assembly of lamas, yidams, and dakinis. Please accept
and grant your blessings.
Generously we give the three cycles of visualization of the White Feasts, and at the time
of the Red Feast the short invocation is called:
Homage to the gods and demons abiding in this desolate place, with myself as
the fortunate one to whom you show miracles. All gods and demons of samsaric existence, without exception: may you gather like clouds in the sky,
descend like rain in space, and whirl like a storm on the earth. I offer this body
to you assembled ones.
28 : chöd practice manual and commentary
This much or more:
I offer the six forms of outer bodily flesh; may I obtain the six perfections that
are the word [of the Buddha]. I offer the nine inner organs; may I obtain the
stages of the nine vehicles. I offer the five skandhas; may I obtain the body of
the five wisdoms. I offer this body to all of you who are assembled. Those in a
hurry, eat it raw. Those with leisure, eat it cooked. In a hurry or not, eat it happily, raw, cooked, or roasted. Those with a large stomach, eat your fill; those
with great strength, carry away whatever you can. As the lion enjoys his meat,
please accept this offering without first fruits or remainder.
PHAT
Do thus. Then, the condensed version of the complete lineage prayer:
I supplicate the lineage of the Father tantra of skillful means. I supplicate the lineage of the Mother tantra of wisdom. I supplicate the lineage of absolute nondual meaning. I supplicate the lineage of fortunate ones [who have tantric]
experience. I supplicate the lineage of siddhas of the Chöd. I supplicate the lineage of powerful Dharma Protectors. Grant your blessing to reverse my attachment to worldly activity, which is the appearance of delusion. Grant the blessing
of not clinging to the illusory body compounded of the four elements. Grant the
blessing of “one taste” toward the obstacles of interference and disease demons
[that cause] error. Grant the blessing to recognize my own face [i.e., true nature]
in the mind’s manifestations of transmigratory appearance. Grant me the blessing of freedom [to have the] spontaneous self-awareness of the three bodies.
May I and all sentient beings of the six realms, having abandoned all defilements
of the dualistic mindstream, attain full, unsurpassable enlightenment.
PHAT
Then do the three mergings and offer the body feast:
OM, to Machig I pray; AH, to Machig I pray; HUNG, to Machig I pray: grant
the blessing of the three syllables. By the blessing of the three syllables the sun
the condensed daily practice of offering the body : 29
and moon torma container melts completely into light. May this feast offering, which is a blazing heap of light, fulfill the minds of the Lama, yidams, dakinis, and Dharma Protectors. Having abandoned the thought of clinging to
self—this heap of flesh and blood, my body—grant the blessing of the three
syllables. This multiplies into inexhaustible nectar. I offer it to the kind Root
Lama. I offer it to the lamas of the inner and outer lineages. I offer it to the
assembly of wrathful and peaceful yidams. I offer it to the great Bodhisattvas,
pratyekabuddhas, and shravakas. I offer it to the guardians and protectors of
the doctrine and their consorts. I offer it to the millions and billions of messengers. I offer it to the powerful worldly protectors. I offer it to the arrogant
gods and ghosts. I offer it to the lord of the land of the thousand three thousand worlds. Especially, I offer it to the gods and demons of this place. I offer
it to the six classes of sentient beings. I offer it to the karmic debt collectors
since beginningless time. By the power of this immeasurable offering may the
Buddha’s doctrine increase and the Lama’s mind [i.e., intention] be fulfilled.
May the Three Jewels be pleased by this offering. May it fill the minds of the
oath-bound protectors. May the arrogant oath-bound ones maintain their
vows. May it satisfy the desires of the six realms. May it purify the debt we owe
to the debt collectors. May it completely sever the connection of blood feud.
May perfect Buddhahood be attained.
PHAT
Thus we do the altered version of the gift of the body set forth by the Third Karmapa,
Rangjung Dorje:
On a torma plate, which is a blazing skull-cup the size of the three worlds, is
the remainder torma, as large as Mount Meru. Build a pile of flesh, ignorance,
NYI LI LI; an ocean of blood, desire, ME RE RE; a heap of bones, anger, THRA
LA LA. Oath-bound dakinis of the retinue; eight classes of cannibals and gods
who are helpful friends; and the assemblies of eighty thousand classes of inner
and outer obstacles: take this great oath offering, which is the inconceivable
enjoyment of the five nectars. Please accomplish the activity that I, the yogi,
have entrusted to you.
30 : chöd practice manual and commentary
To those with the power to take the remainder, give the remainder. Then, the stage of
dedication and aspiration:
By the power of this great generosity may all sentient beings achieve self-arising Buddhahood. May the assembly of beings not liberated by the previous
Victorious Ones be liberated by all this generosity, which is like the treasury
of space. May they freely enjoy it without quarrel or harm.
Transcendent and incisive knowledge, inexpressible with speech or thought,
unborn, unceasing, of the very nature of space, province of the wisdom that
knows itself in each individual: may the auspiciousness of the mother/consort
of the Victorious Ones of the three times be present.
May there be the auspiciousness of the immovable mountainlike body [of the
Victorious Ones, Dharmakaya]; may there be the auspiciousness of the sixty
branches [i.e., melodies] of the speech [of the Victorious Ones, Sambhogakaya]; may there be the auspiciousness of the stainless mind, free from
extremes, [of the Victorious Ones, Nirmanakaya]; may there be the auspiciousness of the body, speech, and mind of the Victorious Ones. I dedicate to
the benefit of all sentient beings in the three worlds whatever roots of virtue
I have gathered in the three times: the root virtue of giving my body as an
offering; the root virtue of holding the gods and demons in my bodhicitta [i.e.,
enlightened motivation]; and whatever root virtues I have gathered during the
three times. Therefore, by depending upon the power of this dedication, may
troublesome gods, demons, etc. and the mindstream of sentient beings of the
three worlds, being cleansed of all karma, afflictions, and defilements, wholly
complete the six perfections. After attaining the wisdom of the unborn
Mother, may I obtain the stage of the all-pervading Dorje Chang, Lord of all
father families of all the Victorious Ones. Likewise, having reached that stage,
may I become a great expanse of benefit for all sentient beings, through various means, until samsara is empty. May the Chöd practitioner not view his
mind as evil, and cut off without exception self-aggrandizement. May I not
take pride in whatever good qualities arise in my mindstream. May I not cling
to whatever troublesome thoughts may arise. May this Holy Dharma, “Cut-
the condensed daily practice of offering the body : 31
ting Off Demons,” penetrate in every direction and throughout all time, like
the sun’s dawning rays in the sky.
PHAT
Thus said, think that all the guests depart to their own place, joyous and satisfied. The
deities of the field of assembly condense into oneself. Visualize oneself and all others in
the form of the Great Compassionate One, the essence of the union of emptiness and
compassion, sealed by the Three Circles. Recite the six syllables many times. One should
make aspiration prayers to ensure that all beings may attain the stage of liberation.
Sarva Mangalam.
Lord, whose white body is not clothed by a fault, whose head is adorned by a
perfect Buddha, who looks upon all beings with the eyes of compassion: to
you, Chenrezig, I prostrate.
OM MA NI PEME HUNG
By this merit, may I accomplish quickly the state of the Chöd, the Mahamudra, and establish all beings without exception at that level. Whoever came to
this generous offering, obstructors moving under the earth and whoever
remains on the earth, whoever moves above the earth: be pleased and return
all to your own place.
SARWA BHUTA GETTSHA
Glorious savior of the world and lord of longevity, who destroys, without
exception, [all conditions causing] untimely death, who is the source of refuge
for suffering [sentient beings] who lack protection: to you, Buddha Amitayus,
I bow down.
OM NA MO BHA GA WA TE A PA RI MI TA A YUR JYA NA SU BI NISH TSI
TA TE DZO RA DZA YA TA THA GA TA YA AR HA TE SAM NYAK SAM BUDDHA YA TE YA THA OM PUNYE PUNYE MA HA PUNYE A PA RI MI TA
32 : chöd practice manual and commentary
PUNYE A PA RI MI TA PUNYE JYA NA SAM BHA RO PA TSI TE
OM
SARWA SAM KA RA PA RI SHU DHA DHARMA TE GA GA NA SA MUTGA
TE SO BHA WA BI SHUD DHE MA HA NA YA PA RI WA RE SO HA OM A
MA RA NI DZI WENTI YE SO HA
Buddha, who perfectly achieved enlightenment by the power of generosity,
was a lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely achieves the power of generosity and may have long life. Buddha, who
perfectly achieved enlightenment by the power of morality, was a lion[like]
human being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely achieves
the power of morality and may have long life. Buddha, who perfectly
achieved enlightenment by the power of patience, was a lion[like] human
being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely achieves the power
of patience and may have long life. Buddha, who perfectly achieved enlightenment by the power of diligence, was a lion[like] human being. Whoever
enters the city of compassion completely achieves the power of diligence and
may have long life. Buddha, who perfectly achieved enlightenment by the
power of samadhi, was a lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of
compassion completely achieves the power of samadhi and may have long
life. Buddha, who perfectly achieved enlightenment by the power of transcendental wisdom, was a lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of
compassion completely achieves the power of transcendental wisdom and
may have long life. Giving generosity and keeping morality; meditating on
patience and striving for diligence. Through concentrating on stillness realizing the nature of mind [i.e., transcendental wisdom], may I right now have
blissful, auspicious good fortune. Extend my life beyond one hundred years;
may I see one hundred different kinds of holy objects. May I have joy and
bliss, long life without disease, and accumulate all favorable conditions. May
certainty arise in my mind towards the supreme vehicle. May I right now have
blissful, auspicious good fortune. May the glorious Lama live long, and may
happiness arise for all beings as vast as the sky. May I and all others gather the
accumulations and discard mental veils; then may we quickly be established
on the level of Buddhahood.
the condensed daily practice of offering the body : 33
(Abridged Dewachen Prayer)
E MA HO Wonderful Buddha of Limitless Light, and to his right the Lord of
Great Compassion, and to his left the Bodhisattva of Great Power, surrounded
by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas measureless in number: Joy and happiness without limit in this land called Dewachen. May I be born there as soon as I pass
from this life without taking birth anywhere else in the meantime. Having
been born there, may I see Amitabha’s face. May the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
of the ten directions give their blessing that this wish expressed in this prayer
be accomplished without hindrance.
TAYATHA PEN TSEN DRI YA AWA BODHA NI SOHA
If you wish to recite the long-life prayers for the lineage masters, you may do so here.
From the great all-good Dorje Chang down to my kind Root Lama, whatever
prayers have been made for the benefit of beings, may they all become fulfilled.
By this merit may we become omniscient; from this attainment, after defeating evil faults through the endless storm of birth, old age, sickness, and death,
may we liberate all beings from the suffering in the three worlds. I dedicate all
this merit that I may follow in the footsteps of the heroic Mañjushri who
knows, and those of Küntuzangpo, too. By this virtue may all beings perfect
the accumulations of merit and wisdom, and, arising from merit and wisdom,
obtain the two sacred bodies. By the blessing of the three bodies of the Buddhas being pleased, by the blessing of the truth of the Dharma itself being
unchanging, by the blessing of the wishes of the Sangha being unwavering,
may this dedication prayer be fulfilled.
Vairocana, the one who turns the Wheel of Dharma, has collected an ocean of
teachings—canonical teachings and revealed teachings [i.e., termas], sutras
and tantras—in the marvelous and perfectly compiled Five Great Treasuries.
May this tradition increase and flourish until the end of the cycle of existence.
Jamgön Kongtrul Lodö Taye
? Commentary to the Chöd Practice:
The Garden of All Joy
by Jamgön Kongtrül Lodö Taye
!, =?-3(R.-.A/-IA-9A/-VA?-3.R<-2#?-!/.$:A-*J.-5=-&J?-L-2-28$?-?R ?
lü chö jin gyi zin bri dor dü kün
gai kye tshel che ja wa zhug so
by Jamgön Kongtrül Lodö Taye
Herein is contained the condensed explanation of giving the body as an offering,
which is called “The Garden of All Joy.”
I
bow to the Lama and Prajñaparamita, the Great Mother. That which is
known as the Mahamudra of “Cutting Off the Object”1 is the wisdom view
of the Second Turning.2
By the Mantrayana conduct for training awareness associated with taking
on the unwanted and trampling the causes of evil; understanding gods and
demons as one’s own mind; and knowing the equality of self and others, egoclinging can instantly be cut. If one does not understand this and hopes to
tame demons for the sake of food, fame, or profit, and views one’s own illu1 gCod yul: Cutting off ego-clinging, which manifests as the four demons.
2 The Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma by Buddha Shakyamuni, concerning the teachings
on emptiness.
36 : chöd practice manual and commentary
sory appearance as the enemy, then by counting HUNG HUNG PHAT PHAT
one engages in rough, superficial conduct. Known as the “reversal of Chöd,”
it is a very frightful mistake on this path. From the start, one’s mind should be
pointed in an unmistaken direction.
Among a great many well-known [Chöd] traditions of the Old and New
Schools, the Surmang tradition is respected for its descended word3 and is
especially superior because of its profound and extensive oral instructions,
undiminished continuity, confidence due to realization and familiarity,4 and
uninterrupted blessing of speech.
The visualization concerning the feast offering, etc. in this tradition may be
clarified elsewhere.
During the daily practice of giving the body, the preliminary practice
includes five sections: generating bodhi mind, taking refuge, gathering the
accumulations, clearing away obscurations, and making offerings.
The actual practice consists of five sections: the transference of consciousness (phowa), body mandala, the three cycles of white feasts condensed into
one, the red feasts condensed into one, and the ganachakra [i.e., feast offering].
The concluding stage of practice consists of three sections: dedication
prayers, the dissolving stage, and carrying on the path. Altogether this Chöd
practice is roughly complete in thirteen divisions.
Preliminary Stage of Practice
Generating Bodhicitta (Enlightened Mind)
?J3?-*J., (sem kye)
So, at this time, first generate mind5 toward substantial torturing enemies;
formless harmful obstructors; ones who cause interference by acting contrary
to [one’s] wishes; karmic obstructors, who are the four demons6 born of
coemergent ignorance; the demon Lord of Death, who snatches the source of
3 bKa’ bab: Oral instructions and commitments passed down from lama to student in the lineage.
4 Realization obtained through Chöd practice and particular familiarity with it—a special emphasis in the Surmang lineage.
5 Generate bodhicitta.
6 Chöd tradition: Demon of Unimpededness (Thogs bcas kyi bdud); Demon of Impededness (Thogs med
kyi bdud); Demon of Aggrandizement (dGa’ spro’i bdud); Demon of Ego-Clinging (sNyems byed kyi
bdud). Sutra tradition: Demon of the Aggregates (Phung po’i bdud); Demon of the “Son of the Deity”
(lHa’i bu’i bdud); The Lord of Death (’Chi bdag gi bdud); Demon of Affliction (Nyon mongs pa’i bdud ).
commentary to the chöd practice : 37
life; place demons and resident demons,7 which are the gods and demons of
this desolate place; and principally those body demons associated with the
gathering of these three: liquid, particle, and wind—held since the accomplishment of this body, itself the body of the three poisons flourishing equally.
Mainly for the sake of establishing, by myself alone, all mother and father
sentient beings in measure filling the sky in the stage of the Dharmakaya Great
Mother, I will perform the practice of Mahamudra—cutting off—and hold
from beginning to end the motivation of enlightened mind.
Taking Refuge
*2?-:PR, (kyab dro)
Secondly, take refuge. First, gather the guests:
When hitting the mouthpiece of the thighbone trumpet three times the
sound says MA JIG SHIG (“Don’t be afraid”); MA NGANG SHIG (“Don’t
panic”); and SHIN TU MA NGANG SHIG (“Don’t be very panicked”).
When blowing three times the sound says, first, NYÖN CHIG (“Listen”);
secondly, DÜ SHIG (“Gather”); and thirdly, NYUR DU DÜ SHIG (“Quickly
gather”).
Meditate that by hearing “Quickly gather,” from the peak of samsara to the
deepest hell a crowd of beings gathers like mist covering a great mountain. The
objects of refuge at this time are of the abbreviated tradition [i.e., the condensed Chöd text].
In the sky in front, on a lion throne with lotus and moon seat, is the Great
Mother, gold in color with four arms. The first two are in the earth-touching
mudra and the mudra of equipoise; the lower right [hand holds a] dorje; the left,
a volume. Possessing the perfect Sambhogakaya ornaments, [she is] surrounded
by a retinue of the Victorious Ones of the ten directions with their sons.
In front, headed by angry enemies, harmful obstructors, etc., are all sentient
beings, sincerely devoted in body with palms pressed together; devoted in
speech, reciting refuge; and devoted in mind, with one-pointed yearning and
respect.
Think of taking refuge. Having recited the refuge prayer (“From now until
7 gNas gdon sdod gnas: Demons who remain at a specific location, and other demons who reside
with the individual wherever (s)he may go or stay.
38 : chöd practice manual and commentary
enlightenment, I take refuge and completely surrender to you who knows
what is to be done,” etc.) three times, aspire to virtue and take the vow of generating enlightened mind while offering the five branches, and practice in a
way motivated by the earlier pledge: “Like the previous Victorious Ones who
generated enlightened mind and practiced the three forms of morality, I too
will generate this mind and do this practice.” Supplicate forcefully.
Accumulation of Merit
5S$?-2?$?,
(tshog sag)
Third, clearly visualize the field of assembly and gather the accumulations.
Here meditate on the five refuge objects stacked up according to the medium
[-length] tradition.
In space in front, from TRAM & appears a precious celestial palace. In the
Q
center is the syllable PAM
0& from [which comes] a lotus; from MA 3 atop the
=, a moon disk. Above [these] four stacked
lotus [comes] a sun disk; from AH
>
seats is a white HUNG , which melts into light; from this appears Machig.
Above [her] right ear, on a lotus and moon seat, is Padampa [i.e., Dampa
Sangye]. Above the left ear, on a lotus and sun seat [with a] corpse, are the five
deities of Vajravarahi.
Above Machig’s head is the Teacher Shakyamuni. To the right of that are the
Buddhas; behind, the Holy Dharma; to the left, the sangha. Above [Buddha
Shakyamuni’s] head is Vairocana, surrounded in the four directions by the four
Buddha families, with Green Tara in front. The Surmang tradition is to meditate that another Vairocana, “Ocean of Snow,” is behind. Continuing the venerable word of the All-Knowing Great One, meditate that [this] Vairocana is
replaced with Prajñaparamita.
They reside on a lion throne and lotus and moon seat, surrounded by the
Father lineage, the Mother lineage, nondual lineages, and so forth, each surrounded by their own retinue, with the dakas and dakinis outside. Between are
the Father and Mother lineages of the Dharma Protectors. Beneath Machig’s
seat are the guests of the Protectors of Qualities8—the Seventy Glorious Brahmin Lords, worldly protectors, etc.; the guests of the family of obstructors
who collect karmic debts—the eight classes of gods and cannibal demons; the
8 Those who possess the high qualities of enlightened beings, and also protect the qualities of
enlightenment in others.
commentary to the chöd practice : 39
lords of [karmic] debt and vicious revenge;9 and the six types of guests of compassion—gods, jealous gods, etc. Visualize that these beings abide there with
great devotion of the three doors.10
Light radiates from the three syllables at the three places of each of the deities. Meditate that instantly the guests [i.e., wisdom beings] are invoked, each
dissolving into each [of the samaya beings]. Having emanated bodies numerous as the dust of the fields, I and all sentient beings prostrate, etc. Joining
recitation and visualization in this way, offer the general Seven-Branch Prayer.
9 Sha ’khon gyi bdag po: “Lords of vicious revenge”: a more violent and vengeful class of karmic
debtors, whom one has severely harmed in the past.
10 Body, speech, and mind.
40 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 41
Clearing Away Obscurations
1A2-.R%?-;J-8J?-(-o/, (drib jong ye she chu gyün)
Fourth, the purification of obscurations by the continuous flow of wisdom
water:
>
In Machig’s heart on a lotus and moon seat is a white HUNG . In front
begins the GATE
$-+J mantra rosary, arranged with the letters facing inward;
from that, light radiates.
By [the light rays] striking the field of assembly, blessings are gathered in
the form of the continuous flow of the water of compassion and dissolve
[back] into the mantra rosary. From that, rays of light and white nectar fall
continuously. After filling Machig’s body, nectar springs from the large toe of
her left foot and enters the crown of myself and all sentient beings. Think that
the sins, obscurations, faults, and downfalls accumulated since the cycle of
beginningless time, and all temporary disease demons and obstructors, wash
out from all sentient beings’ pores and lower orifices in the form of inky and
smoky liquid and dissolve into the powerful base of golden earth.
When performing the additional wrathful visualization for great demons,
underneath oneself is the Lord of Life and Death, with the face of a crocodile
and open mouth. The washed liquid of pleasing color, smell, taste, power, and
strength becomes the gathering of the Three Necessities and goes into his
mouth, purifying karmic debts and redeeming life. Meditate that, after possessing the enlightened attitude, he goes under the golden earth. This is called
“Pleasing the Black Hala.”
42 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 43
44 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Making Offerings
3(R.-:1=, (chö phül)
Fifth, offering the desirable:
Whatever forms appear in the worldly realms are all empty appearance, the
body of karmamudra; whatever sounds are made are the empty speech of dharmamudra; and the mind’s memory and thought are the empty awareness of the
mind of Mahamudra. All suffering and happiness are the primordially-existing
mudra of the symbols of auspiciousness.
To symbolize [this], offering to the field of assembly is the manner of supplication: One’s own body becomes clear as crystal and from the three places
come white goddesses of form [carrying] mirrors; red goddesses of sound
[with] guitars; and blue goddesses of mind [with the triangle of] dharma origination. After emanating many goddesses of no particular color11 holding the
mudras of the Five Desirables and the Auspicious Symbols, from the depth of
one’s heart visualize taking and sending—dedicating one’s own happiness and
virtue to sentient beings who pervade space and taking their sins, obscurations, and sufferings upon myself alone—a sacred, excellent offering that
pleases the Four Guests12 and becomes a perfect accumulation. Finally, relax in
the equipoise of the essence of the complete Three Circles.13
This completes the stages of accumulation and purification according to the
path of the general vehicle. The actual practice begins with the transference of
consciousness (phowa), “Opening the Door of the Sky.”
11 Kha dog ma nges pa: Goddesses of solid but different color (not variegated or multicolored).
12 The Rare and Excellent Guests Who Pacify Samsara: the Three Roots and Three Jewels (dKon
mchog srid zhu’i mgron); The Guests Who are the Protectors of Qualities: all classes of protectors
(mGon po yon tan gyi mgron); The Guests of Compassion: the beings of the six realms (Rigs drug snying rje’i mgron); The Guests of the Classes of Karmic Debtors and Obstructors: beings with whom
one is connected by karmic debt (gDon bgegs lan chags kyi mgron).
13 The gift, the giver, and the act of giving, which should be seen as empty of any substantial
reality.
commentary to the chöd practice : 45
46 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Actual Practice
Transference of Consciousness
:1R-2, (pho wa)
Those of lesser faculties should do the transference with symbol and support;14 those of mediocre faculties, the transference with symbol but without
support; and those of superior faculties, the transference with neither symbol
nor support.
The first of these three types of faculties has three [versions of transference]—extended, medium, and condensed. As for the extensive:
Lesser Faculty Transference
Extended Version
In the center of one’s own body is the main channel, white and clear, having
four characteristics.15 The upper part ends at the opening of the crown and the
lower part strikes the secret place; both ends have a hollow opening.
The white bindu from the father is under the right sole [of the foot] and the
red bindu from the mother is under the left sole, each about [the size of] a pea.
., the seed of hell; at the secret place,
TJ, yellow, hungry ghosts; at the navel, DA ?, gray, animals; at the
heart, NRI 5F , green, humans; at the throat, AH = , red, demigods; and at
the crown, OM <, white, the seed of the gods.
On top of these two is a black DU
TRE
Light radiates from those; the seeds causing the path of birth of myself and
all others into each of the six realms are gathered and dissolve, each into [its
respective symbol].
By saying PHAT
1D, the red and white bindus dissolve into the DU and
become two black bindus. The cause and effect of [suffering in the] hell
[realm] and the places and regions of suffering [therein] collect together and
dissolve into these two [bindus]. At [by saying] PHAT, the two bindus roll
14 Symbol is the visualized seed syllable and support is the visualized bindu.
15 Red inside (representing absolute bodhicitta); white outside (relative bodhicitta); very straight
(a direct path to enlightenment); and blocked below the secret place (the path to the lower realms
is blocked).
commentary to the chöd practice : 47
upward and dissolve at the TRE at the secret place, becoming [a single bindu]
the size of a hen’s new egg.16 [The cause and effect of suffering in the hungry
ghost realm and the places and regions of suffering therein dissolve into the
bindu.] At [by saying] PHAT, [the bindu then rolls upward to] the navel; [and
so on: at] PHAT, [the bindu rolls to] the heart; [at] PHAT, the throat; and [at]
PHAT, the crown; at each of those [utterances of] PHAT, [the bindu] ascends
[respectively through the realms of] the animals, humans, demigods, and gods.
The cause and effect of suffering and its places and regions [in each respective
realm] dissolve [into the bindu]. At each stage of ascension the bindu becomes
larger and clearer in color, finally having the nature of the five colors and the
size of a large hen’s egg, and dissolves into Machig’s heart. Rest the mind in
equipoise.
Medium Version
For the medium: As visualized earlier, the body is balloonlike and transparent,17 having the central channel and soles with bindus. Saying PHAT, the two
bindus merge into the secret place. Wind, bindu, and mind, these three merge
into a trembling essence. Each PHAT from the navel, etc., according to each
place ascends as before, finally dissolving into Machig’s heart. Do this during
the daily giving of the body.
Condensed Version
For the condensed: The lower end of the central channel strikes an eightpetalled lotus at the heart. At the center is the essence of consciousness, a
bindu having a white [outside] and red [inside] complexion. By saying PHAT,
[it] shoots like an arrow and dissolves into Machig’s heart. This is done at the
time of the later feasts.
16 The first egg laid in a hen’s lifetime, which is slightly smaller than the following eggs.
17 sTong ra: A general term in tantric visualizations for the body as hollow, balloonlike, and transparent, with the channels, etc. able to be seen from inside out and vice versa.
48 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Mediocre Faculty Transference
For the second [type of faculty]: thinking of merging space and awareness, by
saying PHAT transcend consciousness into the sky. Awareness is as pervasive
as the sky; wherever awareness pervades is pervaded by the Dharmakaya.
Relax the mind into great equipoise, the absolute Dharmakaya wisdom mind
commentary to the chöd practice : 49
of Machig—which is the daily practice endowed with continuous oral
instruction.
Superior Faculty Transference
For the third: All phenomena, condensed into samsara and nirvana, are none
other than self-aware bodhicitta. Those who are certain of the primordial nonbecoming of the three times—which is none other than the immensity of the
Mother, beyond thought and expression—should always remain in the
equipoise of the unchangeable wisdom mind, the clear emptiness which is the
essence of awareness.
This is “Opening the Door of the Sky,” the king of all transferences, the
meaning of the wisdom mind of the Mother; the actual, genuine Holy
Dharma; the final meaning of the doctrine of cutting off the object—the
demons.
To remain in this equanimity is to have reached the Dharmadhatu18 according to the extraordinary vehicle.
Body Mandala
=?-30=, (lü mandal)
Secondly, in connection with offering the body as mandala:
Enter the training of awareness associated with mantra, a branch of the
advantageous conduct of postmeditation.19
So, from Machig’s heart, one’s own mind emanates in the form of the red
letter HRI
ZA:, which becomes Vajrayogini. In her right hand is a hook knife
pointing at one’s own corpse. Having stripped the skin, the skin is spread out
and the [remaining portion of the] corpse heaped on top. The skin becomes
the base of golden earth; blood and pus, the ocean of scented water; the fingernails, the bordering iron mountains; the trunk, Mount Meru; and the four
limbs, the four continents and subcontinents.
18 La bzla ba (“crossing the mountain pass”): Reaching the ultimate stage of realizing Dharmadhatu.
19 rJes thob bogs ’don: Skillful conduct able to use all circumstances of ordinary life to advantage,
gaining merit and deepening one’s practice and realization.
50 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 51
The head becomes the god realm; the eyes, sun and moon; the heart, the
wish-fulfilling gem; and the inner organs, the Eight Auspicious Symbols,20 the
Seven Possessions of the King,21 the precious treasure, the Five Desirables,22
and so forth. All the Three Necessities23 are arranged with nothing lacking, in
measure boundless as the sky, like Küntuzangpo’s offering cloud; in duration,
until [the end of] samsara; and beyond number and measure. Think that by
offering this, myself and others—all sentient beings—completely accumulate
merit and purify obscurations. Afterwards, relax the mind in the essence of the
perfect Three Circles.
The Three Cycles of White Feasts Condensed into One
.!<-:IJ.-{R<-$?3-$&A$-+-#R3?, (kar gye kor sum chig tu dom)
Thirdly, at this time, from among the white feasts, do the “Three Cycles of
White Groups for Carrying the Path” (KAR TSHOG LAM KHYER KOR SUM),
also known as the “Four Guests” (DRÖN ZHI MA). Having done “Opening the
Door of the Sky”—extended or condensed, whichever is suitable—emanate
awareness as Vajrayogini, as before.
In front, from one’s heart [as Vajrayogini] emanates the syllable YAM
<&
;&,
from which comes wind; and from RAM , the fire mandala, upon which is a
self-arising tripod of three human heads like Mount Meru in size.
By merely pointing the hook knife, the skull of the corpse pops onto the tripod and becomes like the Three Worlds in size. By just pointing the tip of the
hook knife, the corpse is thrown [into the skull-cup]. By merely pointing the
hook knife, flesh and bone are chopped into bits.
From one’s heart [as Vajrayogini] emanate KHAM
HUNG
> stacked above the skull-cup.
#& and OM AT AH =
20 The precious parasol, the golden fish, the vase, the lotus, the white conch shell, the magnificent
knot, the banner of victory, and the golden wheel.
21 Symbols of the possessions of the Chakravartin (king of the universe), which are the precious
wheel, the precious wish-fulfilling gem, the earrings of the precious queen, the earrings of the precious minister, the tusks of the precious elephant, the horn of the precious unicorn or horse, and
the badge of the precious general.
22 Whatever may delight the five senses of taste, smell, hearing, touch, and sight.
23 Life, merit, strength, etc.—whatever may be required for favorable existence in samsara.
52 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Again light radiates, the wind moves, and the fire blazes. The flesh and bone
in the skull-cup melt into nectar and boil. From KHAM liquid falls continuously, washing away defects and faults. The three syllables radiate light, invoking the wisdom nectar blessing of the body, speech, and mind of the Victorious
Ones, which dissolves [into the skull-cup]. The three syllables melt into light
and dissolve. White, red, and blue—the three—merge and become an ocean of
nectar.
The steam produces various substantial offerings filling the realm of space.
The liquid becomes nectar having a hundred tastes. The residue becomes the
inconceivable enjoyment of the nine desirable qualities of the necessities.24
From oneself emanates a variety of offering goddesses filling space, who
offer a cloud of the nine ways of pleasing to the root and lineage lamas; to the
four classes of tantric yidams, the outer, inner, and secret offerings; to the
dakas and dakinis, the requisites of the ganachakra; to the pure family of the
glorious protectors, the substances that please them [i.e., interdependent, fulfillment, and accomplishment substances]; and to the family of obstructors
and debt collectors, the qualities that satisfy them. To the land spirits of the
Three Thousand25 [are given] incense offerings and other pleasing gift substances in homage; to the family of white nagas,26 naga medicine and the Three
Whites;27 and to the family of black nagas,28 an ocean of flesh and blood.
Offering to the six classes of beings whatever they desire, by this gift the
Four Guests are satisfied, the cycle of debt is closed, and enlightened mind is
born in their mindstream. Thinking that the suffering of the six realms is pacified and that they [i.e., the beings of the six realms] conduct the Dharma of liberation, repeat PHAT.
24
25
26
27
28
The classes of various pleasing qualities of anything required for favorable samsaric existence.
Three thousand world systems in the form realm.
Nagas who do not eat meat.
Cardamom, cloves, nutmeg; and milk, butter, and yogurt.
Meat-eating nagas.
commentary to the chöd practice : 53
54 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 55
56 : chöd practice manual and commentary
The Red Feasts Condensed into One
(mar gye chig tu dom)
.3<-:IJ.-$&A$-+-#R3?,
[Fourth,] in an instant the remaining nectar becomes a mountain of flesh, a
lake of blood, and a swampy mass of bone—brownish, swirling and greasy,
steaming—in essence, uncontaminated nectar. Think that in form it becomes
like the flesh of a seven-times-born Brahmin,29 which can pacify all afflictions
of mind and body in whomever sees, hears [about], or tastes it. Blow the thighbone trumpet three times.
Think that, led by the eight classes of obstructors, all debt collectors
attached to merit, power, and life; place demons; body demons, etc., gather.
[Recite] “Homage to those abiding in this desolate place,” etc. According to
the words and meaning, the debt collectors perceive a single instant as kalpas
and by reveling in the flesh and blood to their satisfaction, clear vengeful
karmic enemies30 and purify the debt collectors. Think that [all karmic] ripening is discontinued.
These two red and white feasts are the root of all. After this point, each [pair
of] red and white feasts are in no particular sequence but are suitable to add as
one wishes. At the time of the daily giving of the body, alternate them and finish [all combinations] in several nights.
Do the transference until one’s consciousness becomes Vajrayogini. To all
the rest [of the feasts] it is necessary to add [everything] up to this point, as
before.31
White Feast No. 2
(thö zhel ma) (“Face of the Skull”)
,R.-8=-3,
Skin the corpse and spread out the skin. Cut off three [limbs]—a leg and
arms—and erect them on the skin. This becomes a tripod of three human
heads. Put the skull on it. Inside is one’s body, chopped up. By stirring three
times with the hook knife, it becomes pure nectar. The blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions gather into the skull-cup in one’s
29 Flesh of a being born seven times as an ascetic Brahmin, which has miraculous qualities.
30 Sha ’khon: The same as “lords of vicious revenge.”
31 Before doing any of the additional feasts, one must add a complete phowa—up to the point of
one’s transformation into Vajrayogini.
commentary to the chöd practice : 57
left hand. Nectar overflows from one’s crown [as Vajrayogini] and dissolves
into the skull-cup in front, which becomes an ocean of inseparable wisdom
and samaya nectar.
From oneself [as Vajrayogini] emanate many white dakinis holding skullcups, who scoop [them into the main skull-cup in front]. Think that by [the
white dakinis] giving this, the Four Guests are pleased. [This is] THÖ ZHEL MA.
58 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Red Feast No. 2
3(R$-1<-3, (chog phur ma) (“Excellent Dagger”)
The four limbs of the corpse are severed by the hook knife and planted in the
four directions. Skin the skin and hang it [on the four limbs]; inside is a swirling
lake of flesh and blood. From one’s heart [as Vajrayogini] emanate four dakinis—white, yellow, red, and green—who grasp the four corners of the human
skin. Think that all are pleased. [This is] the red feast CHOG PHUR MA.
commentary to the chöd practice : 59
White Feast No. 3
2..-lA-23-:IJ.-3, (dü tsi bum gye ma) (“Feast of the Vase of Nectar”)
Again, from Machig’s heart, one’s consciousness emanates outward as the seed
syllable HA
@ and becomes a white dakini holding a hook knife in the right
hand and a vase filled with nectar in the left. By pouring the nectar from the
vase into the crown of the corpse, it fills up like milk in a stomach-skin sack.
By pointing the hook knife, it bursts apart, [making] the earth foundation as
pure as crystal. On it, [samaya] nectar pervades like an ocean from the peak of
samsara to the deepest hell. Draw the wisdom nectar [by invoking the heart
blessings of the lineage deities, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, etc.] and dissolve [it
into the samaya nectar]. From oneself emanate many white goddesses holding
vases who please the Four Guests. Think that a fresh skull-cup filled with flesh
is offered to the Dharma Protectors. [This is] DÜ TSI BUM GYE MA.
Red Feast No. 3
2!2?-0-$;%-$8A-3, (tab pa yang zhi ma) (“Gift of Human Skin”)
Again Vajrayogini, one’s awareness, spreads the skin on the earthen ground
and heaps the three—flesh, blood, and bones—upon it. The four activity dakinis make a gift [of this] to all the guests. [This is] TAB PA YANG ZHI MA.
White Feast No. 4
:.R.-;R/-s-3(R.-3,
(dö yön nga chö ma) (“Offering the Five Desirables”)
Again, the basic visualization is the THÖ ZHEL MA [i.e., White Feast No. 2].
The multicolored activity [dakinis], holding the various requisites of offering,
offer them to the guests. [This is] DÖ YÖN NGA CHÖ MA.
Red Feast No. 4
$9/-:IJ.-3, (zen gye ma) (“Feast of Food”)
Again, Vajrayogini chops up the corpse, which becomes a great ocean of flesh
and blood inside an infinitely vast and spacious skull-cup. From one’s body
emanate dakinis equal in number to the dust of Mount Meru. By giving to the
eight great obstructors, etc., think that they are satisfied, laughing cheerfully
and singing with delight. [This is] ZEN GYE MA.
60 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 61
62 : chöd practice manual and commentary
White Feast No. 5
<A$?-S$-$/?-!R%-3, (rig drug ne tong ma) (“Emptying the Six Realms”)
Again, as in the BUM GYE MA [i.e., White Feast No. 3], offering goddesses go
to each of the six realms, pleasing them and pacifying the suffering in each. By
the striking of the light rays, the realms of the six classes of beings are emptied. Meditate that the hell realm becomes NGÖN GA (“Realm of Supreme
commentary to the chöd practice : 63
Joy”); the hungry ghosts, DE WA CHEN (“Blissful Realm”); the animals, TUG
PO KÖ (“Realm of Thickly Arrayed Enjoyment”); the humans, PEL DANG DEN
PA (“Glorious Realm”); the demigods, LE RAB DZOG (“Realm of Fully Completed Action”); and the god realm, OG MIN CHÖ KYI YING (“Realm Above
All”), Dharmata. Think that they become such pure lands. [This is] RIG DRUG
NE TONG MA.
64 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Red Feast No. 5
2J3-2*<-3, (bem kyur ma) (“The Corpse Thrown As Food”)
Again, the corpse—great, with a shining complexion, looking beautiful and
delightful to the mind—becomes a gathering of attractive smell, taste, color,
power, and strength, filling the Three Worlds, and is eaten by god demons.32
Think that they eat with the sound of “Ha” [in a buzz of] “Di Ri Ri.” [This is]
BEM KYUR MA.
White Feast No. 6
O-:IJ.-3, (thra gye ma) (“Feast of a Variety”)
Again, Vajrayogini skins the corpse and spreads out the skin, drawing the form
of chessboard squares with the hook knife. Inside each square are the five
meats, the five nectars, and the Five Desirables; the substantial auspicious
symbols; the substances of support, fulfillment, and accomplishment;33 the
Three Whites and Three Sweets;34 nectar; flesh and blood; and human wealth,
cities, houses, and so forth, becoming whatever pleases the Four Guests. Think
that each is pleased by enjoying whatever he desires. [This is] THRA GYE MA.
Red Feast No. 6
2-./-3, (ba den ma) (“Banners”)
Again, oneself as Vajrayogini chops the corpse with the hook knife. In a swirling ocean of blood, bones are planted down like a throne. From the tip of the
bones, flesh becomes raised like banners. From these, flesh, bone, and blood—
those three—fall continuously. Think that all the demons and obstructors
enjoy for kalpas. [This is] BA DEN MA.
This finishes the pairs of red and white feasts.
32 Individuals who can possess qualities of gods or demons (e.g., when one is angry, one has
demonlike qualities; when one is happy, one has godlike qualities).
33 Substances of support—physical supports such as torma, thangkas, statues, etc.; substances of
fulfillment—nectar, pills, special stones, etc.; and substances of accomplishment—substances
which satisfy the minds of the deities (offerings, torma, etc.).
34 Milk, yogurt, and butter; and sugar, honey, and fruit essence.
commentary to the chöd practice : 65
66 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 67
Two Additional Red Feasts
For other red feasts:
\A%-28A-3,
(ling zhi ma) (“Four Continents”)
Vajrayogini severs the limbs of the corpse with the hook knife and throws
them to the four directions. Led by smell eaters, the Lord of Death, powerful
nagas, cannibal demons, etc. think that the demons eat, jostling. [This is] LING
ZHI MA.
68 : chöd practice manual and commentary
<R-:IJ.-3, (ro gye ma) (“Feast of the Corpse”)
Again, the corpse, in the form of dry, fresh, and old35 corpses—these three—
of children, elderly people, youths, etc., becomes equal to dust in number.
Think that the gods and demons enjoy each according to their own wishes.
These two are all right to add at the end of any kind of white feast above.
Two Additional Wrathful Red Feasts
<?-3$?-3,
(rü trug ma) (“Shaking [Meat off the] Bone”)
Again imagine one’s mind as the wrathful dakini, holding the corpse and
swinging it by the foot. Fragments of bone, flesh, and blood—these three—
are scattered widely and continuously enter the mouths of the demons. Think
that they are satisfied. [This is] RÜ TRUG MA, a slightly wrathful visualization.
hJ2-0-3, (deb pa ma) (“One Which Hits [the Mouths of Demons]”)
Again one’s mind is the wrathful dakini, holding the corpse by both feet and
carrying it into the sky. The gods and demons beneath proffer reddish mouths.
Think that [she] gives it [i.e., the corpse] by hitting them on the mouth [with
the corpse]. Or: the head of the corpse in front is cut off and becomes like a
great rock of molten bronze. By hitting the corpse on it, meat and blood splash
[with redness]; visualize the gods and demons eating it. [This is] DEB PA MA.
These two are rough, wrathful visualizations traditionally added when
doing the DÖN TSHOG GU MA (“Nine Assemblies of Demons”).36
Between, from the depths of one’s heart, with very forceful yearning, longing, and devotion, supplicate the lamas of the lineage, aspiring to stop selfclinging, hope, and doubt. Put [the mind] for an instant into the
nonconceptual Three Circles.
35 Rotten.
36 This is another ritual according to the tradition of Chöd that is not included in the sadhana
described in this commentary. It is applied in specific instances for people who are sick or suffering from severe mental disturbances.
commentary to the chöd practice : 69
Ganachakra (Feast Offering)
5S$?- (tshog)
Fifth, as for the activity stage of offering the aggregates of self and others as
ganachakra:
First, do what is called “Merging the Three Circles,” merging one’s awareness with others’ awareness and [then merging that with] the Dharmakaya.
One’s and others’ corpses then merge with the ganachakra. Visualize a lotus
skull37 with the outside white, the nature of the moon, and the inside red, the
nature of the sun. In the center is the body’s essence of the corpse as the substance of the ganachakra in the form of an upright golden vajra. In its center is
AH; at the tip, OM; and at the lower end it is marked with HUNG. Above that
is a moon lid. Visualize a sun seat underneath.
Light radiates from the letter OM in one’s [as Vajrayogini] forehead and
strikes the OM on Machig’s forehead. From that, rays of light radiate to all the
Buddhas and sons of the Victorious Ones of the [ten] directions and [three]
times, gathering all their body blessings condensed into the form of rays of
white light. These dissolve [into the OM on Machig’s forehead]. Immediately
rays of white light reissue [from Machig’s forehead] and strike the OM on the
vajra. By this, the moon lid and upper part of the vajra with OM melt into light,
filling the skull-cup with white nectar.
Similarly, [do] this with the red AH, condensing the speech blessings. The
middle part of the vajra melts into red nectar filling [the skull-cup]. The blue
HUNG gathers the mind blessings, melting the lower part of the vajra with the
sun seat into swirling blue nectar. The white, red, and blue nectar—these
three—merge into color, smell, taste, power, and strength, the gathering of
the Three Necessities. In essence it is wisdom nectar, and in form the outer,
inner, and secret ganachakra offering, having become immeasurable and inexhaustible.
From one’s heart as Vajrayogini, think that inconceivable offering goddesses emanate. To all, from my kind root lama down to all sentient beings of
the six realms, the gathering of all Four Guests, I offer whatever is not held by
37 dBang po me tog: A fresh skull, including the eyes, tongue, brain, ears, and nose, representing the
offering of whatever pleases the five senses.
70 : chöd practice manual and commentary
the self—worldly glory and prosperity—as the outer ganachakra; all that which
is held by the self—life, merit, might, and fortune—as the inner ganachakra;
and the joy of entering the union of male and female as the secret ganachakra.
With the mind in a nonreferential state, [beyond conceptualization of] the
Three Circles, offer the clear light of Mahamudra as a suchness feast offering,
which greatly pleases the guests, and becomes excellent; meditate that each
bestows siddhi accordingly.
At this time, for the visualization for specific demons, sick people, etc., add
the DÖN TSHOG GU MA here.38 Some traditions also have it as a daily practice.
The only difference is in the wrathful red feast; however, extra categories of
visualization are not needed. There are a few differences, especially in the
stages of visualization; see one of the extensive commentaries.39
38 See n. 36 above.
39 One of the detailed commentaries on various categories and teachings of Chöd, such as in the
text of Ma gcig rnam bshad, and by Chagme Rinpoche and other learned and accomplished scholars.
commentary to the chöd practice : 71
72 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 73
74 : chöd practice manual and commentary
commentary to the chöd practice : 75
76 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Remainder Offering (Branch of the Ganachakra)
z$-3, (hlag ma)
As for the branch of the activity of the ganachakra, the remainder offering:
Having done the body offering like that, the entire remainder becomes a skullcup as large as the Three Worlds with a mountain of flesh, a lake of blood, and
a swampy mass of bone inside. From oneself emanates a skeleton dakini who
has accepted the oath to consume the remainder. The family of forcefullywalking dakinis;40 the eight classes of gods and cannibal demons who have the
power to take [only] a remainder; those who have not arrived earlier or were
left out temporarily—after having pleased and satisfied these, who are humble
and powerless—then they are all joyful, glad and rejoicing. Meditate that they
promise to accomplish the activity.41
Concluding Stage of Practice
Dedication
}R-(R/, (ngo mön)
The first stage of the activity of the conclusion is dedication: “Following the
example of the previous Victorious Ones and their sons, I dedicate all virtue
accumulated by myself and others during the three times—and especially the
roots of virtue [obtained] at the time of giving the body—that all sentient
beings, having cut the bonds of arrogant self-clinging, may realize the wisdom
of the unborn mind of the Mother.”
Dissolving Stage
2#?-<A3, (dü rim)
Secondly, for the dissolving stage:
All objects of refuge, starting from the bottom and turning to the right, melt
into light and dissolve into Machig, who becomes about the size of a thumb,
radiating five[-colored] rays of light, and descends from one’s crown, resting
in the lotus position at the eight-petalled lotus of the heart. Think that the
heart lotus closes.
Or, at the time of the daily giving of the body, Machig [may also] become
rays of light about the size of a duck’s egg. Meditate that this dissolves through
the crown; that is the tradition.
40 A class of wrathful dakinis.
41 Promise to aid the activity of the practitioner.
commentary to the chöd practice : 77
Carrying on the Path
=3-HJ<, (lam khyer)
Third, carrying on the path:
Instantly visualize oneself as four-armed Chenrezig, the tamer of beings.
The gods, ghosts, and six classes of beings are prostrating, circumambulating,
respecting, and making devotions. From one’s heart emanate light rays by
which all males [become] Chenrezig and all females, Green Tara. Meditate that
78 : chöd practice manual and commentary
they recite the six syllables in a buzz and count the six syllables. Finally, meditate that they joyfully and gladly return to their own places. Abide in the wisdom view which is the uncontrived, primordial Mahamudra.
This is the gross [level] set of preliminary, actual, and conclusion [practices]
solely concerning the giving of the body.
In general, the preliminaries in regard to the genuine Holy Dharma concerned with cutting off the object—demons42— are: arousing the certainty of
samsara; driving impermanence into the heart; being assured of the infallibility of karmic cause and effect; [and, thinking of] the lack of leisure, turning the
mind toward the short [term]. [Such a person] takes refuge and generates
enlightened mind.
Having done the purification of obscurations and accumulation of merit,
and guru yoga [as is done in general], in the actual [practice] introduce the
meaning of the Mother and gather the four demons into space.
In the conclusion, in order to abide in the experience, practice the peaceful,
wrathful, and semiwrathful Chöd and, by this cause, enter the path of training.
That being so, in short: by giving the body and the activity of the
ganachakra—these two, which have extensive oral instruction on the preliminary and concluding parts—it is crucial to realize the actual practice in an incidental way.43 However, at this time it seems only that a majority of so-called
Chöd practitioners, not seizing the root, wish for the branches.
First, to introduce the meaning of the Mother, one needs to clarify muddy,
discursive thought by the oral instructions on focusing the mind.
With the body in the seven-point position of Vairocana; the speech as natural breath; and the mind having completely cut the fabrications of the three
times, put the mind into the cognition of sudden newness. If not abiding by
that, focus the mind on a golden dorje the size of a grain of barley—the essence
of Prajñaparamita—in front of oneself. If not abiding even by that, focus the
mind on the body of Shakyamuni. By fixing sinking and excitement if they
arise, faultless samadhi will be born in one’s mindstream.
By the cognition of looking inward, the essence of these three—the mover
42 The object to be cut off and destroyed is the ego, which manifests as the four demons.
43 If the preliminary and concluding parts of the practice are rightly understood and performed,
then the main practice will automatically bring true realization.
commentary to the chöd practice : 79
and abider; the appearance of object and concept; and the mover and one who
is aware—is not established as separate. It is without identity, yet able to give
rise to anything. The unimpeded experience of clarity and emptiness is
beyond speech and expression, absent of all fabrication, and has the character
of the sky; that is Prajñaparamita. This is the wisdom of the Victorious Ones
of the three times; do not ever move from this samadhi.
Secondly, to cut the four demons into space:
If one relies on external substantiality—form, etc.—which is “impededness,” and toward that discursive thoughts of attachment and aversion arise,
that is “demon.” If one falls under the sway of this, it is called “interference.”
So, whenever desire, anger, or resisting and accepting arise, at that instant say
“PHAT!” and take [the mind] into space. That is “cutting the demon of impededness.”
If your meditation does not fall under the sway of this discursive thought,
and becomes advantageous, that is sufficient measure of finishing stimulation.44 If thus, similarly [use the same method] with the other [of the four
demons].
Because one’s mind has not gathered self-power, then without any external
cause, the five poisons, joy and suffering, fear, threat, and concepts arise. This
is called the “demon of unimpededness.”
Clinging to oneself as good and having pride and conceit about signs of the
path, etc. is the “demon of aggrandizement.”
The ever-grasping self-clinging is the “demon of ego-clinging.”
Do not spoil the freshness of mindfulness [with these demons]. Do not slip
from the cognition of self-nature. If able to cut, without support, the grasping
to ego’s self-clinging and discursive thought by taking whatever arises into
space by “PHAT,” one becomes a complete and perfect Chöd practitioner,
excellently attained. Like that, in order to obtain the advantageous meditation
and view, do the subsequent conduct of white feast of the peaceful Chöd; red
feast of the wrathful Chöd; and varied feast of the semiwrathful Chöd, etc.
This is called the “fabricated Chöd.”
44 Tshar tshad: Having stopped the source of stimulating the poisons.
80 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Meditating alternately on loving-kindness and compassion, or merging
space with awareness, is called the “unfabricated Chöd.”
The sole meaning of the Prajñaparamita is to put the mind into equipoise.
This is the “very unfabricated Chöd.”
If one wants to practice all three, then it [i.e., the Chöd] will be complete
from head to foot. Even if [through] stimulation [one] sees the appearance of
god demons, or threat and fear in dreams, etc. with clinging, do not feel that
the latent stimulation45 arises in the mind. It is necessary to cut [it] on that very
seat, in a desolate place, but many cannot. It is a crucial point not to move the
body, not speak, not be under the sway of whatever arises in the mind, and by
“PHAT,” to take the mind into space.
Understand that it is necessary to cut evil discursive thought of the three
times, etc. into space. However, bound by the knot of clinging to the idea of
goodness, very many fall from deities into demons. If even yearning and devotion, compassion, the development stage with characteristics, the completion
stage, etc. are taken into space by “PHAT,” having increased the above virtues,
one comes very close to the excellent siddhi.
In short, the root of Chöd is not having hope and doubt. If under the sway
of other discursive thought, then one is bound by the four demons. The meaning of Prajñaparamita is to cut into space. If view is united with conduct, it is
excellent.
By the light of the virtue obtained by this, after having destroyed the net of concepts,
may the stage of the Mother
—unborn and absent of clinging—
be quickly obtained.
So said, I, Yönten Gyatso, unable to refuse the command of
Jamyang Khyentse—who is himself Prajñaparamita—
wrote [this] at the seat of Palpung.
May virtues increase.
45 sLongs tshad: Imaginary apparitions triggered by emotion, in dreams or while awake.
? Lü Jin (Chöd Sadhana)
=?-.A/,
!, .0=-w/-l-2:A-]-3-<A/-0R-(J, 2.$-$A-,A-2R<-0.-^:A-$.J/-28$?-=,
2!:-SA/-(J/-0R:C-|R-/?-eJ?-29%-!J, {-$?%-,$?-GA-.%R?-:P2-)R=-.$?R=,, ,hR-eJ-:(%-(J/-+J-=R-/-<R-.%, 3<-0-3A-=-(R?-eJ-|3-0R-0, .?-$?3>J?-L-!/-3HJ/-!k-0, (J-28A-(%-2o.-2o.-0-:6B/-i3?-.%, :VA-!$5=-$?3-.0=-w/-:V$-0-?R$?, 92-=3-K$-o-(J-=-3%:-2fJ?-0:A,
,3*3-3J.-:PR-3$R/-?$?-0R-2!:-2o.-=, $?R=-2-:.J2?-?R-2!:-2o.]-3-i3?, 2o.-0-:6B/-/R-i3-,<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, 8J/-=R$-|R3-IA-b%-0<$?%?-0-28A/, 9?-/R<-!/-=-($?-8J/-3J.-0-.%, 5K-:.A<-$.R?-,$-(R.0:A-|R3-(J/-=, fJ.-2!<-8J/-0-3J.-0<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, 3R?-$?-|R3-IA-3$R2R<-$?%?-0-28A/, 3/-%$-$+J<-|R-:LJ.-0:A-]-3-=, o/-.-$?R=-2:.J2?-0:A-|R3-(J/-=, 2&R?-3A/-3R?-$?-*J-2<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, ;J%?-3J.|R3-IA-.%R?-$8A<-$?%?-0-28A/, $%-><-gR$?-0:A-%R-2R-?R-3-.J, 3-2&R?-.J!<-:)R$-0:A-|R3-(J/-=, |R3-L-]R-.%-V=-2<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, i3-gR$-%R-2R-
82 : chöd practice manual and commentary
The Fourteenth Karmapa, Thekchok Dorje
lü jin (chöd sadhana) : 83
(R?-{<-$?%?-0-28A/, &A-;%-3-;A/-&A<-;%-:(<-2-=, 3-:$$?-<R=-0<:(<-2:A-|R3-(J/-=, :#R<-:.?-.LJ<-3J.-gR$?-0<-LA/-IA?-_R2?,, *J-2!/-+-;%-.$-]-3-.%, :V=-3J.-(R?-GA-.0=-=-=R%?-.R.-&A%, ?-.%-=3IA-;R/-+/-<2-mR$?-/?, hR-eJ-:(%-$A-$R-:1%-M<-,R2->R$ ,,
o/-HJ<-IA-=?-.A/-2#?-0-28$?-?R,,
!, ,o/-HJ<-?R$?-=?-,A/-2#?-0-LJ.-0<-3R-/, *2?-;=-$?=-2+2-/?, ,2.$-&$i3?-=-#%-2<-LJ.-0:A-.P, $/R.-0<-LJ.-0:A-2$J$?, 2<-.-$&R.-0:A-nJ/,
:(A-2.$-$A-2.., $/?-$.R/-=?-$.R/-SA/-&/-1-3?-,R$-S%?-/3-3#:.%-3*3- 0:A- ?J3?- &/- ,3?- &.- ]- /- 3J.- 0- ;3- (J/- 3R?- $R- :1%- ,R2- 0<- L,
.J:A-(J.-.-.3-0-2..-GA-$&R.-;=-92-3R-*3?-?-]%-2<-L:R, 3-:)A$?->A$ 3}%?->A$ >A/-+-3-}%?->A$ , ,3,R-2YA.-0:A-lJ-3R-(/-(.-/?-3-$/<-3J.-;/-(.-GA-?J3?-&/,3?-&.-*R/-&A$-:.?->A$-M<-.-:.?->A$,
*2?-:PR-?J3?-2*J.-/A, 2.$-&$-i3?-=-#%-2<-LJ.-0:A-.P, $/R.-0<LJ.-0:A-2$J$?, 2<-.-$&R.-0:A-nJ/, :(A-2.$-$A-2.., $/?-$.R/-=?$.R/- SA/- &/- 1- 3?- ,R$- S%?- /3- 3#:- .%- 3*3- 0:A- ?J3?- &/- ,3?- &.-]3-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, ?%?-o?-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, (R?-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, .$J:./-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, ,=/-$?3, 2!:-P2-,R2-$&R.-;=-o.-0:A-.0=-w/]-3-.3-0-i3?-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, 3-$/?-$?3-IA-3#:-:PR-i3?-=-*2?-
84 : chöd practice manual and commentary
?-3(A:R, KR$?-2&-/-28$?-0:A-?%?-o?-.%-L%-(2-?J3?-.0:-i3?-=*2?-?-3(A:R, <A$?-s:A-2.J-2<-$>J$?-0-i3?-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, <A$?$?3-IA-3$R/-0R-i3?-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, ]-3-hR-eJ-3#:-:PR-:#R<-.%-2&?0-i3?-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, 2!:-2o.-0:A-]-3-3#:-:PR-:#R<-.%-2&?-0i3?-=-*2?-?-3(A:R, SA/-&/-l-2:A-]-3-3#:-:PR-:#R<-.%-2&?-0-i3?=- *2?- ?- 3(A:R, <%- ?J3?-!R%- 0- *J- 2- 3J.- 0- (R?- GA-{- =- *2?- ?- 3(A:R,
2*2-+-$?R=, *2?-:R$-.3-0-/-(.-0<-36.-.-$?R=,2.$-$8/-?J3?&/-,3?-&.-?%?-o?-=-2gJ/-/R, (R?-=-2gJ/-/R, .$J-:./-=-2gJ/-/R,
?J3?-&/-i3?-GA-=?-.$J-2<-I<-&A$ , %$-.$J-2<-I<-&A$ , ;A.-.$J-2<I<-&A$ , /.-<A$?-28A-2o-l-28A-L%-2<-I<-&A$ , \R-2<-.$-2&-$R-$&A$=?-,<-2<-I<-&A$ , ;J-:PR$?-?3-2o-S$-&?-3A-5$?-0<-I<-&A$ ,
2$J$?-<A$?-!R%-U$-2o.-&-<%-?<-8A-2<-I<-&A$ , <%-?<-.$-0<-I<&A$ , <%-?<-!R%-0<-I<-&A$ , .!R/-3(R$-$?3-=-K$-:5=-=R, .!R/3(R$-$?3-=-*2?-?-3(A, .!R/-3(R$-$?3-=-3(R.-0-:2=, #A$-0-3A-.$J?R-?R<-2>$?, :PR-2:A-.$J-=-eJ?-;A-<%, ?%?-o?-L%-(2-;A.-GA?-$9%,
?%?-o?-(R?-.%-5S$-3(R$-=, L%-(2-2<-.-*2-?-(A, <%-$8/-.R/-/A-<2212-KA<, L%-(2-?J3?-/A-2*J.-0<-2IA, L%-(2-3(R$-$A-?J3-/A-2*J?2IA?-/?, ?J3?-&/-,3?-&.-2.$-$A?-3PR/-.-$*J<, L%-(2-2,R.-3(R$;A.-:R%-,.-0<-2IA, :PR-=-1/-KA<-?%?-o?-:P2-0<->R$ , )A-v<-.?$?3-3$R/-0R-i3?, ;%-.$-L%-(2-%J?-36.-0:A, L%-(2-?J3?-/A-]-/-3J.,
lü jin (chöd sadhana) : 85
.3-0-2.$-$A?-2*J.-0<-2IA, 2*J.-0-i3?-/A-S/-0<-2IA, S/-0-i3?-/A-o(J<-$9%, 3./-IA-/3-3#:A-$/?-?-SA/-&/-l-2:A-]-3-.%-3-$&A$-=2-GA1R/-3-,-..-3J.-0, {-3.R$-.!<-3R-.%-KA?-0:A-3.R$-&/, 8=-$&A$-K$$*A?, $;?-0?-$?J<-IA-D-3-<-/3-3#:-=-.NR=-2, $;R/-0?-.%=-.!<IA-SA=-2-.!<-2g/-0, ,/-$?3-2<-$%-=-$9A$?-0, .2-0-<=-0:A-,R<&R$-IJ/-.-2&A%?->A%-z$-3-{-o2-.-PR=-2, {-$&J<-2-=-<?-0-.%-<A/-0R(J:A-o/-IA?-2o/-0, 82?-$;?-2{3-$;R/-2n%-$A-$<-!2?-GA?-28$?0-=-2!:-o.-*3?-GA-2o.-0:A-]-3-i3?-GA?-2{R<-2, $;?-?-.3-0?%?-o?-=-1-o.-,2?-GA-2o.-0?-2{R<-2, $;R/-.-eJ-24/-3-z-s-=-3o.->J?-<2-GA-2o.-0?-2{R<-2, !J%-.-2!/-0:A-$4S-2R-=-$*A?-3J.-.R/-IA2o.-0?-2{R<-2, .J:A-.2-,R$-+-(R?-{-;3-(J/-3R-=-P2-,R2-$&R.-GA-2o.0:A-]-3-i3?-GA?-2{R<-/?-28$?-0, 3-$&A$-$./-:R$-+-$%-8A%-YA.-0:Az-:SJ-2!:-z-3-YA/-#J-2o.-/.-:SJ-=/-($?-GA-5S$?-.%-2&?-0-,3?-&.2!:-*/-.%-$?%-#R.-GA-5=-.-$/?-0, z-5S$?-.J-.$-$A-,A-2R<-AT, 3PA/0<-A: ,$?-!<->, ,$?-!:A->-=?-:R.-9J<-:UR?-0?-:R$-3A/-(R?-GA.LA%?- GA- 1R- V%- /?- $&R.- ;=- 2o.- 0:A- *2?- $/?- ,3?- &.-2#- ?- 3- 6:
6:>-2&-@R: $*A?-?-3J.-0<-I<,
&J?-.%, 5S$?-2?$?-;/-=$-2o.-0-L-!J, 5-2?3-2mR.-0:A-;=-=?-:.?, o=2:A-;3-=-K$-:5=-=R, >G:A-*J?-3(R$-,3?-&.-3HJ/, ,2-0-.J-=-K$:5=-=R, *J-2-2./-.-:PR-.R/-36., .3-0-.J-=-K$-:5=-=R, 3A-3A/-;J->J?-
86 : chöd practice manual and commentary
3#:-:PR-3, =2-1R/-{-=-K$-:5=-=R, <%-<A$-;J->J?-!R/-36.-0:A, 1-]-3i3?-=-K$-:5=-=R, .%R?-P2-%J?-0<-!J<-36.-0:A, ;A-.3-z-=-K$-:5==R, %%?-gR$?-1/-$?3-5S$?-0-;A, ?%?-o?-i3?-=-K$-:5=-=R, 8A-I<:.R.-($?-V=-2-;A, .3-(R?-i3?-=-K$-:5=-=R, $%-=-1=-2-.R/-;R.-0:A,
.$J-:./-i3?-=-K$-:5=-=R, $8R/-/:A-36K?-5=-;R/-+/-w/, :)3-0:A.L%?-=-K$-:5=-=R, ~A%-eJ?-%J?-0<-$%-2-;A, ,/-<?-$9A$?-=-K$:5=-=R, 3,-!R2?-(J/-0R?-$.$-0-:.=, hR-eJ-:6B/-=-K$-:5=-=R,
2$J$?-.%-=R$-:SJ/-:)R3?-36.-0, (R?-*R%-i3?-=-K$-:5=-=R, )A-YA.L%-(2-~A%-0R:C-2<, HJ.-i3?-=-/A-*2?-?-3(A, HJ.-i3?-=-/A-$?R=-2:.J2?, :.R.-;R/-s-;A-3(R.-0-:2=, #A$-0-3A-.$J-?R-?R<-2>$?, 2!:-(R?GA-:#R<-=R-2{R<-2<-2{=, {-M-%/-3A-:.:-28$?-$?R=-:.J2?, .$J-2?J3?-&/-IA-.R/-.-2}R,
,8J?-2eR., .J-/?-#A$-.R%-;J->J?-(-o/-IA-.3A$?-0-2&?, $-+J:A-}$?-2^, ,+H-,, <-$-+J-$-+J-0<-$-+J, 0-<-?)-$-+J, 2R-KA-J-@, .J-/?-$8%-.R/-v<-/, =?->J=-$R%-v<-;R%?-?-.$-0:A-,$?-!/?-3(R.-0:A-z-3R-3R?-=,
!R%-$?3-<2-:L3?-:)A$-gJ/,3?-&.-., $9$?-?-$%-2-,3?-&.-!/, {-3(R$-K$-o:A-3(R.-0-:2=,
{-:I<-2-3J.-0:A-.%R?-P2-)R=, !R%-$?3-<2-:L3?-:)A$-gJ/-,3?-&.-.,
{-$?%-,$?-;R/-+/-IA-K$-o:A-3(R.-0-:2=-2-/A,
lü jin (chöd sadhana) : 87
1-<-P$?-0-,3?-&.-!/, $?%-3(R$-K$-o:A-3(R.-0-:2=, $?%-:$$-03J.-0:A-.%R?-P2-)R=, !R%-$?3-<2-:L3?-:)A$-gJ/-,3?-&.-., ;A.-GAS/-gR$-,3?-&.-!/, ,$?-3(R$-K$-o:A-3(R.-0-:2=, ,$?-:O=-0-3J.0:A-.%R?-P2-)R=, !R%-$?3-<2-:L3?-:)A$-gJ/-,3?-&.-., 2.J-.%-#$2}=-,3?-&.-!/, 2N->A?-K$-o:A-3(R.-0-:2=, 2.J-/-2.J-2-5S$?-?2}R, 2.J-2-(J/-0R?-/3-3#:-H2-0<->R$ , #$-/-#$-2}=-2.$-$A?-#<,
:#R<-2-#$-2}=-IA-o-35S-{J3-0<->R$ , 1B ,
.J-/?-:1R-2-/3-3#:-|R-:LJ.-o?-2#?-$%-<%-L?-=, =?-3n=-.-:2=-2:A-.3A$?-0-28%-v<-
0$?-0-$?J<-IA-?-$8A-=, ?R<-362-t$?-<A?-2{R<-2:A.2?, 3$R-2R-#R-$9R3-<A-<2-=, 3A$-$*A?-*A-3-^-2?-2o/, wJ<-28A-\A%28A<-2&?-0-?R$?, =?-3n=-;R%?-?-mR$?-0-:.A, ]-3-;A-.3-3#:-:PR:A5S$?-=-:2=, LA/-IA?-2_2-KA<-28J?-?-$?R=,
$?=-2+2-/?,
,A/-$+R%-.!<-:IJ.-GA-.3A$?-0-{R<-$?3-.%, .3<-:IJ.-GA-{2?-?-:2R.-,%-.-P$?-0-/A,
/3R, $/?-$*/-?-:.A<-$/?-GA-z-:SJ-.%, {=-w/-2.$-=-(R-:U=-!R/-LJ.0:A, $%-8A%-YA.-0:A-z-:SJ-3-=?-!/, /3-3#:A-3A/-5S$?-28A/-.-:.?-=>R$ , 2<-$%-(<-0-28A/-.-2R2?-=->R$ , ?-$8A-_%-.3<-28A/-.-:52?=->R$ , HJ.-5S$?-i3?-=-=?-:.A-3(R.-0-:2=,
,&J?-0-43-33,
=?-KA->-$9$?-S$-$A-3(R.-0-:2=, 2!:-1-<R=-KA/-S$-,R2-
88 : chöd practice manual and commentary
0<->R$ , /%-(-2-.$:A-3(R.-0-:2=, ,J$-0-<A3-.$-,R2-0<->R$ , .2%-0Ri3?-s:A-3(R.-0-:2=, {-s-;J->J?-,R2-0<->R$ , HJ.-5S$?-i3?-=-=?:.A-3(R.-0-:2=, HR.-<A%?-0-i3?-GA?-_R/-0-9R, .=-2-i3?-GA?-5S?-=-9R,
<A%?-.%-3A-<A%?-LJ-V$-$A , 24S?-2YJ$?-_R/-0-$%-2.J<-9R, vR-2R-(J-i3?:P%?-5.-9R, >J.-0R-(J-i3?-H$-5.-#<, ?J%-$J->-=-<R=-0-28A/, 1.-z$3-3J.-0<-3(R.-0-28J?, 1B,
,&?-?R, ,.J-/?-2o.-0-;R%?-mR$?-GA-$?R=-:.J2?-2#?-0, 1-o.-,2?-GA-2o.-0-=$?R=-2-:.J2?, 3-o.->J?-<2-GA-2o.-0-=-$?R=-2-:.J2?, $*A?-3J.-.R/IA-2o.-0-=-$?R=-2-:.J2?, {=-w/-*3?-GA-2o.-0-=-$?R=-2-:.J2?,
P2-,R2-$&R.-GA-2o.-0-=-$?R=-2-:.J2?, !R2?-w/-(R?-*R%-$A-2o.-0-=$?R=-2-:.J2?, :O=-$%-:)A$-gJ/-IA-L-2-=, 8J/-0-=R$-0<-LA/-IA?-_R2?,
:L%-28A?-2#?-0:A-+-=?-=, $&J?-:6B/-V=-2<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, :$=nJ/-/.-$.R/-2<-(.-=, <R-~R3?-/?-0<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, $%-YA.-?J3?-GA-(R:U=-=, <%-%R->J?-0<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, <%-<A$-{-$?3-z/-P2-=, <%-.2%,R2-0<-LA/-IA?-_R2?, ,A<-2.$-.%-:PR-S$-?J3?-&/-i3?, o.-$*A?:6B/-IA-SA-3-!/-%%-/?, ]-3J.-L%-(2-,R2-0<->R$ , 1B,
,.J-/?-2YJ-2-$?3-L?-=, =?-5S$?-?-:2=-2-/, AT-3-$&A$-3-=-$?R=-2-:.J2?,
A:3-$&A$-3-=-$?R=-2-:.J2?, >-3-$&A$-3-=-$?R=-2-:.J2?, ;A-$J-$?3IA?-LA/-IA?-_R2?, ;A-$J-$?3-IA-LA/-_2?-GA?, $8R%-0-*A-^:A-$+R<-$8R%-.,
5S$?-G%-:R.-.-vJ3?-?J-8, :R.-1%-:2<-2:A-5S$?-3(R.-GA?, ]-3-;A-.3-
lü jin (chöd sadhana) : 89
3#:-:PR-.%, (R?-*R%-Y%-3:A-,$?-.3-2{%-I<-&A$ , ,&J?-LA/-IA-2_2?-=,
<%-=?->-O$-1%-0R-:.A, 2.$-+-:6B/-0:A-]R-%%?-/?, ;A-$J-$?3-IA?-LA/IA?-2_2?, 9$-3J.-2..-lA<-%J=-2-:.A?, SA/-&/-l-2:A-]-3-3(R., KA-/%o.-0:A-]-3-3(R., ;A-.3-8A-OR:A-z-5S$?-3(R., L%-?J3?-*/-<%-(J-i3?3(R., 2!/-Y%-3-3$R/-t)-S=-3(R., 1R-*-LJ-2-.%-K<-3(R., :)A$-gJ/-*R%2:A-3,-(J/-3(R., $%-YA.-z-:SJ-SJ$?-LJ.-3(R., !R%-$?3-!R%-$A-$8A-2.$3(R., H.-0<-:.A<-$/?-GA-z-:SJ-3(R., :PR-2-<A$?-S$-$A-?J3?-&/-3(R.,
,R$?-3J.-.?-GA-=/-($?-3(R., o-(J/-3(R.-0-:.A-;A-3,?, ?%?-o?-2!/0-.<-I<-&A$ , ]-3:A-,$?-.$R%?-mR$?-I<-&A$ , .!R/-3(R$-3(R.-0?3*J?-I<-&A$ , .3-&/-,$?-.3-{R%-I<-&A$ , SJ$?-&/-.3-=-$/?-I<&A$ <A$?-S$-:.R.-0-5B3-I<-&A$ , 2-=R/-=/-($?-L%-I<-&A$ >-:#R/:VJ=-,$-(R.-I<-&A$ , mR$?-0:A-?%?-o?-,R2-0<->R$ , 1B,
&J?-<%-L%-82?-GA-$?%-=?-.A/-=-#-2+<-2-:.A?-2!2-0-L, YA.-$?3-SQ-:2<-2:A$+R<-$8R%-., z$-3:A-$+R<-3-\A%-28A-<A-<2-43, $+A-3$->-;A-lA$-0-*A-=A=A, :.R.-($?-O$-$A-o-35S-3J-<J-<J, 8J-#%-<?-0:A-1%-0R-O-=-=, 2..-lA-i3s:A-=R%?-,R.-2?3-3A-H2, :#R<-.-$+R$?-0:A-D-!A-.3-&/-.%, #R%-PR$?LJ.- 0:A- z- YA/-#J- 2o.- .%, KA- /%- 2$J$?- <A$?-!R%- U$- 2o.- &:A- 5S$?,
2!:-;A-1-:22-o-(J/-:.A-=R%?-=, i=-:LR<-2&R=-2:A-UA/-=?-:P2-0<36S.,
90 : chöd practice manual and commentary
.A/-0-o-(J/-I<-0-:.A-;A3,?, :PR-2-i3?-/A-<%-L%-?%?-o?->R$ }R/-IA-o=-2-i3?-GA?-3-PR=2:A, *J-2:A-5S$?-i3?-.A/-0?-PR=-I<-&A$ , ,3?-&.-/3-3#:-36S.28A/-., =R%?-,R.-(.-0-3J.-0<->R$ , lR.-0-3J.-&A%-:5K-3J.-0<, <%-.2%.-/A-,R.-0<->R$ ,
5-2?3-2eR.-3J.->J?-<2-1-<R=-KA/, 3-2*J.-3A-$$?-/3-3#:A-%R-2R-*A., ?R?R-<%-<A$-;J->J?-,R.-;=-2, .?-$?)-o=-2:A-;3-GA-2N->A?->R$ ,, 3A-:I<z/-0R-{-;A-2N->A?->R$ ;/-=$-S$-2&-$?%-$A-2N->A?->R$ 3,:-VJ=-SA3J.-,$?-GA?-2N->A?->R$ o=-2:A-{-$?%-,$?-GA-2N->A?->R$ ,, 2.$$A?-=?-3(R.-,A/-L?-0:A-.$J-2:A-l-2-.%, 2.$-$A?-L%-(2-GA-?J3?-GA?-z:SJ-i3?-eJ?-?-29%-2:A-.$J-2:A-l-2-.%, $8/-;%-.?-$?3-.-2?$?-0:A.$J-2:A-l-2-)A-~J.-&A$-L?-0-.J-,3?-&.-z-:SJ-$.$-0-&/-=-?R$?-0:A-#3?$?3-?J3?-&/-IA-.R/-.-2}R-2<-2IA:R, .J-v<-2}R?-0:A-3,-=-2gJ/-/?-z:SJ-$.$-0-&/-=-?RB-0, #3?-$?3-?J3?-&/-IA-o.-=-;R.-0:A-=?-.%-*R/3R%?-0:A-#A$-1A2-,3?-&.-.$-/?-1-<R=-+-KA/-0-S$-;R%?-?-mR$?-0<-I<&A$ , *J-2-3J.-0-;3-IA-.$R%?-0-=-3%:-2fJ?-/?-o=-2-,3?-&.-GA-;2<A$?-i3?-!/-IA-2.$-0R-H2-.$-hR-eJ-:(%-$A-?-,R2-0<-I<-&A$ , .J-v-2:A-$R:1%- ,R2- /?- G%- UA/- =?- GA- |R- $- 5S$?- GA- |R- /?- :#R<- 2- 3- !R%- $A- 2<- .- :PR2:A-.R/-o-(J/-0R-:L%-2<-I<-&A$ , $&R.-;=-*3?-?-=J/-0:A-$%-9$-$A?,
<%-?J3?-2..-.-3A-v-2<, ~J3-,$-3-=?-(R.-0<->R$ 29%-0R:C-;R/-+/-&A&J?-z$-=-.2%-2-i3?-=-z$-3-LA/, .J-/?-2}R-(R/-IA-<A3-0-/A,
lü jin (chöd sadhana) : 91
L%-;%, .J-=-_R3?-?J3?-3J.-0<->R$ , %/-0:A-i3-gR$-&A-L%-;%, .J-=-~J3LJ.-3J.-0<->R$ , .3-(R?-2..-GA-$&R.-;=-:.A, 3#:-=-*A-3-><-2-v<,
KR$?-.-!/-+?-H2-0<->R$ , 1B,
&J?-2eR., 3PR/-i3?-.$:-3$-.%-w/-0?-<%-$/?-?-$>J$?-0<-2?3, 5S$?-8A%-$A-z-5S$?<%-=-2#, <%-$8/-,3?-&.-,$?-eJ-(J/-0R:C-{<-$?=-2:A-!R%-*A.-~A%-eJ-9%-:)$-$A-%%-=-HJ<?R-$?3-IA?-o?-$.2-&A%-;A$-S$-3%-.-2P%, :PR-!/-.J:A-$R-:1%-.2$?-.L%-2:A-(R/-=3-;%L:R,, ?j-3;-=),,
,)R-2R-*R/-IA?-3-$R?-{-3.R$-.!<, mR$?-?%?-o?-GA?-.2-=-2o/, ,$?eJ:A-,/-IA?-:PR-=-$9A$?, ,/-<?-$9A$?-=-K$-:5=-=R,, AT-3-EA-0EJ-> ,,
.$J-2-:.A-;A?-M<-.-2.$ , $&R.-;=-K$-o-(J/-0R-:P2-I<-/?, :PR-2$&A$-G%-3-=?-0, .J-;A-?-=-:$R.-0<->R$ ,, 3(R.-.A/-$/?-:.A<-$%z$?-0:A, :L%-0R-?-:R$-o-2-.%, $%-;%-?-!J%-:#R.-0-.%, ?-]<-o-2-$%;A/-0, 3$-2<-IA?-=-<%-$/?-?, ,3?-&.-,-..-:PR-2<-IA?, ?j-S-+$o ,,
:)A$-gJ/-:SJ/-0:A-$4S-2R-5K-.0$-3J., .?-3A/-:(A-2-3-=?-:)R3-0:A-.0=,
3$R/-3J.-#$-2}=-:I<-0-i3?-GA-*2?, ?%?-o?-5K-.0$-3J.-=-K$-5==R, ,AT-/-3R-S-$-7-+J, A-0-<A-3A-+-A-;-h-/-?-2A-/A-?A-+-+J-6S-<-6-;, +-,-$-+;, A-n+J-?)-Mn)-2:-;, +H-,, AT-03J-03J-3-@-03J, A-0-<A-3A-+-03J-A-0-<A-3A+-03J-x-/-?)-S-<R-0-4A-+J, AT-?j-?)-{-<-0-<A->-:-Kk-+J-$-$-/-?-3V-+J-J-S-7-
92 : chöd practice manual and commentary
2A->-:J-3-@-/-;-0-<A-7-<J-J-@, AT-A-3-<-EA-6B-7_A-;J-J-@,
.A/-0:A-!R2?-GA-?%?-o?-;%-.$-:1$?, 3A-;A-?J%-$J-.A/-0:A-!R2?-gR$?-+J,
~A%-eJ-&/-IA-PR%-HJ<-:)$-0-/, .A/-0-3,<-KA/-5K-;%-:1J=-2<->R$ , 5=OA3?-!R2?-GA-?%?-o?-;%-.$-:1$?, 3A-;A-?J%-$J-5=-OA3?-!R2?-gR$?-+J,
~A%-eJ-&/-IA-PR%-HJ<-:)$-0-/, 5=-OA3?-3,<-KA/-5K-;%-:1J=-2<->R$ ,
29R.-0:A-!R2?-GA-?%?-o?-;%-.$-:1$?, 3A-;A-?J%-$J-29R.-0:A-!R2?-gR$?+J, ~A%-eJ-&/-IA-PR%-HJ<-:)$-0-/, 29R.-0-3,<-KA/-5K-;%-:1J=-2<->R$ ,
2lR/-:P?-!R2?-GA-?%?-o?-;%-.$-:1$?, 3A-;A-?J%-$J-2lR/-:P?-!R2?gR$?-+J, ~A%-eJ-&/-IA-PR%-HJ<-:)$-0-/, 2lR/-:P?-3,<-KA/-5K-;%-:1J=2<->R$ , 2?3-$+/-!R2?-GA-?%?-o?-;%-.$-:1$?, 3A-;A-?J%-$J-2?3$+/-!R2?-gR$?-+J, ~A%-eJ-&/-IA-PR%-HJ<-:)$-0-/, 2?3-$+/-3,<-KA/-5K;%-:1J=-2<->R$ , >J?-<2-!R2?-GA-?%?-o?-;%-.$-:1$?, 3A-;A-?J%-$J>J?-<2-!R2?-gR$?-+J, ~A%-eJ-&/-IA-PR%-HJ<-:)$-0-/, >J?-<2-3,<-KA/-5K;%-:1J=-2<->R$ , .A/-0-$+R%-8A%-5=-OA3?-2Y%-2-.%, 29R.-0-2|R3-8A%2lR/-P?-l3-0-.%, 3*3?-0<-8$-&A%-$/?-=$?-gR$?-I<-/?, 2N->A?.J%-G%-.J%-:.A<-2.J-=J$?->R$ , =R-2o-,2-&A%-2gJ/-2o-3,R%-2-.%, 5K-<A%/.-3J.-2.J-2*J.-1/-$?3-5S$?, ,J$-0-3(R$-=-%J?-0-:L%-I<-&A$ , 2N>A?-.J%-G%-.J%-:.A<-2.J-=J$?->R$ ,, .0=-w/-]-3-82?-0.-2g/-0-.%,
3#:-3*3-;R%?-=-2.J-*A.-:L%-2-.%, 2.$-$8/-3-=?-5S$?-2?$?-1A2.%-/?, M<-.-?%?-o?-?-=-:$R.-0<->R$ , ,,
lü jin (chöd sadhana) : 93
!, (R/-=3-2#?-0-/A,
,AJ-3-@R; %R-35<-?%?-o?-$%-2-3,:-;?-.%; $;?-?-)R-2R-,$?-eJ-(J/-0R.%; $;R/-.-?J3?-.0:-3,-(J/-,R2-i3?-=; ?%?-o?-L%-?J3?-.0$-3J.:#R<-IA?-{R<; 2.J-*A.-%R-35<-.0$-+-3J.-0-;A; 2.J-2-&/-8J?-L-2:A-8A%#3?-.J<; 2.$-/A-:.A-/?-5K-:1R?-I<-3-,$; *J-2-$8/-IA-2<-3-(R.-0-<;
.J-<-*J-/?-$%-,:A-8=-3,R%->R$; .J-{.-2.$- $A?-(R/- =3- 2+2- 0- :.A;
KR$?-2&:A-?%?-o?-L%-?J3?-,3?-&.-GA?; $J$?-3J.-:P2-0<-LA/-IA?2_2-+-$?R=; +H,:0OjA-;-A-7-2R-K-/A-J-@;
,!/-29%-hR-eJ-:(%-(J/-3/-(.-/?, ,SA/-&/-l-2:A-]-3-;/-(.-GA?, ,:PR2:A-.R/-.-(R/-=3-$%-2+2-0, ,.J-.$-,3?-&.-2.$-$A?-:P2-0<->R$
,2?R.-/3?-:.A-;A?-,3?-&.-$9A$?-0-*A., ,,R2-/?-*J?-0:A-.P-i3?-13L?-/?, ,*J-c?-/-:(A-j-2_2?-:O$?-0-;A?, ,YA.-0:A-35S-=?-:PR-2-PR=2<->R$ ,:)3-.0=-.0:-2R-)A-v<-3HJ/-0-.%, ,!/-+-29%-0R-.J-;%-.J28A/-+J, ,.J-.$-!/-IA-eJ?-?-2.$-aR2-&A%, ,.$J-2-:.A-.$-,3?-&.-<2-+2}R, ,.$J-2-:.A-;A?-*J-2R-!/, ,2?R.-/3?-;J->J?-5S$?-mRR$?-!J, ,2?R./3?-;J->J?-=?-L%-2:A, ,.3-0-{-$*A?-,R2-0<->R$ ,?%?-o?-{-$?32fJ?-0:A-LA/-_2?-.%, ,(R?-*A.-3A-:I<-2.J/-0:A-LA/-_2?-.%, ,.$J-:./3A-KJ.-:./-0:A-LA/-_2?-GA?, ,)A-v<-2}R-2-(R/-=3-:P2-0<->R$, ,,
i3-0<-$%-36.-(R?-GA-:#R<-=R:C-2+<, 2!:-$+J<-3.R-}$?-2!/-0-o35S:C-?R$?, %R-35<-;R%?-mR$?-36S.-(J/-i3-s-;A?, 2!:-YR=-YA.-3,<$/?->A%-o?-:I<-&A$ , ,,
? Lü Jin
[Phonetic Rendering of the Tibetan]
PEL DEN TSA WAI LA MA RIN PO CHE DAG GI CHI WOR PE DAI DEN
ZHUG LA KA DRIN CHEN POI GO NE JE ZUNG TE KU SUNG THUG
KYI NGÖ DRUB TSÖL DU SÖL
DANG
DORJE CHANG CHEN TE LO NA RO
MAR PA MI LA CHÖ JE GAM PO PA
DU SUM SHE JA KÜN
KHYEN KAR MA PA CHE ZHI CHUNG GYE GYÜ PA DZIN NAM DANG
DRI TAG TSHEL SUM PEL DEN DRUG PA SOG
ZAB LAM CHAG GYA
CHE LA NGA NYE PAI NYAM ME DRO GÖN DAG PO KA GYÜ LA SÖL
WA DEB SO KA GYÜ LA MA NAM GYÜ PA DZIN NO NAM THAR JIN GYI
LOB ZHEN LOG GOM GYI KANG PAR SUNG PA ZHIN ZE NOR KÜN
LA CHAG ZHEN ME PA DANG
TSHE DIR DÖ THAG CHÖ PAI GOM
CHEN LA NYE KUR ZHEN PA ME PAR JIN GYI LOB MÖ GÜ GOM GYI
GO WOR SUNG PA ZHIN MEN NGAG TER GO JE PAI LA MA LA GYÜN
DU SÖL WA DEB PAI GOM CHEN LA CHÖ MIN MÖ GÜ KYE WAR JIN
GYI LOB YENG ME GOM GYI NGÖ ZHIR SUNG PA ZHIN GANG SHAR
TOG PAI NGO WO SO MA DE MA CHÖ DE KAR JOG PAI GOM CHEN LA
GOM JA LO DANG DREL WAR JIN GYI LOB NAM TOG NGO WO CHÖ
KUR SUNG PA ZHIN CHI YANG MA YIN CHIR YANG CHAR WA LA MA
GAG RÖL PAR CHAR WAI GOM CHEN LA KHOR DE YER ME TOG PAR
JIN GYI LOB
KYE WA KÜN TU YANG DAG LA MA DANG
DREL ME
CHÖ KYI PEL LA LONG JÖ CHING SA DANG LAM GYI YÖN TEN RAB
DZOG NE DOR JE CHANG GI GO PHANG NYUR THOB SHOG
DAG CHAG NAM LA DANG WAR JE PAI DRA NÖ PAR JE PAI GEG BAR
DU CHÖ PAI KYEN CHI DAG GI DÜ NE DÖN LÜ DÖN DRIN CHEN
96 : chöd practice manual and commentary
PHA ME THOG/ DRANG/ NAM KHA DANG NYAM PAI SEM CHEN
THAM CHE LA NA ME PA YUM CHEN MÖ GO PHANG THOB PAR JA
DE-I CHE DU DAM PA DÜ KYI CHÖ YÜL ZAB MO NYAM SU LANG WAR
JA-O [MA JIG SHIG MA NGANG SHIG SHIN TU MA NGANG SHIG THO SI
PAI TSE MO MEN CHE NE MA NAR ME YEN CHE KYI SEM CHEN THAM CHE
NYÖN CHIG DÜ SHIG NYUR DU DÜ SHIG]
DAG CHAG NAM LA DANG WAR JE PAI DRA NÖ PAR JE PAI GEG BAR
DU CHÖ PAI KYEN CHI DAG GI DÜ NE DÖN LÜ DÖN DRIN CHEN
PHA ME THOG/ DRANG/ NAM KHA DANG NYAM PAI SEM CHEN
THAM CHE * LA MA LA KYAB SU CHIO SANG GYE LA KYAB SU CHIO
CHÖ LA KYAB SU CHIO GEN DÜN LA KYAB SU CHIO [Repeat three times
from * ]. KA DRUB THOB CHÖ YÜL GYÜ PAI PEL DEN LA MA DAM PA
NAM LA KYAB SU CHIO MA NE SUM GYI KHAN DRO NAM LA KYAB
SU CHIO CHOG CHU NA ZHUG PAI SANG GYE DANG JANG CHUB
SEM PA NAM LA KYAB SU CHIO
RIG NGAI DE WAR SHEG PA NAM
LA KYAB SU CHIO RIG SUM GYI GÖN PO NAM LA KYAB SU CHIO LA
MA DOR JE KHAN DRO KHOR DANG CHE PA NAM LA KYAB SU CHIO
KA GYÜ PAI LA MA KHAN DRO KHOR DANG CHE PA NAM LA KYAB
SU CHIO DRIN CHEN TSA WAI LAMA KHAN DRO KHOR DANG CHE
PA NAM LA KYAB SU CHIO RANG SEM TONG PA KYE WA ME PA CHÖ
KYI KU LA KYAB SU CHIO KYAB TU SÖL KYAB OG DAM PA NA CHÜ
PAR DZE DU SÖL DAG ZHEN SEM CHEN THAM CHE SANG GYE LA
TEN NO CHÖ LA TEN NO GEN DÜN LA TEN NO SEM CHEN NAM
KYI LÜ GE WAR GYUR CHIG
NGAG GE WAR GYUR CHIG
YI GE
WAR GYUR CHIG NE RIG ZHI GYA TSA ZHI JANG WAR GYUR CHIG
LO BUR GU CHU GO CHIG LE THAR WAR GYUR CHIG
YE DROG
SUM GYA DRUG CHÜ MI TSHUG PAR GYUR CHIG GEG RIG TONG
THRAG GYE CHU RANG SAR ZHI WAR GYUR CHIG RANG SAR DAG
PAR GYUR CHIG RANG SAR TONG PAR GYUR CHIG KÖN CHOG
SUM LA CHAG TSHEL LO KÖN CHOG SUM LA KYAB SU CHI KÖN
CHOG SUM LA CHÖ PA BÜL DIG PA MI GE SO SOR SHAG DRO WAI
GE LA JE YI RANG SANG GYE JANG CHUB YI KYI ZUNG SANG GYE
CHÖ DANG TSHOG CHOG LA
JANG CHUB BAR DU KYAB SU CHI
lü jin (phonetic rendering of the tibetan) : 97
RANG ZHEN DÖN NI RAB DRUB CHIR
PAR GYI
JANG CHUB SEM NI KYE
JANG CHUB CHOG GI SEM NI KYE GYI NE
THAM CHE DAG GI DRÖN DU NYER
SEM CHEN
JANG CHUB CHÖ CHOG YI
ONG CHE PAR GYI DRO LA PHEN CHIR SANG GYE DRUB PAR SHOG
JI TAR DÜ SUM GÖN PO NAM YANG DAG JANG CHUB NGE DZE PAI
JANG CHUB SEM NI LA NA ME DAM PA DAG GI KYE PAR GYI KYE
PA NAM NI DREN PAR GYI
DREN PA NAM NI GYA CHER ZUNG
DÜN GYI NAM KHAI NE SU DRIN CHEN TSA WAI LA MA DANG MA
CHIG LAB KYI DRÖN MA THA DE ME PA KU DOG KAR MO DUNG
CHI PAI DOG CHEN ZHEL CHIG CHAG NYI YE PE SER GYI DA MA
RU NAM
KHA LA TRÖL WA
YÖN PE NGÜL KAR GYI DRIL BU KUR TEN PA
CHEN SUM BAR NANG LA ZIG PA Ü TRA REL PAI THOR CHOG GYEN
DU CHING SHING LHAG MA KU GYAB DU DRÖL WA KU CHER BU LA
RÜ PA DANG RIN PO CHE-I GYEN GYI GYEN PA ZHAB YE KUM YÖN
KYANG GI GAR TAB KYI ZHUG PA LA KA GYÜ NYAM KYI GYÜ PAI LA
MA NAM KYI KOR WA YE SU DAM PA SANG GYE LA PHA GYÜ THAB
KYI GYÜ PE KOR WA YÖN DU JE TSÜN MA LHA NGA LA MA GYÜ SHE
RAB KYI GYÜ PE KOR WA TENG DU TEN PAI TSO WO LA NYI ME DÖN
GYI GYÜ PE KOR WA
DE-I Ü THOG TU CHÖ KU YUM CHEN MO LA
DRUB THOB CHÖ KYI GYÜ PAI LA MA NAM KYI KOR NE ZHUG PA MA
CHIG DEN OG TU NANG ZHING SI PAI LHA DRE KA LHA MA SIN DE
GYE NE DRE LEN CHAG KYI TSHOG DANG CHE PA THAM CHE KA
NYEN DANG SUNG DÖ KYI TSHÜL DU NE PA LHA TSHOG DE DAG
GI CHI WOR OM
DRIN PAR AH
THUG KAR HUNG
THUG KAI
HUNG LE Ö ZER THRÖ PE OG MIN CHÖ KYI YING KYI PHO DRANG
NE CHÖ YÜL GYÜ PAI KYAB NE THAM CHE BEDZRA SA MA DZA DZA
HUNG BAM HO NYI SU ME PAR GYUR
MA SAM DZÖ PAI YÜL LE DE GYEL WAI YUM LA CHAG TSHEL LO SHA
KYAI KYE CHOG THAM CHE KHYEN THUB PA DE LA CHAG TSHEL
LO KYE WA DÜN DU DRO DÖN DZE DAM PA DE LA CHAG TSHEL
LO MI MIN YE SHE KHAN DRO MA LAB DRÖN KU LA CHAG TSHEL
98 : chöd practice manual and commentary
LO
RANG RIG YE SHE TÖN DZE PAI
PHA LA MA NAM LA CHAG
TSHEL LO NGÖ DRUB NGE PAR TER DZE PAI YI DAM LHA LA CHAG
TSHEL LO PANG TOG PHÜN SUM TSHOG PA YI SANG GYE NAM LA
CHAG TSHEL LO ZHI GYUR DÖ CHAG DREL WA YI DAM CHÖ NAM
LA CHAG TSHEL LO GANG LA PHÜL WA DÖN YÖ PAI GEN DÜN NAM
LA CHAG TSHEL LO ZHÖN NUI DZE TSHÜL YÖN TEN DEN JAM PAI
YANG LA CHAG TSHEL LO NYING JE NGE PAR GANG WA YI CHEN
RE ZIG LA CHAG TSHEL LO THU TOB CHEN PÖ DUG PA DÜL DOR
JE DZIN LA CHAG TSHEL LO
GEG DANG LOG DREN JOM DZE PA
CHÖ KYONG NAM LA CHAG TSHEL LO JI SI JANG CHUB NYING POI
WAR KHYE NAM LA NI KYAB SU CHI KHYE NAM LA NI SÖL WA DEB
DÖ YÖN NGA YI CHÖ PA BÜL DIG PA MI GE SO SOR SHAG KA CHÖ
KYI KHOR LO KOR WAR KÜL KU NYA NGEN MI DA ZHUG SÖL DEB
GE WA SEM CHEN GYI DÖN DU NGO
TEYATHA OM GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BHODHI SOHA
TONG SUM RAB JAM JIG TEN THAM CHE DU
ZUG SU NANG WA
THAM CHE KÜN KU CHOG CHAG GYAI CHÖ PA BÜL KU GYUR BA
ME PAI NGÖ DRUB TSÖL TONG SUM RAB JAM JIG TEN THAM CHE
DU
DRA RU DRAG PA THAM CHE KÜN
CHÖ PA BÜL
SUNG CHOG CHAG GYAI
SUNG GAG PA ME PAI NGÖ DRUB TSÖL
TONG SUM
RAB JAM JIG TEN THAM CHE DU YI KYI DREN TOG THAM CHE KÜN
THUG CHOG CHAG GYAI CHÖ PA BÜL THUG THRÜL PA ME PAI NGÖ
DRUB TSÖL TONG SUM RAB JAM JIG TEN THAM CHE DU DE DANG
DUG NGEL THAM CHE KÜN TA SHI CHAG GYAI CHÖ PA BÜL DE NA
DE WA TSHOG SU NGO
DE WA CHEN PÖ NAM KHA KHYAB PAR
SHOG DUG NA DUG NGEL DAG GI KHUR KHOR WA DUG NGEL GYI
GYA TSHO KEM PAR SHOG
PHAT
PAG PA SER GYI SA ZHI LA SOR DZUB CHAG RI KOR WAI Ü GO WO
KHO ZOM RI RAB LA MIG NYI NYI MA DA WE GYEN DER ZHI LING
lü jin (phonetic rendering of the tibetan) : 99
ZHIR CHE PA SOG LU MANDAL YONG SU DZOG PA DI LA MA YI DAM
KHAN DROI TSHOG LA BÜL JIN GYI LAB CHIR ZHE SU SÖL
NA MO NE NYEN SA DIR NE KYI LHA DRE DANG KEL DEN DAG LA
CHÖ THRÜL TÖN JE PAI NANG ZHING SI PAI LHA DRE MA LÜ KÜN
NAM KHAI TRIN TSHOG ZHIN DU DÜ LA SHOG
BAR NANG CHAR
PA ZHIN DU BOB LA SHOG SA ZHI LUNG MAR ZHIN DU TSHUB LA
SHOG KHYE TSHOG NAM LA LÜ DI CHÖ PA BÜL
LÜ CHI SHA ZUG DRUG GI CHÖ PA BÜL
KA PHA RÖL CHIN DRUG
THOB PAR SHOG NANG CHA BU GUI CHÖ PA BÜL THEG PA RIM GU
THOB PAR SHOG WANG PO NAM NGAI CHÖ PA BÜL KU NGA YE SHE
THOB PAR SHOG KHYE TSHOG NAM LA LÜ DI CHÖ PA BÜL KHYÖ
RING PA NAM KYI LÖN PA ZO DEL WA NAM KYI TSHÖ LA ZO RING
DANG MI RING JE DRAG GI TSÖ SEG LÖN PA GANG DER ZO TO WO
CHE NAM DRANG TSHE ZO SHE PO CHE NAM KHYAG TSHE KHUR
SENG GE SHA LA RÖL PA ZHIN PHÜ LHAG MA ME PAR CHÖ PA ZHE
PHAT
PHA GYÜ THAB KYI GYÜ PA LA SÖL WA DEB
GYÜ PA LA SÖL WA DEB
MA GYÜ SHE RAB KYI
NYI ME DÖN GYI GYÜ PA LA SÖL WA DEB
KEL DEN NYAM KYI GYÜ PA LA SÖL WA DEB DRUB THOB CHÖ KYI
GYÜ PA LA SÖL WA DEB TOB DEN CHÖ KYONG GI GYÜ PA LA SÖL WA
DEB
THRÜL NANG JIG TEN GYI JA WA LA ZHEN PA LOG PAR JIN
GYI LOB
JUNG ZHI DÜ PAI GYU LÜ LA CHE DZIN DREL WAR JIN
GYI LOB GEL KYEN NE DÖN BAR CHE LA RO NYOM NÜ PAR JIN GYI
LOB NANG SI SEM KYI CHO THRÜL LA RANG NGO SHE PAR JIN GYI
LOB RANG RIG KU SUM LHÜN DRUB LA RANG WANG THOB PAR
JIN GYI LOB
CHIR DAG DANG DRO DRUG SEM CHEN NAM
GYÜ
NYI DZIN GYI DRI MA KÜN PANG NE LA ME JANG CHUB THOB PAR
SHOG
PHAT
100 : chöd practice manual and commentary
OM MA CHIG MA LA SÖL WA DEB AH MA CHIG MA LA SÖL WA DEB
HUNG MA CHIG MA LA SÖL WA DEB YI GE SUM GYI JIN GYI LOB YI
GE SUM GYI JIN LAB KYI
ZHONG PA NYI DAI TOR ZHONG DU
TSHOG KYANG Ö DU TEM SE ZHU Ö PHUNG BAR WAI TSHOG CHÖ
KYI
LA MA YI DAM KHAN DRO DANG
THUG DAM KANG GYUR CHIG
CHÖ KYONG SUNG MAI
RANG LÜ SHA THRAG PHUNG PO
DI DAG TU DZIN PAI LO PANG NE YI GE SUM GYI JIN GYI LAB ZAG
ME DÜ TSIR PEL WA DI
DRIN CHEN TSA WAI LA MA CHÖ
NANG GYÜ PAI LA MA CHÖ
CHI
YI DAM ZHI THROI LHA TSHOG CHÖ
JANG SEM NYEN RANG CHE NAM CHÖ TEN SUNG MA GÖN CHAM
DREL CHÖ
PHO NYA JE WA DUNG CHUR CHÖ
JIG TEN KYONG
WAI THU CHEN CHÖ NANG SI LHA DRE DREG JE CHÖ TONG SUM
TONG GI ZHI DAG CHÖ KHYE PAR DIR NE KYI LHA DRE CHÖ DRO
WA RIG DRUG GI SEM CHEN CHÖ
THOG ME DÜ KYI LEN CHAG
CHÖ GYA CHEN CHÖ PA DI YI THÜ SANG GYE TEN PA DAR GYUR
CHIG
LA MAI THUG GONG DZOG GYUR CHIG
PE NYE GYUR CHIG
DAM CHEN THUG DAM KONG GYUR CHIG
DREG CHEN DAM LA NE GYUR CHIG
GYUR CHIG
KÖN CHOG CHÖ
RIG DRUG DÖ PA TSHIM
BU LÖN LEN CHAG JANG GYUR CHIG
DREL THAG CHÖ GYUR CHIG
SHA KHÖN
DZOG PAI SANG GYE THOB PAR
SHOG
PHAT
SI SUM BHENDZA BAR WAI TOR ZHONG DU
LHAG MAI TOR MA
LING ZHI RI RAB TSAM TI MUG SHA YI TSIG PA NYI LI LI DÖ CHAG
THRAG GI GYA TSHO ME RE RE ZHE DANG RÜ PAI PHUNG PO THRA
LA LA DÜ TSI NAM NGAI LONG CHÖ SAM MI KHYAB KHOR DU TOG
PAI DA KI DAM CHEN DANG
DONG DROG JE PAI LHA SIN DE GYE
DANG CHI NANG GEG RIG TONG THRAG GYE CHUI TSHOG KA YI
PHA BAB GYA CHEN DI LONG LA
NEL JOR CHÖL WAI THRIN LE
DRUB PAR DZÖ
JIN PA GYA CHEN GYUR PA DI YI THÜ DRO WA NAM NI RANG JUNG
lü jin (phonetic rendering of the tibetan) : 101
SANG GYE SHOG NGÖN GYI GYEL WA NAM KYI MA DRÖL WAI KYE
WAI TSHOG NAM JIN PE DRÖL GYUR CHIG
THAM CHE NAM KHA
DZÖ ZHIN DU LONG CHÖ CHE PA ME PAR SHOG TSÖ PA ME CHING
TSHE ME PAR RANG WANG DU NI CHÖ PAR SHOG MA SAM JÖ ME
SHE RAB PHA RÖL CHIN MA KYE MI GAG NAM KHAI NGO WO NYI
SO SO RANG RIG YE SHE CHÖ YÜL WA DÜ SUM GYEL WAI YUM KYI
TA SHI SHOG
MIN GYUR LHÜN PO KU YI TA SHI SHOG YEN LAG DRUG CHU SUNG
GI TA SHI SHOG THA DREL DRI ME THUG KYI TA SHI SHOG GYEL
WAI KU SUNG THUG KYI TA SHI SHOG
DAG GI LÜ CHÖ CHIN JE PAI GE WAI TSA WA DANG
DAG GI JANG
CHUB KYI SEM KYI LHA DRE NAM JE SU ZUNG WAI GE WAI TSA WA
DANG ZHEN YANG DÜ SUM DU SAG PAI GE WAI TSA WA JI NYE CHIG
JE PA DE THAM CHE LHA DRE DUG PA CHEN LA SOG PAI KHAM SUM
SEM CHEN GYI DÖN DU NGO WAR GYI-O DE TAR NGÖ PAI THU LA
TEN NE LHA DRE DUG PA CHEN LA SOG PA KHAM SUM SEM CHEN
GYI GYÜ LA YÖ PAI LE DANG NYÖN MONG PAI DIG DRIB THAM CHE
DAG NE PHA RÖL TU CHIN PA DRUG YONG SU DZOG PAR GYUR
CHIG KYE WA ME PA YUM GYI GONG PA LA NGA NYE NE GYEL WA
THAM CHE KYI YAB RIG NAM KÜN GYI DAG PO KHYAB DAG DOR JE
CHANG GI SA THOB PAR GYUR CHIG DE TA BUI GO PHANG THOB
NE KYANG THRIN LE KYI GO NA TSHOG KYI GO NE KHOR WA MA
TONG GI BAR DU DRO WAI DÖN GYA CHEN PO JUNG WAR GYUR
CHIG CHÖ YÜL NYAM SU LEN PAI GANG ZAG GI RANG SEM DÜ DU
MI TA WAR NYEM THAG MA LÜ CHÖ PAR SHOG ZANG POI YÖN TEN
CHI JUNG YANG
DE LA LOM SEM ME PAR SHOG
NGEN PAI NAM
TOG CHI JUNG YANG DE LA NYEM CHE ME PAR SHOG DAM CHÖ
DÜ KYI CHÖ YÜL DI KHA LA NYI MA SHAR WA TAR CHOG DU KÜN
TÜ KHYAB PAR SHOG
PHAT
102 : chöd practice manual and commentary
JO WO KYÖN GYI MA GÖ KU DOG KAR
GYEN
DZOG SANG GYE KYI Ü LA
THUG JEI CHEN GYI DRO LA ZIG
CHEN RE ZIG LA CHAG
TSHEL LO OM MA NI PEME HUNG
GE WA DI YI NYUR DU DAG
GYUR NE
CHÖ YÜL CHAG GYA CHEN PO DRUB
DRO WA CHIG KYANG MA LÜ PA
DE YI SA LA GÖ PAR
SHOG
CHÖ JIN NE DIR GANG LHAG PAI
JUNG PO SA OG GYU WA DANG
GANG YANG SA TENG KHÖ PA DANG SA LAR GYU WA GANG YIN PA
GU WAR GYI LA RANG NE SU
THAM CHE THA DE DRO WAR GYI
SARWA BHUTA GETTSHA
JIG TEN DREN PAI TSO WO TSHE PAG ME
DÜ MIN CHI WA MA LÜ
JOM PAI PEL GÖN ME DUG NGEL GYUR PA NAM KYI KYAB
SANG
GYE TSHE PAG ME LA CHAG TSHEL LO OM NA MO BHA GA WA TE A
PA RI MI TA A YUR JYA NA SU BI NISH TSI TA TE DZO RA DZA YA TA
THA GA TA YA AR HA TE SAM NYAK SAM BUDDHA YA TE YA THA OM
PUNYE PUNYE MA HA PUNYE A PA RI MI TA PUNYE A PA RI MI TA
PUNYE JYA NA SAM BHA RO PA TSI TE OM SARWA SAM KA RA PA RI
SHU DHA DHARMA TE GA GA NA SA MUTGA TE SO BHA WA BI SHUD
DHE MA HA NA YA PA RI WA RE SO HA OM A MA RA NI DZI WENTI YE
SO HA
JIN PAI TOB KYI SANG GYE YANG DAG PHAG MI YI SENG GE JIN PAI
TOB TOG TE NYING JE CHEN GYI DRONG KHYER JUG PA NA JIN PA
THAR CHIN TSHE YANG PHEL WAR SHOG TSHÜL THRIM TOB KYI
SANG GYE YANG DAG PHAG MI YI SENG GE TSHÜL THRIM TOB TOG
TE NYING JE CHEN GYI DRONG KHYER JUG PA NA TSHÜL THRIM
THAR CHIN TSHE YANG PHEL WAR SHOG
ZÖ PAI TOB KYI SANG
GYE YANG DAG PHAG MI YI SENG GE ZÖ PAI TOB TOG TE NYING
JE CHEN GYI DRONG KHYER JUG PA NA
ZÖ PA THAR CHIN TSHE
YANG PHEL WAR SHOG TSÖN DRÜ TOB KYI SANG GYE YANG DAG
PHAG MI YI SENG GE TSÖN DRÜ TOB TOG TE NYING JE CHEN GYI
lü jin (phonetic rendering of the tibetan) : 103
DRONG KHYER JUG PA NA
TSÖN DRÜ THAR CHIN TSHE YANG
PHEL WAR SHOG SAM TEN TOB KYI SANG GYE YANG DAG PHAG MI
YI SENG GE SAM TEN TOB TOG TE
KHYER JUG PA NA
NYING JE CHEN GYI DRONG
SAM TEN THAR CHIN TSHE YANG PHEL WAR
SHOG SHE RAB TOB KYI SANG GYE YANG DAG PHAG MI YI SENG
GE SHE RAB TOB TOG TE NYING JE CHEN GYI DRONG KHYER JUG
PA NA SHE RAB THAR CHIN TSHE YANG PHEL WAR SHOG JIN PA
TONG ZHING TSHÜL THRIM SUNG WA DANG ZÖ PA GOM ZHING
TSÖN DRÜ TSAM PA DANG NYAM PAR ZHAG CHING NE LUG TOG
GYUR NE TA SHI DENG KYANG DENG DIR DE LEG SHOG LO GYA
THUB CHING TEN GYA THONG WA DANG
KYE PHÜN SUM TSHOG
TSHE RING NE ME DE
THEG PA CHOG LA NGE PA JUNG GYUR
CHIG TA SHI DENG KYANG DENG DIR DE LEG SHOG PAL DEN LA
MA ZHAB PE TEN PA DANG KHA NYAM YONG LA DE KYI JUNG WA
DANG
DAG ZHEN MA LÜ TSHOG SAG DRIB JANG NE
NYUR DU
SANG GYE SA LA GÖ PAR SHOG
E MA HO NGO TSHAR SANG GYE NANG WA THA YE DANG YE SU JO
WO THUG JE CHEN PO DANG
YÖN DU SEM PA THU CHEN THOB
NAM LA SANG GYE JANG SEM PAG ME KHOR GYI KOR DE KYI NGO
TSHAR PAG TU ME PA YI
DE WA CHEN ZHE JA WAI ZHING KHAM
DER DAG NI DI NE TSHE PHÖ GYUR MA THAG KYE WA ZHEN GYI
BAR MA CHÖ PA RU DE RU KYE NE NANG THAI ZHEL THONG SHOG
DE KE DAG GI MÖN LAM TAB PA DI
CHOG CHUI SANG GYE JANG
SEM THAM CHE KYI GEG ME DRUB PAR JIN GYI LAB TU SÖL TA YA
THA PEN TSEN DRI YA A WA BO DHA NI SO HA
KÜN ZANG DOR JE CHANG CHEN MEN CHE NE
DRIN CHEN TSA
WAI LA MA YEN CHE KYI DRO WAI DÖN DU MÖN LAM GANG TAB PA
DE DAG THAM CHE DAG GI DRUB PAR SHOG SÖ NAM DI YI THAM
CHE ZIG PA NYI THOB NE NYE PAI DRA NAM PHAM JE NE KYE GE
NA CHI BA LAB THRUG PA YI
SI PAI TSHO LE DRO WA DRÖL WAR
SHOG JAM PEL PA WO JI TAR KHYEN PA DANG KÜN TU ZANG PO
DE YANG DE ZHIN TE DE DAG KÜN GYI JE SU DAG LOB CHING GE
104 : chöd practice manual and commentary
WA DI DAG THAM CHE RAB TU NGO GE WA DI YI KYE WO KÜN SÖ
NAM YE SHE TSHOG DZOG TE SÖ NAM YE SHE LE JUNG WAI DAM
PA KU NYI THOB PAR SHOG
SANG GYE KU SUM NYE PAI JIN LAB
DANG CHÖ NYI MIN GYUR DEN PAI JIN LAB DANG GEN DÜN MI
CHE DÜN PAI JIN LAB KYI
JI TAR NGO WA MÖN LAM DRUB PAR
SHOG
NAM PAR NANG DZE CHÖ KYI KHOR LOI GYUR KA TER DO NGAG
TEN PA GYA TSHOI SOG NGO TSHAR YONG DZOG DZÖ CHEN NAM
NGA YI KA SÖL SI THAR NE SHING GYE GYUR CHIG
!, o/-HJ<-=?-.A/-2#?-0-28$?-?R,,
Gyün Khyer Lü Jin Dü Pa Zhug So
G
lorious and precious Root Lama who sits on a lotus-moon seat on
the crown of my head, through your great kindness, having taken me
as your disciple, grant me the accomplishments of the body, speech, and
mind of the Buddhas. Great Dorje Chang, Tilopa, Naropa; Marpa, Mila,
Gampopa, Lord of Dharma; All-Knowing Karmapa, who understands the
three times; holders of the four great lineages and the eight lesser ones, Dri,
Tak, Tsal, the Glorious Drukpa, etc.; those who attained mastery in the profound path of Mahamudra, the unequalled protectors of beings, the Dagpo
Kagyüpas, to you, Kagyü lamas, I pray: I am following your lineage; grant
me your blessings so that I may attain perfect liberation. It is taught that
revulsion and nonattachment are the legs of meditation; to this meditator
who has severed the ties to this life, who is without desire for food or possessions, grant the blessing of being indifferent to possessions and honors. It
is taught that aspiration-devotion is the head of meditation; to this meditator,
who continuously prays to the Lama who opens the door to the treasure of
oral instructions, grant your blessing so that uncontrived aspiration-devotion
may arise. It is taught that nondistraction is the body of meditation. The
nature of every thought that arises is new; to this meditator who remains in
thatness, without contrivance, grant your blessing so that meditation may
be free of intellectualization. It is taught that the essence of thought is
Dharmakaya. It is nothing and yet it arises in all forms; to this meditator in
whom unimpededness appears grant your blessing so that the indivisibility
of samsara and nirvana be realized. Throughout all my births may I not be
separated from the perfect guru and so enjoy the splendor of Dharma. Per-
106 : chöd practice manual and commentary
fecting the virtues of the paths and bhumis, may I speedily attain the state
of Vajradhara.
Herein is contained the condensed daily practice
of offering the body.
If you wish to do the condensed daily practice of offering the body, etc., after visualizing the refuge object:
For the angry enemies of myself and others, for harmful obstructors, for obstacles cutting between [myself and my goal], for the Demon Lord of Death, for
place demons and body demons; first, my kind parents, and then all sentient
beings [in number] equal to the sky: may we obtain the state of the unsurpassable Great Mother (Prajñaparamita). Therefore, I will do this holy and profound practice, “Cutting Off Demons.” [Don’t be afraid. Don’t panic. Don’t
be very panicked. All beings, from the peak of samsara to the depths of hell, listen! Gather! Quickly gather!]
Here are refuge and generation of bodhicitta:
With the angry enemies of myself and others, with harmful obstructors, with
obstacles cutting between [myself and my goal], with the Demon Lord of
Death, with place demons and body demons; first, my kind parents, and then
all sentient beings [in number] equal to the sky: * we take refuge in the Lama;
we take refuge in the Buddha; we take refuge in the Dharma; we take refuge in
the Sangha. [Repeat three times from * .] We take refuge in the glorious lamas,
the siddhas of the Chöd lineage; we take refuge in the Mother Dakinis of the
three places; we take refuge in the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions; we take refuge in the Five Tathagatas; we take refuge in the three classes
of Protectors; we take refuge in the Lama with his retinue of Vajra dakinis; we
take refuge in the Kagyü lamas with their retinue of dakinis; we take refuge in
the kind Root Lama and his retinue of dakinis; we take refuge in the empty,
unborn Dharmakaya of our own mind. Grant us protection; may we enter your
holy refuge. I and all sentient beings depend upon the Buddha, depend upon
lü jin (english translation) : 107
the Dharma, depend upon the Sangha. May the bodies of sentient beings be
virtuous; may their speech be virtuous; may their mind be virtuous. May the
404 classes of disease be purified. May we be liberated from the ninety-one
instant obstacles. May the 360 coemergent demons do no harm. May the
eighty thousand types of obstructors be pacified in themselves, purified in
themselves, [made] empty in themselves. I prostrate to the Three Jewels. I take
refuge in the Three Jewels. I make offerings to the Three Jewels. I confess each
sin and nonvirtue. I rejoice in the virtue of beings. I hold the Buddha’s enlightenment [in my mind]. Until enlightenment I take refuge in the Buddha,
Dharma, and Sublime Assembly. In order to best accomplish benefit for myself
and others may I generate bodhicitta. After having given rise to this most
excellent mind of enlightenment I invite all beings as my guests. May I engage
in the most excellent, suitable enlightened conduct. May I accomplish enlightenment for the benefit of sentient beings. Just as the Protectors of the three
times have achieved certain, perfect enlightenment, may I generate this unsurpassable, holy enlightened mind. May I recollect these [things] that I have generated; may I fully grasp what I have generated. In the sky in front is the kind
Root Lama, inseparable from Machig Labkyi Drönma, with a body white in
color like a conch shell, one face, and two arms. The right [hand] beats a golden
damaru aloft; the left holds a silver-white bell at the side. Her three eyes gaze
into space. Her long hair is bound into a topknot tuft, with the remainder flying loose upon her back. Her naked body is adorned with bone and precious
ornaments. Her right foot is drawn up, with the left [foot] extended in the
dancing manner. She is surrounded by the lamas of the Kagyü lineage. On her
right is Dampa Sangye, surrounded by the lineage of the Father tantra of skillful means. On her left are the five Jetsün goddesses, surrounded by the lineage
of the Mother tantra of wisdom. Above [her head] is the Protector of the Doctrine [i.e., Buddha Shakyamuni], surrounded by the lineage of nondual meaning. Above his head is the Dharmakaya Great Mother, surrounded by the lamas
of the Chöd siddha lineage. Under Machig’s seat reside the gods and demons
of samsaric appearance, obedient gods, demonesses, the eight classes of disease demons, and debt collectors, assembled together in a manner of obedient
attendance. On the crown of the heads of those assembled deities is OM; at
their throats, AH; at their hearts, HUNG. From the HUNG in their hearts light
108 : chöd practice manual and commentary
rays emanate to the Dharmakaya palace of the Eastern Pure Land. All refuge
objects of the Chöd lineage, come here. BEDZRA SA MA DZA DZA HUNG
BAM HO They become inseparable.
Do the eight-limbed accumulation of merit:
To the Mother of the Victorious Ones, who is beyond all expression in speech
or thought, I prostrate. To the able one, the all-knowing excellent one of the
Shakya, I prostrate. To the one who benefited beings during seven lifetimes,
Dampa Sangye, I prostrate. To the nonhuman wisdom dakini, to the body of
Labdrön, I prostrate. To the father lamas who show the wisdom of self-awareness I prostrate. To the yidam deities who bestow true accomplishment I prostrate. To the Buddhas who have abandoned [nonvirtue] and realized [virtue],
and who have gathered the Three Wishes, I prostrate. To the Holy Dharma,
which pacifies and removes desire, I prostrate. To the Sangha, an advantageous
[object of] offering, I prostrate. To the one possessing youthful handsomeness, manner, and good qualities, to Mañjushri I prostrate. To the one truly
filled with compassion, to Chenrezig I prostrate. To the one who tames the
evil one through great power, to Vajrapani I prostrate. To the Dharma Protectors who subdue obstructors and wrongdoers I prostrate. Until the heart of
enlightenment is reached, I take refuge in all of you. I pray to all of you. I offer
the Five Desirables. I confess each sin and nonvirtue. I request that you turn
the Wheel of Dharma. I pray that your form will remain [in this world] and not
enter nirvana. I dedicate this virtue in order to benefit sentient beings.
Thus, with the visualization of continuous wisdom water to purify defilements, recite
the GATE mantra:
TEYATHA OM GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SOHA
Afterwards, according to the original meaning, from the heart of the body that is
absolutely pure, like crystal, emanate offering goddesses.
lü jin (english translation) : 109
Offer the mudra of the body, speech, mind, and qualities:
All forms appearing in the vast three thousand worlds I offer as the supreme
mudra of body; please grant the siddhi of unchanging form. All sound, and
sources of sound, appearing in the three thousand worlds I offer as the
supreme mudra of speech; please grant the siddhi of unimpeded speech. All
the mind’s discursive thought in the vast three thousand worlds I offer as the
supreme mudra of mind; please grant the siddhi of undeluded mind. All happiness and suffering in the vast three thousand worlds I offer as the mudra of
auspiciousness. If happy, I gather and dedicate all happiness; may all the sky be
pervaded by great bliss. If suffering, I will bear the suffering of all beings; may
the ocean of samsara’s suffering dry up.
PHAT
Then do the extended or condensed version of transference of consciousness, “Opening
the Door of the Sky.” Then meditate and visualize according to the source text for offering the body mandala. Afterward:
The skin becomes the golden earth; the fingernails, the surrounding iron
mountains; the head, Mount Meru, adorned with the two eyes, the sun and
moon; the four limbs, the four continents; etc. This perfect and complete body
mandala I offer to the assembly of lamas, yidams, and dakinis. Please accept
and grant your blessings.
Generously we give the three cycles of visualization of the White Feasts, and at the time
of the Red Feast the short invocation is called:
Homage to the gods and demons abiding in this desolate place, with myself as
the fortunate one to whom you show miracles. All gods and demons of samsaric existence, without exception: may you gather like clouds in the sky,
descend like rain in space, and whirl like a storm on the earth. I offer this body
to you assembled ones.
110 : chöd practice manual and commentary
This much or more:
I offer the six forms of outer bodily flesh; may I obtain the six perfections that
are the word [of the Buddha]. I offer the nine inner organs; may I obtain the
stages of the nine vehicles. I offer the five skandhas; may I obtain the body of
the five wisdoms. I offer this body to all of you who are assembled. Those in a
hurry, eat it raw. Those with leisure, eat it cooked. In a hurry or not, eat it happily, raw, cooked, or roasted. Those with a large stomach, eat your fill; those
with great strength, carry away whatever you can. As the lion enjoys his meat,
please accept this offering without first fruits or remainder.
PHAT
Do thus. Then, the condensed version of the complete lineage prayer:
I supplicate the lineage of the Father tantra of skillful means. I supplicate the
lineage of the Mother tantra of wisdom. I supplicate the lineage of absolute
nondual meaning. I supplicate the lineage of fortunate ones [who have tantric]
experience. I supplicate the lineage of siddhas of the Chöd. I supplicate the lineage of powerful Dharma Protectors. Grant your blessing to reverse my
attachment to worldly activity, which is the appearance of delusion. Grant the
blessing of not clinging to the illusory body compounded of the four elements. Grant the blessing of “one taste” toward the obstacles of interference
and disease demons [that cause] error. Grant the blessing to recognize my own
face [i.e., true nature] in the mind’s manifestations of transmigratory appearance. Grant me the blessing of freedom [to have the] spontaneous self-awareness of the three bodies. May I and all sentient beings of the six realms, having
abandoned all defilements of the dualistic mindstream, attain full, unsurpassable enlightenment.
PHAT
lü jin (english translation) : 111
Then do the three mergings and offer the body feast:
OM, to Machig I pray; AH, to Machig I pray; HUNG, to Machig I pray: grant
the blessing of the three syllables. By the blessing of the three syllables the sun
and moon torma container melts completely into light. May this feast offering, which is a blazing heap of light, fulfill the minds of the Lama, yidams, dakinis, and Dharma Protectors. Having abandoned the thought of clinging to
self—this heap of flesh and blood, my body—grant the blessing of the three
syllables. This multiplies into inexhaustible nectar. I offer it to the kind Root
Lama. I offer it to the lamas of the inner and outer lineages. I offer it to the
assembly of wrathful and peaceful yidams. I offer it to the great Bodhisattvas,
pratyekabuddhas, and shravakas. I offer it to the guardians and protectors of
the doctrine and their consorts. I offer it to the millions and billions of messengers. I offer it to the powerful worldly protectors. I offer it to the arrogant
gods and ghosts. I offer it to the lord of the land of the thousand three thousand worlds. Especially, I offer it to the gods and demons of this place. I offer
it to the six classes of sentient beings. I offer it to the karmic debt collectors
since beginningless time. By the power of this immeasurable offering may the
Buddha’s doctrine increase and the Lama’s mind [i.e., intention] be fulfilled.
May the Three Jewels be pleased by this offering. May it fill the minds of the
oath-bound protectors. May the arrogant oath-bound ones maintain their
vows. May it satisfy the desires of the six realms. May it purify the debt we owe
to the debt collectors. May it completely sever the connection of blood feud.
May perfect Buddhahood be attained.
PHAT
Thus we do the altered version of the gift of the body set forth by the Third Karmapa,
Rangjung Dorje:
On a torma plate, which is a blazing skull-cup the size of the three worlds, is
the remainder torma, as large as Mount Meru. Build a pile of flesh, ignorance,
NYI LI LI; an ocean of blood, desire, ME RE RE; a heap of bones, anger, THRA
LA LA. Oath-bound dakinis of the retinue; eight classes of cannibals and gods
112 : chöd practice manual and commentary
who are helpful friends; and the assemblies of eighty thousand classes of inner
and outer obstacles: take this great oath offering, which is the inconceivable
enjoyment of the five nectars. Please accomplish the activity that I, the yogi,
have entrusted to you.
To those with the power to take the remainder, give the remainder. Then, the stage of
dedication and aspiration:
By the power of this great generosity may all sentient beings achieve self-arising Buddhahood. May the assembly of beings not liberated by the previous
Victorious Ones be liberated by all this generosity, which is like the treasury
of space. May they freely enjoy it without quarrel or harm.
Transcendent and incisive knowledge, inexpressible with speech or thought,
unborn, unceasing, of the very nature of space, province of the wisdom that
knows itself in each individual: may the auspiciousness of the mother/consort
of the Victorious Ones of the three times be present.
May there be the auspiciousness of the immovable mountainlike body [of the
Victorious Ones, Dharmakaya]; may there be the auspiciousness of the sixty
branches [i.e., melodies] of the speech [of the Victorious Ones, Sambhogakaya];
may there be the auspiciousness of the stainless mind, free from extremes, [of
the Victorious Ones, Nirmanakaya]; may there be the auspiciousness of the
body, speech, and mind of the Victorious Ones. I dedicate to the benefit of all
sentient beings in the three worlds whatever roots of virtue I have gathered in
the three times: the root virtue of giving my body as an offering; the root virtue
of holding the gods and demons in my bodhicitta [i.e., enlightened motivation];
and whatever root virtues I have gathered during the three times. Therefore, by
depending upon the power of this dedication, may troublesome gods, demons,
etc. and the mindstream of sentient beings of the three worlds, being cleansed
of all karma, afflictions, and defilements, wholly complete the six perfections.
After attaining the wisdom of the unborn Mother, may I obtain the stage of the
all-pervading Dorje Chang, Lord of all father families of all the Victorious Ones.
Likewise, having reached that stage, may I become a great expanse of benefit for
lü jin (english translation) : 113
all sentient beings, through various means, until samsara is empty. May the
Chöd practitioner not view his mind as evil, and cut off without exception
self-aggrandizement. May I not take pride in whatever good qualities arise in
my mindstream. May I not cling to whatever troublesome thoughts may arise.
May this Holy Dharma, “Cutting Off Demons,” penetrate in every direction
and throughout all time, like the sun’s dawning rays in the sky.
PHAT
Thus said, think that all the guests depart to their own place, joyous and satisfied. The
deities of the field of assembly condense into oneself. Visualize oneself and all others in
the form of the Great Compassionate One, the essence of the union of emptiness and
compassion, sealed by the Three Circles. Recite the six syllables many times. One should
make aspiration prayers to ensure that all beings may attain the stage of liberation.
Sarva Mangalam.
Lord, whose white body is not clothed by a fault, whose head is adorned by a
perfect Buddha, who looks upon all beings with the eyes of compassion: to
you, Chenrezig, I prostrate.
OM MA NI PEME HUNG
By this merit, may I accomplish quickly the state of the Chöd, the Mahamudra, and establish all beings without exception at that level. Whoever came to
this generous offering, obstructors moving under the earth and whoever
remains on the earth, whoever moves above the earth: be pleased and return
all to your own place.
SARWA BHUTA GETTSHA
Glorious savior of the world and lord of longevity, who destroys, without
exception, [all conditions causing] untimely death, who is the source of refuge
for suffering [sentient beings] who lack protection: to you, Buddha Amitayus,
I bow down.
114 : chöd practice manual and commentary
OM NA MO BHA GA WA TE A PA RI MI TA A YUR JYA NA SU BI NISH TSI
TA TE DZO RA DZA YA TA THA GA TA YA AR HA TE SAM NYAK SAM BUDDHA YA TE YA THA OM PUNYE PUNYE MA HA PUNYE A PA RI MI TA
PUNYE A PA RI MI TA PUNYE JYA NA SAM BHA RO PA TSI TE
OM
SARWA SAM KA RA PA RI SHU DHA DHARMA TE GA GA NA SA MUTGA
TE SO BHA WA BI SHUD DHE MA HA NA YA PA RI WA RE SO HA OM A
MA RA NI DZI WENTI YE SO HA
Buddha, who perfectly achieved enlightenment by the power of generosity,
was a lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely achieves the power of generosity and may have long life. Buddha, who
perfectly achieved enlightenment by the power of morality, was a lion[like]
human being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely achieves the
power of morality and may have long life. Buddha, who perfectly achieved
enlightenment by the power of patience, was a lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely achieves the power of patience
and may have long life. Buddha, who perfectly achieved enlightenment by the
power of diligence, was a lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of
compassion completely achieves the power of diligence and may have long life.
Buddha, who perfectly achieved enlightenment by the power of samadhi, was
a lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely
achieves the power of samadhi and may have long life. Buddha, who perfectly
achieved enlightenment by the power of transcendental wisdom, was a
lion[like] human being. Whoever enters the city of compassion completely
achieves the power of transcendental wisdom and may have long life. Giving
generosity and keeping morality; meditating on patience and striving for diligence. Through concentrating on stillness realizing the nature of mind [i.e.,
transcendental wisdom], may I right now have blissful, auspicious good fortune. Extend my life beyond one hundred years; may I see one hundred different kinds of holy objects. May I have joy and bliss, long life without disease, and
accumulate all favorable conditions. May certainty arise in my mind towards
the supreme vehicle. May I right now have blissful, auspicious good fortune.
May the glorious Lama live long, and may happiness arise for all beings as vast
as the sky. May I and all others gather the accumulations and discard mental
veils; then may we quickly be established on the level of Buddhahood.
lü jin (english translation) : 115
(Abridged Dewachen Prayer)
E MA HO Wonderful Buddha of Limitless Light, and to his right the Lord of
Great Compassion, and to his left the Bodhisattva of Great Power, surrounded
by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas measureless in number: Joy and happiness without limit in this land called Dewachen. May I be born there as soon as I pass
from this life without taking birth anywhere else in the meantime. Having
been born there, may I see Amitabha’s face. May the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
of the ten directions give their blessing that this wish expressed in this prayer
be accomplished without hindrance.
TAYATHA PEN TSEN DRI YA AWA BODHA NI SOHA
If you wish to recite the long-life prayers for the lineage masters, you may do so here.
From the great all-good Dorje Chang down to my kind Root Lama, whatever
prayers have been made for the benefit of beings, may they all become fulfilled.
By this merit may we become omniscient; from this attainment, after defeating evil faults through the endless storm of birth, old age, sickness, and death,
may we liberate all beings from the suffering in the three worlds. I dedicate all
this merit that I may follow in the footsteps of the heroic Mañjushri who
knows, and those of Küntuzangpo, too. By this virtue may all beings perfect
the accumulations of merit and wisdom, and, arising from merit and wisdom,
obtain the two sacred bodies. By the blessing of the three bodies of the Buddhas being pleased, by the blessing of the truth of the Dharma itself being
unchanging, by the blessing of the wishes of the Sangha being unwavering,
may this dedication prayer be fulfilled.
Vairocana, the one who turns the Wheel of Dharma, has collected an ocean of
teachings—canonical teachings and revealed teachings [i.e., termas], sutras
and tantras—in the marvelous and perfectly compiled Five Great Treasuries.
May this tradition increase and flourish until the end of the cycle of existence.
? Tibetan Text of the Commentary
118 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 119
120 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 121
122 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 123
124 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 125
126 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 127
128 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 129
130 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 131
132 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 133
134 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 135
136 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 137
138 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 139
140 : chöd practice manual and commentary
tibetan text of the commentary : 141
142 : chöd practice manual and commentary
Six-Armd Mahakala by Gega Lama