The Preliminary Practice of Prostrations eBook


Book Description

Prostrations to the Thirty-five (35) Confession Buddhas with recitation of the "Bodhisattva's Confession of Moral Downfalls" from the Sutra of Three Heaps, is one of the most powerful methods available to purify harmful actions we have done in the past. By doing this practice mindfully, we can prevent unwanted sufferings from occurring in the future. In addition, this practice clears away obstacles to our practice and opens the mind to gain realizations on the path. It is said that if you do this practice first thing in the morning, all your other prayers and activities of the day will be empowered. This recently revised version contains new extensive commentary on the practice by Lama Zopa Rinpoche (from the Lama Tsongkhapa retreat in 2004), as well as teachings on karma, options for extended practice, and instructions on how to complete a 100,000 prostration retreat. Contents Include: - The Practice of Prostrations to the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas - Putting and End to Suffering: A Teaching on Karma by Lama Zopa Rinpoche - The Benefits of Making Prostrations - Commentary on the Practice of Prostrations to the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas by Lama Zopa Rinpoche - Options for Practice - Guidelines for Completing the Preliminary Practice of 100,000 Prostrations to the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas - Appendix: How to make Prostrations - Helpful Resources "There is so much hope in our lives. Our lives are so full of opportunity. It is so easy to purify, so easy to become free from samsara and achieve enlightenment. Even with just prostration, we can achieve all of this." - Lama Zopa Rinpoche 97 Pages. 2011 Edition.




The Preliminary Practice of Vajrasattva eBook


Book Description

Doing Vajrasattva retreat is not simply about reciting the mantra and saying some prayers; it is about making the practice effective for your mind, making it the quickest, most powerful way to transform your mind. Experienced meditators have advised that, in general, it is more important to put your everyday life's effort into the practice of purification - this is the way to attain spiritual realization. This eBook contains the short and long practice of Vajrasattva as well as Vajrasattva tsog. It also contains commentary, retreat advice, altar set-up, and retreat preliminaries by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Contents Include: - Heruka Vajrasattva Retreat Sadhana Torma Offering - Abbreviated Heruka Vajrasattva Sadhana - A Short Vajrasattva Meditation - Heruka Vajrasattva Tsog - Dedication Prayers and Long Life Prayers - Multiplying Mantras - Rituals for Commencing the Retreat - A Simple Vajrasattva Practice (without Consort) - Explanation of the Meaning of the Mantra - Breathing Exercise - How to Purify During Mantra Recitation - Burning Offering to Dorje Khadro - Benefits of Purification with Heruka Vajrasattva - Motivations for Practicing Vajrasattva - Introduction to the Heruka-Vajrasattva Tsog - The Meaning of Tsog - Guidelines for Completing 100,000 Vajrasattva Mantras - Vajrasattva Retreat Procedures 171 Pages. 2010 Edition.




The Preliminary Practice of Dorje Khadro eBook


Book Description

Making burning offerings to Dorje Khadro (Vajradaka) is considered to be "a golden Dharma" passed directly from Manjushri to Lama Tsongkhapa. It was one of Lama Tsongkhapa's heart practices and, as such, has a special connection with the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The practice of Dorje Khadro comes highly praised for its power to purify negative karma in general, but especially for its ability to purify obstacles caused by broken vows and samaya related to highest yoga tantra. It also assists us in assembling the most conducive conditions for success in long retreats. This practice is encouraged as a powerful way to help those who are sick or dying and as a method to readily clear the mind of challenging disturbing emotions. The collection provides everything one needs to be able to do the complete ngöndro of Dorje Khadro, the recitation of the principal mantra 100,000 times coupled with extensive visualization and prayers. The book's practice section includes the Dorje Khadro practice text, Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and lam-rim and dedication prayers. In addition, the book contains teachings that contribute to a student's understanding of how to best engage in this practice. A precise commentary from Geshe Lama Konchog, an inspiring teaching from Lama Zopa Rinpoche based on a commentary written by Panchen Losang Chökyi Gyältsen, and a unique teaching from Lama Yeshe comprise the commentary section. The book's advice section includes guidelines for how to use the materials to complete the preliminary practice, either as a full-time retreat or as a daily practice. "Offering the burning puja to Dorje Khadro is one of the very profound practices for purification, regarded as a golden Dharma, a precious one. It is Lama Tsongkhapa's heart practice, and his followers practice it knowing it to be extremely beneficial." – Lama Zopa Rinpoche 148 pages, 2012 edition.




Not for Happiness


Book Description

From the author of What Makes You Not a Buddhist comes a fresh look at the foundations of Tibetan Buddhist practice, with practical advice and guidance for the modern practitioner Do you practice meditation because you want to feel good? Or to help you relax and be “happy”? Then frankly, according to Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, you are far better off having a full-body massage than trying to practice the Dharma. Genuine spiritual practice, not least the Ngöndro preliminaries, will not bring the kind of comfort and ease most worldly people crave. Quite the opposite, in fact. But if your ultimate goal is enlightenment, Ngöndro practice is a must, and Not for Happiness your perfect guide, as it contains everything an aspiring practitioner needs to get started, including advice about: • Developing “renunciation mind” • Discipline, meditation and wisdom • Using your imagination in visualization practice • Why you need a guru




The Preliminary Practice of TSA-TSAS eBook


Book Description

The presence of holy objects in the world transforms the minds of sentient beings and helps them realize the path to enlightenment. In addition, the preliminary practice of making tsa-tsas purifies obstacles and creates positive conditions for this and future lives. This practice contains all the instructions needed for creating tsa-tsas, including the actual practice and practical advice. “Even in this life, you will have less disease, your enjoyments will increase, and you will achieve long life and good reputation. It is the best method to betray death. Making tsa-tsas pacifies obstacles, bad conditions, accidents, and sudden diseases like heart attacks and paralysis. By making tsa-tsas you pacify enemies, interferers, and harms. You accumulate all merit, purify all obscurations, and in a future life, achieve the resultant three kayas.“ – Lama Zopa Rinpoche 98 pages, 2009 edition




Nyung Na eBook


Book Description

The Nyung Na retreat is a two-day intensive practice that includes taking the 24-hour Mahayana precepts with the addition of complete fasting and silence on the second day. Doing even one Nyung Na is said to be as effective as three months of other purification practices and is extremely powerful for healing illness, purifying negative karma, and opening the heart to compassion. The 2015 revised version has many updates advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, including the addition of more prayers to Chenrezig and the stories of the Nyung Na lineage lamas. Contents include: -Calling the Guru from Afar -The Preparatory Ceremony -Taking the Restoring and Purifying Ordination -Requesting the Lineage Gurus -Invocation of the Merit Field -The Practice of Prostrations to the Thirty-Five Confession Buddhas -Meditation on the Self Generation -Meditation on the Front Generation -The Principal Practice of Praise -Offering the Tormas -Praises to the Dharma Protectors -Offering an Ablution -Verses of Auspiciousness Appendices: 1. Arranging the Essential Bases 2. Notes about the Mahayana Ordination 3. Alternate Prayers for the Beginning of the Session 4: Mudras for the Nyung Na Practice 5. Modes of Meditation 6. Notes on Mantra Recitation 7. How to Perform the Offering Bath 8. Instructions 9. Avalokiteshvara 10. Stories on the Nyung Na Lineage Lamas 11. Notes on the Long Dharani 12. Dedication and Long Life Prayers 13. Chantable Prayers 231 pages, 2015 edition.




The Words of My Perfect Teacher


Book Description

Patrul Rinpoche makes the technicalities of his subject accessible through a wealth of stories, quotations, and references to everyday life. His style of mixing broad colloquialisms, stringent irony, and poetry has all the life and atmosphere of an oral teaching. Great care has been taken by the translators to render the precise meaning of the text in English while still reflecting the vigor and insight of the original Tibetan.




Essential Buddhist Prayers Vol. II eBook


Book Description

The Essential Buddhist Prayers series contains all the basic prayers and practices necessary for daily practice and retreat within the FPMT tradition. Volume 2 includes common FPMT center practices and other prayers: - Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga - Extensive Offering Practice – "Offering Even One Flower to the Buddha" - Liberating Animals from the Danger of Death - The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel (Medicine Buddha Puja) - The Abbreviated Four-Mandala Offering to Chittamani Tara - A Short Vajrasattva Meditation – "Breathing Exercise," "How to Purify During Mantra Recitation," "The Meaning of the Mantra" - A Banquet of the Great Blissful Circle of Offerings, the Heruka Vajrasattva Tsog Offering – "The Meaning of Tsog" - Four-Face Mahakala Puja - A Daily Pälden Lhamo Practice - Protector Prayers and Tea Offering – "Praise of Six-Arm Lord Mahakala," "Praise to Achieve the Inner Kalarupa," "Praise to Vaishravana," "Iron Hook Tea Offering," "Degyä Tea Offering" 344 pages, 2009 edition.




Innate Happiness


Book Description

Innate Happiness guides busy Westerners on the path of liberation, the realization of compassion-emptiness, with concise weekly practices based on the yogi tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The book includes a brief history of Buddhism in India and Tibet, as well as its major principles. This is followed by clear, concise steps on the Path of Individual Liberation, the Path of Altruism, the Path of Tantra, and the Path of Great Perfection. Each path takes the reader through the Three Teachings: ethics, meditation, and wisdom. Thus, it covers a complete cycle of for study, contemplation, meditation and realization, each highly suitable for the busy lives of Westerners with little time for formal meditation. May ALL beings be happy!




Heart Advice for Retreat eBook


Book Description

The great Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo said, "Knowing Dharma is not enough; you must practice.” This collection, Heart Advice for Retreat, is a must-have for all practitioners, especially those engaging in longer retreats. Lama Zopa Rinpoche offers advice on the essential aspects of retreat and how to bring about the result of enlightenment. Additionally, Rinpoche provides compelling commentary to Pabongkha's text, Like a Female Cannibal Cheating, and on the rituals and necessary motivations required for entering into retreat. Advice, commentary and resources include “The Importance of Retreat,” “The Meaning of Retreat,” “Special Instructions,” “The Happiness of Dharma,” “Break-time Meditations,” “Dedication Prayers,” “Helpful Resources,” and much more. 176 pages, 2011 edition.