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.




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




Heart Advice for Death and Dying eBook


Book Description

In our busy modern lives, we may not give much thought to death. We fear that thinking about death will take the joy out of living. But in reality, when we actively think about death and prepare for it, we find peace, fulfillment, and happiness in our current lives and our fear of death disappears. Over the course of many years, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has given profound and accessible teachings on death and dying. Heart Advice for Death and Dying contains Rinpoche’s essential advice for preparing for the time of death and leading a fulfilling life. It includes: - An introduction by Kathleen McDonald (Ven. Sangye Khadro) to Buddhist ideas about life, death, and what happens after death - Teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche on: The fragility and impermanent nature of life By not contemplating death we will be swayed by the attachment clinging to the happiness of this life By contemplating death we will be inspired to begin, continue, and complete our Dharma practice The nine-point meditation on death based on reflecting on how death is definite, how the time of death is indefinite, and how at the time of death only our Dharma practice will be of help to us The dying process—what actually happens to us as we are dying Preparing for death by practicing the five powers Meditation on tonglen—in order to develop bodhichitta we visualize taking suffering upon our selfishness out of on compassion and giving our happiness away out of love How to help and care for the dying and the dead Practices to do before, during, and after someone’s death The benefits of Medicine Buddha practice - The Medicine Buddha Sadhana - Mantras to benefit the dying and dead - Helpful Resources - Glossary Included with this eBook is complimentary access to the online version of Heart Advice for Death and Dying, which is available on the FPMT Online Learning Center. This FPMT introductory course consists of 11 hours of teachings and guided meditations by Ven. Sangye Khadro, a senior American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism well known for her gentle yet profound teaching style. It is presented as a series of five sessions. Each session consists of teachings by Ven. Sangye Khadro (available in both MP3 and written formats) supplemented by two guided meditations on related topics and two mindfulness practices. Each session concludes with some points for reflection intended to encourage a personal reflection and analysis of the topics taught. Additional supplementary materials are provided to help prepare for one’s own and others' death. 173 pages, 2008 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




Buddhism in a Nutshell eBook


Book Description

This ebook combines well-chosen essential teachings by the Tibetan masters Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche supplemented with teachings by American nun, Ven. Amy Miller, to provide a wonderful overview of many of the key points of the path to enlightenment (lamrim). This title covers the following topics: - What is Buddhism? - Who was the Buddha? - What is Dharma? - What is Buddhist Refuge? - The Fundamentals of Karma - What are the Four Noble Truths? - What is Meditation? - Understanding the Mind - Understanding the Teachings - The Importance of a Qualified Teacher - What is the Purpose of Life? - Death and Impermanence - What is Renunciation? - How to Serve Others - What is Emptiness? - Introducing Tantra - Advice for Bringing These Teachings into Your Daily Life - How to Dedicate Your Virtue Each of these sections in this title concludes with a meditation on the subject. Included with this eBook is complimentary access to the online version of Buddhism in a Nutshell, which is available on the FPMT Online Learning Center. This FPMT introductory course consists of 11 hours of clear and accessible teachings and guided meditations by Ven. Amy Miller. These teachings are intended for people encountering Buddhism for the first time, as well as for people who are already familiar with Buddha’s teachings but would like a more structured approach to understanding the whole path to enlightenment. They cover the life of Shakyamuni Buddha,the four noble truths, and the stages of the path to enlightenment (lamrim) based on an explanation of the short poem Foundation of All Good Qualities by Lama Tsongkhapa. In addition, the online course includes transcripts of Ven. Amy Miller’s teachings and meditations together with other online resources, such as points for reflection to help course participants think about the teachings in relation to their own lives. A discussion forum allows course participants to interact with each other and the course elder. A Certificate of Achievement is available to participants who complete all the course requirements. Together the book and the online course provide a comprehensive overview of Buddhism as taught and practiced in the Tibetan Mahayana tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa (Gelug). The teachings by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche are a must-read for all of their disciples. 243 pages, 2010 edition.




The Preliminary Practice of Altar Set-up & Water Bowl Offerings eBook


Book Description

This eBook provides a complete explanation of how to set up a personal altar, how to make water bowl offerings, and how to offer them in the most extensive and beneficial way. This edition includes information on water bowls, meditations to use while doing the practice, and a mantra to recite when removing food offerings from the altar to avoid creating the karma of stealing from the Triple Gem. Contents Include: - Altar Set-up and Water Bowl Offerings - The Practice of Offering by Lama Zopa Rinpoche - Guidelines for Completing 100,000 Water Bowl Offerings - Extensive Offering Practice - Light Offering Prayer by Lama Atisha - Appendix: How to Fill a Small Statue 40 Pages. 2016 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.