9,843nd Anniversary of the Buddha’s Twelfth Deed: Demonstrating the Truth of Impermanence

Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché lying in the sleeping lion posture and obtaining parinirvana in the presence of gods, humans, and lu.  

On the new moon day of the 1st Winter month in the Water Hare year, Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché demonstrated the truth of impermanence by leaving behind the container of his physical body and transcending worldly suffering. In 2026, the anniversary of this date coincides with November 9th on the Western calendar. Any virtuous activity performed through the three doors of body, speech, or mind on this day is greatly multiplied. This is an auspicious day to practice the Tsewang Mönlam or prayers of supplication and devotion to Buddha Tönpa Shenrap such as Homage to the Eighth Universal Guide, Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché. Both of these prayers are included in A Blazing Mala of Wish-Fulfilling Jewels, A Compilation of Daily Prayers from the Yungdrung Bön Religious Tradition. It is available in both print and eBook. the table of contents is on the Nine Ways Press page of this website.

At the age of eighty-two shen years (8,200 human years), the enlightened Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché began to display the truth of impermanence for sentient beings by allowing the constituents of his physical body to become weak and to manifest illness. Alarmed, his disciples performed rituals and administered medicine. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods according to relative truth, the Buddha temporarily recovered.

However, after a brief time had passed, he caused his physical condition to again weaken. This provided an opportunity for the Buddha to give teachings to his disciples regarding the process of death. Before leaving his physical human body, the Buddha spoke with his assembly of disciples and entrusted them with the responsibility of being lineage holders for particular teachings. He then prophesied regarding the future of his teachings including his teachings of mind, the time period when the written scriptures would no longer exist but would continue only by being held in the mind.

Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché

“After I pass into nirvana, for 1,800 years the legacy of the teachings made during the presence of a Buddha’s body will be completed. Then, after my representative appears, my teachings of speech will remain for 10,000 human years. After that, the teachings of mind will remain for another 10,000 human years. After the teachings of mind come to an end, the average human lifespan will eventually decrease to only ten years. At that time, the future Teacher will appear. Those connected to me and my teachings, having reached the irreversible stage on the path, will dwell in liberation in the realm of absolute reality.”

At dusk on the new moon day of the 1st Winter month at the Nine-leveled Yungdrung Mountain, Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché adopted the posture of a sleeping lion and demonstrated the accomplishment of passing beyond suffering. After the cremation of his physical body, the relics from the ash were distributed among the gods, humans, and the lu [Sanskrit: naga] as objects of faith and devotion.

After that, the assembly of disciples led by Aza Sangwa prepared vast and unsurpassed offerings and then presented them to the Teacher. Aza Sangwa then sang this verse:

“Highest Shen, having perfected renunciation and realization, you have blissfully departed. With compassion for beings, you took on a human form as the Victorious One. To you who took on this form, I prostrate!

Noble son of the Victorious One, glory of beings, you took on a form for the sake of migrating beings, a self-arisen emanation body. You sat upon the throne of the universal monarch and guided beings through the Nine Ways. In the realm of absolute reality, your nature is spontaneously perfect. Appearing as an tülku, you contemplated the welfare of beings. In the billion world systems of this pure realm, you emanated a billion emanations to tame. To you who fully tames, I prostrate!

For the difficult to tame sentient beings of cyclic existence, you deeply contemplate them with wisdom and loving compassion. You pacify their suffering and misery, causing them to abandon the lower realms and to be established on the path of liberation. To the perfect guide, I prostrate!

The Teacher, the glorious lamp of omniscience, although passing into nirvana in the vast expanse of the nature of phenomena, in order for your unceasing compassion to remain, you established the three aspects of the teachings as your legacy. To the Victorious One, I prostrate! 

Holy son of the Victorious One, although you were without any need for practice or attainment while experiencing various hardships, you perfected practice and attainment as an example for the benefit of migrating beings. To you who has perfects attainments, I prostrate!

Although there is no birth or death in the Victorious One’s body, in order to demonstrate with an example that phenomena with characteristics are impermanent, you showed the manner of passing into nirvana into the vast expanse of the true nature of phenomena. To the one who is completely accomplished, I prostrate!

Extract from the Zi Ji

Having offered this praise, the entire assembly prostrated, circumambulated, and made offerings. As a result, all the realms of the world intensely trembled. From the sky, many bright lights shone forth. From the intermediate space, many melodious sounds resounded. From the earth, many beautiful flowers bloomed. Among the realms tamed by the Teacher, countless sentient beings from the realms of the gods, the demi-gods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell beings attained buddhahood. Those who remained behind were filled with great joy and became extremely attentive to the Yungdrung Bön teachings. Then, the Teacher’s pronouncements were finalized and compiled into precious volumes totaling sixty thousand, that were enshrined within the sacred site of Trimon Gyalzhe.

The parinirvana of Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché is observed each year by monks, nuns, and lay practitioners worldwide. Photo credit: Unknown

One year later, an assembly of thirteen yungdrung sempa [Sanskrit: bodhisattvas] compiled the teachings of Lord Buddha. Time passed, and the era of being able to rely upon the physical presence of the Buddha drew to  a close. Then began the era of relying upon the Buddha’s speech. Lord Tönpa Shenrap’s successor, Mucho Demdruk, descended from the sky into Olmo Lungring and began to turn the wheel of Yungdrung Bön for gods and humans. Among his disciples were “the six intellectual ornaments of the world.” These six scholars translated the teachings of Lord Buddha into their respective native languages of Tazik, India, China, and Trom and therefore were able to spread the teachings of enlightenment in every direction.

All translations from the Tibetan by Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved

Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved. No content, in part or in whole, is allowed to be used without direct permission from the author.

More information at the Events Page: MUDRAS & MANTRAS of the YUNGDRUNG BÖN

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Birth Anniversary of Karu Drupwang Tenzin Rinchen: Yogi, Pilgrim, & Champion of Yungdrung Bön

Yungdrung Phüntsok Ling in the village of Lubrak

The 8th day of the 10th lunar month is the birth anniversary of the intrepid scholar and spiritual master Karu Drupwang Tenzin Rinchen Gyaltsen Dechen Nyingpo, better known as Karu Drupwang Rinpoche. In 2026, this lunar date corresponds with November 17th. Born at sunrise in 1801 C.E. to a wealthy family in Kham, Tibet, his birth was precipitated by numerous miraculous signs. His autobiography recounts that he was urged to take rebirth by a group of deities so that he could benefit beings through his manifestation. Throughout his life, he traveled extensively on lengthy pilgrimages and was a strong advocate for maintaining the authentic history of Yungdrung Bön sacred sites while maintaining a nonsectarian view and having meaningful interactions with a wide range of people from kings to outcastes. Throughout Tibet and Nepal, he became well known for both his intellect and his magical power.

The Outcast

An emanation of the 8th century B.C.E. yogi Lishu Taring, the first of his many visionary encounters occurred at the young age of two years old when he was visited by this very accomplished master and given extensive, detailed spiritual instructions. At the age of six, he took monastic ordination and began his studies at the nearby Nor Ling, Jewel Land, Monastery. He was an excellent student and was highly praised by his teachers for his academic achievements. However, upon the death of his father when he was thirteen, the family’s wealth, status, and influence quickly declined. As such, his exalted position within the monastery also declined and the previously veiled jealousy of his peers became outright hostility. After a few years of suffering ongoing insults and abusive treatment, he left the monastery in order to undergo a lengthy, solitary retreat. However, this retreat was interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances that required him to fulfill monastic responsibilities at Nor Ling. Having returned to the monastery, he again experienced abuse from his peers. Therefore, he made the decision to begin a lengthy pilgrimage. This decision began his lifetime of travel, visionary encounters, and his lasting impact on the the spiritual life and culture of the people of Dolpo and Lubrak in Nepal.

Life as a Pilgrim

His first pilgrimage was to Kongpo Bönri where he had many extraordinary visionary encounters. From there, he continued on to the renowned monasteries of Tashi Menri and Kharna in Central Tibet. Going West, as he visited Zhang Zhung sacred sites, he would often discover that the Bönpo history had been subsumed into Buddhist lore with no remaining Bönpo relevance. At this, he would fervently go about correcting the historical and religious record of the sacred site. One of his most well-known compositions is his detailed pilgrimage guide to Mount Tisé [a.k.a Mount Kailash] entitled A Catalogue of Snowy Tisé that was written in 1844 C.E. This is the most detailed pilgrimage guide known to this sacred site and details its ancient connection with Yungdrung Bön.

The Southern side of Mount Tisé

Wandering Yogi and Prolific Composer of Sacred Texts

He spent a great deal of time in the village of Lubrak, Nepal and in 1846 C.E, he sponsored the construction of a village temple that was named Yungdrung Phüntsok Ling, Land of Indestructible Bounty. During this time, he met an impoverished woman and her son. Being a widow, the mother was having great difficulty providing for her child. Moved with compassion and feeling a deep connection with the young boy, he took him under his care. This boy went on to become one of his main disciples and came to be known as the renowned master Drogön Tenzin Nyima.

One of Karu Drupwang Rinpoche’s most well-known compositions is the Mar Ti Duk Nga Rang Drol, Essential Instructions on the Self Liberation of the Five Poisons. He received this dzogchen text as a mind treasure when he was twenty-five years old. During one of his visits to Lubrak, he wrote this text down in order to support the spiritual needs of the community. These teachings continue to be a part of the annual ritual in Lubrak and Karu Drupwang’s original manuscript is still held in the village as one of its greatest treasures. The preliminary practices from this text are used for the three-year retreat in many villages in Dolpo. The text has its own uniquely beautiful melody

“As for mirror-like wisdom, externally, it is the wisdom of not grasping at the self-nature of appearances. Internally, it is the wisdom of not grasping at the self-nature of one’s own identity. Secretly, it is the wisdom of not grasping at one’s own natural mind. Most secretly, it is the wisdom of not grasping at one’s own essential nature.

From the Mar Ti Duk Nga Rang Drol, Essential Instructions on the Self Liberation of the Five Poisons

After spending long periods of time throughout Dolpo and Mustang, he made his way to Kathmandu. Although he traveled throughout the Kathmandu valley and encountered a variety of people and cultures, he was often at the stupa of Swayambunath begging for alms. There, he continued to have many vivid, visionary encounters. However, in 1852 C.E. he returned to Tibet and became a root lama to the esteemed 23rd Menri Trizin Künkhen Nyima Tenzin. During this time, he was enthroned as the abbot of his former monastery, Nor Ling, where he had experienced years of abuse that had been the cause for his decision to begin his extensive travels.

First pages of the Autobiography of Karu Drupwang Tenzin Rinchen

Upon the insistent urging of a disciple, he wrote an autobiography that was completed in 1845 C.E. that is kept in the temple of Samling in Dolpo, Nepal. Although the exact date of his passing beyond this life is not known, it is generally understood to have occurred some time in 1861 C.E.

Chapters within the Mar Ti Duk Nga Rang Drol, Essential Instructions on the Self Liberation of the Five Poisons

  • Teachings on the Opportunities and Good Fortunes that are Difficult to Obtain from the Systematic Guidance for the Preliminary Practices of the Essential Guidance on the Self Liberation of the Five Poisons
  • Systematic Guidance Regarding the Difference Between Virtue and Wrongdoing, and Impermanence
  • Systematic Guidance on Going for Refuge
  • Systematic Guidance on Generating a Mind of Enlightenment
  • Systematic Guidance on Purifying Wrongdoing through Admission of Wrongdoing and Purification
  • Systematic Guidance on Completing the Accumulations through the Mandala Offering
  • Systematic Guidance on Receiving Blessings and Self-empowerment through Supplication
  • Teaching and Advice for Calm Abiding by Focusing on AH
  • Teaching and Advice for Searching the Mind and Awareness
  • Teaching and Advice for Introducing and Concentrating on the Mind
  • Teaching and Advice on the Path of the Six Aggregates
  • Teaching and Advice for Enhancing Gek Sel Practice
  • Teaching and Advice for Dark Retreat and Clear Light
  • Teaching and Advice for the Nourishment through Chulen [Extracting the Essence]
  • Teaching and Advice on the Six Important Points of Practice
  • Teaching and Advice for Abiding in the State of the Mind’s Essence
  • Teaching and Advice for Fully Realizing the Bön Essence
  • Teaching and Advice regarding the Result which is All-penetrating Wisdom
  • Teaching and Advice on the Power to Work with Deathless Birth
  • Teaching and Advice for Attaining Buddhahood with No Physical Aggregates Left Behind
  • Practice of the Goddess [Jamma]
  • The Clear Mirror of A Hundred Horoscopes of the Essential Instruction on the Self Liberation of the Five Poisons
  • A Little Song About the Connection Between the Relative and the Absolute
  • Abridged Preliminary Practices
  • Supplication of the Root Lama Drupwang Tenzin Rinchen [Composition of a disciple]
  • Expiation through Offering to the Lama
  • A Letter to the Ghosts and Demons that Suppresses Phenomenal Existence with its Majestic Brilliance

All translations from the Tibetan by Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved

Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved. No content, in part or in whole, is allowed to be used without direct permission from the author.

More information at the Events Page: MUDRAS & MANTRAS of the YUNGDRUNG BÖN

From the Nine Ways Calendar of Events & Auspicious Days

Each month, Nine Ways hosts online gatherings for the global Yungdrung Bön family to join together in practice led by Raven Cypress Wood. These gatherings are free and open to anyone. To see the scheduled online gatherings for November 2026 and get details for receiving the Zoom link, check out the Calendar of Events & Auspicious Days for November.

Each month on the auspicious day of the Full Moon, everyone is invited to join Raven Cypress Wood and the global Yungdrung Bön family in the recitation of the Tséwang Mönlam, Tséwang’s Precious Mala of Aspirational Prayers. Our next gathering is the Full Moon of November 24th. This prayer is commonly recited during the 49 days of the intermediate state between death and rebirth. If you would like to dedicate this practice to a loved one that has recently passed away, you can do so by sending an email to Raven Cypress Wood with the pertinent information. Details are here: Prayers for a loved one.

New Items Have Arrived in the Nine Ways Shop

  • Traditional Bönpo flat bells, also called sil nyen or shang, were given by Buddha Tönpa Shenrap in order to support the practices of his Yungdrung Bön tradition. They are one of the oldest sacred instruments.
  • Good quality cloth shoulder bags made in Nepal.

For more details or to order, go to the Nine Ways Shop webpage.

Nine Ways is supported by a mandala of kind and generous donors. Because of their generosity, the work continues.

Previously subscribed but not receiving emails? If you haven’t opened an email from Nine Ways in the past three months, you have been removed from the active subscriber list. Resubscribe to stay in touch!

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The Time to Practice The Greatly Fierce, Secret Gekhö

Walchen Gekho with his consort, Queen of the Drala

Who is Walchen Gekhö?

Each year from the 22nd-29th lunar days of the 8th Tibetan month, Menri Monastery in India holds an intensive retreat for the fierce yidam Walchen Gekhö. Specifically, they perform the practice from the text compiled by the Second Buddha Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen Rinpoche, Gekhö Sangwa Drakchen, The Greatly Fierce, Secret Gekhö. In 2026, these lunar dates correspond with October 3rd-8th on the Western calendar.

The tantric cycle of Gekhö contains 360 deities. Within the cycle of the Father Tantras, Walchen Gekhö is the manifestation of enlightened quality among the Five Supreme Embodiments. (See previous post: https://ravencypresswood.com/2016/06/05/the-five-supreme-embodiments/

Gekhö is a deity associated with the ancient land of Zhang Zhung, and his tantric practice was widespread throughout the kingdom. In the Zhang Zhung language, Gekhö means demon tamer. It is said that he originally descended upon the sacred mountain of Gang Tisé (also known as Mount Kailash), and that he and his retinue continue to dwell there. However, even though there is a close association with an earthly abode, he is not a worldly guardian. Rather, he is the embodiment of enlightened quality that manifests as a meditational deity who protects Yungdrung Bön practitioners.

“In order to lead those who have not gained realization, Walchen Gekhö possesses the Five Enlightened Bodies and the Five Primordial Wisdoms. Through the truth of pacification, and through forceful, wrathful means, those who are untamed will be tamed!”

From the Essence Practice of the Fierce Champion, Zhang Zhung Meri

One manifestation of Walchen Gekhö is Zhang Zhung Meri. This yidam deity is closely associated with the dzogchen practice of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü, The Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhung. The view of dzogchen is, by definition, perfected and beyond needing to apply any methods to develop or perfect it. However, because the practitioners of dzogchen have not yet fully realized this primordial perfection, the deity Zhang Zhung Meri offers protection and support while they are on the path of realization.

“É AH, Namo! Buddhas of the three times, please listen and pay heed to me!

Having ignorance and a body of flesh, because of the influence of the material body and the afflictive emotions, I am not connected with the five wisdom bodies but are connected with deluded thoughts and afflictive emotions. I offer this open admission of wrongdoing to the buddhas of the three times. Please bestow the vivid accomplishment of the Five Enlightened Bodies to me!

Without the activities of compassionate, skillful means, and because of the afflictive emotion of pride that grasps at an identity, I have committed wrongdoing by elevating myself and lowering others, and I have acted from wrong views. I request tolerance from Ati Muwér! Please bestow the accomplishment of being equal to the changeless state!

Not equal with the state of powerful compassion, and overcome with the contamination of the cumulative actions of ignorance and hatred such as causing killing and condemnation, I openly admit my wrongdoing to the state of Walchen Gékhö. Please bestow the accomplishment of uninterrupted compassion! 

Because of anger and hatred that are produced, and not having a mind of loving kindness, I have been involved in killing and cutting the life force. I openly admit my wrongdoing to the gathering of Gékhö deities. Please bestow the accomplishment of being endowed with compassion and a mind of loving kindness!

Because of not being endowed with a state of clear wisdom, I have been lazy and acted from a clouded mind and delusion. I have improperly exploited and taken advantage of others. I openly admit my wrongdoing to the root deity Walchen Gékhö. Please bestow the accomplishment of a state of all-clear wisdom!

Because of having a hateful mind and not speaking truthfully, through pride and meaningless words, I have accumulated anguish [for others]. Because of the activity of deluded speech, I could become mute [in the future]. I openly admit my wrongdoing to the root deity Walchen Gékhö. Please bestow the accomplishment of a pleasant voice of truthful words!

Not having a mind of supreme generosity and devotion, I have been overcome by attachment, desire, and aggression. Because of the karma of improper, aggressive desire, I could become a cannibal-like spirit [in the future]. I openly admit my wrongdoing to the root deity Walchen Gékhö. Please bestow the accomplishment of a great rainfall of generosity!

Without a suitable intellect and not being broadminded, and because of the influence of jealousy, I have exalted myself and lowered others. Because of that, I could always be born as a human in an outlying, savage place [in the future]. I openly admit my wrongdoing to the root deity Walchen Gékhö. Please bestow the accomplishment of an easygoing, greatly broad mind! 

Not endowed with the compassionate state of the four elements, and with an imperfect nature in respect to the four times, I grasp the illusory body. I openly admit my wrongdoing to the state of the four mothers who are doorkeepers of the four times. Please bestow the accomplishment of overcoming phenomenal appearances!

From compassion, the four emanated spiritual sons display a spectacular form and perform wrathful activity. Enemies and obstructers are their servants who are entrusted to act. I openly admit my wrongdoing to the four youths who are emanations. Please bestow the accomplishment of attaining generosity and the two accomplishments! 

Not connected with the skillfulness of the primordial nature where there is no duality of true or untrue words, whatever is in contradiction to the enlightened mind of Kuji Mangké, I openly admit to the state that is equal with the natural mind. Please bestow the accomplishment of attaining the fulfillment of compassionate activities!” 

From The Irreversible Golden Razor, Scripture for the Accomplishment of the Secret, Greatly Fierce Demon Subduer, Walchen Gékhö

All translations from the Tibetan by Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved

Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved. No content, in part or in whole, is allowed to be used without direct permission from the author.

Walchen Gekhö and consort statue. Photo credit: Raven Cypress Wood

UPCOMING EVENTS from the NINE WAYS CALENDAR of EVENTS & AUSPICIOUS DAYS

EVENT: BURNED FOOD OFFERING & MA TRI MANTRA for the NEPALI FLOOD VICTIMS on ZOOM
EVENT: PRAISE & BENEFIT of JAMMA’S MANTRA on ZOOM
EVENT: THE SACRED THREAD: The Yungdrung Bön Mala & Mantras. Learn their history, meaning, and use in this online class.

See the Calendar of Events for other opportunities to practice together online, online classes and trainings, and auspicious days throughout the month: CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Nine Ways is supported by a mandala of kind and generous donors. Because of their generosity, the work continues.

Previously subscribed but not receiving emails? If you haven’t opened an email from Nine Ways in the past three months, you have been removed from the active subscriber list. Resubscribe to stay in touch!

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The Annual Retreat for Requesting Protection and Blessings from the Enlightened Queen of Existence, Sipé Gyalmo

Sipé Gyalmo who rides a black mule.

Every Year at Menri Monastery in India there is a week-long retreat and ritual for the enlightened protector Sipé Gyalmo, who is one of the main protectors of Menri Monastery and the practitioners of Yungdrung Bön. During this time, a hundred thousand food offering tormas together with a collection of other offerings are presented to her and her vast retinue followed by supplications and requests for the bestowal of protection and prosperity, the removal of obstacles and the blessing of harmonious circumstances for all sentient beings. In 2026, this sacred ritual will take place September 21st-27th.

To make a donation towards the ritual for Sipé Gyalmo, follow this link to the donation page of Khyungdzong Wödsel Ling: http://kwling.org/bon/bum-tsok-offering/ This is the North American center for His Eminence Menri Lopon Yangton Trinley Nyima Rinpoche. The full amount of every donation will be sent to Menri Monastery and designated for the ritual. This donation can be dedicated for those that are ill, in danger, have recently passed away, or for yourself. If you are unable to donate monetarily, by rejoicing in the donations of others and the performance of the ritual, you also receive merit. One can also participate by engaging in Sipé Gyalmo practice, mantra recitation, engaging in virtue and avoiding acts of non-virtue during the week-long ritual.

Who is the Queen of Existence, Sipé Gyalmo?

In the Yungdrung Bön tradition, the Queen of Existence Sipé Gyalmo is one of the primary protectors of the religious doctrine and its followers. She is an enlightened being who manifests in countless ways. In her Dzogku form, she manifests with a dark blue body, in a fierce stance with three faces, one hundred heads of various animals, thousands of arms holding weapons and other wrathful objects, hundreds of legs, and surrounded by unimaginable blazing flames.

Her body emanations are the six goddesses who watch over existence throughout the day and night. These manifestations are (1) the white goddess who watches over existence during dawn, (2) the golden goddess that watches during sunrise, (3) the red goddess that watches during midday, (4) the maroon goddess that watches during sunset, (5) the black goddess that watches during evening, and (6) the dark blue goddess that watches over existence during midnight.

Her tülku manifestations appear with a dark blue body with three faces, six arms, and riding either a black or red mule. However, she can manifest in whatever way is needed in order to provide protection and support.

“Especially, manifesting from the essence of space, the state of the unmoving nature of mind of Küntu Zangmo, for the purpose of protecting the enlightened teachings of the Yungdrung Bön is the lord of the boundary between past and future, the Queen of Existence Sipé Gyalmo.

You are Dédro Sangwé Yum, the secret Mother who guides beings to bliss.

Your Body emanations are the wrathful goddesses of the six times.

Your Speech emanations are the four queens who rule over the four seasons.

Your Mind emanations are the female demons who are the nyen queens of existence.”

Excerpt from The Complete Accomplishment of Golden Libations for the Assembly of Bön Guardians and Protectors within Sacred Smoke: The Ancient Ritual of Fumigation and Offering in the Yungdrung Bön Religious Tradition by Raven Cypress Wood
Sipé Gyalmo riding a red mule as depicted within a Yungdrung Bön text

“EMAHO!

Mother of the vast expanse of the Bönku, which is primordially pure and free from elaboration,

in order to establish the Bön teachings in the Land of Snow, 

merely by calling out to you Single Mother Sipé Gyalmo, wherever you are,

please come!”

Excerpt from The Alphabetical Praise of the Supreme Mother Sipé Gyalmo within Sacred Smoke by Raven Cypress Wood
Sipé Gyalmo offerings, namkha, and image during a previous bum tsok at Menri Monastery

UPCOMING EVENTS

EVENT: SIPÉ GYALMO OFFERINGS & SUPPLICATIONS on ZOOM

See the Calendar of Events for other opportunities to practice together online, online classes and trainings, and auspicious days throughout the month: CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUST PUBLISHED!

Sacred Smoke: The Ancient Ritual of Fumigation and Offering in the Yungdrung Bön Religious Tradition is now published by Nine Ways Press and is in paperback AND eBook for the first time! PLUS, additional prayers and translations have been added, and the Tibetan language section has been reformatted for easier reading. You can check out the table of contents here. The print book is available here: Sacred Smoke Paperback. The eBook can be purchased here: Sacred Smoke eBOOK.

Coming Soon! Nine Ways Press is currently preparing Forty-three Trainings for an Enlightened Mind to be published as an eBook. Also, a Spanish language translation of the book is on its way.

New Items Have Arrived in the Nine Ways Shop

  • Traditional Bönpo flat bells, also called sil nyen or shang, were given by Buddha Tönpa Shenrap in order to support the practices of his Yungdrung Bön tradition. They are one of the oldest sacred instruments.
  • Good quality cloth shoulder bags made in Nepal.

For more details or to order, go to the Nine Ways Shop webpage.

Aid for Nepal

Looking for a trustworthy organization that is collecting funds in order to support the survivors of the devastating flash flood in Nepal? His Eminence Menri Pönlop Yangtön Trinley Nyima Rinpoche has asked his North American organization, Khyungdzong Wödsel Ling, to collect donations that he will personally take to Nepal and hand deliver to those in need. If you would like to donate, you can do so by following this link: KWL Funds for Nepal. When making a donation, be sure to indicate that it is for Nepal in the memo field. The donate button is on the left side of the page.

Nine Ways is supported by a mandala of kind and generous donors. Because of their generosity, the work continues.

Previously subscribed but not receiving emails? If you haven’t opened an email from Nine Ways in the past three months, you have been removed from the active subscriber list. Resubscribe to stay in touch!

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9th Anniversary of the Parinirvana of His Holiness the 33rd Menri Trizin

On the 24th day of the 7th lunar month in the Western year 2017, His Holiness the 33rd Menri Trizin Lungtok Tenpé Nyima Rinpoché displayed his realization by passing into nirvana from his physical body. In 2026, this date coincides with the Western calendar date September 5th. On this day, Yungdrung Bön practitioners and religious centers worldwide will recognize this auspicious day with special prayers and rituals.

Join Together in Observance and Prayer

At 10:30 a.m. NY time, Raven Cypress Wood invites you to join her via Zoom for a time of prayer and offerings. Having set out the five daily offerings in preparation, prayers will include:

  • Completely Pure and Changeless Offerings to the Lama
  • Supplication to the Lord of Refuge, the Supreme 33rd Throne-holder of Menri, Lungtok Tenpé Nyima Rinpoche
  • Aspiration Prayer for the Continuation of the Teachings
  • Dedication of Merit

These prayers can all be found in A Blazing Mala of Wish-fulfilling Jewels but they will also be screen shared during the meeting so that everyone can follow along. If you would like to join, please send an email request to Nineways@Ravencypresswood.com to receive the Zoom link.

In accordance with the request of H.H. 34th Menri Trizin Rinpoche, a statue with the likeness of H.H. the 33rd Menri Trizin Lungtok Tenpé Nyima Rinpoche was commissioned and installed at Menri Monastery in India.

On the full moon day of the 5th lunar month in 1929, His Holiness was born in Amdo, Tibet into the Jongdong family lineage. He was given the name Lama Thar. By the age of 13, he had gained knowledge and experience for chanting, performing rituals, and playing instruments. At the age of 14, he performed the preliminary practices including the 900,000 accumulations three times. He received novice monk vows at the age of 17. Eight years later, he completed his geshe degree. In 1956, he received empowerment and teachings for the Four Cycles of the Aural Transmission of Zhang Zhung from His Holiness the 30th Menri Trizin Tenpa Lodrö Rinpoche. In 1968 at the age of 39, he was selected through an extensive ritual process to become the 33rd Menri Trizin and leader of the worldwide Yungdrung Bön community.

Three years after his enthronement, he began construction of the main temple of Pal Shenten Menri Ling in Dolanji, India. Two years later, he opened a dispensary and began distributing free medicine not only to the local Bönpo, but also to the local Indian community. In 1975, he founded the Central School for Tibetan in Dolanji. Three years later, he founded the dialectic college at Menri Monastery to enable monks to receive the prestigious geshe degree. At the age of 66 in 1994, His Holiness 33rd Menri Trizin returned to Tibet for the first time. Arriving at Tashi Menri, he sat on the golden throne of Nyammé Sherap Gyaltsen in the original Menri Monastery.

Memorial chorten for His Holiness the 33rd Menri Trizin at Pal Shenten Menri Ling

At the age of 89 in the early evening of the 24th day of the 7th lunar month in 2017, His Holiness entered into parinirvana and his physical body remained in a state of tukdam for many days. Three days before, he asked for all of the school children to come and see him and receive a gift of candy. The next day, he requested for all of the villagers to come and visit him. On the morning of his passing into nirvana, he gave an audience to all the ordained.

“It is important for you to feel grateful every day to the one who introduced you to the nature of mind. When you do a meditation you feel gratitude, blessings, and thankfulness, experiences of inspiration and devotion. It is not like your gratitude is benefitting the master. Rather, it is important in order for you to develop your practice. If you cannot do a form of guru yoga every day, then just before you are going to sleep, as you are going to bed, feel the blessings, gratitude, and joy and dissolve the master from the crown of the head to the heart. Feel the master in your heart and go to sleep. You will have better dreams and more peaceful sleep. When you wake up in the morning, those energies can come out from the top of the head, that liveliness, and you can have a better day. You can begin the right way.”

Extract from Living Wisdom: Dzogchen Teachings from the 33rd Menri Trizin, His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche published by Sacred Sky Press

Supplication Prayer to H.H. the 33rd Menri Trizin Rinpoché

“Marvelous! The omniscient wisdom of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions is condensed into a single essence in you, Highest One.

You carry out the enlightened activities of spreading the vast and profound teachings of Tönpa Shenrap.

To you, Lungtok Tenpé Nyima, I supplicate and pray.

é ma ho, rap jam chok chü gyal wa sé ché kyi,

khyen tsé yé shé ngo wo chik dü pa, zap gyé shen ten pel wé trin lé chen

lung tok ten pé nyi ma sol wa dep

Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved. No content, in part or in whole, is allowed to be used without direct permission from the author.

Aid for Nepal

Looking for a trustworthy organization that is collecting funds in order to support the survivors of the devastating flash flood in Nepal? His Eminence Menri Pönlop Yangtön Trinley Nyima Rinpoche has asked his North American organization, Khyungdzong Wödsel Ling, to collect donations that he will personally take to Nepal and hand deliver to those in need. If you would like to donate, you can do so by following this link: KWL Funds for Nepal. When making a donation, be sure to indicate that it is for Nepal in the memo field. The donate button is on the left side of the page.

UPCOMING EVENTS

See the calendar of events for upcoming events and auspicious days throughout the month: CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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