Enlightened beings can spontaneously manifest in any way, at any time that is beneficial for the suffering beings of cyclic, worldly existence. Although there are countless enlightened beings, from the perspective of human beings, there have so far been seven buddhas that have manifested specifically in order to guide human beings away from suffering and ignorance and onto a path of liberation and wisdom. The buddha of our current eon, Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché, manifested over 18,000 years ago in the form of a human being. He established the teachings of Yungdrung Bön to help sentient beings understand the cause of their suffering and to give them 84,000 ways to liberation. The buddhas of previous eons are:

Tönpa Nangwa Rangjung Tukjé Chen: This Buddha appeared in the world when the human life span was generally 100,000 years long.

Tönpa Gewa Khorwa Kündren: This Buddha appeared in the world when the human life span was generally 80,000 years long.

Tönpa Künshé Nyönmong Düksek: This Buddha appeared in the world when the human life span was generally 60,000 years long.

Tönpa Lekpa Tsemé Tukjé Chen: This Buddha appeared in the world when the human life span was generally 40,000 years long.

Tönpa Nyompa Tamche Khyenzik: This Buddha appeared in the world when the human life span was generally 20,000 years long.

Tönpa Champa Trigyal Khukpa, also known as Tönpa Künshé Tangpo:  This Buddha appeared in the world when the human life span was generally 10,000 years long.

Tönpa Dakpa Togyal Yekhyén: This Buddha appeared in the world when the human life span was generally 1,000 years long.  He was Tönpa Shenrap’s oldest brother in the heavenly realm.

Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché: This Buddha appeared in the world when the human  life span had become generally 100 years long.

Tönpa Jamden Tangma Médron is the Buddha of the future that is prophesized to appear in the world when the human life span has declined to be only ten years long.  He was Tönpa Shenrap’s younger brother in the heavenly realm.

“Namo Buddha!

I prostrate to the thousand buddhas who, during an immeasurable eon, having produced the mind of supreme enlightenment and accumulated an ocean of the two accumulations, actualized ultimate, perfect enlightenment!

In a previous time when the possible human lifespan was 100,000 years, 

In a previous time when the possible human lifespan was 100,000 years, at a time of perfecting the ten virtues of discipline,a naturally manifested buddha appeared. I prostrate, present offerings and supplicate to Tönpa Rangjung Tükjé Chen! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion!

At a time when the possible human lifespan was 60,000 years, Tönpa Nyönmong Duksek appeared. He tamed the demon Sam Ngen Dukjé and established his disciples upon the ground of liberation. I supplicate to that teacher! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion!

At a time when the possible human life span was 40,000 years, Tönpa Tsemé Tükjé Chen appeared. He tamed the demon Döpa’i Duknga and, without exception, he guided his disciples to liberation. I supplicate to that teacher! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion!

At a time when the possible human life span was 20,000 years, Tönpa Tamche Khyenzik appeared. He tamed the demon Künduk Nakpo and led his fortunate disciples to. I supplicate to that teacher! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion!

At a time when the possible human life span was 10,000 years, Tönpa Künshé Tangpo appeared. He tamed the demon Dukda Nakpo and led to liberation his disciples with purified karma. I supplicate to that teacher! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion!

At a time when the possible human life span was 500 years,Tönpa Togyal Yékhyen appeared. He tamed the demon Le Ngen Dikto, and led to liberation his disciples with positive karma. I supplicate to that teacher! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion!

At a time when the possible human life span was 100 years,Tönpa Shenrap Miwo appeared. He tamed the demon Khyappa Laring, and he tamed disciples through his body, speech, and mind. I supplicate to that teacher! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion!

In that way, buddhas have gone beyond, are here now, and will appear in the future. I supplicate to the thousand buddhas! I prostrate, present offerings and supplicate! Please hold me and all other migrating beings with your compassion! I supplicate to the buddhas who manifested on the earth!”

— A Jeweled Mala of Praise for Seven Generations of Buddhas Composed by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche

Tibetan translation by Raven Cypress Wood

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

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