Category Archives: Tibetan Lunar & Religious Calendar

The Time to Practice The Greatly Fierce, Secret Gekhö

Walchen Gekho with his consort, Queen of the Drala

Each year from the 22nd-29th lunar days of the Eighth Tibetan month, Menri Monastery in Dolanji, 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 2023, these lunar dates correspond with October 6th-13th 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 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 Bodies and the Five Primordial Wisdoms. Through the truth of pacification, and through these 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 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.

Don’t want to miss a post? Scroll to the bottom and click “Follow this blog.”

Want to join the mandala of Nine Ways supporters? Follow this link https://ravencypresswood.com/donate/ It’s easy through Paypal and Zelle.

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

Posted on | Image

Menri Monastery: Annual Retreat of the Great Loving Mother

Jamma Chenmo, the Great Loving Mother

Each year during the 23rd-29th lunar days of the 5th month, members of the Menri Monastery ordained community undergo a retreat for Jamma Chenmo, the Great Loving Mother. This year, those lunar dates coincide with July 10th-16th, 2023 on the Western calendar.

Jamma Chenmo, the Great Loving Mother, is a Buddha who manifests as a loving mother to care for each and every sentient being as though they were her only child. In her manifestation as one of the Four Transcendent Buddhas of the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition, she is called by the Zhang Zhung name Satrik Érsang.

Buddha Jamma Chenmo, also known as Sherap Jamma, can manifest in any way necessary to act for the welfare of sentient beings. She magically emanates as the Five Wisdom Families who are the manifestation of her enlightened body, the Eight Protectors who are the manifestation of her enlightened speech, the Sixteen Door Openers who are manifestations of her enlightened mind, the thirty-two emanations who are manifestations of her enlightened qualities, the fifty-two emanations that are manifestations of her enlightened activity, the 108 emanations who are the source of many Jamma scriptures, the 360 emanations who keep watch over the five elements of the phenomenal world and every kind of sentient being, the 5,500 emanations that are yungdrung sempa [Sanskrit:bodhisattvas], and the many limitless emanations who are part of her retinue and who work on her behalf.

The Five Wisdom Manifestations of Jamma Chenmo

Jamma Chenmo’s Five Wisdom Family emanations all have a peaceful appearance and collectively embody the five wisdoms and purify the five poisons. These five manifestations are Künsel Jamma, Tabgyi Jamma, Mönlam Jamma, Tukjé Jamma, and Topgyi Jamma. Künsel Jamma, the All-clear Loving Mother, is a fiery golden color.  She has one face, two arms, and two legs. In her right hand, she holds a golden vase of nectar. In her left hand, she holds a udumbara flower. At the flower’s apex is a round mirror symbolizing wisdom. She wears bracelets of crystal, and around her neck is an ornament of forty wisdom tiklés. She is the embodiment of the wisdom of emptiness.

Tapgyi Jamma, Loving Mother of Skillful Means, is white with one face, four arms, and two legs. In her two right hands, she holds a net and a lotus. In her two left hands, she holds a lightening bolt and a yungdrung. She is the embodiment of mirror-like wisdom.

Mönlam Jamma, Loving Mother of Aspiration, is also known as Namkha Dzö Dzinma, Holder of a Sky Treasury. She is green with one face, four arms, and two legs. In her right two hands, she holds a razor and a staff. In her two left hands, she holds a renunciate’s begging bowl and a vase of lustral water. She is the embodiment of the wisdom of equanimity.

Tükjé Jamma, Loving Mother of Compassion, is like the queen of all the khandro and also manifests as the great consort, Chema Ötso. She is red with one face, four arms, and two legs. In her right two hands, she holds a lasso and a sun. In her left two hands, she holds a precious jewel and a victory banner. She is the embodiment of discriminating wisdom.

Topgyi Jamma, Loving Mother of Power, is also known as Nang Si Kün Drakma, Goddess who is renowned throughout the phenomenal universe. She is blue with one face, four arms, and two legs. In her right two hands she holds a dagger and a military banner. In her left two hands, she holds a horoscope and an utpal flower. She is the embodiment of all-accomplishing wisdom.

Jamma Chenmo and her retinue

This cycle of tantric teachings of Künsel Jamma Chenmo are found in the 8th Way of Bön, The Way of the Primordial Shen.

“Although Bön is abundant and plentiful, this Great Vehicle of the Primordial Shen is different from the lower 7th Vehicle. The king of all oral transmissions, those transmissions spoken with words, is the Bön cycle of Künsal Jamma Chenmo.”  

— From Jamma’s 100,000 Empowerments

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

Don’t want to miss a post? Scroll to the bottom and click “Follow this blog.”

Want to join the mandala of Nine Ways supporters? Follow this link https://ravencypresswood.com/donate/

Posted on | Image

Advice for Spiritual Practitioners from the 8th Century Master, Drenpa Namkha

20th Century Bhutanese mural depicting Drenpa Namkha

In general, there have been three separate manifestations of Drenpa Namkha. Each was a reincarnation of the previous manifestation. There was Drenpa Namkha of Tazik, Drenpa Namkha of Zhang Zhung, and Drenpa Namkha of Tibet. Having attained the ultimate accomplishment of complete enlightenment, Drenpa Namkha is also practiced as a meditational deity, or yidam.

During his physical manifestations, in addition to protecting many of the Yungdrung Bön texts from destruction, he also composed many commentaries and practices to guide sincere spiritual practitioners. According to his advice, there are three things that a spiritual practitioner must have in order to attain the state of the Three Enlightened Bodies. They are:

  1. The Seven Things to Meditate Upon 
  2. The Three Applications 
  3. The Three Detachments 

The Seven Things to Meditate Upon:

  • Impermanence
  • The difficulty of acquiring a precious human birth
  • The faults of cyclic existence
  • The truth of cause and effect
  • Compassion
  • Refuge and Generating the Mind of Enlightenment
  • Emptiness

The Three Applications:

  • Having understood the faults of cyclic existence, one must apply the practice of refuge.
  • Having understood the truth of cause and effect, one must apply the avoidance of non-virtuous actions.
  • Having developed loving kindness and compassion, one must act to benefit other sentient beings.

The Three Detachments:

  • Having understood impermanence and the faults of cyclic existence, one should detach from this life.
  • Having experienced great compassion, one should detach from self benefit.
  • Having meditated on emptiness, one should detach from grasping things as inherently existing.

Free, publicly available English translations of The Truth of Impermanence and Aspiration Prayer of Giving and Receiving have been made available for personal use. For the links to download these prayers, go to the Publications page of this website: https://ravencypresswood.com/publications/

For more information about the great spiritual master Drenpa Namkha, see previous article: https://ravencypresswood.com/2016/05/06/practice-of-the-great-lama-drenpa-namkha/

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

Don’t want to miss a post? Scroll to the bottom and click “Follow this blog.”

Want to join the mandala of Nine Ways supporters? Follow this link https://ravencypresswood.com/donate/

Posted on | Image

Annual Retreat of the Peaceful & Wrathful Walsé Ngampa

The Yidam Walsé Ngampa and the Great Mother Ngammo Yumchen Tröpe Taktenma

Each year on the 23rd-29th lunar days of the 2nd lunar month, Menri Monastery performs a week-long retreat of the yidam Walsé Ngampa. In 2023, these dates correspond to April 13th-19th on the Western calendar. The retreat includes recitation of the complete yidam text along with accumulation of the mantra, one hundred feast offerings to the yidam and his retinue, as well as a ritual of protection to turn away malevolent forces as well as the causes for illness, accidents, conflicts, and other types of harm and danger.

The yidam Walsé Ngampa is one of the Five Supreme Embodiments, or literally the Five Supreme Citadels of the Father Tantra that are manifestations of the enlightened body, speech, mind, quality, and activity of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché. Walsé Ngampa is the embodiment of Enlightened Body. He is dark blue with nine heads and eighteen arms with which he holds various weapons for subduing obstacles. He is the manifested form of the wisdom of emptiness. His consort has the nature of Buddha Satrik Érsang and is known as Ngammo Yumchen Tröpé Taktenma with a body color that is dark green with blue hair and eyebrows. In her right hand, she holds an amulet containing the earth and sky. In her left hand, she holds a vase of nectar. And she wears a necklace of the planets and stars.

The main ritual text for this deity is entitled, Stages of Practice for Walsé which was composed by the great sage Drenpa Namkha and rediscovered as a terma by Matön Drol Dzin in 1091 from a rock in Dangra Khyung-dzong. Reciting this text and performing the associated rituals has a profound benefit of blessing and protection. Menri Monastery will be performing this sacred activity or the benefit and welfare of all beings in support of their happiness and development of wisdom.

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

Don’t want to miss a post? Scroll to the bottom and click “Follow this blog.”

Want to join the mandala of Nine Ways supporters? Follow this link https://ravencypresswood.com/donate/ It’s easy through Paypal and Zelle.

Posted on | Image

Feast Offering to the Deities of the Mother Tantra

Untitled

Mother Tantra deities as painted by Lama Kalsang Nyima. Photo credit: Raven Cypress Wood

On the 21st and 22nd lunar days of the 1st month, Menri Monastery in Dolanji, India will perform a feast offering to the deities of the Mother Tantra according to the Shen tradition. These dates are March 23rd and 24th, 2022 on the Western calendar. This kind of feast offering, known as tsok [Tibetan: tshogs] literally means “collection, accumulation, assembly.”

The source of the Mother Tantra within the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition is the primordial Buddha Küntu Zangpo. It has three cycles: external, internal and secret. Each cycle has a root text and a commentary that was written by the sage Milu Samlek. The main yidam of the Mother tantra is Sangchok Tartuk and his consort Khandro Chema Ötso. Of the two types of either peaceful or wrathful, the tsok of the Mother Tantra is categorized as wrathful.

menri ma gyud tsok 2021

Tsok offerings for the principal deities and retinue of the Mother Tantra. Photo credit: Unknown

For those who have vows with a yidam deity, performing a tsok is an opportunity to repair broken vows or commitments related to the yidam practice and increase merit and wisdom. Having offered to the enlightened beings, we gain more power and energy. Additionally, past negative actions and the obstacles and imbalances of daily life are purified. Qualities such as health, longevity, prosperity, confidence, stability are enhanced. When undergoing a deity retreat, a tsok is performed during the final session of practice each day.

When performing a tsok, the ritual can be done in its condensed, medium-length, or extensive forms. This is determined by the purpose of the tsok, the sponsor, the circumstance, and the umdzé or ritual director of the feast offering. However, every tsok has a similar structure consisting of preparation, preliminaries, prayers related to the specific deity together with their retinue, and the concluding prayers.  In general, once the length of the tsok is determined the necessary sacred substances, offering torma, and food offerings are prepared. Everything must be clean, prepared according to the text, and placed in its proper position in the shrine area. The preliminary practices consist of the usual foundation of setting an boundary in order to keep out obstacles and to keep in the blessings, going for refuge, generating the mind of enlightenment for self and others and admission of wrongdoing and purification.

The tsok offerings are then ritually cleansed with water and incense. The tsok is then empowered through visualization and mantra and becomes delicious, containing the eight qualities of nutrition, as well as limitless auspiciousness and positive qualities. The principal deity are retinue are formally invited to tsok and asked to reside in the objects of support such as the yidam torma or image that has been centrally placed on uppermost level of the shrine. Now that the enlightened deity is present, prostrations are offered. One can also take this opportunity to confess any broken vows or commitments to the deity and receive purification and renewal of those vows.

wrathful tsok

A wrathful tsok offering. Photo credit: Unknown

The eight offering goddesses are imagined to present the eight external offerings to the assembly of deities. Then, rakta mixed with tea is offered and is symbolic of a blood offering. This represents offering the liberation of our desire and attachment. Next, the ritually prepared medicinal alcohol is empowered and presented to the yidam deities which represents offering our wisdom. The tsok is then liberated by being cut. The top-most portion is offered to the deities, and the next portion is offered to the lineage lamas of the practice being performed. The linga torma represents outer enemies and obstacles as well as the inner five poisons, wrong views etc. This torma is now presented to the yidam, liberated by cutting, and then offered while requesting the ordinary and supreme attainments of the practice. The Yungdrung Bön protectors are presented with offerings, the prayer of delighting the deities and the lineage with the tsok is performed, and the prayer of attainment is performed.

“Within this mandala where marvelous things arise,

there is a collection of enjoyable things such as sights, sounds, smells, tastes, things to touch, ornaments, Bön treasures, etc.

Through this unsurpassed cloud of offerings, both actually set out and imagined,

may our sacred commitments be fulfilled!

Through the blessings of having fulfilled our sacred commitments to you,

may the enlightened teachings of the Yungdrung Bön spread!

Dispel into space all external, internal, and secret obstacles!”

And,

“Emaho!

This sacred food is the essence of spiritual attainment.

I will partake of it and receive both the ordinary and the supreme spiritual attainments!”

Then, by eating the tsok, we renew our vows with the yidam deities and receive their blessing and empowerment. We then share the leftovers of the tsok offerings as a charitable gift to those lower beings who are powerless to take part in the tsok and depend upon our generosity to receive its blessings.

The concluding practices include prayers of aspiration and auspicious followed by dedicating all of the virtuous activity performed during the tsok for the benefit of every sentient being within cyclic existence.

For more information about the cycle of Mother Tantra texts, see previous article: https://ravencypresswood.com/2021/12/18/a-brief-introduction-to-the-mother-tantras-of-yungdrung-bon/

Tibetan translations 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.

Don’t want to miss a post? Scroll to the bottom and click “Follow this blog.”

Want to join the mandala of Nine Ways supporters? Follow this link https://ravencypresswood.com/donate/

Posted on | Image

← Older Posts
Newer Posts →