Category Archives: Yungdrung Bon Monasteries

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.

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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

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Annual Retreat of Buddha Sherap Jamma at Menri Monastery

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. In 2026, those lunar dates coincide with July 8th-13th. This cycle of tantric teachings of Künsel Jamma Chenmo are found in The Eighth Way of Bön, The Way of the Primordial Shen. 

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 called 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 Heartdrop of Jamma is a short, but profound, text that enables one to deeply connect with Sherap Jamma in order to receive her blessings and protection. The power of reciting this text with devotion has unimaginable benefits. Within the text itself, it details some of these extraordinary benefits.

“If you recite from the beginning until the end, it is the same as reciting the Kangyur one time. If you perform the practice daily, you will attain buddhahood in this single lifetime with this body. Because this is the oral transmission of the Mother and the khandro, if you practice without hope, fear, or doubt, buddhahood is certain.

Extract from The Heartdrop of Jamma, The Wise Loving Mother

The English language translation of this text by Raven Cypress Wood is available in both print and eBook here: The Heartdrop of Jamma. The Spanish language and French language translations will soon be available in eBook. Stay tuned!

For those who would like to listen to a mediative reading of the text, Raven has recorded and published it on the Nine Ways Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/c9s82TmhfuA.

The Five Wisdom Manifestations of Jamma

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.

The Eight Jamma Manifestations that Protect from Fear

Drayi Jik Chopma, Protector from the Fear of Enemies, is the Protector who turns back all enemies having form or those who are formless. She is the Loving Mother who reverses all flaws and defects.

Jekyi Jik Chopma, Protector from the Fear of Curses and Slander, is the Protector who destroys all harm and damage caused by curses, slander ,and negative use of energy and magic.

Rikgyi Jik Chopma, Protector from Fear for the Lineage, is the Protector who bestows the attainment of children to sentient beings who want to continue the family lineage and are suffering because of infertility or other obstacles to having children or continuing a lineage such as a family, a business, or a group.

Luyi Jik Chopma, Protector from the Fear of the Lu, is the Subduer of the demon lu that cause diseases such as leprosy, internal lesions, herpes and so on.

Mutek Jik Chopma, Protetor from the Fear of Wrong Views, is the Destroyer who decisively ends the criticism of outsiders who hold wrong views. She also strengthens the intellect.

Kyöngyi Jik Chopma, Protector from the Fear of Flaws and Errors, is the Loving Mother who overcomes uncleanliness, mistakes and defilements.

Tséyi Jik Chopma, Protector from the Fear of Death, is the Medicine Goddess of Longevity who protects from the fear of death.

Zayi Jik Chopma, Protector from the Fear of the Planets, is the Loving Mother who subdues, without exception, planets, stars and the eight classes of beings. She protects from harm coming from astrological influences.

Jamma Chenmo and her retinue

The Ten Jamma Manifestations that are the Source of the Ten Perfections Teachings

Sherap Jamma is the source of the perfection of wisdom teachings. She has ten manifestations that embody the pure and fully manifested quality of each of the ten perfections. Each of these manifestations has one face, two hands and is seated on a throne.

Jinpa Jamma, Loving Mother of Generosity, is blue and holds a mala of counting beads in her right hand and a vase of nectar in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of immense joy.

Tsultrim Jamma, Loving Mother of Moral Discipline, is blue and holds an everlasting tree in her right hand and a dark blue vase in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of stainless crystal.

Zöpa Jamma, Loving Mother of Patience, is bluish green and holds a victory banner of fire in her right hand and a water wheel in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of radiance.

Tsöndru Jamma, Loving Mother of Zeal, is light green and holds a magical lasso in her right hand and a wheel of the wind in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of the mudra of transformation.

Samten Jamma, Loving Mother of Concentration, is turquoise and holds a golden phurba in her right hand and a large, unchanging rock in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of cloudbanks of the Bön essence.

Topgyi Jamma, Loving Mother of Power, is light red and holds a lion banner in her right hand and the mudra of overcoming the earth with her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of realizing bliss.

Tükjé Jamma, Loving Mother of Compassion, is reddish green and holds a wish-fulfilling jewel in her right hand and a lasso of compassion in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of accomplishing wishes.

Mönlam Jamma, Loving Mother of Aspiration, is red and holds a hollyhock flower in her right hand and a coral vase in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of pure non-attachment.

Tapgyi Jamma, Loving Mother of Skillful Means, is white and holds a lasso of skillful means in her right hand and a golden vase in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of the wheel of letters.

Sherap Jamma, Loving Mother of Wisdom, she is golden and holds a golden vase in her right hand and a mirror of clarity in her left hand. Of the ten grounds, she is associated with the ground of the changeless yungdrung.

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Current Event: The Annual Reading of the Enlightened Teachings of Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap

Nuns of Ratna Menling reading from the teachings of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap

Each year at Pal Shenten Menri Monastery and Ratna Menling Nunnery on the 14th and 15th lunar days of the 4th month, the enlightened teachings of Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché are read out loud. In 2026, these dates coincide with May 30th and 31st on the Western calendar. During the ceremony, the sacred volumes containing these teachings are carried by both the ordained and laypeople as they circumambulate the temple complex. As a sign of respect for the sacredness of the scriptures, they are carried above the waist. Most often, they are carried on the shoulder. After completing the circumambulation, they are brought into the temples and distributed to the ordained monks and nuns for two full days of recitation. Reading the scriptures aloud is considered one of the thirteen activities for a meaningful human life. (See previous article: Thirteen Activities for a Meaningful Life).

His Holiness the 34th Menri Trizen, His Eminence Menri Pönlop Rinpoche, and other monks of Menri Monastery carry texts containing the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap while circumambulating.

The canon of sacred Yungdrung Bön scriptures is divided into two categories. The first category of texts consist of the teachings of the primordial enlightened ones and Lord Buddha Tönpa Shenrap. This category is known as Ka [Tibetan: bka’] meaning enlightened words or speech. These texts are further divided into four primary categories: (1) Dō [Tibetan: mdo], Sutra contains teachings regarding monastic rules, cosmology, medicine, hagiographies, and invocations, (2) Bum [Tibetan: ‘bum], the wisdom texts of The Hundred Thousand also known as The Prajnaparamita, (3) Gyü [Tibetan: rgyud], Tantra, and (4) Dzö [Tibetan: mdzod] The Treasury of the highest teachings known as dzogchen. In some catalogues, there can also be a fifth category of miscellaneous texts. Although each Yungdrung Bön temple in Tibet had a significant collection of Ka scriptures, the collections were not necessarily complete. This was especially due to repeated persecution throughout history of the Yungdrung Bön tradition which necessitated the hiding of texts. It is thought that only one complete collection survived. According to a catalogue of the Ka done by the 23rd abbot of Menri there are a total of 175 volumes. This number can vary according to various collections due to the availability of texts that could be copied, whether only main titles were counted as a volume, and so on.

Monks and nuns of Menri Monastery circumambulating with the scriptures of the Ka.

The second category of canonical texts is known as the Ka Ten [Tibetan: bka’ brten], Relying upon the Words. Thus, the Bön canon is referred to as the Ka and the Ka Ten. (This differs from the Buddhist canon which is referred to as the Kangyur and the Tengyur.) The Ka Ten includes commentaries, practices, rituals, and so on that rely upon the scriptures of the Ka as their root text. In order for a text to be included in the Ka Ten, it must undergo a rigorous and methodical analysis. Although there are over 300 volumes included within the Ka Ten, some catalogues do not include texts after the 14th century which are thought to be mainly texts of the New Bön tradition. Other catalogues do include these texts as well as the collective writings of other Bön sages such as Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen of the 19th Century CE. Additionally, many texts are incredibly rare and are guarded from outsiders. Therefore, few if any copies of these texts exist. Some texts are considered valid to be included in the Ka Ten by some, while being considered invalid and thus excluded by others. Titles can be included within unrelated volumes or counted individually, and so on. Even so, it is generally accepted that there are over 300 volumes of Ka Ten scriptures. These volumes include commentaries, scriptures of philosophy and logic, biographies, historical accounts, compositions of sacred songs, poetry, advice for disciples, collections of liturgical texts, and so on.

Traditionally wrapped and labeled Yungdrung Bön scriptures.

It is said that reading The Heartdrop of Jamma from the beginning until the end is the same as reading the entire 118 volumes of the Ka, the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap. This beautiful text, where the practitioner transforms their physical body into the sacred mandala of the limitless emanations of Sherap Jamma, has been translated by Raven Cypress Wood and published by Nine Ways. It is available in both print and eBook. For those who would like to listen to a meditative reading of the English translation of this text, it is available on the Nine Ways Youtube channel.

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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Developing Knowledge & Wisdom through the Power of the Lion of Speech

Mawé Sengé, Lion of Speech, with a sword of knowledge and a scripture.

After the Tibetan New Year celebrations, students at Menri Monastery enter into an intensive retreat to cultivate the qualities of the wisdom deity Mawé Sengé, Lion of Speech. This retreat begins on the 24th lunar day of the 1st month and concludes on the 30th lunar day. In 2026, these dates are March 12th – March 18th on the Western calendar. The purpose of this retreat is to receive the blessings and empowerment of the wisdom deity Mawé Sengé in order to develop and sharpen the students’ intellect to support their upcoming studies in the new school year. The practice of Mawé Sengé is performed many times each day and the mantra of the deity is recited as much as possible throughout the retreat with a minimum accumulation of one hundred thousand mantra recitations.

Mawé Sengé is the manifestation of the Dzok ku, the enlightened state that spontaneously expresses perfected qualities. If practiced regularly, he clears away the darkness of confusion, develops the intellect, and gives a quick and steadfast memory without forgetfulness. If his practice is properly applied and accomplished, there are seven specific signs that arise that indicate his blessings and power have been accomplished. These are called The Seven Signs of Attaining Wisdom that Blazes Like Fire. They are:

  1. The sign of having removed the darkness of lack of knowledge from the intellect. Specifically, this refers to removing a weak or unclear intellectual understanding. 
  2. The sign of having the eye of wisdom. This is the attainment of clairvoyance, expansive knowledge, and wisdom.
  3. The sign of being like a lion of glorious poetry. This refers to the ability to write expert discourses, specifically scholastic poems and compositions.
  4. The sign of the sun of superior knowledge rising. This refers to the capability of having clear knowledge, without any confusion, regarding the qualities of any knowable subject. 
  5. The sign of attaining the recollection of intelligence that is never forgotten. This refers to a steadfast capability of remembering what has been learned without forgetfulness.
  6. The sign of being like a thunderbolt when debating. This refers to the capability to brilliantly overcome all others, without defeat or fear, when debating any subject whatsoever.
  7. The sign of the intellectual memory being fast like lightening. This refers to an extraordinary ability of having a clear and quick memory.

“I go for refuge to the wisdom deity for the intellect. I generate the supreme mind of enlightenment for the benefit of vigorous training in the highest wisdom. Having compassionately purified all karmic obscurations without exception, please bestow the attainments of an increased intellect, useful knowledge, and a divine voice!”  

— From The Short Practice of Mawé Sengé. Tibetan translation: Raven Cypress Wood

Mawé Sengé holding a sword and a butter lamp

In the Yungdrung Bön tradition, there are two principal forms of the wisdom deity Mawé Sengé. Both of these forms share most characteristics. However, one form holds a sword and a scripture as the hand objects. The other form holds a sword and a butter lamp. This second principal form of Mawé Sengé is according to the prayer, An Offering of Praise for the Supreme Wisdom Deity Sherab Mawé Sengé, A Garland of Utpala Flowers composed by the highly revered Nyammé Sherab Gyaltsen Rinpoche.

“With a sword of wisdom held in your right hand, you cut the root of deluded thoughts and self-grasping.

With a butter lamp of clarity held in your left hand, you dispel the dark intellect and ignorance of migrating beings.

In the space to your right and left, the sun and moon blaze with the splendor of the inseparability of method and knowledge.”

— Extract from An Offering of Praise for the Supreme Wisdom Deity Sherab Mawé Sengé, A Garland of Utpala Flowers

Tibetan translations by Raven Cypress Wood

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