As practitioners become more engaged in Dharma practice, their teachers will often recommend that they recite a daily set of prayers known as a sadhana. There are general sadhanas which are appropriate for everyone to do, and specific sadhanas that our teachers may prescribe to target our specific condition, obstacles and difficulties.

Having accumulated karma over countless lifetimes, our sadhana is important for our spiritual progress because these prayers, visualisations and meditations will purify the vast amounts of negative karma we have accumulated. They will also generate the merit necessary to support our spiritual practice. Daily practice in these visualisations are also training for the more complex visualisations that accompany higher Tantric practices. Thus consistency and continuity in our sadhana is necessary for those wishing to engage in deeper spiritual practices.

The Diamond Path sadhana invokes upon two forms of Manjushri. The first is Lama Tsongkhapa, known in Tibet as the Second Buddha because his works, writings and practice resulted in the revitalisation of Buddhism in Tibet. His teachings also gave rise to hundreds of thousands of great masters and scholars in the generations to follow. Lama Tsongkhapa was unrivalled as a scholar, master, teacher, writer and debater, and achieved full Enlightenment within his lifetime through intense study, practice and meditation.

Considered to be the synthesis of Chenrezig (compassion), Manjushri (wisdom) and Vajrapani (action), Lama Tsongkhapa’s daily prayer known as Gaden Lhagyama invokes upon his blessings to help us develop these enlightened qualities within us. As a result, practitioners who rely upon Lama Tsongkhapa will experience the benefits of a stable mind free from depression, miserliness, jealousy, hatred, anger, attachment and lack of self-esteem.

The resulting clarity frees us to focus on studying and applying Buddha’s teachings. With more study and application, a greater faith in the teachings develops, resulting in stability and therefore ensuring long-term benefits through our practice.

As we progress further along our spiritual path however, other obstacles may manifest as a result of karma from previous lives coming to fruition. It is therefore necessary to rely on a Dharma Protector who can arrest this karma, clear obstacles and create conducive conditions necessary for us to practise. All sadhanas should include a Dharma Protector practice, to clear our outer, inner and secret obstacles and gather the resources necessary for conducive conditions for Dharma practice.

A Dharma Protector highly recommended for practitioners today is Dorje Shugden, and prayers propitiating his blessings form the second part of the Diamond Path sadhana. Dorje Shugden is a wrathful emanation of Manjushri and, just like his emanator, is enlightened in nature. Reliance on Dorje Shugden as a Dharma Protector comes highly recommended by enlightened masters and luminary scholars such as His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, who tirelessly propagated the practice of Dorje Shugden to thousands of high lamas, monks and practitioners in the great Gelug monasteries of Tibet.

His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche also highly recommended Dorje Shugden’s practice to today’s practitioners, even composing “Music Delighting the Ocean of Protectors” (bstod ‘grel dam can rgya mtsho dgyes pa’i rol mo), an extensive text describing everything about Dorje Shugden and his practice, including his nature, background and all rituals associated with him. It is this text that Gelug practitioners all over the world continue to rely upon up until this day.

Using this and other traditional sources, the Diamond Path sadhana has been compiled by H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche for those without initiation who wish to create a closer connection with Manjushri. The sadhana is available in both English and Tibetan phonetics and in a longer and shorter version. Reciting either version in either language will deliver the same result – we will receive the assistance we need to overcome our problems and obstacles, and generate merit for ourselves.

All prayers, sadhanas and pujas begin with Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels and Generating Bodhicitta, followed by recitation of the Four Immeasurables. This step is considered fundamental to all practices as it sets the practitioner’s motivation for engaging in the prayers. The practitioner reminds themselves that they engage in the sadhana for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This is followed by the recitation of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga, known as Gaden Lhagyama, accompanied by the necessary visualisations. During this recitation, Lama Tsongkhapa is invited from his abode in Tushita (Gaden Heaven) into the space before the practitioner.

As part of the Gaden Lhagyama, the practitioner recites Lama Tsongkhapa’s mantra Migtsema, 21 times or more (time permitting). Migtsema was actually composed by Lama Tsongkhapa in praise of his teacher Rendawa, who humbly offered the praise back to his student, saying that it was more fitting of his qualities.

Migtsema is followed by 21 recitations of Lama Tsongkhapa’s name mantra and one mala (108 mantras) of Manjushri’s mantra. As with all mantras, the figures given here are minimums. If, time permitting, the practitioner is able to recite more, the result will only be beneficial. Gaden Lhagyama ends with the Dissolution of Lama Tsongkhapa into our heart centre.

At this juncture, if the practitioner has any other prayers, sadhanas or Yidam practices, it can be inserted here before beginning the prayers to Dorje Shugden.

The prayers to Dorje Shugden begin by reciting OM AH HUM three times. HUM purifies the offerings of all faults of colour, smell and potentiality; AH transforms the offerings into nectar; OM multiplies and increases the offerings set out on the altar. In reciting OM AH HUM, the practitioner consecrates the offerings laid out before them and at this point, they should visualise that the offerings are purified, ready to be offered to the Buddhas.

Next is the recitation of the Invocation Prayers, which request Dorje Shugden and his retinue to come to the space before the practitioner. This is followed by a recitation of the Offering Prayers and Praise of Dorje Shugden and his previous incarnations. In reciting the praise of Dorje Shugden, it is not to say that Dorje Shugden has an ego that needs to be appeased before he renders his assistance. Rather, it is an opportunity for the practitioner to recall the qualities of the enlightened mind that we wish to attain for ourselves, and a reminder that through consistent practice, achieving a fully awakened state is possible.

The practitioner then recites the Torma Offering Prayer as a method of generating the merits that come with making offerings to the enlightened beings. This is followed by a recitation of the Kawang Confessional Prayer (also known as the Kanshag) to clear obstacles.

This confessional prayer is a potent way of purifying negative karma and H.E. the 25th Tsem Rinpoche highly recommends Kawang recitations to practitioners who find that their minds are clouded with doubt and wrong view. These doubts arise as a result of heavy negative karma. Practitioners may find that the Kawang prayer is particularly graphic. This is because our negative karma is just as strong and in order to be effective in clearing this karma, the prayer supplicating Dorje Shugden’s assistance must be just as potent.

The Kawang is followed by recitations of Dorje Shugden’s mantra. Within the Diamond Path sadhana, H.E. Tsem Rinpoche has included three mantras. The first is the main mantra of Dorje Shugden for the attainment of all siddhis; the second mantra is focused on invoking upon Dorje Shugden’s healing energy, and the third mantra taps into the increasing energy of Dorje Shugden to increase one’s material resources. Although the minimum is three malas of Dorje Shugden’s main mantra, one may recite all of the mantras as many times as necessary.

Upon completing the mantra recitation, the practitioner should offer Serkym (Golden Drink). The serkym verse specific to Dorje Shugden can be recited 7, 21, 108 times or more, depending on the needs of the practitioner. It is recommended that we make more serkym offerings during difficult times, or when we are engaged in Dharma projects. In such projects which are very beneficial, the karma of the people who will benefit from the project may manifest as obstacles preventing the successful completion of the works. Hence, it is necessary to request for Dorje Shugden’s assistance to ensure these obstacles can be overcome and the project can be concluded swiftly.

Having completed the serkym prayers, the practitioner should then recite the Praise to Dorje Shugden as composed by the great Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga Lodro. Always offering praise to the enlightened beings generates a tremendous amount of merit for our spiritual practice. The praise is followed by the Enthronement Prayers, during which the practitioner makes requests for Dorje Shugden to abide in the statue or image on the altar, and to be with the practitioner always.

Next, the practitioner recites the Request for Activities before the sadhana is concluded by sealing the merits with Dedication Verses.

The Diamond Path sadhana can be recited by anyone, anywhere and at any time, and does not require the practitioner to have received initiations. Although it is not necessary to take any vows in order to engage in this sadhana, the benefits of one’s sadhana practice is greatest when we are consistent. This allows us to maximise every opportunity to purify our karma and accumulate merit.

Being consistent in our sadhana also helps us to develop the discipline necessary for higher Tantric practices. In this way, the Diamond Path sadhana can become training for higher practices when the practitioner takes a vow to maintain their sadhana commitments. When we have received such vows, then breaking our vows will have a detrimental effect on our practice.

The complete Diamond Path prayer book is available at VajraSecrets.com

When we fully understand the benefits of engaging in a sadhana practice, it will naturally result in continuity in our practice. Accordingly, if we really find that we do not have enough time to recite the full Diamond Path sadhana, we may engage in the condensed version or do 108 recitations of Dorje Shugden’s main mantra in its place, in order to completely avoid breaking our commitments. We do this with the aim to resume our full sadhana practice at the earliest available opportunity.

To invite home a Diamond Path sadhana book, visit http://www.vajrasecrets.com/diamond-path

Diamond Path

Long English Version

Refuge

It is most supreme to take refuge in the Buddha, Lama Tsongkhapa and Vajradhara in the form of Lama Losang Thubwang Dorje Chang, who encompasses the complete Three Jewels.

I take refuge in the Guru
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha (3x)
 

Generating Bodhicitta

In the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
Until enlightened, I seek refuge.
Through giving and other perfections,
To aid all, may I become Buddha! (3x)
 

The Four Immeasurables

May all sentient beings have happiness and the causes of happiness!
May all sentient beings be free of suffering and the causes of suffering!
May all sentient beings never be parted from happiness free of suffering!
May all sentient beings abide in equanimity free from bias, attachment and aversion!
 

Gaden Lhagyama (Je Tsongkhapa’s Guru Yoga)

Je Tsongkhapa embodies the Bodhisattvas of Compassion (Chenrezig), Wisdom (Manjushri) and Skilful Means (Vajrapani). Connecting with Je Tsongkhapa by thinking of him with faith, reciting his holy mantra, meditating on his omnipresence and practising his Guru Yoga blesses us with a deep sense of peace and clarity of mind we never thought possible. It is simple, complete and effective for today’s modern individual.

Invocation
From Tushita’s hundreds of gods’ Protector’s (Maitreya Buddha) heart,
To the tip of this fresh, pure white, heaped curd-like cloud,
O Losang Drakpa, Dharma’s Omniscient King,
Please come to this place, with your disciples!

Requesting to Stay
In the space ahead on a lion-throne, lotus and moon,
Venerable Gurus smile brightly with delight.
Please stay hundreds of aeons to spread the Dharma
As the supreme merit field for my mind of faith!

Prostration and Praise
Your wisdom mind sees the full range of existence,
Your eloquent speech adorns the fortunate’s ears,
Your beauteous body, famed glory outstanding,
Homage to you, worthwhile to think of, hear, and see.

Offering
Pleasant offerings of water, various flowers,
Fragrant incense, light, perfume, and so on,
Oceans of offerings, set out and envisioned,
Offered up to you, supreme field of merit.

Confession
Non-virtue committed with body, speech, and mind,
Which I have heaped up since beginningless time,
Especially what has transgressed the three vows,
Each I confess from my heart with strong regret.

Rejoicing
In time of strife you strove to learn and practise,
Shunned the eight mundane concerns and made life essenceful,
O Protector, from the depths of our hearts,
We rejoice in your powerful great deeds.

Requesting to Turn the Wheel of Dharma
Venerable Gurus, from love and wisdom,
Clouds densely massed in your Dharmakaya sky,
Please loose a rain of vast and profound Dharma
On the fields of disciples as needed.

Requesting to Remain
Risen from the pure sphere of clear light,
Union’s form is unborn, undying.
Still, to ordinary view, in this gross form,
Please stay on, undying, until the end of samsara.

Dedication
May whatever virtue that I have gathered here,
Bring benefit to all beings and the Dharma,
And may it make Venerable Losang Drakpa’s
Essence teachings specially shine forever!
 

Short Mandala Offering

Ground, perfume anointed, flowers strewn,
Meru, four lands, sun and moon adorned,
Seen as Buddha-fields and offered thus,
May all sentient beings enjoy pure lands!

IDAM GURU RATNA MANDALAKAM NIRAYATAYAMI
 

Migtsema: The Mantra of Lama Tsongkhapa

This is the most supreme of all mantras. Recite as much as possible, anytime, anywhere. It has the benefits of receiving Manjushri and Vajrapani.

Objectless compassion, Chenrezig,
Lord of stainless wisdom, Manjushri,
Conquering Mara’s hordes, Vajrapani,
Crown jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows, Tsongkhapa,
Losang Drakpa, at your feet, I pray. (21x or more)

Lama Tsongkhapa’s Name Mantra

OM AH GURU BENZA DHARA SUMATI KIRTI SIDDHI HUNG HUNG
(Recite 21x or more, depending on time)

Manjushri’s Mantra

Recite this mantra as many times as possible. On the concluding round, recite the last syllable DHI for one round of the rosary on one breath. At first, if we cannot hold our breath for that long, we may take in a few breaths; gradually we improve to recite it in one breath.

OM AH RA BA TSA NA DHI (Recite 108x or more)
 

Dissolving Je Rinpoche into Ourselves

This should be done very well with concentration and focus.

O Glorious and precious root Guru,
Pray sit on the lotus-moon seat atop my head.
Caring for me in your great kindness,
Please grant me the attainments of body, speech and mind!

O Glorious and precious root Guru,
Pray sit on the lotus-moon seat at my heart.
Caring for me in your great kindness,
Please grant attainments, common and supreme!

O Glorious and precious root Guru,
Pray sit on the lotus-moon seat at my heart.
Caring for me in your great kindness,
Until I attain supreme awakening, remain steadfast!
 

Invocation

With the invocation verses, we request Dorje Shugden and his entourage to come from Gaden (Tushita) Heaven from under the seat of Lama Tsongkhapa and various other holy places, e.g. Sakya, Tashi Lhunpo, Kechara, Shambhala, Five Peaked Mountain (Wutaishan), etc. Recite the following clearly and well, and visualise the five forms of Dorje Shugden and his full 32-deity mandala appearing in front of us.

OM AH HUM (3x to consecrate offerings)

HUM!
Before myself as the yidam deity,
In the midst of a wind swept dark red fire,
On a terrifying magnificent lion,
Trampling enemies and obstructors on a lotus and sun,
Is our supreme heart jewel, Dharmapala,
Mighty Gyalchen Dorje Shugden,
Adorned with robes of a monk on his body,
Wearing the golden domed hat on his head,
Holding razor sword and enemy heart in his hands,
With a manner of delight towards the practitioner,
And a fierce expression which destroys enemies and obstructors.
He is surrounded by an ocean-like host of retinue
Such as chief attendant, Kache Marpo.
Rays of light from my heart invite
From the natural sphere
And the individual palaces wherever they abide,
The wisdom beings who in one instant are invited
And become inseparable with the commitment beings.

HUM!
With devotion I prostrate with body, speech, and mind, and make offerings,
Both outer and inner, with flowers, incense, and light, perfume, food, flesh and blood,
Collections of tormas, beer, tea, buttered tsampa, milk, and yoghurt,
Actually arranged and mentally visualised, filling the whole of space.

Samaya substances, fulfillment substances, basal substances, and mantric substances,
Outer, inner, and secret favourite visual objects and fragrant smoke offering;
With my offering of these, filling space, O entourage,
May you be satisfied and restore degenerated commitments!

All of our mistaken actions of body, speech, and mind,
Which have contradicted the mind of the great Dharmapala,
We confess from the heart; quickly purify them
And care for us with compassion like a mother for her child!

This heart-felt exhortation of you, supreme deity,
Is to spread and increase the Victorious Lozang’s tradition,
To extend the life and dominion of the glorious Gurus,
And to increase the study and practice of the communities of Sangha.

Never separated from me, like my body and its shadow,
May you dispel adverse conditions and obstructors without exception,
Accomplish favourable conditions and desires as I wish,
And protect and care for me without ever a break!

Especially, the time has now come to show directly
Your unobstructed might in quick, decisive enlightened conduct
Of the four activities to swiftly accomplish
Our deepest heart-felt desires according to our wishes!

The time has come to judge the truth in accord with the law of causality!
The time has come to clear the innocent of accusations!
The time has come to protect the humble who are without a protector!
The time has come to nurture Dharma practitioners like your children!

In short, from now until attaining the essence of enlightenment,
Since we venerate you as the embodiment of the Guru and Protector,
May you protect us uninterruptedly with your enlightened activity,
And watch over us during the three periods of day and three of night!
 

Making Offerings

Sensory Offerings
OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA ARGHAM PRATICHAYE SOHA!

OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA SHAPTA PRATICHAYE SOHA!

Inner Offering
OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA OM AH HUM!

Praise
By just recollecting you for an instant,
Outer and inner obstructions are dispelled.
O powerful five families of Gyalchen Shugden,
Bestower of the four activities,
To the Dharmapala and his entourage I bow down.
 

Praise

A praise to the previous lives and origins of Dorje Shugden by means of the liberating biography. One should learn these wonderful stories in detail.

Though gone to the state of the Sugatas countless aeons ago,
In order to benefit the teachings and migrators, as whatever tames beings,
Your hundreds of emanations are endowed with the 27 enlightened activities;
Praise to the pervading lord, mighty Dorje Shugden.

Manjushri, Birwapa, Sakya Pandita, Lord Buton,
The omniscient Dültzin Drakpa Gyaltsen, Panchen Sönam Drakpa and so forth,
Emanating in an infinite succession of incarnate scholars and siddhas of India and Tibet,
Displaying all kinds of excellent deeds, to you I praise.

O deity, when you were the Lord Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen,
At the age of just thirteen you had already listened to commentaries
Such as “The Comfortable Path” in front of the Panchen Lozang Chögyen
And became a great treasure of instructions, to you I praise.

Your analysis of the scriptures of the world’s six ornaments was without impediment,
You meditated and practised in hundreds of isolated places,
You saw all yidams and were worshipped by the hosts of dakinis;
To the holy crown of scholar-siddhas, I offer praise.

When teaching fortunate ones you were a real Arya Vimuktasena and Haribhadra,
Defeating opponents, you were skilled in debate like Dignaga himself,
In composition of poetic verse you were without peer,
Famed as a second Ashvagosa, to you I praise.

When repeatedly exhorted by Dorje Dragden, overlord of the wrathful ones,
To fulfill your vow of having promised to arise
In the body of a Dharma Protector uncommon to the Geden,
You generated that mind of wrathful courage, to you I praise.

When you were strangled with the scarf by all those evil minded ones,
Through the force of that mind generation, you arose
As a lord of lords of the wrathful ones, and day and night,
With various miraculous manifestations, terrified even the courageous, to you I praise.

Born from the cells of the father, King of Obstructors,
And the supreme mother, Queen of Samsara,
To you whose body mandala of Shugden’s five families, principal and entourage,
In the great wrathful palace were complete in an instant, I offer praise.

Then, although four undisputed powerful tantrikas,
With samadhi, began destructive rituals to strike you down,
Through the power of having successfully completed Guhyasamaja’s two stages
You wouldn’t be silenced and showed signs of heroism, to you I praise.

Through the sport of your mind’s five wisdom energies,
Like a great encampment of the Dalai Lama on journey,
You showed a wondrous spectacle of miraculous manifestations
Of the eight spirit forces to your physician in reality, to you I praise.

Then, having gone towards Tashi Lhünpo on Tsang,
Because of a slight inauspicious occurrence,
You immediately went to Sakya in a wrathful manner
And were enthroned as senior Dharma Protector, to you I praise.

Leading improper recipients without training in the common path,
To a perverted behaviour with initiations and instructions,
Both Gurus and disciples who were polluting the Yellow Hat teachings
Were punished, to you I praise.

When, because of the times, explanation and study of the Lam Rim was greatly degenerated,
And thus ordained and lay people were, for the most part, deprived of a pure refuge,
For the many beings wandering in perverse paths,
You acted as a Guru showing the supreme path, to you I praise.

When a powerful accomplished being generated a profound meditation,
Wishing to overpower you with a Karma Guru fire puja, at that time
An emanated beautiful maiden distracted his mind and his samadhi was destroyed;
Praise to you, the slaughterer of those who misuse tantric activity.

When a greedy governor, without reason, inflicted evil harms
On the community endowed with morality, with your power, O deity,
You struck him with a terrible fatal disease, and when he promised
To act in accordance with your command, you freed him from the sickness, to you I praise.

To the Abbot of Ganden Rabten you said, “If a Protector palace is built,
The attainment of conducive circumstances will be immediately granted,”
And you gave a rain of desirable objects in actuality
From an empty sky like a sky treasure, to you I praise.

Pretending to be Drag Shül Wangpo, you tormented the oracle
By swallowing a vajra in his throat,
And repeatedly split his temple abode, and so on;
Praise to the terrifier of even great gods.

When all the god’s people took refuge in you and made requests–
Saying, “Build a statue of Tsong Khapa and I will grant activity,”
You gave them relief
And justified belief, to you I praise.

When a high Chinese minister summoned lay and ordained
Tibetans for execution, you said, “In seven days I will help,”
And as was said, you destroyed
The Chinese minister, to you I praise.

Beings who cause mixture or pollution of the Ganden teachings
Such as great beings, ordinary beings, or powerful lords
You reduce to dust-like ashes, O deity
Who destroys enemies of the Yellow Hat teachings, to you I praise.

In border regions where Shen Rab’s wrong system (Bön) was held,
With many clear, decisive signs of the four activities,
You became precious guides who acted to spread
The excellent, fully unmistaken path, to you I praise.

Enthroned as guardian of the Yellow Hat teachings,
By the Chinese emperor, the Dalai Lama, and his regent,
You generated the mind to protect the teachings from now
Until the teachings of the thousandth Buddha, Aspiring One, to you I praise.

In short, the illusory, multitudes of emanations
Of your body and activities, to which no end is seen,
Fulfill hopes like a wish-granting jewel, treasure vase, and wish-granting tree;
To that infinite display, I prostrate and praise.
 

Torma Offering

The offering of tormas creates the merit to receive the resources we need for spiritual practice. It also plants the seeds to gain higher attainments, particularly tantric attainments.

OM AH HUM (3x to consecrate offerings)

HUMs on the tongues of the great king of Dharmapalas, Dorje Shugden’s fierce five familes and entourage are generated as red single-pronged vajras with straws of light by which they draw up the entire essence of the torma and partake.

OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA SARVA BIGNEN
SHATRUM IDAM BALINGTA KA KA KAHI KAHI (3x)

(Offer to the principle deity. Then to the entourage:)

OM AKARO MUKHAM SARVA DHARMANAM
ARYA NUTPANNA TWADA
NAMA SARVA TATHAGATA AWALOKITE
OM SAMBARA SAMBARA HUM (3x)

OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA ARGHAM PADYAM PUPE DHUPE
ALOKE GHANDE NEWIDE SHAPTA PRATICCHA HUM SOHA

OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA OM AH HUM

(The dispatching on mission following the torma:)

HUM!
O Protector of Lord Manjushri Tsongkhapa’s teachings,
Fierce five families of Dorje Shugden and entourage:
Having accepted this torma of red flesh and blood,
Protect the teachings of Buddha in general and especially the great king of the Dharma, Lord Manjushri Tsongkhapa’s Sutra and Tantra teachings!
Raise the status of the Triple Gem!
Protect the Sangha community!
Extend the life of the Guru!
For us, the practitioners, master, disciples, sponsors, sponsored, and entourage,
Please act to dispel conditions adverse to Dharma practice,
To establish all conducive conditions,
And, with fierce punishments, to reduce all harmful, malicious enemies and obstructors with degenerate samaya instantly to ashes!

OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA DRA GEG AMUKA MARAYA PHAT!

Sensory Offerings
OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA ARGHAM PADYAM PUPE DHUPE
ALOKE GHANDE NEWIDE SHAPTA PRATICHAYE SOHA!

Inner Offering
OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SAPARIWARA OM AH HUM!

Praise
By just recollecting you for an instant,
Outer and inner obstructions are dispelled.
O powerful five families of Gyalchen Shugden,
Bestower of the four activities,
To the Dharmapala and his entourage I bow down.
 

Kawang/Kanshag

Recite this well to dissolve obstacle-creating karma, which if left unpurified, can slow our progress of Dharma attainments and work. All graphic words and descriptions are symbolic; one should learn them in detail.

HUM!
Heart’s blood drinking offerings set out like the flow of the Ganges,
Flowers of the sense organs blossoming and clouds of smoke gathering,
Human bile perfume, flesh and blood, and the sound of thigh bone trumpets,
Please accept these as well as an ocean of undefiled nectar!
Also sensual objects and the seven royal objects,
The intelligent horse, elephants, frightful yaks, sheep, and dogs,
Saffron robes, strong, hard armour and shields,
Arrows, spears, swords, and outer, inner, and secret bases,
With these clouds of offerings, both supramundane and worldly,
O Dorje Shugden and all your wrathful entourage,
May your heart commitment be fulfilled and degeneration restored!
Especially, each accumulated faulty deed of body, speech, and mind
We have committed under the influence of ignorance,
Which goes against your mind, Protector,
We confess with a mind of remorse and regret.
Furthermore, transgressions of our commitments to the Protector and entourage,
And neglect or degeneration of retreat practice, tormas, and offerings, etc.,
We practitioners confess all of these
Within the unobjectifiable emptiness of the three spheres. (7x)
 

Mantra Recitation

Depending on whether one is praying for health, wealth or a combination of siddhis, one should recite three malas of the corresponding mantra and 7x of the other two mantras.

From the heart syllable of myself visualised as the Yidam, light rays emanate. They strike the HUM syllables and surrounding mantra garlands which, matching each deity in colour, stand upon the sun seats at the hearts of Dharmapala Gyalchen Shugden’s five fierce families, exhorting them, without choice, to perform whatever desired peaceful, increasing, powerful, or wrathful activity, without obstruction.

Mantra to Attain a Combination of Siddhis
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA

Mantra for Healing
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SHANTI SIDDHI HUNG

Mantra for Wealth
OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA TSESO PALJOR
LONG CHO THAMCHED PUTRIM KURU OM

Entourage Mantra
OM DHARMAPALA MAHA RADZA BENDZA BEGAWAN
RUDRA PANTSA KULA SARVA SHATRUM MARAYA HUM PHAT! (7x)

(Having recited however many mantras with the successive visualisations, finally recite the hundred syllable mantra.)

OM BENZASATTO SAMAYA MANU PALAYA
BENZASATTO TENO PATITA DIDRO MAY BHAWA
SUTO KAYO MAY BHAWA SUPO KAYO MAY BHAWA
ANU RAKTO MAY BHAWA SARWA SIDDHI ME PAR YATSA
SARWA KARMA SUT TSA ME TISHTAM SHRIYAM KURU HUM
HA HA HA HA HO BHAGAWAN SARWA TATAGATA
BENZA MA MAY MUN TSA BENZA BHAWA MAHA SAMAYA SATTO
AH HUM PHET
 

Serkym

The serkym offering can be done as part of the short or condensed sadhana to Dorje Shugden, or as a special exhortation for activities. The offering substance can be tea, milk, yoghurt, soya milk, carbonated drinks, herbal drinks, or any kind of pure drink, and is poured at the third line of verse 1-8 and throughout verse 9. Perform the serkym offering with the conviction that the Dharmapala and entourage have actually come before oneself.

OM AH HUM (3x to consecrate offerings)

HUM!
O Gurus who rain down accumulations of excellence fulfilling our own and others’ purposes,
And Yidams who bestow all ordinary and supreme attainments,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

O all hosts of heroes and dakinis of the three places,
And ocean of powerful, oath-bound Dharma Protectors,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

And especially, supreme, supramundane Dharmapala,
Forcefully powerful, strict, and swift Dorje Shugden,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes! (7x)

O five families who unobstructedly bestow
Infinite activities of peace, increase, power, and wrath,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

O nine beautiful consorts, eight guiding monks,
And ten fierce, attendant young guardians, and so on,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

(This verse can be omitted depended on timing)
HRI
Especially, principal guardian of the Conquerors’ Teachings,
Setrap Chen along with entourage to you
This golden drink replete with all one could wish is offered;*
Never waver in your protection! (7x)

O extremely fierce Kache Marpo, the strict attendant,
Executioner of those with degenerated samaya,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,*
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes! (3x)

Vow-breakers’ heart-blood purified like gold,
This drink of fully boiling serkym,
I offer to Namka Bardzin and entourage*
Accepting, accomplish the yogi’s intended purpose!

(Pour the remaining serkym offering throughout this verse)
As well as the inconceivable emanations and their emanations,
Attendant deities and demons who shake the three thousand worlds,
Through offering you this ambrosial drink which bestows bliss,
May you, having partaken, swiftly and spontaneously accomplish our wishes!

Thus, by the force of this offering and exhortation,
May you grant your activity throughout the six time periods
And, without wavering, always protect me
And care for me like a father for his son!

And you hosts of wrathful attendants, as well,
Remember your sworn oaths of promise to Lord Dültzin
And accomplish swiftly now, without distraction,
Whatever activities I have requested!

* pour serkym while reciting this line
 

Praise of the Protector Dorje Shugden

An excerpt from the Dorje Shugden prayer called “duelzin choe ki gyalpo choepai choka phuentsog doe gu yong khil she jawa” composed by the great Sakyapa master Kunkhyen Ngawang Kunga Lodroe

At the early time, entering into the teaching of the Tathagata,
You rose in the form of Vinaya-holding Bhikshu,
Thus you protect all the teachings of the Sravaka-Pitaka
without exception, I prostrate to you.

In the middle, in front of many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,
Having generated the aspiring and entering Bodhicitta,
You obtained the prophecy as a Protector of the teaching of the Dharma,
Thus you protect all the teachings of the Bodhisattvas without exception, to you I prostrate.

In the great mandala of the ocean of Tantras,
Initiated by Vajradhara, and receiving the samayas,
Thus you protect all the teachings of the profound Tantra
without exception, to you I prostrate.

In particular in this Northern land, surrounded by a range of snow mountains,
Though not directly pervaded by the sun of the Buddha,
Yet sustained by his compassion, You are the Protector
Of all those perfect schools of Dharma, I prostrate to you.

All the great holders of the teaching, who comment according to one’s own views,
The entire Tripitakas, the Tantras and their commentaries,
You are the very Protector of all the holders of the Dharma,
Acting as the fulfiller of the words of those leaders, I prostrate to you.

The legacy of the pandits, translators, Dharma kings and ministers,
All the temples constructed by them,
You are the Protector of all those seats of the
Sangha without exception, I prostrate to you.

For entire Tibet, included in upper region Ngari, central region Ue-tsang, and lower region Dokham,
You act as the very Protector, refuge, supporter,
And friend of all people without exception,
Thus you are the very god of the snow-land country, I prostrate to you.

The great Protector of all the Buddhas of this fortunate aeon,
Who is the eliminator of all the forces of unsuitable Mara,
Some day through showing full enlightenment as Samyaksambuddha,
You will fulfil the deeds of a Tathagata, to you I prostrate.

In short, in all three times, uninterruptedly,
With your infinite secrets of body, speech, and mind,
All those beings who are wandering in the ocean of the cycle,
You give them the perfect state of liberation, to you I prostrate.

Thus by the power of venerating you with this ocean of melodious praise,
Through generating delight, compassion, and benevolent force of your mind,
Please fulfil the activity for increasing of virtues, pacifying of disfavourable interferences,
And accomplishment of all the purposes in accordance to Dharma.
 

Enthronement

For the enthronement as Uncommon Protector, we request Dorje Shugden and entourage to remain in our abode. We should also think and visualise him staying close to us, guarding and guiding us, in this and all future lives. If convenient, the masters wear their hats and, outside, light ‘sang’ for clouds of smoke offerings.

HUM!
Yogis such as myself and our entourage, to whom all appearances, sounds, and thoughts
Arise as the deity, mantra, and truth body,
Out of that very awareness enthrone you, supreme deity,
As the relative and ultimate Vajradhara!

The Guru who reveals the excellent path of what to adopt and abandon,
The Yidam deity who grants the common and supreme attainments,
A supreme Dharmapala who assists with the four activities,
We enthrone you as the embodiment of Guru, Yidam, and Dharmapala!

Whoever works for the reign and temporal power
Of the Ganden palace, endowed with the eight sovereign powers,
We enthrone you as the Protector who grants easy accomplishment
Of whatever they wish and whatever peaceful or wrathful activities they begin!

We enthrone you as the superior magnetising deity upon whom,
If those lamas, tulkus, and spiritual guides who bear responsibility for the Buddha’s teachings rely,
Their long lives, glory, wealth, power, and great waves of deeds
For Lozang’s victorious doctrine will definitely be accomplished!

Whatever community upholding the Ganden tradition relies upon you,
Makes offerings to you, and abides in a state of pure moral discipline,
There, increases the explanation and practice of vast study arisen as personal instructions;
We enthrone you as the Protector of pure view and action!

If one performs the fulfilling and restoring ritual delighting Gyalchen’s mind,
With substances and requisites of pure samaya,
One’s lineage, dominion, profits, people, and livestock flourish;
We enthrone you as the wish-fulfilling jewel of a wealth deity!

O Deity, at the very instant you just emanate light rays,
All the powerful eight forces of worldly spirits and local spirit lords
Swiftly accomplish the conduct of the four activities without exception;
Therefore we enthrone you as the embodiment of all the protecting deities who accompany beings!

Since we enthrone you as Protector in whom we entrust all,
Ourselves, master, disciples, humans, livestock, and all outer and inner things,
Be not distracted in performing the enlightened conduct of the four activities
From now until we attain the essence of enlightenment!
 

Dothey: Request for Activity of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden

Requested by Rakra Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Rinpoche wrote this on the first day of the Tibetan Year of the Iron Boar.

KYE!
Manjushri in angry form,
You are the hero in terrifying role.
Main of my powerful war gods,
You are the mighty Dorje Shugden.

Affectionate when cultivated,
You treat the commitment-abiding like son (or daughter).
Powerful when beseeched, your ferocity is swifter than lightning.
When angry at the enemy, you obliterate him to the seventh generation.

We your practitioners,
Pile torma like mountains,
Gather medicinal blood like sea;
Spread base substances like the stars.

We honour you with the first part of food and drink; we fulfil all that you want.
I am calling you from my heart; lend me your ear.
I practice you all the time; show me sign that I have succeeded.
Protect the command and the Teaching; show me your smiling face.

Be the war god in my protection; be my messenger and servant.
Be the fort of my protection; be the storekeeper of my people and possessions.
Be the day’s bodyguard; be the night’s watchman.
Be the cloak on my back; Be my staff in the front.

Be the bridge over water, and stairs on the rock.
Be those who see me off; be those welcoming me.
Raise me if I fall; if I forget, remind me.
Be the doctor when I fall sick; if poisoned, give me potent remedy.

For me, raise banners on the high points; blow conch-shell in cities.
If two equals debate, you should make the victor;
If two equals wrestle, you should determine the winner.
If two equals wager, you tip the winning edge;
If two equals compete in greatness, raise banners of greatness.

Kill the vengeful enemy; subdue obstructers.
Liberate those holding wrong views; prevent ill luck and ill omen.
Introduce me to a hundred advantages; foil a thousand disadvantages.
Remove obstacle of my hopes; fulfill all objectives.
 

Dedication

At the conclusion of any meritorious activities such as making offerings, prayers, etc., it is essential to dedicate the merits that we have accumulated for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Completion Dedication
Precious supreme Bodhimind,
May it, where unborn, arise,
And, where born, never decline,
But increase forever more!

Precious view of Shunyata
May it, where unborn, arise,
And, where born, never decline,
But increase forever more!

May whatever virtue that I have gathered here,
Bring benefit to all beings and the Dharma,
And may it make Venerable Losang Drakpa’s
Essence teachings specially shine forever!

Prayer by Je Tsongkhapa
In all lives may I never be parted
From perfect Gurus and may I enjoy the glory of Dharma.
By perfecting the qualities of the paths and stages,
May I quickly attain the state of Vajradhara!

Dedication of Virtue
Through this virtue may I swiftly
Attain the Guru Deva’s state,
And place each and every being,
Without exception, in that state!

May all obstacles be pacified
And all good conditions be complete
For the fully pure Dharma system
Of Dharma King, Tsongkhapa, to flourish!

Because of the combined two accumulations
Of myself and others in the three times,
May the Teachings of the Conqueror Tsongkhapa
Losang Drakpa, brightly blaze forever!

Auspicious Dedication
May all be auspicious, day and night!
May auspiciousness increase both day and night
Like the sun rising to its highest in the heavens!
Three Jewels of Refuge, please bless us!
Three Jewels of Refuge, please bestow attainments!
May there be auspiciousness of the Three Jewels!

Dedication for the Guru’s Long Life
May the Venerable Guru’s life be completely stable,
May pure deeds spread to the ten directions,
And may the lamp of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Teachings,
Always remain, dispelling the darkness of the ignorance of beings!
 

Yonten Shigyurma

The Foundation of All Realisations

This additional dedication prayer can be recited if time allows. During recitation, mentally review all the stages of the spiritual path and make fervent aspirations to always take fortunate rebirths in human form to continue the journey along the Lamrim path until the achievement of complete enlightenment.

Well realising that the root of the path,
The foundation for every realisation,
Is to properly rely on my kind Gurus,
Bless me to do so with great effort and devotion.

Knowing that this life of freedom, found but once,
Is difficult to gain and greatly meaningful
Bless me to develop the continual wish
All day and night to take its essence.

Mindful of death, this life disintegrates
As swiftly as a bubble in turbulent water
And after death my good and bad
Karma follows me like my shadow.

Having gained firm certainty of this,
Bless me to be ever conscientious
To abandon even the slightest harm
And practise every possible virtue.

Enjoying deceptive samsaric pleasure
Brings no contentment and is the door to all suffering.
Aware of its drawbacks, bless me to develop
A strong wish for the bliss of liberation.

With mindfulness, introspection, and great care
Induced by that pure aspiration
Bless me to make my essential practice
The Pratimoksha, root of Buddha’s teachings.

Just as I’ve fallen in this sea of suffering
So have all beings, my kind mothers;
Seeing this, bless me to train in Bodhicitta,
Taking up the burden of liberating them.

And yet, just wishing this, without practising
The three ethics, Enlightenment cannot be attained.
Knowing this well, please bless me to intensively
Strive to train in the Bodhisattva vows.

Properly analysing the correct object
And pacifying distraction to mistaken objects
Bless me to swiftly realise the path
Which unifies quiescence and special insight.

When I’m a pure vessel, trained in common paths,
Bless me to enter with perfect ease
The sacred gateway of fortunate ones,
The supreme of vehicles, Vajrayana.

Then, foundation for the two attainments
Is keeping the pure vows and commitments.
Having found unfeigned conviction in this
Bless me to guard them with my life.

Having precisely understood the essentials
Of the two stages, heart of the tantras,
Bless me to strive without break in four sessions
To practise Yoga as taught by holy Masters.

May the spiritual guides who reveal this excellent path
And the friends who practise it all live long.
Please grant blessings that outer and inner
Hindrances all be fully pacified.

In all lives may I never be parted
From perfect Masters and enjoy the glory of Dharma.
Perfecting realisations of the paths and stages,
May I swiftly gain the state of Vajradhara.

For the prayers in Tibetan phonetics or the short English sadhana, please invite home a Diamond Path sadhana book.