Eight Prayers

to Benefit the Dead

 Contents

Introduction 5

King of Prayers 7

Dedication Chapter from Shantidevas

Bodhicharyavatara 17
FPMT Inc. 2007
Prayer to be Reborn in the Land of Bliss 23

Prayer for the Beginning, Middle, and End 29

Until Buddhahood 35

A Daily Prayer to Maitreya Bodhisattva 37

Prayer for a Statue of Maitreya 41

Prayer for Spontaneous Bliss 43

Prostrations to the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas 47

Credits
Cover thangka of the Medicine Buddha by Peter Iseli.
Line drawing of Samantabhadra on p.6 and Maitreya on p.45 Rob-
ert Beer. Used with permission.
Line drawing of the five dhyani buddhas on p. 46 Andy Weber.
Used with permission.
4 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Introduction 5

Introduction
This booklet contains the eight prayers that are traditionally done in
Tibetan Buddhist monasteries when someone passes away. According
to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, we absolutely must do something to benefit
those beings who have died. Rinpoche recommends Medicine Bud-
dha Puja, Medicine Buddha practices in general, and this collection of
eight prayers as being the most important practices to do at this time.
In addition, one may do the practice of Prostrations to the Thirty-
Five Confession Buddhas. That practice is included at the end of this
booklet.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche also recommends many other practices that
can be done, if people are able. These include reciting a certain num-
ber of the King of Prayers for one full day or for a weekend; offer-
ing the Vajrasattva tsog practice; making extensive light offerings or
any other kind of extensive offerings; doing Nyung N retreat or a
weekend Vajrasattva, Medicine Buddha, or Chenrezig retreat (or all
of them!); meditating on tonglen and dedicating it to the person who
has died (while doing the meditation, recite OM MANI PADME HUM);
reciting the Vajra Cutter Sutra; reciting and meditating on the Heart
Sutra; meditating on emptiness and dedicating for the person who
died; Dorje Khadro fire puja; making stupa tsa-tsas (this an create the
cause for a person to receive a good rebirth rather than one in the
lower realms); making Mitrugpa tsa-tsas; sponsoring the publication of
Dharma books; making offerings on the persons behalf to the Three
Jewels, the Sangha, lay students with the same Guru as that person, or
the Dharma center; or offering charity on the persons behalf to sick
people, homeless people, poor people, charities, and animals.
These are examples of what can be done to benefit a being who has
died, but again, the essential practices are Medicine Buddha and the
prayers in this booklet. These practices bring immense benefit to one
who has died, and helps them on their journey to their next life.
6 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead King of Prayers 7

The King of Prayers

The Extraordinary Aspiration of the
Practice of Samantabhadra

I bow down to the youthful Arya Manjushri.

You lions among humans,

Gone to freedom in the present, past and future
In the worlds of ten directions,
To all of you, with body, speech, and sincere mind, I bow down.

With the energy of aspiration for the bodhisattva way,

With a sense of deep respect,
And with as many bodies as atoms of the world,
To all you buddhas visualized as real, I bow down.

On every atom are buddhas numberless as atoms,

Each amidst a host of bodhisattvas,
And I am confident the sphere of all phenomena
Is entirely filled with buddhas in this way.
Samantabhadra
With infinite oceans of praise for you,
And oceans of sound from the aspects of my voice,
I sing the breathtaking excellence of buddhas,
And celebrate all of you gone to bliss.

Beautiful flowers and regal garlands,

Sweet music, scented oils, and parasols,
Sparkling lights and sublime incense,
I offer to you victorious ones.
8 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead King of Prayers 9

Fine dress and fragrant perfumes, May all worlds in ten directions,
Sandalwood powder heaped high as Mount Meru, Be entirely pure and vast.
All wondrous offerings in spectacular array, May they be filled with bodhisattvas
I offer to you victorious ones. Surrounding buddhas gathered beneath a bodhi tree.

With transcendent offerings peerless and vast, May as many beings as exist in ten directions
With profound admiration for all the buddhas, Be always well and happy.
With strength of conviction in the bodhisattva way, May all samsaric beings live in accord with the Dharma,
I offer and bow down to all victorious ones. And may their every Dharma wish be fulfilled.

Every harmful action I have done Remembering my past lives in all varieties of existence,
With my body, speech, and mind May I practice the bodhisattva way,
Overwhelmed by attachment, anger, and confusion, And thus, in each cycle of death, migration, and birth,
All these I openly lay bare before you. May I always abandon the householders life.

I lift up my heart and rejoice in all positive potential Then, following in the footsteps of all the buddhas,
Of the buddhas and bodhisattvas in ten directions, And perfecting the practice of a bodhisattva,
Of solitary realizers, hearers still training, and those beyond, May I always act without error or compromise,
And of all ordinary beings. With ethical discipline faultless and pure.

You who are the bright lights of worlds in ten directions, May I teach the Dharma in the language of gods,
Who have attained a buddhas omniscience through the stages of In every language of spirits and nagas,
awakening, Of humans and of demons,
All you who are my guides, And in the voice of every form of being.
Please turn the supreme wheel of Dharma.
May I be gentle-minded, cultivating the six paramitas,
With palms together I earnestly request: And never forget bodhichitta.
You who may actualize parinirvana, May I completely cleanse without omission
Please stay with us for eons numberless as atoms of the world, Every negativity and all that obscures this awakening mind.
For the happiness and well-being of all wanderers in samsara.
May I traverse all my lives in the world,
Whatever slight positive potential I may have created, Free of karma, afflictions, and interfering forces,
By paying homage, offering, and acknowledging my faults, Just as the lotus blossom is undisturbed by the waters wave,
Rejoicing, and requesting that the buddhas stay and teach, Just as the sun and moon move unhindered through the sky.
I now dedicate all this for full awakening.
May I ease the suffering in the lower realms
May you buddhas now living in the worlds of ten directions, And in the many directions and dimensions of the universe.
And all you gone to freedom in the past, accept my offerings. May I guide all wanderers in samsara to the pure bliss of awakening
May those not yet arisen quickly perfect their minds, And be of worldly benefit to them as well.
Awakening as fully enlightened ones.
10 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead King of Prayers 11

May I practice constantly for eons to come, Thus, I am continually immersed in the speech of the buddhas,
Perfecting the activities of awakening, Expression that reveals an ocean of qualities in one word,
Acting in harmony with the various dispositions of beings, The completely pure eloquence of all the buddhas,
Showing the ways of a bodhisattva. Communication suited to the varied tendencies of beings.

May I always have the friendship With strength of understanding I plunge

Of those whose path is like mine, Into the infinite enlightened speech of the Dharma
And with body, words, and also mind, Of all buddhas in three times gone to freedom,
May we practice together the same aspirations and activities. Who continually turn the wheel of Dharma methods.

May I always meet a spiritual mentor I shall experience in one moment

And never displease that excellent friend, Such vast activity of all future eons,
Who deeply wishes to help me And I will enter into all eons of the three times,
And expertly teaches the bodhisattva way. In but a fraction of a second.

May I always directly see the buddhas, In one instant I shall see all those awakened beings,
Masters encircled by bodhisattvas, Past, present, and future lions among humans,
And without pause or discouragement for eons to come, And with the power of the illusion-like stabilization
May I make extensive offerings to them. I will constantly engage in their inconceivable activity.

May I hold within me the Buddhas genuine Dharma, I shall manifest upon one single atom
Illuminate everywhere the teachings that awaken, The array of pure lands present, past, and future.
Embody the realizations of a bodhisattva, Likewise, I shall enter the array of pure buddha-fields
And practice ardently in all future eons. In every direction without exception.

While circling through all states of existence, I shall enter the very presence of all my guides,
May I become an endless treasure of good qualities Those lights of this world who are yet to appear,
Skillful means, wisdom, samadhi, and liberating stabilizations Those sequentially turning the wheels of complete awakening,
Gathering limitless pristine wisdom and positive potential. Those who reveal nirvana final, perfect peace.

On one atom I shall see May I achieve the power of swift, magical emanation,
Buddha fields numberless as atoms, The power to lead to the great vehicle through every approach,
Inconceivable buddhas among bodhisattvas in every field, The power of always beneficial activity,
Practicing the activities of awakening. The power of love pervading all realms,
The power of all surpassing positive potential,
Perceiving this in all directions, The power of supreme knowledge unobstructed by discrimination,
I dive into an ocean of buddha-fields, And through the powers of wisdom, skillful means, and samadhi,
Each an ocean of three times buddhas in the space of a wisp of hair. May I achieve the perfect power of awakening.
So I, too, will practice for an ocean of eons.
12 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead King of Prayers 13

Purifying the power of all contaminated actions, Limitless is the end of space,
Crushing the power of disturbing emotions at their root, Likewise, limitless are living beings,
Defusing the power of interfering forces, Thus, limitless are karma and afflictions.
Contents
I shall perfect the power of the bodhisattva practice. May my aspirations reach be limitless as well.
May I purify an ocean of worlds, One may offer to the buddhas
May I free an ocean of beings, All wealth and adornments of infinite worlds in ten directions,
May I clearly see an ocean of Dharma, And one may offer during eons numberless as atoms of the world
May I realize an ocean of pristine wisdom. Even the greatest happiness of gods and humans;
May I purify an ocean of activities, But whoever hears this extraordinary aspiration
May I fulfill an ocean of aspirations, And, longing for highest awakening
May I make offerings to an ocean of buddhas, Gives rise to faith just once,
May I practice without discouragement for an ocean of eons. Creates far more precious positive potential.
To awaken fully through this bodhisattva way, Those who make this heartfelt aspiration for the bodhisattva way
I shall fulfill without exception Will be free of all lower rebirths,
All the diverse aspirations of the awakening practice Free of harmful companions,
Of all buddhas gone to freedom in the three times everywhere. And will quickly see Amitabha, Infinite Light.
In order to practice exactly as the wise one And even in this very human life,
Called Samantabhadra, All Embracing Good, They will be nourished by happiness and have all conducive
The elder brother of the sons and daughters of the buddhas, circumstances.
I completely dedicate all this goodness. Without waiting long,
They will become like Samantabhadra himself.
Likewise may I dedicate
Just as the skillful Samantabhadra, Those who give voice to this extraordinary aspiration
With pure body, speech, and mind, Will quickly and completely purify
Pure actions and pure buddha-fields. The five boundless harmful actions
Created under the power of ignorance.
I shall give rise to the aspirations of Manjushri
For this bodhisattva practice of all-embracing good, Blessed with supreme knowledge,
To perfect these practices Excellent body, family, attributes, and appearance,
Without discouragement or pause in all future eons. They will be invincible to vast interfering forces and misleading
teachers,
May my pure activities be endless, And all the three worlds will make offerings.
My good qualities boundless,
And through abiding in immeasurable activity, Going quickly to the noble bodhi tree,
May I actualize infinite emanations. And sitting there to benefit sentient beings,
14 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead King of Prayers 15

Subduing all interfering forces, May all the positive aspirations of beings
They will fully awaken and turn the great wheel of Dharma Be fulfilled in an instant.

Have no doubt that complete awakening Through creating limitless positive potential
Is the fully ripened result comprehended only by a buddha By dedicating this prayer of Samantabhadras deeds,
Of holding in mind by teaching, reading, or reciting May all beings drowning in this torrent of suffering,
This aspiration of the bodhisattva practice. Enter the presence of Amitabha.

In order to train just like Through this king of aspirations, which is the greatest of the sublime,
The hero Manjushri who knows reality as it is Helping infinite wanderers in samsara,
And just like Samantabhadra as well, Through the accomplishment of this scripture dazzling with
I completely dedicate all this goodness, just as they did. Samantabhadras practice,
May suffering realms be utterly emptied of all beings.
With that dedication which is praised as greatest
By all the buddhas gone to freedom in the three times,
I, too, dedicate all my roots of goodness
For the attainments of the bodhisattva practice.

When the moment of my death arrives,

By eliminating all obscurations
And directly perceiving Amitabha, Colophon:
May I go immediately to Sukhavati, Pure Land of Great Joy. Thus, The Extraordinary Aspiration of the Practice of Samantabhadra, also known
as The King of Prayers, from the Gaavyha chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra
Having gone to Sukhavati, (translated by Jinamitra, Surendrabodhi, and Yeshe-de, circa 900 C.E.), is complete.
May I actualize the meaning of these aspirations, The Tibetan was compared with the Sanskrit and revised by Lotsawa Vairochana.
Fulfilling them all without exception,
For the benefit of beings for as long as this world endures. Translators Colophon:
Translated by Jesse Fenton in Seattle, Washington in 2002 by request of her teach-
Born from an extremely beautiful, superlative lotus er, Venerable Thubten Chodron, relying on the commentary Ornament Clarifying
In this joyful land, the Buddhas magnificent mandala, the Exalted Intention of Samantabhadra (phags pa bzang po spyod pai smon lam
gyi rnam par bshad pa kun tu bzang poi dgongs pa gsal bar byed pai rgyan) by
May I receive a prediction of my awakening
Jangkya Rolpi Dorje, and on clarification of many difficult points by the very kind
Directly from the Buddha Amitabha. Khensur Rinpoche Konchog Tsering of Ganden Monastery.
Having received a prediction there,
May I create vast benefit
For beings throughout the ten directions,
With a billion emanations by the power of wisdom.

Through even the small virtue I have accumulated

By offering this prayer of the bodhisattva practice,
16 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Bodhicharyavatara 17

The Dedication Chapter from Shantidevas

Bodhicharyavatara
1. May all sentient beings be graced with the bodhisattva way of life
by the virtue I have obtained while reflecting on A Guide to the
Bodhisattva Way of Life.

2. Through my merit, may all those in all directions who are af-
flicted by bodily and mental sufferings obtain oceans of joy and
contentment.

3. As long as the cycle of existence lasts, may their happiness never

decline. May the world attain the constant joy of the bodhisattvas.

4. As many hells as there are in the worlds, may beings in them de-
light in the joys of contentment in Sukhavati.

5. May those afflicted with cold find warmth. May those oppressed
with heat be cooled by oceans of water springing from the great
clouds of the bodhisattvas.

6. May the forest of sword-leaves become for them the splendor of a

Shantideva pleasure grove; and may the swordlike Salmali trees grow as wish-
fulfilling trees.

7. May the regions of hell become vast ponds of delight, fragrant

with lotuses, beautiful and pleasing with the cries of white geese,
wild ducks, ruddy geese, and swans.

8. May the heap of burning coal become a mound of jewels. May

the burning ground become a crystal marble floor; and may the
18 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Bodhicharyavatara 19

mountains of the crushing hell become temples of worship 15. Through my virtues, may the beings of the hells rejoice upon see-
filled with Sugatas. ing the unobscured clouds of bodhisattvas, headed by Samantab-
hadra and bearing pleasant, cool, and fragrant rains and breezes.
9. May the rain of burning coal, lava, and daggers from now on
become a rain of flowers; and may mutual battling with weapons 16. May the intense pains and fears of the beings of the hells be paci-
now become a playful flower fight. fied. May the inhabitants of all miserable states of existence be
liberated from their woeful states.
10. By the power of my virtue, may those whose flesh has complete-
ly fallen off, whose skeletons are of the color of a white jasmine 17. May the animals risk of being eaten by each other disappear. May
flower, and who are immersed in the river Vaitarani whose water the pretas be as happy as the people in Uttarakuru.
is like fire, attain celestial bodies and dwell with goddesses by the
river Mandakini. 18. May the pretas always be satiated, bathed, and refreshed by the
streams of milk pouring from the hand of noble Avalokiteshvara.
11. May the horrifying agents of Yama, crows, and vultures suddenly
watch here in fear. Those looking upward behold blazing Vajra- 19. May the blind always see forms, and may the deaf hear. May preg-
pani in the sky and wonder: Whose is this brilliant light that dis- nant women give birth without pains, as did Mayadevi.
pels darkness all around and generates the joy of contentment?
May they depart together with him, freed of vice through the 20. May they acquire everything that is beneficial and desired by the
power of their joy. mind: clothing, food, drink, flower garlands, sandal-paste, and
ornaments.
12. A rain of lotuses falls mixed with fragrant waters. It is seen to
extinguish the unceasing fires of the hells. May the beings of the 21. May the fearful become fearless and those struck by grief find joy.
hells, suddenly refreshed with joy, wonder, What is this? and may May the despondent become resolute and free of trepidation.
they see Padmapani.
22. May the ill have good health. May they be freed from every bond-
13. Friends, come, come quickly! Cast away fear! We are alive! A fra- age. May the weak become strong and have affectionate hearts for
grant radiant vanquisher of fear, a certain prince in a monastic one another.
robe, has come to us. By his power every adversity is removed,
23. May all regions be advantageous to all those who travel on roads.
streams of delight flow, the spirit of awakening is born, as is com-
May the purpose for which they set out be expediently accom-
passion, the mother of protection of all beings.
plished.
14. Behold him whose lotus feet are worshipped with tiaras of hun-
24. May those who journey by boat succeed as they desire. May they
dreds of gods, whose eyes are moist with compassion, on whose
safely reach the shore and rejoice with their relatives.
head a stream of diverse flowers rains down, with his delight-
ful summer palaces celebrated by thousands of goddesses singing 25. May those who find themselves on wrong paths in dreary forests
hymns of praise. Upon seeing Manjughosha before them, may the come upon the company of fellow travelers; and without fatigue,
beings of the hells immediately cheer. may they journey without fear of bandits, tigers, and the like.
20 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Bodhicharyavatara 21

26. May deities protect the dull, the insane, the deranged, the helpless, 38. May they always encounter the buddhas and the children of the bud-
the young, and the elderly, and those in danger from sickness, the dhas. May they worship the spiritual mentor of the world with end-
wilderness, and so on. less clouds of offerings.

27. May they be free from all lack of leisure; may they be endowed 39. May a god send rain in time, and may there be an abundance of
with faith, wisdom, and compassion; may they be possessed of crops. May the populace be prosperous, and may the king be righ-
stature and good conduct; and may they always remember their teous.
former lives.
40. May medicines be effective, and may the mantras of those who re-
28. May they be inexhaustible treasuries just like Sky-treasure. Free of cite them be successful. May dakinis, rakshasas, and other ghouls be
conflict or irritation, may they have an independent way of life. filled with compassion.

29. May beings who have little splendor be endowed with great mag- 41. May no sentient being be unhappy, sinful, ill, neglected, or despised;
nificence. May unattractive wretches be endowed with beauty. and may no one be despondent.

30. May the women in the world become men. May the lowly obtain 42. May monasteries be well established, full of chanting and study. May
grandeur and yet be free of arrogance. there always be harmony among the Sangha, and may the purpose of
the Sangha be accomplished.
31. Through this merit of mine, may all beings without exception
abstain from every vice and always engage in virtue. 43. May monks who wish to practice find solitude. May they meditate
with their minds agile and free of all distractions.
32. Not lacking the spirit of awakening, devoted to the bodhisattva
way of life, embraced by the buddhas, and free of the deeds of 44. May nuns receive provisions and be free of quarrels and troubles.
maras, May all renunciates be of untarnished ethical discipline.

33. May all beings have immeasurable life spans. May they always live 45. May those who are of poor ethical discipline be disgusted and be-
happily, and may even the word death disappear. come constantly intent on the extinction of their vices. May they
reach a fortunate state of existence, and may their vows remain un-
34. May all quarters of the world be delightful with gardens of wish- broken there.
fulfilling trees, filled with the buddhas and the children of the
buddhas, and be enchanting with the sounds of Dharma. 46. May they be learned and cultured, receive alms, and have provisions.
May their mindstreams be pure and their fame be proclaimed in
35. May the ground everywhere be free from stones and rocks, smooth every direction.
like the palm of the hand, soft and made of lapis lazuli.
47. Without experiencing the suffering of the miserable states of existence
36. May the great assemblies of bodhisattvas sit on all sides. May they and without arduous practice, may the world attain buddhahood in a
beautify the earth with their own resplendence. single divine body.

37. May all beings unceasingly hear the sound of Dharma from the 48. May all sentient beings worship all the buddhas in many ways. May they
birds, from every tree, from the rays of light, and from the sky. be exceedingly joyful with the inconceivable bliss of the buddhas.
22 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Land of Bliss 23

49. May the bodhisattvas wishes for the welfare of the world be ful-
filled; and whatever the protectors intend for sentient beings, may
that be accomplished.

50. May the pratyekabuddhas and shravakas be happy, always wor-

shipped by the lofty gods, asuras, and humans.
Prayer to Be Reborn in
51. Through the grace of Manjughosha, may I always achieve ordina-
tion and the recollection of past lives until I reach the Joyous
Ground.
the Land of Bliss
52. May I live endowed with strength in whatever posture I am. In all by Je Tsongkhapa
my lives, may I find plentiful places of solitude.

53. When I wish to see or ask something, may I see the Protector
Manjunatha himself, without any impediment. I pray to Buddha Amitayus, teacher of gods and men. Your excellent
activities give endless benefit to beings. Remembering you just once
54. May my way of life be like that of Manjushri, who lives to accom- pushes away fear of the lord of death. Your mind always generates com-
plish the benefit of all sentient beings throughout the ten direc- passion towards beings like a mother towards her only son.
tions.
Many times the good qualities of the supreme paradise, Dewachen,
55. For as long as space endures and for as long as the world lasts, may were praised by Lord Buddha. By compassions power and prayers to be
I live dispelling the miseries of the world. born there, I will explain whatever I can.
56. Whatever suffering there is for the world, may it all ripen upon Blocked by thick ignorance of the points to be abandoned and obtained,
me. May the world find happiness through all the virtues of the the chances for beings to reach a higher life are killed by the weapon of
bodhisattvas. anger. We are locked in samsaras prison, bound by the rope of desire,
57. May the teaching that is the sole medicine for the suffering of the and carried away by the great river of karma into samsaras ocean.
world and the source of all prosperity and joy remain for a long Adrift in sufferings waves of sickness and old age, swallowed by the sea
time, accompanied by riches and honor. monsters mouth of the ruthless lord of death, and buried under a load
58. I bow to Manjughosha, through whose grace my mind turns to of unwanted sufferings, I am unprotected and moaning with depres-
virtue. I salute my spiritual friend through whose kindness it be- sion. My mind aspires to witness a destitute persons only friend, the
comes stronger. Savior Amitabha.

You are accompanied by the great bodhisattva, Lord Avalokiteshvara,

Colophon: and surrounded by a supreme entourage. Please dont forget your unwav-
Reprinted with permission from A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, translated ering promise to benefit us, made for immeasurable eons by generating
by Vesna A. Wallace and B. Alan Wallace, Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications, 1997, the bodhisattva mind. By the power of that, I supplicate you respectfully
pp. 137144.
24 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Land of Bliss 25

to come here through the force of your miraculous powers and compas- As soon as the appearances of the intermediate state come to me, may
sion, just like the king of birds flies through the deities path of the sky. the eight bodhisattvas show me the unmistaken path. Because of that,
may I be born into Dewachen and then emanate into impure lands in
By depending on the power of amassing the ocean-like two collections order to save beings.
of virtue accumulated by myself and others throughout the three times,
I pray, Amitabha, that you, together with your two chief sons and your Even though I may not always be able to achieve such a supreme state
entourage, will stay close to me at the time of my death and protect me. through all my lives, may I always achieve the basis of a perfect human
Please, Buddha, may I see you directly along with your entourage. At form. May I strive at hearing, contemplating, and meditating upon the
that time may very strong faith in you arise in me. explanations and realizations of Buddhas teachings.

May there be no extreme pain at the time of death. Without forgetting, May I never be separated from the basis of a human form, ornamented
may I remember the object of my faith. At the moment of death, may by the seven qualities of the higher realms.1 In those lifetimes may I
the eight bodhisattvas come to me with their miraculous power and always achieve the ability to remember all my previous existences with
show me the exact path to travel to Dewachen. exact clarity.

Because of that may I be born from a lotus into the precious pure land Throughout all my future lives may I see samsaric existence as with-
of Dewachen with sharp faculties and among the Mahayana race of be- out essence. May I be attracted to nirvanas qualities. Because of that,
ings. As soon as I am born, may I retain everything previously learned through Buddhas excellent teachings on vinaya, may I renounce the
about concentration, selfless bodhichitta, endless ability, confidence, world and enter the monastic life.
and so forth. May I achieve immeasurable collections of good qualities.
When I become a monk or nun, may I not commit any of the natural
May Amitabha, his entourage, and the buddhas and bodhisattvas of bad deeds nor break even the slightest of Buddhas precepts. May I be
the ten directions have confidence in me, and may I receive the com- just like Bhikshu Mitrugpa (Undisturbed), achieving great enlighten-
plete Mahayana teachings, understanding them exactly as intended. ment by completely developing the heap of ethics. Also, throughout all
Through miraculous power, may I go unobstructed to the many bud- my future lives may I exactly understand the way for purely cleaning
dha-fields, completing all the great bodhisattva activities. away the mental afflictions.

Even though I take birth in the pure realms, may I be drawn by the Then may I achieve the excellent collections of recollecting everything
great power of compassion to go, without obstacles and through mi- without exception that I previously learned, including the branches
raculous ability, mainly into impure lands. of perfection and holding in mind the words and meanings of the
Dharma. May I achieve the pure confidence to teach without obstacle
May I teach the Dharma to all beings exactly as fits each ones ability. to others I behold.
Because of that, may I be able to establish them in the perfect, pure
path praised by the buddhas. May I quickly complete all excellent activi- Also, throughout all my lives may I enter the samadhis called going
ties and easily achieve buddhahood for the sake of the vast numbers of courageously and so forth, may I gain the flesh eye and so forth,2
beings. and may I achieve the five clairvoyances, such as the miraculous ability
to know faraway objects and so forth.3 May I never be separated from
One day, when this lifes activities are finished, may my mind become these abilities.
full of faith and compassion from being able to see you clearly, Am-
itabha, surrounded by your ocean of disciples.
26 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Land of Bliss 27

Throughout all my future lives may I achieve great wisdom, which all the perfect bodhisattva activities, becoming just like the venerable
makes me able, through my own power, to discriminate between the Vajrapani.
points of what should be developed and what should be abandoned.
Throughout all my future lives, with effort that abandons all laziness,
May I achieve clear wisdom, which is able to discriminate even the sub- may I complete the bodhisattvas activities by first generating the bo-
tle details of the mental afflictions and of the pure virtues exactly as dhisattva mind instantly and then not wavering from it. Through that
they are, not mixing them but keeping them separate. great effort may I find incomparable buddhahood, becoming just like
Buddha Shakyamuni.
May I achieve quick wisdom, which is able to terminate without excep-
tion all lack of understanding, wrong views, and mental doubts as soon Throughout all my future lives, may I be able to overcome all sick-
as they arise. nesses of body and mind that are obstacles to achieving enlighten-
ment. May I become just like the thus-gone Medicine Buddha, just by
May I achieve profound wisdom, which gives me access to the scriptures mentioning whose name one is able to pacify all sufferings of body,
of Buddhas excellent speech, so that without becoming stuck, I may speech, and mind.
understand the unfathomable depths of meaning.
Also, throughout all my future lives, may I attain whatever length of
In summary, with the wisdom free from the faults of perverted wisdom, life I wish for, becoming just like Buddha Amitayus. Even by saying his
may I become just like venerable Manjushri with a skillful teachers wis- name one is able to subdue all untimely death.
dom that keeps a clear understanding of the meanings of the Buddhas
teachings and enables me to perfect all the bodhisattvas transcendental When obstacles to life come near, please appear to me, Savior Amitay-
activities. us, and through your four activities, tame your disciples, appearing to
them clearly in whatever form is fitting. As soon as your form is seen,
Like that, with wisdom that is great, clear, quick, and profound, may I may all obstacles to life be extinguished, without exception.
take care of other fortunate ones with kindness, destroy wrong views,
and please the knowledgeable through teaching, debating, and compos- When you appear in whatever form is fitting for your disciples, Savior
ing scriptures on the various branches of Buddhas teachings, becoming Amitayus, may we be able to recognize those forms as you, and may a
a completely perfected scholar. faith that is not artificial and that is unshakably strong arise. Through
the power of that faith, may we meet directly with you in the form of
Throughout all my future lives may I be free of holding thoughts that virtuous friends throughout all our lives, Buddha Amitayus, receiving
mainly cling to my own purposes, and may I stop all laziness and cow- direct teachings and never becoming separate.
ardliness toward the great activities of the bodhisattvas. Then may
I become skillful in the bodhisattva mind, which willingly takes on Throughout all my future lives may I be held in the kindness of a
the purposes of others with a brave mind perfectly complete. By that, fully qualified Mahayana virtuous teacher, the root of all ordinary and
may I perfect all bodhisattvas activities and become just like venerable transcendent good qualities, and may that teacher become very happy
Avalokiteshvara. with me.

Also, throughout all my future lives, when working for the benefit of At that time also, through the power of a strong, unshakable faith
myself and others, may I subdue all demons, extremists, and opponents toward my virtuous guide, may I only perform activities that please my
with wrong views through the skillful power that enables me to complete teacher with all three doors of my body, speech, and mind. May I not
28 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Beginning, Middle, and End 29

do anything that would cause my guide to become displeased for even

an instant.

Having pleased my virtuous friend, may every holy instruction be be-

stowed without leaving anything out, and may I diligently practice.
Understanding whatever meanings are taught, may I strive to be able
to accomplish them completely. May I not become influenced for even
A Prayer for the Beginning,
an instant by misleading friends or non-virtuous teachers.

Throughout all my lives, may I have reasoned faith in cause and effect,
Middle, and End of Practice
renunciation, the altruistic wish for enlightenment, pure view, and
all knowledges entered into effortlessly, experienced without break. by Je Tsongkhapa
Throughout all my future lives, may the roots of all virtues I perform
through my body, speech, and mind serve to benefit others, becoming
a cause for their pure enlightenment. I bow before the conquering buddhas, bodhisattvas, and arhats of all
directions and of all times.

I offer this boundless prayer with the purest of minds

to free countless beings from cycles of existence.
By the power of the unfailing Three Jewels
Colophon: and of great rishis possessed of the force of truth,
Source unknown. Lightly edited by Ven. Constance Miller, FPMT Education De- may these sincere words bear fruit.
partment, April 1999. Revised June 1999.
Life after life, may I never be born into realms
of great suffering or unfavorable circumstance
but gain always a precious human form
blessed with every conducive provision.

From the moment of birth may I never

be lured by the pleasures of existence,
but, guided by renunciation intent on freedom,
be resolute in seeking the pure life.

May there be no hindrance to becoming a monk,

from friends, family, or possessions,
and for every conducive circumstance,
by mere thought may it appear.
30 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Beginning, Middle, and End 31

Once a monk, may I be untainted as long as I live, I pray that I listen insatiably
by breech of vow or natural fault, to countless teachings at the feet of a master,
as promised in the presence of my preceptor. single-handedly with logic unflawed,
prizing open scriptures meanings.
I pray that on such pure foundation,
and for every mother sentient being, Having examined day and night
I devote myself with hardship for countless eons with fourfold logic all that I have heard,
to every aspect, profound and vast, of the Mahayana. may I banish every doubt
with the discerning understanding
May I be cared for by true spiritual friends, that arises from such contemplation.
filled with knowledge and insight,
senses stilled, minds controlled, loving, compassionate, With conviction on dharmas profound
and with courage untiring in working for others. gained from understanding born of contemplation,
I pray that I retreat to solitude
As Sada Prarudita devoted himself to Dharma Arya, with a perseverance severing lifes attachments
may I sincerely please my spiritual master to devote myself to proper practice.
with body, life, and wealth,
never disappointing him for an instant. When the Buddhas thoughts dawn upon me
through study, thought, and meditation,
I pray that the Perfection of Wisdom, forever profound, I pray that things of this life forever bonded to samsara
a bringer of peace, unbound by identification, and thoughts of my happiness alone
be taught to me as taught to Sada Prarudita, never arise in my mind.
unsullied by the muddy waters of false views.
Unattached to my possessions
May I never fall under the sway I pray that I destroy parsimony,
of false teachers and misleading friends, gathering disciples around me
their flawed views of existence and nonexistence by giving first of material wealth
well outside the Buddhas intention. to satisfy them with Dharma.
With sail hoisted of the sincerest of minds, With a mind renounced may I never transgress
driven by winds of unflagging effort, even the smallest precept, though it may cost my life,
on this well-built ship of study, thought, and meditation, flying forever, therefore, the flag of freedom.
may I bring living beings from samsaras ocean.
When I see, hear, or think of those
As much as I excel in learning, who struck, beat, or maligned me,
as much as I give to others, may I be without anger, speak of their virtues,
as pure as my morality grows, and meditate upon patience.
as much as I become wise,
by as much may I be empty of pride.
32 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Beginning, Middle, and End 33

I pray I will apply myself to enthusiasm, By growing within myself

achieving virtues unachieved, improving those attained, the pure and extraordinary bodhi-mind
banishing utterly threefold debilitating laziness. whose nature is to cherish others more than self,
may I soon give them unsurpassable enlightenment.
I pray to abandon the meditative absorption
that lacks the power of insight to quell samsara, Whoever hears, sees, or calls these verses to mind,
that is divorced from the moist compassion to quash nirvanas passivity, may they be undaunted in fulfilling
and that mostly throws one back to cycles of existence, the powerful prayers of the bodhisattvas.
but develop instead the meditative absorption
that unites compassion and insight. By the power of these vast prayers
made with the purest intention,
I pray that I banish false views of emptiness, may I attain the perfection of prayer
mentally fabricated and partially known, and fulfill the hopes of every living being.
born from fear of the most profound truth, cherished as supreme,
and that I realize all phenomena to be forever empty.

May I bring to faultless morality

those so-called practitioners with their wayward ethics, Colophon:
shamelessly empty of pure practice, Reprinted with permission from The Splendor of an Autumn Moon: The Devo-
rashly pursuing paths shunned by the wise. tional Verse of Tsongkhapa, translated and introduced by Gavin Kilty, Wisdom
May I bring to the path praised by buddhas Publications, 2001.
those lost and fallen onto wrong paths,
swayed by deluded teachers and misleading friends.

I pray that my lion-like roar

of teaching, argument, and composition
flattens the pride of fox-like false orators,
and, gathering well-trained disciples about me,
I fly the banner of the teachings forever.

In whatever life I may drink the nectar of Buddhas teachings,

I pray to be born into a good family
and be of handsome build, wealthy, powerful, and wise,
blessed with long life and sound health.

May I develop the unique love of a mother

for those who malign me
and harbor ill designs upon my life,
my body, or my possessions.
34 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Until Buddhahood 35

Until Buddhahood
Ji si thub chhog zhug so

Until I manifest
The holy state of a supreme subduer,
May I obtain a basis for accomplishing the pure noble path,
Take ordination, and remember all my lives.

May I uphold the treasury of many infinite qualities

dharani,2 confidence,3
Meditative stabilization, clairvoyance, magical emanation, and more.
Having attained peerless knowledge, mercy, and ability,
May I swiftly perfect the conduct of enlightenment.

When I see signs of untimely death,

In that very moment may I clearly see the body
Of Protector Amitayus and destroy the Lord of Death;
May I quickly become an immortal knowledge-holder.

In all my lives by the force of Amitayus

Amitayus Directly acting as a virtuous friend of the Supreme Vehicle,
May I never turn away, even for an instant,
From this noble path admired by the conquerors.

May I never generate a mind that,

Neglecting sentient beings, hopes for my welfare alone.
May I strive for the welfare of others with skill in means,
Unobscured regarding the way to accomplish their welfare.
36 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Maitreya Prayer 37

Also by merely expressing and remembering my name,

May all those tormented by the result of their negative actions
Become rich with the glory of sublime happiness, and
May they climb the stairway leading to the Supreme Vehicle.

By illustrating a mere fragment of the biographies of

The conquerors children, may all the interferences A Daily Prayer to
To the conduct of the conquerors children be pacified
without exception,
And may helpful necessities be achieved by just calling them to mind.
Maitreya Bodhisattva
By the truth of the ruler of the Shakyas, (taught by Buddha Shakyamuni)
The guides Amitabha, Maitreya, Manjushri, the Lord of the Secret,
Avalokiteshvara, and the sugatas and their retinues,
May all these prayers be quickly fulfilled. To the awakened ones I prostrate,
And to the yogis
With the power of gods eye
As well as to all the bodhisattvas, hearers, and so forth.

Notes: Bodhichitta bars the way to unfortunate destinies;

1. The title Until Buddhahood is not a direct translation of the original title, It is the great teaching that leads to the highest realms
which consists of the first four syllables of the first verse of the text literally And even to the state beyond old age and death.
translated as until a supreme subduer. To the mind of enlightenment, bodhichitta, I prostrate.
2. Understanding the words and meaning of scriptures without forgetting.
3. Confidence in explaining the words and meaning of scriptures without any limi- Controlled by negative habits,
tations. In the sight of the Buddha
I have often given harm to others.
Colophon: I shall confess those actions.
Translated by Geshe Thubten Sherab, Taos, New Mexico, USA. Scribed and lightly
edited by Kendall Magnussen, FPMT Education Services, June 2003. Final editing Yet from the beneficial actions of my body, speech, and mind
by Ven. Joan Nicell.
I pray that the merit generating the seeds of omniscience may never
be exhausted.
May I further accomplish this accumulation of merit
By performance of the three actions (of body, speech, and mind).

I offer all that I have to the buddhas

In their pure lands of the ten directions.
In the wisdom of all the buddha
And in my own virtues I rejoice.
38 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Maitreya Prayer 39

In short, I confess all harmful actions, Not born and not coming, self-nature non-existent,
I make prostration to all the buddhas. Abiding non-existent, awareness of appearance non-existent.
I rejoice in all acts of virtue The non-true existence of things themselves.
And I myself wish to obtain supreme wisdom. I wish to realize the emptiness of phenomena.

Bodhisattvas of the tenth level Buddha is like a great lord;

In all the ten directions Yet sentient beings do not exist, life does not exist.
Need no reminder No being at all is there that exists; even healing does not exist.
To work for enlightenment. I wish to understand the phenomena of the non-self-existent ego.

Obtaining buddhahood, supreme enlightenment, Since egos grasping of

Joining those who have subdued the demon of self-cherishing, All phenomena is non-existent,
He (Maitreya) will turn the Dharma wheel I wish to develop charity without limit
In order to benefit all sentient beings. In order to benefit all sentient beings.
Phenomena? Phenomena do not exist.
I pray that sentient beings without exception May the lack of material resources not hinder me.
May be liberated by the sound of the great Dharma drum. All things are impermanent;
Please stay to teach the path to enlightenment Therefore, I wish to accomplish the perfection of charity.
For inconceivable millions of eons.
May I never transgress the discipline of morality and free
I who am stuck hard in the mud of the desire realm, myself from pride,
Tightly bound by the rope of samsara, Since by having pride in the appearance of morality and purity,
Please watch over me, supreme beings One is without morality.
Who stand on the two feet of method and wisdom. I wish to accomplish the perfection of morality.
The love of the Buddha is not obscured Patience must be as steady as earth or water,
In the same way as love between sentient beings. Not changeable like the wind.
The goal of his loving kindnesscompassion Knowing that both patience and anger do not exist,
Is to lead them across the ocean of samsara. I wish to accomplish the perfection of patience.
I will follow with care It is by effort that I must practice the perfection of effort
The path of the buddhas Without enjoying laziness.
Of the past, present, and future. By the power of mind and body
It is enlightenment that I will practice. I wish to accomplish the perfection of effort.
When I have accomplished the six perfections Like the concentration called Magic
May I be able to liberate all beings in the six migratory realms. And the concentration of Going Heroically
May I manifest the six supramundane cognitions; And the concentration Like a Thunderbolt,
May I touch great enlightenment. May I accomplish the perfection of concentration.
40 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Maitreya Statue 41

May I gain the great wisdom

That has realized the practices of all three vehicles,
The three doors to liberation,
And the three exact concentrations.

Thus, there was one who followed a completed practice like this.
He was named Maitreya,
Prayer for a Statue of Maitreya
Accomplishing well the six perfections,
He quickly reached the tenth level. Jam-p-ku zug-ma
Mantra of Maitreya Buddhas Promise
NAMO RATNA TRAYAYA / NAMO BHAGAVATE SHAKYAMU-
NIYE / TATHAGATAYA / ARHATE SAMYAKSAMBUDDHAYA / May the embodied beings who have fulfilled all requirements
TADYATHA OM AJITE AJITE APARAJITE / AJITACHAYA HA RA For building an excellent statue of Maitreya
HA RA MAITRI AVALOKITE KARA KARA MAHA SAMAYA SIDDHI Be in the presence of the savior, perfect, pure Maitreya, and
BHARA BHARA MAHA BODHI MANDA BIJA SMARA SMARA AHS- Enjoy the splendor of the Mahayana Dharma.
MA KAM SAMAYA BODHI BODHI MAHA BODHI SVAHA
When the mighty sun, the savior Maitreya,
Heart mantra Shines atop the elevated place of Bodhgaya
OM MOHI MOHI MAHA MOHI SVAHA And the lotus bloom of my wisdom has opened,
May a swarm of bees of fortunate ones be satisfied.
Close heart mantra
OM MUNI MUNI SMARA SVAHA At that time Buddha Maitreya is extremely pleased, and
As he lays his right hand upon my head and
When my death comes to me in this place, My supreme incomparable enlightenment is prophesied,
May I pass with ease to the pure land of Ganden. May I then quickly attain buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings.
May I quickly please the bodhisattva Maitreya
And learn from him the time and place of my awakening. Even in all future lifetimes while I am completing enlightenment,
After gathering as one all the great waves of deeds, whatever there are,
Of all the buddhas and bodhisattvas of the three times,
May I properly give teachings.

Draped in delicate drawing-like scriptures of good explanation,

Colophon: Supported on a golden center pole of discernment, and
Translator unknown. Lightly edited by Ven. Constance Miller, FPMT Education Decorated with a jeweled tip of the three trainings,
Services, April 2003. May the victory banner of Buddhas teachings be planted everywhere.

May the teachings, the source of all well-being, spread and flourish, and
May all holy beings, the repository of the teachings, enjoy good health.
42 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Spontaneous Bliss 43

May the source of happiness for all embodied beings,

The teachings of the Buddha, always spread.

By the continual force of cultivating the three aspects of love,*

May there be the auspiciousness of the savior, Buddha Maitreya,
Who destroys the hosts of maras with the power of his love and
Nurtures all sentient beings with the strength of his love.
Prayer for Spontaneous Bliss
De chen lhun drub ma
by the Second Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso
* In the last verse the three aspects of love are: immeasurable love (from among the
four immeasurables), affectionate love (from the seven-limb prayer), and superior
thought love (also from the seven-limb prayer.) Respectfully I prostrate to the mighty protector, Maitreya,
Who pervades the world with clouds of love and compassion
From the space of dharmakaya, which spontaneously completes
Colophon: great bliss,
Composed by the omniscient master, Gendun Drub. Translator unknown. Revised And who rains down deeds in a continuous shower.
edition, FPMT Education Department, June 1999. Updated June 2004.
From your wisdom manifestation that sees, just as they are,
The minds and natural elements of countless disciples,
By the power of faith, please come down here in all places
unimpeded,
Like the reflected image of the moon in water.

Like jeweled inlay work of many kinds of precious gemstones

Set into a Mt. Sumeru of piled exquisite refined gold,
Your supreme form, which by seeing one remains unsatisfied,
I request to remain firmly for as long as cyclic existence lasts.

You, savior, hold closely with your compassionate hands

All sentient beings who have provided the requirements
For constructing a statue of affectionate love [Maitreya], and
Please lead them definitely to the land of Tushita.

Inseparable from your face, amrita for their eyes,

Nurtured by your speech, the Mahayana scriptures,
And having perfected all the bodhisattvas practices,
Please bestow your blessings for them to quickly attain buddhahood.
44 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead Spontaneous Bliss 45

In the meantime, may all wishes be fulfilled;

May all sentient beings have a loving attitude;
May the teachings of the Buddha spread and extend in all directions;
And may all sentient beings enjoy wonderful well-being.

May this place be filled by an assembly of ordained monks and nuns

Clad in saffron robes and upholding the three trainings, and
May deeds of explanation and practice bring good fortune of extending
The Buddhas teachings everywhere for as long as cyclic existence lasts.

By the truth of the infallible Three Precious Jewels,

The blessings of the power of Buddha Maitreya,
And the enlightened deeds of the mighty Dharma protectors,
May the complete essence of this pure prayer be fulfilled.

Colophon:
This aspirational prayer of truthful words for achieving excellence was composed
at Chokhor Gyl monastery by Gendun Gyatso [the Second Dalai Lama], a monk
who expounds the Dharma, at the request of the great woman leader, Nyima Pl, an
incarnation of Bishwakarma [the legendary King of Artistry who designed the main
temple in central Lhasa].
Translated by Geshe Lhundub Sopa for members of the Maitreya Project, Singapore,
February 1998. Updated June 2004.

Maitreya
 35 Buddhas 47

The Practice of
Prostrations to the Thirty-
Five Confession Buddhas
Motivation
The purpose of my life is to free the numberless sentient beings who are
the source of all my past, present, and future happiness, temporary as
well as ultimate happiness including all the realizations of the path,
liberation from samsara, and enlightenment from all the oceans of
samsaric suffering, including the causes: delusion and karma. In order
to do this, I must achieve full enlightenment. Therefore, I need to ac-
tualize the path. Therefore, I need to purify the defilements.

If I were now born in hell, it would be so unbearable. Even one tiny

fire spark on my body is hundreds of thousands of times hotter than
the whole entire fire energy in this world. It is so unbearable that ex-
periencing it for even an instant is like suffering for many eons. I have
created numberless causes to be born in the hell realms by creating the
ten non-virtuous actions countless times in this and beginningless past
lives. I have created numberless causes to be born in the hell realms
by breaking the pratimoksha vows, by breaking the bodhisattva vows,
and by breaking the tantric vows countless times in this and begin-
The Five Dhyani Buddhas ningless past lives. And I have created numberless causes to be born
in the hells by creating the heaviest negative karma in relationship
with the holy virtuous friend, which includes harming the holy body,
breaking the advice, disturbing the holy mind, having non-devotional
thoughts, and rising heresy and anger, which produce the greatest ob-
stacles to achieve realizations and create the greatest suffering.

Every single one of these negative actions has four suffering results: the
ripening result (a rebirth in the lower realms), the possessed result (the
48 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead 35 Buddhas 49

type of environment Im born into when again a human), the result Think that each one of these buddhas is the embodiment of all three
similar to the cause in my experience, and the worst one, the result times ten directions Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, and all statues, stupas,
similar to the cause in my actions, which means that again and again and scriptures. Think they embody all holy objects, whose essence is
I am driven to create the same negative actions in the future, and so the Guru. Have complete faith that each one has the power to purify
again and again I have to experience the four suffering results. In this all your negative karmas and imprints, accumulated since beginning-
way, samsara has no end. less time.

Not only that, but karma increases, so from even a small negative ac- Now imagine that you emanate numberless bodies, and that as you
tion can come huge suffering results. And karma is definite to be ex- prostrate, all these bodies prostrate along with you from all directions,
perienced, so every negative action I have created will definitely bring covering every atom of the earth.
its result, no matter how long it takes, until it is purified. So from one
negative karma, I have to experience the result over and over again for Now recite the increasing mantras, refuge, and the Confession of
so many hundreds of lifetimes. Understanding this, how can I stand Downfalls to the Thirty-five Buddhas on the next page, repeating each
to live life without purifying myself and getting rid of all these negative buddhas name over and over as many times as you can with each
karmas, just as I would try to get rid of a deadly poison in my body? prostration. It is the recitation of the name of each buddha that brings
the purification, so there is a big difference when you recite just a few
Not only that, but Im going to die, and death can come even today, times or many. Even if you do the recitation by listening to a CD or
any moment. Therefore, I must purify all my negative actions right this tape, still recite the name yourself as much as you can. Try to do three
second. In order to do that, I am going to do these prostrations with prostrations to each buddha, with the exception of the final buddha;
the practice of confessing downfalls, and Im going to do this so that do nine prostrations to that one. Either recite the prayer three times
I can develop myself in order to work for the happiness of all sentient straight through making one prostration to each buddha each time,
beings. or do three prostrations to each buddha as you go through the prayer
once. At the end, recite the names of the Medicine Buddhas. This can
Visualization at the Beginning of the Practice be followed by Vajrasattva mantra and the Po Praise to Chenrezig,
Visualize in the space in front of you your Guru in the aspect of according to time. Then recite the prayer at the end, followed by the
Shakyamuni Buddha, with thousand-arm Chenrezig at his heart. At General Confession.
the heart of thousand-arm Chenrezig is the syllable HRIH, and from
this beams of light emanate, forming six rows in the space below. At The Actual Practice
the end of each beam is a throne supported by elephants and adorned
with pearls. On each throne is seated a buddha. In the first row are OM NAMO MANJUSHRIYE NAMAH SUSHRIYE NAMA UTTAMA
six buddhas, blue in color and in the aspect of Akshobhya, with the SHRIYE SVAHA (3x)
exception of the third buddha, King Lord of the Nagas, who has a CHOM DN D DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR
blue-colored body, but a white head. In the second row, there are seven DZOG PI SANG GY RINCHHEN GYLTSHN LA CHAG TSHL
buddhas, white in color and in the aspect of Vairochana. In the third LO (7x)
row are seven buddhas, yellow in color and in the aspect of Ratna-
sambhava. In the fourth row are seven buddhas, red in color and in OM NAMO BHAGAVATE RATNA KETU RAJAYA / TATHAGATAYA /
the aspect of Amitabha. In the fifth row there are seven buddhas, ARHATE SAMYAK SAMBUDDHAYA / TADYATHA / OM RATNE
green in color and in the aspect of Amoghasiddhi. These are the Thir- RATNE MAHA RATNE RATNA BIJA YE SVAHA (7x)
ty-five Buddhas. Each one is in the posture of that particular dhyani
buddha. In the final row are the Medicine Buddhas.
50 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead 35 Buddhas 51

Homage to the Confession of the Bodhisattvas Downfalls! To Tathagata Glorious Mindfulness, I prostrate.
I, (say your name) throughout all times, take refuge in the Guru; To Tathagata Glorious Name Widely Renowned, I prostrate.
I take refuge in the Buddha; To Tathagata King Holding the Victory Banner of Foremost Power,
I take refuge in the Dharma; I prostrate.
I take refuge in the Sangha. (3x) To Tathagata Glorious One Totally Subduing, I prostrate.
To Tathagata Utterly Victorious in Battle, I prostrate.
To the founder, bhagavan, tathagata, arhat, perfectly completed bud-
To Tathagata Glorious Transcendence Through Subduing,
dha, glorious conqueror Shakyamuni Buddha, I prostrate.
I prostrate.
To Tathagata Thoroughly Destroying with Vajra Essence, I prostrate. To Tathagata Glorious Manifestations Illuminating All, I prostrate.
To Tathagata Radiant Jewel, I prostrate. To Tathagata All-Subduing Jewel Lotus, I prostrate.
To Tathagata King, Lord of the Nagas, I prostrate. To Tathagata, arhat, perfectly completed buddha, King of the Lord of
To Tathagata Army of Heroes, I prostrate. Mountains Firmly Seated on Jewel and Lotus, I prostrate. (3x)
To Tathagata Delighted Hero, I prostrate.
To Tathagata Jewel Fire, I prostrate. All those [you thirty-five buddhas] and others, as many tathagatas, ar-
hats, perfectly completed buddhas as there are existing, sustaining,
To Tathagata Jewel Moonlight, I prostrate. and residing in all the world systems of the ten directions; all you
To Tathagata Meaningful to See, I prostrate. buddha-bhagavans, please pay attention to me.
To Tathagata Jewel Moon, I prostrate.
To Tathagata Stainless One, I prostrate. In this life and in all the states of rebirth in which I have circled in
samsara throughout beginningless lives, whatever negative actions I
To Tathagata Bestowed with Courage, I prostrate.
have created, made others create, or rejoiced in the creation of; what-
To Tathagata Pure One, I prostrate. ever possessions of stupas, possessions of the Sangha, or possessions of
To Tathagata Bestowed with Purity, I prostrate. the Sangha of the ten directions that I have appropriated, made others
To Tathagata Water God, I prostrate. appropriate, or rejoiced in the appropriation of; whichever among the
To Tathagata Deity of the Water God, I prostrate. five actions of immediate (retribution) I have done, caused to be done,
To Tathagata Glorious Goodness, I prostrate. or rejoiced in the doing of; whichever paths of the ten non-virtuous ac-
tions I have engaged in, caused others to engage in, or rejoiced in the
To Tathagata Glorious Sandalwood, I prostrate. engaging in: whatever I have created, being obscured by these karmas
To Tathagata Infinite Splendor, I prostrate. causes me and sentient beings to be born in the hell realms, in the
To Tathagata Glorious Light, I prostrate. animal realm, and in the preta realm; in irreligious countries, as bar-
To Tathagata Sorrowless Glory, I prostrate. barians, or as long-life gods; with imperfect faculties, holding wrong
To Tathagata Son of Non-craving, I prostrate. views, or not being pleased with Buddhas descent. In the presence of
the buddha-bhagavans, who are transcendental wisdom, who are eyes,
To Tathagata Glorious Flower, I prostrate.
who are witnesses, who are valid, and who see with omniscient con-
To Tathagata Pure Light Rays Clearly Knowing by Play, I prostrate. sciousness, I am admitting and confessing all these negativities, I will
To Tathagata Lotus Light Rays Clearly Knowing by Play, I prostrate. not conceal them nor hide them, and from now on in the future I will
To Tathagata Glorious Wealth, I prostrate. abstain and refrain from committing them again.
52 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead 35 Buddhas 53

All buddha-bhagavans, please pay attention to me. In this life and in come in your heart is that each of these negative actions are completely empty, not existing
all other states of rebirth in which I have circled in samsara through- from their own side, even the slightest atom.
out beginningless lives, whatever roots of virtue I have created by gen-
At the end of the confession prayer, pause to make the determination not to commit these
erosity, even as little as giving just one mouthful of food to a being
negative actions again in the future. This is the power of restraint. Make this promise real-
born in the animal realm; whatever roots of virtue I have created by
istic, even if you are promising simply not to do the negative action even for just the next five
guarding morality; whatever roots of virtue I have created by following
minutes or seconds. This is to make sure you that you do not tell a lie to the merit field.
pure conduct; whatever roots of virtue I have created by fully ripening
sentient beings; whatever roots of virtue I have created by generating
bodhichitta; and whatever roots of virtue I have created by my unsur- General Confession
passed transcendental wisdom: all these assembled and gathered, com- U hu lag! (Woe is me!)
bined together, I fully dedicate to the unsurpassed, the unexcelled,
O great guru Vajradhara, all other buddhas and bodhisattvas who
that higher than the high, that superior to the superior. Thus, I com-
abide in the ten directions, and all the venerable Sangha, please pay
pletely dedicate to the highest, perfectly complete enlightenment.
attention to me.
Just as the previous buddha-bhagavans have fully dedicated, just as the
I, who am named [say your name], circling in cyclic existence since be-
future buddha-bhagavans will fully dedicate, and just as the presently
ginningless time until the present, overpowered by mental afflictions
abiding buddha-bhagavans are fully dedicating, like that I too dedicate
such as attachment, aversion, and ignorance by means of body, speech,
fully.
and mind have created the ten non-virtuous actions. I have engaged in
I confess all negativities individually. I rejoice in all the merits. I urge the five uninterrupted negative karmas and the five nearing uninter-
and implore all buddhas to grant my request: may I receive the high- rupted negative karmas.1 I have transgressed the vows of individual
est, most sublime transcendental wisdom. liberation, transgressed the vows of bodhisattvas, and transgressed the
samaya of secret mantra.2 I have been disrespectful to my parents,
To the conquerors, the best of humans those who are living in the have been disrespectful to my vajra masters, and to my abbot, and
present time, those who have lived in the past, and those who will have been disrespectful to my spiritual friends living in ordination.3 I
likewise come to all those who have qualities as vast as an infinite have committed actions harmful to the Three Jewels, avoided the holy
ocean, with hands folded, I approach for refuge. Dharma,4 criticized the arya Sangha,5 harmed sentient beings, and so
on. These and many other non-virtuous negative actions I have done,
How to Meditate on the General Confession have caused others to do, have rejoiced in others doing, and so forth.
As you confess each of the negative actions contained in this prayer, think to yourself that you
In the presence of the great guru Vajradhara, all the buddhas and bo-
have created this negative action not just once, but countless times in this and beginningless
dhisattvas who abide in the ten directions, and the venerable Sangha,
lives, whether you remember it or not. Generate very strong regret. The stronger the regret,
I admit this entire collection of faults and transgressions that are ob-
the greater the purification.
stacles to my own higher rebirth and liberation and are causes of cyclic
Then reflect on the emptiness of each of these negative actions, remembering that even existence and miserable lower rebirths. I will not conceal them, and I
negative actions do not truly exist from their own side. They arise in dependence on causes accept them as negative. I promise to refrain from doing these actions
and conditions and are merely labeled by the mind. You can either think they are completely again in the future.6 By confessing and acknowledging them, I will at-
non-existent from their own side, or that they are merely labeled by mind, or that they are hal- tain and abide in happiness, while by not confessing and acknowledg-
lucination. Whichever method you use to understand emptiness, the conclusion that should ing them, true happiness will not come.
54 Eight Prayers to Benefit the Dying and Dead

Visualization at the End of the Confession Prayer

Think that through the force of reciting these names of the thirty-five
Buddhas of Confession and Medicine Buddhas, through the power of
their pure prayers and vows, through the power of generating regret
and the other opponent forces, and through the power of having made
these prostrations, nectars and light rays descend from the holy bodies
of the buddhas, completely purifying all negative karmas, defilements FPMT Education Department
and imprints collected on your mental continuum since beginningless
time. Generate strong faith that your mind has become completely
pure.

Then reflect on emptiness. In emptiness there is no I, the creator of

negative actions. In emptiness there is no creating of negative actions.
In emptiness there are no negative actions created. Even though there
are infinite phenomena, in emptiness nothing exists at all. There is no
this and that, no me and you, nothing. In emptiness everything is one
taste. From this emptiness, everything comes into existence. Whatever
exists is the manifestation of emptiness. The aim of the Education Department at FPMT International Office is
to serve the needs of Dharma centers and individuals in the area of Ti-
betan Buddhist educational and spiritual materials. This includes prayers
Dedication and practice texts, retreat sadhanas and other practice materials, a variety
Due to all the three time merits accumulated by myself, all the bud- of study texts and translations, deity images for meditation, and curricu-
dhas and bodhisattvas and all sentient beings, which are completely lar materials for study programs in FPMT Dharma centers.
empty of existing from their own side, may the I, which is completely
empty of existing from its own side, quickly achieve the state of full One of our principal objectives is to serve as a repository for a wide variety
enlightenment, which is completely empty of existing from its own of practice texts primarily within the Gelug tradition, especially those au-
side, in order to lead all sentient beings, who are completely empty thored or translated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Thubten Yeshe.
of existing from their own side, to that state by myself alone, who is We work in close collaboration with the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive,
completely empty of existing from its own side. Boston, Massachusetts, which serves as a repository for the commentaries
and transcripts of teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Lama Yeshe.
Due to all the three time merits accumulated by myself, all the buddhas
and bodhisattvas and all sentient beings, may the precious supreme If we can be of service to you in any way, please contact us at:
enlightened thought, bodhichitta letting go of self and cherishing
others which is the source of all success and happiness for myself and Education Department
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