Image: Mt. Kailash, a holy site of Chakrasamvara. Photo by Cherilyn Parsons.
Please help us to restore the tradition of annual
Chakrasamvara Drubcho at Gar Monastery in Tibet.
Introduction to the Drigung Kagyü Chakrasamvara Tradition
By Drubpön Rinchen Dorje
All the teachings of the Buddha can be gathered into the causal vehicle of characteristics and the fruitional vehicle of mantra. The mantra teachings can be gathered into the four types of tantras. Of these, there is the particular unsurpassed union tantra of Chakrasamavara, the king of tantras equal to space. The teacher Vajradhara rose up in the form of the fierce compassionate emanation Chakrasamvara and taught this tantra. The power of the blessings of this tantra is said to be more exalted than others. Most of the mahasiddhas of India were renowned to have attained the supreme and common accomplishments through the gateway of Chakrasamvara. In Tibet Lord Marpa taught:
The tantra of Hevajra is renowned as profound.
Chakrasamvara is known as the quintessence.
In particular, by Lord Marpa showing the illustrious Milarepa the metaphoric example of the mandala of Chakrasamvara, it is said that the actual true mandala of Chakrasamvara manifested vividly in the sky in Milarepa’s presence, bestowed empowerment, explained the tantras, and gave him all the pith instructions without leaving anything out. This tradition became renowned as the hearing lineage of Chakrasamvara, the special transmission of the Kagyü lineage of protectors of beings.
Lord Milarepa taught:
The yidam deities Chakrasamvara, father and mother,
Are graced by the bone ornaments of charnel grounds.
In the perfect mandala in the sky
The heroes and heroines gather like offering clouds.
The deities of the primordial wisdom of complete enjoyment
Bestow empowerments that give rise to swift accomplishments.
If you have the power to pray to them,
Blessings will not be weak.
This is the universal samaya of the dakinis.
Saying this, Milarepa bestowed all the oral instructions upon Gampopa, like filling a vase to them brim. Gampopa taught:
The outer yidam like the body is Hevajra.
The inner yidam like the heart is Chakrasamvara.
Thus, this deity has been the practice of the oceans of Kagyü siddhas. It is the secret path that has been relied upon by the hundred of siddhas of India and Tibet. It is the swift path for those with faith, diligence, and wisdom. It is the heart nectar of the Buddha’s teachings. From the three traditions of the mahasiddhas Luipa, Krishnacharya, and Ghantapa of the holy land of India, the traditions of Ghantapa, Tilopa, and Naropa came to Tibet from Swami and so forth to Marpa and Ga Lotsawa. These traditions became merged into a single river that flowed from the past masters into the protector Jigten Sumgön. From him until the present day, there has been an uninterrupted lineage of accomplished masters. It has not been corrupted by the adulterants of samaya breaking demons. This dharma lineage is linked together like a golden chain that has never been corroded by rust. May all abide with faith and confidence in it.
By Drubpön Rinchen Dorje
All the teachings of the Buddha can be gathered into the causal vehicle of characteristics and the fruitional vehicle of mantra. The mantra teachings can be gathered into the four types of tantras. Of these, there is the particular unsurpassed union tantra of Chakrasamavara, the king of tantras equal to space. The teacher Vajradhara rose up in the form of the fierce compassionate emanation Chakrasamvara and taught this tantra. The power of the blessings of this tantra is said to be more exalted than others. Most of the mahasiddhas of India were renowned to have attained the supreme and common accomplishments through the gateway of Chakrasamvara. In Tibet Lord Marpa taught:
The tantra of Hevajra is renowned as profound.
Chakrasamvara is known as the quintessence.
In particular, by Lord Marpa showing the illustrious Milarepa the metaphoric example of the mandala of Chakrasamvara, it is said that the actual true mandala of Chakrasamvara manifested vividly in the sky in Milarepa’s presence, bestowed empowerment, explained the tantras, and gave him all the pith instructions without leaving anything out. This tradition became renowned as the hearing lineage of Chakrasamvara, the special transmission of the Kagyü lineage of protectors of beings.
Lord Milarepa taught:
The yidam deities Chakrasamvara, father and mother,
Are graced by the bone ornaments of charnel grounds.
In the perfect mandala in the sky
The heroes and heroines gather like offering clouds.
The deities of the primordial wisdom of complete enjoyment
Bestow empowerments that give rise to swift accomplishments.
If you have the power to pray to them,
Blessings will not be weak.
This is the universal samaya of the dakinis.
Saying this, Milarepa bestowed all the oral instructions upon Gampopa, like filling a vase to them brim. Gampopa taught:
The outer yidam like the body is Hevajra.
The inner yidam like the heart is Chakrasamvara.
Thus, this deity has been the practice of the oceans of Kagyü siddhas. It is the secret path that has been relied upon by the hundred of siddhas of India and Tibet. It is the swift path for those with faith, diligence, and wisdom. It is the heart nectar of the Buddha’s teachings. From the three traditions of the mahasiddhas Luipa, Krishnacharya, and Ghantapa of the holy land of India, the traditions of Ghantapa, Tilopa, and Naropa came to Tibet from Swami and so forth to Marpa and Ga Lotsawa. These traditions became merged into a single river that flowed from the past masters into the protector Jigten Sumgön. From him until the present day, there has been an uninterrupted lineage of accomplished masters. It has not been corrupted by the adulterants of samaya breaking demons. This dharma lineage is linked together like a golden chain that has never been corroded by rust. May all abide with faith and confidence in it.
Letter of request from HE Garchen Rinpoche:
Appeal for support from the Gargon Administrative Committee: English translation: "The great lineage holder of the Glorious Lord Drigungpa’s teachings, the heart essence of the ultimate lineage. The unequalled Jigten Sumgon—Ratnashri—had three close disciples whose enlightened activities equalled his own. The foremost among them was Gardampa Chodingpa, whose “golden garland” of throne holders appeared successively to maintain the holy monastic seat—the Gar Monastery, Jangchub Choling—in order to benefit sentient beings. The yidam Chakrasamvara, the deity practiced according to the fivefold path of Mahamudra—the unique “father-dharma” and special teachings of Lord Drigungpa—has been practiced there since very early times. As there has been a long history of successive masters who have sustained an unbroken lineage of Drubcho retreats of Chakrasamvara’s mandala in accordance with this tradition, it has become an important routine ceremony. By 1958, however, the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution had subverted Tibet and its religion, and for the past 50 years through the present, many difficulties have forestalled a proper reinstatement of the Chakrasamvara Drubcho retreat. Now, in accordance with the guru’s intent and the wish of the community of monks, we hope to properly reestablish the Drubcho retreat of this yidam—the supreme deity, Lord Chakrasamvara. For this reason, we would like to thank all benefactors for offering their support with devotion, wealth, and pure intention to help us realize this aspiration. " —The Gargon administrative committee on November 3, 2014. |
The Chakrasamvara Aspiration Prayer
Exalted and supreme deity, Transcendent Conqueror Chakrasamvara, if with devotion I practice you one-pointedly, let your compassion neither wane nor be indifferent, but swiftly reveal your pleasing face to me.
Through practicing the controlling, binding, and evenly resting of the impure illusory body's channels, winds, and drops, may my obscurations be removed, may I unveil as untainted purity, and attain supreme accomplishments in this very life.
If, through the fate of lacking joyous diligence, I do not become released in this very life, then at the time of death, may Skull Pieces and the rest, the assembly of viras and dakinis of the five wheels, with parasols, victory banners, a symphony of music and so forth, and myriad offering clouds, receive me and lead me to the pure lands of the dakinis. There may I behold the face of the Transcendent Conqueror Heruka.
In this land with perseverance may I then engage in the supreme short path of Secret Mantra, and clear away the two veils and all latent tendencies. May I accomplish the sublime vajra body endowed with seven aspects of union.
Though having accomplished the dharmakaya for my own sake, may the two buddha bodies of form appear and disclose the teachings of the supreme vehicle through measureless compassion for all mother sentient beings. May I then establish them swiftly on the Vajra Holder's ground.
By this virtue may I swiftly accomplish Chakrasamvara's gathering of deities, and then may I establish all wayfaring beings without exception in that state.
This prayer was composed by Dondrub Chokyi Gyalpo. May it be virtuous.
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According to the request of Drupon Rinchen Dorjee, this sadhana was translated into English by Ina Dhargye. The order of the sadhana was arranged by Drupon Rinchen Dorjee and Lama Thubten Nima. English translation copyright ©2009. Ina Dhargye. All rights reserved.
Exalted and supreme deity, Transcendent Conqueror Chakrasamvara, if with devotion I practice you one-pointedly, let your compassion neither wane nor be indifferent, but swiftly reveal your pleasing face to me.
Through practicing the controlling, binding, and evenly resting of the impure illusory body's channels, winds, and drops, may my obscurations be removed, may I unveil as untainted purity, and attain supreme accomplishments in this very life.
If, through the fate of lacking joyous diligence, I do not become released in this very life, then at the time of death, may Skull Pieces and the rest, the assembly of viras and dakinis of the five wheels, with parasols, victory banners, a symphony of music and so forth, and myriad offering clouds, receive me and lead me to the pure lands of the dakinis. There may I behold the face of the Transcendent Conqueror Heruka.
In this land with perseverance may I then engage in the supreme short path of Secret Mantra, and clear away the two veils and all latent tendencies. May I accomplish the sublime vajra body endowed with seven aspects of union.
Though having accomplished the dharmakaya for my own sake, may the two buddha bodies of form appear and disclose the teachings of the supreme vehicle through measureless compassion for all mother sentient beings. May I then establish them swiftly on the Vajra Holder's ground.
By this virtue may I swiftly accomplish Chakrasamvara's gathering of deities, and then may I establish all wayfaring beings without exception in that state.
This prayer was composed by Dondrub Chokyi Gyalpo. May it be virtuous.
-------
According to the request of Drupon Rinchen Dorjee, this sadhana was translated into English by Ina Dhargye. The order of the sadhana was arranged by Drupon Rinchen Dorjee and Lama Thubten Nima. English translation copyright ©2009. Ina Dhargye. All rights reserved.