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The Wondrous Light of Lunar Nectar:

The Biography of Kunga Pelden

The Wondrous Light of Lunar Nectar is a biography of Chatral Kunga Pelden (1878–1944) written by Dilgo Khyentse Tashi Paljor.

Dilgo Khyentse Tashi Paljor

Abridged Biographies: The Lineage of the Do Family

This text provides us with an insight into the life of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje by presenting a concise biography of the master in addition to those of his family. It, moreover, offers stories from the life of his half-sister and spiritual partner, Losel Drolma—an honored teacher in her own right and a figure on the fringe of the Yeshe Dorje tales told in temples.

Do Dasel Wangmo

A Lineage Prayer for the Natural Liberation of Grasping

This lineage prayer for Do Khyentse's treasure cycle of the Natural Liberation of Grasping (Dzinpa Rangdrol) is found in a liturgical compilation arranged by Gelwang Nyima. The prayer comprises verses from the supplication prayer and Troma practice as located in the revealed treasure texts as well as a short transmission lineage.

Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

The Hook Which Invokes Blessings: A Supplication to the Life and Liberation of Knowledge-Holder Jalu Dorje

This concise biographical prayer to Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje was written by the master himself at the request of a king, most likely Namkha Lhundrup of Trokyap.

Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

The Truthful Words of a Sage

This aspirational prayer of Do Khyentse is the last text in his Natural Liberation of Grasping (Dzinpa Rangdrol) treasure cycle located within the Exceedingly Secret Enlightened Heart Essence of the Dakini treasure cache.

Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje

Asprational Prayer

The Formation of the Outer Container

The Formation of the Outer Container is a description of the formation of the universe according to Buddhist cosmogony.

Drigung Konchok Tendzin Chokyi Lodro

Sixteen Self-Assertions

The first rendition of the seal was written in 1619 by the First Drukpa Zhabdrung, Ngawang Namgyel, after seizing military victory over Puntsok Namgyel, the ruler of Tsang in Tibet. The lines translated here are in a different order in comparison to other editions. Nevertheless, this epic declaration not only helps to establish the emerging country of Bhutan but centralizes Zhabdrung's power in a talismanic nature.

Drukpa Zhabdrung, Ngawang Namgyel

The Ruby Garland: A Genealogy of Genghis Khan

The Ruby Garland is a genealogy of the Tibetan clans Barchung and Ju, descended from Genghis Khan. It might be the only Tibetan historical document that holds a clear account of Buddhism's existence in Mongolia during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Parallel historical narratives can be found in the official historical records of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Shi (明史).

Gyurme Pema Chogyel

The Guidebook to the Hidden Land of Pemoko

The Guidebook to the Hidden Land of Pemoko is a revealed treasure text included in Jatson Nyinpo’s Embodiment of the Precious Ones, the Konchok Chidu. It is a prediction text about the future degenerate times and purportedly the first guidebook to the hidden land of Pemoko.

Jatson Nyingpo

The Vajra Verses: A Prayer of the Fierce Inner Heat

This supplication, filled with instruction for the completion stage practice of fierce inner heat, was written by Jigme Lingpa in his renowned work of The Heart Essence of the Great Expanse, or Longchen Nyingtik. It is traditionally sung after the lineage supplication and before the fierce inner heat practice.

Jigme Lingpa

The History of Galenteng Monastery

A short text concerning Galenteng Monastery purportedly initially established by Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje. Its construction, linage affiliation, pronunciation, and orthography changed over time lending itself to a multitude of modifications.

Jigme Samdrup

Dzogchen Khenchen Abu Lhagang

Khenpo Tsondru's brief biography of his own teacher Pema Tekchok Loden (1879–1955), alias Khenchen Abu Lhagang, tells how he studied under some of the most illustrious masters of his day before serving as abbot for eight years at the famed monastic college of Dzogchen Shri Simha and then retiring to a nearby cave, focusing on meditative practice.

Khenpo Tsondru

An Aspiration to Travel to the Hidden Land of Pemoko

A prayer to take rebirth in the hidden sanctuary of Pemako, where obstacles such as sickness and conflict are scarce or nonexistent and favourable conditions may aid progress on the Dharma path.

Lelung Zhepai Dorje

Aspiration Prayer

Chapter Narrating the Pure Vision of Gesar

The Fifth Lelung Rinpoche, Zhepai Dorje (1697–1740), is unusual among senior Geluk figures for having taken a personal interest in the figure of Gesar of Ling, eponymous hero of the Tibetan epic. The text translated here narrates his ‘pure vision’ of Gesar, which took place near his monastic seat at Lelung, in Olga, in 1729. Please see the full abstract in the note section of the translation.

Lelung Zhepai Dorje

A Song on the Merits of Kyangpen Namkhe Dzong

This meditative or spiritual song was composed by Milarepa (1040–1123), Tibet’s most famous yogi and poet. With an almost Wordsworthian rhapsody, Mila describes the inconceivable qualities of Kyangpen Namkhe Dzong, and explains why it is so favourable for meditative retreat. Strikingly, he identifies the natural world itself, rather than past Buddhist masters, as the wellspring of blessings for this holy place.

Milarepa

Mura Pema Dechen Zangpo

This is a short biographical history of the Mura lineage including previous incarnations culminating in a longer biography of the Third Mura Pema Dechen. Written by Tenzin Lungtog Nyima it clearly describes some of the key moments, activities, teachers and students of the Mura lineage.

Tenzin Lungtok Nyima

Eleventh Day, Ninth Month, Water Dog Year

These letters were purchased and are now conserved in a private collection in France. The means of the initial acquisition is unknown. The recipient(s) of the letters are currently unidentified, and their connection with the Thirteenth Dalai Lama is undetermined. We are happy to receive any information concerning these letters.

Thirteenth Dalai Lama, Tubten Gyatso

The Tibetan Charter

A translation of pertinent and interesting sections of the Tibetan Charter, a document setting out the organisation structure of its government. This translation is purely for a historical presentation.

Tibetan Government in Exile

In Praise of the Goddess Sarasvati

One of the most famous poems in Tibetan history in which Tsongkhapa calls out and praises the goddess Sarasvati. This poem is not only chanted in monastic halls but also sung by performing artists and taught in literature classes.

Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa

A Chronological Timetable:

Lives of Do Khyentse’s Familial Line

This concise table features birth and death dates for essential individuals connected with Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje's familial line.

Tubten Chodar

Biography of Gyelse Rigpai Reltri

This biography of Rigpai Reltri was written by Tubten Chodar. Rigpa Reltri was the younger son of Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje and was recognized as the reincarnation of Jigme Lingpa's son, Jigme Nyinche Wozer.

Tubten Chodar

A Brief Biography: The Successive Incarnations of Tsoknyi Ozer

These introductory biographies of the successive reincarnations of Tsoknyi Ozer invite us to the land of liberation by establishing their enlightened lifestyles as examples. The text highlights the significance of devotion towards a spiritual master as, for example, the Third Tsokyni lighting his ring finger on fire, offering it as a lamp to fulfil his guru's aspirations.

Wonpo Gelek

A Brief History of Kyodrak Monastery

A brief history of Kyodrak monastery where the successive reincarnations of Tsoknyi Ozer reside. It is the main seat of the Barom order, one of the four main divisions of Kagyu, situated in Do Kham.

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