Prayers & Chants
Recitations by Ven. Tsultim Geshe Gyeltsen

The following prayers are accomplished at Ven. Geshe Gyeltsen's center in Long Beach, CA when members gather to receive teachings or  meditate together. This ordered sequence contains all of the elements necessary for beneficial practice (taking refuge, setting ones motivation, calming the mind, making offerings, accomplishing the practice and dedicating).

There is a traditional etiquette that should be observed in the shrine room (gompa) or in the presence of a dharma teacher. A brief explanation is provided for newcomers.

An excellent description of the items placed on a Tibetan Buddhist alter, proper positioning and explanation of the symbolism is available on the Snow Lion web site at:   http://www.snowlionpub.com

A correct posture increases comfort and mental attentiveness when doing prayers and meditation.

These chants are written in a transliteration of Sanskrit or Tibetan in the left column with the English translation in the right. Audio files of the chants in Sanskrit and Tibetan accompany the texts. These were kindly provided by Geshe Gyeltsen. They will assist in correct pronunciation and in keeping the traditional rhythm. Geshe-la has chanted slower than usual, however, to assist the beginning student.


 


The audio is encoded in "Real Audio" format.
To play the Audio you can download the free "Real Player" plug-in for your browser from "Real Network.
"

 

 Chanting Sequence

 [MEDITATION (5-10 minutes)]
 [TEACHING OR STUDY]

Taking Refuge

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen

 Sanskrit

English Translation

NAMO GURUBAY
NAMO BUDDHAYA
NAMO DHARMAYA
NAMO SANGHAYA
(3 TIMES)

 I take refuge in my Gurus
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha
(3 TIMES)

Back to: Chanting Sequence


LAMA TSONG KHAPA GURU YOGA

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen

Tibetan

English Translation

GA DEN HLA GYAY
   GÖN GYI TUG KAR NE 
RAB KAR SHO SAR
   PUNG DRAY CHU TZIN TSER 
CHÖ KYI GYELPO
   KÜN KYEN LOZANG DRAG 
SE DANG CHE PA
   NE DIR SHEG SU SÖL 
 From the heart of the Lord of the Ganden devas emerges a brilliant white cloud, like a great mass of fresh yogurt. Atop sits Tsong Khapa, all-knowing King of Dharma. We request your coming to this place along with your great disciples.
DÜN GYI NAM KAR
   SENG TRI PE DAY TENG 
JETSÜN LAMA
   GYE PAY TZUM KAR CHEN 
DAG LO DE PAY
   SÖNAM ZHING CHOG TU 
TEN PA GYE CHIR
   KEL GYAR ZHUG SU SÖL 
 My Lord Guru is seated before me on a lionthrone, lotus and moon cushion. His white face smiles blissfully. Please remain many eons and serve as the supreme merit field for the growth of my mind of faith, and for the increase of Lord Buddha's teachings.
SHE JAY KYÖN KÜN
   JEL WAY LO DRÖ TUG 
KELSANG NA WAY
   GYEN GYUR LEG SHE SUNG 
DRAG PAY PEL GYI
   HLA MER DZE PAY KU 
TONG TÖ DREN PAY
   DÖN DEN LA CHAG TSEL 
 Your omniscient wisdom-mind encompasses all that is existent. Your speech is a profound teaching which ornaments the ear of the fortunate. Your body's beautiful radiance evokes wondrous admiration. I prostrate to you Lama Tsong Khapa, whom merely viewing, hearing or contemplating earns one great merit.
YI ONG CHÖ YÖN
   NA TSOG ME TOG DANG 
DRI SHIM DUG PÖ
   NANG SEL DRI CHAB SOG 
NGÖ SHAM YI TRUL
   CHÖ TRIN GYATSO DI 
SONAM ZHING CHOG
   KYE LA CHÖ PAR BUL 
 I present to you, supreme field of merit, Tsong Khapa, delightful offerings: pure sweet water, various flowers, fragrant incense, butterlamps, perfumes and more, both physical and mental offerings, vast as the clouds and wide as the ocean.
DAG GI TOG ME
   DÜ NE SAG PA YI 
LÜ NGAG YI KYI
   DIG PA CHI GYI DANG 
KYEPAR DOM PA
   SUM GYI MI TÜN CHOG 
NYING NE GYÖ PE
   DRAG PÖ SO SOR SHAG 
 The unwholesome actions of body, speech and mind, I have accumulated since time without beginning, especially actions contrary to my three vows, (Vinaya, Bodhisattva, Vajrayana), I regret extremely from the depths of my heart, and reveal each and every such action.
NYIG MAY DÜ DIR
   MANG TO DRUB LA TSÖN 
CHÖ GYE PANG PAY
   DEL JOR DÖN YÖ JE 
GÖN PO KYÖ KYI
   LAB CHEN TZE PA LA 
DAG CHAG SAM PA
   TAG PE YI RANG NGO 
 We totally rejoice in your magnificent achievements, my Lord, you strove for knowledge and realization, abandoned the eight worldly concerns and made the most meaningful use of human life with the eighteen opportune conditions during these degenerate times.
JETSÜN LAMA
   DAM PA KYE NAM KYI 
CHÖ KÜ KA LA
   KYEN TSE TRIN TRIG NE 
JI TAR TSAM PAY
   DÜL JAY TZIN MA LA 
ZAB GYE CHÖ KYI
   CHAR PA WAB TU SÖL 
 Pray all you Holy Gurus, unerring in conduct, precipitate a rain of vast and profound Dharma, from the billowing clouds of wisdom and compassion which fill the Dharmakaya sky, providing for the field of disciples precisely what is needed.
NAM DAG WÖ SAL
   YING LEY JING PA YI 
ZUNG JUG KU LA
   CHAR NUB MI NGA YANG 
TA MAL NANG NGOR
   ZUG KU RAG PA NYI 
SI TI BAR DU
   MI NUB TAN PAR JUG 
 May the Vajra Body created from the purity of clear light, free of the rising and setting of cyclic existence, but visible to the ordinary viewer only in its unsubtle, physical form stay on unchanging, without waning, until samsara ends.
DAG SOG JI NYE
   SAG PAY GE WA DI 
TEN DANG DRO WA
   KÜN LA GANG PEN DANG 
KYE PAR JETSÜN
   LOSANG DRAG PA YI 
TEN PAY NYING PO
   RING DU SEL JE SHOG 
 May whatever virtue I have gathered here, beneficially serve all sentient beings and the Buddhadharrna, and especially may the essential teachings of the unerring Master, Tsong Khapa, shine forever.
MIG ME TSE WAY
   TER CHEN CHEN RE SIG 
DRI ME KYEN PAY
   WANG PO JAM PEL YANG 
DU PUNG MA LÜ
   JOM TZE SANG WAY DAG 
GANG CHEN KEH PI
   TSUG KYEN TSONG KA PA 
LO SANG TRAG PI
   SHAP LA SÖL WA DEB 
(3 TIMES) 
 Je Tsong Khapa, crown jewel of the holy masters of the Land of Snows, you are Avalokitesvara, great treasure of inconceivable compassion untainted by ego's delusion. You are Manjusri, powerful master with stainless wisdom. You are Vajrapani, destroyer of forces of demons. At your feet, famed Lozang Dragpa, I humbly bow and earnestly request that all sentient beings achieve Enlightenment. (3 TIMES)
PEL DEN TSA WAY
   LAMA RIN PO CHE 
DAG GI CHI WOR
   PE MAY DEN ZHUG LA 
KA DRIN CHEN PÖ
   GO NE JE ZUNG TE 
KU SUNG TUG KYE
   NGO DRUP TSEL DU SÖL 
 Glorious precious root Guru please take the lotus seat at my crown, and in your kindness please care for us. Bestow upon us the attainments of your body, speech and mind.
PEL DEN TSA WAY
   LAMA RIN PO CHE 
DAG SOG NYING KAR
   PE ME DAN JUG LA 
KA DRIN CHEN PÖ
   GO NEY JE ZUNG TE 
CHOG DANG TUN MONG
   NGO DRUP TSEL DU SÖL 
 Glorious precious, root Guru, please take the lotus seat at our hearts, and in your great kindness care for us. Grant us your blessings for our temporal success and for the supreme attainment.
PEL DEN TSA WAY
   LAMA RIN PO CHE 
DAG GI NYING KAR
   PE MAY DEN ZHUG LA 
KA DRIN CHEN PÖ
   GO NE JE ZUNG TE 
JANG CHUB NYING PÖ
   BAR DU TEN PAR ZHUG 
 Glorious precious root Guru, please take the lotus seat at our hearts, and in your great kindness remain with us. Remain steadfast until we achieve the essence of Enlightenment.

Back to: Chanting Sequence


PRECEDING THE SEED OF WISDOM SUTRA

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen


 Tibetan

English Translation

MA-SAM JÖ-ME
   SHE-RAB PA-RÖL-SHIN 
MA-SHE MA-GA
   NAM-KAY NGO-WO-NYI 
SO-SOR RANG-RIG
   YE-SHE CHÖ-YUL-WA 
DU-SUM GYAL-WEY
   YUM-LA CHAG-TSAL-LO. 
 Unthinkable, inexpressible, wisdom gone beyond. Unborn, unceasing, space like in essence. Clearly perceived by wisdom mind. Homage to the Mother of the Buddhas of the three times.

Back to: Chanting Sequence


THE SEED OF WISDOM SUTRA

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen


 Sanskrit

English Translation

TAY-YA-THA: GA-TE GA-TE PA-RA GA-TE PA-RA SAHNG-GA-TE BO-DHI SO-HA

(3 TIMES)

 Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone completely beyond, so be it!

(3 TIMES)

Back to: Chanting Sequence


SHORT MANDALA OFFERING

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen


 Tibetan

English Translation

SA-SHI PÖ-KYI JUG-SHING
   ME-TOG-TRAM 
RI-RAB LING-SHI NYI-DAY
   GYAN-PA-DI 
SANG-GYE SHING-DU MIG-TE
   UL-WA-YI 
DRO-KUN NAM-DAG SHING-LA
   CHÖ-PAR-SHOG. 

IDAM GURU RATNA MANDALA
   KAM NIRYATAYAMI 
 By the virtue of offering to you assembly of Buddhas visualized before me, this mandala built on a base resplendent with flowers, saffron water and incense, adorned with Mount Meru and the four continents, as well as with the Sun and Moon, may all sentient beings share its effects.

I hereby offer up this massive jewel mandala universe!

Back to: Chanting Sequence


REFUGE AND DEVELOPMENT OF BODHICITTA

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen


 Tibetan

English Translation

SANG-GYE CHÖ-DANG TSOG-KYI
   CHOG-NAM-LA 
JANG-CHUB BAR-DU DAG-NI
   KYAB-SU-CHI 
DAG-GI CHÖ-NYEN GYE-PAI
   SO-NAM-CHI 
DRO-LA PAN-CHIR SANG-GYE
   DRUB-PAR-SHOG. 
 (3 TIMES) 
 I go for refuge, until I am Enlightened, to the Buddas, the Dharma and the highest assembly. From the virtuous merit of listening to the teachings, may I attain Buddhahood for the benefit all sentient beings.

(3 TIMES)

Back to: Chanting Sequence


DEDICATION OF MERITS

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen


 Tibetan

English Translation

GE WA DI YI NYUR DU DAG 
LA MA SANG GYE DRUB GYUR NEY 
DRO WA CHIG KYANG MA LÜ PA 
DE YI SA LA GÖ PAR SHOG. 
 Because of these merits, may I quickly become Guru Lord Buddha and lead each and every sentient being into his enlightened realm.
JANG CHUB SEM CHOG RIN PO CHE 
MA KYE PA NAM KYE GYUR CHIG 
KYE PA NYAM PA ME PA DANG 
GONG NE GONG DU PEL WAR SHOG. 
 May the precious Bodhicitta that has not yet been received, be received and may that which has been received, be increased and not decreased.
TONG NYI TA WA RIN PO CHE 
MA KYE PA NAM KYE GYUR CHIG 
KYE PA NYAM PA ME PA DANG 
GONG NE GONG DU PEL WAR SHOG. 
 May the precious view of emptiness (Shunyata) that has not been received, be received and may that which has been received, be increased and not decreased.

Back to: Chanting Sequence

SHORT MANDALA OFFERING

Play Real Audio Clip recited by Geshe Gyeltsen


 Tibetan

English Translation

SA-SHI PÖ-KYI JUG-SHING
   ME-TOG-TRAM 
RI-RAB LING-SHI NYI-DAY
   GYAN-PA-DI 
SANG-GYE SHING-DU MIG-TE
   UL-WA-YI 
DRO-KUN NAM-DAG SHING-LA
   CHÖ-PAR-SHOG. 

IDAM GURU RATNA MANDALA
   KAM NIRYATAYAMI 
 By the virtue of offering to you assembly of Buddhas visualized before me, this mandala built on a base resplendent with flowers, saffron water and incense, adorned with Mount Meru and the four continents, as well as with the Sun and Moon, may all sentient beings share its effects.

I hereby offer up this massive jewel mandala universe!

Back to: Chanting Sequence


Back to: Audio Library