Thursday, March 31, 2022

Serkyem and Torma Offering (1/2)

Serkyem (Golden Drink Offering) is also known as Dharmapala Offering. Serkyem are used for ritual offering to Protector deities and guardian. Serkyems comprises of two pieces, a chalice and a basin for overflowing. A serkyem is most commonly filled w/ tea or wine and other tsok substances and offered to the Dharma protectors for the continuous protection and spread of the holy teachings of the Buddha. In the Tibetan language "Ser" means gold and "Kyem" means drink.
Generally speaking, we make offerings to the Dharma Protectors to remove any outer or inner obstacles to our practice.  We do this by reminding them of the oath they made to Guru Rinpoche or Machig Labdron or any other great teacher from the past to assist and protect their lineage, the teachings of the Buddha and those who practice them. 
When we are making offerings to the Guardians of the Dharma, we are asking them to protect us yogis and yoginis by warding off all outer and inner obstacles that may hinder our practice, our Dharma centers and monasteries. We are also asking them to assist our practice and  support all our Dharmic aspirations.  This is the purpose of our offering. There are stories that when Longchenpa was writing The Seven Treasures Rahula was actually present assisting him by preparing the ink.
Some protectors were present in Tibet before Buddhism and then enlisted by Padma Sambhava to become Buddhist protectors like Dorje Legpa (Vajra Sadhu) was a Bon protector before. When Lonchenpa was restoring the Zha temple in Uru, Dorje Legpa emanated as a boy wearing a turquoise earring and helped the craftsmen each day.
The Serkyem Offering Container
When we make our offering to the Guardians of the Dharma, we use what is known as a serkyem (gser skyem, the golden beverage).  A serkyem consists of two pieces stacked;  a tall, thin chalice placed inside a container. 
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We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 13 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.


























Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Benefits Verses of Praises to the 21 Taras

Praises to the Twenty-One Taras is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara. Tara is also known as Arya Tara or Jetsun Dolma. 

Benefit verses
Lha mo la goo yang dak den pei. Lo den gang gi rab den jo peh.
It should be recited with perfect reverence and attitude to the Deity (Dolma).

So dang thaw rang lang par cheh neh. Dren peh mi jig tam cheh tab ter.
By remembering it at dusk and dawn as one rises, it gives perfect protection from all fears.
Dig pa tam cheh rab too shi was. Ngen dro tam cheh jom pa nyi do.
Calming all karma and preventing birth into lower realms.

Gyal wa cheh wa trak doon nam kyi. Nyur too wang ni our war gyur la.
One quickly receives the empowerment from the 70 million Buddhas.

Di leh cheh wa nyi ni tob ching. Sang gyeh go phang tar too der dro.
So that everything here shows increase and one proceeds towards ultimate Buddhahood.

De yi dug ni drag po chhen po. Tan na pa am zhan yang dro wa.
If affected by the most terrible poison. Whether ingested, drunk, or from a living being.

Zo pa dang ni thung pa nyi kyang. Dran pa rab tu sel wa nyi thob.
Just by remembering. Will one be thoroughly cleansed.

Don dang rim dang dug gi zir wai. Dui ngai tshog ni nam par pong te. 
The suffering from serious affliction by demons, contagious diseases, and poison is left behind.
Sem chan zhan pa nam la yang ngo. Nyi sum dun du ngon par jo na.
Also for others - by means of 7 repetitions in 3 sessions before noon and 3 sessions afternoon.

Bu do pa ni bu thob gyur zhing. Nor do pa ni nor nam nyi thob.
Then if a son is wished for, a son will be obtained, if wealth is required, will be obtained.

Do pa tham cha thob par gyur la. Geg nam me ching so sor jom gyur chig.
All that is wished for will be obtained. Hindrances will be negated and destroyed individually.
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Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 13 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.





















Wednesday, March 2, 2022

No.21 Emanation of Taras - Lhamo Ozer Chenma / Marichi (21/21)

 
Photo credit : Alan Kozlowski
Praises to the Twenty-One Tara is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara. (Tibetan called Drolma) also known as Arya Tara or Jetsun Dolma. The prayer is found in all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.  

Each of the twenty-one emanations of Tara has her own name, and a specific mantra with which she is associated, offering protection from various types of fears, harm, and calamities.

Tara has Twenty-One ultimate emanations according to the mantra of the Buddha Samantabhadra called “Twenty-One Praises of Tara”. Twenty-One Tara with 21 specific colors serves with a specific function. 

There are different styles and designs of tangka paintings that represent the Twenty-One manifestations of Tara based on distinct lineages and practices, in which forms, colors, ritual objects and even names or functions can vary. 
Homage to The No. 21 Taras - Lhamo Ozer Chenma / Marichi   
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MARITSE YE TSE BHRUM NRI DZA SVAHA
Goddess Endowed With Light Who Replenishes the Longevity and Life Force of the Sick

Lhamo Ozer Chenma – Divine Mother of Brilliant Light Rays. The 21st of Atisha’s 21 Taras is peaceful and white in color. This emanation of Tara offers protection from the depletion of energy and vitality by replenishing life force and increasing longevity. She also safeguards the well-being of animals. Golden fish rest upon the utpala flower by her left ear.
Lhamo Ozer Chenma is peaceful and white in color. She radiates light, instantly summoning all evil spirits who steal the vitality and longevity of the sick. Upon her utpala flower is a golden fish. Light radiates from the three syllables OM AH HUNG of her body, speech, and mind, completely pacifying all obstacles: outer forces, inner imbalance of the elements, and secret obstacles of dualistic grasping at afflictive emotions. 

Tara Ozer Chenma is the divine great Mother of “brilliant light rays”, Ozer. She is particularly beneficial to us because she can protect our longevity. She helps us when our energy, vitality, or life force is endangered. She is also renowned as a protector of animals.
Om Jetsunma pal ma drolma la chaktsal lo
Om Homage to the noble lady Tara

Chaktsal den yi sum nam ko pe
Homage to you, adorned with three natures

Shi we tu dang yang dak den ma
Perfectly endowed with peaceful strength

Don dang ro lang no jin tsok nam
You destroy demons, zombies, and yakshas

Jom pa tu re rab chok nyi ma
O TURE, most exalted and sublime

Tsa we ngak kyi to pa di dang
I praise with this root mantra

Chak tsal wa ni nyi shu tsa chik
and pay homage twenty one times
Prayer of the Benefits
Whoever is endowed with devotion for the goddess and recites this with supreme faith, remembering it at dawn upon waking and in the evenings, will be granted all fearlessness, will perfectly pacify all negativities, and will eliminate all unfortunate migrations.

The multitudes of conquerors will quickly grant initiation: Thus, endowed with this greatness, one will eventually reach the state of a Buddha. If affected by the most terrible poison, whether ingested, drunk, or from a living being, just by remembering will one be thoroughly cleansed.

If this prayer is recited two, three, or seven times, It will pacify all the sufferings of torments caused by spirits, fevers, and poisons, and by other beings as well. If you wish for a child, you will get a child; if you wish for wealth, you will receive wealth. All your wishes will be fulfilled and all obstacles pacified.  
Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 
Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.


































Tuesday, March 1, 2022

No.20 Emanation of Taras - Ritro Loma Gyonma / Parnashavari (20/21)


Photo credit : Alan Kozlowski

Praises to the Twenty-One Tara is a traditional prayer in Tibetan Buddhism to the female Bodhisattva Tara. (Tibetan called Drolma) also known as Arya Tara or Jetsun Dolma. The prayer is found in all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.  

Each of the twenty-one emanations of Tara has her own name, and a specific mantra with which she is associated, offering protection from various types of fears, harm, and calamities.

Tara has Twenty-One ultimate emanations according to the mantra of the Buddha Samantabhadra called “Twenty-One Praises of Tara”. Twenty-One Tara with 21 specific colors serves with a specific function. 

There are different styles and designs of tangka paintings that represent the Twenty-One manifestations of Tara based on distinct lineages and practices, in which forms, colors, ritual objects and even names or functions can vary. 
Homage to The No. 20 Taras - Ritro Loma Gyonma  / Parnashavari
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE NAMA TARE MANO HARA HUNG HARA SVAHA
Noble Lady of Mountain Retreat, Clothed in Leaves, Who Removes Contagious Diseases

Ritro Loma Gyonma is peaceful and yellow, red like saffron. Devotedly reciting her mantra dispels all deadly epidemics. Upon her utpala flower is a round vessel filled with nectar. Her eyes are like the sun and the full moon. From the sun of her right eye shines a radiant light, destroying all disease-bearing beings. From the moon of her left eye, a rich stream of nectar descends healing all forms of disease, including their causes and consequences. 

Ritro Loma Gyonma, Noble lady of mountain retreat , Clothed in Leaves. The twentieth of Atisha’s 21 Taras is saffron in colour and known for vanquishing infectious disease and sickness. Medicinal substances fill the vessel supported by her utpala flower, and her eyes restore and preserve the health of sentient beings with the light of the sun and the moon.
Ritro Loma Gyonma / * Parnasavari’s practice is very sacred and very supreme because it focuses specifically on purifying the karma and the causes that ravage our bodies with diseases. Diseases, illness and sickness are tremendous obstacles to our practice because sometimes we recover and sometimes we don’t recover from them.  
* Parnasavari’s practice specifically requires initiation from your Guru or master

And if we do not recover, we do not know when we will have another chance to achieve another precious human body to practice, meet our teachers, to believe, trust and develop spiritual maturity in order that we have confidence in our practice.

When we practice this deity, Ritro Loma Gyonma /  Parnasavari, it is specifically aimed at purifying karma that can harm our body, karma that can manifest diseases, or if we are sick and disease-ridden, this practice can help us heal in conjunction with the medicines we are taking. 

If we do this practice every single day, we can set up a simple altar to her or include her onto our existing altar.  It can be a statue, tsa tsa, picture or painting of her, or we could have an altar specifically for her. Either way, she is a fully enlightened Buddha so there is no conflict whatsoever.
During this time and age when our food is toxic, the air is toxic, the water is toxic and the ground is very polluted, many types of diseases arise that we never heard of in the past. Ritro Loma Gyonma or Parnasavari is extremely effective in combating new diseases, virulent diseases and diseases that are extremely contagious, dangerous and life threatening. 

Doing her practice not only heals diseases, but also creates the situation where we can accumulate merits through practicing the Six Paramitas. When we accumulate merits via the Six Paramitas, we also create the causes for ourselves to become a fully enlightened being in the future. Therefore, by practicing Ritro Loma Gyonma / Parnasavari it is definitely possible to plant the seeds and to create the causes for our full enlightenment in the future.

You can do her mantra every single day, one mala, one rosary or you can do more. It will be very good to do more of her mantra if you are very ill. It’s up to you how much you would like to do. After reciting her mantra, you can also blow on the medicines that you are going to consume orally or apply topically, as an extra blessing for the effectiveness of the medication. 
Om Jetsunma pal ma dolma la chaktsal lo
Om Homage to the noble lady Tara

Chak tsal nyi ma da wa gye pe
Homage to you whose eyes, the sun and moon

Chen nyi po la o rab sal ma
Radiate with pure brilliant light

Ha ra nyi jo tut ta ra yi
Uttering HARA twice and TUTTARA

Shin tu drak po rim ne sel ma
Dispels extremely fearful plagues
Prayer of the Benefits
Whoever is endowed with devotion for the goddess and recites this with supreme faith, remembering it at dawn upon waking and in the evenings, will be granted all fearlessness, will perfectly pacify all negativities, and will eliminate all unfortunate migrations.

The multitudes of conquerors will quickly grant initiation: Thus, endowed with this greatness, one will eventually reach the state of a Buddha. If affected by the most terrible poison, whether ingested, drunk, or from a living being, just by remembering will one be thoroughly cleansed.

If this prayer is recited two, three, or seven times, It will pacify all the sufferings of torments caused by spirits, fevers, and poisons, and by other beings as well. If you wish for a child, you will get a child; if you wish for wealth, you will receive wealth. All your wishes will be fulfilled and all obstacles pacified.  
Dana (Donations for our Buddhist research and development) 
Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?  

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in the year 2008, we had been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years.  We have exceptionally constrained supports and do not receive subsidized or funding from people in general. 

Please help us and to develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you, but to all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us to enhance our work and to accomplish for a better and brighter prospect to come. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright of the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and or studios.
Picture(s) is/are intended for editorial use only.