Introduction to the Chenrezik and Tara Teachings
Lama Karma Thinley Rinpoche
OM MANI PEME HUNG:
Homage to Arya Avalokiteshvara!
As the meditation and recitation of Chenrezik by the Mahasiddha Thangtong Gyalpo, as well as the mantras and description of the characteristics of the 21 Taras that remove all fears and accomplish all aims come from the secret mantra teachings, a method carrying special blessings but connected to the entrance door of initiation - publicizing them over the Internet may not be considered appropriate. However, since those who have no faith or interest in practice - be they followers of the Buddha or not - will not read this anyway I don't think it presents a problem to do this.
Chenrezik and Tara especially, as embodiments of the great compassion of all the buddhas, manifest to protect and give refuge, support and assistance to all sentient beings. So by meditating on their form and supplicating them, as to a wish-fulfilling gem, one performs their enlightened activity and compassion. One sutra says that there is immeasurable benefit from reciting the six-syllable mantra OM MANI PEME HUNG even once; so if one performs their meditation and recitation one-pointedly with faith and devotion then, due to their remembrance of us, surely one will accomplish one's wishes and aims.
It is said that these supreme Aryas, Chenrezik and Tara, are particularly Tibetan deities. This is true - they are part of the Tibetan Vajrayana Teachings of the Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Gelug and other schools and pervade throughout Bhutan, Sikkim, Ladakh, Nepal and so on, all the Himalayan regions. They have always been relied upon, especially by the Tibetans, as personal deities, and they continue to be important objects of prayers in monasteries and in families. People often accomplish 100,000 recitations of the Praises to the Twenty-One Taras [phyag 'tshal nyer gcig sgrol ma 'bum 'don], 100 million six-syllable mantras of Chenrezik [ma ni dung sgrub], 8 Nyungne [smyung gnas cha brgyad - 16 days], 100 Nyungne [smyung gnas cha brgya - 200 days], 1,000 Nyungne [smyung gnas cha stong phrag - 2,000 days], and so on. (Nyungne is a two-day Chenrezik practice that involves fasting.)
These practices of Chenrezik and Tara as well as Nyungne and other types of practices that until now have endured mainly in Tibet are now spreading to the rest of the Buddhist world through the Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu and Gelug lineages and so are practised by more and more people, who undoubtedly realize how very beneficial they are for this and future lives.
I have put this Sadhana of Chenrezik and so on in Tibetan, because (in the seventh century) a former Dharma King and the holy lotsava Thumi Sambhota invented a special new Tibetan grammar and writing system through which the Dharma brought from India could be translated into Tibetan and recorded; so now, thanks to them, those who know Tibetan can understand the deep meaning. Also, this way the melodies, etc. made by the great lamas are not lost, so there is great blessing from preserving these rituals practices, recitations and tunes. For those who don't know Tibetan an English translation is included.
I am delighted that through this great modern method of spreading the Buddha's Teaching
via the computer on this website, comfort and happiness
may increase and expand into a great ocean of all that is excellent.