Please note that in 2011 Rinpoche requested that the title of the book be changed from A Chat About Yamantaka to A Teaching on Yamantaka. The book is now out of print, but is available to initiates as a pdf.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has requested that only those who have received full initiation into the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Yamantaka (Dorje Jigje) read this book. Two chapters from the book are available for the general public; however if you would like to read the entire book, please complete the Initiates Only Materials Request Form. We will reply with instructions on how to place your order. Thank you for your interest in this profound path.

Editor's Introduction

In the spring of 1997, I was doing retreat in one of Vajrapani Institute’s lovely cabins when I heard that Zopa Rinpoche was arriving to attend an FPMT board meeting. That spring, His Holiness the Dalai Lama had given Yamantaka initiation and commentary, and I had several questions regarding the protection wheel practice. Almost miraculously, Rinpoche had the time to see me (you know how difficult it is to get an interview with him) and I posed my questions. He responded briefly, and concluded by saying that others would want to learn about this too, so he would teach it to the practitioners in the area. I marveled at the good fortune of being able to hear the more extensive teachings that a group setting would provide.

In Rinpoche’s typical style, before he taught the protection wheel section of the sadhana, he covered the preceding meditations and thus gave in-depth teachings on the four immeasurables, emptiness, and taking death as the path to dharmakaya. I later transcribed and edited those teachings to create this book.

Rinpoche has asked that only those who have received full initiation into the Highest Yoga Tantra practice of Yamantaka (Dorje Jigje) read this book. Please respect his wishes. The sections of the sadhana quoted here have been italicized for easy reference.

I would like to thank the residents of Vajrapani Institute for making these teachings possible, Nick Ribush for publishing this book, and Dharma Friendship Foundation in Seattle for supporting me while I worked on it. My deepest gratitude goes to Zopa Rinpoche for his kindness in giving these teachings and for having the confidence in us that we are capable of practicing them. All errors in this book are my own.

Bhikshuni Thubten Chödron
Seattle, Washington, USA
30 May 1999