Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga (Ganden Lha Gyäma)

By Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India 1986 (Archive #266)
Ganden Lha Gyäma: The Hundreds of Deities of the Land of Joy

In this commentary, Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches on the Ganden Lha Gyäma practice, often translating the Tibetan verses line-by-line. The teachings were given by Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, India at the end of the Second Enlightened Experience Celebration held in March 1986.

The teachings were edited and assembled in this format by Uldis Balodis. First published by Uldis Balodis and Kopan Monastery in 1990. Lightly revised by Sandra Smith, September 2020. Tibetan terms checked and revised by Ven. Gyalten Lekden, September 2020. This commentary is now available for download as a PDF file.

Please note: A Highest Yoga Tantra initiation is not required for Ganden Lha Gyäma practice, however, this teaching includes specific instructions suitable for Highest Yoga Tantra initiates. Rinpoche also teaches on more general lamrim topics including the preliminary practices, refuge and karma.

Lama Tsongkhapa
Table of Contents

The contents of these teachings are listed below. Click on the links below or on the right to select the relevant chapter.

Editor's Preface

1. Motivation

2. The Benefits of Ganden Lha Gyäma Practice

3. Preliminary Prayers

4. Seeing the Guru as Buddha

5. Guru Yoga

  • The meaning of the nine-line prayer to Lama Tsongkhapa

6. Karma

7. Refuge in the Three Jewels

  • Refuge in the Guru
  • Refuge in the Buddha
  • Refuge in the Dharma
  • Refuge in the Sangha

8. The Preliminary Practices from Jorchö

  • Refuge and bodhicitta (from Jörcho)
  • The four immeasurable thoughts
  • Special bodhicitta
  • Dharmakaya meditation
  • Summary of the preliminaries

9. Ganden Lha Gyäma: Part 1

  • Visualization of the field of merit
  • Absorption of transcendental wisdom
  • Invocation
  • Seven-limb practice
  • Requesting the merit field to remain
  • Prostration
  • The two truths
  • Offering
    • Outer offerings
    • Inner offering
    • Secret offering
    • Absolute offering

10. Ganden Lha Gyäma: Part 2

  • Confession
    • The power of the object
    • The power of the remedy
    • The power of repentance
    • The power of turning away from the negative karma
  • Rejoicing
  • Dedication
  • Mandala offering
  • Specific requests
    • Migtsema: receiving the seven wisdoms
      • Great wisdom
      • Clear wisdom
      • Quick wisdom
      • Profound wisdom
      • The wisdom of explaining
      • The wisdom of debating
      • The wisdom of composing
  • Request to abide in the heart
  • Dedication

11. Mandala Offering

12. Prostration

13. Water Bowl Offerings

14. Dedication

Next Chapter:

1. Motivation »