View source for Life of Guru Rinpoche by Dudjom Rinpoche

[[Image:Guru rinpoche.jpg|frame|'''[[Guru Rinpoche]]''' courtesy of Terton Sogyal Trust]]
'''The Life of Guru Rinpoche''', based on ''The Concise Benefits of the Festival of the Tenth Day'' written by Kyabjé [[Dudjom Rinpoche]], describing deeds performed by [[Guru Rinpoche]] on the tenth day of each lunar month:

===1st Month===
Guru Rinpoche renounces his kingdom, practises yoga and meditation in the great charnel ground of [[Shitavana]], ‘The Cool Grove’, and attains liberation. Gathering under him the [[mamo|matrika]]s and [[dakini]]s, he is known as Guru Shantarakshita.

===2nd Month===
Guru Rinpoche takes the 'Rabjung' ordination from Buddha's disciple [[Ananda]]. He shows unparalleled understanding and mastery of both [[sutra]] and [[mantra]], and is known as Guru [[Shakya Sengé]] and as Guru [[Loden Choksé]].

===3rd Month===
The king of [[Zahor]] tries to burn Guru Rinpoche alive. Guru Rinpoche transforms the fire into a lake (called [[Tsopema]], at Rewalsar), establishes the Dharma in the land of Zahor and takes [[Mandarava]] as his consort. He is known as Guru Chimé Pemajungné, the Immortal Lotus-born.

===4th Month===
The deluded ministers of Orgyen try to burn Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava, his spiritual consort, alive. He turns the flames of the funeral pyre into a lake, from which they emerge seated on a lotus. The king, ministers and people of [[Oddiyana]] are inspired with devotion. He is known as Guru Pema Dorjé Tsal.

===5th Month===
When [[tirthika]]s from South India attempt to harm the Buddha [[Dharma]], Guru Rinpoche, with his great power, vanquishes them along with their gods and guardians. Raising the victory banner of the Dharma, he is known as Guru [[Sengé Dradrok]].

===6th Month===
At sunrise Guru Rinpoche is miraculously born amidst dazzling radiance in a lotus bed on Lake Danakosha. Turning the Wheel of Dharma for the [[dakini]]s, he is known as Guru [[Tsokyé Dorje]].

===7th Month===
The tirthikas from Tamradvipa throw Guru Rinpoche into the Ganges. Rising from the water, he reverses the flow of the river and performs a vajra dance in the sky. The tirthikas are inspired with devotion, and begin to follow the Dharma. Guru Rinpoche is known as Guru Khading Tsal.

===8th Month===
The tirthikas try to poison Guru Rinpoche, who transforms their concoction into [[amrita]] nectar. Irradiant from his drink, he inspires faith amongst the tirthikas, and is known as Guru [[Nyima Özer]].

===9th Month===
Guru Rinpoche takes the form of [[Vajrakilaya|Vajrakumara]] at [[Yangleshö]] in Nepal, and subdues the local deities and negative forces. He performs the [[sadhana]] of Palchen Yangdak and attains the [[mahamudra vidyadhara|vidyadhara stage of Mahamudra realization]]. He is known as Guru Dorjé Tötreng.

===10th Month===
Guru Rinpoche arrives in central Tibet. He subdues all the hostile negative forces, founds the great monastery of Chökhor Palgyi [[Samyé]] and lights the lamp of the holy Dharma of the [[sutra]] and [[mantra]] teachings. Guiding his [[twenty-five disciples]] and the king to liberation, he is known as [[Padmasambhava]].

===11th Month===
Guru Rinpoche assumes his wrathful form in [[Paro Taktsang]] in Bhutan, and brings under his control the local deities and guardians. Making them protectors of the [[terma]] (hidden treasure) teachings, he entrusts them with secret oral instructions, to be given only to the [[tertön]]s who shall discover them. He is known as Guru [[Dorje Trollö]].

===12th Month===
Guru Rinpoche is invited to [[Oddiyana]] by King [[Indrabodhi]] and installed as crown prince, marrying the Princess Bhasadhara. He is known as Guru [[Pema Gyalpo]].

==External Links==
*{{LH|tibetan-masters/dudjom-rinpoche/concise-benefits-of-festival-of-the-tenth-day|The Concise Benefits of the Festival of the Tenth Day by Dudjom Rinpoche}}

[[Category:Guru Rinpoche]]
[[Category:Tibetan Calendar]]