Life of Guru Rinpoche by Dudjom Rinpoche

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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

On the tenth day of the first month, the hare month, when he renounces the throne, practises yogic disciplines of union and liberation in the Chilly Grove charnel ground, Shitavana, and brings all the mātṛkās and ḍākinīs under his power, he is known as Guru Śāntarakṣita.

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

On the tenth day of the third month, the snake month, when the Zahor king tries to burn him alive, he arouses faith by magically transforming the pyre into a lake, (called Tsopema, at Rewalsar), establishing the entire kingdom in Dharma. By depending on Princess Mandārāva, he then arises in the vajra body, and is known as Guru Chimé Pemajungné, the Immortal Lotus-born.

4th Month

On the tenth day of the fourth month, the horse month, when the demonic ministers of Oḍḍiyāna seek to burn him and his consort, Mandarava, alive, he transforms the pyre into a lake, and they both appear on a lotus blossom, miraculously shimmering in majesty. Inspiring faith in all, he ripens and liberates the entire kingdom by bestowing the Kadü Chökyi Gyatso teachings. This is when he is known as Guru Padma Vajra Tsal.

5th Month

When tirthikas 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 dakinis, 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 Vajrakumara at Yangleshö in Nepal, and subdues the local deities and negative forces. He performs the sadhana of Palchen Yangdak and attains the 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 tertöns 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.

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