THE COMPASSION BUDDHA, ARYA CHENREZIG & Bodhichitta Vows In order to obtain perfect enlightenment, I vow from now on to go for refuge to the Guru and three precious gems, and not abandon sentient beings. I will practice the six perfections . (3x)

Visualization of the Deity Imagine Chenrezig in space in front of you. His form is not solid, but is seen as made of light. He is white in color, sitting cross-legged on an open lotus flower topped by a flat white disk of the moon, which represents compassion. He is brilliantly white, radiating effulgence in five hues and white light. He is fine-featured, smiling with the love a mother has for her only child. He has four hands symbolizing the Four Immeasurables, (loving kindness, compassion, joy & equanimity). The first pair are joined in at his heart, holding between them a wish-fulfilling jewel. His right lower hand holds a crystal rosary; his left lower hand holds a stem of a white lotus that blossoms at his left shoulder. He wears a shirt of finest white silk embroidered with gold, beautiful silk ribbons and a red silk lower garment. His body is adorned with a five-jeweled crown, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, armlets, anklets, a belt with tinkling bells, all made from gold and set with gems. Over his left shoulder, covering his left breast is the skin of a Tinasara deer—a legendary animal said to be so kind that it never harms any being and is willing at any moment to give up its life to benefit others. His long, shiny black hair is bound up in a topknot, with some falling freely onto his shoulders. Think that he is the embodiment of all buddhas, , and teachers. While reciting the Refuge and prayer, think that you are leading all sentient beings to take refuge in him.

Refuge I, and all sentient beings vast as space, from this moment until we reach enlightenment Go for refuge to the Guru(s) and the Three Precious Gems. (May do in English or Tibetan) I take refuge in the Guru(s) la kapsu chio I take refuge in the Buddha Sangye la kapsu chio I take refuge in the Chö la kapsu chio I take refuge in the (x3) Gendun la kapsu chio

Four Great Wishes May all sentient beings have happiness, and the cause of happiness. May they be free from suffering, and the causes of suffering. May they never be separated from the bliss that is sorrowless, May they abide in equanimity free from attachment and aversion.

Seven Limb Prayer Reverently I prostrate with my body, speech and mind, and present clouds of every type of , both actual and mentally transformed. I confess all my negative actions accumulated since beginningless time, and rejoice in the virtues of all holy and ordinary beings. Please remain until cyclic existence ends, and turn the Wheel of Dharma for sentient beings. I dedicate all the virtues of myself and others to the great enlightenment .

On the crown of the head of myself and all beings, on a moon, on a lotus, is a HRI. Chenresig arises from this. He radiates bright, clear light of five colors. He gazes with compassionate eyes and lovely smile. His head ornament is Amitabha, Buddha of boundless light. His two feet are in the vajra asana. A stainless moon is his backrest. He is the essence of all refuge.

Make the following prayer, thinking that all beings are making it with you as if in a single voice: Lord, not veiled by any fault, white in color whose head a perfect Buddha crowns in light, gazing compassionately at all beings, to you, Chenrezig, all-seeing one, I prostrate.

Auspicious Prayer Please bless me that the lives of the glorious gurus be long, that there be happiness and comfort everywhere equaling space, and that myself and others, without exception, accumulate the collections (of and wisdom), purify the obscurations, and quickly achieve .

Requesting O Arya Compassionate-Eyed One, who is the treasure of compassion, I request you please listen to me. Please guide myself, mothers and fathers, in all six realms to be freed quickly from the great ocean of samsara. I request that the vast and profound peerless awakening mind may grow. With the tear of your great compassion, please cleanse all karmas and delusions. Please lead with your hand of compassion, me and migrators to fields of bliss. Please Amitabha and Chenrezig, in all my lives be virtuous friends. Show well the undeceptive pure path, and quickly place us in Buddha's state. May I, my family, and all living beings be guided by you, Compassion Buddha, in all our lifetimes.

Visualization for Recitation On a moon disc at Arya Chenrezig's heart is the concentration being, (the HRIH), surrounded by garlands of the mantra to be recited, MANI PADME HUM, white in color and standing clockwise. Light rays radiate from them filling all the inside of one's body and purifying all negativities and obscurations.

OM MANI PADME HUM (1 round or more as desired)

Light rays radiate outwards from which an incalculable assembly of deities of the Great Compassionate One are emitted, purifying the negativities and obscurations of all sentient beings and setting them in the state of Arya Chenrezig. These then collect back and dissolve into the HRIH at the heart of Arya Chenrezig.

OM MANI PADME HUM (1 round or more as desired)

Dedication May the precious bodhimind not yet born arise and grow. May that born have no decline but increase forever more. Due to these merits, may I quickly become the Great Compassionate One and place all migrating beings, without exception, in that very state. Just as the brave , and , too, realized things as they are, I also dedicate all these merits in the best way, so that I may follow their perfect example.

Prepared by Domo on 4/12/2012 Updated 7/8/2012 according to instructions received at retreat I dedicate all these roots of virtue with the dedication praised as the best by the Victorious Ones of the three times, so that I might perform the noble 's deeds.

Due to all these merits, may all the father and mother sentient beings have all happiness, and may all the lower realms be empty forever. Wherever there are bodhisattvas, may all their be accomplished immediately, and may I cause all this by myself alone.

Prepared by Domo Geshe Rinpoche on 4/12/2012 Updated 7/8/2012 according to instructions received at retreat