A SHORT SADHANA OF WHITE DZAMBALA

(Pancha Sita Jambala, Skt; Dzambala Karpo Jo.wo Lug, Tib.)

According to the tradition of Atisha1 (982 1054 C.E.)

and passed down to the present through
the pure and unbroken lineage of
Kadam and Gelug masters of Tibetan Buddhism

in conjunction with

A SHORT SADHANA OF FOURARMED CHENREZIG

Composed by the 2nd Dalai Lama, Gendun Gyatso

(1475 1542 C.E.)

This sadhana practice is intended for those people

who have received the appropriate initiation from a qualified teacher

Gaden for the West

Version 1.0
October 2004

The Practice of White Dzambala in conjunction with FourArmed

Chenrezig
Preliminary Instructions
In front of an image of White Dzambala, arrange a mandala plate, with five heaps of rice on it, as well as
outer offerings, and tormas.

CHENREZIG SADHANA PRACTICE:

With the aspiration to perform the practice of meditation and mantra recitation in accordance with the
tradition of Chenrezig in his four-armed form, firstly take refuge, generate the altruistic mind of Bodhichitta,
and reflect on the four immeasurable attitudes:

Taking Refuge and generating Bodhichitta

I take refuge in the Buddhas, the Dharma, and the Supreme Sangha,
Until I attain Enlightenment.
By the merit I accumulate from practising generosity and the other perfections,
May I attain Buddhahood in order to benefit all beings.
The Four Immeasurable Attitudes
May all beings have happiness and its causes
May all beings be free from suffering and its causes
May all beings never be separated from the joy transcending sorrow
May all beings dwell in equal love for those both close and distant.
[3x]
Now confirm the Emptiness of all phenomena in and
beyond cyclic existence by means of the following mantra:

OM SVABHAVA SUDDHA SARVA DHARMA SVABHAVA SHODDHO HAM

Everything becomes Emptiness
Self-generation as Chenrezig
Within the sphere of Emptiness appears the letter PAM P. It transforms into a white lotus upon
which is the letter AH A. AH A becomes a moon-disc. At its centre is my own mind in the form of
a white letter HRIH h. HRIH h emits light-rays, which work for the benefit of living beings,
transforming them to the state of Arya Bodhisattvas.
The light-rays return into the letter HRIH h. The HRIH h transforms, and I arise from it as the
venerable Chenrezig. I have a snow-white body, one face and four arms. My front pair of hands is
clasped together at my heart. My second right hand holds a crystal jewel mala of one hundred and
eight beads. My second left hand holds a lotus which blooms beside my left ear.
I sit in full lotus posture. I am adorned with eight precious ornaments on my head, ears, throat,
hands, and feet. I wear silk garments and have an entrancing, serene smile. A white OM
syllable marks the crown of my head, a red AH A my throat, and a blue HUM ^ my heart. Also a
white HRIH h syllable sits at the centre of a moon-disc in my heart.

October 2004
Inviting and Absorbing the Wisdom Beings into Oneself
The HRIH h radiates lights, inviting the mighty Arya Chenrezig and his retinue of Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas from their southerly abode.

JAH HUM BAM HO

They absorb into me and thus we become one.

Requesting and Receiving Empowerment

Again lights go forth from the HRIH h at my heart, inviting the Empowering Deities. I request
them:
Please grant me empowerment.
Thus requested, they raise aloft vases of wisdom nectar. Saying

OM SARVA TATHAGATA ABHISHEKATA SAMAYA SHRIYE AH HUM

They initiate me with their nectars. The nectar fills my body, purifying all my defilements. The
excess nectar overflowing on the crown of my head transforms into Amitabha Buddha, who
becomes my crown ornament.
Now make outer offerings to oneself as Chenrezig,
which clears interferences, purifies, and invokes blessings:

Presenting Outer Offerings to Oneself as Self-generated Chenrezig

OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA ARGHAM PRATICHA HUM SVAHA

water for
drinking

OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA PADYAM PRATICHA HUM SVAHA

water for
washing

OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA PUSHPE PRATICHA HUM SVAHA

flowers

OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA DHUPE PRATICHA HUM SVAHA

incense

OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA ALOKE PRATICHA HUM SVAHA

light

OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA GANDHE PRATICHA HUM SVAHA

OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA NAIVIDYE PRATICHA HUM SVAHA
OM ARYA LOKESHVARA SAPARIVARA SHABDA PRATICHA HUM SVAHA
Praise to Oneself as Chenrezig
White in colour, untarnished by faults,
Amitabha Buddha embellishing the crown of your head,
You look upon living beings with overwhelming compassion,
To Chenrezig I humbly bow down.

perfume
food
music

A Short Sadhana of White Dzambala

Mantra recitation and meditation
Visualising myself as Chenrezig, at my heart appears a circular white moon-disc, upon which is
my own mind in the form of a white HRIH h syllable. At the edge of the moon-disc stand the six
syllables of the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM.They are resplendently white like the rays of the
rising sun.

Light comes forth from the mantra syllables, filling my whole body, purifying all my negativities
and obscurations. The light-rays then leave through the pores of my body and purify the
negativities and obscurations of all living beings. They are transformed into mighty Arya
Chenrezigs.
My threefold manner of perception involves seeing all external appearances as rainbow-deity
forms of the mighty Arya Chenrezig; all sound is heard as the six-syllable mantra; and mind is
imbued with essence of method conjoined with wisdom, which is the great compassion focused on
all living beings and the wisdom understanding Emptiness, the wisdom which clearly perceives
that all phenomena in and beyond cyclic existence lack even a particle of inherent existence and
are but mere imputations.
Thus visualising oneself as Chenrezig, melded within this threefold perception, one recites the
MANI mantra. From the energy of the practice living beings of the six realms of samsara obtain
the Enlightened form of Arya Chenrezig. Moreover, in the manner of a full sesame pod, the entire
earth, air, and sky are filled with the form of Chenrezig. Their combined chanting of
OM MANI PADME HUM releases the sound of the MANI mantra like a crescendo of thunder.
Yet just OM, having the threefold aggregate of A-U-M, signifies the three indivisible adamantines
of my body, speech, and mind. This mantra is called the Jewel Holder, for a single recitation
with such understanding is meritorious. Thus OM starts the mantra.
MANI means jewel. PADMA means lotus, whereas PADME denotes supplication. So with my
heartfelt entreaty of Chenrezig, who is the Jewel in the Lotus, I recite the mantra while dwelling
on contemplations such as the fusion of the mighty Arya Chenrezigs qualities within me.
Furthermore, the respective six syllables cut off the doorways to rebirth in the six realms of
samsara. The six syllables are also the consummation of the six perfections.
Thus the MANI mantra, having these and other excellent qualities, is held to be of endless
advantage and significance. Moreover the mighty Arya Chenrezig is said to be in general the
quintessence of all the Buddhas compassion, and in particular, the patron Buddha of Tibet.
Therefore one should strive with enthusiasm in the recitation, cultivating Chenrezig as a most
excellent meditational deity with these special characteristics.

OM MANI PADME HUM

Recite as often as possible, contemplating the meaning and visualizations according to the commentary.

October 2004

HERE THE PRACTICE OF WHITE DZAMBALA COMMENCES:

Purification with Amrita mantra and Emptiness mantra
OM VAJRA AMRITA KUNDALI HANA HANA HUM PEY
OM SVABHAVA SHUDDHA SARVA DHARMA SVABHAVA SHUDDHO HAM
Everything becomes Empty.

Generating Arya Dzambala in Front of Oneself

From that state of Emptiness, a jeweled mansion appears. In the middle of the mansion, a white
DZAM e syllable arises. The DZAM e transforms into white Arya Dzambala. He has one face,
which is slightly wrathful, and three eyes. His orange-reddish curling hair blazes upwards. He is
wearing the ornaments of a wrathful deity. He has two hands. He holds a trident in his right
hand and a wooden club marked with a jewel in his left. He is wearing silk cloth and jewel
ornaments. On a lotus and sun cushion, he rides a blue dragon. Behind him blaze wisdom flames.
He becomes the essence of all the Buddhas and Dakas.
Surrounding Dzambala are four Dakinis
In the east2 is blue Vajra Dakini. She holds a vajra in her right hand and a vessel filled
with auspicious objects in her left.
In the south3 is yellow Ratna Dakini. She holds a jewel in her right hand and an iron
hook in her left.
In the west4 is red Padma Dakini. She holds a lotus in her right hand and a victory
banner marked with a jewel in her left.
In the north5 is green Karma Dakini. She holds a double vajra in her right hand and a
mongoose with a jewel coming from its mouth in her left.
All four Dakinis are sitting in the half-vajra posture, wearing various ornaments.

Inviting Wisdom Beings who merge with the

Front-generated Dzambala and his Entourage
Light radiates from my heart, invoking Dzambala and his entourage from the Potala Pure Land.

VAJRA SAMADZA DZA HUM BAM HO

The Wisdom Beings dissolve into the Commitment Beings, becoming non-dual oneness.

A Short Sadhana of White Dzambala

Inviting Empowering Deities for Dzambala and his Entourage
Again light radiates from my heart, invoking the five Empowering Deities and their entourage.

VAJRA SAMADZA
The Tathagatas request the empowerment to be bestowed on Dzambala and his entourage.

OM BA BAHA WA ABHI SHE DZA HUM

The Empowering Deities confer the empowerment while they recite this mantra.
Dzambalas body fills with nectar. All negativities are purified and the surplus nectar overflowing
from his crown transforms into the five Dhyani Buddhas. The bodies of the four Dakinis also fill
with nectar, and the surplus nectar transforms into Dzambala adorning the crown of their heads.

Mantra Recitation
Mantra of White Dzambala
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA HUM PEY
Recite as often as possible, while doing the appropriate
visualisations. See commentary below.
COMMENTARY

Visualisations during Mantra Recitation

1. While reciting the mantra of Dzambala, oneself in ordinary form, visualize a white Dzambala, a
red Dzambala and a blue Dzambala come down from Dzambalas crown, throat and heart centres,
and dissolve into ones own crown, throat and heart centres. Think:
Now I have received the attainments of Dzambalas Enlightened body, speech and mind, as
well as the supreme and common siddhis.
2. Also visualize that white light and nectar from Dzambalas crown, red light and amrita from his
throat, and blue light and amrita from his heart dissolve into ones own crown, throat and heart,
filling them with the three coloured lights and nectars. Think:
Now I have overcome all obstacles to accumulating and acquiring the necessary material
conditions for Dharma practice, removed the hindrances to acquiring wealth, and purified the
karma of poverty.

October 2004
Reciting the Mantras of the Four Dakinis
Blue Vajra Dakini
OM VAJRA DAKINI PEE SHI NI
Visualise:
The vajra and vessel of jewels come from the heart of Vajra Dakini and dissolve into me.
Think: I have received the siddhi to gather the positive energy and powers, the prosperity of
the deva realm, the naga realm and the human realm.

Yellow Ratna Dakini

OM RATNA DAKINI PEE SHI NI
Visualise:
The jewel and iron hook come from the heart of Ratna Dakini and dissolve into me.
Think: I have received the power to gather the wealth and substances or treasure from all
over the universe.

Red Padma Dakini

OM PADMA DAKINI PEE SHI NI
Visualise:
A lotus flower and victory banner come from the heart of Padma Dakini and dissolve into me.
Think: I have received the power to positively influence kings, queens, ministers, leaders,
wealthy people and nagas.

Green Karma Dakini

OM KARMA DAKINI PEE SHI NI
Visualise:
A double vajra and bag of jewels come from the heart of Karma Dakini and dissolve into me.
Think: Now I have received the power to gather the wealth of humans, achieve the fastwalking siddhi, food, clothing etc.
Visualise lights and nectars from the four Dakinis in their respective colours dissolves into me.

Note:
While doing this practice it is very important to remember the purpose is to help develop Dharma and the
cause of Dharma for the benefit of all living beings. One should think
Whatever wealth or prosperity I gain,
I will contribute towards the cause of Dharma and the benefit of society.
In order to gain the benefit from this practice one must have this motivation.

A Short Sadhana of White Dzambala

Nectar Offering
Before ending the session place the Dzambala statue/image in the middle of a copper plate or
bowl which contains precious objects, e.g. jewels, coins, etc. 6. Visualise oneself as Arya
Chenrezig7, holding a vase8 in ones right hand. Inside the vase is nectar, which is transformed
from OM A AH A HUM ^. Visualise that the actual five deities Dzambala and the four Dakinis now come inside the copper bowl/dissolve into the statue/image. Say Dzambalas mantra 108
times while making water9 offering by pouring water into the bowl.
Finally, take a drop of water on your tongue as a blessing and flick water in the four directions.

Torma Offering to Dzambala

Consecrating the Torma
OM VAJRA AMRITA KUNDALI HANA HANA HUM PEY
OM SVABHAVA SHUDDHA SARVA DHARMA SVABHAVA SHUDDHO HAM
Everything becomes Empty. From the state of Emptiness appears a DRUM d syllable which
transforms into a jeweled vessel. A syllable OM appears in the vessel. The OM then
transforms into a great torma10, like an ocean.

OM AH HUM
[7x]

Offering the Torma

OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA BALIMTA KA KA KAHI KAHI
[5x]

Presenting Outer Offerings

OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA ARGHAM AH HUM
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA PADHYAM AH HUM
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA PSHPE AH HUM
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA DHUPE AH HUM
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA ALOKE AH HUM
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA GANDHE AH HUM
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA NAIVIDHYE AH HUM
OM PADMA KRODA ARYA DZAMBALA HRIDAYA SHABDA AH HUM

water for drinking

water for washing
flowers
incense
light
perfume
food
music

Praise to Dzambala and his Entourage

I prostrate to you, wrathful Padma Arya Dzambala, and to the four Dakini families.
You are the emanation of Chenrezig, and bring the rain of nectar-blessings of the five Buddha
families.

October 2004
Purification of errors in ones practice by means of Vajrasattvas mantra

Recite the Vajrasattva mantra once and request

forbearance for mistakes or lack of having the correct materials for practice
.

OM VAJRASATTVA SAMAYA, MANU PALAYA,VAJRASATTVA TVENO

PATISHTA, DRIDHO ME BHAVA,SUTOKAYO ME BHAVA, SUPOKAYO ME
BHAVA, ANURAKTO ME BHAVA, SARVA SIDDHI ME PRAYACCHA, SARVA
KARMA SUCCHA ME, CHITTAM SHRI YAM KURU HUM, HA HA HA HA HO,
BHAGAVAN SARVA TATHAGATA, VAJRA MA ME MUNCHA,VAJRA BHAVA,
MAHA SAMAYA SATTVA, AH HUM PHAT
Requesting the Deities to remain

If you have a Dzambala image, request Dzambala and his entourage to remain with the image:

OM SUPRATISHTA VAJRAYE SVAHA

During a retreat request Dzambala to remain with the image and the mandala plate with the five heaps of
rice. During daily recitation, if you dont have an image and mandala plate, then say: VAJRA MU
Imagine that the wisdom beings return to their actual abode and that the commitment beings dissolve into
oneself.

Dedication
By the praise and recitation of mantra,
May I and my circle of friends be protected, and
May our wishes be fulfilled with no more obstacles or interferences.
May our life span, merit and prosperity increase.
May we achieve the power to have positive influence over the three samsaric worlds.
May the Buddhas doctrine increase through teaching and practice.

NOW THE PRACTICE OF CHENREZIG RESUMES:

The entire visualized universe and its inhabitants, who are in the form of Arya Chenrezig, dissolve
into me. I dissolve into the HRIH h at my heart. HRIH h dissolves into HA f. This vanishes like a
rainbow vanishing in the sky.
Contemplate this with conviction

Once more, within the sphere of Emptiness, I instantly arise in the form of Arya Chenrezig,
possessing the threefold attitude described, and at once engage in extensive deeds to benefit
others.

Dedication of merit
May I develop the peerless Bodhichitta mind which is latent within me, and
May that which I have already generated go from strength to strength.
May I enjoy success, both spiritual and otherwise.
Never parted from my perfect Teacher in all of my lives,
By comprehensively amassing the qualities of the paths and levels,
May I attain speedily the state of Vajradhara
8

A Short Sadhana of White Dzambala

Colophon to the Chenrezig sadhana:
This easily understood meditation upon the mighty Chenrezig was composed by Gyalwa Gendun
Gyatso at the mighty insistence of several great Doctrine Holders. It was translated into English by
Kevin Garret with Chomdzey Tashi Wangyal and Lozang Gyaltsen.

Colophon to the White Dzambala sadhana:

This sadhana was translated into English by the Venerable 13th Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, with
additional commentary, in May, 1993, at Perth Australia. It was edited by L. and M. Sheehy.

Gaden for the West Colophon:

Under the kind supervision of the Venerable 13th Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, this Gaden for the West
(GFTW) version of A Short Sadhana of White Dzambala in conjunction with the practice of Fourarmed Chenrezig has been lightly edited by Chuck Damov and formatted by Peter Lewis.
Please forward editing suggestions / corrections to chuckdamov@yahoo.ca , and formatting
suggestions / corrections to peterl@netidea.com .
Updated versions will be available on the web.
We dedicate any and all merit of this effort to the study and pure practice of the precious
Vajrayana teachings.

Dipamkara Shrijnana
in front of Dzambala
3 to Dzambalas right, our left
4 behind Dzambala
5 to Dzambalas left, our right
6 If you dont have a statue/image, then visualise Dzambala sitting in the bowl.
7 Avalokitesvara
8
Transforms from a Drum d syllable.
9 Nectar
1
2

10

With the nature of the nine desire objects