Rinjung Lhantab: The Panchen Lama’s Collection of Sadhanas
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Pastor David Lai)
Jetsun Taranatha. Click on image to enlarge.
The Rinjung Lhantab is a voluminous collection of tantric deity sadhanas (spiritual practices) that was compiled and edited by Palden Tenpai Nyima, the 7th Panchen Lama.
Its origins lie in the Rinjung Gyatsa collection of sadhanas by the great Tibetan scholar Jetsun Taranatha. In turn, Taranatha’s collection was based on the ancient Sadhanamala collection of works by various Indian authors, believed to have been compiled between the 5th and 11th centuries CE along with derivative collections like the Sadhanasamuccaya and the Sadhanasagara. Therefore, the source of the Rinjung Lhantab can be traced back to its Indian roots which, to many Tibetan scholars, is proof of a teaching’s authenticity and certificate of its legitimacy.
Spiritual Manuals
The Sanskrit word sadhana translates to “means of accomplishment”. It is a generic term used in the tantric practice of deity yoga, a spiritual exercise where the sadhaka (practitioner of the sadhana) strives to become one with an enlightened deity.
This is achieved through visualisation, the chanting of mantras and by performing rituals contained within the sadhana itself. The goal is to achieve the qualities of the enlightened body, speech and mind, the same qualities that the deity possesses.
Therefore, the sadhana is a tantric liturgical ‘manual’ of instructions for achieving Enlightenment. It is usually bestowed by high lamas after one has received the initiation of the deity or, at the very least, with the permission of one’s lama.
Lama Tsongkhapa and his two heart disciples. Click on image to enlarge
Within these sadhanas, the tantric deity is popularly referred to as a yidam, a word which literally means “to hold one’s mind”. It is a reference to achieve freedom from delusions, negative states and karma.
A chosen yidam is a personal meditational Buddha that aids in the accumulation of spiritual merits, purification of negative karma and the self-identification of the awakened mind. A yidam is usually given by a qualified lama but it may also arise from our own affinity and inclination from a previous life.
Ordinary practitioners would not need to receive initiations into each of the hundreds of deities found within the Rinjung Lhantab. They are meant for high lamas, geshes and teachers who would be expected to initiate their disciples into specific and sometimes different deity practices based on the disciples’ needs, proclivities and spiritual affinities. Hence, the Rinjung Lhantab collection is a useful reference for lamas seeking to bestow a particular sadhana or mantra. It is also an invaluable resource for ensuring the correct iconography of rare tantric deities when creating statues or thangkas.
Higher Tantra and Lower Tantra
The sadhanas within the Rinjung Lhantab are based on Tantric teachings. It is said that for suitable and advanced disciples, the Buddha Shakyamuni employed Tantra as a ‘fast track’ means towards achieving Enlightenment. By tradition, the deities and their associated sadhana practices are classified into four classes according to the complexity of the meditations and practices. Accordingly, the Rinjung Lhantab was compiled to preserve the sadhanas of all four classes of tantra – Kriya, Carya, Yoga and Maha Annuttara Yoga.
Kurukulle, Takkiraja and Red Ganapati. Click on image to enlarge
Lower Tantra
The Kriya, Carya and Yoga Tantras are known as Lower Tantra deity practices. The sadhanas of these deities do not contain practices that lead one directly to Enlightenment. Instead they are relied on for their development of physical and mental attributes like healing or the formation of special qualities such as compassion and wisdom. Nonetheless, this does not diminish their role and importance in a practitioner’s journey towards Enlightenment.
In fact, many high lamas recommend that disciples engage in a lower tantric practice as a foundational and preparatory measure before receiving higher tantric initiations and practices. Green Tara, Manjushri and Lama Tsongkhapa are popular lower tantric deities.
Statues of Green Tara, Manjushri and Lama Tsongkhapa. Click on image to enlarge. Click here to find out more.
Higher Tantra
On the other hand, Maha Annuttara Yoga is known as Higher Tantra and the sadhanas of these deities contain practices that lead one directly to Enlightenment. These practices are divided into two stages – Generation and Completion.
The generation stage practices include visualisation and self-identification as the deity and the generation of one’s immediate surroundings as the mandala or palatial abode of the deity. The completion stage involves visualisation and yogic practices to manipulate the psychic winds and drops in the body to actualise the attainment of great bliss and emptiness. In other words, Enlightenment itself.
Guhyasamaja, Heruka Cakrasamvara, Kalachakra, Cittamani Tara and Vajra Yogini are popular higher tantric deities.
The 7th Panchen Lama, Palden Tenpai Nyima
His Holiness the 7th Panchen Lama, Palden Tenpai Nyima. Click on image to enlarge.
The Panchen Lama lineage is the second-highest line of incarnations in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. Both incarnations are deeply intertwined and often incarnate alternately as teacher and disciple.
The Panchen Lamas are considered to be emanations of Buddha Amitabha and the incarnation line is traditionally traced to Khedrub Je, a direct disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa himself.
In 1782, the 7th Panchen Lama was born in the district of Panam in the Tsang province. He was recognised by the 8th Dalai Lama, Jampel Gyatso to be the reincarnation of the illustrious 6th Panchen Lama, Palden Yeshe. Two years later, the Dalai Lama conferred upon him the pre-ordination vows and gave him the name Lobsang Palden Tenpai Nyima.
The 8th Dalai Lama presided over Tenpai Nyima’s novice ordination in 1789 and the complete bhikshu ordination in 1801. He also gave many teachings on Sutra and Tantra to the young Panchen Lama, who held great lifelong respect for his spiritual master.
Subsequent incarnations of the Dalai Lama all passed away at a relatively young age; thus the Panchen Lama Palden Tenpai Nyima found himself performing the hair cutting ceremony and bestowing the pre-ordination, novice and full ordination vows onto the 9th Dalai Lama, Lungtok Gyatso, the 10th Dalai Lama, Tsultrim Gyatso and the 11th Dalai Lama, Khedrub Gyatso. He also bestowed numerous teachings on Sutra and Tantra to these successive incarnations, a topic on which he wrote three volumes.
In 1844, Tsomon Ling, the regent who held the office of Sikyong, interim ruler of Tibet, resigned from his post. The 7th Panchen Lama thus held the role and responsibility of Sikyong for nine months, all while he was searching for the 11th Dalai Lama incarnation. Palden Tenpai Nyima passed away at the age of seventy-three at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in 1854. The Rinjung Lhantab collection is attributed to this incarnation.
From top to bottom: H.H. the 7th Panchen Lama, Ucheyma (Severed Headed Vajrayogini), Vajra Varnani (green assistant), Vajra Vairocani (yellow assistant), Dorje Shugden and Citipati. The practice of Ucheyma can be found within the 7th Panchen Lama’s compilation of sadhanas. Click to enlarge or click here for more high resolution Buddha images.
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Palden Tenpai Nyima a native of Tibet, he was the 7th Panchen Lama of Tibet. The Panchen Lama is the second highest ranking lama after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan . Palden Tenpai Nyima did compiled and edited voluminous collection of tantric deity sadhanas or spiritual practices known as Rinjung Lhantab. Rinjung Gyatsa collection of sadhanas originally came from the great Tibetan scholar Jetsun Taranatha. In turn, Taranatha’s collection was based on the ancient Sadhanamala collection of works by various Indian authors. It was believed to have been compiled between the 5th and 11th centuries which can be traced back to its Indian roots. Its more suitable for higher practitioners . Jetsun Taranatha was one of the important masters of the Jonang lineage, was of crucial importance for the Shangpa Kagyu tradition who had contributed tremendously in Tibetan Buddhism. Interesting read .
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David.
Dear Rinpoche!
I have found one practice in Rinjung Lhantab that’s Ganapati Ragavaja Sadhana.
Do i can practice Ganapati Ragavajra from Rinjung Lhantab?
Thank you so much.
Palden Tenpai Nyima was the seventh Panchen Lama of Tibet and is considered to be emanations of Buddha Amitabha. Being the second-highest line of incarnations in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. Palden Tenpai Nyima compiled and edited a voluminous collection of tantric deity sadhanas called the Rinjung Lhantab. Rinjung Lhantab which is a spiritual practices or a manual’ of instructions for achieving Enlightenment mainly for higher tantric students.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for this sharing.
Thank you so much for this article. This article is mainly about Rinjung Lhantab, the Panchen Lama’s collection of sadhanas. First of all, sadhana is mainly known as spiritual practice. The Rinjung Lhantab is a voluminous collection of tantric deity sadhanas.
So, the source of the Rinjung Lhantab can be traced back to its Indian roots which, to many Tibetan scholars, is proof of a teaching’s authenticity and certificate of its legitimacy. Hence, the Rinjung Lhantab collection is a useful reference for lamas seeking to explore a particular sadhana or mantra.
According to the Tibetan Buddhist belief, Dalai Lama is considered to be the incarnation of Avalokiteśvara, while Panchen Lama is the incarnation of Amitābha. The Panchen Lama is the second most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The Panchen Lama’s collection of sadhanas so called Rinjung Lhantab which is a tantric liturgical ‘manual’ of instructions for achieving Enlightenment. Trying to understand more and still reading to get a better view all about this . More suitable for advanced disciples but glad to read a little of it.
Thank you Pastor David for this sharing.
Panchen Lama and Dalai Lama is exactly just like Buddha Amitabha and Chenrezig, which is teacher and student, but the special thing between this 2 Lamas is when they entered into clear light, they will reincarnate back and became the student of the other Lama, their teacher and student relationship to promoting Dharma is simply just amazing.
Jetsun Taranatha is also another great master who has contributed tremendously in spreading Buddhism. I did found some information from the internet:
Jetsun Taranatha (1575-1634), was a great accomplished master of the Jonang and Shangpa Kagyü traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Though famed in Tibet as the author of many treatises on tantra and philosophy, he is especially known in the West for his masterly History of Buddhism in India. The name, Taranatha, which is of Indian origin, was given to him at the age of 20 in a dream by an Indian yogi, and exemplifies his strong connection with India, “the Land of the Aryas”. He learned effortlessly some of its languages including Sanskrit. He was the uncle of the Fifth Dalai Lama. He wrote his most famous work, History of Buddhism in India, in 1608.
The 5th Dalai Lama recognized the son of a Khalkha Mongol Khan as the reincarnation of Jetsün Tarnatha. This boy and his successive incarnations became the Jetsün Dampa Hutuktu , the spiritual heads of the Gelug lineage in Mongolia