Hundreds of Deities of Tusita

In this book Chöden Rinpoché explains the practice of guru yoga focusing on the fourteenth century Tibetan monk-scholar Jé Tsongkhapa. Instructions on this practice were received and disseminated by the First Dalai Lama, a disciple of Jé Tsongkhapa, who in turn taught it to selected students. In it Jé Tsongkhapa is visualized in the retinue of the future buddha Maitreya in his celestial abode of Tuṣita and their light pervades the beings of this realm. It has been recited by Tibetans, both lay and ordained for many centuries, and remains an inspiring and well-loved meditative practice. Chöden Rinpoche has based his explanation on the commentary by Pabongkha Rinpoché called “A Treasure of Jewels” which is included here in full. He explains in detail the meaning of the migtsema praise and the complex set of visualizations required to purify one’s mindstream and receive blessings from one’s spiritual friend.

His Eminence Chöden Rinpoché is a renowned yogi, scholar, and teacher of Tibetan Buddhism. He was born in 1931 in far eastern Tibet to a devout family renowned of their contemplative practice. Early in his life he was recognized as the reincarnation of Chöden Rinpoché, a revered master of Tibetan Buddhism. Then following the advice of Pabongkha Rinpoché, he joined Sera Jé monastery at the age of 15, completing his studies at the age of 28. Despite being urged by Trijang Rinpoché to sit his final exams quickly, he followed the advice of his main teacher, the abbot of Sera Jé, to continue his studies. But soon after the Tibetan uprising against the Chinese occupation of Tibet disrupted his studies and he entered retreat in a small and secluded room in Lhasa for more than nineteen years. In 1985 Rinpoché arrived in India and following the advice of the Dalai Lama, he commenced teaching at Sera Monastery and then to audiences around the world.