Pälden Lhamo 267

A Daily Pälden Lhamo Practice

including
Ser-kyem: Golden Libation Offering
to the Glorious Goddess, Pälden Lhamo
268 Essential Buddhist Prayers
 Pälden Lhamo 269

A Daily Pälden Lhamo Practice

Including Ser-kyem: Golden Libation Offering to
the Glorious Goddess, Pälden Lhamo

To make the liba on offering (Tib. ser-kyem) to Pälden Lhamo and

her re nue, prepare clean black tea and place it in a pot. On the
bo om of the vessel in which you will pour the liba on (such as
a small cup or bu er lamp) place a layer of rice grains. Place the
vessel upon another container (a plate or bowl) and fill the vessel
with the tea. The container is to catch the overflow of tea as you
pour a further por on into the vessel during the last line of each
verse of the actual offering prayer.

Refuge and Bodhichitta

SANG GYÄ CHHÖ DANG TSHOG KYI CHHOG NAM LA
I go for refuge un l I am enlightened
JANG CHHUB BAR DU DAG NI KYAB SU CHHI
To the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly.
DAG GI JIN SOG GYI PAI SÖ NAM KYI
By my merit from giving and other perfec ons,
DRO LA PHÄN CHHIR SANG GYÄ DRUB PAR SHOG (3x)
May I become a buddha in order to benefit all sen ent beings.
(3x)

A er taking refuge and genera ng the mo va on of bodhichi a,

generate yourself as your medita onal deity (here, for example,
Yamantaka) either with the long or short sadhana, or with the fol-
lowing instantaneous genera on:
270 Essential Buddhist Prayers

Yamantaka Self-Generation
RANG NYI KÄ CHIG GI PÄL DOR JE JIG JE ZHÄL CHIG CHHAG NYI KYI
DRI GUG DANG THÖ PA DZIN PÄI KUR ZHENG PAR GYUR

I instantaneously arise in the holy form of glorious Yamantaka

with one face and two arms holding curved knife and skullcup.

Blessing and Offering the Torma

OM HRIH SHTRIH VIKRITANANA HUM PHAT

OM SVABHAVA SHUDDHA SARVA DHARMA SVABHAVA

SHUDDHO HAM

TONG PA NYI DU GYUR

Everything becomes emp ness only.
TONG PÄI NGANG LÄ YAM LÄ LUNG / RAM LÄ ME
From the state of emp ness, from YAM comes wind, from RAM
fire,
AH LÄ MI GÖI GYE PU SUM GYI TENG DU
From AHs a grate of three human heads,
AH LÄ JUNG WÄI THÖ PA KAR PO
Above which, from an AH, comes a white skullcup.
DEI NANG DU SHA NGA / DÜ TSI NGA
Inside are the five meats and five nectars,
DE DAG GI TENG DU OM AH HUM
And above these are OM AH HUM.
RANG GI THUG KÄI HUM LÄ Ö ZER THRÖ / LUNG YÖ ME BAR
From the HUM at my heart light rays emanate, wind moves,
fire blazes,
THÖ PAI NANG GI DZÄ NAM ZHU ZHING KHÖL
The substances inside the skullcup melt and boil.
 Pälden Lhamo 271

YI GE SUM LÄ Ö ZER THRÖ PÄ DOR JE SUM KUG NÄ THIM PA THÖ PAR

LHUNG TE ZHU WÄ HUM GI KHA DOG DRI NÜ KYI KYÖN JANG
From the three syllables light rays emanate, hooking back the
three vajras, which dissolve into them. They fall into the skullcup
and melt. HUM purifies all faults of color, smell and poten ality;
ÄH DÜ TSIR TOG PAR JÄ
AH transforms it into nectar;
OM GYI MANG POR BAR ZHING PEL WAR GYUR
OM mul plies and increases it.

OM AH HUM (3x)

Blessing and Offering the Libation Substance

Purify and bless the liba on substance, visualizing it within as
many vessels as there are guests.

OM HRIH SHTRIH VIKRITANANA HUM PHAT

OM SVABHAVA SHUDDHA SARVA DHARMA SVABHAVA

SHUDDHO HAM

TONG PA NYI DU GYUR

Everything becomes emp ness only.
TONG PÄI NGANG LÄ YAM LÄ LUNG
From the state of emp ness, from YAM arises a wind (mandala),
RAM LÄ ME
From RAM, a fire (mandala),
AH LÄ MI GÖI KYE BU SUM GYI TENG DU / AH LÄ JUNG WÄI THÖ PA
CHI KAR LA NANG MAR WA NAM KYI NANG DU
And from AHs, skullcups, white outside, red inside,
SER KYEM ZAG PA ME PÄ YE SHE KYI DÜ TSII GYA TSHO CHHEN POR GYUR
Within which the liba on becomes an ocean of uncontaminat-
ed, exalted wisdom nectar.

OM AH HUM (3x)
272 Essential Buddhist Prayers

Offering and Requesting Prayer to Palden Lhamo

JHO RAB JAM GYÄL WA KÜN GYI THRIN LÄ LA
JHO To you, the enlightened conduct of all the victorious ones,
MAG ZOR GYÄL MO ZHE JAR TSHÄN SÖL WA
The holy name “Queen of the Armed Warriors” was given.
TSE CHIG MÖ PÄI WANG GI CHÄN DREN NA
Having invoked you with powerful single-pointed devo on,
THOG PA ME PAR NYUR DU SHEG SU SÖL
Please, come quickly without obstruc on.

DÜN GYI NAM KHAR LUNG NAG TSHUB MÄI Ü

In the space in front, in the center of a black tornado,
BE CHÖN THÖ THRAG DZIN PA SIN MÖI ZUG
You appear in the form of a female cannibal holding a vajra
club and a blood-filled skullcup.
DRE U TENG ZHUG DUG PA TSHAR CHÖ KU
Seated upon a young mule, your holy body destroys all evil.
JI SI DRÄN PA DE SI TAG TU ZHUG
For as long as I recall you, please remain forever.

CHHI YI CHÄN ZIG NAM KHÄI KHYÖN GANG ZHING

Outer offerings fill the vast extent of space;
NANG GI DAM DZÄ SA ZHI MA LÜ KHYAB
Inner samaya substances pervade the whole earth;
YI KYI TRÜL PÄI CHHÖ TRIN ZHING KHAM KÜN
Clouds of mentally transformed objects fill every realm:
GYÄ PAR GENG PA KHOR DANG CHÄ LA BÜL
I offer these to Pälden Lhamo and all your entourage.

PÄL DÄN THUB PÄI KA SUNG THU TSÄL CHÄN

You, who powerfully protect the words of the glorious Muni,
KHYÖ NYI TEN CHING DRUB DANG TSE CHIG TU
We yogis, teachers, and disciples single-pointedly request you
to approach and complete your ac vi es:
 Pälden Lhamo 273

SÖL WA DEB PÄI NÄL JOR PÖN LOB KYI

Please eliminate all adverse condi ons
GÄL KYEN KÜN SEL THÜN KYEN MA LÜ DRUB
And complete every condi on beneficial to us.

SHA THRAG LA SOG DÜ TSI NGA DANG CHÄ

This torma, composed of flesh, blood, and so on –
DRU NA NGA DANG JAR WÄI TOR MA DI
The five nectars and five types of grain –
PÄL DÄN MAG ZOR GYÄL MO LA BÜL GYI
To you, glorious Queen of the Armed Warriors, I offer these.
SANG GYÄ TÄN PA SUNG CHHIR ZHE SU SÖL
Please accept them in order to protect the teachings of Buddha.

KU SUM LHÜN DRUB THUG JE THAR CHHIN KYANG

Your three bodies arise spontaneously and your compassion is
fully developed,
SI SUM DUG PA DÜL CHHIR THRÖ PÄI KU
Yet you manifest a wrathful body to subdue the evil of the
three realms.
DÜ SUM GYÄL WÄI TÄN SUNG CHHEN MO LA
To you, great protectress of the doctrine of the victorious ones
of the three mes,
GO SUM GÜ PA CHHEN PÖ CHHAG TSHÄL LO
With my three doors I respec ully prostrate.

DAG SOG NAM KYI CHHÖ DANG THÜN PÄI DÖN

Please bestow your blessings that all our aims
JI TAR SAM PA YI ZHIN DRUB PA DANG
Be accomplished just as we desire in accord with the Dharma.
NÄ DÖN GEG SOG BAR DU CHÖ PÄI TSHOG
And please bless us that all hindrances – sicknesses, demons,
and interfering spirits –
NYE WAR ZHI WAR JIN GYI LAB TU SÖL
Be pacified completely.
 274 Essential Buddhist Prayers

LHAG SAM DAG PÄ TSHÜL DIR TSÖN PA NA

By our striving in this way with a pure selfless wish,
TSHANG DANG WANG PÖ JIG TEN KYONG WA TAR
Just as Brahma and Indra protect the world,
MAG ZOR GYÄL MO LA SOG SUNG MÄI TSHOG
May you, Queen of the Armed Warriors, and the other
protectors
YEL WA ME PAR TAG TU DROG JE SHOG
Never abandon but always help us.

BHYO* RAKMO BHYO / RAKMO BHYO / BHYO / RAKMO TUN

BHYO / KHA LA RAK CHEN MO / RAKMO AVYATAVYA TUN
BHYO RULU RULU HUM BHYO HUM

* The syllable BYOH is pronouced JHO by most Tibetan lamas

Praise to Palden Lhamo: Requesting the Four

Activities
JHO SEM NYI THRIN LÄ NAM ZHII KHYÄ PAR NI
JHO The four types of ac on are mind itself.
on each
beat
SEM NYI GÜ NA ME CHING SEM KYANG ME
They do not exist apart from mind and mind does not exist.
DÖN DAM YER ME KHA DOG ZUG KYANG ME
Ul mately, there are no dis nc ons
DZU THRÜL GYU MA TSAM DU RANG GI SEM
And neither do color nor form exist.
THÜN PAR TÄN PA ZHI WÄI PÄL LHA MO
The four ac ons are miraculously shown as mere illusions
ZHI DZÄ ZHI GYUR ZHI WÄI NGANG TSHÜL CHÄN
By the glorious goddess of peace in accordance with our
needs.
ZHI WÄI KHOR GYI KOR WÄI TSO MO NI
Principal lady amidst an assembly of pacifiers, dis nguished
by a very brilliant white body:
 Pälden Lhamo 275

TAG KYI KU DOG KAR MO SHIN TU DANG

You have pacified, will pacify, and are in a pacifying mood.
KÜN TU ZHI DZÄ MA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO
I prostrate to her who always pacifies.
DAG GI NÄ DÖN BAR CHHÄ ZHI WAR DZÖ
Please pacify my illnesses, evil spirits, and interferences.

JHO SEM NYI THRIN LÄ NAM ZHII KHYÄ PAR NI

JHO The four types of ac on are mind itself.
on each
beat
SEM NYI GÜ NA ME CHING SEM KYANG ME
They do not exist apart from mind and mind does not exist.
DÖN DAM YER ME KHA DOG ZUG KYANG ME
Ul mately, there are no dis nc ons
DZU THRÜL GYU MA TSAM DU RANG GI SEM
And neither do color nor form exist.
THÜN PAR TÄN PA GYÄ PÄI PÄL LHA MO
The four ac ons are miraculously shown as mere illusions
GYÄ DZÄ GYÄ GYUR GYÄ PÄI NGANG TSHÜL CHÄN
By the glorious goddess of increase in accordance with our
needs.
GYÄ PÄI KHOR GYI KOR WÄI TSO MO NI
Principal lady amidst an assembly of increasers,
dis nguished by a very magnificent yellow body:
TAG KYI KU DOG SER MO SHIN TU JI
You have increased, will increase, and are in an increasing
mood.
KÜN TU GYÄ DZÄ MA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO
I prostrate to her who always increases.
DAG GI TSHE DANG SÖ NAM GYÄ PAR DZÖ
Please lengthen my life span and increase my merits.

JHO SEM NYI THRIN LÄ NAM ZHII KHYÄ PAR NI

JHO The four types of ac on are mind itself.
on each
beat
SEM NYI GÜ NA ME CHING SEM KYANG ME
They do not exist apart from mind and mind does not exist.
 276 Essential Buddhist Prayers

DÖN DAM YER ME KHA DOG ZUG KYANG ME

Ul mately, there are no dis nc ons
DZU THRÜL GYU MA TSAM DU RANG GI SEM
And neither do color nor form exist.
THÜN PAR TÄN PA WANG GI PÄL LHA MO
The four ac ons are miraculously shown as mere illusions
WANG DZÄ WANG GYUR WANG GI NGANG TSHÜL CHÄN
By the glorious goddess of conquest in accordance with
our needs.
WANG GI KHOR GYI KOR WÄI TSO MO NI
Principal lady amidst an assembly of conquerors,
dis nguished by a very sensual red body:
TAG KYI KU DOG MAR MO SHIN TU CHHAG
You have conquered, will conquer, and are in a conquering
mood.
KÜN TU WANG DZÄ MA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO
I prostrate to her who always conquers
KHAM SUM SEM CHÄN THAM CHÄ WANG DU DÜ
Please conquer all beings of the three realms.

JHO SEM NYI THRIN LÄ NAM ZHII KHYÄ PAR NI

JHO The four types of ac on are mind itself.
on each
beat SEM NYI GÜ NA ME CHING SEM KYANG ME
They do not exist apart from mind and mind does not exist.
DÖN DAM YER ME KHA DOG ZUG KYANG ME
Ul mately, there are no dis nc ons
DZU THRÜL GYU MA TSAM DU RANG GI SEM
And neither do color nor form exist.
THÜN PAR TÄN PA DRAG PÖI PÄL LHA MO
The four ac ons are miraculously shown as mere illusions
DRAG DZÄ DRAG GYUR DRAG PÖI NGANG TSHÜL CHÄN
By the glorious goddess of wrath in accordance with
our needs.
DRAG PÖI KHOR GYI KOR WÄI TSO MO NI
Principal lady amidst an assembly of terrifiers,
dis nguished by a very fierce black body:
 Pälden Lhamo 277

TAG KYI KU DOG NAG MO SHIN TU NGAM

You have terrified, will terrify, and are in a terrifying mood.
KÜN TU DRAG DZÄ MA LA CHHAG TSHÄL LO
I prostrate to her who always terrifies.
DAG GI NÄ DÖN DRA GEG DRAG PÖ DRÖL
Please with your wrath, eliminate my sicknesses, evil spirits,
enemies, and misfortunes.

JHO KHYÖ KYI RANG ZHIN CHIR YANG MA DRUB KYANG

JHO Although you appear with such varied characteris cs,
on each
beat
DI TAR TSHÄN NYI CHIR YANG NANG WA YI
Your nature has no concrete existence,
THRIN LÄ NAM ZHI DRO DÖN DZÄ PA LA
Yet you benefit transmigrators with your four ac ons.
DAG GI DRIM TE RAB TU TÖ GYI NA
By thoroughly praising you with full a en on,
DAG KYANG LÄ ZHII RANG ZHIN LHÜN DRUB TE
May I also spontaneously achieve the state of the four
ac ons
KHYÖ TAR DRO WÄI DÖN LA TSÖN PAR SHOG
And, like you, strive to benefit migra ng beings.

The ser-kyem prayer con nues…

Before star ng, fill the smal cup of the serkyem to its rim with
tea. Then offer the golden liba on a er each of the following
verses by pouring some tea into the tea offering (ser-kyem) set
during the last line of each verse (with the ringing of the bell).
278 Essential Buddhist Prayers

HUM DÖ GU CHHAR BEB LA MA YI DAM DANG

HUM O gurus and yidams who send a rain of all that is desired,
DÖ KHAM WANG CHHUG CHHÖ KYONG SUNG MÄI TSHOG
Mistress of the desire realm and host of Dharma protectors
and guardians,
DÖ YÖN NGA DÄN SER KYEM DI ZHE LA
Please accept this liba on having the five desirable quali es
DÖ PÄI DÖN KÜN DRUB PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ
And bestow the ac vi es that will accomplish all desired aims.

JHO NAM DREN TÄN PA SUNG WÄI CHHÖ KYONG CHHOG

JHO Supreme Dharma protector guarding the doctrine of
the guide,
NÄL JOR BU ZHIN KYONG DZÄ THU TSÄL CHÄN
Who protects yogis as she would her child and is skilled in
magic powers:
DÖ KHAM DAG MO PÄL GYI LHA MO LA
To the ruler of the desire realm, the glorious goddess Pälden
Lhamo,
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ (3x)
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons. (3x)

DÖN DAM ZHI WÄI NGANG LÄ MA YÖ KYANG

Though not disturbed from the state of ul mate peace,
TÄN DRA DÜL CHHIR DRAG MÖI KUR ZHENG PA
You arose in a fierce form to subdue enemies of the doctrine.
MA CHIG PÄL DÄN SI SUM GYÄL MO KHYÖ
To the sole mother, queen of the three existences,
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ (3x)
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons. (3x)
 Pälden Lhamo 279

SIN MO DRAG TU THRÖ PÄI NAM GYUR GYI

The ac on-performing pair who dash before and a er the
principal lady
TSO MÖI NGA CHHIR GYUG PÄI LÄ KHÄN ZUNG
And who are in the aspect of very wrathful female rakshas:
CHU SIN SENG GEI DONG CHÄN NAM NYI LA
To the sea-monster–faced and the lion-faced ones,
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons.

TRA SHI TSHE RING THING GI ZHÄL ZANG MA

Auspicious Long-Life Lady, Blue Sumukhi,
MI YO LO ZANG CHÖ PÄN DRIN ZANG MA
Immovable Suma , Crown Sukanthi, and
TÄ KAR DRO ZANG KHÄN DRO CHHE NGA LA
White-bestowing Suga – to the five dakini sisters
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons.

DOR JE KÜN DRAG LA SOG DÜ MO ZHI

To Vajra All-famed and so forth, the four female maras;
DOR JE CHÄN CHIG LA SOG NÖ JIN ZHI
To Vajra One-eyed and so forth, the four female yakshas;
KONG TSÜN DE MO LA SOG MÄN MO ZHIR
To Demo, queen of Kün, and so forth, the four female
medicine spirits
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons.

SER KYEM TSANG MA PHÜ KYI CHHÖ PA DI

With this first offering of pure liba on
LHA CHHEN TSHANG PA YUM SÄ LÖN POR CHÄ
To the great deva Brahma, consorts, sons, and ministers,
280 Essential Buddhist Prayers

TRÜL PA YANG TRÜL JE WÄI TSHOG NAM LA

To the assembly of ten million emana ons and re-emana ons,
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons.

ZHÄN YANG SA ZHI BAR NANG KHYÖN GANG WÄI

Further, to the host of fierce spirits and the assembly of your
re nue
LHA LU NÖ JIN SIN MÖI ZUG DZIN PA
Who fill the expanse of land and sky
K A NYÄN KHOR TSHOG GYA TSHÖ TSHOG NAM LA
And who bear the forms of devas, nagas, yakshas, and rakshas:
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons.

CHHÖ KHOR KA SUNG LU TSÄN WANG GI DOG

To the power-colored naga-demon guarding the Dharma wheel
teachings;
KOG MA DRIB TSÄN DOR JE CHHOG GÖ TSÄL
To the Kog-ma pollu on demon, Dorje Shog gö tsäl;
TSÄN KHOR SUM GYA DRUG CHUR CHÄ PA LA
To the demons and your re nue of three hundred and sixty:
SÖL LO CHHÖ DO CHÖL PÄI THRIN LÄ DZÖ
I request and make offerings; please perform the entrusted
ac ons.

Request
THÜN PÄI NGÖ DRUB MA LÜ PA
Please grant all appropriate a ainments here and now.
DÜ DIR DAG LA TSÄL DU SÖL
O host of protectors
 Pälden Lhamo 281

KHOR DANG TÄN PA LONG CHHÖ NAM

Increase the teachings,
GYÄ PAR DZÖ CHIG SUNG MÄI TSHOG
My re nue, and my wealth.

Dedication
GE WA DI YI NYUR DU DAG
By this virtue, may I quickly
L A MA SANG GYÄ DRUB GYUR NÄ
A ain the state of a Guru-Buddha
DRO WA CHIG KYANG MA LÜ PA
And lead every living being, without excep on,
DE YI SA LA GÖ PAR SHOG
Into that enlightened state.

JANG CHHUB SEM CHHOG RIN PO CHHE

May the precious bodhichi a
MA KYE PA NAM KYE GYUR CHIG
Not yet born arise and grow.
KYE WA NYAM PA ME PA YANG
May that born have no decline
GONG NÄ GONG DU PHEL WAR SHOG
But increase more and more.
282 Essential Buddhist Prayers

Colophon:
The transla ons of the prayers in this Daily Ser-kyem Prac ce to Pälden Lhamo
have been taken from various sources and translators. Ser-kyem, a Liba on Of-
fering was translated by Gelong Thubten Tsultrim (George Churinoff) with the
kind assistance of Venerable Geshe Jampa Gyatso at Is tuto Lama Tzong Khapa,
Pomaia, Italy, 14 April 1992. The Praise to Pälden Lhamo: Reques ng the Four
Ac vi es was taken from an English transla on of a longer Pälden Lhamo prac-
ce puja; it is thought that the translator of that text is Hermes Brandt, but it is
unclear.

This Pälden Lhamo prac ce was lightly edited and compiled originally for use
by the staff of the FPMT Interna onal Office in their daily prac ce of a ser-kyem
offering to the glorious Pälden Lhamo by Venerable Constance Miller in Janu-
ary 1997 according to the instruc ons of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It was lightly re-
vised for inclusion in the FPMT Prayer Book in January 1999. Newest revised
edi on, October 2001. Revised June 2004 according to instruc ons from Lama
Zopa Rinpoche, and revised by Venerable Gyalten Mindrol, FPMT Educa on De-
partment, August 2006 in accordance with the Rituals Training led by Venerable
Sarah Thresher, Kopan Monastery, August 2005 (revisions checked against DVD
of Lama Zopa Rinpoche leading the prac ce at Is tuto Lama Tzong Khapa during
the Lama Tsongkhapa retreat, September, 2004, and Rinpoche’s performance of
the prac ce at Land of Medicine Buddha, October-November, 2005). The Palden
Lhamo mantra was added according to the prac ce of Lama Zopa Rinpoche by
Ven. Gyalten Mindrol, FPMT Educa on Services, May 2009. All errors are the
sole fault of the compiler and editors.

Notes Regarding This Practice

Altar and Gompa Set-up
Set up the altar with a picture of the deity and the following offerings:

• A torma or food offering.

• No specific instruc ons regarding sets of water bowl offerings, etc.
• Prepare the tea offering as in the instruc ons on p. 269. It is also recom-
mended to add a bit of bu er to the tea, giving it an even more golden hue,
as Pälden Lhamo is quite fond of bu er!

NOTE: When sea ng monks and nuns in the front, it is customary to seat monks
on the le side of the throne (when facing the throne) and nuns on the right.

During “big pujas” (these are defined as self-ini a ons or long pujas and pujas
with extensive offerings, etc.) one can offer a s ck of incense for the lama or
geshe to hold during the verses of invoca on.
 Pälden Lhamo 283

Ritual Implements
One should have a tea offering consis ng of a metal teapot, a small stemmed
cup, and a broader shallow bowl. One should also have dorje, bell, damaru, and
inner offering. Drum, cymbals, and horns are also good. A large puja drum is
highly recommended when doing this or other protector pujas.
284 Essential Buddhist Prayers