Vajra Guru Mantra Project

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The Vajra Guru Project has ended. It was an online project supporting the activity of Ogyen Trinley Dorje the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa.  By means of concentration and recitation (Sanskrit: mantrayana) of the mantra associated with Padmasambhava, who established Buddhism in historical Tibet, we chanted with a view to eliminating any obstacles standing between, and among, followers / students of the 17th Karmapa, as well as access to him. The posting of the accumulated number of recitations was a way for fans, friends and devotees of Karmapa to demonstrate the earnest wish to see him in person. Recitation of the mantra of Guru Rinpoche is also believed to balance the energy of the world, promoting harmony and healing. 

Origin of the VGP

After the accomplishment of the BMI, the first ever online mantra project, the project leader asked if we could do anything further. The request from the Office of the Gyalwang Karmapa was that we join in the recitation of the mantra of Guru Rinpoche. This was affirmed in 2009.

The original objective of a hundred million (100,000,000) benzar guru mantras as recited by participants around the world more than doubled. See also, the Khandro.Net Facebook page where the final total has also been published.  Ohm Ah Hoong, Benzar Guru Pehma Siddhi, Hoong!  

date

 total

 recent contributors from

June 23,

2019 

 200, 629, 580   

Australia, Bhutan, Canada, Czech R., France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, Vietnam  

Attention: The VGP has reached its goal. Thanks to all participants, and may all beings benefit.

The Power of Guru Rinpoche

"Guru Rinpoche" means Precious Guru.  It is one of the names of Padmasambhava (8th century), who is also known as the Vajra Guru. Vajra here refers to the extra-ordinary methods he used so that Buddhism would take hold in Tibet.  Guru means "teacher," with the connotation of "spiritual mentor."  In the Tibetan language, this meaning is conveyed by the word lama.

Vajra Guru Padmasambhava is widely acknowledged as a Second Buddha.  He is also called Padmakara or, Pema Jungne, and a number of other names besides.  Each epithet refers to a particular role that he played in order for Buddhism firmly to take hold in the land of Tibet. 

The Vajra Guru mantra is recited on the 10th day of every lunar month by most Tibetan Buddhist lineages.  Among the Karma Kagyu, every second year (alternating with the Shi Tro mantra,) it is recited at Rumtek Monastery as part of the 5-day dhundrup taking place in the 9th lunar month (9th - 13th days.) 

 What does this mantra have to do with me?

Tibetan territory is only a few hundred miles from northern India where Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, lived and taught and yet for well over twelve hundred years Buddhism made little impact on the Land of Snows.   If it had not been for Guru Rinpoche we might never know the full extent of the transmission of Buddha-dharma, for in no other land was the entire system preserved in detail.  Therefore any practitioner of every level, school, denomination and lineage,  can honour this heart connection to the great Vajra Guru.  

Everyone who has benefited in any way, either directly or even indirectly, from the words and/or the example of the lamas who have been able to teach us these last 50 years, has Guru Rinpoche to thank. 

What is the mantra?

Om Ah Hung, Vajra Guru Pema Siddhi, Hung!

Many Tibetans say benzar instead of vajra.  We do as we have been taught.  There is no significant difference.

No special empowerment is required to participate.

:: After an introduction (to 0:49) Ani Choying Drolma sings this mantra slowly. < YouTube

The Benefits of the Vajra Guru Mantra

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Who is The Vajra Guru?

About Similar Requests by Other Lamas

In 2013, following the death of Akong Rinpoche of Kagyu Samye Ling in Scotland, Tai Situ also requested the recitation of this mantra. And in 2014, devotees of Bardor Tulku Rinpoche at his centre, Kunzang Palchen Ling, requested recitations of the mantra, too.  

Many other prominent lamas including the 14th Dalai Lama have expressed that students recite the mantra of Guru Rinpoche.  For the purpose of this project, there is no conflict of interest.  All Tibetan denominations and lineages recognize the efficacy of Guru Rinpoche's mantra in overcoming obstacles to the practice of Buddha-dharma and to the restoration of peace, harmony and balance.     

Whether Nyingmapa, Sakyapa, Kagyupa or Gelugpa, all recite the invocation to Guru Rinpoche, especially on the 10th of the lunar month.  And among Mahayanists, all mantras are dedicated to the benefit of sentient beings everywhere.  In the case of someone reporting the same total to lamas of more than one denomination, in one's mind the recitations might be dedicated in the following way for the VGP:  We could say, "This is dedicated to all beings and in particular, to the activity of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa."

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Tsurphu and Rumtek:   Tsurphu, in central Tibet (the fraction of China that is currently known as the TAR) is the historical seat of the Karmapas.  Rumtek is in Sikkim (now part of India) and it is the Karmapa's seat established by the 16th Karmapa. 

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