This album by Lama Zopa Rinpoche features the oral transmission (*lung) of the Verses for the Eight Noble Auspicious Ones, a prayer composed by Ju Mipham.

Mipham Jamyang Namgyal Gyatso (1846–1912), also commonly known as Je Mipham, was an important Nyingma scholar, lama and practitioner and was also a central figure of the non-sectarian Rime movement. Mipham was born in Derge, Kham. It was exactly in this eastern region of Tibet where the majority of the early teachers promoting this non-sectarian approach to the Buddha’s teachings came from.

The Verses for the Eight Noble Auspicious Ones, or Tashi Gyepa in Tibetan, is one of Mipham’s most well-known compositions and is recited daily by practitioners from a variety of different traditions. The verses are directly based on the Mangalashtaka Sutra or Eight Auspicious Noble Ones Sutra. In these verses one pays homage to the Three Jewels, eight sugatas, the eight great bodhisattvas, the eight offering goddesses, and the eight worldly guardians. The text also describes the hand implements or offerings held by each of the eight bodhisattvas, goddesses and guardians.

The text invokes the auspiciousness of all these figures, and as mentioned by Mipham at the end of the text, its recitation, if done daily or especially before commencing new activities or projects, has inconceivable benefits. It removes obstacles, creates favorable circumstances and allows one to accomplish all of one’s desires. This new translation of the verses was recently made by Ven. Gyalten Lekden who currently studies at Sera Je Monastic University in Bylakuppe.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche has recommended reciting this prayer every morning for “the success of the center and your own success, the success of FPMT, and the holy wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

Album Content

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