=$-3,=-v<-3*3-</-(/-o/-I?-3? u/->%-(-35?-2o/-0:-?-$8:-.2?

</-(/-=?-P2-P-28-|-28-0 0E-*-^?-2o/-0:-$./-!%-.
,$?-e?-l.-0:-.?-G-$.=-L-i3? i3-P=-=3-=-:$.-36.-:P-2:-3$/
,2-0-3($-.%-$/?-2g/-(/-0-i3? :#<-.%-2&?-0-$/?-:.<-$>$?-?-$?=
K$?-2&:-o=-2-Y?-2&?-,3?-&.-.%- >?-<2-3-:2<-*/-3%?-35-{3-8%-
i3-P=-2?.-/3?-8%-.-2!:-#.-0: K$?-2&:-*/-,?-.$-:./-28$?-?-:5=
;/-.%-3(.-0:-$/?-?-,/-:S/-I? :P-2:-./-K<-3(.-G?-$>$?-?-$?=
Prostrations and Offerings to the Sixteen Elders
$/?-2g/-K$-3(.
lak til tar nyam rin chen gyen gyi tre jn shing chu ts gyen pay sa shiy
rin chen le drup dru shi go shi pa pe ma nyi de gyen pay den teng du
tuk jey ts pay d kyi dul ja nam nam drol lam la g dze dro way gn
tup pa chok dang ne ten chen po nam khor dang che pa ne dir shek su sl
chok chuy gyal wa se che tam che dang she rap me bar nyn mong tso kem shing
nam drol s nam shing du ka d pay chok chuy nyen t gen dn shuk so tsal
yn jong ch pay ne su chen dren gyi dro way dn chir ch kyi shek su sl
In the middle of a ground as even as the palm Decorated by jewels, trees, and lakes,
of a hand,
Is a precious palace with four sides and four doors. Within it, on a lotus, sun, and moon seat,
Is the protector of beings who compassionately In this age of disputation, on the path to
places disciples, liberation.
Buddha Shakyamuni and the great elders, I pray that you come to this place, accompanied
by your entourages.
All buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten And all sanghas of shravakas from the ten
directions, directions,
Whose re of wisdom dries up the ocean of kleshas, Who are a eld of liberation and merit,
I invite you so that you may receive my I pray that you come, since my offerings are for
offerings. beings benet.
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 421
:P-2:-3$/-0->G-?%-$-; ?%?-o?-2!/-0-$%-$-K$-+-28$?
$?%-<2-</-(/-13-I-#-:L.-0: .P-2&3-$/?-2g/-(/-0-28$?-?-:5=
.3-(?-%=-2:-a.-.-,/-:S/-/ :P-2:-./-K<-3(.-G?-$>$?-?-$?=
,2-0?-2!:-2|?-2!/-0:-o=-35/-:6/ ;/-=$-:L%-.%-3-13-/$?-/-$/?
.?-w/-h-e-3:-2-29%-0-.%- $?<-2:-S-<-O-6-$?<-(/-3($
:1$?-0-2-!-=-.%-1-$&/-:6/ =3-U/-S-<-O-6-2?.-~3?-=/
=3-2g/-[:-#-&.-L.-3-K.-0 :P-2:-./-K<-3(.-G?_
%%?-.%-;->?-1/-5$?-?%?-o?-G%- $.=-L:-.2%-$?-*/-,?-5=-:6/-&%-
H.-0<-&/-I-U/-=?-(?-*%-2: $/?-2g/-2&-S$-:.<-L/-$./-=-28$?
(zz The Kagyu Monlam Book
dro way gn po sha kya seng ge yi sang gye ten pa gang gi chak tu shak
sung rap rin chen drom gyi kha che pay dra chom ne ten chen po shuk so tsal
dam ch pel way le du jen dren na dro way dn chir ch kyi shek su sl
tup pay ka g ten pay gyal tsen dzin yen lak jung dang ma pam nak na ne
d den dor je moy bu sang po dang ser beu bha ra dha dza ser chen chok
pak pa ba ku la dang dra chen dzin lam tren bha ra dha dza s nyom len
lam ten luy de be che mi che pa dro way dn chir ch kyi shek su sl
pang dang ye she pun tsok sang gye kyang dul jay wang gi nyen t tsul dzin ching
khye par chen gyi trin le ch kyong way ne ten chu druk dir jn den la shuk
The Dharma of the Lion of the Shakyas, That protector of beings, rests in your hands.
All you arhats, elders, you who open The precious vessel of the Buddhas words,
I invite you in order to spread the genuine I pray that you come, since my offerings are for
Dharma. beings benet.
As appointed by Shakyamuni, You hold the victory banner of Dharma.
Angaja, Ajita, Vanavasin, Kalika, Vajriputra, Bhadra, Kanakavatsa,
Kanaka Bharadhvaja, Arya Bakula, Rahula, Chudapanthaka, Pindola Bharadhvaja,
Mahapanthaka, Nagasena, Gopaka, and Abheda, I pray that you come, since my offerings are for
beings benet.
Although your perfect relinquishment and You take the form of shravakas for the sake of
pristine wisdom are like the Buddhas, disciples.
Your special activity is the protection of Dharma. Sixteen elders, come here and be seated.
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 422
2.-$>$?-2!:-=%-$4<-36.-2!/-0-Y%- <%-./-.<-/?-:#<-2:-/$?-5=-.
$8/-./-z<-36.-$/?-2g/-2&-S$-0 .3-2&?-,D-e:-.2%-$?-$/?-:.<-$>D
.$-2~/-*2?-$?=-2./-0:-5$-*/-0 .!/-3($-$?3-I-82?-:V%-3(?-?-:5=
2?.-/3?-</-(/-\%-.-,/-:S/-/ :P-2:-./-K<-3(.-G?-$>$?-?-$?=
35%?-3.-2v-2?-3-%3?-0 $?<-I-3.$-&/-36?-0:-{
8=-$&$-K$-$*?-*=-N%-28$? ?-$//-3*3-$8$-36.-K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
$%?-<-(/-0-+-?-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-;/-=$-:L%-
Prostrations and Onerings to the Sixteen Elders (z
de shek ka lung tsor dze ten pa sung rang dn dor ne khor way nak tsal du
shen dn lhur dze ne ten chu druk po dam che tuk jey wang gi ne dir shek
ge nyen kyap sl den pay tsik nyen pa kn chok sum gyi shap dring chi so tsal
s nam rin chen ling du chen dren na dro way dn chir ch kyi shek su sl
tsung me ta way mi ngom pa ser gyi dok chen dze pay ku
shal chik chak nyi kyil trung shuk sa nn nyam shak dze chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
gang ri chen po ti se na pak pa ne ten yen lak jung
You protect the Dharma, particularly the Sixteen elders, you have cast aside your own
sugatas words. welfare
And remain in the jungle of samsara for the Come here through your commitment and
benet of others. compassion.
Upasaka who has taken refuge and listens to And all those who serve the Three Jewels,
words of truth,
I invite you to this garden of precious merit. I pray that you come, since my offerings are for
beings benet.
Peerless, the sight of you never satiates. You are beautiful and golden in color.
You have one face, two hands, and are seated I prostrate to you who press the earth and rest in
with crossed legs. meditation.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
On great snow-covered Mount Kailash Is the arya elder Angaja,
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 423
.P-2&3-!%-.%-?3-2o?-2{< %?-1<-d-;2-:6/-K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
S%-Y%-<-;->=-/$?-= :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-3-13-0
.P-2&3-2o-U$-$&$-$?-2{< K$-$*?-3*3-$8$-36. -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
=-3-2./-0:-<-1$-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-/$?-/-$/?
.P-2&3-!%-.%-28-2o?-2{< #$?-362-d-;2-:6/ -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
6a-\%-$-9%?-\%-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-.?-w/-+
(z( The Kagyu Monlam Book
dra chom tong dang sum gye kor p por nga yap dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
drang song ri yi shel nak la pak pa ne ten ma pam pa
dra chom gya trak chik gi kor chak nyi nyam shak dze chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
lo ma dn pay ri puk na pak pa ne ten nak na ne
dra chom tong dang shi gye kor dik dzup nga yap dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
dzam bu ling gi sang ling na pak pa ne ten d den te
Surrounded by one thousand three hundred I prostrate to you who hold an incense pot and
arhats. fan.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
In the crystal forest on the rishis mountain Is the arya elder Ajita,
Surrounded by a hundred arhats. I prostrate to you whose two hands rest in
meditation.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
In the mountain cave of Seven Leaves Is the arya elder Vanavasin,
Surrounded by one thousand four hundred I prostrate to you who point a threatening
arhats. forenger and hold a fan.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
On Copper Island in Jambudvipa Is the arya elder Kalika,
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 424
.P-2&3-!%-.%-($-2o?-2{< $?<-I-i-!<-:6/ -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
?;-=-;-\%-/-/ $/?-2g/-h-e-3-;-2
.P-2&3-!%-U$-$&$-$?-2{< #$?-362-d-;2-:6/ -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
(-2-;-3-/:-\%-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-29%-0-/
.P-2&3-!%-.%-*?-2o?-2{< (?-:(.-3*3-$8$-36. -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
$/?-3($-.3-0-#-(-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-$?<-2:
.P-2&3-(/-0-s-2o?-2{< </-(/-8$?-0-:6/ -K$-:5=
Prostrations and Onerings to the Sixteen Elders (z
dra chom tong dang chik gye kor ser gyi na kor dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
sin ga la yi ling na ni ne ten dor je mo yi bu
dra chom tong trak chi gi kor dik dzup nga yap dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
chu wo ya mu nay ling na pak pa ne ten sang po ni
dra chom tong dang nyi gyay kor ch che nyam shak dze chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
ne chok dam pa kha che na pak pa ne ten ser be u
dra chom chen po nga gye kor rin chen shak pa dzin chak tsal
Surrounded by one thousand one hundred arhats. I prostrate to you who hold golden earrings.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
On the island of Singhala Is the arya elder Vajriputra,
Surrounded by one thousand arhats. I prostrate to you who point a threatening
forenger and hold a fan.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
On an island in the River Yamuna Is the arya elder Bhadra,
Surrounded by one thousand two hundred I prostrate to you who teach Dharma and rest in
arhats. meditation.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
In the holy land of Kashmir Is the arya elder Kanakavatsu,
Surrounded by ve hundred arhats. I prostrate to you who hold a jeweled lasso.
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 425
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
/2-G-2-=%-,.-/-/ S-<-O-6-$?<-(/-3($
.P-2&3-(/-0-2./-2o?-2{< K$-$*?-3*3-$8$-36. -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
L%-$-1-3-~/-/-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-2-!-=
.P-2&3-(/-0-.$-2o?-2{< K$-$;/-/:-=-:6/-K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
T-;%-!-;-\%-/-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-1-$&/-:6/
.P-2&3-!%-.%-($-2o?-2{< </-(/-T$-8-:6/ -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
(z6 The Kagyu Monlam Book
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
nup kyi ba lang ch na ni bha ra dha dza ser chen chok
dra chom chen po dn gye kor chak nyi nyam shak dze chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
jang gi dra mi nyen na ni pak pa ne ten ba ku la
dra chom chen po gu gye kor chak yn neu le dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
tri yang ku yi ling na ni pak pa ne ten dra chen dzin
dra chom tong dang chik gye kor rin chen trok shu dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
In Godaniya in the west Is the arya elder Kanaka Bharadhvaja,
Surrounded by seven hundred arhats. I prostrate to you whose two hands rest in
meditation.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
In Uttarakuru in the north Is the arya elder Bakula,
Surrounded by nine hundred arhats. I prostrate to you whose left hand holds a
mongoose.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
On the island of Priyangku Is the arya elder Rahula,
Surrounded by one thousand one hundred arhats. I prostrate to you who hold a precious crown.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 426
L-c.-1%-0:-<-2-= :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-=3-U/-2g/
.P-2&3-!%-.%-S$-2o?-2{< K$-$*?-3*3-$8$-36. -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
><-I-=?-:1$?-\%-/-/ S-<-O-6-2?.-~3?-=/
.P-2&3-!%-U$-$&$-$?-2{< \$?-23-z%-29.-:6/-K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
z-$/?-?3-&-l-$?3-/ :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-=3-2g/-/
.P-2&3-(/-0-.$-2o?-2{< \$?-23-(?-:(.-36. -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
Prostrations and Onerings to the Sixteen Elders (z;
ja g pung poy ri wo la pak pa ne ten lam tren ten
dra chom tong dang druk gye kor chak nyi nyam shak dze chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
shar gyi l pak ling na ni bha ra dha dza s nyom len
dra chom tong trak chik gi kor lek bam lhung se dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
lha ne sum chu tsa sum na pak pa ne ten lam ten ni
dra chom chen po gu gye kor lek bam ch che dze chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
On Vulture Peak Mountain Is the arya elder Chudapanthaka,
Surrounded by one thousand six hundred arhats. I prostrate to you whose two hands rest in
meditation.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
In Purvavideha in the east Is the arya elder Pindola Bharadhvaja,
Surrounded by a thousand arhats. I prostrate to you who hold a volume and an
alms bowl.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
In the abode of the thirty-three devas Is the arya elder Mahapanthaka,
Surrounded by nine hundred arhats. I prostrate to you who hold a volume and teach
Dharma.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 427
<-;-o=-0-%?-;%?-= :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-[-;-#
.P-2&3-!%-.%-*?-2o?-2{< 23-0-:#<-$?=-:6/ -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
<-;-o=-0-S-@-=< :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-&.-L.-/
.P-2&3-!%-.%-28-2o?-2{< K$-$*?-\$?-23-:6/-K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
<-;-o=-0-$%?-&/-= :1$?-0-$/?-2g/-3-K.-0
.P-2&3-!%-U$-$&$-$?-2{< L%-(/-3(.-g/-:6/ -K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
(z8 The Kagyu Monlam Book
ri yi gyal po ng yang la pak pa ne ten lu yi de
dra chom tong dang nyi gye kor bum pa khar sil dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
ri yi gyal po bhi hu lar pak pa ne ten be che ni
dra chom tong dang shi gye kor chak nyi lek bam dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
ri yi gyal po gang chen la pak pa ne ten mi che pa
dra chom tong trak chik gi kor jang chen ch ten dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
On the king of mountains, Vipaliparshva, Is the arya elder Nagasena,
Surrounded by one thousand two hundred I prostrate to you who hold a vase and a ringing
arhats. staff.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
On the king of mountains, Bihula, Is the arya elder Gopaka,
Surrounded by one thousand four hundred I prostrate to you whose two hands hold a
arhats. volume.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
On the king of mountains, Himalaya, Is the arya elder Abheda,
Surrounded by a thousand arhats. I prostrate to you who hold a mahabodhi stupa.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 428
:1$?-0:-.$-2~/-Kk-+ <=-0:-,.-2&%?-\$?-23-#<
$%-2-3,:-;?-3./-/-28$? d-;2-23-0-:6/-K$-:5=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
2l/-0?-$-2$?-3,-!2?-&/ ?%?-o?-2!/-0-=$?-*%-2:
><-z-/2-L%-K$?-28-; o=-(/-28-=-K$-:5=-=
]-3:-{-5-2g/-0-.%- 2!/-0-o?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
?%?-o?-3=-0-.P-2&3-:1$?-0:-5$? :P-2:-./-.-2!/-0-*%-36.-0:
.!/-3($-$?3-.%?-$/?-2g/-2&-S$-$? 2!/-0-;/-<%-$/?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
,$?-e:-2.$-*.-$/?-2g/-2&-S$-$ :#<-5$?-Y.-35-=?-2c=-*/-3%?-3.
Prostrations and Onerings to the Sixteen Elders (zp
pak pay gen nyen dhar ma ta ral pay t ching lek bam khur
nang wa ta ye dn na shuk nga yap bum pa dzin chak tsal
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
tsn pay go g tu top chen sang gye ten pa lek kyong way
shar lho nup jang chok shi yi gyal chen shi la chak tsal lo
la may ku tse ten pa dang ten pa gye par jin gyi lop
sang gye trul pa dra chom pak pay tsok dro way dn du ten pa kyong dze pay
kn chok sum ng ne ten chu druk gi ten pa yn ring ne par jin gyi lop
tuk jey dak nyi ne ten chu druk gi khor tsok si tso le gal nyn mong me
The arya upasaka Dharmata Has his hair bound in a topknot and carries
texts.
In front of him is Amitabha. I prostrate to you who hold a fan and vase.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
Armored with diligence, powerful, You protect the Buddhadharma
In the east, south, west, and north. I prostrate to the four great kings.
Grant your blessing so that the gurus live long And so that Dharma ourish.
Arya arhats, emanations of the Buddha, You protect the Dharma for beings benet.
Sixteen elders, you are truly the Three Jewels. Grant your blessing that the Dharma long
remain.
Sixteen elders, you personify compassion. Your retinues have crossed the ocean of
becoming and have no kleshas.
E01 Sixteen Elders 1/20/10 2:36 PM Page 429
O-.%-S$-!%-28-2o:-5$?-i3?-G? 2!/-0-;/-<%-$/?-0<-L/-I?-_2?
2?.-/3?-o-35-;%?-?-m$?-L.-&%- ;->?-o-35-i3-0<-.$-I<-+
;/-+/-o-35-3-=?-!/-m$?-/? :)$-g/-!/-=?-H.-0<-:1$?-0<->$
.?-$?3-o=-2-o=-Y?-,$?-e-;? */-,?-5=-29%-Y.-0-)-Y.-2<
2!/-0-*%-8%-:P-2:-./-36.-0 $/?-2g/-(/-0-i3?-G-2N->?->$
8?-0E-(/->G-X?-?
(o The Kagyu Monlam Book
tri dang druk tong shi gyay tsok nam kyi ten pa yn ring ne par jin gyi lop
s nam gya tso yong su dzok che ching ye she gya tso nam par dak gyur te
yn ten gya tso ma l kun dzok ne jik ten kn le kye par pak par shok
d sum gyal wa gyal se tuk je yi nyen t tsul sung si pa ji si bar
ten pa kyong shing dro way dn dze pa ne ten chen po nam kyi ta shi shok
All sixteen thousand four hundred of you: Grant your blessing that the Dharma long
remain.
May the ocean of merit become complete, The ocean of pristine wisdom become pure,
And the ocean of qualities become perfect. May we transcend all that is mundane.
Through the compassion of the buddhas and You retain the appearance of shravakas and, for
bodhisattvas of the three times, as long as samsara lasts,
Will protect the Dharma and benet beings. May there be the auspiciousness of the great
elders!
Composed by Mahapandita Shakyashri.
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