NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Shower of Siddhis of the Profound Path of Guru Yoga’ by 16th Karmapa

Here is the first English translation and publication of a short Guru Yoga composed by the 16^th Karmapa, Rigpe Dorje (1924-1981), called Shower of Siddhis of the Profound Path Guru Yoga, available for free download here. It is a very short, yet profound, Guru Yoga practice, useful for those who are limited for time but want to do a quick daily practice. N.B. It is not a secret/restricted text (it is a simple visualisation and recitation of ‘Karmapa Khyenno’), yet ideally (as a minimum) one should have a good connection and devotion to the Karmapas and have listened to teachings on guru yoga from a qualified lineage master.

The Text – Shower of Siddhis of the Profound Path Guru Yoga

The 16^th Karmapa’s Collected Works have recently been published in three volumes by Amnye Institute[1] and are available online. I recently wrote about (and translated into English) the outline of the second Volume, which is a record of the 16th Karmapa’s transmissions given and received (see here). Recently, a devoted follower of 16^th Karmapa, asked me to translate and catalogue the third Volume of 16th Karmapa’s Works into English, and pull together what has already been translated into English from it.

While doing this, I noticed that there is another much shorter Guru Yoga practice in the Collected Works than another Guru Yoga text The Continuous Rain of Nectar that Nurtures the Sprouting of the Four Kayas: A Guru Yoga of the 16th Lord, Rigpe Dorje (which has already been translated into English and is available for free download here).

In the colophon of the Shower of Siddhis of the Profound Path Guru Yoga, it states that it was written by the 16^th Karmapa:

“At the request of Bhutanese son, Karma Tenzin and daughter, Konchog Wangmo, of the King of Bhutan, on offering gold and a katag scarf, it was composed on a virtuous day and month by the 16^th holder of the name Karmapa.”

 It is not totally clear where it was composed and who these people are. However, the 16th Karmapa does have a Bhutanese connection. According to some online sources, In 1967, the 16th Karmapa, accompanied by a party of ninety-five followers, visited Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, at the request of His Majesty the King. During the course of his stay in Bhutan he visited Tak Tsang, the Tiger’s Nest cave-monastery, famous for having been visited by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava). He also travelled to the Kyichu temple in Paro, there performing special rites for peace and tranquility in the world and for the preservation and propagation of the Dharma everywhere. His Royal Highness the King and Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother most generously presented the Tashi Cho Ling palace at Bumthang, together with its entire landed property, to the 16th Karmapa.

‘Embodiment of the refuge objects, root lama!
Please bestow the supreme shower of sparkling siddhis!
May this supplication of myself and disciples,
Liberate us here on this very seat!’

-Excerpt from ‘Shower of Siddhis, Profound Path of Guru Yoga‘ by 16th Karmapa.

Translated and edited by Adele Tomlin. 8th October 2020. Copyright.

Other sources

Not a huge amount has been translated yet of the 16th Karmapa’s works. Rumtek monastery have published a few, see here. Here is an inspiring slideshow and music commemorating the life and activites of the 16th Karmapa:

Here is a video of a young 17th Karmapa, at Tsurphu monastery, Tibet with HE Tai Situ Rinpoche, seeing the 16th Karmapa perform the Black Crown ceremony for the first time on a television replay. His natural interest and astonishment is clear for all to see!

Here is a more recent video, of the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje at a consecration ceremony, the land will have a stupa built on it to commemorate the parinirvana of the 16th Karmapa, Ranjung Rigpe Dorje in USA, 2015:

May all who practice and read this ‘re-discovered treasure’ bathe in the shower of siddhis and be of benefit to beings and to the 17th Karmapa, who is the same mind as 16th Karmapa and all Karmapas!

Adele Tomlin, 8th October 2020.

Endnotes

[1] Title of the text in Tibetan is Zab lam bla ma’i rnal ‘byor dngos grub char ‘bebs/ in the Collected Works of 16th Karmapa Ranjung Rigpe Dorje (gsung ‘bum/ karma pa bcu drug rang byung rig pa’i rdo rje/). Collected Works of 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje; collected and compiled by Tashi Tsering Josayma. 3 volumes; TBRC W8LS18007. Tsurphu Labrang and The Amnye Machen Institute, Dharamsala. 2016.