Study of the Pure Land Prayer:
The Prayer of the Completion Body “Rope of Compassion”

with Geshe Tenzin Gelek Rinpoche
Teaching Series via ZOOM

For those who cannot attend live
or would like to review,
each session will be recorded
and accessible for the following week.

5 Sessions: 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/25, 6/1
6p - 8p EST

Sliding Scale Registration: $150-$250

Pricing for this course is based on a sliding scale system. The sliding scale range for participation in this event/teaching is $150-$250.  

We recognize that everyone is in a different financial situation. We ask those who are in the position to do so, to please donate in the upper range or above the suggested amount, which supports our ability to offer a limited number of scholarships and accept lower donation amounts.

For those who are unable to donate within the suggested range, there are a limited number of scholarships available.  You are welcome to apply here for scholarship."

Teaching Explanation:

Description from Geshe Gelek:

“This is the first time this precious prayer of Yungdrung Bӧn, the Completion Body “Rope of Compassion” and its practice have been introduced to Western students. Therefore, for the Western practitioners of Bӧn, with respect and love, Geshe Tenzin Gelek has agreed to focus on teaching this Completion Body prayer. He has agreed to give a line by line commentary to the prayer and explain how to practice and so forth. Any student of Yungdrung Bӧn is welcome to this teaching. 

We are the fortunate ones who are under the blessing of the Lama. We have obtained the precious human body with the freedoms and endowments. Practicing the precious teachings of Yungdrung Bӧn is our excellent karmic connection and great fortune. 

This precious human body with the freedoms and endowments should be used for the diligent practice of the teachings of the Buddhas. Contemplating the meaning of the words and having the fortune to practice, you must realize that there is no other birth than that of a human that you get this opportunity. 

Therefore, having obtained this precious human life, use it to accomplish enlightenment.
If you do not accomplish enlightenment, then your life is meaningless.
It is like you are dying of thirst next to a giant lake. 

It is like you are sick with a fever next to a medicinal camphor tree.
It is like you are on an island of precious jewels without the fortune of getting treasure. 

Therefore, Yungdrung Bӧn has the prayers of the Three Enlightened Bodies: 

1. The Prayer of the Reality Body “Rousing the Sleep”
2. The Prayer of the Completion Body “Rope of Compassion”
3. The Prayer of the Emanation Body “Transferring in to Omniscience” 

At this time, the subject of the teaching will be the prayer of the Completion Body entitled “Rope of Compassion”, also called the prayer of the Blissful Pure Realm. This text teaches how to listen, contemplate, 

and practice. So, for any sentient being who is dying or wishes to be reborn in the Blissful Pure Realm, they need to face the Northern direction of the Pure Realm of Buddha Limitless Light, holding pleasant smelling incense, and through the six purifications recite the prayer of the Rope of Compassion prayer. 

When you recite this prayer, meditate, and recite the mantra, you should not omit or add any words, your contemplation should be even, and your pronunciation of the mantra should be proper. You need to recite this prayer with faith and devotion. 

The text of the Completion Body prayer “Rope of Compassion” has three main subjects: 

1. The causes of how to be reborn in the Blissful Pure Realm 

2. The special cause of reciting the mantra

3. The truthful expression of accomplishing the prayer
   

The subdivisions of these three subjects can be condensed as follows: 

A. The four causes of being reborn in the Blissful Pure Realm and how to practice that: 

1. The environment of the pure realm 

2. Recognizing virtue and non-virtue, accumulating virtue and abandoning non-virtue 

3. How to do confession which is the antidote to hatred 

4. How to make offerings which is the antidote to miserliness 

5. How to rejoice which is the antidote to envy 

6. How to request teachings which is the antidote to ignorance 

7. Praying that the Buddhas and teachers do not die which is the antidote to wrong views

8. How to generate the Enlightened Mind

9. The causes of rebirth in The Blissful Pure Realm of dedication and prayer

B. The special cause of reciting the mantra

C.  Reciting the prayer with the truthful expression of accomplishing it” 

Geshe Lungtok Tenzin Gelek practices and teaches Bon Religious Tradition. Geshe la has spent most of his life at Menri Monastery, since 7 years of age, learning the Bon tradition. HH 33rd Menri Trizin Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche taught Geshe la how to chant according to the Menri tradition. Geshe la was appointed to the high position of Chant Master or Tsok Chen Um Zed, to lead all the Menri monks proper tone and pronunciation. He held the position for 3 years. HH 33rd Menri Trizin Rinpoche also taught him Cham – the secret dance, and held the position of Dance Master for 6 years. HE Yongdzin Lopon Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche taught Geshe la the Bon Scriptures of Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen. Geshe la would memorize all root text of these scriptures. He also learned poetry, astrology, astronomy, Tibetan medicine, and methods for constructing mandalas and stupas. Geshe la taught Bon Mool Shastra (Bon root texts of Zhang-zhung) to students at Central University of Tibetan Studies, Varanasi, India for 14 years. Geshe la is dedicated to teaching and supporting the scriptures to all who are interested.