Chenrezi & Green Tara Practices

Chenrezi and Green Tara are yidam practices of vajrayana Buddhism. A yidam is an expression of awakening. This type of practice includes chanting a text, imagining ourself in the form of the yidam, reciting a mantra, and then letting go of these supports to rest in formless mediation.


Chenrezi

painting of chenrezi

Painting by Sanje Elliott

The practice of Chenrezi — the embodiment of the compassion of all the buddhas — is an excellent introduction to yidam practice of vajrayana Buddhism.

By replacing our habitual identification with our ordinary body, speech and mind with the awakened body, speech, and mind of Chenrezi, we can more readily draw forth our inherent awakening.

Chenrezi should not be understood to be some being or entity separate from us. Chenrezi is the union of wisdom and compassion, and the nature of our mind is also the union of wisdom and compassion. By familiarizing ourselves with awakened being in this practice, we learn to identify with our innate, enlightened nature and approach the ultimate essence of our mind.

The practice of Chenrezi is probably the most widely practiced meditation of the vajrayana tradition. When meditation master and KCC founder Kalu Rinpoche established dharma centers across the world in the 1970s and 80s, this was the practice he first instituted. Among all tantric practices, there are none so accessible yet so profound.

Upcoming Chenrezi Practices

Chenrezi Practice Times

Wednesday Practices – 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The practice text is chanted in English on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, and in Tibetan on 2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays. On 3rd Wednesdays, Lama Eric teaches and leads in English.

 

Full-Day Sessions – Alternating First Sundays (even-numbered months)
9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Lama Eric Triebelhorn provides detailed instructions about the practice of Chenrezi on alternating first Sundays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. He walks participants through the practice several times and there is also space for questions and discussion. All are welcome.

These instructions take place on even-numbered months: February, April, June, August, October, and December.

Full-Day Sessions in odd-numbered months cover shamatha, or calm abiding practice .

 

 

Chenrezi Practice Resources

Below you will find the basic text composed by the great Thangtong Gyalpo, as well as the expanded version including a lineage prayer and other additions. The Chenrezi Commentary is excerpts from Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche’s wonderful work on this practice, Chenrezi—Lord of Love.

Chenrezi Extended Practice

Chenrezi Concise Practice

Chenrezi Commentary

Chenrezi Photo

Steps to Draw and Dissolve the HRI

 

Audio: Chenrezi — group chanting in Tibetan

Videos of Chenrezi Practice

Chenrezi Study – Lord of Love Text

Green Tara

Green-Tara

Painting by Ben Barta

The practice of Green Tara belongs to the vajrayana class of meditations. Tara is considered the embodiment of the activity of all the buddhas.

From an outer perspective, many turn to Green Tara to pacify obstacles in their spiritual and worldly pursuits, and from an inner perspective, the practice of Tara serves to tame our inner confusion and obscurations and reveal our inherent awakened nature.

In this ritual there is an emphasis on accumulating merit through the process of inviting and imagining the twenty-one Taras in the expanse before us, presenting offerings to them, and repeatedly chanting the well-known Praises to the Twenty-one Taras.

The Green Tara practice is slightly more complicated than the practice of Chenrezi, the other yidam practice done at KCC. Those new to this type of meditation may find Chenrezi more accessible.

Upcoming Green Tara Practices

Green Tara Practice Times

Tuesdays: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The practice text is chanted in Tibetan on first, third and fifth Tuesdays.
The text is chanted in English on second and fourth Tuesdays.

On the second Tuesdays of each month, the session runs from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. On this night, Lama Eric walks participants through the meditation and offers a period for questions and discussion afterwards.

Green Tara Practice Resources

Here are many resources for this practice, including images, videos of the mudras, and an overview that breaks down the practice into its components. Also included is an arrangement by Khenpo Lodrö Donyö Rinpoche—Protection from All Peril—which is a very concise way to include Tara in your daily practice.

 

Green Tara Practice Text

Overview of Green Tara Practice – Newer Spiral Format

Overview of Green Tara Practice – Older Pecha Format

Protection from All Peril Booklet
(Print from Adobe Acrobat, double-sided & flip on short side)

The 21 Taras of Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa

Video

Green Tara Teaching by Lama Eric – May 10, 2020

Green Tara Mudras by Lama Eric

Audio via YouTube

Twenty-one Praises Chanted in Tibetan

 

Videos of Green Tara Practice