TIBETAN CALENDAR AND LUNAR CYCLE by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
The Tibetan Buddhist tradition has certain important times in its calendar that have religious significance and on which special events take place. There are events that are general to all Buddhists and events that are specific to the different schools of Buddhism. Whyen we talk about the important days or festivals in Tibetan Buddhism, we should keep in mind that there are four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and each one of them celebrates some days that are special to their sect. For instance, the anniversary day of and important master in one particular lineage may not be celebrated in the other lineages. Aside from these differences, there are four major occasions that are celebrated and observed by all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism equally. These are known as the four major occasions or festivals. These are (1) the display of miraculous activities, (2) the birth, enlightenment, and death (or parinirvana) of the Buddha (collectively known as Saga Dawa), (3) the first turning of the wheel of dharma, (4) the descent from the Tushita heaven. [...] excerpt from page 1.
PLEASE BE SEATED: Instructions and Practices for Beginning Meditators by Tenzin Deshek
This handy, spiral-bound manual includes shamatha meditation instructions, the six preliminary practices for beginning a meditation practice, Tong-len, Shakyamuni, Chenrezig, White Tara Healing, Long-life prayer and so forth, many of these with brief introductory instructions.
PATHS AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE ENLIGHTENED ONES compiled by the Office of HH Dalai Lama
Serving as a recitation manual for all pilgrims to holy places as well for ceremonies, this useful book is packed with prayers and liturgies drawn from the Kanjur and Tanjur--the 2 major Tibetan Buddhist canons. Includes preliminaries, offerings, purifications, prayers and more.
PEARL OF WISDOM: Buddhist Prayers and Practices - Book 1 compiled by Ven. Thubten Chodron
These two spiral bound books contain essential Buddhist prayers and sadhanas for daily practice. Most are accompanied with a Tibetan phonetic so you can learn to say the prayers in their original language if you wish. Book 1 has fifteen practices including: morning prayers, purification practices, long life prayers, offering food, Eight Mahayana Precepts, refuge, three principles of the path, Heart Sutra, meditation on the Buddha, etc. Book 2 contains lower tantra deity practices appropriate for people who have been introduced to them by a teacher: 1000-Armed Chenresig, 21 Taras, Lama Tzong Khapa Guru Yoga, Vajrasattva Purification, Bodhicitta, mantras, etc.
PEARL OF WISDOM: Buddhist Prayers and Practices - Book 2 compiled by Ven. Thubten Chodron
These two spiral bound books contain essential Buddhist prayers and sadhanas for daily practice. Most are accompanied with a Tibetan phonetic so you can learn to say the prayers in their original language if you wish. Book 1 has fifteen practices including: morning prayers, purification practices, long life prayers, offering food, Eight Mahayana Precepts, refuge, three principles of the path, Heart Sutra, meditation on the Buddha, etc. Book 2 contains lower tantra deity practices appropriate for people who have been introduced to them by a teacher: 1000-Armed Chenresig, 21 Taras, Lama Tzong Khapa Guru Yoga, Vajrasattva Purification, Bodhicitta, mantras, etc.
REFUGE IN THE THREE JEWELS: Including Refuge Commitments
This short, daily practice of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, also includes useful lists of commitments and vows and how to protect them.
THE PRELIMINARY PRACTICE OF ALTAR SET-UP & WATER BOWL OFFERINGS with instruction from Lama Zopa Rinpoche
A useful handbook that offers a complete explanation of how to set up a personal altar and make water bowl offerings, activities that are an integral part of the preliminary practices taught by the Buddha. Besides full explanations of the objects on the altar, this booklet includes an extensive offering practice and the Light Offering Prayer, by Atisha.
THE ESSENCE OF BENEFIT AND JOY by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye, trans. by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso
This is a method and practice for the saving of lives of animals--it is the most beneficial of all composite roots of virtue. Through the blessing of their being offered to the three jewels, and of their hearing names and dharanis, they will be ultimately freed from inferior births. The practitioners themselves will receive benefits, such as an increased lifespan.
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