Tenshyuk

Amitayus from the private collection of Sogyal Rinpoche

Tenshyuk (Wyl. brtan bzhugs) literally 'stable remaining' is a long life practice which involves making offerings to a teacher and requesting him to remain long in this world for the benefit of beings.

It can be quite a simple practice during which we offer representations of enlightened body, speech and mind (possibly with the addition of qualities and activity), for the sake of tendrel, and request the teacher to remain by reciting prayers for his long life. When done elaborately, it can include a practice called khandröi sundok, or ‘turning back the summons of the dakinis’, during which offerings are made to the dakinis of the five families in order to dispel obstacles to the life of the master.

Tenshyuk Ceremonies for Sogyal Rinpoche

For several years now, following the advice of His Holiness Sakya Trizin, the Rigpa Sangha have been performing regular tenshyuk ceremonies for Sogyal Rinpoche.

• 23rd July 1995, Lerab Ling, led by Penor Rinpoche, included Khandro Sundok
• 18th August 1997, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche included Khandro Sundok, based on Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo's Sweet Droplets of Amrita from the Mouths of Siddhas
• 31st July 1998, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche included Khandro Sundok
• 2nd August 2003, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche included Khandro Sundok
• 21st July 2004, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche included Khandro Sundok
• 7th December 2005, Lerab Ling, led by Trulshik Rinpoche
• 26th July 2006, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, a simple tenshyuk combined with a Rabné practice
• 28th August 2007, Lerab Ling, offered by students
• 24th August 2008, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, based on Tseringma practice from Chokling Tersar, included Sundok
• 16th May 2009, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
• 18th August 2010, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche during the Tukdrup Barché Künsel drupchen, and included sundok
• 8 August 2011, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, included sundok
• 2 November 2013, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and Neten Chokling Rinpoche, included sundok
• 21 September 2014, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and Neten Chokling Rinpoche, included sundok
• 20 July 2015, Lerab Ling, led by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche and Neten Chokling Rinpoche, included sundok
• 16 August 2015, Lerab Ling, an essential tenshyuk led by Rigpa students

Teachings About Tenshyuk

• Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 18 August 1997
• Sogyal Rinpoche, Haileybury, UK, 24 April 2011
• Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 19 July 2015

Further Reading

• Cabezón, Jose, I. "Firm Feet and Long Lives: The Zhabs brtan Literature of Tibetan Buddhism" in Cabezón and Jackson, ed., Tibetan Literature: Studies in Genre, Ithaca: Snow Lion, 1996

Internal Links

• Short Tenshyuk Prayer
• Sweet Droplets of Amrita from the Mouths of Siddhas