Long Life Prayers
The Tulku is a physical manifestation of higher levels of consciousness, recognised as incarnations of highly attained beings who take rebirth over and over again with the sole intent of benefitting others. They appear among us to fulfil the spiritual responsibilities of their previous lives, and to uphold the tradition of the Buddha’s teachings.
Such highly attained beings will remain if sincere requests are made. Compelled by compassion, they will not turn away if they see a need for them to live long. To create the causes for our lama to manifest stable lifespan and continue his enlightened deeds for the benefit of all, it is traditional to offer heartfelt recitations of long life prayers.
Here is a Prayer for the Long Life of His Eminence the 26th Tsem Rinpoche, spontaneously composed by Panglung Yumar Gyalchen at the request of the changtsos (managers) of Tsem Ladrang, and the students and benefactors of Kechara.
On August 6, 2025, the Great Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden was invoked during an official trance at Kechara Forest Retreat, in the presence of Venerable Abbots, reincarnate lamas, learned geshes, disciples and benefactors. Yumar Gyalchen, who is the peaceful form of Dorje Shugden’s main minister Kache Marpo, then spontaneously uttered these holy verses in response to our request.
All disciples with faith are encouraged to recite this prayer regularly, as part of your daily practice, for the long life and good health of Tsem Chocktrul Rinpoche.
Upon completing the recitation of the Long Life Prayer, Rinpoche’s name mantra may be recited to create a connection with the new incarnation.
GYEL KÜN YE SHE PAG MEY TSHE YI DZÖ
TSHE YI LHA CHOG CHOM DEN NAM SUM GYI
DENG DIR ZAG MEY DÜ TSI’I CHAR GYÜN BEB
JE TSÜN LA MEY KU TSHE SI THAR GYE
Inconceivable wisdom of all Victors — the treasury of life;
The three buddhas — the supreme deities of life:
Shower here now rains of stainless nectar,
Expanding to samsara’s end the lifespan of our glorious master!
RAB JAM ZHING KÜN DRAG PA’I PEL DANG DEN
JAM GÖN TEN PA DZIN CHING PEL WA LA
YE SHE GYU THRÜL LEY ONG PHA THAR CHIN
THU TOB TEN DZIN DAM PEY KU TSHE TEN
Manjunath, a name gloriously renowned in all enlightened realms:
Upholder and propagator of this master’s teaching who
Comes from Wisdom’s illusion plays and has reached perfection:
May the mighty, noble Dharma upholder’s life endure!
ZAG MEY DE TONG GYU MEY RÖL PA LEY
NAM GYUR CHIR YANG TÖN PEY RÖL GAR CHEN
JAM PEL ZHI THRÖ LHA TSHOG PUNG GI KYANG
PAL DEN LA MEY KU TSHE RAB TU TEN
From illusory patterns of uncontaminated bliss and emptiness,
The dancer who enacts any role from this sphere,
Who is nurtured by deity hosts of peaceful and fierce Manjushri:
May this glorious spiritual master’s life endure!
MI ZEY NYIG MEY DÜ KYI SEM CHEN NAM
LANG DOR CHÖL WAR CHÖ PEY MONG MÜN TSHOG
DRO WA NA TSHOG DUG NGEL NAR WA KÜN
TSE CHEN THUG JEY MI DOR KU TSHE TEN
Sentient beings of ceaseless pains of degenerate times,
Masses living in darkness with lopsided dos and don’ts,
For all these diverse migrators afflicted by suffering:
Live long without your great love and kindness giving up on them!
LHAG SAM NAM PAR DAG PEY DAM TSHIG THÜN
CHÖ YING MI GYUR DEN PEY JIN LAB DANG
DAG SOG TSE CHIG SÖL WA TAB PEY THÜ
MÖN PEY DÖN KÜN GEG MEY LHÜN DRUB SHOG
With united and pure superior intent, harmony in commitment,
With power of truth of unchanging sphere of Suchness,
By the power of single pointed prayer of both us and others,
May all aspired goals be fulfilled without obstacle!
JE TSÜN LA MEY KU TSHE RAB TEN CHING
NAM KAR THRIN LEY CHOG CHUR GYE PA DANG
LO ZANG TEN PEY DRÖN MEY SA SUM GYI
DRO WEY MÜN SEL TAG TU NEY GYUR CHIG
May the Venerable Guru’s life be completely stable,
May pure deeds spread to the ten directions,
And may the lamp of Lama Tsongkhapa’s Teachings
Always remain, dispelling the darkness of the ignorance of beings!
COLOPHON: At the request of Tsem Ladrang, and students and benefactors of Kechara to compose a long life prayer of Tsem Tulku Drakpa Tenzin, this is an impromptu long life prayer uttered on the spot by Panglung Yumar Gyalchen (August 6, 2025; translated by Geshe Cheme Tsering at Tsem Ladrang).
OM AH GURU BENZADHARA KIRTI SHASANA GYANA PARANG GATA SARWA SIDDHI HUNG HUNG
(recite 7x, 21x, 108x or more)
OM AH GURU BENZADHARA KIRTI SHASANA GYANA PARANG GATA SARWA SIDDHI HUNG HUNG
(recite 7x, 21x, 108x or more)