PREFACE
As part of the publication of the 71-volume Shechen edition of the Rinchen Terdzö Chenmo (rin chen gter mdzod chen mo), the largest of the Five Treasuries that Jamgön Kongtrul the Great (‘jam mgon kong sprul blo gros mtha’ yas, 1813-1899) compiled throughout his life, we are presenting here a volume of illustrations (dpe ris), containing mandalas and chakras that are described in some of the texts included in the collection. Some of these illustrations had been drawn in the past, carved on xylographs and printed for specific purposes. Many others have been drawn possibly for the first time, as the team who prepared them is not aware of previously existing versions.
These illustrations have been drawn with great skill over a period of six months by Konchog Lhadrepa, the Principal of Tsering Art School, established by Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche in 1996 on the grounds of Shechen Monastery in Nepal in fulfillment of the vision of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. They have been checked and copy-edited with upmost care by Dagpo Tulku Rinpoche, the senior scholar and long-time disciple of Khyentse Rinpoche who has been preparing the present edition of the Rinchen Terdzö over a period of 13 years.
The collection includes mandalas required for the consecration (rab gnas) of sacred objects (statues, stupas, temples, etc), for performing fire-ceremonies (sbyin sreg) related to the four activities (las bzhi), chakras (‘khor lo) that “liberate by wearing” (btags grol) or by seeing (mthong grol), chakras for protecting (srung ba) from various hindrances, negative influences and dangers, for increasing positive qualities, for gathering favorable conditions and for dispelling obstacles. This volume also includes chakras required for preparing precious vases (gter bum) of various kinds meant to bring peace, prosperity and spiritual progress, as well as chakras to be placed inside statues and stupas, and chakras to gather virtuous communities and bring harmony (dge ‘dun ‘du ba’i ‘khor lo and mthun pa’i ‘khor lo), to mention but a few.
We are deeply grateful to Konchog Lhadrepa and Dagpo T. Rinpoche for having made available these illustrations, which are meant to bring great benefit to sentient beings.
- Shechen Rabjam Tulku
and Konchog Tendzin (M. Ricard)
Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling Monastery, Bodhnath, Kathmandu, Nepal.- January 10, 2018
