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The Four Generosities Practice
The Four Generosities Practice (jin pa cha zhi) is a powerful practice for cleansing, awakening your inner spirituality, and releasing attachments.
Through these practices, we connect with the Protectors, Yidams, Khadros and Lamas. Doing these practices on a regular basis gives a deep connection with four classes of sentient beings, including beings that are circling in this karmic world, through making offerings and releasing attachments. These practices are especially powerful if done while you are in a personal retreat.
The Jinpa Cha Zhi – Four Generosities include:
Sang (Smoke Offering). This practice is done early in the morning. It cleanses negative karma, opens blockages of internal energy and uplifts life force chi.
Chutor (Water Offering). This practice is done in the mid-morning. This practice removes karmic impurities, and releases and speeds healing from physical and mental illness that may have been caused by karma.
Sur Chöd (Burnt Food Offering). This practice is done in the evening. We dedicate this practice to all sentient beings – to pay off karmic debts, to free us from the suffering and emotional obscuration, and to awaken our inner awareness.
Chöd (Personal Offering). This practice is done at night. We imagine offering our own bodies to those to whom we owe karmic debts, providing benefit for ourselves as well as others. This practice helps us overcome our emotional attachments.
Sur Chöd: Burnt Food Offering
Daily Offering Practice
A little explanation on how to perform the accumulation of burnt offerings.
These great fragrant substances are burnt in order to please the mental-beings.
Giving a sky-like treasure of useful objects of the six senses.
Their senses are satisfied, and conflicts, attachment, and hostility cease.
May they enjoy a thousand glorious tastes and smells!
Recite the mantra of uprooting the lower realms 100 times.
Through this, the Burnt Offering and essence mantra are each performed 100 times.
A KAR A MÉ DU TRI SU NAG PO ZHI ZHI MAL MAL SO HA
However many you recite, at the end:
Through this offering may the Victors be pleased!
May the oath-bound guardians be fulfilled!
May gods, demons, and barbarians be pacified!
Through this giving may the six classes of beings be satisfied!
May all beings obtain the highest fruit of enlightenment!
This mantra is a prayer that all beings in samsara be released from their miserable suffering.
A KA KA NA GANG
OM KA KA NA GE
E HA HI KA KA NA A
The mantra for the completion stage:
A ZHI WA LHEN NÉ CHÖ PUR YAL YAL A
The wisdom beings return to their realm. The symbolic beings dissolve into me.
The guests having left, the six classes of beings become Buddhas A
This text was composed by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen.
To help you connect with the practice, here is a brief overview of its profound benefits and vital importance of Sur Chod practice below titled: "The Burnt Food Offering for the Deceased which Satisfies All Types of Beings."
Guiding the Deceased & Dispelling Bardo Terrors: During this ritual, the consciousness of the deceased is summoned from the bardo or the six realms. Because departed beings wander without a physical body and endure intense hunger, thirst, and cold, this aromatic smoke offering immediately pacifies their suffering. Through direct scriptural guidance within the ritual, it helps them recognize their state, cut through worldly attachments, and transition smoothly toward the pure lands.
Pacifying Karmic Debts & Obstacles: By dedicating the remaining portions of the burnt offering to devouring spirits, executioners, and karmic creditors, their anger and malicious intentions are completely pacified. Instead of creating obstacles for the deceased or the living, they are appeased and moved to cultivate thoughts of kindness.
Perfecting the Two Accumulations: This practice is a supreme method for gathering vast merit and purifying obscurations. It perfectly unites higher offerings made to the Buddhas and deities (such as Shenlha Odkar) with extensive charity given downward to the six classes of beings, hungry ghosts, and spirits.
The Power of the Ten Stages (Bhumis): At the core of this ritual is the Aspiration Prayer from the Tri Je Do Mang. It systematically purifies the subtle obscurations of each of the ten spiritual grounds (from Joy to the Unchanging Swastika stage), clearing away miserliness, laziness, and delusion, while perfecting the ten perfections to help all beings realize ultimate Buddhahood.
An Authentic, Blessed Lineage: Arranged by the great master Druchen Gyalwa Yungdrung, this ritual carries the undamaged blessings and precise secret instructions of the Dru lineage, making its execution exceptionally swift and powerful.
In short, this ritual is a profound shield for the departed, protecting them from the terrors of the bardo, and a supreme opportunity for the living to benefit loved ones while clearing away their own karmic debts.
To prepare for this ritual, you can make tormas to represent your deceased family members that we will use for the ransom. You can make it in the shape and color that represents your family. Also you can make a torma offering for enlightened beings in a traditional torma shape.
The tormas can be made with tsampa, ritual medicine, incense powder, butter, yogurt, sugar, and honey. Whatever good food you have. But not meat or alcohol. Mix it all together to form the tormas, which we will later burn the ransom torma.
This practice is like being a dinner sponsor for the deceased and bardo beings. You can set up a dinner plate for them if you would like.
Sur Ngo Chö Jin Kün Tsim
The Burnt Food Offering for the Deceased which Satisfies All Types of Beings
At the time of this ritual of the purification of obscurations what is to be done are the preliminary practice, the actual practice, and the conclusion.
First for the preliminary practice, what the practitioner needs to collect for the burnt offering besides fire, water, food and so on are the white foods, the sweet foods, tea, alcohol, meat, blood, and perfume.
Water Offering
(First the steps of the ablution purification ritual are)
[When we pray the water purification, you can sprinkle clean water on the tormas imagining that any obscurations are being cleansed externally and internally. Feel that everything is perfect and pure.]
Na Mo! By these amazing and wondrous
Pure and clean substances, amrita, and fresh water
From the beginning is empty of existence
The space of the nature of reality pervades the expanse of the sky
Clouds of compassion gather to the body of the Teacher
Blessings rain down upon all sentient beings
From three springs and a pond continuously emanating
All the faithful are empowered at the drinking ground
The generous reap the nourishing grains of the precious qualities
Like that by these clean, pure substances and the amrita of fresh water
Today at this immeasurable holy place
The sponsors and patrons and dharma friends
All the generosity and substances is dedicated
That the continuous ground of samsara which is
Unclean, poisonous and stained covered
In the presence of all the Sugatas and Shen deities
Who absolutely do not have anything unpleasant like this
The lustral water is placed and may it be purified
(With palms joined together)
So Du Tro Pa Khyap Dal A Ram Lam
Securing a Boundary
(Second, the steps to secure the boundary to be free from hindrances. Take in hand gold and white mustard seeds.)
[Do the hand gesture with the right hand up with the palm out (similar to a wave).]
Mantra: Tri Dur A Par Long Du Ri Li Trak Ma Rag Sha Jo Jo
(Securing the boundary is)
Here to this deceased being
I am giving your portion of food
Consider by the offering of this food
All hindrances, evil forces, and harmful spirits
Do not stay here, go elsewhere
If you do not go but stay
You will be in the furious mouth of the great wrathful deities
Melting into the fine flour
In the furious mouths of vicious wild animals
I will drink you more smoothly than water,
Hot and blazing arrows
And these white mustard seeds and wrathful gold stone
Grows up to the top of Mount Meru
Generating a large ocean wave that
By which one strong powerful cut by this one of great strength
Golden and turquoise light blazes and emanates
By the hand offer the wrathful flaming energy
The errant actions of obstructing spirits
When I throw these mustard seeds,
The gathering of the activity of obstacles is destroyed
Like a bird feather burning in fire
The fierce rakshas burn
(In this way pray and distribute the white mustard seeds)
Soul Ransom
(Third is the Soul Ransom generosity for the lower. Prepare the ransom Torma endowed with the desirable sensual qualities.)
Om! By the power of the meditative concentration
And the compassion of the Buddhas
By the merit of the deceased
This gift of the torma
As many holders of karmic debt as there are
Those who are unaware that they are dead, who do not feel lost
I dedicate to all the ghosts of poverty, hungry ghosts and scent eaters.
To those who are deceased share of food
Please do not do harm to the deceased!
(The karmic debt torma to the ghosts of poverty)
Offering for Higher Beings
(Fourth is the offering for the higher)
(Arrange the white torma endowed with desirable sensual qualities)
Om! Shenlha Odkar the deity who is the root of the Buddhas
The emanation of the Buddhas of the three times and the retinues
Glorious protector, the gathering of the gods and demons, the six classes of
Protectors of the teachings, the oath bound protectors, and their retinues
Beings, and the obstructing forces
The display of form, sound, smell, taste, touch, phenomena and wealth
Inconceivable sensual pleasures and enjoyments
Through meditative concentration and mantras and speech this offering is increased
The Buddhas are pleased and the oath bound ones are fulfilled
The gods and demons are pacified and the six classes of beings are satisfied
Obstacles are pacified and merit is attained
Transgressions are mended and harmful forces are dispelled
The unsurpassable changeless essence is attained!
A Am Hum Mu Ye Ha Ra Se Do Tim Tim Ye Tun A
Se Do Hro Yo Tim Tim Ye Tun A
Se Min Ni Gye Tim Tim Ye Tun A
Tri Tse Druk Ni Zhi Lo Tim Tim Ye Tun A
(Thus the offering to the higher and the stages of the preliminary practice is said.)
The Actual Practice
(First for the actual practice, the deceased being is summoned. The blessing of the assembly of food and the offerings of delightful sensual qualities.)
Oneself becomes like Tonpa Shenrab and from the heart
Immeasurable light rays like iron hooks emanate
The consciousness of the deceased that has gone beyond this world that is in
The six realms, the four modes of birth, the five paths of beings,
The bardo beings and so on
Wherever they may dwell
I summon you here, those who are still alive kneeling with palms joined
Like becoming free of your weariness and refreshed
[Visualize yourself as Tonpa Shenrab or connect with the natural state of mind. Feel that everything is accomplished in that state and that all beings including beings in the bardo have what they need and that all their wishes are fulfilled by the power of Tonpa Shenrab from your heart. Meditate for a few minutes in this way. ]
Consider having your portion of this food and drink
From one’s heart as Tonpa Shenrab,
Five colored light rays vividly emanate
To the deceased’s food and drink
The food and drink become endowed with the five desirable sensual qualities
And think that the deceased enjoys their portion.
Offerings of Fire, Water, and Food
(Second, in the presence of the teacher and master, and all the relatives and friends gathered together. The giving of the fire, water, food and so forth dedication is)
[From the power of visualization and blessing all the bardo beings gather and appear in front of you. Through your natural state of mind arise the dynamic energy of the five lights that are connected with the five tormas – butter lamp, incense, flowers, food, and water. ]
Alas! Fortunate child! Come up, come up!
The name and picture of you is written
In the presence of the Abbot and master
The relatives and loved ones all gathered
The portion of the good is given to you the deceased
Hunger will be cleared and thirst will be satiated
By the accomplishing action of the blazing lights
Mouth and hands are cleansed and the appetite is stimulated
By the compassionate blessing of Tonpa Shenrab
May you continuously eat this inexhaustible feast
That becomes the size of the ocean around Mount Meru
May you continuously enjoy this inexhaustible feast!
[You can now place the ransom torma in a small fire. ]
Fire manifests from the space of reality
Having become frozen from not seeing clearly
By the accomplishing action of the blazing lights
This clear appearance of the fire of primordial wisdom
I give this wisdom fire to you the deceased today
This light of the torch you now need
May the suffering of the cold be cleared!
[You can now offer water.]
The giving of the descending amrita water
Bad taste is cleared and the impurity is cleansed
Mouth and hands are cleansed and the appetite is stimulated
This most precious extraordinary water
I give to you the deceased today
You encounter the amrita water
May the suffering of thirst be cleared!
[You can now offer food.]
Generating the supreme food
The deceased and the funeral food
Dried apricots the smell of foods offering
The food from the father’s relatives
Feel affection for the dedication of the uncle’s food
You the deceased eat the food continuously
This fresh hot food and drink
Meat and alcohol and garlic and spices and so forth
Hearth-shaped torma and so on
By this great array of funeral food
I give to you the deceased today
Please continually accept and enjoy.
Showing the Face of the Deity
(Third is showing the face of the deity.)
[Here we show the nature of mind, the nature of reality to all being. You can hold up an image of the Buddha if you have one.]
Today listen to me you the deceased
At this supreme place of accomplishment
Here at the mandala of the secret deity
Now come attend this profound mandala
Look at the clear light of the lamp
Clearly meditate on the supreme yidam deity
Recite the essence mantra
Remember your secret name of Dharma Yungdrung Bon
Enjoy this gathering of offerings
Having enjoyed this gathering of ritual offerings
May the accumulation of merit be complete.
(After that carry the burnt offering in the direction of the Year of demon)
[Now recite the Du Tri Su mantra 108 times. ]
AH-KAR A-ME DU-TRI-SU NAG-PO ZHI-ZHI MAL-MAL SO HA
The Supplement
(The supplement is)
To the deceased that has passed beyond this world
The perfect virtuous actions while you were living up until death
After death, obstructions to rebirth in higher realms and until liberation
Rebirth in the lower realms in the depths of samsara
This offering is made to the devouring demons and murderous executioners
Those who cut life force and thieves of the vital breath,
Those who harm and hassle
All those karmic debts that follow
These remainders of this perfect burnt offering of pleasing qualities are dedicated
May the objects of the eye become beautiful
May the objects of the ears become pleasant sounding
May the objects of the nose become fragrant
May the objects of the tongue become sweet tasting
May the objects of the body become soft to the touch
May whatever one desires be plentiful and all needs, wishes and hopes be fulfilled.
The Teaching
(Forth is the teaching)
Once again you who has departed who lived on this side
Previously in your former life
I am the master who guides
Listen to what I say
As long as you are attached to this place
This is the place of the three realms of samsara
Do not be attached and grasp this place!
If you are attached and grasping
Then you will fall into the three lower realms
Which results from your attachment and grasping
Throw it away and abandon it fortunate child
May the continuous delusion be cut!
When the path of delusion is cut,
May the inseparable space and clarity be realized!
From this realization of the inseparable space and clarity
May the limitless state be attained!
If there is no attachment in the mind then there is no samsara
If there is no samsara there is no problem to fall to the lower realms
No attachment is the supreme teaching
The expanse of the nature of mind is bliss
May the fruit of bliss be attained!
The unborn empty mind is the Body of Reality.
Unceasing clarity is the Perfection Body.
Inseparable clarity and emptiness is the Emanation Body.
Remain in the state of the three bodies of enlightenment.
In the celestial palace of Ogmin
May you see the face of Shenlha!
[Meditate for a few minutes on the natural state of mind.]
Conclusion
(For the conclusion one does the aspiration prayer of the ten bhumis and so on and offers suitable dedications.)
Thus, this ritual of the purification of obscurations was composed by Druchen Gyalwa Yungdrung.
Tha Tsen Mutsug Maro!
Soul Ransom Torma (for the deceased) on the left, with karmic debt tormas in the middle. Torma for enlightened beings on the right.
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