Hand mudra class by Ven. Dhonyo at Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose, California. Photo © YoWangdu.
To learn more about the use of hand mudras (chakya) in Tibetan Buddhist offering prayers, we recently attended a fascinating class by the Venerable Thupten Donyo, Founder and Director of the Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose, California.
We learned that these hand mudras, in general, represent various kinds of offerings to enlightened beings.
In the video below, taken from the first part of Ven. Donyo’s longer class, you will find:
- An introduction to some of the ritual instruments used in a very common offering prayer called the Guru Puja (also called Lama Chopa)1
- How to hold and use the Bell (called tribu in Tibetan, and symbolizing wisdom), the Vajra (called dorje, and symbolizing method) and the Damaru (drum).
- How to perform the hand mudras for the Guru Puja mantras with the Vajra and Bell
- Explanation of the eight offerings (zay gye) which we visualize while performing the hand mudras
The Eight Offerings (Zay Gye) and their Mantras*
The eight offerings commonly used on Tibetan Buddhist shrines. Photo © YoWangdu.
| Offering | Mantra |
| Water (Drinking) | OM ARGHAM AH HUM |
| Water (Washing) | OM PADYAM AH HUM |
| Flower | OM PUPE AH HUM |
| Incense | OM DHUPE AH HUM |
| Light | OM ALOKE AH HUM |
| Perfume | OM GHANDE AH HUM |
| Food | OM NEUDE AH HUM |
|
Music (Not shown above) |
OM SHAPTA AH HUM |
*Information from a handout from the class
Tibetan Buddhist ritual instruments used in offerings, including the Damaru, the Bell and the Vajra. Photo © YoWangdu.
If you would like to learn more about the Gyuto Vajrayana Center, please check here for a calendar of upcoming events and classes >>
Footnotes:
1 The Guru Puja “is a commitment for those practicing tantra to restore and reaffirm their vows and pledges. However, anyone and everyone is welcome to attend this ritual of making extensive offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, accumulating the positive energy needed to progress along the spiritual path.” (From a description of the Guru Puja on the Gyuto Vajrayana Center website)
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By Lobsang Wangdu
Thank you so much for posting this. I’m curious to know if this form of ritual can only be performed by a person who has “taken refuge” ?
The use of the phrase “empowerment” seems confusing from what I have read- some usage of the bell and vajra seems open to everyone, whereas some usage seems exclusively limited to those who have been empowered. Is this correct?
Many thanks,
David (UK)
You are so welcome David. Honestly we don’t know the whole answer to your question. When we get a chance, we will follow up more with Gen Donyo or someone else and let you know. In the meantime, we do know that you are correct that some hand mudras are open to be performed by anyone, while others require an empowerment. In general, we also think that you would not need to take refuge to perform the basic hand mudras taught in this post and video. That is, you don’t have to “officially” be a Buddhist to perform these prayers and rituals. Hope this helps.
thank you for the hand mudra video- maybe rinpoche can show next time , how to add the “turning of the lotus” mudra between the offering mudras
Thank you so much for posting this. Finally….nicely video taped, easy to understand explanation for the hand mudra, plus the words and translation. Could it get any better?
I have shared it on my FaceBook page. Most grateful and hope you may post others like it.
Victoria;)
You are so very welcome, Victoria! We are always delighted when our content fits exactly what our viewers need — we’re always reaching for that :-) We definitely plan to bring more in this vein. Thanks again for the kind thoughts!