Khenpo Shenpen Nangwa Series

Through explanation, composition and propagation, you spread the teachings of the Victorious One,

Particularly the traditions of Nāgārjuna and Asaṅga, throughout the three planes of existence,

Your activity for the Lord of Sage's teachings comparable to the Sage's own:

Shenpenpa, bringer of benefit to others, a buddha for this degenerate age!

Texts by and about the great scholar Khenpo Shenpen Nangwa (gzhan phan snang ba, 1871–1927) better known as Khenpo Shenga (mkhan po gzhan dga'):

Advice

Advice on Yidam Practice

In this text from his miscellaneous writings, Khenpo Shenga offers advice on visualizing oneself as the tutelary deity, or yidam, and cultivating what is known as vajra pride.

Advice Kyerim 25 May 2013

Aspiration Prayers

Concise Middle Way Aspiration

A two-verse aspiration to be reborn in the retinue of Ārya Nāgārjuna, gain perfect understanding of his Middle Way philosophy and teach it to others.

Aspiration Prayers Middle Way 10 Feb 2020

Middle Way Aspiration

A prayer of aspiration to understand the nature of reality, just as it is explained in the Madhyamaka teachings, and then, having perfectly realized this view, to teach it to others, and in so doing, emulate great figures from the past like Nāgārjuna and Āryadeva.

Aspiration Prayers Middle Way 26 Apr 2005

Biography

Light on the Path of Liberation: The Life of the Second Buddha Vasubandhu

Shenpen Nangwa offered this brief biography of Ācārya Vasubandhu as an introduction to his annotational commentary (mchan 'grel) on the verses of the Treasury of Abhidharma (Abhidharmakośa).

Biography Abhidharma Abhidharmakośa 4 Feb 2020

Buddhist Philosophy

On the Yogācāra Treatises and Buddha Nature

This short text, which is untitled in the original Tibetan, briefly discusses the Five Treatises of Maitreya, the writings of Asaṅga, and the fact that the buddha nature, or sugatagarbha, is not empty of its own immaculate qualities.

Buddha Nature Notes 17 Dec 2020

Commentaries

Prologue to Abhisamayālaṃkāra Commentary

Having identified the Abhisamayālaṃkāra as one of the five treatises of Maitreyanātha, Khenpo Shenga explains the features of each of the five texts in this collection, before focusing on the Ornament of Realization itself, which he discusses under five rubrics: its author, sources, category, theme, and purpose.

Abhisamayālaṃkāra Pedagogy 5 Mar 2005

Prologue to Introduction to the Middle Way (Madhyamakāvatāra)

This introduction to the teaching of Candrakīrti's Madhyamakāvatāra explains how the text provides an introduction (avatāra) to the most important Middle Way treatise, namely the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā of Nāgārjuna.

Madhyamakāvatāra Middle Way Pedagogy 11 Feb 2020

The Three Noble Principles

A brief explanation of the three noble principles (of arousing bodhicitta in the beginning, remaining without reference in the middle, and dedicating merit at the end), which are said to be the root of the Mahāyāna path.

Dedication Bodhicitta 2 Nov 2007

Dzogchen

In This Pure Awareness

A song of realization expressing the futility of ordinary, contrived practice from the perspective of naturally perfect, pure awareness.

Songs and Poems Dzogchen 4 Nov 2019

Miscellaneous

Types of Spiritual Song

A list of the various types of spiritual song (mgur dbyangs) including dohās based on realization, songs of devotion, and expressions of joy and contentment.

Songs and Poems Literary Theory Notes 4 Nov 2019

Notes

Notes from Miscellaneous Writings

Notes on the general preliminary points to be made before commenting upon any of the major Indian treatises, such as what is meant by “In the language of India...” and the four rubrics of subject matter, immediate purpose, connection and ultimate purpose.

Pedagogy Literary Theory Notes 23 Sep 2005

Praise

In Praise of Longchenpa – The Greatness of the Omniscient Longchen Rabjam

Taken from his miscellaneous writings, Khenpo Shenpen Nangwa's text compares the great Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam to the most celebrated Buddhist saints of India and praises him as the unique embodiment of all the qualities exhibited by Tibet's own learned and accomplished figures.

Praise 7 Feb 2006

Praise of Candrakīrti

Verses in praise of the famous Mādhyamika scholar Candrakīrti concluding with the mantra of Mañjuśrī.

Praise 3 Feb 2020

Prayers

Prayer to Invoke the Wisdom Mind of the Gentle Protector Sakya Paṇḍita

A supplication to the great Sakya scholar and patriarch Kunga Gyaltsen (1182–1251) calling upon him to assist beings of the degenerate age, especially practitioners of the Dharma. Shenpen Nangwa composed the text while visiting the Sakya monastery of Lhundrup Teng in Derge, also known as Derge Gonchen.

Prayers 14 Dec 2020

Songs

A Song of Prayer to Jamyang Loter Wangpo

Verses in praise of the great Sakya master Jamyang Loter Wangpo (1847–1914), from whom Shenga received a number of major teachings and transmissions.

Songs and Poems 5 Nov 2019

Divine Music: Words of Encouragement for the Authentic Path

Said to have been composed some time around 1909 or 1910, this poem expresses the author's appreciation for the Sakya teachings and is intended as an encouragement to fellow disciples (of Loter Wangpo) to pursue their study and practice.

Songs and Poems Sakya 7 Nov 2019

Khenpo Shenpen Nangwa Series

Advice

Aspiration Prayers

Biography

Buddhist Philosophy

Commentaries

Dzogchen

Miscellaneous

Notes

Praise

Prayers

Songs

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