This teaching by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche on Penkarwa's "Short Prayer to Dorje Chang" is one of Rinpoche's first published teachings. It was given by Rinpoche at the request of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa especially for the benefit of western students, so that they may understand the nature of the path. Here Rinpoche gives a verse by verse commentary, which covers all aspects of the path and the practice according to the tradition of Mahamudra. He also gives a brief history of the lineage and early lineage masters.
The supplication itself is the one in common use in all the major schools of the Kagyu tradition. It is also used in personal practice, not only within the monasteries, but by all lay people who practice Mahamudra. The reason why this particular lineage supplication is so much emphasized, is that it was composed by the great teacher Penkar Jampal Zangpo, after his completion of eighteen years of solitary retreat practice meditating on Mahamudra on an island in the middle of a lake in northern Tibet. It is regarded as being a summary of his experience and realization, gained through years of intense practice, and therefore it is held to have unparalleled blessing.

Showing the Path of Liberation, Penkar Jampal Zangpo & Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, Namo Buddha Publications, 94 pages, $14.95

Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche is a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master known for his deep compassion and the clarity of his teachings. He was selected by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to serve as the principal tutor to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Oryen Trinley Dorje. Thrangu Rinpoche is a full holder and teacher of the Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. He founded the Namo Buddha retreat center in Nepal, has established two shedras (monastic universities) in Nepal and India, and serves as Abbot of Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. He also built Tara Abbey, where nuns receive a full dharma education qualifying them to become khenpos or teachers. Thrangu Rinpoche teaches entensively throughout Asia, Europe and the United States. He has centers in Maine and California, and is building the Vajra Vidya Retreat Center in Crestone, Colorado.