Raise the Gyaltsen (Gyaltsen Tsemo)

Time to raise the gyaltsen (rGyal.mTsen).

We've all been here before.

Even Indra himself has been here before.

Its true.

I heard that once, Indra was defeated by the king of the demi-gods, and full of fear he ran to Buddha for help. The Buddha told him to recite the Sutra called Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner, and thus make himself invulnerable to harm from others.

Of course, today I am not thinking so much about Indra, as I am those poor, bewildered people in Tibet who will die over the course of the next few days in the compound tragedy that is the fiftieth anniversary of the fall of Lhasa.

What is left to give them hope?

What is left to give them courage?

Weeping in sorrow for all sides to this tragedy, those who kill and those who are killed, those who torment and those who are tormented, my heart tells me it is time to raise the Gyaltsen.

It does not matter if your resources are great or small.


You can raise it symbolically, or in concert with flags.


You can raise it at your home altar.

You can (and should) even raise it right now:

(GYALTSEN TSE-MO)

ARYA DHAVAJA AGRAKEYUR NAMADHARANI

Homage to all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

Thus have I heard:
At one time, Shakyamuni was dwelling in Indra's celestial realm of the thirty-three, sitting upon a rock slab as white as wool. At that time, Indra, the king of gods, had become defeated by the demi-gods. Having been completely defeated and frozen with fear, he speedily went to where the Buddha was sitting. He bowed his head to Shakyamuni's feet, and addressed the Buddha as follows:

"Oh Lord, I went into battle against the army of the demi-gods, and I was defeated by the king of the demi-gods, T'hag-Zang. I was completely defeated, as were all the god's armies from the realms of the thirty-three. Oh, Shakyamuni, how can we become victorious now?"

The Buddha answered:

"Indra, king of gods! Recite the Sutra called, Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner, which makes one invulnerable to harm from others. Previously, when I was a bodhisattva, I also received this Sutra from the Tathagata Zhengyi Mit'hub Pa'i Gyaltsen. Having received it, I also taught it extensively and perfectly to others. There is no doubt that if you recite this, there is no name of fear. Not even for an instant will you experience fear, timidity, hair-raising fright, or bodily harm."

Indra asked:

"Lord Shayamuni, what is the Sutra of invulnerability called Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner?

The Buddha spoke:

TATYAT'HA OM JAYA JAYA VIJAYA VIJAYA JAYA PRAHINI SHANKARI SHANKARI PRABHAD KARE
For I and all sentient beings:
SARVA SHATRUM DZAMBAYA DZAMBAYA SATAMBAYA SATAMBAYA MOHAYA MOHAYA BHAGAVATI JAYAWAHINI MAT'HA MAT'HA PRAMAT'HA PRAMAT'HA GRASA GRASA HASA HASA HUNG HUNG LA HUNG LA HUNG LAMBO DHAREY TRE NRE TRE CHATUR BHAGA DRE CHATUR DAMSHATE CHATUR BHUJE ASI MUSALA CHAKRA TRISHULA VAJRAKA VAJRADHARI
Protect, protect me from all harm!
BHAGA WATI HANA HANA DAHA DAHA PATSA PATSA MAT'HA MAT'HA PRAMAT'HA PRAMAT'HA DHUNA DHUNA VIDHUNA VIDHUNA HUNG HUNG PHAT PHAT BHANJA BHANJA PARA SENAYAM VIDHANASAYA SARVA SHATRUM NASHAYA DWAJA AGRA KERAYURE TITA TITA TITA VHITA VHITA ULAKA MUKHI ULAKA DHARANI TRILOKYA MAT'HANI VIDWAN SAPARA SENAYAN
Protect, protect me from all harm!
TSALA TSALA TSILI TSILI TSULU TSULU KAMPA KAMPA KALA KALA KILI KILI KULU KULU MUNJA MUNJA ATA TAHA SAMA VIDWA NASAYA PARA SENAYAN
Protect, protect me from all harm!
TRASAYA TRASAYA BRAMAYA BRAMAYA BUDDHA SATYENA DHARMA SATYENA SANGHA SATYENA SATYE VATENAM SATYEMA BUDDHA SATYE MATI KRAMA DHARMA SATYE MATI KRAMA SANGHA SATYE MATI KRAMA SATYE VATINAM SATYE MATIKRAMA LAMBHO DHARI LAMBHO DHARI KUTA KUTA KUDTA KUDTA KUDTA KUTA PAYA KUDTA PAYA RUDDRA MANAYA VISHNA MANAYA CHANDRA SURIYA BAMMANA TRE LOKYA ADI PADI MANAYA SARVA DEVA ADHIPAMANAYA SARVA YAKSHA RAKSHASA GANDHARVA KUNBHANDE MAHORA GADHI PATI MANAYA VIDWA NASAYA PARASENAM RANGA RANGA RANGHA PAYA RANGHA PAYA DZALA DZALA PUSHPA MALINI RUNDHA RUNDHA RITI RITI TSITI TSITI DHITI DHITI VRI KUTI MUKHE PARA SENA KULOD SADHANI KARI HALA HALA HILI HILI HULU HULU HE HE RINI RINI RINIMATI DZAMBHA DWAJE SARVA BUDDHA AVALOKITE
Protect, protect me from all fear!
SARVA TAT'HAGATA AVALOKITE SVAHA GUNA RAJA PRABHA SODTA ME SVAHA SURYA ARKA VIMALE SVAHA CHANDRA ARKA VIMALE SVAHA SARVA GRAHA NAKSHASTRA DHEMI KARANE SVAHA
Protect, protect me from all fear, obstacles, contagious diseases and conflicts SVAHA!

"King of gods! By reciting this exalted Sutra, Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner, also known as the Mantra Which Makes One Invulnerable to Others, whether engaged in battle, fights, conflicts, or wars, wherever you go, you shall not fear and you shall be victorious. If you attach this Sutra to the peak of a victory banner, or wear it around your neck, you will be protected from every human leader or powerful warrior. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will manifest in the form of beautiful ladies in front of you, who will grant you fearlessness and protection. You will become glorious and overwhelm all opposition. You will enjoy continuous fortune, purity, great fame, glory, and prosperity."

Shakyamuni having spoken thus, the world with Indra the king of gods, devas, humans, demi-gods, and ghandharvas rejoiced and praised what the Buddha had said. This completes the Sutra called Powerful Armor Which Is the Summit of the Victory Banner.