Sangtik Phurba

Vajrakilaya is the wrathful form of Vajrasattva, the embodiment of the awakened activity of all the buddhas—manifesting in an intensely wrathful yet compassionate form in order to subjugate the delusion and negativity that arise as obstacles to Dharma practice. In fact, the practice of Vajrakilaya is famous for being the most powerful for removing obstacles, bringing down trouble- some spirits and binding them to one’s command, and purifying the spiritual pollution so prevalent in this age.

At the age of thirty-one, on the tenth day of the seventh month of the Female Earth Sheep Year (September 6, 1859), Chokgyur Lingpa was joined by Jamyang Khyentsé Wangpo and Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Thayé at Devikota Tsadra Rinchen Drak (Devikota-Caritra Precious Cliff), the upper hermitage above Palpung. From this cliff the Great Tertön revealed The Three Secret Heart Essence Cycles (Sangtik Nyingpo Khorsum).

The Three Secret Heart Essence Cycles (Sangtik Nyingpo Khorsum) form part of a larger treasure cycle revealed by Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpochee—The Seven Heart Essence Cycles (Sangtik Nyingpo Khordün). Of these, the treasures that focus on Guru Padmasambhava’s three principal yidam deities, namely Yangdak Heruka, Vajrasattva, and Vajrakilaya, were revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa. Among them, the practices of The Secret Heart Essence of Vajrasattva (Sangtik Dorsem) and The Secret Heart Essence of Vajrakilaya (Sangtik Phurba), in particular, have become widely practiced within the Chokling tradition.

Chokgyur Lingpa revealed three Vajrakilaya practices in total: Zabdün Phurba, belonging to Mahayoga; Lungluk Phurba, belonging to Anuyoga, and Sangtik Phurba, an Atiyoga sadhana. Among these, Sangtik Phurba is considered the highest practice of Vajrakilaya. Because it is so effective in removing obstacles, and because it contains great blessings, yet is easy to practice, it would go on to become the main yidam practice for all Chokling lineage holders.