Zabtik Drolchok

The Profound Essence of Tara (Zabtik Drolchok) is widely renowned sadhana of Green Tara, which was revealed as a mind treasure (gongter) by Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829–1870). One morning at dawn, the Great Tertön beheld Lady Tara in the sky right in front of him. Tara exclaimed “Excellent! (lekso)” three times, prompting The Essential Instructions on the Triple Excellence (Lekso Sum) to flow forth from the expanse of his realization. With this blessing, the Great Tertön was able to transcribe the mind treasure, The Profound Essence of Tara, the root verses for practicing Tara according to the increasingly profound levels of tantra, all the way up to the pinnacle of Atiyoga.

In the wake of this revelation, the Great Tertön traveled to Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoché’s residence at the glorious hermitage of Tsadra Rinchen Drak. There, on the shrine, was a statue of Lady Tara, an embodiment of the wisdom-sattva who had just bestowed The Essential Instructions on the Triple Excellence upon him. At his enquiry, Jamgön Kongtrül related that the statue had been given to him by Jamyang Khyentsé Wangpo, who had received it from the treasure guardian of the Tara practice. Indeed, it had once been the personal practice support of the Indian master Arya Nagarjuna. Alongside The Heart Essence of the Sublime Lady of Immortality (Chimé Phakmé Nyingtik) discovered by Jamyang Khyentsé Wangpo, The Profound Essence of Tara forms part of a larger, yet-to-be revealed terma cycle called The Heart Essence of Tara (Drolma Nyingtik). Since The Profound Essence of Tara is easy to practice and its blessings are swift and vast, it has rightly become one of the most famous and widespread practices within the Chokling Tersar tradition.

This booklet contains the elaborate and condensed ritual liturgies arranged by Jamgön Kongtrul Rinpoché, an extremely concise liturgy arranged by Kyapjé Tsikey Chokling Rinpoché, and additional prayers traditionally added when practicing The Profound Essence of Tara.