Yumka Dechen Gyalmo

Yumka Dechen Gyalmo (Tib. ཡུམ་ཀ་བདེ་ཆེན་རྒྱལ་མོ་, Wyl. yum ka bde chen rgyal mo) — the peaceful dakini practice from the Longchen Nyingtik, the terma revelation of Jikmé Lingpa.

Tulku Thondup explains that Yumka Dechen Gyalmo is a sadhana practice on Yeshe Tsogyal, the consort of Guru Rinpoche, as a wisdom dakini. It is one of the three roots practice of the Longchen Nyingtik together with Lama Rigdzin Düpa and Yidam Palchen Düpa.

In 1774 the omniscient Jikmé Lingpa visited the Tsogyal Lake. There, amid wondrous signs, he beheld the face of the Wisdom Dakini. He also received the symbolic scripts which he deciphered in order to produce the practice text.

Through this practice one understands the dakini Yeshe Tsogyal to be the embodiment of the three kayas.

• Ultimately she is Samantabhadri in the vast sphere of dharmakaya
• Internally she is Vajravarahi in the pure land of the sambhogakaya
• Externally she is Yeshe Tsogyal in the world of the nirmanakaya.

Texts of the Cycle

From Volume 1 (om) of the Nyingtik Tsapö (Wyl. snying thig rtsa pod), Shechen 1994:

• The History of the practice of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (lo rgyus) yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i lo rgyus) (287/288)

• A Ritual for the Blessing Empowerment of Yumka, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse (dbang chog - klong chen snying gi thig le las/ yum ka'i byin rlabs dbang gi cho ga) (289-292)

• The Glorious Garland of Great Bliss: The Root Sādhana of Yumka Yeshe Tsogyal, the Queen of Great Bliss (bde chen dpal phreng - yum ka mtsho rgyal bde chen rgyal mo'i rtsa ba'i sgrub pa bde chen dpal phreng) (293-312)
  • English translation: The Queen of Great Bliss of Long-Chen Nying-Thig, translated by Tulku Thondup, Gangtok, 1983 revised 1992. Can be ordered at http://mahasiddha.org/store/Texts.html
  • English translation: The Queen of Great Bliss of Long-Chen Nying-Thig, translated by Karma Sonam Drolma, Kathmandu: Dzogchen Shri Singha University, 1997.
  • English translation:The Longchen Nyingthik Root Sadhana of the Mother Tsogyal, The Queen of Great Bliss, called 'The Glorious Garland of Great Bliss' , Karen Liljenberg, 2006. Can be downloaded from www.zangthal.co.uk

• Recitation Manual for the Sādhana of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (bsnyen yig - yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i rtsa ba’i bsnyen yig (313-319/320)

• Elucidating the Body Maṇḍala: Further Clarifications for the Recitation Manual of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (lus dkyil - yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i bsnyen yig yang gsal lus dkyil mngon brjod) (321-331/332)

• Thoroughly Illuminating the Meaning of the Empowerment: the Self-initiation for the Yumka Ḍākinī (dbang don - yum ka mkha' 'gro'i bdag 'jug dbang don rab gsal) (333-339/340)

• The Fire Offering to Yumka Vidyādhara: A Treasury of the Four Activities (me mchod - rig 'dzin yum ka'i me mchod las bzhi'i bang mdzod (341-350)
  • English translation: The Fire Offering to Yumka: A Treasury of the Four Activities Provisional translation by Adam Pearcey, 2013.

• 'Taking the Essence' (rasāyana) of the Three Kāyas' Amṛta, from the Queen of Great Bliss Ḍākinī (bcud len - mkha' 'gro bde chen rgyal mo las/ sku gsum bdud rtsi’i bcud len) (351-354)

• The Inner Practice of the Yumka Ḍākinī, a Treasure Vase Containing the Essence of Great Bliss, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse (yum ka'i nang sgrub - klong chen snying gi thig le las/ yum ka mkha' 'gro'i nang sgrub bde chen snying po'i gter bum) (355-379/380)

• Turning Back the Summons of the Ḍākinīs: The Marvelous Appearance (bsun zlog - mkha’ ‘gro’i bsun zlog ngo mtshar snang ba) (415-433/444)

• A Ritual for Offering the Ransoming Torma when an Elaborate Turning Back the Summons is Accumulated (glud gtor - grangs gsog tshe bsun bzlog rgyas pa'i mtshams su glud gtor ril bu dang cas pa nam mkha' mdzod kyi sngags rgyas brlabs nas phul) (435/436)

• A Short Tsok Prayer for Turning Back the Summons of the Ḍākinīs (Yumka Dechen Gyalmo) (tshogs bsdud - bsun zlog rgyas pa tshogs brgya dang 'brel skabs yum ka'i tshogs kyi skong bshags mal (mang?) du 'dzad pa lag len) (437/438)
  • English translation:Turning Back the Summons of the Ḍākinīs, Rigpa Translations.

• Turning Back the Summons of the Ḍākas and Ḍākinīs, from Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (Yumka Dechen Gyalmo) (bsun bzlog - yum ka bde chen rgyal mo las/ dpa’ bo dpa’ mo’i bsun bzlog) (439-441/2)

• Longlife Empowerment Explanation Connected with the Fourth Point from the Collection of Activities of Yumka Ḍākinī (Yumka Dechen Gyalmo) (tshams byor - yum ka mkha' 'gro'i las tshogs bzhi ba dang 'brel bar/ tshe dbang gi mtshams sbyor) (443-458)

• Additional Texts for Blessing the Treasure Vase, from the Collection of Activities of the Ḍākinī Practice of Yumka (Yumka Dechen Gyalmo) (bum sgrub - yum ka mkha' 'gro'i tshogs las/ gter bum sgrub pa'i lhan thabs) (459-474)

• The Purifying Treasure Vase: An Arrangement of the Guiding Practice Ritual Which Purifies Obscurations, for the Fifteenth Point of the Collection of Activities of the Ḍākinī (Yumka Dechen Gyalmo) (gnas lung - mkha' 'gro'i las tshogs bco lnga pa sgrib sbyong gnas lung gi cho ga bsgrigs dag byed gter bum) (515-528)

• Additional Texts for Cleansing ('byung?) Poison bases on Tārā Yoginī Practice (lhan thabs - yum ka bde chen rgyal mo las/ sgrol ma rnal 'byor ma la brten nas dug dbyung bya ba bkru'i lhan thabs) (529-532)

• Additional Texts for Ransoming the Life-force Spirit: The Tree of the Life Force Ocean, from the Activities of the Ḍākinī Practice of Yumka (Yumka Dechen Gyalmo) (mkha' 'gro'i bla bslu - yum ka mkha 'gro'i las tshogs las/ bla bslu'i lhan thabs srog 'tsho'i ljon pa) (533-550)

Additional texts and prayers from vol. 4 (sva):

• The Source of Accomplishment, the Fruit of the Two Truths: A Prayer to the Wisdom Ḍākinī, the Queen of Great Bliss, by the first Dodrupchen Jikme Trinle Özer (gter mdzod klong chen snying thig - ye shes mkha' 'gro bde chen rgyal mo'i gsol 'debs bden pa gnyis kyi myu gu dngos grub 'byung gnas) (817-819/820)
  • English translation: The Source of Accomplishment, the Fruit of the Two-Fold Truth—A Prayer to the Wisdom Ḍākinī Dechen Gyalmo, translated by Tulku Thondup (1992).
  • Colophon: This prayer to the wisdom ḍākinī Yeshe Tsogyal, entitled the Source of Accomplishment, the Fruit of the Two Truths—A Prayer to the Wisdom Ḍākinī Dechen Gyalmo was discovered from the casket of the contemplative state and written during an off-period of meditation by yogi Kunzang Shenpen (First Dodrupchen Rinpoche) at the request of yogi Samantabhadra Dharmadvipa, who is rich in wealth of learning, samaya and devotion; and of Tsoknyi Wangmo, a niece of mine, who has ripened her virtuous experiences of the past. It was transcribed by Gyurmé Yeshe. May it be meritorious. Sarva maṅgalaṃ.

• A Concise Prayer to the Ḍākinī, by the first Dodrupchen Jikme Trinle Özer (gter mdzod klong chen snying thig - mkha' 'gro'i gsol 'debs bsdus pa) (p.821/822)
  • English translation: The Brief Ḍākinī Prayer. Translated by Adam Pearcey.
  • Colophon: Jigme Trinlé Özer wrote this at the request of the diligent practitioner Norbu Zangpo and Chönyön.

• Shower of Great Bliss: A Lineage Prayer of the Yumka Awareness Holder, by Dorjé Tukchok Tsal (snying thig yum bka'i brgyud 'debs - rig 'dzin yum bka'i brgyud 'debs bde chen char 'bebs) (p.823/824)

• A Glorious Garland of the Two Accomplishments: An Abridged Feast Offering for the Yumka Ḍākinī, by Pema Gyepé Dé (Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo)(snying thig yum bka' tshogs mchod - yum bka mkha' 'gro'i tshogs kyi mchod pa nye bar bsdus pa grub gnyis dpal phreng) (p.825/826)

• A Fulfilment for the Practice of Yumka, by the third Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima (yum ka'i bskang ba) (827-830)
  • English translation: The Fullfillment Prayer, in The Queen of Great Bliss of Long-Chen Nying-Thig, translated by Tulku Thondup 1992.
  • Colophon: At the request of the ascetic and learned Jikmé Ösal this was written by the crazy beggar Tenpe Nyima (1865-1926). Maṅgalaṃ.

• The Descent of the Vital Essences of Great Bliss: An Arrangement of the Empowerment Ritual for Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse, by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé (Pema Garwang Lodrö Tayé) (dbang chog - klong chen snying gi thig le las/ yum bka' bde chen rgyal mo'i dbang gi chog bsgrigs bde chen bcud 'bebs) (831-846)

• An Concise Long-life Empowerment Connected with Fourth Point in the Collection of Activities of the Yumka Ḍākinī (snying thig yum bka'i tshe dbang - yum bka' mkha 'gro'i las tshogs bzhi pa dang 'brel ba'i tshe dbang nyer bsdus) (p.847-853/854)

• A Practice to Turn Back the Summons for the Yumka Ḍākinī of the Heart Essence, by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (bsun bzlog - snying thig yum bka'i mkha' 'gro'i bsun bzlog) (855-857/858)

Texts from other sources:

• A Heap of Pearls: An Empowerment for the Female Awareness Holder, by the Third Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima, (rig 'dzin yum ka'i dbang gi mthams sbyor mu tig gi chun po)

• An Excellent Wish Fulfilling Vase, The Deity Empowerment of the Twenty-one Tārās, Connected with the Vase Empowerment of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss, by Drodul Pawo Dorje (probably Adzom Drukpa) (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i bum dbang gi rjes 'brel sgrol ma nyer gcig gi lha dbang dgos 'dod bum bzang)

• Longevity Empowerment for Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss, by Pema Gyepe De (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i tshe dbang) (Shechen Nyingtik Döncha). Arranged based on the root text.

• Rain of Accomplishments, A Concise Fulfilment for the Female Awareness Holder Practice, by Jikme Lingpa (rig 'dzin yum ka'i bskang bsdus dngos grub char 'bebs) (Shechen Nyingtik Döncha).

Mandala of Yumkha Dechen Gyalmo, courtesy of Dodrupchen Rinpoche (see www.mahasiddha.org)

Commentaries on Yumka Dechen Gyalmo

• Jikmé Lingpa, Recitation Manual for the Sādhana of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (bsnyen yig - yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i rtsa ba’i bsnyen yig) Nyingtik Tsapö vol Om (313-319/320)
• Jikmé Lingpa, Elucidating the Body Maṇḍala: Further Clarifications for the Recitation Manual of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (lus dkyil - yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i bsnyen yig yang gsal lus dkyil mngon brjod) Nyingtik Tsapö vol Om (321-331/332)
• Jikmé Lingpa, The History of the practice of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (lo rgyus - yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i lo rgyus) Nyingtik Tsapö Vol Om (287/288)
• Ratön Ngawang Tendzin Dorje (a disciple of Jikmé Lingpa), Illuminating the Meaning of Tantra: A Commentary on the Sādhana of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss or in short the Ratik commentary (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i sgrub gzhung gi 'grel ba rgyud don snang ba) (f. 107), written in 1801.
• Dodrupchen Jikmé Tenpé Nyima, A Lamp Illuminating the Excellent Path of Great Bliss: A Guide to the Sādhana of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i sgrub gzhung gi zin bris bde chen lam bzang gsal ba'i sgron me) (f. 22), Nyingtik Tsapö, vol. ha 5 (415-48)
• Dodrupchen Jikmé Tenpé Nyima, Stairways to Omniscience: A Commentary on the Root Mantra of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i rtsa sngags kyi 'grel bshad rnam mkhyen bgrod pa'i them skas) (f. 6).
• Lingtul of Wang­da, Golok (a disciple of Alak Dongak Gyatso), A Concise Commentary on the Yumka Sādhana Ritual, (yum ka'i rtsa sgrub kyi cho ga'i bsdus 'grel) (f. 14).
• Lushul Khenpo Könchok Drönme, The Oral Transmission of the Awareness Holders: An Addendum to 'A Guide to Yumka' Spoken by the Lord Guru (mkha' 'gro'i 'grel ba - rje bla mas gsungs pa'i yum bka’i zin bris kyi kha skong rig 'dzin zhal lung) Nyingtik Tsapö vol ha (483-550)
• Sangye Özer of Gyarong (a disciple of Khenpo Chechok), Dispelling the Darkness of Ignorance: A Guide to the Sādhana of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i sgrub gzhung gi zin bris rmong pa'i mun sel) (f 19).
• Gönpo Tseten of Amdo, A Beautiful Garland of White Lotus Flowers: A Word by Word Commentary on 'The Glorious Garland of Great Bliss: The Root Sādhana of Yumka, the Queen of Great Bliss' (yum ka bde chen rgyal mo'i rtsa ba'i sgrub pa bde chen dpal phreng gi tshig 'grel pad dkar phreng mdzes) (f. 63). Included in sngags mang zhib 'jug vol.8, Ngak Mang Institute, 2003. Also in mgon po tshe brtan gsung rtsom (W1KG6254), mi rigs dpe skrun khang, 2010, pages 110-148.
  • Gönpo Tseten Rinpoche writes in the colophon that he composed this commentary on the request of some American students. He further adds that it is concise and easy to understand.

Empowerments Given to the Rigpa Sangha

• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Santa Cruz, CA, USA, December 1985
• Kyabjé Dodrupchen Rinpoche, Brunissard, France, 23 August 1989
• Kyabjé Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Prapoutel, France, 19 August 1990
• Dzogchen Rinpoche, Kirchheim, Germany, December 1998
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, Saturday 13 November 1999
• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara, 16 December 1999
• Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara, 8 October 2000
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 29 June 2003
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Kirchheim, 29 December 2003
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 10 December 2005
• Yangthang Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 7 August 2012
• Khenchen Pema Sherab, Lerab Ling, 17 June 2019, short empowerment based on the empowerment manual by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Tayé.

Further Reading

• Anne C. Klein, 'The Birthless Birthgiver: Reflections on the Liturgy of Yeshe Tsogyel, the Great Bliss Queen' in Tibet Journal, Vol.XII, No.4, Winter, 1987
• Anne C. Klein, 'The Great Bliss Queen', in Buddhism in Practice, edited by Donald S. Lopez Jr., Princeton University Press, 1995