Yamantaka Jangwa Puja འཇིགས་བྱེད་སྦྱངས་ཆོག་།

Calling upon the fierce compassionate energy of Yamantaka, this puja is one of the most powerful for the purification of extreme negative karma, the accumulation of merits related to wisdom, and for powerful protection against the most wrathful spirits, black magic and curses.

Yamantaka is the wrathful manifestation of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom embodying the wisdom and knowledge aspect of all buddhas of the ten directions and three times.

Through his enlightened activity, he conquers Yama, the Lord of Death, in overcoming ignorance and dualistic appearances. He is also known as a powerful dharma protector. The wrathful practice of Yamantaka offers a fast method to overcome and dispel obstacles, repel unfavorable circumstances, and protect oneself and others from falling under their sway.

This practice also has great power in bringing about peace in times when the minds of beings are pervaded by ignorance and aggression.

It is contained in the phrase, “Let the destructiveness of sorcerers, their gods and protectors descend upon themselves,” which we find in the retreat text.

What this means is that when you have loving kindness, compassion and Bodhicitta, any harm directed at you will fall back on itself. This is the root of the matter.

So through Yamantaka, we meditate on compassion for all sentient beings and nothing – curses, sorcery or whatever – can harm us. If you understand this, then you understand all there is to know about Yamantaka retreat practice.