When the wish to benefit beings is present in our mindstream, our own difficulties become easy to bear.
—Khenpo Sodargye
The Sun of Samantabhadra’s Realm: The Quintessence of Oceanic Prayers of Aspiration
Today marks 36 years since His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche composed The Sun of Samantabhadra’s Realm: The Quintessence of Oceanic Prayers of Aspiration at the Vajra Seat in Bodhgaya on the tenth day of the ninth Tibetan month in 1990. Known as the “Short Aspiration for Sukhavati,” this eight-verse prayer distills the essence of The King of Aspiration Prayers and of Karma Chagme’s Aspiration to Be Reborn in the Pure Realm of Sukhavati. And that essence can be expressed in a single phrase: propagating the Dharma and benefiting beings. This was the aspiration closest to His Holiness’s heart throughout his life, and it lies at the very heart of Samantabhadra’s vast aspirations.
Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche was among the very first disciples to receive this prayer directly from His Holiness. He recorded His Holiness singing it and later transcribed the words himself. He also holds a pure and unbroken transmission of the prayer. In this commentary, he explains the prayer verse by verse, drawing on the sutras, his own recollections, and examples from daily life.
Khenpo Rinpoche encourages everyone to recite the prayer at least three times on this especially auspicious day, when recitation brings particularly great merit. He also recommends reciting it once whenever dedicating the merit of a virtuous deed. May the meaning of every line enter our hearts, and may our aspirations be swiftly fulfilled.
Although The Quintessence of Oceanic Prayers of Aspiration contains only eight verses, one could say that the entire essence of the 84,000 Dharma teachings, and especially of the Mahayana teachings, is gathered within them.
The essence of Samantabhadra’s hundred thousand great aspirations is The King of Aspiration Prayers, and the essence of The King of Aspiration Prayers is this prayer. At Larung Gar, this prayer is therefore often recited in place of The King of Aspiration Prayers when time is short. Its title, The Sun of Samantabhadra’s Realm, likens it to a bright sun shining over Sukhavati, illuminating the path to rebirth there.
Across its eight verses, the prayer unfolds in a clear progression. It begins by praising the Buddha and praying that he turn his attention toward us. It then recalls how the Buddha first aroused bodhicitta and expresses the resolve to follow his example, entering the citadel of conditioned existence for the benefit of beings. It goes on to pray to be cared for by Manjushri, to perfect Samantabhadra’s conduct, and to serve the nine hundred and ninety-six buddhas yet to come. It prays that all beings connected with us be reborn in Sukhavati, that the Buddha’s teachings flourish, and that every being enjoy the treasure of fourfold abundance.
This commentary, given by Khenpo Rinpoche in 2010 and now available in English for the first time, retains the warmth and immediacy of a teacher speaking to his students. Khenpo Rinpoche recalls taking out a black tape recorder as His Holiness began to sing at the Vajra Seat in 1990, and later transcribing the prayer. He also recounts a lighthearted exchange with His Holiness about the colophon. Alongside these recollections, he reflects on modern life: how selfishness narrows our world until even small problems seem overwhelming, and how technology offers bodhisattvas new ways to benefit beings.
The commentary also offers practical guidance on incorporating the prayer into one’s practice. It can be recited at sacred places or used to dedicate the merit of daily practice. Whether you already recite this prayer or are encountering it for the first time, may these pages help you understand each line and make its aspirations your own with sincerity.
The Dharma is the source of beings’ happiness and the very foundation of their well-being.
—Khenpo Sodargye
Propagating the Dharma is the greatest form of generosity toward beings.
—Khenpo Sodargye
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May the faultless teachings of Buddha flourish and endure,
And all beings without exception enjoy the splendor of benefit and happiness.
This, and only this, is my constant aspiration—
Assure me, here and now, that it all will be fulfilled.
