2026.08.26
Longchen Nyingtik · Great Compassion Avalokiteśvara Self-Liberation — A Nyingma Dzogchen Terma (Master's Teaching)
The Longchen Nyingtik "Great Compassion Avalokiteśvara Self-Liberation" is a great terma of the Nyingma Dzogchen tradition — quite different from ordinary folk offerings to the dead. This sādhana was revealed by the master Jigme Lingpa from the Longchen Nyingtik treasure cycle and belongs to the profound tantric practice within the Dzogchen lineage. Its purpose is, through the realization of Great Compassion Avalokiteśvara, to rescue beings suffering in saṃsāra and to benefit both the deceased and the living, bearing the supreme quality of "self-liberation."
Name & Lineage
The Longchen Nyingtik is one of the most important "heart-essence" (nyingtik) Dzogchen cycles of the Nyingma school, revealed in the eighteenth century by the great adept Jigme Lingpa from a ḍākinī treasure, transmitted from the wisdom heart-drop of the omniscient Longchenpa.
The Avalokiteśvara Self-Liberation practice is a form of Avalokiteśvara yidam practice within this cycle, uniting the generation and completion stages and finally pointing directly to the nature of mind.
What "Self-Liberation" Means
Unlike ordinary Avalokiteśvara practice, "self-liberation" carries two meanings:
The practitioner's own mind is primordially pure; observing all illusory appearances within the practice, one is liberated on the spot.
The form of Avalokiteśvara and the sound of the recitation naturally dissolve into emptiness within the mind; without deliberately rejecting thoughts, whatever arises is itself the path of liberation.
Stages of Practice
Refuge & bodhicitta: Visualize oneself and all beings taking refuge in the Three Jewels; arouse bodhicitta, dedicating all merit to the liberation of beings.
Generation stage: Arise as Avalokiteśvara (four-armed, or thousand-armed and thousand-eyed, as the sādhana directs), the whole body radiant white light; upon a lotus and moon at the heart stands the six-syllable mantra "Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ," radiating light that liberates the six realms.
Mantra recitation: Holding the visualization, recite the six-syllable Great Compassion mantra, the sound merging as one with Avalokiteśvara's form and the heart's light, its rays liberating beings and dissolving into purity.
Self-liberation contemplation: Avalokiteśvara's form, light, sound and beings, in a single instant, all dissolve into the empty luminosity of mind; rest in awareness, free of thought and free of contrivance.
Dedication: Dedicate all the merit of the practice so that all beings may swiftly attain awakening.
Benefits
Purifies past negative karma and obstacles, with special power to dispel enemies, illness and disaster.
Gathers vast accumulations of merit and wisdom.
Never parts from Avalokiteśvara life after life, swiftly attaining ultimate liberation.
The self-liberation contemplation leads directly to the view of Dzogchen — suited to practitioners with some foundation.
Deities of the Sādhana
Great Compassion Self-Liberation Avalokiteśvara (principal deity).
Amitābha (family lord).
White Tārā (dispelling fear).
Mārīcī, the goddess of radiant light (dispelling harm, increasing merit).
Kurukullā (increasing fortune and joy, mastery over phenomena).
Vasudhārā (increasing wealth).
The four wrathful ones: a Hayagrīva of each of the four directions — east, south, west and north (destroying habitual tendencies and obstacles).
The Four Activities
Pacifying: removing obstacles and purifying karma.
Enriching: increasing merit, wisdom, wealth and long life.
Magnetizing: bringing enemies, harm and afflictions under control.
Wrathful: cutting through greed, hatred and delusion, and outer demonic obstacles.
Beings Benefited
Departed ancestors, parents and relatives, and karmic creditors of many lifetimes.
Beings of the intermediate state (bardo).
For the living: blessings of merit, the averting of misfortune, and increase.
Through smoke, water and fire offerings, beings of the bardo are summoned to hear the Dharma and be liberated, dedicating benefit to the departed and to the living.
Liberation Through the Six Realms
The sādhana contains a sequence for liberating the six realms: the god realm, human realm, asura realm, hell realm, animal realm and hungry-ghost realm.
By This Teaching · Register for the Puja
Our centre holds a Great Liberation Puja based on this Longchen Nyingtik Great Compassion Avalokiteśvara Self-Liberation practice, led in person by the master, dedicating liberation for ancestors, karmic creditors, unborn children and others.
🙏 With deep gratitude for the teaching of Urgyen Topden Rinpoche. May all beings be free of suffering and swiftly attain awakening.