Karling Zhitro Liberation Upon Wearing Amulet

Traditionally Prepared and Blessed at Tashi Chöthang Monastery

This traditional Tibetan Buddhist Karling Zhitro Liberation Upon Wearing Amulet (Tib. btags grol, "Liberation Through Wearing") was traditionally prepared and blessed by Tibetan lamas at Tashi Chöthang Monastery, the principal monastery of Khentrul Rinpoche's root guru, Lama Lobsang Trinley.

Within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, certain sacred amulets are known as Takdrol—"Liberation Upon Wearing." These blessed objects contain sacred mantras, dhāraṇīs, seed syllables, and protective prayers that have been carefully arranged according to lineage instructions, sealed within a protective casing, and consecrated through ritual practice. They are worn with faith and respect as continual reminders of one's connection to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the enlightened lineage.

These are especially useful for those who are sick or dying. That said Rinpoche points out that we never know when death will come so it can benefit anyone. 

Karling Zhitro — The Peaceful and Wrathful Deities

The Karling Zhitro (Karma Lingpa's Peaceful and Wrathful Deities) is one of the most renowned revealed treasure (Terma) cycles of the Nyingma tradition. Revealed in the fourteenth century by the great tertön Karma Lingpa, it contains profound teachings on life, death, the intermediate state (bardo), and awakening.

The cycle is best known throughout the world as the source of the teachings commonly translated as The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thödol), although the complete Karling Zhitro encompasses many rituals, empowerments, meditations, and sacred supports beyond that famous text.

The peaceful and wrathful deities represent the full display of enlightened wisdom. Their peaceful forms embody compassion, clarity, and wisdom, while their wrathful forms symbolize the powerful energy that cuts through ignorance, fear, and delusion. Although their appearances differ, they are understood to be expressions of the same awakened mind.

Liberation Through Wearing

According to the Nyingma tradition, blessed Takdrol amulets create a profound karmic connection with the enlightened qualities they represent. Through the blessings of the lineage, the sacred mantras, and one's own faith and devotion, wearing such an amulet is said to plant the causes for liberation, offer protection from obstacles, and establish an auspicious connection that continues throughout this life and beyond.

Practitioners often wear Karling Zhitro amulets during daily life, pilgrimage, travel, illness, and retreat. They are especially cherished because the Karling Zhitro teachings emphasize preparing for death with awareness, recognizing the luminous nature of mind, and transforming fear into wisdom. For many practitioners, wearing the amulet serves as a continual reminder of impermanence, refuge, and the possibility of awakening in every moment.

A Sacred Support for Practice and Liberation

This blessed amulet is not regarded as a magical object that guarantees enlightenment through wearing alone. Rather, within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition it is understood as a sacred support whose blessings are strengthened through faith, refuge, ethical conduct, mantra recitation, meditation, and devotion to one's teacher and lineage.

When respectfully worn, it continually reminds the practitioner of the Buddha's teachings and the opportunity to recognize the true nature of mind both in this life and in the intermediate states after death.

Care and Respect

To avoid damage to the amulet, it is recommended to keep it in a cloth or leather pouch. This also protects it from dust and moisture.

The amulet may be worn around the neck, across the body, or respectfully carried in a bag. It may also be placed on a clean shrine or another respectful location within the home.

As with all sacred Buddhist objects, it should be kept clean and treated with respect. Avoid placing it directly on the floor or in unclean locations.

Traditional Recitation

It is traditional to recite the Dependent Origination Mantra three times before wearing or respectfully handling the amulet:

Om Ye Dharma Hetu Prabhava
Hetun Teshan Tathagato Hyavadat
Teshan Tsa Yo Nirodha
Evam Vadi Mahashramanah Soha

Practitioners may also recite prayers from the Karling Zhitro cycle or simply take refuge and generate bodhicitta while wearing the amulet.

May this blessed Karling Zhitro Liberation Upon Wearing Amulet establish an unbroken connection with the enlightened lineage of the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities. May it remove obstacles, inspire diligence in Dharma practice, and plant the causes for liberation for the benefit of all sentient beings.