rJe tshe ’Dzin ma, A dGe lugs pa Long Life Practice

In the tantric literature of the dGe lugs Tibetan Buddhist tradition, there is a special long life meditation practice (Tib. tshe grub) called rJe tshe ’dzin ma. The practice main purpose is to remove psychological, physical and supramundane bstacles, blocks and interferences, which threaten the individual lifespan. According to tradition, through this practice it is possible to achieve a special power over the duration and quality of the precious human life. However, this siddhi must be understood as a skillful means, not linked to worldly achievements but to the practice of the Dharma. The rJe tshe ’dzin ma is ritually and liturgically centred on Tsong kha pa Blob zang Grags pa (1357-1419), the dGe lugs tradition founder. Tsong kha pa is here identified with the Buddha of infinite life, Amitāyus. Such identification characterises the main deity of this practice, known as Lord Holder of Life. This is the real deity, as well as the true field of merits, to which the practitioner turns during the entire practice. This paper wants to investigate, in an introductory way, the relationship between the specific tantric instruction of the rJe tshe ’dzin ma and the symbolism, even figurative, that arises from this practice toguide the practitioner along the path of his training.