Trul khor
A Vajrayana discipline of breath and movement.
Trul khor ('magical instrument' or 'magic circle;' Skt. adhisāra), in full tsa lung trul khor (Sanskrit: vayv-adhisāra 'magical movement instrument, channels and inner breath currents'), also known as yantra yoga, is a Vajrayana discipline that includes pranayama (breath control) and body postures (asanas). From the perspective of the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist traditions of Dzogchen, the mind is merely vāyu (breath or wind) in the body, so working with vāyu and the body is paramount, while meditation is considered contrived and conceptual.
- field
- Vajrayana Buddhist discipline
- known_for
- Yantra yoga, a system of breath control and body postures
- traditions
- Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen and Bon
- origin_in_Tibet
- Brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava
Lore & Background
Trul khor, also called yantra yoga, was first brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava, who is said to have received the instructions of the mahasiddha Humkara, a guru he encountered in Nepal. He was the first to discuss trul khor in his book on yantra yoga, essentially a commentary on a practical yoga manual by Vairotsana.
Reader's Guide
Its emphasis on working with vāyu (wind/breath) and the body, rather than conceptual meditation, reflects a core Dzogchen perspective. The practice is preserved in both Buddhist and Bon traditions, with the walls of the Dalai Lama's summer temple of Lukhang depicting trul khor asanas. Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche's dissemination of Yantra Yoga through the International Dzogchen Community has brought the practice to a global audience. The concept of lung (wind or breath) and the channels (tsa) through which prana flows are central to understanding the practice, linking it to traditional Asian medical systems.
Did You Know?
- The walls of the Dalai Lama's summer temple of Lukhang depict trul khor asanas.
- Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche preferred to use the term 'yantra yoga' when writing in English.
- Trul khor was first brought to Tibet by Padmasambhava, who received instructions from the mahasiddha Humkara in Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name 'Trul khor' actually mean?
The Tibetan phrase translates roughly as 'magical instrument' or 'magic circle,' corresponding to the Sanskrit word adhisāra. The fuller designation, tsa lung trul khor, expands the meaning to include the subtle channels (tsa) and inner breath currents (lung) that the practice targets.
How does Trul khor differ from ordinary seated meditation?
In the Dzogchen view, the mind is nothing other than the body's breath (vāyu), so directly manipulating breath and posture is considered the most direct route to realization. Seated meditation, by contrast, is seen as a contrived, conceptual method that adds unnecessary layers between the practitioner and the natural state.
Who is credited with bringing Trul khor to Tibet?
Tradition attributes the introduction of this discipline to Tibet to Padmasambhava. Over the centuries it has been preserved within both the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen lineage and the Bon tradition.
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