No More Learning

Sending and Taking tong len [gtong len] (Tib. ) A method for developing bodhicitta. A meditation in which practitioners willingly take on all the pains and burdens of other beings, and willingly give out all that is positive in their own lives, their merit and happiness. The practice was promulgated in Tibet by Atisa.
Se pa [sred pa] (Tib. ) tnva (Skt. ) Craving. The eighth Nidana, q. v.
Shangba [shangs pa] (Tib. ) A lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, found- ed by the scholar-siddha (kay drup [mkhas grub]) Chungpo Naljor in the eleventh century. It emphasizes meditational practice and
Glossary 207
208 The Dharma
teaches the Five Golden Dharmas (Ser cho nga [gser chos lnga)), which include the Six Yogas of Niguma (comparable to the Six Yogas ofNaropa, q. v. ). The Shangba lineage has been important as a source of teachings and practice, rather than as an organized hierarchy or monastic sect, and its influence has been felt by all the traditional schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Kalu Rinpoche is the pres- ent lineage holder of the Shangba teachings.
Shangba Rinchen Dun Ju [shangs pa rin chen bdun rgyud) (Tib. ) The "precious lineage of seven" who established and transmitted the Shangba teachings of Mahamudra.
1. Vajradhara (Dorje Chang [rDo rje' Chang]) 2. Niguma [Ni gu rna]
3. Chungpo Naljor [Khyung po rNal 'byor]
4. Mokchokpa [rMog ! Cog pa]
5. Chergangpa [sKyer sGang pa]
6. Nyentonpa [gNyan sTon pa]
7. Sangye Tonpa [Sangs rgyas sTon pa]
Shavari (Skt. ) Sha wa ri pa [sha ba ri pa] (Tib. ) One of the Indian Mahasiddhas, said to have been a hunter reformed and instructed directly by Chenrezi. Achieving full realization after twelve years of meditation, Shavari chose to remain in this world for the benefit of all beings, and will remain until the next Buddha comes.
Shen pa Shi drel [zhen pa bzhi 'bral] (Tib. ) "Separation from the Four Attachments," a teaching in the form of a simple quatrain, used in the Sakya tradition.
Si pa [srid pa] (Tib. ) bhava (Skt. ) Becoming. The tenth Nidana, q. v.
Six Yogas of Naropa Usual name for the Six Dharmas of Naropa (Naro Chodruk [na ro chos drug]), the yogic practices which con- stitute a basic part of the Kagyii traditions of training. The six,
followed by their Tibetan names, are:
1. Psychic heat (tum mo [gtum mo]) 2. The Illusory body (jii Iii [sgyu Ius]) 3. Dream (milam [rmi lam])
4. Clear Light (o sal ['od gsal])
5. Intermediate States (bar do [bar do])
6. Consciousness Transference (po wa ['pho ba])
Shi nay [zhi gnas] (Tib. ) samatha (Skt. ) Tranquility meditation, which develops calmness of mind. One of the two basic meditations in all traditions of Buddhism, the other being vipasyana (lha tong, q. v. ).
Si pa Bardo [srid pa bar do] (Tib. ) The intermediate stage of Becoming. See Bardo.
Six Realms The six planes of rebirth within Sarhsara:
1. Hells
2. Realm of the Hungry Ghosts (yidaks) 3. Animal Realm
4. Human Realm
5. Realm of the Asuras
6. Realm of the Gods
The last three are called Fortunate Realms, while the first three are called Unfortunate.
Skandhas, The Five pung po nga [phung po lnga] (Tib. ) Five ag- gregates that describe the physical and mental existence of all beings in the Desire Realm:
1. Form (Tib. : zuk [gzugs]; Skt. : nipa)
2. Sensation (Tib: tsor wa [tshor ba]; Skt. : vedana)
3. Recognition (Tib. : du shay ['du shes]; Skt. : sarhjiia)
4. Formation (Tib. : du che ['du byed]; Skt. : sarhskara)
5. Consciousness (Tib. : nam shay [mam shes]; Skt. :
vijiiana)
Skandhas of the Four Labels see Ming shi pung po.
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210 The Dharma
Songtsen Gampo (ca. 569-650) [srong btsan sgam po] (Tib. ) King of Tibet. Tibetan historians considered him an emanation of Chenrezi and a powerful monarch of Asia.
Sufferingdu ngal [sdug bsngal] (Tib. ) dul;lkha (Skt. ) Three types of suffering are described:
1. The all-pervasive fundamental suffering: "the suffering of simply being alive. " (chap pa du je chi du ngal [rkyab pa 'du byed kyi sdug bsngal])
2. The suffering of change Gur way du ngal ['gyur wa'i sdug bsngal]).
S. The suffering of suffering, i. e. , actual pain (du ngal chi du ngal [sdug bsngal kyi sdug bsngal].
SO. nyatl see Emptiness
SO. tra (Skt. ) do [mdo] (Tib. ) A scripture attributed to the Buddha Shakyamuni.
Tantras (Skt. ) jii [rgyud] (Tib. ) The root scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism. The texts are ascribed to the Buddha Shakyamuni in various of his manifestations, and each usually describes the man? dala and practice associated with a particular enlightened being. The word "tantra" literally means "thread" or "continuity. "
Tara Drolma [sgrol rna] (Tib. ) A female Bodhisattva of Compas? sion, specially associated with the ability to protect her devotees and rescue them from suffering, fears, and dangers.
Targay Gyamtso Rinpoche [dar rgyas rgya mtsho] (Tib. ) First Root Lama of Lama Norlha. Native of the small kingdom of Nang Chen in Kham. He spent sixty years in meditation and retreat, most? ly in seclusion or in the mountains. He was a disciple of Jamgan Kongtrul, who called him "the Milarepa of Go Chi," referring to the monastery with which Targay Gyamtso was connected. He assumed the rainbow body in February 1959.
Tathlgata (Skt. ) de shin shek pa [de bzhin gshegs pa] (Tib. ) The "Thus-gone" one, an epithet for a Buddha.
Tathlgatagarbha (Skt. ) de shin shek pay nying po [de bzhin gshegs pa'i nying po] (Tib. ) The seed of Enlightenment, the potential for Buddhahood in every sentient being.
Terton [gter ston] (Tib. ) A discoverer of hidden texts (ter rna [gter rna]) understood to have been concealed by great teachers of the past in various ways, until the time when they could be understood and applied.
Thirty-seven Limbs of Enlightenment: Four essential recollections.
Four proper attitudes towards what should be renounced and what accepted.
Four bases of supernormal power. Five strengths.
Five faculties.
Seven subsidiary factors. Eightfold Noble Path.
Three Jewels kon chok sum [dkon mchog gsum] (Tib. ) Triratna (Skt. )
1. The Buddha, embodiment of Enlightenment.
2. The Dharma, the Buddha's teaching.
3. The Sangha, the Community of those committed to the
practice of these teachings. This includes the ordinary human Sangha and the Noble Sangha of Bodhisattvas.
Three Roots tsa wa sum [rtsa ba gsum] (Tib. ) In the Vajrayana, refuge is taken in the Three Roots: the Lamas, the Yidams, and the Protectors.
Three Year Retreat lo sum cho sum [lo gsum phyogs gsum] (Tib. ) A fundamental discipline of training and spiritual practice. For
Glossary 211
212 The Dharma
three years, three months, and three days, retreatants devote themselves in seclusion to meditational practice and study.
Tig le [thig le] (Tib. ) Bindu (Skt. ) Literally, a "drop" or "circle," the word has a very wide range of referents. In this text, two usages are to be noted:
1. The circles or dots of light that appear to the mind in certain stages of the Bardo experience.
2. The red and white tig le, as the creative energy of the body, whose control and direction during yogic practice can result in the attainment of stable bliss.
Tilopa (988-1069} Indian Mahasiddha, teacher of Naropa. Tilopa is considered the person in whom the lineage of Mahamudra became manifest. He received the teachings directly from Dorje Chang.
Tong len see Sending and Taking
T o pa [thos pa] (Tib. ) Literally, "to hear. " First of the three phases of practice consisting of hearing (and reading and studying) the teachings.
Tri ['khrid] (Tib. ) Instruction in the proper performance of a Va- jrayana practice. See Empowerment.
Trungpa Rinpoche A line of incarnation Lamas long associated with Surmang [zur mang] Monastery in eastern Tibet. The present tiilku, the eleventh, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, lives and teaches in the West.
Tsor wa [tshor ba] (Tib. ) vedana (Skt. ) Sensation or feeling, the feeling-tone of an experience. The seventh Nidana, q. v.
Tsurpu [mtshur phu] (Tib. ) A great monastery near Lhasa which was the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapas and headquarters of the Kar-
rna Kagyii linage. This function has been fulfilled in recent years by Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.
Tuk say [thugs sras] (Tib. ) Heart-son; a close disciple or successor of a high Lama.
Tiilku [sprul sku] (Tib. ) One of the three types of Nirmat;takaya. It usually denotes a being of high realization who deliberately chooses to be reborn in a specific situation for the benefit of sentient beings. The Dalai Lama and the Gyalwa Karmapa are well known ex- amples.
Unimpededness man ga pa [rna 'gag pa] (Tib. ) One of the three in- trinsic qualities of mind, the other two being Emptiness and Clarity; the manifestation of the inseparable union of mind's essential Emp-
. tiness and natural Clarity; it corresponds to the Nirmat;takaya aspect of Enlightenment. "The intelligence that allows us to make judgments and recognize particular details is a manifestation of mind's Unimpededness. "
Union of Form and Emptiness One specific referent of this impor- tant notion is the meditational experience of the "apparent but in no way substantial form" of an image of Enlightenment, the Bod? hisattva Avalokitesvara, for example.
Vajra see Dorje
Vajradhara see Dorje Chang Vajrasattva see Dorje Sempa Vajravarahi see Dorje Phagmo
Vajrayana dorje tek pa [rdo rje'i theg pa] (Tib. ) the third of the Three Vehicles of Buddhism. Also called Mantrayana, it is the Bud- dhism of Tibet, Mongolia, and much of the Far East, in which the central Mahayana themes of compassion and emptiness are dealt
Glossary 213
214 The Dharma
with using symbolic and practical systems of technique and understanding.
Vinaya (Skt. ) dul wa ['dul ba] (Tib. ) Buddhist scriptures concerned with monastic discipline and moral conduct; the code of virtuous behavior so presented.
Vipa5yana see Lha tong
W ang see Empowerment
Yama (Skt. ) Shinje (gshin rje] (Tib. ) The Lord of Death and judge of the afterlife, usually called Yamaraja (Shin je gyal po [gshin rje rgyal po]).
Yeshe [ye shes] (Tib. ) jiiina (Skt. ) Primodial awareness.
Yeshe Tsogyal [ye shes mtsho rgyal] (Tib. ) Disciple and consort of
Guru Rinpoche, and his Dharma successor.
Yi [yid] (Tib. ) One of several Tibetan words for "mind. " Here it designates the "impassioned or afflicted consciousness," which is the Seventh Consciousness when eight are reckoned.
Yidak [yi dvags] (Tib. ) preta (Skt. ) Hungry Ghosts, occupants of one of the three unfortunate realms of samsara (i. e. , Hells, Hungry Ghosts, and Animals).
The yidaks are tormented by unappeasable appetites.
Yidam [yi dam] (Tib. ) Meditational deities who are embodiments of particular aspects of Enlightenment.
Index
Entn:es in parentheses refer to the glossary. Entn? es in boldface are major references.
Abhidhanna, 80, 98, 11S, (185) Accumulation, Path of, S2, S5 Acquired Views, 160, 161
Affiicted Conscioumess, Emotionally,
172, 175
Affiictions, the Root, 157-160 After-death Experience, 16-21, 49,
55-57
Aging and Death, 2S
Ajatasatru, King, 68ff.
Alcohol, 78-79
Amitabha, 107
Amitayus, 95-96
Anger, 88, 129, 158
Anhnals, 25,4S, 176 Anuttarayogatantra, 50, 11S, (185) Apathy, 80
Application, Path of, S2, S5
Arhat, S9, (185)
Aryadeva, lOS, 106
Aspiration, 67, 178
Asuras, 25, 27, 4S, 60, 177, (186) Attachment, 77, 97, 127, 129, 180,
149, 158, 161, 175, 176 Atifa, 75, 112
Atomic Fonn, 142
Avalokitdvara, see Chenrezi Avatamsakasutra, 66 Aversion/Hatred, 97, 127, 129, 161,
176
Awareness, SO, 65, 67, 68-69, 9S, 112,
118, 119, 12S, 125, 1S2, 1S5 Ayatanas, 172
Bardo, 17, 18, 49, 55-64, 144, 169, (186)
Bardo between Birth and Death, 56, (186)
Bardo of Becoming, see Si pa Bardo Bardo of Gestation, 56
Bardo of Meditative Stability, 56 Bardo Todrol, 61
Bases, the Four, SS
Basic Consciousness, see Kun shi nam
she
Basis (of the Path}, 1S9, 16S Becoming, 15, 21
Birth, 15, 2S, 26
Bita, 104
Bhumi, S3, 34, S5, S6, S7, S9, 40,
46, ISO, 1S2, 172, (187) Blessing, 67, 68, 75, 81, 120, 145
216 The Dharma
Bliss, 124-125
Bodhgaya, 13
Bodhicitta, 9, 32, 81, 88, 93, 120,
(187)
Bodhicitta, Relative, 46
Bodhicitta, Ultimate, 47 Bodhisattva, Qualities and Activities
of a, 33, 34, 40, 80, 98, 107-108,
132, (187)
Bodhisattva Realization, Levels of, see
Bhumi
Bodhisattva Vows, 32, 74ff.
Body of Completely Ripened Karma,
58, (188) Bon, 100
Brahma, 13
Branches of Enlightenment, the Seven,
35
Buddha Shakyamuni:
stories about, 67ff. , 84-88
quoted, 88, 97, 107, 115, 161, 164 Buddhahood and the Qualities of a
Buddha, 32, 36, 38, 45, 46, 47,
93, 146, 150, 155, 174, 178 Buddhas, the Five, 173, 174
Carefulness, 153
Carelessness, 166
Caryatantra, 113
Causal Form, 140
Celibacy, 77
Certainties, the Five, 37 Cessation, 15, 30, 39, 111, 172 Cha ja chen po, see Mahimudri Che rim, see Development
Chern che, see Sense Field
Chenrezi, Bodhisattva of Compassion,
8, 9, 10, 51, 52-53. 93, 96-97,
134, 147-148, 157, 177, (187) Che wa, see Binh
Chi ka Bardo, 145, (186)
Cho nyi Bardo, 56, 59, 61, 145,
(186) Chungawo, 84-88
Chungpo Chujar, 100
Chungpo Naljor, 97, 99, 100-107 Clairvoyance, 18
Clarity, 16, 37, 57-58, 63-64, 92-93,
111, 114, 115, 124-125, 126, 128,
178, (188)
Co-emergent Ignorance, 125 Co-emergent Primordial Awareness,
118-119
Compassion, 8, 9, 45, 46-47, 74, 91,
135, 148, (188-189) Compassion, Non-referential, 47 Compassion with Reference to All
Phenomena, 47
Compassion with Reference to Sentient
Beings, 47
Concealment, 166
Concentration, 151
Conception, 21
Confusion, 50, 119
Conscience, Lack of, 167 Consciousness (Skandha), 171-173,
178
Consciousnesses, the Eight, 172-174 Contact, 15, 20, 151, 172, (205) Contemplating (Sam pa), 112, (206) Cosmology, 66-67
Craving, see Se pa
Dakini, 101, 103, 105, 106
Death, 15ff. , 23, 45, 48, 127, 144,
154
Deceitfulness, 165
Dependent Origination, 15, 16, 134,
163, 167. (189)
Desire, see Attachment
Desire Realm, 25, 27, 125, 143 Determinative Mental States, the Five,
151-152
Development Phase of Meditation, 110,
(189)
De wa chen po, 33, (189) Dewachen, 148, 158, 177, (189) Dezhung Rinpoche, 162
Dharma, 45
Dharmakaya, S6, S7, SS, 109, 16S,
(189-190)
Dhatus, 172
Diligence, 91, 154
Discipline, 79-81, SS, 84
Discursive Consciousness, see Nam she Distraction, 167
Dotje Chang, 99, 100, 106, 109, (190) Dotje Phagmo, 111, (190)
Dotje Sempa, 9, S2, 60, 74, (190) Doubt, 158, 161, 164-165
Dream, Sl, 48, 56, 115-116, 127, ISS,
144-145
Dream Bardo, 56, (186)
Dream Practice, 102
Drolkar Chung Chung (Mother of
Kalu Rinpoche), l, 2
Dualistic Clinging, 15, SS, 67, 119,
126, 128, ISO
Du che, see Formation
Dudjom Rinpoche, 162, 169
Dzo Chen Nampar Nga, 4
Dzokchen Monastery, 49
Dzok Chen, the Great Perfection, 100 Dzo rim, see Fulfillment
Eighth Consciousness, see Kun shi nam she
Eighty-four Thousand Collections, 97, 109
Eighty-four Thousand Emotions that Afflict the Mind, 127
Elements, the, 57-60, 62, 6S-64, 154 Emotional Afflictions, S4, 119, (191) Empowerment, 8, 61, 105, 106, (191) Emptiness, 9, 11, 14, 16, 29, SO,
S7, 47-48, 51, 52, SS-54, 57, 58, 6S-64, 74, 75, 92-9S, 110, 111, 114, 115, 124-125, 126, 128, 129, ISS, 178, (191)
Enlightened Attitude, see Bodhicitta Enlightenment, 14, 15, SO, Sl, S2, S6,
S7, SS, 40, SS, 7S, 80, 92, 98,
110, 120, 128, ISO, 1S5, (192) Equanimity, ISS
Etemalism, SO, 159, 161, 16S Examination, 161-162, 16S-164, 171 Extraordinary Preliminary Practices,
see Ngondro
Faculties, the Five, SS
Faith and Devotion, 65, 91, 118,
152-15S, 161
Faith, Lack of, 166
Families, the Buddha, SS, 60, 62, 17S,
(192)
Fetal Development, 22, 25, 26 Field (of Offering), 68
Fogginess, 167
Forgetfulness, 166
Form (Skandha), 140-145 Formation (Skandha), 16, 151-154,
157-168, 170-171, (190)
Form, Realm of, 25, 125, 14S Formless Realm, 25, 125, 14S
Forms Not Known by Appearance, 142 Forms Seen in Meditation, 142
Four Dharmas of Gampopa, the, 4S-64 Four Essential Recollections, the, SS Four Faults, the, 117-118
Four Names, see Ming shi pung po Four Noble Truths, 1S-40, defined
15-14, 158, (19S)
Four Ordinary Foundations, see Four
Thoughts that Tum the Mind
Four Proper Attitudes, the, SS
Four Thoughts that Tum the Mind, 7,
9, 44, 84, 145, (19S)
Freedom of Mind, 1S2
Fruit (of the Path), 1S9, 16S Fulfillment Phase of Meditation, 110, (19S)
Gampopa, 4S-54, (19S)
Gampopa, the Four Dhannas of, 4S-54 Ganacakra, 102
Index 217
218 The Dharma
Garchen Tulku Rinpoche, 170 Ga shi, see Aging and Death Gelongma Palmo, 96-97 Gelugpa, 9, 110, 112
Gods, 25, 27, 28, 45, 144, 176, 177 (194)
Golden Dhannas of Niguma, the Five, 102
Grasping, 15, 21
Greed, 166
Green Tara, 10
Guhyagarbhatantra, see Secret Heart
T antra
Guru Yoga, 10, 52, (194)
Harmlessness, Complete, 154 Hatred, see Aversion
Hatred, Lack of, 155
Hearl Sutra, 155, 154, {194) Hell, 25, 45
Hevajra, 107, 152
Hevafra Tantra, 152
H"mayina, 50, 58-59, 120, (194-195) Holding One's Morality Supreme, 159 Holding Views as Supreme, 159
Hor (region), 1
Householder, 81
Hungry Ghost (Yidak), 25, 45, (214) Hypocrisy, 165
Ignorance, 14, 15, 16, 50, 98, 119, 125, 127, 157-158, 161, 164, 176, {198)
Impennanence, 44, 45, 88, 146, 149, 154, 157, {199)
Impropriety, 165 Inconsiderateness, 166
Indra, 15
Innate Views, 160, 161 Instruction, see Tri
Intention, 151
Interdependence, see Dependent
Origination Interest, 152
Investigation, 171 Intoxication, 78-79 lnvened View, 159
Jalandhara, 152-155
Jamgon Chentse Oser Rinpoche,
Kongtrul II, 5n. , 144
Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye, the
Great, 1, 2, 5, 4, (195) Jamgon Perna Trimay, 5n. Jamyang Chentse Wangpo, 1 Jealousy, 164-165
Kagyii Lineages, 2, 9, 10, 11, 105, 110, 112, (195)
Kalacakra, 11, (195)
Kalpa of Great Conflict, 155 Kalpa of Famine, 155
Kalpa of Weapons, 155
Kanna, 7, 18, 27, 28, 29, 50, 54,
45, 44, 45, 48, 66, 68, 88, 116-117, 124, 154 (causality), 163-164, 168- 170, 174, {195-196)
Kanna Chamay Rinpoche, 147, 148, 154, 156, 168, (196)
Kanna Lekshe Drayang (Father of Kalu Rinpoche), 1, 2
Kayas, the Three, 56, 59, 99, (196) Kham, 1, 2
Khyung, the Garuda Clan, 100 Killing, 76, 82, 84, 117 Kn"yatantra, 115
Kun shi nam she, 54, 57, 172-174, (196)
Kun shi ye she, see Primordial Awareness
Kunzang Dechen Osal Ling Retreat Center, 5
Lama, 45, 115, 118, 119, 120-121,
12~15~1~. 1",1~. 16~1H,
(196)
Lavapa, 105
Laypeople, 74, 81, (196)
Laziness, 166
Len pa, see Grasping
Lha tong (Insight Meditation), 10,
119, {197)
Ling Rinpoche, 162
Listening (TO pa), 112, (212) Lung, see Scriptual Transmission Lying, 76, 84
Machik Drupay Gyalmo, 94-96 Madhyamaka, see Middle View Mahimudri, 9, 10, 11, 109-136, {197) Mahisiddhas, the Indian, 92, (197) Mahayana, 14, 15, S7-S9, 74, 120,
17S
Malice, 165
Mandala, 5S, 59, 62, 174, {197) Mandala Offering, 10, S2, 65-69 Mandalas of the Peaceful and Wrath-
ful Deities, 59, 60, 6S
Mantra, 52-5S, 1S2, 1S4, (198) Marijuana, 79
Ma rik pa, see Ignorance
Marpa Lotsawa, 48, 94-96, lOS, 107,
{198)
Mayadevi, Q. ueen (Mother of Buddha
Shakyamuni), 27
Meditation, S2, 65, 112, 121? ? . , lSO-
lSl, 14S, 146-148, 154-157, 167,
168-170, 174, 176-178 Meditation. Path of, S2, S5 Mental Occurrences, the Fifty-one,
151-154, 157-168, 170-171 Merit, 65, 67, 68-70, 82, 88, 9S,
105, 118, 119, 125, lSI, 145, 16S,
178
Middle Path, see Middle View Middle View, 159, 16S, 174, (198) Milarepa, 48, 95, 107, 116, 146, 160,
174, {198)
Mind, the Nature of, 14, 15, 29,
S7, 47-48, 50, 54, 57-58, 59, 61, 6S-64, 92-9S, 110, 111, 114-115,
116, 12S, 124, 125, 1S4, 185, 16S,
178
"Mind Only" School, 174
Ming shi pung po, 17, (199) Ming zuk, see Name and Form Mipham Rinpoche, 1
Monastic Vows, 74ff. Motivation, 68, 69-71, 146
Nagarjuna, 129, (199)
Name and Form, 17, (199)
Nam she, 16, 17S, {199)
Naropa, 48, 92, 99, lOS-125, 175,
{199-200)
Naropa, the Six Yogas of, lOS, 110,
144, (208)
Ngondro, 9-10, S2, 65, (200, 204) Nidanas, the Twelve, 15-2S, (200) Niguma, 92, 97-lOS
Niguma, the Six Yogas of, 107 Nihilism, SO, 124, 159, 161, 16S Nirmanakaya, S6, S7, 78, 16S,
(200-201)
Nirvana, 14, S6, 40, 107, {201)
Noble Eightfold Path, S5, (191)
No More Learning, Path of, S2, 172 Non-attachment, 15S
Non-conceptual Awareness, 124-125 Norbu Tondrup, the Venerable Lama,
s. (201)
Novice Vows, 75, (201)
Nyimay Gung, 98
Nyingmapa, Sn. , 9, 79, 110, 112,
(201)
Nyung nay, 97
Obscuration, the Four Levels of, 92, 118-119, 125-128, 17S, (201)
Oddiyana, 104
Offering, 65, 67, 68, 1Sl-1S2 Omnipresent Mental Occurrences, the
Five, 151
"One Taste," see Ro chik Ordination, 8, 74-81, 82, SS, 88
Index 219
220 The Dharma
Origin of Suffering, Truth of the, 15, 24
Origin, Location, and Direction (of Mind), 121-123
Origination, 111
Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche, 79, 155
Palpung Monastery, 2, S, (202) Path, 15, SO, Sl, 32, 43, 132, 139,
163
Paths, the Five, S2ff. , 39, (202) Perfection of Wisdom, see Prajii. ipira?
miti
Perna Wangcho Jalpo, T ai Situ XI,
2, s
Physical Body, 58-59, 92-93, 127, 128-
129, 130-131
Psysiology, 77
"Pointing Out," 125
Posture, 121
Practice, Dharma, SO, 52, SS, 59,
62, 75, 74ff. , 77, 79, 81, 88,
9lff. , 96, 108, 115, 120, 128-129, 150-152, 154, 155. 157, 160, 167-170
Prajii. ipiramitii. , 111, ISS, 154, (202- 205)
Pratimok? a, 74, (205)
Precious Human Binh, 44, 45, 85,
91, 145, 146-148, (205-204}
Pride, 80, 88, 158, 161
Primordial Awareness, 50, 55, 57, 118-
119, 128, 165, (214} Propriety, Sense of, 155 Prostrations, 52, 110, 151 Protectors, Dharma, 45, (204) Purification, 9, 52, 60, 74, 145
Rage, 165
Rangjung Dorje, Karmapa III, 27 Rangjung Rikpay Dorje, Karmapa
XVI, S, 4, 11, 155-156, 169 Raptu Gawa, SS, (205)
Ratak Pahang Tiilku XIII, Iff.
Realms, the Three, 24-25, 127, (205) Rechungpa, 95-96
Recognition (Skandha), 150-151 Recollection, 152
Refuge, 8, SO, 51, 45, 110, 120, (205) Refuge Names, 8, 9
Refuge Vows, 8, 9, 52
Regret, 88
Rejoicing in Others' Merit, 70 Rek pa, see Contact
Remorse, 170-171
Resolution, 151
Resultant Form, 140
Rig pa, see Awareness
Ri may, 1, (205)
Ri'nchen Ter Dzo, 4 "Ripening Consciousness," 172 Ro chik, 117, (206}
Rumtek Monastery, 11 Riipakii. ya, 165
Sakyapa, 9, 110, 112, (206)
Samadhi, 144, 152, (206)
Samaya, 74, 75
Sambhogakiya, 56, 57, ss? . 165, (206) Samdrup Tarjay Ling Monastery, 4,
(206)
Samsara, Cycle of Rebinh, 14, 15,
27, 29, 51. 56. 59, 40, 44, 75, 107,
125, 159, 176-177, (206)
Sangdok Palri, 170, (207)
Sangha, SO, 45, (207)
Scriptural Transmission (Lung), 106,
(197)
Secret Heart Tantra, 109
Secret Mantrayana, see Vajrayana Seed of Enlightenment, see Tathii. gata?
garbha
Seeing, Path of, 52, 55, 56
Self, the Sense of Ego-clinging, 17, SS,
126, 154, 158-159, 161, 172, 175,
175
Sem, 175, (207)
Sending and Taking, 46, 155, (207)
Sensation, 15, 20, 149-150, 151 Sense Fields, 15, 19, 150, (188) Sense Objects, 140
Se pa. 15, 20, (207)
Seventh Consciousness, see Mflicted Conscioumess, Emotionally
Sexual Activity. 77
Shamlessness, 165-166
Shangba Kagyii Lineage, S, (207-
208)
Shariputra, the Venerable, 67ff. Shawaripa, 168-169, (208)
Shechen Monastery. Sn.
Shenpa Shidrel, 162-16S, (208)
Shi nay (Tranquility Meditation, 10,
S2, 119, 144, (209)
Si pa Bardo, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,
56, 57, 61, 145. (186) Skandhas, the Five, S2, 1S9-178,
179-18S (table), (209)
Sleep, 170
Smoking, 79
Songtsen Gampo. King, 8, (210} Sosaling, 101
States of Rest, Movement, and Aware? ness, the, 12S
Stealing. 76, 84, 117
Strengths, the Five, ! IS
Stupidity, Lack of, 154
Suffering, 14, 15,28-28, S1,45, 88,
107. 1S5. 176-177. (210)
Suffering of Change. 24
Suffering of Composite Things, 2S-24 Suffering of Suffering, 24
Suffering. the Three Aspects of, 2Sff. Sukhasiddhi, 92, 98, 10S-107 Sukhasiddhi, Six Doctrines of, 107 Sumeru, Mount, 66
Sutra ofEntering the Womb, 22 Sutra Tradition, 80, 97, 113, (210)
Tanka Paintings, 174-175
Tantra, 50, 74-75, 78, 92, 98, (210) Tantric Vows, see Samaya
Tara, 93-94
Tarjay Gyamtso, the Venerable Lama,
144, 169, (210}
Tanna Doday, 94
Tashi (Mother of Chungpo Naljor),
100
Tathigatagarbha, SO, 61, 6S, 81, 115,
(211)
Tenzin Gyatso, Dalai Lama XIV. S Ter ton, 79, (211}
Thirty? seven Elements Conducive to
Enlightenment, S2ff. ? 35, (211} Three Jewels, 9, 30, 31, 45, 65, 68,
81. 82. 158, (211-212}
Tig le, 59, 77. (212}
Tilopa, 48, 92, 125, 175, (212) Tipupa, 94-96
Tobacco, 79
Tong len, see Sending and Taking Tonyo Drupa. 93
Training. Thorough, 15S
Tresho Gang chi Rawa, 1
Tri (Instruction), 8. 106
Trimay Shenyen, see Tipupa Trungpa Rinpoche, the Venerable
Chogyam, 7, (212)
Truths, the Two (Conventional and
Ultimate), 134, 158. 16S
Tsor wa, see Sensation
Tsurphu Monastery. 4, (212-21S) Twenty-one Flawless Aspects of the
Dhannakaya, S6
Types of Human Beings, the Three,
146
Unimpededness, 16, 37. 57-58, 6S-64, 92-9S, 111. 114, 115, 127. 128, 178, (21S}
Union of Awareness and Emptiness, 53 Union of Sound and Emptiness, 52 Union of Appearance and Emptiness,
51, (21S)
Vajradhara, see Dorje Chang
Index 221
222 The Dharma
Vajra? like Samadhi, 85 Vajrayina, 11, 15, 87-89, 45, 50,
74-75, 81, 92, 106, 110, 120, 161-
162, 178, 174, (218-214)
Variable States, the Four, 170-171 View, 157, 158-168
View Based on Perishable Aggregates,
158-159, 172
View that Holds Extremes, 159 Vinaya, 80, 97, 118, (214) Vindictiveness, 165
Vinue, 46, 82, 88, 181
Virupa, 104-105
Visualization, 142, 147, 148-149, 156-
157, 177-178 Vow-form, 142, 145 Vows, 78-89, 142 Vows, the Five, 76ff.
Wang, see Empowerment
Wheel of'Dharma, First Turning,
18ff.
White Tara, 94 Wildness, 167
Wisdom, 91, 92, 152 Wisdoms, the Five, 174 Wrath, 165
Yama, 168, (214) Yamay, 2
Yesbe Dawa, 98
Yeshe Tsogyal, 155, (214) Yi, 178, (214)
Yidam, 9, 45, 75, 147, 178, (214) Yoga Tantra, 118
Yogini, 105

Like Lh
THE DHARMA i
LighL of Lhe Sun and Lh Moon b Kalu Rinpo he
0? 706-156-7
THE DHARMA
ThaL IlluminaLe All B ing Impanially
niver it f New ork Pre? Alban

Foundation of
Buddhist Meditation
Ven. Kalu Rinpoche

The Foundation
of
Buddhist Meditation
Ven. Kalu Rinpoche
LIBRARY OF TIBETAN WORKS AND ARCHIVES
(C) 1987: Library ofTibetan Works and Archives
First published in 1973 as a pamphlet
Published in Four Essential Buddhist Texts in 1981, 1982
Reprint: 1992 This edition: 2004
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 81-85102-61-9
Published by Library ofTibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, and printed at Indraprastha Press (CBT) 4 Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-1 00 002
Publisher's Note
The Foundation ofBuddhist Meditation by Yen. Kalu Rinpoche was first published as a pamphlet by us in 1973. In 1981 it was included in an anthology Four Essential Buddhist Texts, which was reprinted in 1982 and in booklet form in 1992. Now we are pleased to bring out this new format in response to persistent demand.
The Foundation ofBuddhist Meditation outlines the basic meditation practices common to all sects of Tibetan Buddhism.
The late Yen. Kalu Rinpoche, the head of the Shang-pa Kagyu tradition, is one ofTibet's foremost living meditation masters, and has guided hundreds ofdisciples through three-year retreats in many coun- tries.
It is hoped that this meditation manual will provide the reader with a deeper insight into the
complex scope of Tibetan Buddhist thought and practice.
Publication Department
Library ofTibetan Works and Archives 2004
Introduction
In this manual, the four teachings which motivate religious practice and the attributes of the Three Jewels are explained. If one completely understands the significance ofall these things, one will turn away from the cycle of existence and strive to procure freedom, will believe in action and result (karma), and will either obtain Buddhahood in this life or will become free of this cycle, etc. Moreover when many positive qualities are cultivated, one will consolidate a basis for the holy Dharma. So, please, don't just penetrate the significance of all three things, but, in
addition, strive at Dharma practice.
This book, was written by myself, Kalu Rinpoche
(Karma Drub-gyud Ten-dzin) for the benefit of all who practice the Dharma. Ken McLoed of Canada did the translation from the Tibetan into English, after which Kungo Losang Lhalungpa checked and corrected the translation manuscript.
May this work deliver many sentient beings from the ocean of suffering, this cycle of existence; may they attain the Castle of Buddha.
Kalu Rinpoche
The Foundation of Buddhist Meditation
by Venerable Kalu Rinpoche
Now in order to embark upon religious practice, right from the start, an awareness of the diffi- culties of meeting with the opportunities and bless- ings of this life will anchor the mind and lead one to enter religion; then through the contemplation of impermanence, laziness will be abandoned and one will strive at such practice; belief in seed and results will cause evil to be rejected, virtue to be taken up, and
2
one to act with propriety; and when the misery of the
cycle of existence is understood, because of strong revulsion one will want to procure only freedom.
First to possess the eight opportunities means not to be born in the eight unrestful existences which are the hell, preta and animal realms all tormented by suffering exclusively; primitive tribes to which no religion has appeared; the long lived gods adrift on the currents of desire;1 those human beings who have wrong views, believing neither in religion nor in the law of action and result, those born in a dark aeon when Buddha has not appeared; and those who can- not understand the meaning of religion due to retar- dation or defects in speech, ears or eyes.
To possess the ten blessings means first to have the five blessings which accrue through oneself; i. e. to obtain the body of a human, to be born in a central country which has religion, to have all five senses intact, to reverse the tide of karma, and to have faith in the Three Jewels; and secondly, to have the five blessings which accrue through others; i. e. the ap- pearance ofBuddha, the teaching ofreligion (Dharma),
3 the stability of the Doctrine, the existence of many who follow the' Doctrine, and through the kindness and faith ofothers to have favorable circumstances for religious practice. Together, the five blessings, from oneself and the five through others comprise the ten blessings. Thus, to possess these, eighteen opportuni-
ties and blessings, forms the human birth.
The difficulty of meeting with it is illustrated in three ways: by considering the cause, the numbers,
and an example. The karmic cause is the cultivation of a completely pure ethical code. Such individuals are very rare. Number means that while hell beings are as numerous as the dust particles of the earth, pretas as the sand of the Ganges (the sacred river in India), animals as snow flakes, those in the celestial and anti- god realms as the stars at night, those who have a precious human birth with opportunities and bless- ings are like daytime stars. For example, it is taught that if all the world were water and a wooden yoke were thereupon to be tossed by the winds, and a blind turtle surfaced once every hundred years, for that turtle to put its neck in the yoke would be easier than to obtain the precious human birth.
4
Thus, at this time when the precious human birth
has been obtained, not to set out to follow the path to freedom and so, when completely free from the suf- fering of the cycle of existence to obtain the perma- nent peace ofBuddhahood, is more wasteful than, for example, a poor man who, finding as many jewels would fill a house, makes no use and so loses them.
So now, resolve to dismiss all worldly work, which is great activity for little purpose, and don't deceive oneself or pretend that one understands Dharma or that one can meditate. Obtain the nectar of religion from a qualified teacher (or spiritual friend), and then after completely comprehending the significance of the Holy Dharma, never depart from the resolution to complete the practice of Dharma by accumulated spiritual merits, eliminating mental impurities, and applying through meditation transformation and spiri- tual perfection.
Secondly, if impermanence is contemplated, strong clinging to this life diminishes and one is able to cultivate virtue. What is impermanence? All gath- erings of riches, enjoyment and splendor are, in the
5 end, dispersed; in the end, buildings ruined; in the end, those who have gathered together are separated; in the end, those born die. Thus every thing is but
impermanent.
In addition, the external world which seems solid
and firm is impermanent and will be destroyed in stages by fire, water and wind. The force of the coming spring causes the earth to be soft and reddish- brown in colour; trees and plants bring forth shoots and buds. But this is impermanent, for the force of the coming summer causes the earth to be moist and blue-green in color; grass, trees and plants develop leaves and petals. The force of the coming autumn causes the earth to be firm and reddish-yellow in color; grass, trees and plants ripen in fruit. The force of the coming winter causes the earth to be hard and grey in color; grass, trees and plants become dry and brittle; and so on season by season. The sun and moon rising and setting are also impermanent. At day it is clear and bright; at night black and dark. Moreover hours and minutes are impermanent, a passing mo- ment. Impermanent is like a continual water fall: something else similar arises.
6
All sentient beings,2 the inner contents of the external world, are impermanent. All those who came before have died, all that are now are dying, all to come will but die. One's self in each year, month, day, hour, and minute draws closer to death. Though brave and greatly courageous, one cannot turn back death; though strong and fleet of foot, there is no freedom in flight; though clever and eloquent, erudite discourse can do nought. Brave troops, sharp weap- ons, power and influence, clever schemes, wealth or riches, a beautiful girl's body, all these will not turn it away. When the sun goes behind the mountain, there is no one who can possibly delay or detain it.
Nor is this life certain in its length. Death can come in the mother's womb, or at birth, or when one can just begin to crawl or walk, in the time of youth, or after old age: the time of death 'is not certain. Also there are the causes ofdeath: fire and water, wind and lightning, earthquakes, avalanches, falling houses, weapons, poison, demons, bad food, etc. Which of these causes ofdeath will come is not certain. This life is like a butter lamp in a hurricane, a bubble in water, or a drop of dew on a blade of grass.
7 There is no yearning for or joy at the coming of death. It is loathed. For, after one has set aside land
and house and farm, property and possessions, rela- tives and close friends, father and mother, children, brother and spouse, together with one's own body, one must go powerless, alone and friendless to an unfamiliar realm, the terrifYing Bardo (the stage be- tween death and birth). Since without the slightest exception, the basis for this departure, whether early or late, is part ofeverything, whenever one sees, hears or thinks ofanother's death, one must make it part of oneself.
Any man at all who has a sound body, good complexion, and feels happy and comfortable has no thought for death. When the sickness ofdeath strikes, his body's strength ebbs and he cannot even sit in a crouch: the glow of health wanes, and he looks like a corpse; he suffers with no means to prevent the thorns of pain; medicine, rituals, or ceremonies, none of these is of any benefit, and he knows he is to die; his suffering and fear increase and he despairs of leaving everything and having to go alone. As the last meal is
8
taken and the last words are uttered, think, "I also do not pass beyond this nature. "
Once death has come, even a person who loved him very much does not want to keep his corpse longer than a day or two; everyone is sickened and looks on in fear. The corpse carriers carry him across the threshold and away to be buried in a cemetery, cremated, hidden in a crevice or given to birds or dogs etc. After all that has taken place, no eyes will ever see him again. Think, "I also will come to the same end. "
At that time, the three Precious Jewels3 and the Lama are the friends who can provide refuge. Since virtue and vice are the only things that bring benefit or harm, strive now towards pure and perfect religious practice.
Since this body is made from the fusion ofvarious parts: black and white karma, secretions from the mother and father, the four elements, space con- sciousness, etc. , and all compounded things are im- permanent, so is the body.
In addition, the high become low, the low high, mighty become paupers, poor become rich, enemies
9 change to friends, friends to enemies: in all these changes nothing goes beyond its essential nature of impermanence. So, this holding to the impermanent as permanent is like existing in the delusions of a
madman.
This precious human birth now obtained can
convey and comprehend ideas, has a full compliment ofcapabilities, has met spiritual teachers and friends, and has understood the implications of religion. If it should go to waste, even after the sufferings of the cycle have been experienced intensely for a long time, such a foundation as this body may not be obtained again. Thus, since the time one has to live is like the sun peeping through clouds, think about practicing religion completely and vow to do so diligently.
Contemplation ofimpermanence in this way leads to comprehension of the impermanence of all com- posite things. Then, manifest attachment to this life decreases, the power of the defilements (desire, aver- sion, etc. ) is destroyed; faith in religion increases, and one works with diligence. He who practices religion is never depressed or weary and will finally realize the
10
meaning of the unborn, undying nature of mind and obtaintheperfectaccomplishmentoftheGreatSymbol.
Thirdly, it is necessary to cultivate mindfulness of the failings of the cycle. Although there be death and impermanence, if, like a fire dying or water evaporat- ing, nothing happens afterwards, it would be easy; but mind, whose nature is empty, never dies. The aggre- gates ofmind and body which have come from strong clinging and is the manifestation of delusion breaks up and is dispersed. Then again, from various poten- tials and causes such as defilements, karma, inclina- tions, etc. , birth takes place wherever appropriate in any ofthe realms.
The composition of the skandhas4 incorporates the essential nature of the cycle, i. e. suffering. When there is the existence of the skandhas there is the existence ofthe potential sorrow that pervades forma- tions; when potential sorrow, through various causes, changes to the feeling of sorrow, it is the sorrow of changes; the sorrow that really is experienced is the sorrow of sorrows. There is no freedom from any of these three sufferings.
11 Particularly, sentient beings in the six realms ex- perience many different sorrows. First, the beings of the eight hot hells called Reviving, Black Line, Crush- ing and Destruction, Crying in Agony, Hot, Very Hot, and Worst Torment pass their time only suffer-
ing from death, killing, heat and flames. The length of time spent and amount ofsuffering increase by factors offour from hell. In each ofthe four directions, there are four other hells called Fire and Hot Mud Trench, Cesspool of Rotting Corpses, Road Full of Razors, and River of Hot Ashes. These hells, situated four in each offour directions ofthe great hells, make a total ofsixteen neighboring hells. There, one is subjected to sufferings suggested by the meaning ofthe names, and the life span is indefinite. The eight cold hells are called Blistering, Teeth Chattering, Sounding Achoo, Sounding Kyehu, Cracks Like a Flower, Cracks Like a Lotus, and Cracks Like a Large Lotus. In these dwell- ing places all the mountains and valleys are ice and snow, and it is as cold as can be. The length of time spent in Blistering is given as follows: if from eighty bushels ofsesame seeds one seed were removed each
12
year, the time taken to exhaust the seeds would be one lifespan there. The lifespan increases by factors of twenty successively, through the other cold hells, as does the suffering. Finally, the occasional hells may be above or below ground, in indefinite places. Neither the suffering nor lifespan is strictly determined, and the only reason for being there is to suffer.
The pretas: those obscured outwardly do not see a drop of water for twelve years and experience the sorrow of having dry food only. Those inwardly ob- scured have mouths no larger than the eye ofa needle, eyes as thin as a horse's hair, arms and legs like blades ofgrass, and stomachs as big as mountains, and thus, unable to seek food and drink, experience the sorrow ofnot putting anything into their mouths and throats. For those obscured in food and drink, food and fluid become filth or molten metal. Those with particular burdens have many pretas living in and eating their bodies and each mother gives birth to five hundred children, etc. Continually subject to the suffering of quarrelling, grabbing, heat, cold, hunger and thirst, they live for five hundred years. One day there is as long as a month for humans.
13 In the animal realms, there are all those such as nagas,5 etc. , who dwell in seclusion in the ocean or under the ground, and those scattered and living in the places of men: antelopes, carnivores, cows, deer, insects, worms, etc. Size and shape ofbody and lifespan are uncertain and varied. Foolish and stupid, hungry and thirsty, through heat and cold, frightened and panic-stricken, ever eating one another, they suffer immeasurably. For all nagas, seven times every day usually, scorching sand falls like rain and flays the flesh to the bone. Fear of garuda birds constantly plagues them. All those animals which one can see with one's own eyes, when examined accurately, will
be seen to have sorrows which seem in-exhaustible. On top ofthis great suffering, they become subject to desire and attachments and the other defilements, and commit various unwholesome acts, such as killing, etc. Since they all neither know nor recall even a vestige of the root of virtue, i. e. faith, compassion, etc. , one should have compassion and strive at the means to avoid birth there. These are the circum- stances of the three lower realms.