This
translation
was IDtade by Ringu Tiilku and Michele Martin in May of 1992, in Sikkim.
Jamgon-Kongtrul-Cloudless-Sky
Otherwise, if one simply sits down to meditate with ones's eyes wide open without having the faintest clue ofwhat mahamudra is all about, this will only lead one to the animal realms.
Sakya Pandita wrote an entire book on the effects of this type of mistake in one's meditation practice.
There is no path that is deeper and more direct than that of mahamudra and maha ati. There is no other path that leads to the ultimate goal-all other approaches eventually flow into this one. However, in order to practice the path, we have to follow it step by step, because we are too caught up in our dualistic confused notions.
In this regard, there is a proverb that says: "If you prac- tice maha ati in the evening, you will attain enlightenment that same night; if you practice it in the morning, you will attain enlightenment that morning. If you practice maha- mudra, you will attain enlightenment in an instant. '' There is no deeper path. All that one needs is to be well prepared, otherwise one will not be able to practice the path properly and will miss one's goal.
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S: Isn't there a danger that an intellectual approach could affect our progress in mahamudra meditation?
R: Not at all, since thoughts and concepts do not affect mind-they are mind. On the mahamudra path they dis- solve into themselves. Thoughts and mind are not different from each other. Once one has understood the nature of mind one can see that thoughts and mind are one. One ex- periences thoughts as being self-liberated; this is the expe- rience ofdharmakaya.
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? Appendixes
? 1
A Brief Biography ofHis Eminence ]amgon Kongtriil Rinpoche
by Bokar Tiilku Rinpoche
NAMO GURU MA TI DHARMA SINGHA YE.
The true nature of the vajra realm is unchanging and
permanent,
Yet in order to train disciples,
You display inconceivable, miraculous illusions,
Such as the appearance of birth and death; I bow to you. Your wondrous nirmanakaya, complete with all the marks
of the Buddha,
Rests in meditation like a sun in the space of luminosity.
At this time I have composed the mere seed of a biography To inspire the faith of myself and others.
Ja m g o n K o n g t r i i l L o d r o T h a y e w a s o n e o f t h e m o s t b r i l l i a n t stars in the galaxy of scholars and siddhas from Tibet, the land of snow. Predicted by the Buddha, he was the crown jewel in the rime (nonsectarian) movement of Buddhism in Tibet. He was born on December 14, 1813, to Sonamphel and Tashitso in front ofMount Perna Lhatse, one ofthe eight sacred places in Kham (Eastern Tibet). Lodro Thaye be-
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came learned in the ten ordinary and extraordinary branches of knowledge, and it became his responsibility to explain and compose texts, which incorporated a great number of teachings from both the old and new traditions, including the lineages of oral teachings, hidden treasures (terma), and teachings of pure vision. These were all brought together in Lodro Thaye's great Five Treasuries of Knowledge. Like a second Buddha, he served all traditions of dharma without any bias, through his teaching, practice, and activity. At the age of eighty-seven on January 19, 1899, he passed away.
In the garden of Samdrup Choling at Dowolung Tshur- phu, the unexcelled heart center of the dakinis, the second Jamgon Kongtriil, Kyentse Oser, was born in 1902 as the son ofthe fifteenth Karmapa, Khakhyap Dorje, ofwhom he was the heart son as well. He studied, mastered, and practiced to perfection the treatises of the sutras and tantras in gen- eral, and in particular, the Five Treasuries, the path of lib- eration, which focuses on the mahamudra as it is elucidated in the special teachings of the Kamtsang Kagyii. Khyentse Oser attained realization of the ultimate lineage and became the lineage holder of the sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa. Many times over, he gave teachings, empowerments, and reading transmissions from the old and new traditions, such
as the Rinchen Terdzo, and he rebuilt the retreat center of Tsatra Rinchen Drak (his residence at Palpung Monastery), supplying it with everything needed. He passed away on the tenth ofMay 1952, having accomplished great deeds for the benefit of the teachings and sentient beings.
The name of the third Kongtriil incarnation is Jamgon Kongtriil, Karma Lodro Chokyi Senge, perfect guide of un- equaled kindness, whose aspirations, activity, and accom- plishments for the precious dharma and sentient beings in
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? ? ? ? A BriefBiography ? ? ?
general, and the Kagyii lineage in particular, have been a wondrous light in these dark times. For this reason, his name is spoken with great reverence. As his last testament, the previous Jamgon Kongtriil, Khyentse Oser, stated that his reincarnation would be in central Tibet and that the house- hold, parents, and time would be predicted by the Gyal- wang Karmapa. Accordingly, in a first letter of recognition, the sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa wrote the following prophecy:
In the central part of the country, surrounded by snow mountains,
With the father's name De and the mother's Perna,
From a wealthy family of pure ancestry,
A boy of the wood horse year with excellent signs
Is without any doubt Jamgon, the incarnation of Lotsawa
V airochana.
Raising the victory banner of the teachings, He will give life to all Buddhist traditions And especially to the lineage of Gampopa.
According to this vajra prophecy Jamgon Kongtriil Rin- poche was born on the first of October 1954, the male horse year of the sixteenth cycle, in Lhasa, from whence the Dalai Lama guided the spiritual and temporal life of Tibet. His father was Tsering Topgyal of Sadutshang, a prominent fam- ily, and his mother was Perna Yudron, the daughter of Sa- wang Ngawang Jigme Ngabo, a cabinet minister in the Ti- betan government. Before and after his birth, many wonderful signs appeared to his mother, and he was recog- nized without any doubt as the reincarnation of Jamgon Kongtriil by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Gyalwang Karmapa through the vision of their stainless wisdom.
Under their direction, Y onten Phiintsok, the Treasurer of . 107.
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the former Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche, repeatedly re- quested the Sadutshang family to entrust the tulku to his labrang (monastic organization). At last they consented, and when he was one year and five months old,Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche was formally recognized and offered robes and his title. At the age of six, he was enthroned by His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa at the old monastery in Rumtek, Sikkim. From then onward, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche as a heart son was inseparable from His Holiness, who super- vised his education right from the very beginning, starting with reading, writing, and memorizing texts. At the age of thirteen, he received from His Holiness the sixteenth Kar- mapa getsul ordination along with Shamar Rinpoche and Tai Situ Rinpoche, on the fifteenth day of Saga Dawa (the fourth Tibetan month) of the male fire horse year at Rum- tek's Karma Shedrup Chokhor Ling (Dharma Chakra Cen- ter). At that time, he received the name Jamgon Kongtriil,
Karma Lodro Chokyi Senge, Tenpe Gocha Ngedon Gyurme Trinle Kiinkhyap Palzangpo.
Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche then studied a great number of texts, both in general and specifically, with Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a great scholar and holder ofthe vinaya. His further studies also included all the tantras of Marpa's tradition, especially those of the Karma Kamtsang, and the lama dances, preparation of mandalas, chanting, and musi- cal instruments pertaining to the practices of Padmasam- bhava, Vajrakilaya, and others. Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche received &om Khyabje Kalu Rinpoche, master siddha and the activity emanation ofJamgon Kongtriil Lodro Thaye, teachings ranging from the mahamudra preliminary prac- tices of the Kamtsang tradition up to empowerments, read- ing transmissions, and explanations for Gyalwa Gyamtso,
Demchok, Dorje Phakmo, and especially, the Six Yogas of ? 108.
? ? ? ? A BriefBiography ? ? .
Naropa, Mahamudra, the Five Golden Teachings of the Shangpa Kagyii, the great empowerments of Kalachakra and Rinchen Terdzo, and at different times, countless other teachings of the new and old traditions.
At the age of twenty, on the fifteenth day of the first month (the month of miracles) in the female water ox year, he received full gelong ordination at the Dharma Chakra Centre from his Holiness the sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa, who acted as the khenpo (abbot) for the occasion, since he is master of the qualities of discipline and learning, well versed in the pitakas, the second Shakyamuni of this degen- erate time, and leader of all those who hold ordination. Jam- goo Kongtriil Rinpoche took gelong vows along with Cham- goo Situ Rinpoche and Khyabje Gyaltsap Rinpoche, and was assisted by a master of procedure and other monks to complete the necessary number. Believing them to be the very foundation of the dharma, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche always guarded carefully these precious vinaya rules, pro- tecting them as if they were his own eyes. He gave the ordi- nations of getsiil and gelong to about three thousand monks in India, Nepal, and Tibet, both the worlds of East and West, and so became a great holder of the vinaya.
From His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche received the bodhisattva vows, which are the foundation of the mahayana path, from the tradi- tions of both Nagarjuna and Asanga. He continually prac- ticed the many aspects of a bodhisattva's path-the six par- amitas, the four ways of gathering disciples, and so forth- training in the extensive activity of the bodhisattva, and manifesting as a great one himself.
Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche had great faith, respect, and devotion for his spiritual teachers, the source of all paths and practice, and received from them many teachings of the
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sutra and tantra traditions. Especially, his relationship to the Gyalwang Karmapa, embodiment of all refuges, was one of total devotion, respect, and pure vision, which were greater than even that for the Buddha himself. Rinpoche served His Holiness perfectly and received from him all the profound oral instructions, such as the Five Great Treasuries, all the empowerments, reading transmissions, and explanations of the Kamtsang Kagyii, the Root Text of Mahamudra, and so forth. In particular, the realization of mahamudra, which is the heart blessing of the ultimate lineage, was transferred to him and he became a great siddha.
In 1976 and 1980,Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche accompa- nied the Gyalwang Karmapa on a tour of numerous places in America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. After His Holi- ness' parinirvana, Jamgon Rinpoche continued to travel to Europe and Asia, and established branches of the Rigpe Dorje Foundation in many countries and the Paramita Char- itable Trust in India, to further his activities of social devel- opment for the benefit of others. Through empowerments, explanations, and advice, he generously gave teachings for three different types of students in accordance with their needs, and so became like the medicine that restored the teachings and healed sentient beings.
In 1983, in order to counteract obstacles to the swift re- turn of His Holiness the Karmapa, Jamgon Rinpoche built a Sidok Stupa with the proper measurements, mantras, dharanis, and consecration. For the same reason, he initi- ated the practice of 100 million recitations of the Vajrasattva mantra every year on the occasion of Saga Dawa (the fourth Tibetan month). In 1984, following the wishes of His Holi- ness, he started the construction of a new building for Karma Shri Nalanda Institute and it was inaugurated in June of 1987. Not only did Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche pro-
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vide for all the furnishings of the entire building, including the statues and so forth for the shrine hall, but he also found the means to support about 150 students, comprised of many tiilkus, lamas, and monks.
Jamgon Rinpoche visited Tibet in 1984, gave empower- ment and teachings at Palpung Monastery to a vast gather- ing of monks and lay people, and ordained about 500 monks, giving them getsiil and gelong vows. He then visited Lhasa and Tshurphu Monastery (the Seat of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa) where he gave empowerments and teachings to monks and lay people, and the ordinations of getsiil and gelong to about one hundred. Furthermore, he was able to obtain permission for the reconstruction of Tshurphu, toward which he donated all the offerings that were made to him during his journey.
In 1988, Rinpoche constructed a new monastery at Lava near Kalimpong, West Bengal, and presently about 108 monks reside there, ten of whom are involved in a three- year retreat following the tradition of the golden dharma in the Shangpa Kagyii. Likewise, in 1988 he started the con- struction ofPhullahari Retreat Center in Nepal, where there are now about fifteen monks practicing. In 1990, he gave the great Kalachakra empowerment to the monks and lay people of Rumtek and donated funds to initiate the con- ducting of the Kalachakra puja there on an annual basis.
In 1991, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche returned to Tibet and visited Derge Gonchen where he gave an empower- ment, reconsecrated the old and new Derge Printing House, and made donations to them. Thereafter, he jour- neyed to Palpung Monastery and gave the great Kalachakra initiation to about 550 tiilkus and lamas of the area, includ- ing Sangye Tendzin of Japa GOnshap Surmang Tentriil, Dodrak Tiilku, and many others, and further, there was a
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crowd of about 10,000 lay people. He also gave getsiil and gelong ordinations to about 550 people. Next he traveled to Damkar Monastery in Nangchen, where he again gave the Kalachakra empowerment to about 10,000 sangha mem- bers, including lamas and tiilkus, such as Shangu Tiilku, Kyodrak Tendzin, Salga, Druk. pa Tiilku, Demon Tiilku, and many others.
In February of 1992, he gave the Kagyii Ngakdzo empow- erments to the monks, nuns, and lay people of Rumtek, and to numerous sangha members from the East and West. He also inaugurated the new building of Karma Jamyang Khang, a primary school for monks, for which he had ar- ranged funding and participated in the design and construc- tion. As his last activity, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche offered mantras and dharanis to fill the new statue of the Buddha in the main shrine hall of Rumtek monastery. Due to his pure samaya with His Holiness, he was able to cover the entire statue with gold. Once he had consecrated the statue, Jam- goo Rinpoche told his attendants, "Now I have fulfilled the wishes of His Holiness. ''
In brief, toJamgon Rinpoche one can say as in this quote:
I pray to you, source of all qualities, the one rich in faith, discipline, learning, generosity, intelligence, modesty, and humility.
From childhood, he naturally had all the qualities of a noble being. His faith and pure vision of his teachers was unpar- alleled, and especially, his devotion to his root lama, Vajra- dhara Gyalwang Karmapa, was fully equal to that of all the previous lineage holders of the Kagyii tradition. From the time His Holiness became ill, until he dissolved his mind into the dharmadhatu, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche was not separate from him for even one moment. He was never tired
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nor careless for a moment in attending to the physical needs or following the commands and wishes of his lama. With great respect he served His Holiness even to the point of cleaning His Holiness' personal bathroom and sweeping his floors when it was necessary. His life is a teaching to people like us who tend to treat the dharma and the lamas like water by the roadside, which we take when we need it, but do not respect or give devotion from our heart.
Jamgon Rinpoche studied numerous sutras, tantras, their commentaries and oral instructions, from traditions in par- ticular and in general. As a sign of having genuinely realized these teachings, he displayed the qualities of faith, pure vi- sion, loving-kindness, and genuine concern for the well-be- ing of others, qualities that were so much a part of him that they became inseparable from his name. He constantly ful- filled the wishes of others through giving away all that was offered him to build monasteries, to establish centers of learning and practice, to create representations of the Bud- dha's body, speech, and mind, and to support the sangha and the poor and needy.
With clear wisdom of the world and of dharma, he soothed the mental sufferings of others, cut through the net of their doubts, and guided them onto the right path through direct and indirect means. To his attendants and all those, high or low, with whom he related, Jamgon Rinpoche alwaysshowedthequalitiesofconstantfriendship, modesty, humility, and gratitude; he perfected all these qualities that are esteemed in the world. We, his disciples, should always remember this perfect life story of our supreme guide and seek to emulate it with faith, respect, and pure vision.
At the age of thirty-nine (by the Tibetan calendar), Jam- gon Kongtri. il Rinpoche suddenly passed away, due to the obstacles for Buddhism and people in general, and in par-
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ticular for the Kagyii tradition. Considering his age~ learn- ing, qualities, aspirations, and activities, his passing has been an unbearably sorrowful event for his disciples and all who knew him. Yet, as ordinary people with limited under- standing and realization of how things truly are, we are un- able to know the profound methods for benefitting sentient beings in the right time and place. We should, therefore, always look at his life with pure vision, great faith, and de- votion, and try to attain in our lifetime the supreme achieve- ment of mahamudra through receiving in our mindstream
the blessing of his body, speech, and mind. We should al- ways turn our minds toward praying that his perfect incar- nation will swiftly return, and that his life and activities will be brought to perfection following the aspirations he has made of the Dharma and sentient beings.
From now until enlightenment, supreme lama,
May we always serve and rely on you.
May we persevere in practice and complete the path,. Giving up what is negative and perfecting the positi'\i"e.
Following the request of Jamgon Rinpoche's attendants, Tenzin Dorjee and Sonam Chophel, this was written at Rumtek Retreat Center, Yiwang Samten Chokhor Ling, on the 5th of May, 1992, by Bokar Tiillm, Karma . }'Jgedon Chokyi Lodro, whose devotion is inspired by the life fOfJam- gon Lama. Sarva Mangalam.
This translation was IDtade by Ringu Tiilku and Michele Martin in May of 1992, in Sikkim.
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? 2
Supplication to the Kagyu Gurus
NAMO GURAVE
You who bind the secret joy, Sri Heruka, I supplicate you.
In the charnel ground of the play of joy and light, Wisdom <;lakin! consort, I supplicate you.
In the secret bhaga of the land of U<;l<;liyat)a, Glorious Buddha Tilopa, I supplicate you.
In the sphere of activity of the wisdom <;lakini consort, The mahapat)gita, great siddha Naropa, I supplicate you.
Surrounded by the assembly of Nairatmya Devi, Lord Lhotrakpa, father and son, I supplicate you.
Sporting with the queen in the celestial realm, Lord repas, greater and lesser, I supplicate you.
Holder of the ultimate lineage, the sacred teaching of mahamudra,
Lord physician, uncle and nephews, I supplicate you.
Revealing the miracles of luminosity, Lord Tiisum Khyenpa, I supplicate you.
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Possessing the buddha activity which subjugates those difficult to tame,
Lord Sanggye Rechen, I supplicate you.
Possessing the mastery which overpowers the phenomenal world,
Lord great Pomtrakpa, I supplicate you.
In the east at Karppo Kangra, holder of the Practice Lineage,
Lord Karmapa, I supplicate you.
You, the lord of mudra messengers, Lord Mahasiddha, I supplicate you.
Expanding the stream of blissful wisdom, Lord Rangjung Dorje, I supplicate you.
In the clear palace of the luminous vajra, Victorious Yungton Shikpo, I supplicate you.
Samaya holder of the unified maQ. <;lala of the devas, Lord Rolpe Dorje, I supplicate you.
The poet who sings songs of great blazing passion, Lord Khacho Wangpo, I supplicate you.
You who wear the crown of glorious, invincible yoga, Lord Teshin Shekpa, I supplicate you.
Enjoying the great taste of mind, bliss, and praQ. a, Lord Chopal Yeshe, I supplicate you.
Spreading the hindu of the great wrathful one, Lord Ratnabhadra, I supplicate you.
You whose roar of bliss pervades the sky, Lord Thongwa Tonden, I supplicate you.
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? ? ? ? Supplication ? ? . Greatly intoxicated by the joy of Mafijusri,
Lord Pengar Kiinkhyen, I supplicate you.
You who promote profound brilliant realization, Great Lord Goshri, I supplicate you.
You who achieved the siddhi of taste with the gaze of simplicity,
Lord Chotrak Gyatso, I supplicate you.
You whose mind has perfected the aspects of supreme union,
Lord Sanggye Nyenpa, I supplicate you.
You who fully reveal yourself to your son-disciples, Lord Mikyo Dorje, I supplicate you.
Bestowing bliss on sentient beings pervading space, Glorious Konchok Yenlak, I supplicate you.
You, the nirmaQ. akaya endowed with a compassionate heart,
Lord Wangchuk Dorje, I supplicate you.
From the palace of praQ. a purified in the avadhiiti, Lord Chokyi Wangchuk, I supplicate you.
On the u~Q. I~aof the brahmarandhra, Lord Choying Dorje, I supplicate you.
In the profound, brilliant, divine palace, Lord Trakpa Chokyang, I supplicate you.
In the palace of space and wisdom, Glorious Yeshe Nyingpo, I supplicate you.
In the divine dome of Potala,
Lord Yeshe Dorje, I supplicate you.
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Marvelous with profound and brilliant knowledge, Lord Chokyi Tontrup, I supplicate you.
Supreme, fearless, accomplishing the benefit of all, Lord Changchup Dorje, I supplicate you.
Spreading the sunlight of the teachings of the two knowledges,
Lord ChokyiJungne, I supplicate you.
Perpetually enjoying the gaQ. acakra of great bliss, Lord Diidiil Dorje, I supplicate you.
You who know the illusory character of the whole phenomenal world,
Lord Chotrup Gyatso, I supplicate you.
From the palace of the dharmakaya of unchanging truth, Lord Padma Nyinche, I supplicate you.
You can establish whoever encounters you in nonreturning,
Lord Thekchok Dorje, I supplicate you.
illusory musician of supreme bliss and emptiness, Lord Lodro Thaye, I supplicate you.
Whoever hears your name is led to the path ofliberation, Lord Khakhyap Dorje, I supplicate you.
Glorious conqueror of the hordes of the four maras, Lord Padma Wangchok, I supplicate you.
You who liberate those poisoned with the ignorance of dualistic fixation,
Lord Jamgon Guru, I supplicate you. ? 118.
? ? ? ? Supplication ? ? ?
May I be liberated from the sophistries of the two truths of dharma.
In the nakedness of true ordinary mind,
Which is the penetrating path of abandoning hope and
fear,
May I realize buddha in the palm of my hand.
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? Glossary
abhisheka (wang) An empowerment ceremony in which the teacher introduces the student to the mandala of a given yidam and empowers him to meditate on that yidam. Besides the abhisheka, a reading transmission (lung), and an oral ex- planation (thri), are also necessary to effectively practice the vajrayana.
alaya-vijiiana (kiinzhi namper shepa) The consciousness that is the ground of everything. The aspect of mind that constitutes the basis for confusedly identifying with a self and dualistic thinking.
Atisha (982-1054) Also known as Dipamkara Shri }fiana. A meditation master and scholar at the Buddhist University Vi- kramashila in India. After being repeatedly invited to teach in Tibet, he accepted and contributed greatly to establishing the Buddhist teachings there. His student Dromtonpa is the founder of the Kadampa school.
bardo (lit. "in-between state") In general usage refers to the state between death and rebirth. In actual fact, there are six bardos: the bardo of life, sleep, meditation, death, dharmata, and becoming.
bhumi (sa) One of the ten stages on the path of a bodhisattva. bindu See prana, nadi, hindu.
bodhichitta (changchup-kyi sem) A mental attitude orientl'd
toward attaining enlightenment in order to benefit all ! wings ? 121.
? ? ? ? GLOSSARY? ? ?
Bodhichitta is divided into two aspects: relative and ultimate. Relative bodhichitta is both the aspiration to attain enlighten- ment for the benefit of others and the practical application of this aspiration through the practice of liberating behavior in the form of the paramitas. Ultimate bodhichitta involves real- izing the inseparability of emptiness and compassion.
bodhisattva (changechup sempa) A person who works tire- lessly to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, without ever feeling discouraged. In the narrow sense, the term refers to someone who has realized emptiness and developed compassion. In the broad sense, it includes anyone who has taken the bodhisattva vow, a ceremony in which one promises to achieve buddhahood for the benefit of others.
BOn A shamanistic religion that was practiced in Tibet before the spread of Buddhism.
Bonpo PractitionerofBOn.
cloudy mind (kleshamanas; nyonmongpe yid) The seventh con- sciousness, an aspect of mind that rests on the alaya-vijfiana, that experiences confusion, and that has the concept of a self.
dakini (khandroma, lit. "sky-walker") Dakinis represent inspi- rational impulses of awareness that help the practitioner in his quest for wisdom. They appear in friendly, semi-wrathful, and wrathful forms. Some dakinis are yidams, while others are types of energy that protect the teachings and the practitioner. There are also some who do not benefit beings.
dependent origination (pratityasamutpada; tenching drelwar jungwa) The pattern of cause and effect in one's experience of life situations, with phenomena arising interdependendy, based on a variety of causes and conditions.
dharma (cho) In this book the term should be taken to mean Buddhist teachings, except in the expression "eight worldly dharmas. ''
dharmadhatu (choying) The space of phenomena; ultimate re- ality.
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dharmakaya See kaya.
dharmapala (chokyong) See three roots.
dharma robes The three robes of a monk or nun.
eight transmission lineages (eight lines of transmis- sion) Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyii, Sakya, Shangpa, Shije, Orgyenpa, and Jonangpa. A distinction is made between the "old" and "new" traditions. The old tradition is the Nyingma, that arose during the first spread of Buddhism in Tibet in the eighth century, as opposed to the new traditions, that came to Tibet during the second wave of translations of Indian Bud- dhist texts. This phase begins with the translator Rinchen Sangpo (958-1051).
eight worldly dharmas Four pairs of opposites that rule our lives as long as we struggle to achieve the first set and reject the second. These are gain and loss, joy and pain, fame and obscu- rity, praise and blame.
enlightenment Buddhahood. The Tibetan word for Buddha, sanggye, is made up of two syllables that illustrate the two as- pects ofbuddhahood. Sang means "completely purified," that is, purified of all obscurations, including the sleep of igno- rance. Gye means "completely developed" and refers to the development of all qualities and wisdom. Enlightenment or buddhahood is a state of complete purity and wisdom.
five paths A description of spiritual development in the mahay- ana outlined by: path of accumulation, path of union, path of meditation, path ofinsight, and path ofno more learning. With the path of insight, one achieves the first of the ten bodhisattva bhumis. Within the bhumis, a distinction is made between the so-called "impure" bhumis, the first seven, and "pure" bhumis, the eighth, ninth, and tenth. The eleventh bhumi is the realization of complete enlightenment, corresponding to the path of no more learning.
formless realm (zukme kham) See three realms of samsara. form kayas (zuk ku) See kaya.
? 123.
? ? ? ? GLOSSARY ? ? ?
/our dharmas ofGampopa A short text by Gampopa:
May my mind be one with the dharma, May my practice progress along the path, May the path clarify confusion,
May confusion dawn as wisdom.
four extremes Existence, nonexistence, both existence and nonexistence, neither existence nor nonexistence. These are four false notions that may arise when one reflects on reality, and that are countered by madhyamaka.
four great and eight lesser lineages (schools) See Kagyii.
four ordinary and four spedal preliminaries See ngondro.
/our noble truths (denpa zhi) The first teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni: suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
/our yogas Four stages of the path of mahamudra: one-point- edness, one taste, simplicity, and nonmeditation. Each of these four is divided into three levels of realization.
Gampopa (1079-1153) Main student of Milarepa and teacher of the first Karmapa, Tiisum Khyenpa. Gampopa blended to- gether two traditions: the Kadampa lineage of Atisha and the mahamudra lineage transmitted to him by Milarepa. At Taklha Gampo he founded the first Kagyii monastery in Tibet. Gam- popa is the source of the four great and eight lesser lineages (schools) of the Kagyii lineage. He is also known as Takpo Lharje, the physician from Takpo.
garuda (khyung) An ancient Indian mythological bird that hatches full-grown from the egg and thus symbolizes the awak- ened state of mind.
ghanta See vajra.
giving and taking (tong len) A form of meditation derived orig-
inally from the Kadampa tradition, aimed at developing bo-
dhichitta and training the mind. guru (lama) See three roots.
. 124.
? ? ? ? GLOSSARY ? ? ?
guruyoga (lame naljor) A form of meditation through which one realizes that one's own mind is inseparable from the mind of the teacher and from ultimate reality, that is, enlightenment.
Hevajra (Kye Dorje) One of the five main yidams of the Kagyii school.
There is no path that is deeper and more direct than that of mahamudra and maha ati. There is no other path that leads to the ultimate goal-all other approaches eventually flow into this one. However, in order to practice the path, we have to follow it step by step, because we are too caught up in our dualistic confused notions.
In this regard, there is a proverb that says: "If you prac- tice maha ati in the evening, you will attain enlightenment that same night; if you practice it in the morning, you will attain enlightenment that morning. If you practice maha- mudra, you will attain enlightenment in an instant. '' There is no deeper path. All that one needs is to be well prepared, otherwise one will not be able to practice the path properly and will miss one's goal.
? 101.
? ? ? ? CLOUDLESS SKY? ? ?
S: Isn't there a danger that an intellectual approach could affect our progress in mahamudra meditation?
R: Not at all, since thoughts and concepts do not affect mind-they are mind. On the mahamudra path they dis- solve into themselves. Thoughts and mind are not different from each other. Once one has understood the nature of mind one can see that thoughts and mind are one. One ex- periences thoughts as being self-liberated; this is the expe- rience ofdharmakaya.
? 102.
? Appendixes
? 1
A Brief Biography ofHis Eminence ]amgon Kongtriil Rinpoche
by Bokar Tiilku Rinpoche
NAMO GURU MA TI DHARMA SINGHA YE.
The true nature of the vajra realm is unchanging and
permanent,
Yet in order to train disciples,
You display inconceivable, miraculous illusions,
Such as the appearance of birth and death; I bow to you. Your wondrous nirmanakaya, complete with all the marks
of the Buddha,
Rests in meditation like a sun in the space of luminosity.
At this time I have composed the mere seed of a biography To inspire the faith of myself and others.
Ja m g o n K o n g t r i i l L o d r o T h a y e w a s o n e o f t h e m o s t b r i l l i a n t stars in the galaxy of scholars and siddhas from Tibet, the land of snow. Predicted by the Buddha, he was the crown jewel in the rime (nonsectarian) movement of Buddhism in Tibet. He was born on December 14, 1813, to Sonamphel and Tashitso in front ofMount Perna Lhatse, one ofthe eight sacred places in Kham (Eastern Tibet). Lodro Thaye be-
? 105.
? . . . APPENDIX ? ? ?
came learned in the ten ordinary and extraordinary branches of knowledge, and it became his responsibility to explain and compose texts, which incorporated a great number of teachings from both the old and new traditions, including the lineages of oral teachings, hidden treasures (terma), and teachings of pure vision. These were all brought together in Lodro Thaye's great Five Treasuries of Knowledge. Like a second Buddha, he served all traditions of dharma without any bias, through his teaching, practice, and activity. At the age of eighty-seven on January 19, 1899, he passed away.
In the garden of Samdrup Choling at Dowolung Tshur- phu, the unexcelled heart center of the dakinis, the second Jamgon Kongtriil, Kyentse Oser, was born in 1902 as the son ofthe fifteenth Karmapa, Khakhyap Dorje, ofwhom he was the heart son as well. He studied, mastered, and practiced to perfection the treatises of the sutras and tantras in gen- eral, and in particular, the Five Treasuries, the path of lib- eration, which focuses on the mahamudra as it is elucidated in the special teachings of the Kamtsang Kagyii. Khyentse Oser attained realization of the ultimate lineage and became the lineage holder of the sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa. Many times over, he gave teachings, empowerments, and reading transmissions from the old and new traditions, such
as the Rinchen Terdzo, and he rebuilt the retreat center of Tsatra Rinchen Drak (his residence at Palpung Monastery), supplying it with everything needed. He passed away on the tenth ofMay 1952, having accomplished great deeds for the benefit of the teachings and sentient beings.
The name of the third Kongtriil incarnation is Jamgon Kongtriil, Karma Lodro Chokyi Senge, perfect guide of un- equaled kindness, whose aspirations, activity, and accom- plishments for the precious dharma and sentient beings in
. 106.
? ? ? ? A BriefBiography ? ? ?
general, and the Kagyii lineage in particular, have been a wondrous light in these dark times. For this reason, his name is spoken with great reverence. As his last testament, the previous Jamgon Kongtriil, Khyentse Oser, stated that his reincarnation would be in central Tibet and that the house- hold, parents, and time would be predicted by the Gyal- wang Karmapa. Accordingly, in a first letter of recognition, the sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa wrote the following prophecy:
In the central part of the country, surrounded by snow mountains,
With the father's name De and the mother's Perna,
From a wealthy family of pure ancestry,
A boy of the wood horse year with excellent signs
Is without any doubt Jamgon, the incarnation of Lotsawa
V airochana.
Raising the victory banner of the teachings, He will give life to all Buddhist traditions And especially to the lineage of Gampopa.
According to this vajra prophecy Jamgon Kongtriil Rin- poche was born on the first of October 1954, the male horse year of the sixteenth cycle, in Lhasa, from whence the Dalai Lama guided the spiritual and temporal life of Tibet. His father was Tsering Topgyal of Sadutshang, a prominent fam- ily, and his mother was Perna Yudron, the daughter of Sa- wang Ngawang Jigme Ngabo, a cabinet minister in the Ti- betan government. Before and after his birth, many wonderful signs appeared to his mother, and he was recog- nized without any doubt as the reincarnation of Jamgon Kongtriil by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Gyalwang Karmapa through the vision of their stainless wisdom.
Under their direction, Y onten Phiintsok, the Treasurer of . 107.
? ? ? ? APPENDIX? ? ?
the former Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche, repeatedly re- quested the Sadutshang family to entrust the tulku to his labrang (monastic organization). At last they consented, and when he was one year and five months old,Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche was formally recognized and offered robes and his title. At the age of six, he was enthroned by His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa at the old monastery in Rumtek, Sikkim. From then onward, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche as a heart son was inseparable from His Holiness, who super- vised his education right from the very beginning, starting with reading, writing, and memorizing texts. At the age of thirteen, he received from His Holiness the sixteenth Kar- mapa getsul ordination along with Shamar Rinpoche and Tai Situ Rinpoche, on the fifteenth day of Saga Dawa (the fourth Tibetan month) of the male fire horse year at Rum- tek's Karma Shedrup Chokhor Ling (Dharma Chakra Cen- ter). At that time, he received the name Jamgon Kongtriil,
Karma Lodro Chokyi Senge, Tenpe Gocha Ngedon Gyurme Trinle Kiinkhyap Palzangpo.
Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche then studied a great number of texts, both in general and specifically, with Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a great scholar and holder ofthe vinaya. His further studies also included all the tantras of Marpa's tradition, especially those of the Karma Kamtsang, and the lama dances, preparation of mandalas, chanting, and musi- cal instruments pertaining to the practices of Padmasam- bhava, Vajrakilaya, and others. Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche received &om Khyabje Kalu Rinpoche, master siddha and the activity emanation ofJamgon Kongtriil Lodro Thaye, teachings ranging from the mahamudra preliminary prac- tices of the Kamtsang tradition up to empowerments, read- ing transmissions, and explanations for Gyalwa Gyamtso,
Demchok, Dorje Phakmo, and especially, the Six Yogas of ? 108.
? ? ? ? A BriefBiography ? ? .
Naropa, Mahamudra, the Five Golden Teachings of the Shangpa Kagyii, the great empowerments of Kalachakra and Rinchen Terdzo, and at different times, countless other teachings of the new and old traditions.
At the age of twenty, on the fifteenth day of the first month (the month of miracles) in the female water ox year, he received full gelong ordination at the Dharma Chakra Centre from his Holiness the sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa, who acted as the khenpo (abbot) for the occasion, since he is master of the qualities of discipline and learning, well versed in the pitakas, the second Shakyamuni of this degen- erate time, and leader of all those who hold ordination. Jam- goo Kongtriil Rinpoche took gelong vows along with Cham- goo Situ Rinpoche and Khyabje Gyaltsap Rinpoche, and was assisted by a master of procedure and other monks to complete the necessary number. Believing them to be the very foundation of the dharma, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche always guarded carefully these precious vinaya rules, pro- tecting them as if they were his own eyes. He gave the ordi- nations of getsiil and gelong to about three thousand monks in India, Nepal, and Tibet, both the worlds of East and West, and so became a great holder of the vinaya.
From His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche received the bodhisattva vows, which are the foundation of the mahayana path, from the tradi- tions of both Nagarjuna and Asanga. He continually prac- ticed the many aspects of a bodhisattva's path-the six par- amitas, the four ways of gathering disciples, and so forth- training in the extensive activity of the bodhisattva, and manifesting as a great one himself.
Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche had great faith, respect, and devotion for his spiritual teachers, the source of all paths and practice, and received from them many teachings of the
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sutra and tantra traditions. Especially, his relationship to the Gyalwang Karmapa, embodiment of all refuges, was one of total devotion, respect, and pure vision, which were greater than even that for the Buddha himself. Rinpoche served His Holiness perfectly and received from him all the profound oral instructions, such as the Five Great Treasuries, all the empowerments, reading transmissions, and explanations of the Kamtsang Kagyii, the Root Text of Mahamudra, and so forth. In particular, the realization of mahamudra, which is the heart blessing of the ultimate lineage, was transferred to him and he became a great siddha.
In 1976 and 1980,Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche accompa- nied the Gyalwang Karmapa on a tour of numerous places in America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. After His Holi- ness' parinirvana, Jamgon Rinpoche continued to travel to Europe and Asia, and established branches of the Rigpe Dorje Foundation in many countries and the Paramita Char- itable Trust in India, to further his activities of social devel- opment for the benefit of others. Through empowerments, explanations, and advice, he generously gave teachings for three different types of students in accordance with their needs, and so became like the medicine that restored the teachings and healed sentient beings.
In 1983, in order to counteract obstacles to the swift re- turn of His Holiness the Karmapa, Jamgon Rinpoche built a Sidok Stupa with the proper measurements, mantras, dharanis, and consecration. For the same reason, he initi- ated the practice of 100 million recitations of the Vajrasattva mantra every year on the occasion of Saga Dawa (the fourth Tibetan month). In 1984, following the wishes of His Holi- ness, he started the construction of a new building for Karma Shri Nalanda Institute and it was inaugurated in June of 1987. Not only did Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche pro-
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? ? ? ? A Brie/Biography ? . ?
vide for all the furnishings of the entire building, including the statues and so forth for the shrine hall, but he also found the means to support about 150 students, comprised of many tiilkus, lamas, and monks.
Jamgon Rinpoche visited Tibet in 1984, gave empower- ment and teachings at Palpung Monastery to a vast gather- ing of monks and lay people, and ordained about 500 monks, giving them getsiil and gelong vows. He then visited Lhasa and Tshurphu Monastery (the Seat of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa) where he gave empowerments and teachings to monks and lay people, and the ordinations of getsiil and gelong to about one hundred. Furthermore, he was able to obtain permission for the reconstruction of Tshurphu, toward which he donated all the offerings that were made to him during his journey.
In 1988, Rinpoche constructed a new monastery at Lava near Kalimpong, West Bengal, and presently about 108 monks reside there, ten of whom are involved in a three- year retreat following the tradition of the golden dharma in the Shangpa Kagyii. Likewise, in 1988 he started the con- struction ofPhullahari Retreat Center in Nepal, where there are now about fifteen monks practicing. In 1990, he gave the great Kalachakra empowerment to the monks and lay people of Rumtek and donated funds to initiate the con- ducting of the Kalachakra puja there on an annual basis.
In 1991, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche returned to Tibet and visited Derge Gonchen where he gave an empower- ment, reconsecrated the old and new Derge Printing House, and made donations to them. Thereafter, he jour- neyed to Palpung Monastery and gave the great Kalachakra initiation to about 550 tiilkus and lamas of the area, includ- ing Sangye Tendzin of Japa GOnshap Surmang Tentriil, Dodrak Tiilku, and many others, and further, there was a
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? ? ? ? APPENDIX? ? ?
crowd of about 10,000 lay people. He also gave getsiil and gelong ordinations to about 550 people. Next he traveled to Damkar Monastery in Nangchen, where he again gave the Kalachakra empowerment to about 10,000 sangha mem- bers, including lamas and tiilkus, such as Shangu Tiilku, Kyodrak Tendzin, Salga, Druk. pa Tiilku, Demon Tiilku, and many others.
In February of 1992, he gave the Kagyii Ngakdzo empow- erments to the monks, nuns, and lay people of Rumtek, and to numerous sangha members from the East and West. He also inaugurated the new building of Karma Jamyang Khang, a primary school for monks, for which he had ar- ranged funding and participated in the design and construc- tion. As his last activity, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche offered mantras and dharanis to fill the new statue of the Buddha in the main shrine hall of Rumtek monastery. Due to his pure samaya with His Holiness, he was able to cover the entire statue with gold. Once he had consecrated the statue, Jam- goo Rinpoche told his attendants, "Now I have fulfilled the wishes of His Holiness. ''
In brief, toJamgon Rinpoche one can say as in this quote:
I pray to you, source of all qualities, the one rich in faith, discipline, learning, generosity, intelligence, modesty, and humility.
From childhood, he naturally had all the qualities of a noble being. His faith and pure vision of his teachers was unpar- alleled, and especially, his devotion to his root lama, Vajra- dhara Gyalwang Karmapa, was fully equal to that of all the previous lineage holders of the Kagyii tradition. From the time His Holiness became ill, until he dissolved his mind into the dharmadhatu, Jamgon Kongtriil Rinpoche was not separate from him for even one moment. He was never tired
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? ? ? ? A BriefBiography ? ? ?
nor careless for a moment in attending to the physical needs or following the commands and wishes of his lama. With great respect he served His Holiness even to the point of cleaning His Holiness' personal bathroom and sweeping his floors when it was necessary. His life is a teaching to people like us who tend to treat the dharma and the lamas like water by the roadside, which we take when we need it, but do not respect or give devotion from our heart.
Jamgon Rinpoche studied numerous sutras, tantras, their commentaries and oral instructions, from traditions in par- ticular and in general. As a sign of having genuinely realized these teachings, he displayed the qualities of faith, pure vi- sion, loving-kindness, and genuine concern for the well-be- ing of others, qualities that were so much a part of him that they became inseparable from his name. He constantly ful- filled the wishes of others through giving away all that was offered him to build monasteries, to establish centers of learning and practice, to create representations of the Bud- dha's body, speech, and mind, and to support the sangha and the poor and needy.
With clear wisdom of the world and of dharma, he soothed the mental sufferings of others, cut through the net of their doubts, and guided them onto the right path through direct and indirect means. To his attendants and all those, high or low, with whom he related, Jamgon Rinpoche alwaysshowedthequalitiesofconstantfriendship, modesty, humility, and gratitude; he perfected all these qualities that are esteemed in the world. We, his disciples, should always remember this perfect life story of our supreme guide and seek to emulate it with faith, respect, and pure vision.
At the age of thirty-nine (by the Tibetan calendar), Jam- gon Kongtri. il Rinpoche suddenly passed away, due to the obstacles for Buddhism and people in general, and in par-
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? ? ? ? APPENDIX? ? ?
ticular for the Kagyii tradition. Considering his age~ learn- ing, qualities, aspirations, and activities, his passing has been an unbearably sorrowful event for his disciples and all who knew him. Yet, as ordinary people with limited under- standing and realization of how things truly are, we are un- able to know the profound methods for benefitting sentient beings in the right time and place. We should, therefore, always look at his life with pure vision, great faith, and de- votion, and try to attain in our lifetime the supreme achieve- ment of mahamudra through receiving in our mindstream
the blessing of his body, speech, and mind. We should al- ways turn our minds toward praying that his perfect incar- nation will swiftly return, and that his life and activities will be brought to perfection following the aspirations he has made of the Dharma and sentient beings.
From now until enlightenment, supreme lama,
May we always serve and rely on you.
May we persevere in practice and complete the path,. Giving up what is negative and perfecting the positi'\i"e.
Following the request of Jamgon Rinpoche's attendants, Tenzin Dorjee and Sonam Chophel, this was written at Rumtek Retreat Center, Yiwang Samten Chokhor Ling, on the 5th of May, 1992, by Bokar Tiillm, Karma . }'Jgedon Chokyi Lodro, whose devotion is inspired by the life fOfJam- gon Lama. Sarva Mangalam.
This translation was IDtade by Ringu Tiilku and Michele Martin in May of 1992, in Sikkim.
? 114.
? 2
Supplication to the Kagyu Gurus
NAMO GURAVE
You who bind the secret joy, Sri Heruka, I supplicate you.
In the charnel ground of the play of joy and light, Wisdom <;lakin! consort, I supplicate you.
In the secret bhaga of the land of U<;l<;liyat)a, Glorious Buddha Tilopa, I supplicate you.
In the sphere of activity of the wisdom <;lakini consort, The mahapat)gita, great siddha Naropa, I supplicate you.
Surrounded by the assembly of Nairatmya Devi, Lord Lhotrakpa, father and son, I supplicate you.
Sporting with the queen in the celestial realm, Lord repas, greater and lesser, I supplicate you.
Holder of the ultimate lineage, the sacred teaching of mahamudra,
Lord physician, uncle and nephews, I supplicate you.
Revealing the miracles of luminosity, Lord Tiisum Khyenpa, I supplicate you.
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? ? ? ? APPENDIX ? ? ?
Possessing the buddha activity which subjugates those difficult to tame,
Lord Sanggye Rechen, I supplicate you.
Possessing the mastery which overpowers the phenomenal world,
Lord great Pomtrakpa, I supplicate you.
In the east at Karppo Kangra, holder of the Practice Lineage,
Lord Karmapa, I supplicate you.
You, the lord of mudra messengers, Lord Mahasiddha, I supplicate you.
Expanding the stream of blissful wisdom, Lord Rangjung Dorje, I supplicate you.
In the clear palace of the luminous vajra, Victorious Yungton Shikpo, I supplicate you.
Samaya holder of the unified maQ. <;lala of the devas, Lord Rolpe Dorje, I supplicate you.
The poet who sings songs of great blazing passion, Lord Khacho Wangpo, I supplicate you.
You who wear the crown of glorious, invincible yoga, Lord Teshin Shekpa, I supplicate you.
Enjoying the great taste of mind, bliss, and praQ. a, Lord Chopal Yeshe, I supplicate you.
Spreading the hindu of the great wrathful one, Lord Ratnabhadra, I supplicate you.
You whose roar of bliss pervades the sky, Lord Thongwa Tonden, I supplicate you.
. 116?
? ? ? ? Supplication ? ? . Greatly intoxicated by the joy of Mafijusri,
Lord Pengar Kiinkhyen, I supplicate you.
You who promote profound brilliant realization, Great Lord Goshri, I supplicate you.
You who achieved the siddhi of taste with the gaze of simplicity,
Lord Chotrak Gyatso, I supplicate you.
You whose mind has perfected the aspects of supreme union,
Lord Sanggye Nyenpa, I supplicate you.
You who fully reveal yourself to your son-disciples, Lord Mikyo Dorje, I supplicate you.
Bestowing bliss on sentient beings pervading space, Glorious Konchok Yenlak, I supplicate you.
You, the nirmaQ. akaya endowed with a compassionate heart,
Lord Wangchuk Dorje, I supplicate you.
From the palace of praQ. a purified in the avadhiiti, Lord Chokyi Wangchuk, I supplicate you.
On the u~Q. I~aof the brahmarandhra, Lord Choying Dorje, I supplicate you.
In the profound, brilliant, divine palace, Lord Trakpa Chokyang, I supplicate you.
In the palace of space and wisdom, Glorious Yeshe Nyingpo, I supplicate you.
In the divine dome of Potala,
Lord Yeshe Dorje, I supplicate you.
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Marvelous with profound and brilliant knowledge, Lord Chokyi Tontrup, I supplicate you.
Supreme, fearless, accomplishing the benefit of all, Lord Changchup Dorje, I supplicate you.
Spreading the sunlight of the teachings of the two knowledges,
Lord ChokyiJungne, I supplicate you.
Perpetually enjoying the gaQ. acakra of great bliss, Lord Diidiil Dorje, I supplicate you.
You who know the illusory character of the whole phenomenal world,
Lord Chotrup Gyatso, I supplicate you.
From the palace of the dharmakaya of unchanging truth, Lord Padma Nyinche, I supplicate you.
You can establish whoever encounters you in nonreturning,
Lord Thekchok Dorje, I supplicate you.
illusory musician of supreme bliss and emptiness, Lord Lodro Thaye, I supplicate you.
Whoever hears your name is led to the path ofliberation, Lord Khakhyap Dorje, I supplicate you.
Glorious conqueror of the hordes of the four maras, Lord Padma Wangchok, I supplicate you.
You who liberate those poisoned with the ignorance of dualistic fixation,
Lord Jamgon Guru, I supplicate you. ? 118.
? ? ? ? Supplication ? ? ?
May I be liberated from the sophistries of the two truths of dharma.
In the nakedness of true ordinary mind,
Which is the penetrating path of abandoning hope and
fear,
May I realize buddha in the palm of my hand.
? 119?
? Glossary
abhisheka (wang) An empowerment ceremony in which the teacher introduces the student to the mandala of a given yidam and empowers him to meditate on that yidam. Besides the abhisheka, a reading transmission (lung), and an oral ex- planation (thri), are also necessary to effectively practice the vajrayana.
alaya-vijiiana (kiinzhi namper shepa) The consciousness that is the ground of everything. The aspect of mind that constitutes the basis for confusedly identifying with a self and dualistic thinking.
Atisha (982-1054) Also known as Dipamkara Shri }fiana. A meditation master and scholar at the Buddhist University Vi- kramashila in India. After being repeatedly invited to teach in Tibet, he accepted and contributed greatly to establishing the Buddhist teachings there. His student Dromtonpa is the founder of the Kadampa school.
bardo (lit. "in-between state") In general usage refers to the state between death and rebirth. In actual fact, there are six bardos: the bardo of life, sleep, meditation, death, dharmata, and becoming.
bhumi (sa) One of the ten stages on the path of a bodhisattva. bindu See prana, nadi, hindu.
bodhichitta (changchup-kyi sem) A mental attitude orientl'd
toward attaining enlightenment in order to benefit all ! wings ? 121.
? ? ? ? GLOSSARY? ? ?
Bodhichitta is divided into two aspects: relative and ultimate. Relative bodhichitta is both the aspiration to attain enlighten- ment for the benefit of others and the practical application of this aspiration through the practice of liberating behavior in the form of the paramitas. Ultimate bodhichitta involves real- izing the inseparability of emptiness and compassion.
bodhisattva (changechup sempa) A person who works tire- lessly to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings, without ever feeling discouraged. In the narrow sense, the term refers to someone who has realized emptiness and developed compassion. In the broad sense, it includes anyone who has taken the bodhisattva vow, a ceremony in which one promises to achieve buddhahood for the benefit of others.
BOn A shamanistic religion that was practiced in Tibet before the spread of Buddhism.
Bonpo PractitionerofBOn.
cloudy mind (kleshamanas; nyonmongpe yid) The seventh con- sciousness, an aspect of mind that rests on the alaya-vijfiana, that experiences confusion, and that has the concept of a self.
dakini (khandroma, lit. "sky-walker") Dakinis represent inspi- rational impulses of awareness that help the practitioner in his quest for wisdom. They appear in friendly, semi-wrathful, and wrathful forms. Some dakinis are yidams, while others are types of energy that protect the teachings and the practitioner. There are also some who do not benefit beings.
dependent origination (pratityasamutpada; tenching drelwar jungwa) The pattern of cause and effect in one's experience of life situations, with phenomena arising interdependendy, based on a variety of causes and conditions.
dharma (cho) In this book the term should be taken to mean Buddhist teachings, except in the expression "eight worldly dharmas. ''
dharmadhatu (choying) The space of phenomena; ultimate re- ality.
. 122.
? ? ? ? GLOSSARY ? ? ?
dharmakaya See kaya.
dharmapala (chokyong) See three roots.
dharma robes The three robes of a monk or nun.
eight transmission lineages (eight lines of transmis- sion) Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyii, Sakya, Shangpa, Shije, Orgyenpa, and Jonangpa. A distinction is made between the "old" and "new" traditions. The old tradition is the Nyingma, that arose during the first spread of Buddhism in Tibet in the eighth century, as opposed to the new traditions, that came to Tibet during the second wave of translations of Indian Bud- dhist texts. This phase begins with the translator Rinchen Sangpo (958-1051).
eight worldly dharmas Four pairs of opposites that rule our lives as long as we struggle to achieve the first set and reject the second. These are gain and loss, joy and pain, fame and obscu- rity, praise and blame.
enlightenment Buddhahood. The Tibetan word for Buddha, sanggye, is made up of two syllables that illustrate the two as- pects ofbuddhahood. Sang means "completely purified," that is, purified of all obscurations, including the sleep of igno- rance. Gye means "completely developed" and refers to the development of all qualities and wisdom. Enlightenment or buddhahood is a state of complete purity and wisdom.
five paths A description of spiritual development in the mahay- ana outlined by: path of accumulation, path of union, path of meditation, path ofinsight, and path ofno more learning. With the path of insight, one achieves the first of the ten bodhisattva bhumis. Within the bhumis, a distinction is made between the so-called "impure" bhumis, the first seven, and "pure" bhumis, the eighth, ninth, and tenth. The eleventh bhumi is the realization of complete enlightenment, corresponding to the path of no more learning.
formless realm (zukme kham) See three realms of samsara. form kayas (zuk ku) See kaya.
? 123.
? ? ? ? GLOSSARY ? ? ?
/our dharmas ofGampopa A short text by Gampopa:
May my mind be one with the dharma, May my practice progress along the path, May the path clarify confusion,
May confusion dawn as wisdom.
four extremes Existence, nonexistence, both existence and nonexistence, neither existence nor nonexistence. These are four false notions that may arise when one reflects on reality, and that are countered by madhyamaka.
four great and eight lesser lineages (schools) See Kagyii.
four ordinary and four spedal preliminaries See ngondro.
/our noble truths (denpa zhi) The first teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni: suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
/our yogas Four stages of the path of mahamudra: one-point- edness, one taste, simplicity, and nonmeditation. Each of these four is divided into three levels of realization.
Gampopa (1079-1153) Main student of Milarepa and teacher of the first Karmapa, Tiisum Khyenpa. Gampopa blended to- gether two traditions: the Kadampa lineage of Atisha and the mahamudra lineage transmitted to him by Milarepa. At Taklha Gampo he founded the first Kagyii monastery in Tibet. Gam- popa is the source of the four great and eight lesser lineages (schools) of the Kagyii lineage. He is also known as Takpo Lharje, the physician from Takpo.
garuda (khyung) An ancient Indian mythological bird that hatches full-grown from the egg and thus symbolizes the awak- ened state of mind.
ghanta See vajra.
giving and taking (tong len) A form of meditation derived orig-
inally from the Kadampa tradition, aimed at developing bo-
dhichitta and training the mind. guru (lama) See three roots.
. 124.
? ? ? ? GLOSSARY ? ? ?
guruyoga (lame naljor) A form of meditation through which one realizes that one's own mind is inseparable from the mind of the teacher and from ultimate reality, that is, enlightenment.
Hevajra (Kye Dorje) One of the five main yidams of the Kagyii school.
