Established the
wellspring
o fall siddhas.
Khenchen-Thrangu-Rinpoche-The-Spiritual-Song-of-Lodro-Thaye
?
HIS EMINENCE
THE FOURTH jAMGON KONGTRUL RiNPOCHE, LODRO CHOKYI NYlMA
? DJe SplRJCUAL SoN~ o~LooRo DlA~e
? HIS EMINENCE
THE THIRD ]AMGON KONGTRUL RJNPOCHE, KARMA LODRO CHOKYI SENGE
? ? ? Lhe SplRl'CUAL SoN~ o~LooRo LhAUe
by ]AMGON KoNGTRUL, THE GREAT
Commentary by
KHABJE KHENCHEN THRANGU R. INPOCHE
Originally Translated by
SARAH HARDING
Retranslated by
CORNELIA WEISHAAR-GUNTER
Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Charitable Trust Publicatiom
? Ack1wwledgme1tt
We would like to thank the many persons who helped make this book possible. First and foremost, Khabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche for giving these profound teachings and Clark Johnson for his tireless work in collecting, preserving and making the teachings of Rinpoche avaiable.
Also we would like to thank Lodro Zangpo who first transcribed, edited, and published this text in the Profound Path ofPurity. Secondly, we would like to thank Sarah Harding who not only translated the original teaching, but then went back over a large part of the text correcting and editing it. Finally, we would like to thank Cornelia Weishaar-Gunter for her tremendous work in helping us with the translation.
Cover photo. Thangka of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye from a collection o f the Jamgon Kongtrul Lab rang, currently displayed at the Rigpe Dorje Institute at Pullahari Monastery.
Photo of the fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche courtesy of Sangye.
? May this supreme, peerless teaching,
The precious treasure o fthe Victorious Ones, Spread and extend throughout the world Like the sun shining in the sky.
? Copyright (C) 2008
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche & Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Charitable Trust
All rights reserved. No part of this book, either text or art, may be reproduced in any form, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the Namo Buddha Publications or Thrangu Rinpoche.
Published by Namo Buddha Publications 1390 Kalmia Avenue, Boulder, CO. USA Tel. : (303) 449-6608
E-mail: Clark@NamoBuddhaPublications. com Web site: www. NamoBuddhaPub. com
and
Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Publications
P. O. Box 6259, Wellesley St, Auckland, NZ Tel. : (649) 268 0786
Email: inquiries@greatliberation. org
Web site. www. greatliberation. org
National Library of New Zealand Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Thrangu, Rinpoche, 1933-
The spiritual song of Lodro Thaye I by Jamgon Kongtrul, The Great; commentary by Khabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche; originally translated by Sarah Harding ; retranslated by Cornelia Weishaar-Giimher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-877294-40-2
I. Kon-sprul Blo-gros-mtha'-yas, :j:d 1813-1899. Song of LodroThaye. 2. Mahamudra (Tantric rite) 3. Meditation- Buddhism. I. Weishaar-Giinter, Cornelia. II. Harding, Sarah, 1951- III. Tide.
294. 3443-dc 22
Note
Tibetan words are given as they are pronounced, not spelled in Tibetan. Their actual spelling can be found in the Glossary ofTibetan words.
We use the convention ofusing B. C. E. (Before Common Era) for "B. C. " and C. E. (Common Era) for "A D. "
? ? Table of Contents Foreword by Venerable Choje Lama Shedrup 11
Preface by Clark johnson 13
THE SoNG OF LoDRO THAYE 17
INTRODUCTION 29 CHAPTER 1 The Importance of the Lineage Lamas 29
(verses 1 to 40)
CHAPTER 2 The View in Mahamudra 45 (verses 41-62)
GROUND MAHAMUDRA
CHAPTER 3 Ground Mahamudra 51
(verses 63-121)
PATH MAHAMUDRA
CHAPTER 4 Path Mahamudra 75
(verses 122-153)
CHAPTER 5 Obstacles in the Practice of Mahamudra 89 (verses 154-186)
? ? 10 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
CHAPTER 6 Progress Through the Various Stages 99 (verses 187-233)
FRUITION MAHAMUDRA
CHAPTER 7 Fruition Mahamudra 113
(verses 234-273)
APPENDIX
The Six Realms ofSamsara 127 The Five Paths 128 The Bodhisattva Levels 129 Transforming Consciousness into Wisdom 130
Notes 131 Glossary ofTerms 141 Glossary ofTibetan Terms 163 Bibliography 167 Index 169
? ? Forer. vord
VEN. CHOJE LAMA SHEDRUP
THE I<AGYU LINEAGE IS COMMONLY known as the practice lineage, as it is practice above all else that is emphasized. However, practice can only proceed correctly ifone has a correct understanding of the view. The path and view of the Kagyu lineage is Mahamudra, which is the very essence and pith ofall the teachings of Lord Buddha.
What Mahamudra view refers to is the inseparability ofall phe- nomena and emptiness; the radiant display of mind. Realization of Mahamudra will bring about the ultimate benefit for oneself- freedom from samsara and ultimate happiness-and the develop- ment of all the qualities of one's potential, which is the ultimate benefit for others.
Therefore what is most prized is the direct teachings that point out this view and the instructions that explain the path or means to realize it. Such instructions often come in the form of spiritual songs or dohas spontaneously composed by great siddhas who have realized Mahamudra, such as this doha from Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye.
Generally, in order to fully understand dohas an explanation or detailed commentary is required. A correct transmission and explana- tion can only come about from a being who has practiced and fully realized the meaning of such teachings. Such a being is Khabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a holder of the Kagyu lineage, who through his great compassion and wisdom has blessed us with this detailed line by line commentary.
? ? ? 12 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
Although teachings on Mahamudra are often very pithy they are exactly what has been recommended and taught as most appropriate for people in these modern and often busy times, because they can be practiced by anyone in any circumstances.
Therefore I pray that whoever reads these teachings is able to take them to heart and realize Mahamudra. May this merit be a cause for the long life and teachings of the great masters to flourish and remain for many eons benefiting limitless sentient beings.
Choje Lama Shedrup
Palpung Thubten Chokyi Ghatsal
28 March 2008
? ? Preface
CLARK jOHNSON, PH. D.
TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED YEARS ago the Buddha began delivering a remarkable set of teachings. He taught that instead ofrelying on a god, one can attain true, permanent happiness by simply examining and working with one's own mind. This message is as true today as it was then; we are engulfed by materialism in our modern world, yet we are not any more happy or secure. The root of this unhappiness is that our mind keeps looking outside ourselves and grasping at external things trying to achieve some measure of happiness. This, however, is futile because to achieve any measure of mental stability or happiness, we must look inward. The Buddha taught looking inward is done through meditation.
The fundamental meditation that is common to all schools of Buddhism is Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation. Thrangu Rinpoche has given extensive teachings on this form of meditation in his The Practice ofTranquility and Insight.
There is another major kind ofmeditation which is fairly specific to the Vajrayana school of Buddhism and this is Mahamudra meditation. The Vajrayana branch of Buddhism was preserved in Northern India and was brought to Tibet in the eighth through twelfth centuries C. E. by a series of remarkable Tibetan translators. Instead ofspending eons accumulating virtue and lifetimes studying the sutras, this meditation of Mahamudra involves examining the
? ? 14 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
mind itself in what is called "looking directly at the mind. " While this is a deceptively simple idea, it is an extremely complex and advanced form ofmeditation which requires years ofworking on developing an extraordinary clear and stable mind. This stability and clarity is developed through extensive Shamatha and Vipashyana practice. So we must realize that Mahamudra meditation and Shamatha and Vipashyana practice are inter-linked and complement each other.
We may ask who has practiced this Mahamudra meditation? The answer is that it was most extensively practiced by a large number of ordinary and extraordinary people in India in the second through twelfth century. Some ofthese individuals' stories have been recorded under the title of The Eighty-four Mahasiddhas which may be found in Keith Dowman's Masters ofMahamudra. These mahasiddhas were cobblers, weavers, arrow makers and even pimps and kings who carried on their ordinary daily activities while they simultaneously practiced Mahamudra meditation and achieved complete enlightenment in one lifetime. What is so relevant to our age is that in the West most Buddhist practitioners lead very busy and demanding lives and do not have long periods to devote to Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation, but they can practice Mahamudra meditation while they are making a living and raising a family.
Mahamudra meditation has been practiced in Tibet since the twelfth century and particularly by the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and has allowed thousands of individual meditators to reach enlightenment. This meditation oflooking at the mind as-it-is has also been practiced by Nyingma practitioners in the form of Dzogchen meditation with equal results. Those wanting to know more about Mahamudra meditation can consultThrangu Rinpoche's book, Essentials ofMahamudra.
A major difference between the traditional sutra and the Mahamudra approach is that the understanding of, for example,
? ? PREFACE 15
emptiness in the Mahayana is achieved by studying and contemplating and debating a series of texts on the Prajnaparamita which were written in India by great scholars. The texts on Mahamudra, on the other hand, were often written by highly accomplished siddhas who would explain their realization of years and years of Mahamudra meditation in brief spiritual songs called dohas. These dohas, often only a few dozen lines long, are still sung by the lamas today. They often contain the most profound instructions in metaphors ofgreat beauty derived from simple meditative experience.
This SongofLodro Thaye is just such a doha and covers the entire path of Mahamudra in less than 300 lines of verse. This spiritual song was first translated into English in the Rain ofWisdom. However, the spiritual song is condensed in meaning so one needs someone accomplished in Mahamudra meditation to explain the meaning of this great work. Such a person is Thrangu Rinpoche who not only was asked to establish the curriculum ofthe Kagyu lineage after the Tibetans were forced into exile in 1959, but also taught the four major regents of the lineage including Jamgon Kongtrul's reincarnation.
This particular book came about when Thrangu Rinpoche was asked to give teachings on Mahamudra at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. Gampo Abbey is one ofa few Buddhist monasteries in North America and Thrangu Rinpoche is its abbot. In October of 1989 Thrangu Rinpoche gave this line-by-line commentary and it was first published in the Profound Path ofPeace. Sarah Harding translated this teaching that Rinpoche gave and when it was decided to publish this book, she not only retranslated the original spiritual song based on the teaching given by Thrangu Rinpoche, but also went through the tapes of the teaching and retranslated and checked every word of the teaching.
? famgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
? ? The Song of Lodro Thaye
by]AMGON KONGTRUL THE GREAT
1. Vajradhara, the illustrious one,
2. Said to possess eight enlightened qualities
3. Appears to me, an ordinary person,
4. As a man called Padma, the protector, full ofblessings.
5. I supplicate you: never for a moment leave
6. Theeight-petaledlotus-domeofmyheart.
7. Though I am not graced with simultaneous liberation and
realization,
8. I am blessed with just recognizing my own true nature.
9. Obsession with the eight worldly concerns has decreased.
10. By mixing my mind with the guru's
11. I have seen clearly thatfamous "luminous dharmakaya. "
12. Non-thought was found amidst discursive thought
13. Wisdom dawned within non-conceptualization.
14. Delighted to become a lineage heir ofthe Dakpo Buddhas,
15. I am moved to lift my voice in appreciation.
16. From the dakini's secret treasure in Uddiyana in the Wt>st,
17. The great siddha Tilo
18. Opened the treasure chest ofthe three gems.
19. At the monastery ofSplendid Ravishing Flowers in the North 20. ThelearnedgreatpanditaNaropa
21. Engendered the sign o fattainment o finseparable prana-mind.
? ? 18 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
22. In the valley ofherbs, Drowolung, in the South, 23. The translator, an emanation ofHevajra,
24. Established the wellspring o fall siddhas.
25. In the Lachi snow mountains ofthe West
26. The excellent being, Laughing Vajra,
27. Attained the state ofunity in one lifetime.
28. In the pure land o fDvagla Gampo in the East
29. The honorable doctor, the second Buddha,
30. Actualized the samadhi o fthe tenth bodhisattva level.
31. In the holyplaces ofthe body, speech, and mindcenters, 32. The many siddhas o fthe four great and eight lesser lineages 33. Gained the essentialpower ofMahamudra
34. And couldn't help but reach Buddhahood.
35. Expert in the attracting power through bodhichitta,
36. They couldn't help but bring benefit to beings.
37. Having perfected the two accumulations, this profound
attainment ofwealth,
38. They could not help but experience enjoyment.
39. Developing the knowledge that "understanding one liberates all. " 40. They couldn't help but fulfill their great prophecies.
41. Children ofparents who have accumulated much wealth
42. Are naturally rich due to previous karma.
43. Offspringofthewhitelionessandofthegreatgaruda
44. Are naturallyfully developed with thepower oftheir species.
45. The followers o fthe lineage o fKagyu siddhas
46. Meditate naturallyfrom the strength ofblessings.
47. Boastfully counting the years o fpractice,
48. Proud about dwelling in leisure,
49. Puffed up over the exertions o fsitting,
50.
Established the wellspring o fall siddhas.
25. In the Lachi snow mountains ofthe West
26. The excellent being, Laughing Vajra,
27. Attained the state ofunity in one lifetime.
28. In the pure land o fDvagla Gampo in the East
29. The honorable doctor, the second Buddha,
30. Actualized the samadhi o fthe tenth bodhisattva level.
31. In the holyplaces ofthe body, speech, and mindcenters, 32. The many siddhas o fthe four great and eight lesser lineages 33. Gained the essentialpower ofMahamudra
34. And couldn't help but reach Buddhahood.
35. Expert in the attracting power through bodhichitta,
36. They couldn't help but bring benefit to beings.
37. Having perfected the two accumulations, this profound
attainment ofwealth,
38. They could not help but experience enjoyment.
39. Developing the knowledge that "understanding one liberates all. " 40. They couldn't help but fulfill their great prophecies.
41. Children ofparents who have accumulated much wealth
42. Are naturally rich due to previous karma.
43. Offspringofthewhitelionessandofthegreatgaruda
44. Are naturallyfully developed with thepower oftheir species.
45. The followers o fthe lineage o fKagyu siddhas
46. Meditate naturallyfrom the strength ofblessings.
47. Boastfully counting the years o fpractice,
48. Proud about dwelling in leisure,
49. Puffed up over the exertions o fsitting,
50. Chauvinist in discriminating selfabove others,
51. Keeping track ofone's ordinary discursive thoughts,
? ? THE SONG OF LODRO THAYE
19
52. Counting them to be the actual realizations on the paths and stages:
53. Such are the distinctive characteristics offoolish meditators in this degenerate age.
54. No siddha can be named who would be free o fthem
55. But because o fthe fine oral instructions o fthe exemplary lineage 56. The primordial wisdom o fultimate Mahamudra is seen.
57. Foundation Mahamudra is understanding the nature, the view. 58. Path Mahamudra is experiencing it, the meditation.
59. Fruition Mahamudra is the realization ofBuddhahood in
one's mind.
60. I am unworthy, but my guru is excellent.
61. Even though born in the degenerate age, I have goodfortune.
62. In spite o flittle perseverance, the instructions are profound.
63. What isfoundation Mahamudra?
64. It exists in two ways: the natural state and the state o fconfusion. 65. It cannot be divided into samsara or nirvana,
66. And it is devoid ofthe extremes ofadding on or taking away.
67. Not created by a cause, not altered by conditions,
68. Confusion does not make it worse.
69. Realization does not improve it.
70. Confusion is not experienced, nor is it liberation.
71. Since its essence cannot be established in any way,
72. Its expression is unimpeded and can appear in any way.
73. Encompassing all ofsamsara and nirvana, it is like space.
74. Confusion or liberation, it is the basis ofall
75. Self-illuminating, knowing, capable ofmanifestation.
76. With thefoundation consciousness
77. Being neutral, it has a cognizing aspect.
78. Empty in essence, its nature is luminous.
79. [Emptiness and luminosity] are inseparable, the heart essence
is awareness.
? ? 20 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
80. Unidentifiable as anything, it [resembles} space.
81. It is immaculately clear, crystaljewel.
82. It is self-knowing, self-illuminating, like the brilliance ofa
butter lamp
83. Inexpressible, it is (like} the experience ofa mute.
84. Unveiled, it is splendid transcendent wisdom.
85. Clear light, dharmakaya, sugatagarbha,
86. It is pure from the beginning and spontaneous.
87. Nobody can prove it by the use o fexamples,
88. No words can express it.
89. The dharmadhatu cannot be examined by logic.
90. This is laid down right at the beginning
91. One should dissipate all doubts.
92. Maintaining meditation sustained by the view
93. Is like a garuda soaring to the sky.
94. Devoid o fany fear or doubt
95. Meditation without the view
96. Resembles a blindperson entering a plain
97. There is no way to determine the correctpath
98. Ifwe have the view but cannot meditate
99. It is like a wealthy person consumed with avarice:
100. It does not yield results for himselfand others
101. Practicing the union ofboth is the authentic view.
102. This neutral state has an ignorant aspect,
103. Which for five reasons, one does not recognize one's own face. 104. The ocean ofco-emergent ignorance,
105. Is set in motion by waves o fconfused ego-clinging
106. Awareness becomes the "! "and its own luminosity becomes
the objects.
107. The imprints ofsubject and object become solid.
108. So that karma is accumulated and brought to fruition
? ? THE SONG OF LODRO THAYE
21
109. The water wheel o fsamsara turns continuously.
110. While {samsara] is turning, its essence remains immaculate. 111. At the very instance ofappearing, it [appearances] is devoid
oftrue reality.
112. just appearance, they are the brilliance ofthe three kayas 113. The nature o ftheir arising is unborn.
114. The unborn cannot be obstructed.
115. Between these two, there is no abiding.
116. From this mind itself. so hard to describe,
117. The various displays ofsamsara and nirvana arise.
118. Seeing them as self-liberating is the highest view.
119. Ifit is recognized, all is suchness.
120. Ifthere is nothing to refote or establish, it is the innate state. 121. When conceptual mind is transcended, there is the ultimate. 122. Path Mahamudra refers to
123. The Mahamudra ofmind itselfand the Mahamudra of
apparent existence.
124. Spontaneous mind is the dharmakaya.
125. Spontaneous appearances are the light ofthe dharmakaya.
126. When the blessings o fthe glorious lamas
127. A n d one's own karmic dispositions come together
128. One sees one's own face as ifmeeting an old acquaintance.
129. Endless explanation is useless,
130. The beginner needs a startingpoint.
131. Don't welcome or dwell on thoughts ofpast andfoture.
132. In each moment, there is the mind ofnowness.
133. In the continual, innate state
134. There is not the slightest thingfor mind to meditate on,
135. Orfor getting lostfor a moment in the confosion ofwandering
thought.
? ? 22
THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
136. {For the mind to be} Without distraction, without meditation orfabrication is essential,
137. Fresh, relaxed and naturally clear.
138. In the space ofthe three doors offreedom,
139. Carefully establish mindfulness and awareness.
140. The balance ofmind between tight and loose must always
be kept.
141. Thus subtle, gross and strong thoughts will be pacified.
142. Remain in the state ofnatural, uncontrived mind.
143. Gradually, the four grades o fexperience will arise.
144. The sun ofluminosity will continuously shine
145. And the root ofMahamudra meditation will have been planted 146.
THE FOURTH jAMGON KONGTRUL RiNPOCHE, LODRO CHOKYI NYlMA
? DJe SplRJCUAL SoN~ o~LooRo DlA~e
? HIS EMINENCE
THE THIRD ]AMGON KONGTRUL RJNPOCHE, KARMA LODRO CHOKYI SENGE
? ? ? Lhe SplRl'CUAL SoN~ o~LooRo LhAUe
by ]AMGON KoNGTRUL, THE GREAT
Commentary by
KHABJE KHENCHEN THRANGU R. INPOCHE
Originally Translated by
SARAH HARDING
Retranslated by
CORNELIA WEISHAAR-GUNTER
Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Charitable Trust Publicatiom
? Ack1wwledgme1tt
We would like to thank the many persons who helped make this book possible. First and foremost, Khabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche for giving these profound teachings and Clark Johnson for his tireless work in collecting, preserving and making the teachings of Rinpoche avaiable.
Also we would like to thank Lodro Zangpo who first transcribed, edited, and published this text in the Profound Path ofPurity. Secondly, we would like to thank Sarah Harding who not only translated the original teaching, but then went back over a large part of the text correcting and editing it. Finally, we would like to thank Cornelia Weishaar-Gunter for her tremendous work in helping us with the translation.
Cover photo. Thangka of Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye from a collection o f the Jamgon Kongtrul Lab rang, currently displayed at the Rigpe Dorje Institute at Pullahari Monastery.
Photo of the fourth Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche courtesy of Sangye.
? May this supreme, peerless teaching,
The precious treasure o fthe Victorious Ones, Spread and extend throughout the world Like the sun shining in the sky.
? Copyright (C) 2008
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche & Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Charitable Trust
All rights reserved. No part of this book, either text or art, may be reproduced in any form, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the Namo Buddha Publications or Thrangu Rinpoche.
Published by Namo Buddha Publications 1390 Kalmia Avenue, Boulder, CO. USA Tel. : (303) 449-6608
E-mail: Clark@NamoBuddhaPublications. com Web site: www. NamoBuddhaPub. com
and
Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Publications
P. O. Box 6259, Wellesley St, Auckland, NZ Tel. : (649) 268 0786
Email: inquiries@greatliberation. org
Web site. www. greatliberation. org
National Library of New Zealand Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Thrangu, Rinpoche, 1933-
The spiritual song of Lodro Thaye I by Jamgon Kongtrul, The Great; commentary by Khabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche; originally translated by Sarah Harding ; retranslated by Cornelia Weishaar-Giimher.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-877294-40-2
I. Kon-sprul Blo-gros-mtha'-yas, :j:d 1813-1899. Song of LodroThaye. 2. Mahamudra (Tantric rite) 3. Meditation- Buddhism. I. Weishaar-Giinter, Cornelia. II. Harding, Sarah, 1951- III. Tide.
294. 3443-dc 22
Note
Tibetan words are given as they are pronounced, not spelled in Tibetan. Their actual spelling can be found in the Glossary ofTibetan words.
We use the convention ofusing B. C. E. (Before Common Era) for "B. C. " and C. E. (Common Era) for "A D. "
? ? Table of Contents Foreword by Venerable Choje Lama Shedrup 11
Preface by Clark johnson 13
THE SoNG OF LoDRO THAYE 17
INTRODUCTION 29 CHAPTER 1 The Importance of the Lineage Lamas 29
(verses 1 to 40)
CHAPTER 2 The View in Mahamudra 45 (verses 41-62)
GROUND MAHAMUDRA
CHAPTER 3 Ground Mahamudra 51
(verses 63-121)
PATH MAHAMUDRA
CHAPTER 4 Path Mahamudra 75
(verses 122-153)
CHAPTER 5 Obstacles in the Practice of Mahamudra 89 (verses 154-186)
? ? 10 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
CHAPTER 6 Progress Through the Various Stages 99 (verses 187-233)
FRUITION MAHAMUDRA
CHAPTER 7 Fruition Mahamudra 113
(verses 234-273)
APPENDIX
The Six Realms ofSamsara 127 The Five Paths 128 The Bodhisattva Levels 129 Transforming Consciousness into Wisdom 130
Notes 131 Glossary ofTerms 141 Glossary ofTibetan Terms 163 Bibliography 167 Index 169
? ? Forer. vord
VEN. CHOJE LAMA SHEDRUP
THE I<AGYU LINEAGE IS COMMONLY known as the practice lineage, as it is practice above all else that is emphasized. However, practice can only proceed correctly ifone has a correct understanding of the view. The path and view of the Kagyu lineage is Mahamudra, which is the very essence and pith ofall the teachings of Lord Buddha.
What Mahamudra view refers to is the inseparability ofall phe- nomena and emptiness; the radiant display of mind. Realization of Mahamudra will bring about the ultimate benefit for oneself- freedom from samsara and ultimate happiness-and the develop- ment of all the qualities of one's potential, which is the ultimate benefit for others.
Therefore what is most prized is the direct teachings that point out this view and the instructions that explain the path or means to realize it. Such instructions often come in the form of spiritual songs or dohas spontaneously composed by great siddhas who have realized Mahamudra, such as this doha from Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye.
Generally, in order to fully understand dohas an explanation or detailed commentary is required. A correct transmission and explana- tion can only come about from a being who has practiced and fully realized the meaning of such teachings. Such a being is Khabje Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, a holder of the Kagyu lineage, who through his great compassion and wisdom has blessed us with this detailed line by line commentary.
? ? ? 12 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
Although teachings on Mahamudra are often very pithy they are exactly what has been recommended and taught as most appropriate for people in these modern and often busy times, because they can be practiced by anyone in any circumstances.
Therefore I pray that whoever reads these teachings is able to take them to heart and realize Mahamudra. May this merit be a cause for the long life and teachings of the great masters to flourish and remain for many eons benefiting limitless sentient beings.
Choje Lama Shedrup
Palpung Thubten Chokyi Ghatsal
28 March 2008
? ? Preface
CLARK jOHNSON, PH. D.
TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED YEARS ago the Buddha began delivering a remarkable set of teachings. He taught that instead ofrelying on a god, one can attain true, permanent happiness by simply examining and working with one's own mind. This message is as true today as it was then; we are engulfed by materialism in our modern world, yet we are not any more happy or secure. The root of this unhappiness is that our mind keeps looking outside ourselves and grasping at external things trying to achieve some measure of happiness. This, however, is futile because to achieve any measure of mental stability or happiness, we must look inward. The Buddha taught looking inward is done through meditation.
The fundamental meditation that is common to all schools of Buddhism is Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation. Thrangu Rinpoche has given extensive teachings on this form of meditation in his The Practice ofTranquility and Insight.
There is another major kind ofmeditation which is fairly specific to the Vajrayana school of Buddhism and this is Mahamudra meditation. The Vajrayana branch of Buddhism was preserved in Northern India and was brought to Tibet in the eighth through twelfth centuries C. E. by a series of remarkable Tibetan translators. Instead ofspending eons accumulating virtue and lifetimes studying the sutras, this meditation of Mahamudra involves examining the
? ? 14 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
mind itself in what is called "looking directly at the mind. " While this is a deceptively simple idea, it is an extremely complex and advanced form ofmeditation which requires years ofworking on developing an extraordinary clear and stable mind. This stability and clarity is developed through extensive Shamatha and Vipashyana practice. So we must realize that Mahamudra meditation and Shamatha and Vipashyana practice are inter-linked and complement each other.
We may ask who has practiced this Mahamudra meditation? The answer is that it was most extensively practiced by a large number of ordinary and extraordinary people in India in the second through twelfth century. Some ofthese individuals' stories have been recorded under the title of The Eighty-four Mahasiddhas which may be found in Keith Dowman's Masters ofMahamudra. These mahasiddhas were cobblers, weavers, arrow makers and even pimps and kings who carried on their ordinary daily activities while they simultaneously practiced Mahamudra meditation and achieved complete enlightenment in one lifetime. What is so relevant to our age is that in the West most Buddhist practitioners lead very busy and demanding lives and do not have long periods to devote to Shamatha and Vipashyana meditation, but they can practice Mahamudra meditation while they are making a living and raising a family.
Mahamudra meditation has been practiced in Tibet since the twelfth century and particularly by the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and has allowed thousands of individual meditators to reach enlightenment. This meditation oflooking at the mind as-it-is has also been practiced by Nyingma practitioners in the form of Dzogchen meditation with equal results. Those wanting to know more about Mahamudra meditation can consultThrangu Rinpoche's book, Essentials ofMahamudra.
A major difference between the traditional sutra and the Mahamudra approach is that the understanding of, for example,
? ? PREFACE 15
emptiness in the Mahayana is achieved by studying and contemplating and debating a series of texts on the Prajnaparamita which were written in India by great scholars. The texts on Mahamudra, on the other hand, were often written by highly accomplished siddhas who would explain their realization of years and years of Mahamudra meditation in brief spiritual songs called dohas. These dohas, often only a few dozen lines long, are still sung by the lamas today. They often contain the most profound instructions in metaphors ofgreat beauty derived from simple meditative experience.
This SongofLodro Thaye is just such a doha and covers the entire path of Mahamudra in less than 300 lines of verse. This spiritual song was first translated into English in the Rain ofWisdom. However, the spiritual song is condensed in meaning so one needs someone accomplished in Mahamudra meditation to explain the meaning of this great work. Such a person is Thrangu Rinpoche who not only was asked to establish the curriculum ofthe Kagyu lineage after the Tibetans were forced into exile in 1959, but also taught the four major regents of the lineage including Jamgon Kongtrul's reincarnation.
This particular book came about when Thrangu Rinpoche was asked to give teachings on Mahamudra at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia. Gampo Abbey is one ofa few Buddhist monasteries in North America and Thrangu Rinpoche is its abbot. In October of 1989 Thrangu Rinpoche gave this line-by-line commentary and it was first published in the Profound Path ofPeace. Sarah Harding translated this teaching that Rinpoche gave and when it was decided to publish this book, she not only retranslated the original spiritual song based on the teaching given by Thrangu Rinpoche, but also went through the tapes of the teaching and retranslated and checked every word of the teaching.
? famgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
? ? The Song of Lodro Thaye
by]AMGON KONGTRUL THE GREAT
1. Vajradhara, the illustrious one,
2. Said to possess eight enlightened qualities
3. Appears to me, an ordinary person,
4. As a man called Padma, the protector, full ofblessings.
5. I supplicate you: never for a moment leave
6. Theeight-petaledlotus-domeofmyheart.
7. Though I am not graced with simultaneous liberation and
realization,
8. I am blessed with just recognizing my own true nature.
9. Obsession with the eight worldly concerns has decreased.
10. By mixing my mind with the guru's
11. I have seen clearly thatfamous "luminous dharmakaya. "
12. Non-thought was found amidst discursive thought
13. Wisdom dawned within non-conceptualization.
14. Delighted to become a lineage heir ofthe Dakpo Buddhas,
15. I am moved to lift my voice in appreciation.
16. From the dakini's secret treasure in Uddiyana in the Wt>st,
17. The great siddha Tilo
18. Opened the treasure chest ofthe three gems.
19. At the monastery ofSplendid Ravishing Flowers in the North 20. ThelearnedgreatpanditaNaropa
21. Engendered the sign o fattainment o finseparable prana-mind.
? ? 18 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
22. In the valley ofherbs, Drowolung, in the South, 23. The translator, an emanation ofHevajra,
24. Established the wellspring o fall siddhas.
25. In the Lachi snow mountains ofthe West
26. The excellent being, Laughing Vajra,
27. Attained the state ofunity in one lifetime.
28. In the pure land o fDvagla Gampo in the East
29. The honorable doctor, the second Buddha,
30. Actualized the samadhi o fthe tenth bodhisattva level.
31. In the holyplaces ofthe body, speech, and mindcenters, 32. The many siddhas o fthe four great and eight lesser lineages 33. Gained the essentialpower ofMahamudra
34. And couldn't help but reach Buddhahood.
35. Expert in the attracting power through bodhichitta,
36. They couldn't help but bring benefit to beings.
37. Having perfected the two accumulations, this profound
attainment ofwealth,
38. They could not help but experience enjoyment.
39. Developing the knowledge that "understanding one liberates all. " 40. They couldn't help but fulfill their great prophecies.
41. Children ofparents who have accumulated much wealth
42. Are naturally rich due to previous karma.
43. Offspringofthewhitelionessandofthegreatgaruda
44. Are naturallyfully developed with thepower oftheir species.
45. The followers o fthe lineage o fKagyu siddhas
46. Meditate naturallyfrom the strength ofblessings.
47. Boastfully counting the years o fpractice,
48. Proud about dwelling in leisure,
49. Puffed up over the exertions o fsitting,
50.
Established the wellspring o fall siddhas.
25. In the Lachi snow mountains ofthe West
26. The excellent being, Laughing Vajra,
27. Attained the state ofunity in one lifetime.
28. In the pure land o fDvagla Gampo in the East
29. The honorable doctor, the second Buddha,
30. Actualized the samadhi o fthe tenth bodhisattva level.
31. In the holyplaces ofthe body, speech, and mindcenters, 32. The many siddhas o fthe four great and eight lesser lineages 33. Gained the essentialpower ofMahamudra
34. And couldn't help but reach Buddhahood.
35. Expert in the attracting power through bodhichitta,
36. They couldn't help but bring benefit to beings.
37. Having perfected the two accumulations, this profound
attainment ofwealth,
38. They could not help but experience enjoyment.
39. Developing the knowledge that "understanding one liberates all. " 40. They couldn't help but fulfill their great prophecies.
41. Children ofparents who have accumulated much wealth
42. Are naturally rich due to previous karma.
43. Offspringofthewhitelionessandofthegreatgaruda
44. Are naturallyfully developed with thepower oftheir species.
45. The followers o fthe lineage o fKagyu siddhas
46. Meditate naturallyfrom the strength ofblessings.
47. Boastfully counting the years o fpractice,
48. Proud about dwelling in leisure,
49. Puffed up over the exertions o fsitting,
50. Chauvinist in discriminating selfabove others,
51. Keeping track ofone's ordinary discursive thoughts,
? ? THE SONG OF LODRO THAYE
19
52. Counting them to be the actual realizations on the paths and stages:
53. Such are the distinctive characteristics offoolish meditators in this degenerate age.
54. No siddha can be named who would be free o fthem
55. But because o fthe fine oral instructions o fthe exemplary lineage 56. The primordial wisdom o fultimate Mahamudra is seen.
57. Foundation Mahamudra is understanding the nature, the view. 58. Path Mahamudra is experiencing it, the meditation.
59. Fruition Mahamudra is the realization ofBuddhahood in
one's mind.
60. I am unworthy, but my guru is excellent.
61. Even though born in the degenerate age, I have goodfortune.
62. In spite o flittle perseverance, the instructions are profound.
63. What isfoundation Mahamudra?
64. It exists in two ways: the natural state and the state o fconfusion. 65. It cannot be divided into samsara or nirvana,
66. And it is devoid ofthe extremes ofadding on or taking away.
67. Not created by a cause, not altered by conditions,
68. Confusion does not make it worse.
69. Realization does not improve it.
70. Confusion is not experienced, nor is it liberation.
71. Since its essence cannot be established in any way,
72. Its expression is unimpeded and can appear in any way.
73. Encompassing all ofsamsara and nirvana, it is like space.
74. Confusion or liberation, it is the basis ofall
75. Self-illuminating, knowing, capable ofmanifestation.
76. With thefoundation consciousness
77. Being neutral, it has a cognizing aspect.
78. Empty in essence, its nature is luminous.
79. [Emptiness and luminosity] are inseparable, the heart essence
is awareness.
? ? 20 THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
80. Unidentifiable as anything, it [resembles} space.
81. It is immaculately clear, crystaljewel.
82. It is self-knowing, self-illuminating, like the brilliance ofa
butter lamp
83. Inexpressible, it is (like} the experience ofa mute.
84. Unveiled, it is splendid transcendent wisdom.
85. Clear light, dharmakaya, sugatagarbha,
86. It is pure from the beginning and spontaneous.
87. Nobody can prove it by the use o fexamples,
88. No words can express it.
89. The dharmadhatu cannot be examined by logic.
90. This is laid down right at the beginning
91. One should dissipate all doubts.
92. Maintaining meditation sustained by the view
93. Is like a garuda soaring to the sky.
94. Devoid o fany fear or doubt
95. Meditation without the view
96. Resembles a blindperson entering a plain
97. There is no way to determine the correctpath
98. Ifwe have the view but cannot meditate
99. It is like a wealthy person consumed with avarice:
100. It does not yield results for himselfand others
101. Practicing the union ofboth is the authentic view.
102. This neutral state has an ignorant aspect,
103. Which for five reasons, one does not recognize one's own face. 104. The ocean ofco-emergent ignorance,
105. Is set in motion by waves o fconfused ego-clinging
106. Awareness becomes the "! "and its own luminosity becomes
the objects.
107. The imprints ofsubject and object become solid.
108. So that karma is accumulated and brought to fruition
? ? THE SONG OF LODRO THAYE
21
109. The water wheel o fsamsara turns continuously.
110. While {samsara] is turning, its essence remains immaculate. 111. At the very instance ofappearing, it [appearances] is devoid
oftrue reality.
112. just appearance, they are the brilliance ofthe three kayas 113. The nature o ftheir arising is unborn.
114. The unborn cannot be obstructed.
115. Between these two, there is no abiding.
116. From this mind itself. so hard to describe,
117. The various displays ofsamsara and nirvana arise.
118. Seeing them as self-liberating is the highest view.
119. Ifit is recognized, all is suchness.
120. Ifthere is nothing to refote or establish, it is the innate state. 121. When conceptual mind is transcended, there is the ultimate. 122. Path Mahamudra refers to
123. The Mahamudra ofmind itselfand the Mahamudra of
apparent existence.
124. Spontaneous mind is the dharmakaya.
125. Spontaneous appearances are the light ofthe dharmakaya.
126. When the blessings o fthe glorious lamas
127. A n d one's own karmic dispositions come together
128. One sees one's own face as ifmeeting an old acquaintance.
129. Endless explanation is useless,
130. The beginner needs a startingpoint.
131. Don't welcome or dwell on thoughts ofpast andfoture.
132. In each moment, there is the mind ofnowness.
133. In the continual, innate state
134. There is not the slightest thingfor mind to meditate on,
135. Orfor getting lostfor a moment in the confosion ofwandering
thought.
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THE SPIRITUAL SONG OF LODRO THAYE
136. {For the mind to be} Without distraction, without meditation orfabrication is essential,
137. Fresh, relaxed and naturally clear.
138. In the space ofthe three doors offreedom,
139. Carefully establish mindfulness and awareness.
140. The balance ofmind between tight and loose must always
be kept.
141. Thus subtle, gross and strong thoughts will be pacified.
142. Remain in the state ofnatural, uncontrived mind.
143. Gradually, the four grades o fexperience will arise.
144. The sun ofluminosity will continuously shine
145. And the root ofMahamudra meditation will have been planted 146.
