TheMeaningOfTheVajraSevenLinePrayerToGuruRinpoche

ExcerptedfromEnlightenedJourneybyTulkuThondup, 1995 andusedbyarrangementwithShambhalaPublications,Inc.

PublishedbyBuddhayana.Firstedition,I979secondedition,I989.

THISCHAPTERisasummaryofacommentaryonTheVajraSevenLinePrayer, entitledPadmaKarpo(TheWhiteLotus),writtenbyMiphamNamgyal(1846 1912),acelebratedscholaroftheNyingmaBuddhisttraditionofTibet.Theoriginal TibetantextofMipham'scommentaryisveryprofoundanddifficulttounderstandor totranslate,andIhavesummarizedthebasicpointsofhistextinthischapter. TheVajraSevenLinePrayeristhemostsacredandimportantprayerinthe Nyingmatradition.Thisshortprayercontainstheouter,inner,andinnermost teachingsoftheesoterictrainingsofBuddhism.BypracticingTheVajraSevenLine Prayeraccordingtoanyoneofthesetrainings,theresultofthatparticulartraining willbeattained. Inthissummarytherearefivelevelsofinterpretation.Theyare(1)thegeneralor commonmeaningthepathofthehiddenmeaning(sBasDon),consistingofthenext threelevels(2)themeaningaccordingtothepathofliberation(GrolLam)(3)the meaningaccordingtotheperfectionstage(rDzogRim)(4)meaningaccordingto theNyingthigofDzogpaChenpo:thedirectrealizationofthespontaneous(Lhun GrubThodrGal)and(5)themeaningaccordingtotheaccomplishmentofthe result.Fromamongtheselevelsofmeaningitisproperforapersonrecitingthevajra prayertolearnandpracticetheparticularlevelthatissuitabletohisorhercapacity. Ihavearrangedthissummarymerelywiththehopeofbeingabletoindicatethatthis briefprayercontainsdifferentlevelsofmeaningandtraining,asmanyfollowersof theNyingmateachingswhoareacquaintedwithTheVajraSevenLinePrayerare oftenunawareofitsdeepermeanings,Butinordertocomprehendthecomplete meaningoftheprayer,IurgethereaderstoreadtheoriginaltextofMipham Rinpoche. InTibet,theNyingmasreciteTheVajraSevenLinePrayertoGuruRinpochethree timesbeforerecitinganyotherprayers,doinganymeditation,orperformingany ceremony.Manydevoteesrepeatithundredsofthousandsoftimes,recitingitduring alltheirwakinghours,makingitastheirmainprayer,breathing,life,and contemplation. STRUCTUREOFTHETEXT Becauseofthecomplexorganizationofthetextanumberofheadings,subheadings anditalics,andbracketshavebeensuppliedandanoteofexplanationmaytherefore beofbenefittothereader. Mipham'scommentaryhasdividedeachlevelofinterpretationofTheVajraSeven LinePrayerintoanintroduction,theutteranceoftheseedsyllable,theobjectofthe prayer,theprayer,themantraforinvokingblessings,and(forthefirstlevelof interpretationonly)thecontentsoftheprayer. OnthebasisofeachlevelofinterpretationgivenbyMipham'scommentaryIhave extractedarootmeaningforTheVajraSevenLinePrayer,andthereaderwillfind that,foreachlevelofinterpretation,therootmeaningisgivenfirst,followedby Mipham'scommentary(withitssubdivisions). Withrespecttoformat,therearethreedifferentusesofitalics,First,throughoutthe

bodyofthetext,italicsaresometimesusedforunfamiliarTibetanwords(givenin phoneticforms),followedeitherbyanEnglishequivalentor,occasionallyaSanskrit equivalent(indicatedbytheabbreviationSkt.)inparentheses,Second,English wordsinitalics,appearinginthecommentary,areusedtoindicatethattheyarethe translatedwordsofTheVajraSevenLinePrayeritself.Thereaderisencouraged, whenreadingthecommentary,toreferbacktotherootmeaningsectiontoseehow theitalicizedwordscompriseacoherentrootmeaning.Third,beginningwiththe hiddenmeaning(second)levelofinterpretationonward,theesotericmeaningsinthe rootmeaningsectionsarefollowedbythecorrespondingphrasesofTheVajra SevenLinePrayer,whicharegiveninparenthesesinitalicizedTibetanphonetic form. Throughoutthetext,squarebracketsaresometimesusedtoindicatewordsaddedso astomakethemeaningclear.Finally,inordertokeepthenumberoffootnotestoa minimum,keyTibetantermsareputinparenthesesinatransliteratedform. TherearedifferencesinspellingattwoplacesintheTibetanofTheVajraSeven LinePrayer.Forthelastsyllableofline6,Ihaveusedkyee(Kyis)accordingto Mipham'scommentary,wheresometextsusekyi(Kyi).Forthethirdsyllableofthe seventhline,Ihaveusedlab(brLab)asintheLongchenNyingthigtexts,asitisthe versioncommonlyrecited,althoughMiphamandsomeothershaveusedlob (rLobs).
[Duetomypoorhtmlskill,Iwillhereforthinsertfootnotesinbracketsinreducedfontsize ratherthanlistingthemattheendofthecommentaryasTulkuThonduphasdoneinthe original.Mypardons.]

HISTORYOF THEVAJRASEVENLINEPRAYER ItissaidthattheselinesaretheprayersofinvitationofGuruRinpoche (Padmasambhava)totheassemblyoffeastofferings[TheAssembly(Tshog'Khor)

comprisesRigdzins(Skt.Vidyadharas),Siddhas,Pawos,(Skt.Dakas,Heroes),andKhadromas (Skt.Dakinis)]bytheDorjeKhadromas(Skt.VajraDakinis).

OncetherecametothemonasteryofNalandahereticalteachers,learnedin languagesandlogic,whoreviledtheDharma.TheBuddhistscholarswereunableto refutethem.Thenmostofthescholarshadthesamedream.Init,DakiniZhiwa Chog(SupremePeace)prophesiedasfollows: "Youwillnotbeabletodefeattheheretics.Ifyoudonotinviteheremyelder brother,DorjeTh threngTsal(VajraSkullGarlandPower,GuruRinpoche),who livesattheDarkCemetery,theDharmawillbedestroyed." "Howcanweinvitehimwhenitissodifficulttogothere?"askedthescholars. TheKhadromasaid:"Setupagreatofferingontheroofofthemonastery,with musicandincense,andwithonevoicerecitethevajraprayer."Andshegavethem TheVajraSevenLinePrayer.Thescholarsprayedaccordingly,andinaninstant GuruRinpochecamemiraculouslyfromthesky.HepresidedovertheBuddhist scholarsanddefeatedthehereticalteachersbymeansoftextualreferenceand intellectualreasoning.Whenhewasthreatenedbythemagicalpowersofthe

heretics,heopenedthecasketgivenhimbytheLionFacedDakini,andhefoundin itthemantraof"fourteenletters."[AHKASAMARATSASHATARASAMARAYA PHAT]Byrecitingit,heeliminatedtheevilonesamongthehereticswitharainof lightningbolts.HecausedtheremainingonestoentertheDharma.Itissaidthatthe prayeroriginatedfromthatincident. Lateron,whenGuruRinpochecametoTibetintheeighthcentury,hegaveittothe kingandhissubjects.Intendingitforfuturedisciplescapableoftraining,he concealeditinmanyTers.[earthormindtreasures]Later,TheVajraSevenLine PrayerwasrevealedintheTersofmostoftheonehundredgreatTertonsofthelast tencenturiesoftheNyingmalineage,againandagain,astheheartoftheprayers, teachings,andmeditation. THECOMMONMEANING RootMeaning HUMinvokesthemindofGuruRinpoche. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. InthenorthwestofthecountryofOddiyana Bornonthepistilofalotus: Endowedwiththemostmarvelousattainment RenownedastheLotusBorn(Padmasambhava) SurroundedbyaretinueofmanyKhadros
[Tib.dPa'Bo,Skt.Daka(male)and Tib.mKha''Gro,Skt.Dakini(female)sagesanddeities.]

6. FollowingyouIpractice: 7. Pleasecomeforthtobestowblessings. Master(GURU)Padmasambhava(PEMA),pleasebestow (HUM)attainments(SIDDHI)[uponus]. Commentary

INTRODUCTION

ThisisthelevelofpracticingTheVajraSevenLinePrayerinrelationtothewayof GuruRinpoche'sappearanceinthisearthlyworldasamanifestedform(Skt. Nirmanakaya). Inactuality,GuruRinpocheisnotseparatefromSamantabhadra(Universally Excellent),whoisfullyliberatedfromthebeginningastheselfarisenDharmakaya (theultimatestate).WithoutmovingfromthesphereoftheDharmakaya,heis spontaneouslyaccomplishedintheSambhogakaya(theenjoymentbodyinpure forms),whichhasfiveabsolutequalities.[Theabsolutecertaintiesofplace,teacher, disciple,teaching,andtime.]Heisalsotheselfarisingmanifestationinvariousdisplays ofNirmanakaya(themanifestedbodyinimpureforms),theselfreflectionof compassion.ThisistheactualwayinwhichGuruRinpochedwellsandappears.It isthedisplayoftheBuddhas,andtheyalonecanperceiveallaspectsofhisdisplay. Eight(ortwelve)yearsafterthemahaparinirvanaofShakyamuniBuddha,Guru RinpocheappearedonalotusinDhanakoshalakeofOddiyanafortheordinary

beingsofthisworldwhohavegoodkarma.Hefolloweddifferentesoteric disciplinesandaccomplishedvariousattainments,suchasthelightbodyofgreat transformation('Ja'Lus'PhoBaCh'enPo).HeserveddevoteesofIndia,Oddiyana, andTibetthroughmultiplemanifestation,suchastheeightformsoftheGuru(Guru mTshanbrGyad).Thislevelofinterpretationisthewaythatwe,thecommon disciples,praytoGuruRinpoche,anextraordinaryobjectofdevotion.

THEUTTERANCEOFTHESEEDSYLLABLE

TheprayerbeginswiththeinvocationoftheenlightenedmindofGuruRinpocheby theutteranceofthesyllableHUM,theselfarisenseedsyllableofthemindofallthe Buddhas.

THEOBJECTOFTHEPRAYER

Line1.InthewestoftheJambucontinent,atthenorthwestofOddiyana,thelandof theKhadros(DakasandDakinis)intheDhanakoshalake,filledwithwaterofeight purequalities. Line2.Onthestemornamentedbythepistil,leaves,andpetalsofalotus,Guru Rinpochewasborn. Allthequalitiesandblessingsofthethreesecrets(body,speech,andmind)ofallthe BuddhascametogetherintheformofthesyllableHRIH,anditdissolvedintothe heartofAmitabhaBuddha.Fromhisheart,alightoffivecolorsspreadoutandcame downonthepistilofthelotus.TheytransformedintotheformofGuruRinpoche, andhetookbirthinthemannerofthelotusbornmiraculousbirth]. Line3.Hespontaneouslyaccomplishedthetwofoldbenefit(ofselfandothers),and heexhibitedmarvelousforms,suchastheeightmanifestationsoftheGuru.He achievedtheextraordinaryattainmentoftheVajradharastate,notjustordinary attainment. Line4.HisnameisrenownedastheLotusBorn(Padmasambhava). Line5.AndheissurroundedbyretinuesofmanifoldKhadros(DakasandDakinis).
THEPRAYER

Line6.Oneshouldpraywiththethreekindsoffaith,[DangBa'iDadPa:faiththat
cleansesthemind.'DodPa'iDadPa:faiththatinspiresthedevoteetoaccomplishthesame attainmentastheobjectofhisorherfaith.YidCh'esKyiDadPa:faiththatproducesfull confidenceintheobjectofthefaith.]thinking,"0Protector,Iwillfollowafteryou,andI

willpracticeaccordingly." Line7."Inordertoprotectbeingslikemyself,whoaresunkintheoceanofthe threesufferings,you,theomniscient,compassionate,andpowerfulone,pleasecome tothisplacefortheblessingofourbody,speech,andmindwithyourbody,speech, andmind,asironistransmutedintogold."

THEMANTRAFORINVOKINGBLESSINGS

GURUmeansmasterorspiritualguide,onewhoisprosperouswithexcellent

qualitiestowhomnooneissuperior. PADMAisthefirstpartofGuruRinpoche'sname. SIDDHIiswhatwewanttoaccomplishthecommonanduncommonattainments. HUMmeansthesupplicationtobestowthesiddhis(attainments). So,0GuruPadma,bestowthesiddhi.

THECONTENTSOFTHEPRAYER THEOBJECTSOFTHEPRAYER

Line1.Theplaceofbirth. Line2.Thewayoftakingbirth. Line3.Thegreatnessofhisqualities. Line4.ThenameofGuruRinpocheinparticular. Line5.Retinues.

THEPRAYER

Line6.PrayingwiththeaspirationofachievinginseparabilityfromGuruRinpoche ordevelopingconfidenceinhim. Line7.AccomplishmentoftheinseparabilityofGuruRinpochefromoneself.

THEMANTRAFORINVOKINGBLESSING

THEPATHOFTHEHIDDENMEANING THEPATHOFLIBERATION RootMeaning HUMawakenstheselfarisenwisdom,theultimatenature. 1. TheMind[SemsNyid:theultimatenatureandtheessentialnatureofmind,ofwhich

Sems(mind)isthedeludedmode.Inthistext,MindwithacapitalMdenotestheSems Nyid.](ogyenyul)isthefreedom(tsam)[fromtheextremes]ofsamsara(nub)

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

andnirvana(chang). Itistherealizationoftheunion(dongpo)oftheprimordiallypureultimate sphere(pema)andluminous,vajraintrinsicawareness(kesar)and(la)... ItistheGreatPerfection,themarvelous(yatsen).Itistheattainment(nye)of thesupremesiddhi(chogking drub),thestateofVajradhara. Thisisthewisdomoftheabsolutenature,renownedas(zhesutrag)the ultimatebasis(jungne)oftheBuddhas(pema). Thiswisdomiswith(kor)itsnumerousmanifestativepowers(mangpo) emanating(dro)intheultimatesphere(kha)asattributes(khortu). Ifirmlydevelopconfidence(dagdrubkyee)inthenatureofthenondual primordialwisdom(khyekyijesu). Inorderto(chir)purifyalltheattachmentstoappearancesastheprimordial wisdom(chinkyeelob),mayIrealize(shegsusol)theultimatenature.

Theprimordialwisdomisemptinessinitsessence(Dharmakaya)(GURU),clarityin

nature(Sambhogakaya)(PADMA),andallpervasiveincompassion[power] (Nirmanakaya)(SIDDHI)withfivefoldwisdom(HUM). Commentary

THEUTTERANCEOFTHESEEDSYLLABLE

Theprayerbeginswiththeutteranceoftheseedsyllableofthemind,HUM,which awakenstheselfarisenprimordialwisdom,thetruenatureofsamsaraandnirvana.
THEOBJECTOFTHEPRAYER

Line1.ThecountryofOddiyanaisaspecialsourceoftantra.Intermsoftheactual path,one'sownMindisthespecialsourceoftantra,sothatiswhatOddiyanameans. TheMindortheultimatenatureofthemindisthefreedomfromsinkinginsamsara andrisingtonirvana,asitisneitherremaininginnorpartialtothetwoextremes samsaraandnirvana. Line2.Pema,thelotus,signifiestheultimatesphere(Dharmadhatu),thenaturethat istoberealized.Itdoesnotdwellanywhereandispurefromthebeginning,justasa lotusisunstainedbyanyimpurity. "Kesar,"thepistil,signifiestheluminous,vajraintrinsicawareness(RigPa'irDo rJe),whichisthemeansofrealizingthenature.Thespontaneouslyaccomplished, selfradiantintrinsicawareness,primordialwisdom,isblossomingwithclaritysoit resemblesthepistilofalotus. Asthestem(Dongpo)holdsthepistilandthepetalsofalotustogether,theself arisen,greatblissfulprimordialwisdomdwellsastheunionoftheultimatesphere (dByings)andprimordialwisdom(YeShes),anditistheultimatenatureofthemind ortheinnateluminosityofthemind. Line3.Mindisthespontaneouslyborn,luminousGreatPerfection(Dzogpa Chenpo),theprimordialwisdomoftheabsolutenature,themeaningofthefourth empowerment,whichismarvelous.Itispresentspontaneouslyasthebasisofthe MindofalltheBuddhas,theattainmentofthesupremesiddhi,thestateof Vajradhara. Line4.MindisthebasisofalltheBuddhasofthethreetimes,whohaveblossomed forthlikelotuses,theultimatenaturesoitisrenownedasthebasisofPema,the Buddhas.ThisistherecognitionofPemaJungneastheabsoluteBuddha. Line5.Inthatprimordialwisdomthereareinconceivablequalitiesofattainment which,ifdividedintotheirvarieties,includethefivetypesofprimordialwisdom(Ye SheslNga).[Primordialwisdomoftheultimatesphere,mirrorlikeprimordialwisdom,
primordialwisdomofevenness,discriminatingprimordialwisdom,andallaccomplished primordialwisdom]So,intheuncoveredspaceoftheultimatesphere,numerous

manifestativepowersoftheintrinsicawarenessprimordialwisdomareemanatingas itsattributesceaselessly.
THEPRAYER

Line6.Torealizethenatureofnondualprimordialwisdom(YeShes)andtoperfect itthroughcontemplationwithunchangingconfidence,whichisgreatwisdom(Shes Rab),isexpressedas"Iwillfollowafteryou,andIwillpractice." Line7.Ifonehasbecomeexperiencedinandhasascertainedthisultimatenature (gNasLugs)byrealizingtheview(lTaBa)andperfectingthatrealizationthrough meditation,onewilltransformalltheattachmentstoimpureappearanceintothepure essence[NgoBoistranslatedhereas"essence"Generally,NgoBo,ThigLeoflight,andThig

Le(semen)ofphysicalbodyallcouldbetranslatedas"essence,"anditisthereforeconfusing. SointhistextIamtranslatingtheNgoBoas"essence,"ThigLeofphysicalbodyinthe perfectionstageas"essence,"andtheThigLeoflightofTh galas"thigle."]ofprimordial

wisdom(YeShes). Or,ifonecouldnotattainprimordialwisdom,theninordertoreceivetheblessingof thepathinone'sownmind,oneaspiresasfollows:"MayIrealize["MayIrealize"is

thesignificanceof"Pleasecome"intheprayer.BeingaquotationfromPramanavarttikain MiphamRinpoche'stext,Shegs("tocome")hasthemeaningof"realization"(rTogs).]the

ultimatenature(Ch'osNyid)bydissolvingsubjectiveobjectivedualityintoit,as wavesofwaterintowater,throughtheblessingpowersoftheinstructionsofthe Lamaandthroughstudyandreflection.

MANTRAFORINVOKINGBLESSINGS

Theprimordialwisdomistheemptinessessence(NgoBosTongPa),the Dharmakaya,andsinceitisnotinferiortoanyconceivablecharacteristic,itisthe supremeone,theGURU. Theprimordialwisdom'snatureisluminescence(RangbZhingSalBa).Itis spontaneouslyaccomplishedSambhogakaya,withaceaselessdisplayofpower.Yet itisnotseparatefromtheultimatesphere.SoitisPADMA,thelotus,whichmeans notstainedbyrelativecharacteristics. Theinseparabilityofthatessenceandnature[TheinseparabilityofNgoBoandRang bZhin,sTongPaandgSalBa,Ch'ossKuandLongssKu,GuruandPadma.]istheuniversal compassion,whicharisesinthesamsaricandnirvanicdisplay(RolPa),fulfillingthe wishesofalltheendlessbeings,whichisSIDDHIorattainment. HUMsignifiestheselfarisenprimordialwisdom,theseedsyllableofmind, possessoroffiveprimordialwisdoms.
THEPATHOFSKILLFUlMEANS(ThabsLam) ACCORDINGTOTHEPERFECTIONSTAGE

RootMeaning HUMawakenstheselfariseninnatewisdom. 1. Atthecenter(tsam)oftheroma(nub)andthekyangma(chang)channelsof thevajrabody(ogyenyul), 2. At(la)theeightpetaledchakraoftheheart(pema)inthe"essence"(ThigLe) (kesar),intheuma,thecentralchannel(dongpo), 3. Dwells(nye)themarvelous(yatsen),greatblissful,stainlessprimordial

4. 5.

6. 7.

wisdommindthechangelessluminousessence,theattainmentofsupreme siddhi(chogkingodrub). Itisrenowned(zhesutrag)asthespontaneouslypresent,absolute Padmasambhava(pemajungne). Thisprimordialwisdomessenceiswith(kor)many(mangpo)kindsofenergy (rLung)andessence(ThigLe),whicharemanifestatingintheemptysphere (khadro)ofthechannelsasanimations(khortu). Accordingtotheskillfulnatureofthevajrabody(khyekyijesu),Iwilltrainin theprimordialwisdom(dagdrubkyee)throughthestagesofesoterictraining. Inorderto(chir)transformallexistentsintothesphereofgreatbliss(chinkyee lab),mayIattainthegreatblissofthevajrabody(shegsusol).

Thesupremeprimordialwisdom(GURU)andtheunstainedandselfarisengreat bliss(PADMA)bringtheultimategreatprimordialwisdom(SIDDHI),theholy MindoftheBuddhas(HUM). Commentary

INTRODUCTION

Forthosewhoareunabletorealizetheabsoluteprimordialwisdom(DonGyiYe Shes)throughthetrainingselucidatedinthepathofliberation,itcouldbeachieved throughthemostextraordinarytrainingsofthepathofskillfulmeans.

THEUTTERANCEOFTHESEEDSYLLABLE

TheHUMsyllablesignifiestheawakeningoftheselfarisen,innateprimordial wisdom.
THEOBJECTOFTHEPRAYER

Line1.ThecountryofOddiyanasignifiesthevajrabody,theextraordinarybaseof tantra. Inthatvajrabody,ontherightsideistheredroma(Skt.rasana)channelinwhich thesunenergy(NyiMa'irLung)movesabout,decreasingtheessence(Tib.ThigLe, Skt.bindu).OntheleftsideisthewhiteKyangma(Skt.lalana)channelinwhichthe moonenergy(ZlaBa'irLung)movesabout,increasing,cleansing,cooling,and pacifyingtheessence. Betweenthesechannels,atthecenter[wheretheprimordialwisdomenergyflows]: Line2.Thelotus(pema)signifiestheeightpetaledDharmachakraoftheheart (sNyingKaCh'osKyi'KhorLo),Thepistil(kesar)signifiestheessence(orsemen), thevitalessenceofthefiveelements.Thestem(dongpo)signifiestheuma(Skt. avadhuti)orcentralchannelinwhichtheprimordialwisdomenergy(YeShesKyi rLung)flowsabout. Line3.Withinthatcycleofchannel,energy,andessencetheextraordinaryvital essence(DvangsMa)ofthevajrabodyandoriginatingsimultaneouslywiththem fromthebeginning,likecamphorandthesmellofcamphor,dwellstheluminous essence('odgSalBa'iThigLe),whichisunstainedgreatbliss,theselfarisen

primordialwisdom. Soitisverymarvelous.Thisluminousessenceistheinseparableunionofblissand emptinessthattranscendsthoughtsanddescription,anditisthespontaneous accomplishmentofthesupremesiddhi,Vajradhara. Line4.Theprimordialwisdomofrealizingthatluminousessenceisrenownedas theabsolute,selfarisenPemaJungne(Padmasambhava). Line5.Thatprimordialwisdomluminousessence,Padmasambhava,iswithmany essencesandenergies(rLung)asitsmanifestingpower(rTsal)ofthegreatessence ofprimordialwisdomitself.Thesearemanifestinginthespaceoftheemptyhollows ofthecentralchannelandsmallerchannelsastheiranimations.Ifoneappliesthe trainingonskillfulmeans,thecycleofvajrabodyarisesasthegreatblissful primordialwisdomofluminousessence.
THEPRAYER

Line6."Iwillfollowafteryou,andIwillpractice"signifies,first,thatitisthe trainingonunderstandingandaccomplishingthenatureofthevajrabodyand second,theprimordialwisdomofgreatblissthroughtheprofoundtrainingswith characteristics(mTshanbChasKyirNal'Byor)oftheperfectionstage(rDzogsRim), whichincludepracticeontheheatyoga(gTumMo),thetrainingsthroughthe supportsofinneroroutervajraconsorts.Thesetrainingswillbringtheresultof admittingthekarmicenergiesandmindintothecentralchannel,andrealizingthe stateofillusorybody,luminousabsorption,anddreamyoga,becauseoftheforceof physicalexercises,disciplineofenergies,andmentalconcentrationonthesubtle essences(PhraMo'iThigLe). Line7.Throughthetrainingofskillfulmeans,onetransformsalltheexistentsinto theattainmentofthenatureoftheimmaculategreatblissofthevajrabody,and transformsthemintothemandalasofthebody,speech,andmindoftheBuddhas. Toattainthegreatblissofthevajrabody,allthehabitualinclinationsofthe changingkarmicenergythecauseofsamsaricappearances,duetotheminddefiled bythoughtswithcharacteristicsdissolveintothecentralchannelofchangeless primordialwisdom,andareboundtothechangelessgreatessence,theveryultimate sphereofthebasis.So,Come(attain)totheDharmakaya,theultimatesphereofthe basis.
THEMANTRAFORINVOKINGBLESSINGS

Theprimordialwisdomofthepath,whichisachievedthroughtheextraordinary pathoftraining,issupremehenceGURU(master). Alltheimpurities,suchasthefiveemotionalafflictions,ariseassupportsof immaculategreatblissandselfliberationhencePADMA(lotus). Asthefinalresult,thegreatprimordialwisdomwillbeachievedswiftlyhence SIDDHI(attainment). Inwondermentatthearisingofprimordialwisdomthroughtrainingsofthepathof skillfulmeanscomestheseedletteroftheMindsoftheBuddhasHUM.

ACCORDINGTOTHENYINGTHIGOF DZOGPACHENPO:THEDIRECTREALIZATION OFTHESPONTANEOUSPRESENCE

RootMeaning HUMinvokestheselfarisenwisdomthatbringstherealizationofthefaceofthe ultimateprimordialwisdom. 1. Thelightoftheheart(ogyenyul)andits(kyi)innerultimatesphere(nub), outerultimatesphere(chang),andthewaterlightoftheeyes(tsam),and 2. Thelightofthepureultimatesphereandthelightofemptinessthigle(pema) withthevajrachainsthepoweroftheintrinsicawareness(kesar)arepresent forus.Upon(la)firmlystabilizingintrinsicawarenessonthemthrough contemplation(dongpo), 3. Oneachieves(nye)themarvelous(yatsen)firstthreevisions(sNangBa)and attainsthesupremesiddhi(chogki'ng drub),thefourthvision. 4. Thisattainmentisrenowned(zhesutrag)astheattainmentoftheprimordial Buddhahood(pemajungne). 5. Thenthelightofselfarisenwisdomemanates(kor)many(mangpo)raysand thiglesasitsmanifestingpower(rTsal)(khortu)movingaboutinspace (khadro). 6. Icontemplate(dagdrubkyee)onthenaturalvisionoforiginalpurity(khyekyi jesu). 7. Inorderto(chir)attaintherainbowvajrabodyofgreattransformation(shegsu sol),mayIpurifyallphenomenaintotheexpanseofprimordialwisdom (chinkyeelab). Thissupreme(GURU),unstained(PADMA),andultimateattainment(SIDDHI)is amazing(HUM). Commentary
INTR0DUCTION

Natural,selfarisenprimordialwisdomdwellsprimordiallyastheultimatenature (Ch'osNyid)ofthemind.However,becauseoftheimpactednessofkarmaand emotionalafflictions,theultimatenaturehasbeencoveredanditsface(RangZhal) couldnotbeobserved.

THEOBJECTOFTHEPRAYER

HUMsignifiestheessenceofspontaneouslyaccomplishedth gal,theselfarisen primordialwisdom.Th galbringsaboutthevisionofthetruefaceofselfarisen primordialwisdomfromthestateofspontaneouslyaccomplishedluminous absorption,evenforusordinarypeople,ifwefollowtheinstructionsofthissupreme yana. Linel.Orgyenyulsignifiesthelightoftheheart(TsitaShaYisGronMa).The youthfulbodyinavase(gZhonNuBumsKu),theradiantthigleofprimordial wisdom,dwellsinvisibly(Nub)inthespaceofthevajrabody,theinnerultimate

sphere(NangGidByings). Changistheouterultimatesphere,theclearlyappearingspace,thecloudlesssky. Tsham,thechannelofthetwoouterandinnerspheres,isthewaterlightoftheeyes (rGyangZhagCh'uYisGronMa). Line2.Throughthewaterlightoftheeyes,intheouterultimatesphere,appearsthe pureskyblue,clean,withnetsofrainbowraysbeautifiedbycircularthigle,like mirrors.Allthesearethelightofthepureultimatesphere(dByingsrNamDagGi sGronMa). Then,bygainingexperienceatthat,thelightofemptinessthigle(ThigLesTong Pa'isGronMa)inredclear,round,andcleanwillariselikedesignsonwatermade bythrowingastoneinapond.Thesetwolights(sGronMa)functionastheground, acontainer,orahouse.Theyarebothsignifiedbythepema(lotus). Kesar(pistil)signifiesthevajrachain(rDorJeLuGurGyud),whichisthepower ofintrinsicawareness(RiggDangs).Itistheessenceofthelightofselfarisen wisdom(ShesRabRangByungGisGronMa)andtheselfradianceoftheactual intrinsicawareness,primordialwisdom. Dongpo(stem)signifiesstabilizationoftheultimatesphere(dByings)andthe intrinsicawareness(RigPa)byconfiningthepowerofintrinsicawareness(Rig gDangs)intherealmoftheultimatesphereandpressingthepoint(gNadgZhiBa) throughthethoughtfreenaturalmodeofintrinsicawareness(RigPaRangBab rTogMed).Bygettingexperiencein(la)thoseskillfulmeans, Line3.Onewillachievethefourconfidencesgraduallyandwillaccomplishthe marvelousvisionsofthedirectrealizationoftheultimatenature(Ch'osNyidmNgon gSum),thedevelopmentofexperiences(NyamsGong'Phel),andtheperfectionof theintrinsicawareness(RigPaTshadPhebs).Afterthat,onewillachievethestate ofdissolutionof(alldharmasinto)theultimatenature(Ch'osNyidZadPa)the supremeattainment,thestateofVajradharainthisverylife. Line4.ThenonewillbeinseparablefromtheMindofPemaJungne,whoisthe primordialBuddha(Samantabhadra).So,"HeisrenownedasPemaJungne." Line5.Thoughnotmovingfromthestateofevennessofthelightofselfarisen wisdom,therewillbespontaneousemanationofmanifestingpower(rTsal)ofthat selfarisenwisdom,intheformofmanyclearandmovingrainbowrays,thigles, andsmallthiglesinthespace. Line6.Atthattimeallthesedevelopmentsarethemerepowerofintrinsic awareness.So,onecontemplatesontheluminousabsorptionofthefournatural contemplations(ChogbZhagbZhi)intheunmodifiednaturalvisionoforiginal purity(KaDag). Line7.Bypracticinglikethat,mayIpurifyallthephenomenaproducedbythe impurekarmicenergyintotheexpanseofindestructibleprimordialwisdomtoattain therainbowvajrabodyofgreattransformation('Ja'Lus'PhoBaCh'enPo).

THEMANTRAFORINVOKINGBLESSINGS

Thepathofinnermostessenceoftheluminousabsorptionistheextraordinary training,asitmeditatesontheresult,theBuddhahooditself,asthepathoftraining. So,itissupreme(GURU),andimmaculate(PADMA),andtheultimateattainment inthisverylifetime(SIDDHI).Amazing(HUM)!

THEACCOMPLISHMENTOFTHERESULT

RootMeaning HUMinvokestheprimordialwisdom. 1. Theesoterictrainingawakensone'stantriclineage(ogyenyul)oftheMind that(kyi)transcendsthejuncture(tsam)ofsinking(nub)inthesamsaraand liberating(chang)fromitthrough 2. Theattainmentofthespeech(pema),mind(kesar),andbody(dongpo)ofthe Buddhas,and(la) 3. [Theprimordialwisdomoftheattainment]ismarvelous(yatsen).Thisisthe attainment(nye)ofthesupremeaccomplishment(chogkin gdrub),thestateof Vajradhara, 4. Whichisrenowned(zhesutrag)astheselfarisenabsolutePadmasambhava (pemajungne). 5. Thiswisdomiswith(kor)infinite(mangpo)manifestation,boundlessasspace (kha),functioning(dro)asitspower(khortu). 6. Iremain(dagdrubkyee)intherealizedstate(jesu)ofeffortlessnature, primordialpurity(khyekyi). 7. Inorderfor(chir)phenomenalexistentstoariseasthemandalaofthefour vajras(chinkyeelab),mayIattain(shegsusol)themandalaoftheprimordial basis. Thisistherealization(HUM)ofthepathandwisdom,whichissupreme(GURU), unstained(PADMA)ultimateattainment(SIDDHI). Commentary
INTRODUCTION

HUMthesacredprimordialwisdom.
THEOBJECTOFTHEPRAYER

Line1.ThecountryofOddiyana(ogyenyul)isasourceoftantras,andthe definitionofthewordOddiyanais"goingbyflying."Intantra,theawakeningof one'stantriclineage(sNgagsKyiRigsSadPa)ofone'sownmindandattaining liberationfromtheswampofdualistic(gNyissNang)appearancesofsamsaraisvery swift,likeflying. Byawakeningthemind,onetranscendsthejuncture(Tsam)ofsamsaraandnirvana byliberating(chang)itfromsinking(nub)inthemudofsamsara,purifyingitfrom allthedefilements,anddissolvingillusoryappearancesintotheultimatesphere. Line2.Theattainmentofthepurityofallsoundasthemandalaofspeech(Pema), theperfectionofallthoughtsasthemandalaofmind(kesar),andthematurationof

allappearancesasthemandalaofbody(dongpo)thethreesecretaspects(gSangBa gSum)ofBuddhahoodand(La) Line3.Theprimordialwisdomoftheattainment,whichisonenessandevenness,is marvelous(yatsen). Whenonerealizesthis,itistheattainmentoftheindivisibilityofthebasisandresult, thesupremeattainment(chogking drub),thestateofVajradhara. Line4.This[attainment]isrenowned(zhesutrag)astheabsolutePadmasambhava (pemajungne), Line5.Anditsnatureisthatitdoesnotstrayfromtheprimordialground.Yetfrom theprimordialwisdom,therearise(kor)infinite(mangpo)functions(dro)of manifestationsofsamsaraandnirvana,asboundlessasthesky(kha),appearingas itspower(khor).
THEPRAYER

Line6.If,havingrealizedthemeaningofthenatureandrealityofthisattainment, onethenremainsinitwithoutbeingdiverted,thenjustasnostonecanbefoundon anislandmadeallofgold,soalltheimpureappearanceswillcometoanend,and onlyprimordiallypureappearanceswillarise.Onewillattainliberationfromallthe bondsofkarmaandfromtheemotionalafflictions.Allgoodqualitieswillbe accomplishedspontaneouslyandeffortlessly,andonewillattaintheDharmakaya stagepermanently.Soitistheremaining(dagdrubkyee)intherealizedstate(jesu) oftheprimordialpurity(khyekyi). Line7.Allphenomenalexistentsariseintheformofthemandalaofthefourvajras

[Vajrabody,vajraspeech,vajramind,andvajraprimordialwisdomoftheBuddhas.]

(chinkyeelabchir),theblessingsoftheprimordialwisdomofonesownmind.This attainmentarisesastheresultofattaining(shegsusol)theprimordialbasis,the ultimatetruth.

THEMANTRAFORINVOKINGBLESSINGS

Thisistherealization(HUM)ofthepathandwisdom,whichissupreme(GURU), unstained(PADMA)ultimateattainment(SIDDHI). CONCLUSIONOFTHEPRACTICES First,thepracticeofTheVajraSevenLinePrayerasGuruYoga,accordingtothe commonmeaning,willcausethearisingoftheprofoundprimordialwisdom.By learningthecrucialpointsofthepathsofliberation,skillfulmeans,orgreat perfectionfromaqualifiedLamaandpracticingthemdiligently,onewillachieve confidenceintherealization,theresultitselfasexpoundedintheteachings,andwill reachthestateofVidyadhara(knowledgeholder). Withunshakablefaith,visualizeGuruRinpoche,theembodimentofallrefuges,on thecrownofone'shead.PraytohimstronglywithTheVajraSevenLinePrayer. BythenectarpouringdownfromthebodyoftheGuru,alltheillness,badkarma, andsufferingsofone'sbody,speech,andmindarewashedawayintheformofpus, blood,insects,soot,andoffal.Attheend,one'sownbodydissolves,likesaltinto water,andthentheliquidgoesdownintothemouthofYamaraja,theLordof Death,andothercreditorsofkarmabeneaththeground.Believethatithassatisfied allofthemandthatallthedebtsarecleared.Attheend,oneshouldregardthemall

ashavingvanishedintoemptiness. Again,visualizeyourownbodyintheformoftheradiantbodyofadivinity whicheverformyoulike.Intheheartofthedivinity,atthecenterofaneightpetaled lotus,theLamacomesdownfromthecrownofyourheadandbecomesonewiththe indestructibleessence(bindu),theprimordialwisdom.Thenoneshouldremainin theblissfulprimordialwisdom. Thepostmeditativeperiodshouldbetreatedasfollows:allappearancesviewedasa purelandandasdivinities,foodanddrinkasofferings,andtheactivitiesofsitting andwalkingasprostrationandcircumnambulation.Whenyousleep,youshould visualizetheGuruinyourheart.Inalldailyactivitiesyoushouldtrytotransform everythingintovirtuouspracticeswithoutinterval.Itisimportanttovisualizethe Lamaintheskybeforeyouandtopresentofferings,offerpraise,invokehismind, andreceivetheblessingsofhisbody,speech,andmind.Thisisbecausegenerally thegoodqualitiesofthehigherrealmsofliberation,andespeciallythedevelopment ofrealizationoftheprofoundpath,dependonlyontheentryoftheblessingsofthe Guruintoone'sownmind. Inordertoattaintheabsoluteprimordialwisdominone'sownmind,onemust becomefamiliarwiththeteachingsgiveninthesutrasandtantrasingeneraland,in particular,withtheinstructiononthedirectintroduction(Ngo'Phrod)totheabsolute primordialwisdom(DonGyiYeShes).And,accordingtoone'sexperience, realization,andability,oneshouldmeditateonanyofthepathsofliberationor skillfulmeansthatisappropriateforoneself.Bydoingthis,onewillachievethe fulfillmentofboththetemporaryandtheultimateresult. ___________________________________________________________
ManythankstoHaroldTalbottforconnectingmetoTulkuThonduptoTulkuThondupforhis clarityandkindnessinallowingthisextraordinarycommentarytobeplacedonQuietMountain andtoJonathanGreenatShambhalaPublicationsforpermissiontoexcerptthiscommentary fromEnlightenedJourney,byTulkuThondup. Thispageisdedicatedforthebenefitofallsentientbeingsandtothelong,longlivesofourkind rootgurus.MaytheGloriousProtectorscontinuouslyaccompanyusintherealizationofGuru Rinpoche!dongagtenzin
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