A letter on the essential practice of unifying view, meditation, and conduct
Namo Guru Ratna Trayaya
The embodiment of the compassion of the Sugatas of the three times
The eternal vajra body, transcending birth and death.
Continuously benefiting migrating beings in whatever way is needed
To Orgyen Rinpoche, I prostrate with devotion!
Having brought to completion the manifestation of the enlightened mind
Omniscient, unconquerable, and the god of gods
The liberator of migrating beings with the sublime dharma of the supreme vehicle
To Shakyamuni the chief of beings, I prostrate with devotion!
The great mother who gives birth to all the victors
Possessing supreme love for all migrating beings
The one who bestows immortal life and primordial wisdom
To the Conqueror, the wish fulfilling Chakra*, I prostrate!
In this way, by the power of prostrating and supplicating
May the temporary and ultimate obstacles of myself and others
All sentient beings who have been my mother’s be pacified
And may we all attain common and supreme accomplishments in this life!
*White Tara
[The View]
Eh Ma Ho!
The essence of samsara and nirvana is dharmakaya
The nature of the varieties of appearances are sambhogakaya
The unceasing display is the compassionate nirmanakaya
The three kayas primordially are the abiding mode of the ground
It is not permanent, it is beyond being something concrete
It is not nothingness, it can appear as anything in samsara and nirvana
It is not both, it is free of conventional expressions
It is not neither it is the abiding mode of the ground
It does not go, it is beyond ordinary characteristics
It does not come, it is spontaneously present since beginningless time
It does not abide, it is free from having objects of support
This is the abiding mode of the self-arisen ground
It is not samsara, it is not stained by faults
It is not nirvana, it is the display of the ocean of existence
It is not both, it is free from all hopes and fears
Transcending duality, it is the abiding mode of the ground
It is not appearance, it is empty of self-essence
It is not emptiness, it illuminates as the expanse of rigpa
It is not both, it transcends being illustrated by examples
It is non-dual wisdom, the abiding mode of the ground
It is not being, there is no analysis
It is not non-being, it is free of all doubts
It is not both, it transcends apprehension of form
It is the view of non-duality free from grasping, the abiding mode of the ground
It is not existent; it is free from all designations
It is not non-existent, it emanates as the mode of all entities
It is not both, it transcends the realm of grasping
It is the non-dual view, free from grasping, that abides as the ground
Not established as form, it does not abide as a viewed object
Not established as sound, it is devoid of the essence of feeling
Not established as scent, it cannot be perceived as something to be smelt
This naked emptiness is the view abiding as the ground.
Not partaken of as taste, it transcends the realm of the taste
Not established as contact, it is devoid of entities such as the body
Not abiding as phenomenon, it is free from an agent of the ground
Transcending all, illuminating all, it is the view of the ground.
It is not a multitude, it is spontaneous singularity
It is not singularity, it is a multitude of forms appearing
It is not both, it transcends quantitative expressions
Non-dual, beyond the intellect, it is the view of the ground
Not established as enlightened body, it transcends being characterized form
Not appearing as enlightened speech, it is empty of verbal expressions
Not abiding as enlightened mind, it transcends being exemplified
Without reference point and full of meaning, it is the view of the ground.
It does not possess qualities; its limits cannot be measured.
Inexhaustible enlightened activity; it is suchness free from conceptuality
It is the wheel of adornments, unceasing at all times
It is one’s own mind, the view of the ground
[Meditation]
Eh Ma Ho!
The essence is dharmakaya, the nature is sambhogakaya
The unceasing nirmanakaya are completely perfect in their fundamental nature
It suffices as your own Lama and the foundation of the path,
There is no need to search for a Lama apart from your own mind
The four extremes of eternalism, nihilism, dualistic clinging, or freedom from clinging
Falling to the extremes of self, other, identity, or emptiness is the cause of bondage
Because there is nothing to be altered in this timelessly abiding basis
It is the true nature of the view, the meditation on the innate nature.
Free from going, coming, and abiding, one’s own rigpa primordial wisdom
Cannot be counteracted entirely free from the analytical doer
One does not need to think about endeavoring in sweeping away conceptual analysis
Because it is the meditation of simply resting in the ground without contrivance
This great, all illuminating, king of one’s own rigpa
That is not samsara, nirvana, both, or neither
Is without limitations and beyond being identifiable
Hence, one need not accept or reject anything, it is the innate meditation.
Not falling into the extremes of appearances, emptiness, both, or neither,
This stainless mind of yours
Primordially is and does not arise through being established
Arbitrary divisions are not necessary, it is meditation on the true nature.
One does not need to strive to accomplish this spontaneously arising view
That is free from attachment and desire as well as “existence”, “non-existence”, “both”, or “neither”
It is self-arisen and spontaneously present
It is the meditation of the very thingness of the primordial abode
This relaxed presence entirely free from qualitative terms such as
“Is”, “is not”, “both”, or “neither”
It is the original nature of the self-arising primordial wisdom of rigpa
The uncontrived maintaining of that is the meditation.
Phenomena of form, sound, smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound
The expanse of limitless potential is untainted by all of these
This uncontrived spontaneous presence, the self-knowing king of rigpa
Is the meditation on the practice not accomplished by renunciation or transformation.
This point that is difficult for dialecticians to realize with logic
That is not one, many, both, or neither is self-arisen buddhahood free of characteristics and subject-object grasping,
It is the meditation of sustaining the way things are without impurity
The supreme lord possessed of enlightened body, speech, mind, qualities, and activities.
Free from the impurity of fixation on conceptual attributes transcends examples that can be expressed
It is the primordial abiding mode, the innate, and dynamic energy brought to full completion
It is the meditation of resting oneself in a state without hope or fear
[Conduct]
Eh Ma Ho!
The view that rests rigpa in the ground perfects the three kayas
Spontaneously accomplishing the benefit of self and other is the meditation on the guru, one’s own mind
The absence of anything to add or subtract is the king of conducts
The accomplishment of the result that is the three kayas – Eh Ma Ho!
This view of resting in the ground free from the extremes of eternalism and nihilism
And the practice of meditation free of correction and modification
That which does not transgress those is the king of conducts
The result that is the view of self-liberation – Eh Ma Ho!
This self-arisen view free from coming or going
The meditation of sustaining spontaneous practice
Freedom from analysis is the king of conducts
Finding the result without seeking – Eh Ma Ho!
This view not falling into partiality for either samsara or nirvana
Meditation on the true nature free from acceptance or rejection
The absence of restrictions is the king of conducts
The result that is the self-liberation of samsara and nirvana, – Eh Ma Ho!
This view of abiding in the ground with the inseparability of appearances and emptiness
That meditation on the practice of impartiality
Not falling into biases is the king of conducts
The result that is the accomplishment of the two benefits – Eh Ma Ho!
This view of the true nature that is free from “being” and “non-being”
The meditation on sustaining the absence of passionate attachment
Not falling into biases is the king of conducts
Finding the result within oneself – Eh Ma Ho!
This view that rests in the ground beyond existence and non-existence
The meditation sustaining the absence of corrections or modifications
Merely designated with the names “good and bad” is the king of conducts
The result that is the liberation from extremes- Eh Ma Ho!
This all illuminating view unstained by impurities
The effortless meditation without modification, acceptance, or rejection
Sustaining the true nature is the king of conducts
The result that is the freedom from antidotes – Eh Ma Ho!
This view of the true nature free from the one and the many
The mudra meditation of sustaining the way things actually are
Freedom from the characteristics of subject-object grasping is the king of conducts
The result that is omniscience – Eh Ma Ho!
This view that abides in the ground, the primordial perfection of the five kayas
The resting meditation free from the characteristics of hope and fear
The uncontrived true nature is the king of conducts
The result that is the perfection of all qualities – Eh Ma Ho!
[Conclusion]
Ahoaṣcargyam
The lord of samsara and nirvana, the glorious Heruka
The impartial, primordially knowing teacher, the Blessed One
The condensation of the types of views, the sixth Buddha, Vajradhara
There is nothing to accomplish apart from truly abiding in rigpa
I have not seen a king of views other than this
Those with excellent meditation, enjoy things as they are!
There are some holders of the scriptures and realization of the Mahamudra, Dzogchen, and Madhyamaka teachings
Some say “concentrating the mind with effort is meditation”
Some say “just rest in carefree self-liberation” and so forth
Although there are limitless traditions of using various symbolic methods,
There is no meditation to be found apart from the truth of the view that abides in the ground
And that sustains the stainless cognition of the primordial
All the holders of their individual scriptures enjoy things as they are!
Although you claim to practice the conduct free from acceptance and rejection
Saying “don’t take up non-virtue, don’t abandon virtue”
That is understood as nothing more than conduct with acceptance and rejection
If you claim to sustain the conduct free of acceptance and rejection
Sustain this self-arisen, uncontrived, primordial wisdom
The uncontrived mode of perfectly pure conduct
All those who possess concepts of the way things are, enjoy things as they are!
The ground, path, and fruition of such a view, meditation, and conduct
Are primordially complete within oneself, so there is no need for a view
Apart from sustaining the suchness of things as they are, meditation is not needed
Because there are no separate antidotes, conduct is not needed
Peaceful renunciation free from conscious striving,
Possessing the yoga that completes all needs
And the great heroic confidence of fearless realization
This excellent primordial wisdom of rigpa is like that
In the mandala of the purity of appearance and existence the vase empowerment is perfected
There is no need to perform the visualization and recitation of the deities enlightened forms elsewhere
That uninterrupted enlightened speech is the perfection of the essence of the secret empowerment
There is no need to train separately in the instructions of the channels and winds
Dissolve into the state of the support that is the three bindus
There is no need to practice the reversing and spreading of bodhicitta
In realization of the dharmin and dharmata as the ground, the fourth empowerment is perfected
It transcends the realm of giving pointing out instructions with example and meaning
The essence of rigpa is not established as a multitude
So if you wish for the yoga of one-pointedness, practice this!
Because the primordial wisdom of rigpa transcends example and description
If you wish for the yoga of freedom from elaborations, know this!
Because all phenomenon are completely subsumed in the essence of rigpa
If you take delight in the yoga of the single taste, that is enough
Because the primordial wisdom of rigpa is free from all reference points
Designating it with the name “the yoga of non-meditation” is sufficient.
The essence of rigpa is unchanging
Thus, even “dharmadhatu primordial wisdom” is just that.
Since in the dharmadhatu all of samsara and nirvana manifest
That called “discriminating primordial wisdom” is just that
Since it is seen as unceasing, pervasive, and clear
Even that called “mirror-like primordial wisdom” is just that.
Since it is not different from the dharmadhatu yet appears as such
That called “equanimity primordial wisdom” is just that.
Since it shows the reflections of samsara and nirvana
Even that called “all-accomplishing primordial wisdom” is just that.
[Conclusion]
In brief, the phenomenon of samsara and nirvana, appearance and existence,
Abandonment and realization, positive and negative qualities, good and bad,
As well as all happiness and suffering, high and low, joys and sorrows,
However these things appear and arise, apart from the essence
They do not waver, transmigrate, nor follow after anything
By taking them as the path, hindrances are cleared away and the benefits emerge
Then, the supreme everlasting enlightened body with the four kayas and five wisdoms
Is brought to completion at the supreme stage of the indestructible vajra!
Phenomenon that naturally arise like that in one’s own experience
Are the method for accomplishing the manifest awakening of the primordial protector (Samantabhadra)
This letter on the essential instruction of the “king” who alone is sufficient
Is sealed with pure aspiration prayers – laksmisa!
Because I was appeased with hopeful encouragement,
I, the one from Drikung bearing the name Ratna, have written this in between sessions of practice
In the middle of a nomad encampment on the grasslands of Dekyi Monpa in the lower part of Zho
In the final day of the sixth month when the divine Lama arrived at the capital city,
May self and others, all sentient beings of the three realms without exception, having actualized their own rigpa, the primordial dharmakaya
Accomplish the benefit of sentient beings in existence by the form bodies.
Translated by Sean Ross, with editing and advice by Lowell Cook.
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