Difference between revisions of "The Masters Of Meditation And Miracles: The Longchen Nyingthig Lineage Of Tibetan Buddhism"
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| − | The Longchen Nyingthig lineage of Tibetan Buddhism is said to have originated with the primordial Buddha Samantabhadra. But the first master of these teachings was Garab Dorje. Born in the Swat Valley in present-day Pakistan, shortly after the death of Shakyamuni Buddha, Garab Dorje was the first human to receive the Dzog Chen (Great Perfect ion) teachings. Longchen means “great vastness,” Nyingthig means the | + | The [[Longchen Nyingthig]] [[lineage]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] is said to have originated with the [[primordial Buddha]] [[Samantabhadra]]. But the first [[master]] of these teachings was [[Garab Dorje]]. Born in the {{Wiki|Swat Valley}} in present-day {{Wiki|Pakistan}}, shortly after the [[death]] of [[Shakyamuni Buddha]], [[Garab Dorje]] was the first [[human]] to receive the [[Dzog Chen]] (Great Perfect ion) teachings. [[Longchen]] means “great vastness,” [[Nyingthig]] means the “[[heart]]” or “innermost [[essence]],” and the [[Longchen Nyingthig]] is the [[absolute nature]] of [[mind]], [[arising]] as teachings. |
| − | This collection of teachings was revealed as terma [found treasure] by Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798), directly from Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363). In his devotional practice, Jigme Lingpa experienced a series of visions of Longchen Rabjam. Longchen Rabjam, an important master, had condensed all the Nyingthig teachings that came before him, which resulted in revitalizing the ancient Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. | + | This collection of teachings was revealed as [[terma]] [found [[treasure]]] by [[Jigme Lingpa]] (1730-1798), directly from [[Longchen Rabjam]] (1308-1363). In his devotional practice, [[Jigme Lingpa]] [[experienced]] a series of [[visions]] of [[Longchen Rabjam]]. [[Longchen Rabjam]], an important [[master]], had condensed all the [[Nyingthig]] teachings that came before him, which resulted in revitalizing the [[ancient]] [[Nyingma tradition]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]. |
| − | The lives of the early masters, from Garab Dorje to Guru Padma Sambhava (ninth century), are unique in that they displayed extraordinary attainments and super-human powers. For instance, through the Trekcho and Togyal practices of Dzog Chen, many meditators realized the absolute nature of mind. Through Trekcho, which means “cutting through,” they realized the empty nature of all phenomena, and through Togyal, the luminous nature of mind. | + | The [[lives]] of the early [[masters]], from [[Garab Dorje]] to [[Guru Padma Sambhava]] (ninth century), are unique in that they displayed [[extraordinary]] [[attainments]] and super-human [[powers]]. For instance, through the [[Trekcho]] and [[Togyal]] practices of [[Dzog Chen]], many [[meditators]] [[realized]] the [[absolute nature]] of [[mind]]. Through [[Trekcho]], which means “cutting through,” they [[realized]] the [[empty nature]] of all [[phenomena]], and through [[Togyal]], the [[luminous nature of mind]]. |
| − | Many masters realized what in that tradition is called “the rainbow body of light.” At the time of death, they are said to have dissolved their mortal bodies in to pure light, leaving behind only their hair, fingernails, and toenails. The rainbows are said to be the display of | + | Many [[masters]] [[realized]] what in that [[tradition]] is called “the [[rainbow body of light]].” At the time of [[death]], they are said to have dissolved their {{Wiki|mortal}} [[bodies]] in to [[pure light]], leaving behind only their [[hair]], fingernails, and toenails. The [[rainbows]] are said to be the display of “[[wisdom]] {{Wiki|light}}” in the process of dissolving their [[consciousness]] in to [[absolute nature]]: [[Buddhahood]]. |
| − | Masters of Meditation contains a wealth of exemplary tales, compiled by Tulku Thondup, an incarnate Tibetan lama and disciple of H.H. Dodrup Chen Rinpoche, the present throne-holder of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage. Among my favorite legends is the story of Dola Jigme Kalzang who lived during the nineteenth century, the main disciple of the first Dodrup Chen Rinpoche. At the end of his life, Jigme Kalzang was walking alone on a street in China, when he saw a thief about to be burned alive. | + | [[Masters]] of [[Meditation]] contains a [[wealth]] of exemplary tales, compiled by [[Tulku Thondup]], an [[incarnate]] [[Tibetan lama]] and [[disciple]] of H.H. [[Dodrup Chen Rinpoche]], the {{Wiki|present}} throne-holder of the [[Longchen Nyingthig]] [[lineage]]. Among my favorite {{Wiki|legends}} is the story of [[Dola Jigme Kalzang]] who lived during the nineteenth century, the main [[disciple]] of the first [[Dodrup Chen Rinpoche]]. At the end of his [[life]], [[Jigme]] Kalzang was walking alone on a street in [[China]], when he saw a thief about to be burned alive. |
| − | Seated upon a copper horse that was heated from inside by a fire, the thief was screaming for help. Feeling compassion for the man’s plight, Dola Jigme Kalzang told the authorities that the prisoner was not guilty and that he himself was the actual thief. By the time his disciples found him, it was too late. He had been executed in the thief’s place, giving his life in ransom for an unknown suffering person in an unknown street. | + | Seated upon a {{Wiki|copper}} [[horse]] that was [[heated]] from inside by a [[fire]], the thief was screaming for help. [[Feeling]] [[compassion]] for the man’s plight, [[Dola Jigme Kalzang]] told the authorities that the prisoner was not guilty and that he himself was the actual thief. By the time his [[disciples]] found him, it was too late. He had been executed in the thief’s place, giving his [[life]] in ransom for an unknown [[suffering]] [[person]] in an unknown street. |
| − | The most famous master of miracles in the Tibetan tantric Buddhist tradition of the last few centuries was Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866), who demonstrated the power of his enlightened mind by performing such acts as vanishing for days to pure lands, bringing murdered beings back to life, and leaving imprints of his body on numerous rocks as if on mud. | + | The most famous [[master of miracles]] in the [[Tibetan]] [[tantric Buddhist]] [[tradition]] of the last few centuries was [[Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje]] (1800-1866), who demonstrated the power of his [[enlightened mind]] by performing such acts as vanishing for days to [[pure lands]], bringing murdered [[beings]] back to [[life]], and leaving imprints of his [[body]] on numerous rocks as if on mud. |
| − | The best story, however, is in some respects the plainest and least extraordinary of all. Nyoshul Lungtok (1829-1901), a student of the illustrious Dzog Chen master, Patrul Rin poche, was completely accomplished in Trekcho and Thogal practices, but had not yet grasped the true nature of mind. | + | The best story, however, is in some respects the plainest and least [[extraordinary]] of all. [[Nyoshul Lungtok]] (1829-1901), a [[student]] of the illustrious [[Dzog Chen]] [[master]], Patrul Rin poche, was completely accomplished in [[Trekcho]] and [[Thogal]] practices, but had not yet grasped the [[true nature of mind]]. |
| − | Every day at dusk, Paltrul would do a meditation session on the training on Namkha Sumtruk, a practice called “eating the sky”, stretched out on his back on a new woolen carpet on a piece of grassy field the size of his body. One evening, while Paltrul was lying there as usual, he asked Lungtok, “Lungche [Dear Lung]! Did you say that you do not know the true nature of mind?” | + | Every day at dusk, [[Paltrul]] would do a [[meditation]] session on the {{Wiki|training}} on [[Namkha]] Sumtruk, a practice called “eating the sky”, stretched out on his back on a new woolen carpet on a piece of grassy field the size of his [[body]]. One evening, while [[Paltrul]] was {{Wiki|lying}} there as usual, he asked [[Lungtok]], “Lungche [Dear Lung]! Did you say that you do not know the [[true nature of mind]]?” |
| − | Lungtok answered, “Yes, sir; I don’t.” Paltrul said, “Oh, there is nothing not to know. Come here.” So Lungtok went to him. Paltrul said, “Lie down, as I’m lying, and look at the sky.” As Lungtok did so, the conversation went as follows: | + | [[Lungtok]] answered, “Yes, sir; I don’t.” [[Paltrul]] said, “Oh, there is nothing not to know. Come here.” So [[Lungtok]] went to him. [[Paltrul]] said, “Lie down, as I’m {{Wiki|lying}}, and look at the sky.” As [[Lungtok]] did so, the [[conversation]] went as follows: |
| − | “Do you see the stars in the sky?” | + | “Do you see the {{Wiki|stars}} in the sky?” |
“Yes.” | “Yes.” | ||
| − | “Do you hear the dogs barking in Dzog Chen Monastery (at afar distance)?” | + | “Do you hear the [[dogs]] barking in [[Dzog Chen]] [[Monastery]] (at afar distance)?” |
“Yes.” | “Yes.” | ||
| − | “Well, that is meditation.” | + | “Well, that is [[meditation]].” |
| − | At that moment, Lungtok attained confidence in the realization itself. He had been liberated from the conceptual fetters of “it is” or “it is not.” He had realized the primordial wisdom, the naked union of emptiness and intrinsic awareness, the Buddha Mind. | + | At that [[moment]], [[Lungtok]] [[attained]] [[confidence]] in the [[realization]] itself. He had been {{Wiki|liberated}} from the {{Wiki|conceptual}} [[fetters]] of “it is” or “it is not.” He had [[realized]] the [[primordial wisdom]], the naked union of [[emptiness]] and [[intrinsic awareness]], the [[Buddha Mind]]. |
| − | Though it hardly matches the miraculous tales related elsewhere in Masters of Meditation and Miracles, this simple story illustrates perhaps better than any other in the volume how the guru ultimately shows his disciple the true nature of his own mind. And this, after all, is what lineage is all about. | + | Though it hardly matches the miraculous tales related elsewhere in [[Masters of Meditation and Miracles]], this simple story illustrates perhaps better than any other in the volume how the [[guru]] ultimately shows his [[disciple]] the [[true nature]] of his [[own mind]]. And this, after all, is what [[lineage]] is all about. |
Latest revision as of 12:11, 8 February 2020
Edited by Harold Talbott
The Longchen Nyingthig lineage of Tibetan Buddhism is said to have originated with the primordial Buddha Samantabhadra. But the first master of these teachings was Garab Dorje. Born in the Swat Valley in present-day Pakistan, shortly after the death of Shakyamuni Buddha, Garab Dorje was the first human to receive the Dzog Chen (Great Perfect ion) teachings. Longchen means “great vastness,” Nyingthig means the “heart” or “innermost essence,” and the Longchen Nyingthig is the absolute nature of mind, arising as teachings.
This collection of teachings was revealed as terma [found treasure] by Jigme Lingpa (1730-1798), directly from Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363). In his devotional practice, Jigme Lingpa experienced a series of visions of Longchen Rabjam. Longchen Rabjam, an important master, had condensed all the Nyingthig teachings that came before him, which resulted in revitalizing the ancient Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
The lives of the early masters, from Garab Dorje to Guru Padma Sambhava (ninth century), are unique in that they displayed extraordinary attainments and super-human powers. For instance, through the Trekcho and Togyal practices of Dzog Chen, many meditators realized the absolute nature of mind. Through Trekcho, which means “cutting through,” they realized the empty nature of all phenomena, and through Togyal, the luminous nature of mind.
Many masters realized what in that tradition is called “the rainbow body of light.” At the time of death, they are said to have dissolved their mortal bodies in to pure light, leaving behind only their hair, fingernails, and toenails. The rainbows are said to be the display of “wisdom light” in the process of dissolving their consciousness in to absolute nature: Buddhahood.
Masters of Meditation contains a wealth of exemplary tales, compiled by Tulku Thondup, an incarnate Tibetan lama and disciple of H.H. Dodrup Chen Rinpoche, the present throne-holder of the Longchen Nyingthig lineage. Among my favorite legends is the story of Dola Jigme Kalzang who lived during the nineteenth century, the main disciple of the first Dodrup Chen Rinpoche. At the end of his life, Jigme Kalzang was walking alone on a street in China, when he saw a thief about to be burned alive.
Seated upon a copper horse that was heated from inside by a fire, the thief was screaming for help. Feeling compassion for the man’s plight, Dola Jigme Kalzang told the authorities that the prisoner was not guilty and that he himself was the actual thief. By the time his disciples found him, it was too late. He had been executed in the thief’s place, giving his life in ransom for an unknown suffering person in an unknown street.
The most famous master of miracles in the Tibetan tantric Buddhist tradition of the last few centuries was Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje (1800-1866), who demonstrated the power of his enlightened mind by performing such acts as vanishing for days to pure lands, bringing murdered beings back to life, and leaving imprints of his body on numerous rocks as if on mud.
The best story, however, is in some respects the plainest and least extraordinary of all. Nyoshul Lungtok (1829-1901), a student of the illustrious Dzog Chen master, Patrul Rin poche, was completely accomplished in Trekcho and Thogal practices, but had not yet grasped the true nature of mind.
Every day at dusk, Paltrul would do a meditation session on the training on Namkha Sumtruk, a practice called “eating the sky”, stretched out on his back on a new woolen carpet on a piece of grassy field the size of his body. One evening, while Paltrul was lying there as usual, he asked Lungtok, “Lungche [Dear Lung]! Did you say that you do not know the true nature of mind?”
Lungtok answered, “Yes, sir; I don’t.” Paltrul said, “Oh, there is nothing not to know. Come here.” So Lungtok went to him. Paltrul said, “Lie down, as I’m lying, and look at the sky.” As Lungtok did so, the conversation went as follows:
“Do you see the stars in the sky?”
“Yes.”
“Do you hear the dogs barking in Dzog Chen Monastery (at afar distance)?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that is meditation.”
At that moment, Lungtok attained confidence in the realization itself. He had been liberated from the conceptual fetters of “it is” or “it is not.” He had realized the primordial wisdom, the naked union of emptiness and intrinsic awareness, the Buddha Mind.
Though it hardly matches the miraculous tales related elsewhere in Masters of Meditation and Miracles, this simple story illustrates perhaps better than any other in the volume how the guru ultimately shows his disciple the true nature of his own mind. And this, after all, is what lineage is all about.
