Wisdom Nectar : Dudjom Rinpoche's Heart Advice (Tsadra Foundation)
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
This volume contains a generous selection of inspiring teachings and writings, the core of which is a lengthy discussion of the entire path of Dzogchen.
From the Publisher
General Introduction
We are attracted to circumstances that give rise to feelings that we want, and we try our best to avoid circumstances that trigger feelings we don't want. For instance, I hear the song birds of springtime outside my window, soft morning sunlight shines through shimmering green bamboo leaves blown by a warm, fragrant breeze. It's Saturday morning, and I decide to stay home and enjoy this gorgeous time. These circumstances create a feeling that's hard to describe; perhaps words that come close are peacefulness, serenity, and happiness, but these do not really capture my experience. Nevertheless, I have a strong sense of enjoyment, and I try always to recreate it, consciously and unconsciously. This attempt underlies the choice of the house I live in, the type of garden I cultivate, the car that I drive, the choice of vacation spots that I can't wait to return to.
Due to our individual karma, we have diverse feelings that we try to engender or avoid, and we sometimes react differently to similar external phenomena. Whatever my personal likes and dislikes, it is all based upon feelings that arise within me that I like and want to sustain. These feelings are in turn based upon circumstances such as those just mentioned. Hence, I then attempt to create and sustain circumstances that will result in internal feelings I enjoy, such as love, inspiration, pleasure, and happiness. I attempt to change or avoid circumstances that may result in feelings such as pain, suffering, disappointment and fear. But isn't it actually the feeling itself that we enjoy and want to recreate and maintain? Don't we actually spend our entire lives grasping after pleasurable inner experiences, attempting to create and sustain these feelings through creating and sustaining outer circumstances; just as we push away unpleasurable inner experiences, trying to change and avert these feelings through changing and averting outer circumstances?
Perhaps we don't like being someone's assistant at work, where we must endure condescending orders and are required to put up with being scolded in order to keep our job. We don't like the feeling of dread at the thought of going to work, nor the feelings of being treated like a worthless individual. We definitely don't like the feelings associated with being cooped up in an office cubical all day. Perhaps, instead we long for a job where we can work independently from home. On the other hand, we might really enjoy living in a Mediterranean-style villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with lavender gardens and wisteria hanging over the lattices. We love that feeling of spaciousness and freedom, and it reminds us of wonderful experiences, memories of travels to the South of France. So we then engage in our life project to set up external circumstances that give us the internal feelings we want, and that protect us from those feelings we wish to avoid. Our joys and sorrows throughout our life are very much related to how well we succeed in doing this.
Unfortunately, sooner or later, all these projects based upon grasping at pleasure and avoidance of pain end in failure-either due to unforseen circumstances beyond our control, such as illness, divorce, unwanted separation from loved ones or imminent death, whatever the case may be. Such attempts at maintaining or avoiding these circumstances will almost certainly bite the dust. Especially when death occurs, a non-practitioner has no power or ability to control circumstances at all.
According to Vajrayana Buddhist teachings, when we die we enter a series of experiences called the intermediate state (bardo), that culminates in rebirth into one of six realms of cyclic existence, unless our previous practice and the blessings of our lama results in liberation during this intermediate state. Thus at death, when our mind separates from our body, we no longer have the power or ability to create the circumstances that support feelings we enjoy, or to prevent the feelings that cause us suffering. In the intermediate state between this life and the next, our experiences and the feelings related to these experiences arise based on conditions that are the results of the cause and effect of our past karma. This is the bad news.
Fortunately, there is also very good news. Through practicing Buddha's teachings with faith and devotion, it is possible to become free of all circumstances, both positive ones that lead to feelings we enjoy, and negative ones that lead to feelings we find disturbing. Buddha skillfully taught many methods based on circumstances that take us beyond circumstances, progressively leading us to the realization of our true nature which is Always Noble (Kuntu Zangpo), primordially pure great exaltation. Dudjom Rinpoché's writings compiled in this book are the essence of all Buddhist teachings, and the quintessence of the wisdom mind of Always Noble, the original Buddha. His direct and simple pith instructions on view, meditation and conduct are a sure guide upon the path of Great Perfection, leading to fully enlightened Buddhahood in a single lifetime. As His Holiness writes in his preface to Essential Advice for Solitary Meditation Practice:
My words will place direct instructions for the practice of innermost secret Great Perfection in the palm of the hands of fortunate individuals.
This book, Wisdom Nectar, is arranged in four chapters: Heart Advice (zhal gdams); Songs of Realization (gur) and Songs of Tantric Gatherings (tshogs); Supplication Prayers (gsol ‘debs); and Aspiration Prayers (smon lam). Each chapter begins with a table of contents and translator's introduction, followed by the translation of Dudjom Rinpoché's teachings.
My intention in writing the introduction to the first chapter, Heart Advice, is to provide a context for the reader to realize what a gift we literally hold "in the palm of our hands," in the form of this book that contains a collection of His Holiness' pith instructions. I find for myself that reading with an open heart-reading with faith and devotion-is the key that allows the master's essential teachings to penetrate deep within me. If you are already familiar with Dudjom Rinpoché, you no doubt have an appreciation for the writings translated in this book and there may be no need for you to read this introduction. If you are not familiar with Dudjom Rinpoché, I hope the introduction to his heart advice will inspire you and to savor his writings slowly and carefully, with the knowledge that each and every line of these teachings has the ability to bring us to full liberation.
Sometimes, to read endless volumes and listen to numerous lengthy teachings only creates more confusion, while at other times reading or hearing just one line of the profound Teachings is enough to change your entire life. These teachings and prayers of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoché are of this latter type; they are so direct that every word has the power to change our lives in a very positive and profound way. Each line, read slowly and taken to heart, has the ability to turn us away from the meaninglessness and spiritual poverty of our time, and move us toward the vast wealth of our true nature, which lies within us, present from the very beginning.
Wisdom Nectar : Dudjom Rinpoche's Heart Advice (Tsadra Foundation)
Wisdom Nectar: Dudjom Rinpoche's Heart Advice (Tsadra Foundation),Ron Garry,Snow Lion Publications,155939224X,Buddhism - General,General,Rdzogs-chen (Rnin-ma-pa),Rdzogs-chen (Räniçn-ma-pa),Religion,Religion - World Religions,Rnin-ma-pa (Sect),Räniçn-ma-pa (Sect),Spiritual life,Mind, Body, Spirit,Religion / Buddhism,Tibetan Buddhism
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