LampforthePathtoEnlightenmentbyLamaAtisha

CommentarybyGesheTenzinZopa ‐26&27Nov2010

Introduction

Inorder forus toget theblessingof realisationsandcontinuetoreceiveteachingsonthePath, it

requires the teacher who provides the commentary as well as the listener to have the altruisticmotivation.AsstatedintheLinesofExperiencebyLamaTsongkhapa,“Althoughthereismuchmeritto be gained from reciting the text by Lama Atisha, which includes the essential points of all

scriptures, you are certain to gain great waves ofmerit from studying the sacred DharmawhichcontainstheprofoundGraduatedPathtoEnlightenment,thereforeyoushouldconsiderthispointcarefully”.

Whether this discourse will bring benefit and blessing or not, is dependent on one’smotivation.

How does one set the altruistic motivation? It is establishing the state of mind, generating anexpressionof the thoughtwhichholds that “May the studyand receivingof these teachings and

gainingrealisationsonthePath,justlikeLamaAtishaandultimatelyattainingfullenlightenment,besolely for the benefit of sentient beings. For this purpose, I must attain full enlightenment. Toachieve this, I must gain the unmistaken understanding of the Path. Therefore I must listen

attentivelytotheteachingandmayIcultivateittothepointofmyactualisingit”.

In the tradition of the Buddha and the Nalanda tradition, for the full benefit to arise from thisdiscourserequires3factors–(1)ensuringthattheteachingsbeinggivenarepure(2)ensuringthattheteachergivingtheteachingsispure(3)ensuringthestudentsreceivingtheteachingsarepure.

Otherwise,althoughwemaygainknowledgeatanintellectuallevel, itmaynotbecomeablessingtoone’smindunlessthe3factorsarepresent.

Asfor(1)ensuringthattheteachingsbeinggivenarepure,theLampforthePathtoEnlightenmentby Lama Atisha is derived from the lineage ofMaitreya Buddha and his text titled “Ornament of

ClearRealisations”,whichisturnisbasedonthePrajnaparamitaSutra.

Asfor(2)Theteacher–here,theteacherisLamaAtishahimselfwhocameintothisworldin982ADaftertheBuddha’spassingandwasbornasaprinceofaBengaliKing,whofromayoungagehadtheinborn, great altruistic attitude and the clear wisdom understanding both the conventional and

ultimatetruths. Later,eventhoughhehadthefullopportunitytorulehiskingdombutduetohispastkarmic imprints fromtheprofoundcultivationofDharma,hewas inspired to renounceatanearlyageandenterintoNalandaUniversity.HestudiedfromgreatmasterssuchasDharmaraksita,

LamaSerlingpaandhisGurustotalled557mastersinall.Heobtainedtheentire,unbrokenlineageoftheBuddhadharmathroughhisdirectcommunicationwithBuddhaMaitreyaandTara.Bearinggreathardshiptoreceiveandactualisethelineageofbodhicitta,includingtheBodhisattvavows,fromhis

master Lama Serlingpa, he accomplished this. Lama Atisha was the crown jewel of NalandaUniversityandwas theonechosenbyTibetanKingYesheOe,after thorough investigation, tobeinvitedtoTibettorestoretheBuddhadharmawhichhaddeclined.TheruleofKingLangdharmahad

destroyed theDharma inTibet. At that time inTibet, therewas themistakenviewthatSutrayana

andTantrayanawerecontradictory.KingYesheOewantedtopersonallyinviteLamaAtishatoTibetbut himself caught by awarlord, imprisoned and later executed.However, before this happened,

KingYesheOemanagedtoinstructthisnephewJangchupOetojourneytoIndiawithgreatofferingsofgoldtoinviteLamaAtishatoTibettoteachtheDharma.Thegoldofferingswasthesymbolofthepreciousness of the Golden Dharma and Lama Atisha was invited to restore the Golden

BuddhadharmainTibet(notthattheLamarequiredgold!).LamaAtishaagreedandstayedinTibetfor17years.Hetravelledextensively,givingdiscoursesonsutraandtantra.AtthattimetherewasthewrongviewthattantrawasnotpartoftheMahayanateachings.LamaAtishadispelledthisview.

Arising from this, Lama Atisha concluded that it would be highly beneficial to reveal the entireBuddhadharmainadiscourseoutliningthePathingraduatedstages,therebygivingrisetotheLampforthePathtoEnlightenment(thefirstoftheLamRimtexts;LamRimmeaning“GraduatedPathto

Enlightenment”). So that is a short account of Lama Atisha, the teacher who is providing theseinstructions.Asforthediscourserightthismoment,thepersonconductingthetalkisalsorequiredtobepure.WeallknowthatIamnotpureinrealisationsbutdespitemylackofwisdomandmerit,

throughtheblessingsofhavingreceivedtheseteachingsfrommyGurusHHDalaiLama,KyabjeLamaZopa Rinpoche, the late Geshe Lama Konchog, Denma Lochoe Rinpoche – who are enlightenedbeings,whetherIknowhowtoexplainornot,whetheryouhearfullyornot,whetheryoufeelbored

ornot,thosemastersattainedrealisationsandIamthebridgeforyoutothosegreatonesandtheirblessings.

Asfor(3)thelisteneroftheteachingsmustbepure.Thismeansthatthelistenerneedstobesingle‐mindeddevotiontoBuddha,DharmaandSangha;be inspiredtotheBodhisattvapathandbefree

from damaged samayas through abiding by the advice of Gurus HHDalai Lama and Kyabje LamaZopaRinpoche’sadvice.IfonepracticestheforbiddenprotectorShugden,thatwoulddamageone’s

samayaandthusdisenableonefromreceivingtheblessingsoftheseteachings.AsmostofyouherearedevotedtoKyabjeLamaZopaRinpoche,youarequalifiedtoreceivetheseteachings.

LampforthePathtoEnlightenment–JangchupLamGyiDronme.Jangchup=enlightenment.Jang=Buddha’s qualities in having overcome all the obstructions, negativities and limitations; chup =

connotesBuddha’sperfectknowledgeandwisdom.Theseteachingsarelikealampwhichenablesone to see the entire stages of the Path, requiring the 3 aspects (a) the student to have a clearunderstandingof thePath (b) the students shouldhave thecompletepointsandpracticesof the

Path(c)thepractitionershouldengageinthepracticeinthecorrectsequence.

TheActualText

Verse1 Ipayhomagewithgreatrespect

ToalltheVictoriousOnesofthethreetimes

Totheirteachingandtothosewhoaspiretovirtue

UrgebythegooddiscipleJangchupOe

Ishallillimunatethelampforthepathtoenlightenment

HomagetotheYouthfulManjushri.BeforeAtishacomposedthetext,inordertoclearobstaclestodoingso,hepayshomagetotheVictoriousOnesofthepastpresentandfuture,theTripleGem,his

teachersfromwhomhereceivedalltheinstructionsandalsotodiscipleJangchupOe,whosincerelyrequestedtheteachings.Intheverse,LamaAtishapromisestorevealtheentirestagesofthePathtoEnlightenment.

Thistextisdividedinto4divisions,beginningwithinstructionsforbeingsofdifferent‐capabilitiesby

giving themethodandwisdom teachings and concludeswith theultimate resultant aspectof thePathbyintroducingtantra.

Inorder toactualise the teachingson thestagesof thePath, it requiresagreatdealofmeritandpurification,aswellastheundertakingofthepreparatorypractices.

Verse2 Understandtherearethreekindsofpersons

Becauseoftheirsmall,middlingandsupremecapabilities

Ishallwriteclearlydistinguishing

Theirindividualcharacteristics

Understand that there are 3 kinds of persons of varying capability i.e. small capability, middle

capabilityandgreatcapability.WhenwestudythistextofLamponthePath,itwillbenoticedthatthereisadifferencebetweenthisandotherLamRimtexts.Here,theteachingsareexpressedinaplainanddirectway.LamaAtishahereoutlineswhatheintendstoteach,namelythepathsofthe3

capabilitybeingsi.e.thesmall,middleandcourageoussuprememental‐capabilitybeingsandhewillsetouttheirdistinguishingcharacteristics.

Verse3 Knowthatthosewhobywhatevermeans

Seekforthemselvesnomore

Thanthepleasuresofcyclicexistence

Arepersonsoftheleastcapability.

Thisversecovers thesmall capabilitybeing.Who isasmall capabilitybeing?Someonewhowhilst

acknowledging a future life, seeks samsaric happiness, is attached to contaminated happiness,attachedtosensualpleasuresandhopingthatone’snext lifewillhavesuchworldlyhappinessandwishestoavoidthelowerrealm.Quiteoften,althoughoutwardlyonemayclaimtobeaMahayana

practitionerandmotivatetowardsliberationandenlightenment,ouractualthinkingandactionsarethoseofthesmallcapabilitybeing!

All3capabilitybeingshavetheirrespective3principleaspectsofthepath.Forthesmallcapabilitybeing, renunciationtakes the formof renouncingrebirth in3 lowerrealmsandaspiring forhigher

rebirth;thepathisthatofRefuge,abstainingfromnegativeactionsandpractisingvirtueinordertoobtain higher rebirth or birth in wealthy family; the goal here is just to gain higher rebirth. Todeterminewhat capability beingwe really are,we need to checkmotivation for practice and the

mannerofrenunciation.

Verse4 Thosewhoseekpeaceforthemselvesalone,

Turningawayfromworldlypleasures

Andavoidingdestructiveactions

Aresaidtobeofmiddlingcapability

Thedefinitionof themiddle capabilitybeing is someonewhoaspires forpeace forhimself alone.Here one sees the intermediate renunciation i.e. renouncing the lower realms, renouncing higher

rebirth (as that too has sufferings) i.e. renounce 6 realm/samsaric existence and to actualise thepeaceofnirvanaforoneselfonly.Forsuchaperson,thepath isthe3highertrainingsofmorality,concentrationandwisdomandabidingbytheteachingsofthe4NobleTruthsandkarma;thegoalis

toobtainliberation/nirvana.

Verse5 Thosewho,throughtheirpersonalsuffering

Trulywanttoendcompletely

Allthesufferingofothers

Arepersonsofsupremecapacity.

Thedefinitionof thegreat capabilitybeing is someonewhowants toend sufferingof self andallbeings.When one has understood how karma operates and sees that all beings are the samebybeingcompletelydominatedbydelusion&karmaandwishesallbeingsandoneselftobefreefrom

these, one is a Mahayanic practitioner. The renunciation here is the great renunciation ie.renouncingsamsaricexistenceand thecauses for suchanexistence, inoneselfandallbeings; thepathisbodhicittaandaltruisticwisdomandthegoalisfullenlightenment.

Verse6 Forthoseexcellentlivingbeings

Whodesiresupremeenlightenment,

Ishallexplaintheperfectmethods

Taughtbythespiritualteachers.

After introducingthe3typesofbeings,Atishastatesthathewillexplainthestagesofpracticeforthosewhoaspiretosupremeenlightenment.

V7 Facingpaintings,statuesandsoforth

Ofthecompletelyenlightenedone

Reliquariesandtheexcellentteaching

Offerflowers,incense–whateveryouhave

This verse explains the 6 preparatory practices – (1) Cleaning the room where one is going topractice,aswellascleanone’smindi.e.ridoneselfofdeludedthoughtsandunclearmotivationin

engaging in practice. Even if your altar is very clean, one should still go through themotions ofcleaning reciting “dul pang, timapang “ (whichmeans thatwhilst one is outwardly cleaning dirt,internallyoneiscleaningone’sdelusions) (2)Arrangetheholyobjects liketheBuddhastatue,the

Dharmatextandthestupa.Knowabouttheirsignificanceandreasonfortheplacementsoftheholyobjects. Ifwedonothave thephysicalholyobjects,onecanvisualiseandarrange them inone’sheartandremindoneselfofone’spureBuddhanaturethatistemporarilyobscuredbythecloudsof

delusion and negative karma. Similarly, arrange the offerings to the Triple Gem beautifully.Understanding that all things aremerely‐labelled, onementally offers vast offeringswith such anunderstandingofemptinessandthiswillbringaboutanimmenseamountofmerit.(3)Sittinginthe

rightmeditationposture–thereisnoneedtoforceyourbody.Sitinamannerwhichwillminimisedistraction to yourmeditation and your generation of the altruisticmindwhich is determined toachieve enlightenment in order to be able to enlighten all sentient beings. (4) Visualise themerit

field–ifyouhaveapictureofthemeritfield,viewthepictureandhavetheconvictionthatallthoseBuddhasandmasterstherearepersonallypresentwithyou.Alternatively,visualiseinyourheartthepresenceoftheBuddha,DharmaandSangha.(5)Offeringthepracticeofthe7‐Limbprayer(seeV8

of this text). (6) Supplication to the Buddhas to remain with oneself until one achievesenlightenment inorder toguideand toremindoneselfofDharma, toremindoneselfof therightantidotestoapplywhendelusionsarise.

Verse8 Withthesevenpartoffering

Fromthe[Prayerof]NobleConduct

Withthethoughtnevertoturnback

Tillyougainultimateenlightenment.

Thisreferstothe7limbpractice(whichisthe5thofthepreparatorypractices).The7limbsare–(1)prostration‐thisisagreatpurificationpractice.Conventionally,itisverygoodforphysicalexercisetoo.Idid3monthretreatonprostrationsandbecameverythindespiteeatingalot.Samethingwith

fatmonks,theytoolostweightattheendof3months.(2)Makingactualandmentalofferings.Thiscreates a vast amount ofmerits and yet we often forget to do this.We do not need to rely onphysical possessions as offerings. If we see anything of beauty, we can mentally offer that as

offerings to theTripleGem; ifweseeordinary things,wecanmentally transformthem intowish‐fulfilling jewels andoffer those. (3) Confession– even ifwehave completed110,000Vajrasattvamantras, that will still not be enough to purify all our accumulated negativities. We need to

continuouslyengageinconfessionandhavingdonetheconfession,wehavetohavetheconvictionthatwehavecompletelypurifiednegativities.However,attheendofeachsessionofconfession,weneed to generate this same conviction. (4) Rejoice – if you see someonewith a nice car or a big

house or a great project, feel happy for them and not have a sour feeling in the heart.Conventionally, that will create causes for us to have such good things too and ultimately, weaccumulategreatmerittogainenlightenment.(5)RequesttheGurusandBuddhatoremain–thisis

anincrediblemethodtoaccumulatemerit.WhenyouparticipateinGuruPujaandinLongLifeGuruPujaandsincerely request theBuddhasandGurus to remain, ithas theeffectofpreservingone’slonglife.(6)RequestingtoTurntheWheelofDharma–thiswillpowerfullycreatethecauseforeach

teachingofDharmayouencountertostrikeatyouregoandnegativities.Whetheronemeetsone’sGuruoftenornot,oneshouldmakedailysupplicationfortheGuru,BuddhasandBodhisattvatoturn

thewheelofDharma.ThiswillcreatethecauseforonetohavetheenthusiasmtolearnandpracticeDharma.Rightnow,whenwegotoaparty,wefeelnobodyachebutwhenwecometoclass,ourbody aches (laughter). (7) Dedication – whatever act of virtue – whether it a big or small act,

remember to dedicate it towards the enlightenment of oneself and all living beings, so that ouractionwillbecomeacauseforenlightenmentandnotjusttofulfilworldlyaims.Bydedicatingwithbodhicitta,evenworldlygoalswillbeachievedeasily.

Verse9 AndwithstrongfaithintheThreeJewels,

Kneelingwithonekneeontheground

Andyourhandspressedtogether,

Firstofalltakerefugethreetimes

ThisverseteachesonetotakeRefugeproperlyandinordertoreinforcetheprotectionofBuddha,

DharmaandSangha,oneshouldrepeatedlytakeRefuge.

Verse10 Next,beginningwithanattitudeofloveforalllivingcreatures

Considerbeings,excludingnone

Sufferinginthethreebadrebirths

Sufferingbirth,deathandsoforth.

Generate an attitude of unconditional love towards all living beings as one has seen sufferingsincludingthatofbirth,agingsickness.

Verse11 Then,sinceyouwanttofreethesebeings

Fromthesufferingofpain,

Fromsufferingandthecausesofsuffering

Arouseimmutablytheresolvetoattainenlightenment

Having seenandunderstood the sufferingsof sentientbeingsand thecausesof sufferings (karma

anddelusionsandhowtheyarise),oneshouldthencultivatecompassionbywishingallbeingstobefreefromsufferingandcausesofsufferingandattainpeerlesshappiness.Forthis,oneshouldlearnhowtoeliminatesufferingsandthecausesofsuffering.

Verse12 Thequalitiesofdeveloping

Suchanaspirationare

Fullyexplainedby

MaitreyaintheArrayofTrunksSutra.

LamaAtishaintroducesthefollowingverseswhichexpressthequalitiesandbenefitsofdevelopingbodhicitta.

Verse13 Havinglearnedabouttheinfinitebenefits

Oftheintentiontogainfullenlightenment

Byreadingthissutraorlisteningtoateacher

Arouseitrepeatedlytomakeitsteadfast.

One should learn about Maitreya’s teachings in the Array of Trunks Sutra and reflect on your

teachers’instructionsandteachings,aswellastheirlifestoriesandthoseofthegreatpanditsandBodhisattvas,sothatone’sbodhicittamindwillbesteadfast.

Verse14 TheSutraRequestedbyVirudatta

Fullyexplainsthemerittherein

Atthispoint,insummary

Iwillcitejustthreeverses.

TheSutrarequestedbyViradattaexplainsthemeritofthealtruisticintention/bodhicitta.

Verse15 Ifitpossessedphysicalform,

Themeritofthealtruisticintention

Wouldcompletelyfillthewholeofspace

Andexceedeventhat.

Ifthemeritarisingfrombodhicittawereinsolidform,itwouldexceedthespaceoftheuniverse.

Verse16 Ifsomeoneweretofillwithjewels

AsmanyBuddhafieldsastherearegrains

OfsandintheGanges

TooffertotheProtectoroftheWorld.

Ifsomeoneweretofilltheentireuniversewithjewels,thatmeritwouldnotcomeclosetothemerit

createdbybodhicitta.

Verse17 Thiswouldbesurpassedby

Thegiftoffoldingone’shands

Andincliningone’smindtoenlightenment

Forsuchislimitless.

Thegenerationofbodhicitta is thegreatestoffering to theBuddhasandsentientbeingsand isanunsurpassedofferingoflimitlessbenefit.

Verse18 Havingdevelopedtheaspirationforenlightenment

Constantlyenhanceitthorughconcertedeffort

Torememberitinthisandalsoinotherlives

Keepthepreceptsproperlyasexplained.

Verse19 Withoutthevowoftheengagedintention

Perfectaspirationwillnotgrow

Makeeffortdefinitelytotakeit

Sinceyouwantthewishforenlightenmenttogrow.

These two verses speak of two types of bodhicitta = relative and absolute bodhicitta.Within the

categoryofrelativebodhicitta,thereisaspiringandengagingbodhicitta.Aspiringbodhicittameanswishingtoattainbodhicitta;engagingbodhicittaisactuallytakingandimplementingtheBodhisattvavows and6 Perfectionpractices.Without embarking uponengaging bodhicitta, one cannot attain

bodhicitta(andfinallyenlightenment).

Re‐settingthemotivationforstudyingtheLampforthePathtoEnlightenment

Refreshone’sbodhicittamotivationandknowwithjoythatonehasaccumulatedmeritsinthepastbecause without such merit, there would not be the karma nor opportunity to hear this goldenDharma teaching nor relate our lives to it; there will not be any possibility for one to actualise

realisationonthestagesofthepathtoenlightenmentandeliminatesamsaricrebirth.

Therefore, there are hundreds of reasons to feel extremely happy and fortunate to have thisopportunitytostudythisteachandnotbe interruptedbyany inner,outerandsecretobstaclesto

ourplacingthisgoldenDharmaintoone’smindstream.ThinkthatduetooneselfhavingtheproperlineageandblessingofthecompletepathofthisgoldenDharma,fromthisdayonwards,whatevervirtue we practice, whether giving one grain of food to an animal or speaking a single word of

Dharmatothosestrugglingindarkness,maythatbethecompletecauseofenlightenment.Mayonelivelifeinthemostmeaningfulway.

WearesofortunatethatnotonlyareweGelugpractitionersbutweshouldalsorejoicethatotherTibetanBuddhisttraditionsarealsofollowingtheNalandatraditionandLamaAtisha’sLampforthe

Path.WhateverLojongandLamRimteachingswereceive,evenifwehavereceivethesefromotherTibetanBuddhist traditions, itall flows fromthekindnessofLamaAtisha’sLampfor thePath.WeshouldregardLamaAtishaasourrootguruwhoisinseparablefromtheGurusthatonehasreceived

thepreciousDharmafrom.Wheneverwemeditateonthedeities,makesurewerememberLama

Atisha–thiswillmake itpossible forustoactualisetheteachings&practicesduetohisblessingsmadefromhisgreatprayersandeffortstoteachtheentirePath.Inthisway,evenifdeathoccursat

anymoment,wewouldnothavewastedour livesaswehaveputeffort tostudytheseteachings.We should also meditate on the kindness and compassion of HH Dalai Lama, Kyabje Lama ZopaRinpoche, the lateGeshe LamaKonchogand their gurus likeKyabje TrijangRinpoche, Kyabje Ling

Rinpoche,DagriDorjeChang.Therewasatimewhereitwasverydifficulttoobtainteachingsfromthis traditionbut through theeffortsofHHDalai Lama, the teachings fromour lineageGurusandyogis were not lost but preserved. It has been a critical time as we almost lost this lineage of

learning.Sotherearenumerousreasonsforustobeinspiredtolearnthisteachingwell.Althoughonemayhavestudiedmanyothertextsandcommentaries,thistextbyLamaAtisha“LampforthePath“carriesaveryspecialblessing.Thistextisdividedinto3broadstages=preliminary,themain

body/causalstagepracticeofbodhicittaandtheresultantstageofthepath(tantra).

Verse20 Thosewhomaintainofthesevenkinds

Ofindividualliberationvow

Havetheideal[prerequisite]for

TheBodhisattvavow,notothers.

OneofthekeywaystoactualisebodhicittaisthetakingandengagingintheBodhisattvavows.ThequalifyingcriteriatoreceivetheBodhisattvavowsisforthepersontohave&maintainanyoneofthe 7 kinds of individual liberation vows. The 7 kinds are lay woman vows, layman vows,

probationarynunvows,novicenunvows,novicemonksvows, fullyordainednun’svowsand fullyordainedmonk’s vows. Lay vows include refuge vows and the 5 lay vows. Based on the Refugevows,onecanreceiveandcultivateoneormoreorall5ofthelayvows.Thisqualifiesonetoreceive

theBodhisattva vows.Anyone ina relationship should take thevowagainst sexualmisconduct asthatwill secure one’s relationships in life. This is very powerful protection. The force of negative

emotionsarepowerful;ourdesirousattachmentsarealmostmorepowerfulthanwisdomrealisingemptiness!Ontopofthat,ifonefeelsitpossibleforonetoundertake,thereare300+probationarynun’svowsandonecantrythisfor1or2months(withoutbecominganun).Thisisaveryeffective

practicetoshowoneselfhowwildoneis.Toobtaintheactualnovicenunornovicemonkvows,thatrequiresone tobecomeamonkornun.Needless to say, full ordination requiresmoreeffort anddiscipline. The253vowsof a fullyordainedmonkare the sameas thatheldbyGuruShakyamuni

Buddha. For this,oneneeds tobe thoroughlymatured in refuge, layvowsandnovicevows tobequalified to take the fullordinationvows.Oneneeds tobeat least20yearsoldbefore taking fullordinationispossible.Mentally,onemustbecommittedtokeepthesevowsfortherestofone’slife

and to take it fromamasterwhoheld the vowspurely. As aminimum,one canpractice holdingproperRefugevows.

Verse21 TheTathagataspokeofsevenkinds

Ofindividualliberationvows

Thebestoftheseisthegloriouspureconduct

Saidtobethevowofafullyordainedperson.

Thehighestindividualliberationvowisthatofthefullyordainedmonkof253vows,inthemannerheldbyShakyamuniBuddha.

Verse22 Accordingtotheritualdescribedin

ThechapterondisciplineintheBodhisattvaStages

Takethevowfromagood

Andwellqualifiedspiritualteacher.

Atisha teaches the need for the Guru to grant the Bodhisattva vows and for us to actualise the

Bodhisattvavows. Eventhoughaspirationalbodhicittacanbeobtainedwithoutrelianceupontheguru,engagingBodhisattvavowsrequirestakingthemfromaqualifiedmaster/Guru.

Verse23 Understandthatagoodspiritualteacher

Isoneskilledinthevowceremony

Wholivesbythevowandhas

Theconfidenceandcompassiontobestowit.

Thecriteriaforagoodspiritualteacherisonewhonotonlyknowsthedetailsofthevowgrantingceremonybutholds theBodhisattvavowsand livesa life in thepracticeof thosevowswhichare

vowstorefrainfromthe18rootdownfalslandthe46secondarydownfalls.FinallythemastermustbeinfusedwithcompassionandhavefullconfidenceinhispracticeoftheBodhisattvaconducttobeabletograntthevows.

Verse24 However,incaseyoutrybutcannot

Findsuchaspiritualteacher,

Ishallexplainanother

Correctprocedurefortakingthevow.

If we cannot find such a qualified master, Atisha teaches an alternative solution to taking theBodhisattvavowsinacorrectmanner.ThismethodissetoutinV26–V31below.Howevernotethatinthecaseoftantricvows,oneneedstoreceivethemfromaqualifiedmaster.

Verse25 Ishallwritehereveryclearly,asexplained

IntheOrnamentofManjushri’sBuddhaLandSutra

Howlongago,whenManjusrhiwasAmbaraja

Hearousedtheintentiontobecomeenlightened.

LamaAtishaexplainswhatwaswritten inManushri’sOrnamentofManjushri’sBuddhaLandSutra

i.e.abouthowManjushri inaprevious lifeasAmbaraja,gave rise to thebodhicitta intention.Thefollowingverses‐v26tov31–werequotedfromShantideva’sCompendiumofDeeds.

V26 “Inthepresenceoftheprotectors

Iarousetheintentiontogainfullenlightenment

Iinviteallbeingsasmyguests

Andshallfreethemcyclicexistence.“

InthepresenceoftheBuddhas&Bodhisattvas,Ambaraja(Manjushri inapreviouslife)gaverisetothewishtoattainfullenlightenmentforthebenefitofnumberlesssentientbeings’enlightenment.

Boththeseaspectsifwishingtoattainenlightenmentandforthebenefitofsentientbeings,needtobementionedastheyarecausestoactualisecorrectbodhicitta.

V27 “Fromthismomentonwards

UntilIattainenlightenment

Ishallnotharbourharmfulthoughts

Anger,avariceorenvy”

Thisverseexpressestheresolvetofullyguardagainstanyharmfulthoughtlikeanger,attachment,jealousy,pride.

V28 “Ishallcultivatepureconduct

Giveupwrong‐doinganddesire

Andwithjoyinthevowofdiscipline

TrainmyselftofollowtheBuddhas”

Hereisthedeterminationtocultivatepureconduct,taketheBodhisattvavowsandundertakethose

disciplinesjoyfully.

V29 “Ishallnotbeeagertoreach

Enlightenmentinthequickestway

Butshallstaybehindtilltheveryend

Forthesakeofasinglebeing”.

Thequotegoesontoadvisethatoneshouldnotbeeagertoreachenlightenmentforoneselfalone,inthequickestwayandthatevenifittakesalongtime,forthesakeofevenasinglebeing,onewill

remaininsamsaraforthesakeofthatbeinguntileverysinglelivingbeingisfullyenlightened.

V30 “Ishallpurifylimitless

Inconceivablelands

Andremaininthetendirections

Forallthosewhocallmyname”

I shallmakepure the impurerealmsofall sentientbeings i.e. I shalleliminate ignorancemkarmaand delusion in every sentient being and also work for eliminating the external contaminated

environmentalconditions.Whoeverseesme,touchesme,scoldsme,criticisesme,evenatthecostofmylife,mayIonlybethecauseoferadicationofimpurityandthecauseofactualisingpurityuptoenlightenment.

V31 “Ishallpurifyallmybody

Andmyverbalformsofactivity

Mymentalactivitiestoo,Ishallpurify

Anddonothingthatisnon‐virtuous”

Oneshouldengageinthepurificationofnegativitiesofbody,speechandmindincludingallnegative

imprints.

Soverses27‐31setouthowManjushri inaprevious lifehadraisedthebodhicitta intention. Nowwegobacktoverse26toformulateforourselvesadailypracticebyreflectingfromV27to31.StartbyvisualisingthepresenceoftheB&B(asinV26)andgeneratethethoughttoattainenlightenment

and inviting all sentient beings as one’s guest to bring them to peerless happiness of fullenlightenmentandgeneratethethoughttofreethemcyclicexistence;Ishallnothaveanyharmfulthoughtstowardssentientbeingsnorindulgeinanger,attachment,jealousy(V27)etc..uptoV31.

V32 Whenthoseobservingthevow

Oftheactivealtruisticintentionhavetrainedwell

Inthethreeformsofdiscipline,theirrespect

Forthesethreeformsofdisciplinegrows

Whichcausespurifyofbody,speechandmind.

Inorderforthoseengaginginbodhicittatobesuccessful,weneedtohavethefoundationofthe3setsofvows–thepratimokshavows(the7kindsof individual liberationvowsmentionedearlier),Bodhisattvavowsandtantricvows(upholdingthepledgesofthe5DhyaniBuddhas).Thiswillenable

us to attain the perfection of Body, Speech and Mind of the Buddha. Just taking Refuge vowimmediatelyenablesonetobefreefromlowerrealmrebirthforimmediaterebirth.Inorderforusto obtain these 3 disciplines requiresmuchmerit, sowe can begin by practice of generosity – of

materialpossessions,protectionandDharma(keepinginmindalwaysthesourcesoftheteachingsbeing the Buddha, Shantideva or Lama Tsongkhapa and such great beings).We also need to beskilfultoobservewhetherthepersonisreadytolistenandifnot,weneedtofindanalternativeway

ofsharingthewisdomandifthepersondisplaysthesmallcapabilityattitude,thenoneshouldspeakaccordingly).

The3moraldisciplinescanbeinterpretedinanotherway,namelyrefrainingfromnegativeactions;accumulating virtues and working for the welfare of sentient beings (which includes serving the

Centre to enable many people to benefit). Mindfulness and carrying out these 3 disciplines alsoconstituteourcultivatingtheBodhisattvaconduct.

V33 Thereforethrougheffortinthevowmade

ByBodhisattvasforpure,fullenlightenment

Thecollectionsforcompleteenlightenment

Willbethoroughlyaccomplished.

We need to engage in the practice of patience and joyous effort to thoroughly accomplish thecollectionsofmeritandwisdomneededforenlightenment.

V34 AllBuddhassaythecauseforthecompletion

Ofcollections,whosenatureis

Meritandexaltedwisdom

Isthedevelopmentofhigherperception.

TrainingoneselftodevelopthetrainingintheMethodteachingsthroughcultivatingbodhicittaand

training inWisdom throughdeveloping one’s understanding and realisation of emptiness (i.e. theselflessnessofpersonandofphenomena),arethetwomaincauseswhichwillleadustogainhigherperceptioninorderforustobenefitsentientbeings.

“Higherperception”referstoclairvoyance,whichisneededtobenefitsentientbeingsproperly.This

is important in order for us to understand the differentmental dispositions of sentient beings. Ifsomeone is not matured enough to receive emptiness teachings and we give them emptinessteachings,wecouldcausethemtodevelopwrongviewandcreatethecausesforhell;butiftheyare

ready for emptiness and tantra and you focus only on giving the small capability‐being teachings,youcoulddistractthemfromtheMahayanaandleadthemtotheHinayanapath,whichincursheavy

karma. Cultivating compassion towards strangers or people far away is easier than cultivatingcompassiontowardsthosenearbywhoirritateus,isthisnotso?ThereisnoneedtoasktheGuruaboutthelevelofone’spractice.Youcancheckthatoutforyourself–byasking,forinstance,haveI

mademyfamilyhappier?DidIinspirethemtowardsgreaterdepthintheirspiritualpathornot?WeneedtobeseriousaboutourpracticebutifahusbandandwifeareinDharmabutafterspendingalongtimeinDharma,theystillwanttodivorce,thentheirpracticehasfailed.One’sfamilymembers,

especially those who are annoying, are like one’s Buddha training oneself. One can be a Sanghawithoutbecomingamonkornun.

V35 Justasabirdwithundeveloped

Wingscannotflyinthesky

Thosewithoutpowerofhigherperception

Cannotworkforthegoodoflivingbeings.

Withoutclairvoyance,aDharmapractitionerwillbelikeabirdwithundevelopedwings,whereflyingbecomesextremelydifficult.

V36 Themeritgainedinasingleday

Bythosewhopossesshigherperception

Cannotbegainedeveninahundredlifetimes

Byonewithoutsuchhigherperception.

Ifonehasclairvoyance,onewillknowhowtoaccumulatemeritinthemosteffectiveway.Engaging

incalmabidingmeditationisoneofthebestmethodstoactualiseclairvoyance.

V37 Thosewhowanttoswiftlytocomplete

Thecollectionsforfullenlightenment

Willaccomplishhigherperception

Througheffort,notthroughlaziness.

Those who want to gain full enlightenment will accomplish clairvoyance through effort and notthroughlaziness.Efforthereisnotaboutforcingoneself,itisaboutjoyousperseveranceinpractice.

V38 Withouttheattainmentofcalmabiding

Higherperceptionwillnotoccur

Thereforemakerepeatedeffort

Toaccomplishclamabiding

Inorderforustoactualiseclairvoyance,weneedtoachievecalmabiding(samatha).Repeatedlyputeffort into calm abiding meditation through eliminating the 5 faults and the 8 antidotes. The 8

antidotesare faith,aspiration, joyousperseverance,pliancy, recollection,vigilanceapplicationandequanimity. The 5 faults are excitement, laziness/laxity, forgetting the meditation object, non

applicationandoverapplication.

V39 Whiletheconditionsforcalmabiding

Areincomplete,meditativestabilisation

Willnotbeaccomplished,evenifonemeditates

Strenuouslyforthousandsofyears

In order to be successful at samatha meditation, we must ensure that we have all the rightconditions.Otherwise,wewill not achieve it even ifwemeditate for a 1000 years.What are therightconditions? HHDLoutlinesthe5conditionsas themeditatorhaving(1)thedisciplineofnot

beingdistractedby the5 sensesand liveanethical life (2)have fewneedsandas fewmundaneactivitiesaspossible.Becontented.(3)Havegoodunderstandingofallthekeypointsandstagesof

thepractice (e.g.knowthe5 faultsand the8antidotes;knowthe techniquesand the9 stagesofcalm abidingmeditation). (4)Adopt the appropriate diet and avoid excessive eating. Avoid heavyfoodslikemeatandblackfoodswhichenhancelaxity;havenutritiousfoodbutnotthosewhichlead

tothedestructionofthebody likebeinghigh incholesterol,oil,sugar;consumelessfoodatnightwhichhelpstomakeone’searlymorningmeditationeffective;ifonecanmaintainsilencephysicallyandavoiddistractingthoughts,therewillbeamazingbenefitsfromthis,especiallyduringretreats.

Thegreatmastersofthepasthavegainedenlightenmentthroughgatheringsuchconditions.Oncesuccessfulinretreat,thenwecanconsiderdoingthegreatretreatof3years,3monthsand3days.Withoutcultivatingthecausesofpreliminarypracticesandretreats,thiswouldnotbepossible.

V40 Thusmaintainingwelltheconditionsmentioned

IntheCollectionforMeditativeStabilisationChapter

Placethemindonanyone

Virtuousfocalobject

Having gathered the conducive conditions, one should then place/focus the mind on any one

virtuousobject.AsaMahayanicmeditator,toactualisecalmabiding,wemustuseavirtuousobjecte.g.Buddha’sholybodyoriseye.Havingchosentheobject,whatweneedtodeveloparethetwomentalabilitiesofstabilityontheobjectandclarityontheobjectofmeditation.Wedothisuntilwe

fullyaccomplishthephysicalandmentalpliancyofthe9thstage,whichincludesclairvoyance,beingabletotravelwithoutrelyingonexternalobjects,havingcontroloverexternalelements,havingfullcontroloverone’smindandbody,eveniftheentireworldcollapses.Havingachievedthis,onewill

alsogain thehighest clairvoyanceand thenbeable tobringbenefit tooneselfandother sentientbeings.Wethenneedtogainintensityinthestability&clarityoftheobjectofmeditation.

V41 Whenthepractitionerhasgainedcalmabiding

Higherperceptionwillalsobegained

Butwithoutpracticeoftheperfectionofwisdom

Theobstructionswillnotcometoanend

Even though one gains clairvoyance through samatha, this is not sufficient because one needs to

practice the perfection ofwisdom in order to gain special insight into emptiness (vipassana). Anypractitioner of the 3 scopes gaining clairvoyance will still not be free from the 2 obscurations,namely, the obscuration to liberation and the obscuration to omniscience, until one gains the

wisdomrealisingemptiness(theselflessnessofpersonandtheselflessnessofphenomena).

What are the obstruction to liberation and the obstruction to omniscience? The obstruction toliberation (ngyondip) are the delusions and obstruction to omniscience (sheytip) are the subtleimprintofdelusions.Thesecanbeeliminatedthroughtherealisationof theselflessnessofperson

(gangsar gyi dagme) and the realisation of the selflessness of phenomena (chokyi dagme) whichincludestheaggregates,eventsandouterexistence.Theeliminationoftheobstructiontoliberation

resultsinnirvana;theeliminationofobstructiontoomniscienceresultsinenlightenment.

V42 Thustoeliminateallobstructions

Toliberationandomniscience

Thepractitionershouldcontinuallycultivate

Theperfectionofwisdomwithskilfulmeans

Skilfulmeans refers to theMethod teachings namely those on bodhicitta; theWisdom teachingsrefertotheemptinessteachings.Ifweonlycultivatetheperfectionofwisdom,wewillattainonlynirvana. However, if we wish to attain enlightenment, we need to cultivate both bodhicitta and

wisdom.

V43 Wisdomwithoutskilfulmeans

Andskilfulmeanstoowithoutwisdom

Arereferredtoasbondage

Thereforedonotgiveupeither

Wisdomwithout skilfulmeans (bodhicitta) is referred to as thebondageof nirvana; skilfulmeanswithoutwisdomresultsinthebondageofsamsara.Thereforewemustnotgiveupeither.Weneedtocultivateboth.Wecannotpracticepartially.

V44 Toeliminatedoubtsconcerning

Whatiswisdomandwhatisskilfulmeans

Ishallmakeclearthedifference

Betweenskilfulmeansandwisdom

Whatiswisdomandwhataretheskilfulmeans?Buddhahastaughtthe6Perfectionswhichconsistof the practices of wisdom and method which are Generosity, Morality, Patience, Perseverance,Concentration andWisdom. The first 5 Perfections are all Method and last of the Perfections is

Wisdom.Wecandistinguishbetweentheactivitiesthepracticesofmethodandwisdominthatway.When we refer to engaging in the “method practices” it refers to those related to the first 5Perfections.Whenwerefertounifyingmethod(thap)andwisdom(sherab),itreferstoengagingin

all6.

V45 Apartfromtheperfectionofwisdom

Allvirtuouspracticessuchas

Theperfectionofgivingaredescribed

AsskilfulmeansbytheVictoriousOnes

Buddhadefinedallvirtueswhichareapartfromthecategoryoftheperfectionofwisdom,asinthecategoryofmethod.

V46 Whowever,undertheinfluenceoffamiliarity

Withskilfulmeans,cultivatewisdom

Willquicklyattainenlightenment

Notjustbymeditatingonsefllessness

Whoever practices the highest scope teachings (theMahayana)with themotivation of bodhicitta

and cultivates wisdom realising selflessness of person and of phenomena, will quickly attainenlightenment.

V47 Understandingemptinessofinherentexistence

Throughrealisingthattheaggregates,constituents

Andsourcesarenotproduced

Isdescribedaswisdom

How should we describe the characteristics of wisdom? It is understanding the emptiness ofinherentexistencethroughrealisingthat the5aggregates, the18constituentsand12sourcesare

not produced by truly‐existent causes and conditions, or in other words, are not produced byindependently‐existingcausesandconditions.

V48 Somethingexistencecannotbeproduced

Norsomethingnon‐existent,likeaskyflower.

Theseerrorsarebothabsurdandthus

Bothofthe[other]twowillnotoccureither.

This verse presents one form of logic which negates the production of existing and non‐existent

phenomena. Theanalysisofemptinessthat isabletorefutetheobjecttobenegatedbeginswithacknowledgingthatthingsareeitherexistentornon‐existent,that(a)Thereisnosuchthingastheproductionoftrueexistence(b)thereisnosuchthingasaproductionofnon‐existence;(c)thereis

noproductionofbothtrueexistenceandnon‐existence.

V49 Athingisnotproducedfromitself

Norfromanother,alsonotfromboth

Norcauselesslyeither,thusitdoesnot

Existinherentlybywayofitsownidentity

Thisisanotherstatementoflogicnegatingtheproductionofexistence.Selfandthingsarenontrulyexistentbyatrulyexistentself‐cause,nortrulyexistentduetosomeothercausenortrulyexistent

duetoboth. Nothing istrulyexistent. Itcanbealsodiscoveredthroughthe4th lineofreasoning.Theselfforinstance,iteitherexistsasonewiththe5aggregatesordifferentfromthe5aggregates.

Iftheselfisonewiththeaggregates,then5willbeone(whichcannotbe);andiftheselfisdifferentfrom the aggregates [then if something injures our leg,we should not feel anything].One shouldreflectonthisandthecontemplationcanbeexcitingtothepointthatasyouputyourkeyintothe

door lock whilst engaging deeply into that contemplation, you discover that it is already themorning!

V50 Moreover,whenallphenomenaareexamined

Astowhethertheyareoneormany

Theyarenotseentoexistbywayoftheirownentity

Andthusareascertainedasnotinherentlyexistent.

Theversestatesthatthingsexistconventionally(throughcauseandeffect)butareultimatelylackingininherentexistenceandarethusempty.Thetwotruthsisreferredtohereandthe4pointanalysis

isreferredtointhisverse.

V51 ThereasoningoftheSeventyStanzasonEmptiness

TheTreatiseontheMiddleWayandsoforth

Explainthatthenatureofallthings

Isestablishedasemptiness

Thenatureofallthingsisemptinessorshunyata.TheSeventyStanzaswascomposedbyNagarjunaandthereitstatedthatthenatureofallthingsisemptiness.Duetothat,conventionally,thereistheattainment of enlightenment. To have full conviction that there is enlightenment is through

understanding the two truths. Until we have thorough understanding of these two, wemay feelunsurethatfreedomfromsamsaraandenlightenmentispossibleandthusgenuinerenunciationwill

bedifficult.

V52 Sincethereareagreatmanypassages

Ihavenotcitedthemhere

Buthaveexplainedjusttheirconclusions

Forthepurposeofmeditation

Atishaexplainsthattherearemanysutrasonemptinessbuthehascitedtheabovequotes inthistextforpurposesofmeditation.

V53 Thuswhateverismeditation

Onselflessness,inthatitdoesnotobserve

Aninherentnatureinphenomena

Isthecultivationofwisdom

Whenwetalkaboutmeditatingonemptiness,itisabouttheinnerrealisationofthelackofinherentexistence,includingtheverywisdomwhichrealisesemptiness.

V54 Justaswisdomdoesnotsee

Aninherentnatureinphenomena

Havinganalysedwisdomitselfbyreasoning

Non‐conceptuallymeditateonthat

Howdoweupgradeourselvesfromabeginnermeditatortoapractitionerofthe10thGround?Itis

throughmeditatingonthewisdomofemptinessbutalsomeditatingontheminditselftothepointof non conceptual mind; realising the emptiness of the wisdom itself and remaining in thatmeditation will develop higher levels of wisdom realising emptiness and become increasingly

effectivetooltoeliminatedefilements includingsubtledefilements.Uponenteringthe3rdofthe5Paths,namelythePathofSeeing,oneentersthefirstofthe10Grounds.Withinthe10Groundsare9levelofdefilementswiththecorrespondingantidotes.Themindoperatingatthoselevelsarenon

conceptualminds. The intensity ofwisdomduring this period is divided into 9 stages – themoreintensethewisdom,themoreeffectiveitwillbetoeliminatethesubtledefilements.

Howdoweintensifythenonconceptualmind?Practicetothepointwhereonerealisesthereisnodifference between the lack of inherent phenomena externally and that of one’smind itself; one

realisesthatmindandthewisdomitselfareempty.Whenthewisdomrealisingemptinessanalysesthesubjectandobject,itcannotdiscoverselfexistenceineitherofthoseorelsewhere.Itdoesnotfindself‐existenceinthewisdomofemptiness,ie.werealisetheemptinessofeventhewisdomof

emptiness.

V55 Thenatureofthisworldlyexistence

Whichhascomefromconceptualisation

Isconceptuality.Thustheeliminationof

Conceptualityisthehigheststateofnirvana.

Buddha says that superstition keeps us in samsara. All forms of conceptual mind is superstition.Other than themindrealisingemptiness, isa superstitiousmind.So ifwecling to theconceptual

analysisofemptiness,thatalsobecomesacauseofsamsara.Thenatureofworldlyexistencecomesfromconceptualisation/thesuperstitiousmind.Ifwecanfreeourselvesfromthis,wearefreefromsamsara.

V56 Thegreatignoranceofconceptuality

Makesusfallintotheoceanofcyclicexistence

Restinginnon‐conceptualstabilisation

Space‐likenon‐conceptualitymanifestsclearly

How to free oneself from conceptual perceptions? Train to overcome them by dividing all ouractivities, thoughts, perceptions into twoaspects – (i) as ameditationonemptiness and (ii) as a

post‐meditation.Duringmeditation,weshouldcultivateunderstandingthattheself,aggregateandallphenomenaexistsinamannersimilartothatwhichisemptylikespacee.g.youseesomething,yet you realises that there is nothing to grasp at. During the post‐meditation session, reflect and

remind oneself that all activities and thoughts etc.. are in the manner of illusion. They are notillusionsbutLIKEillusions.Everythingisadanceofyourmind.

V57 WhenBodhisattvasnon‐conceptuallycontemplate

Thisexcellentteaching,theywilltranscend

Conceptuality,sohardtoovercome

Andeventuallyreachthenon‐conceptualstate

Bodhisattvas practice to avoid conceptual contemplations and in so doing, they achieve nirvana.Bodhisattvaspracticegenerosityandthe6Perfectionstopurifytheconceptualmind.

V58 Havingascertainedthroughscripture

Andthroughreasoningthatphenomena

Arenotproducednorinherentlyexistence

Meditatewithoutconceptuality

Weneedtoputeffortonstudyandreasoningtoarriveatthestagewhereweknowthatnothingis

producedthroughtruly‐existentcauses&conditionsnordotheyinherentlyexist.Meditateonthat.Throughthiswecanachievethewisdomofshunyata(emptiness).

V59 Havingthusmeditatedonsuchness

Eventually,afterteaching“heat”andsoforth,

The“veryjoyful”andtheothersareattained.

Andbeforelong,theenlightenedstateofBuddhahood.

Having meditated on emptiness as above, through training via meditation sessions and post‐

meditationsessions,withthehelpofgenuineMahayanicrenunciation,wewillbeabletoenterthe5 Paths (the Path of Accumulation, the Path of Preparation, the Path of seeing, the Path ofMeditation and the Path of NoMore Learning). We start with Path of Accumulationwhere one

accumulatesthefirstgreataeonofmerit(3greataeonsofmeritareneededtobecomeaBuddha).Fromthatpointto8thGround,the2ndaeonofmerits isaccumulatedandthe3rdaeonofmerits isgatheredfromthe8thtothe10thGround).NextwecometothePathofPreparation–thereare4

categorieshere–the“heat”isthe1stlevelofthePathofPreparation;2ndleveliscalledthe“peak”,

the3rdlevelis“patience”(thispatienceisnotthepatiencereferredtointhe6Perfections),4thlevelis“supremeDharma”.The“very joyful”referstoentry intothe3rdPath,thePathofSeeingwhere

one sees emptiness directly (here the 1st of the 10 Grounds begin, where the realisation ofemptiness becomes increasingly intense through the power of bodhicitta. The stronger thebodhicitta, the stronger the realisationof emptiness). Soon,onewill gain thePathofMeditation

andthefinalPathofNoMoreLearningwhichisBuddhahood.

V60 Ifyouwishtocreatewithtease

Thecollectionsforenlightenment

Throughactivitiesofpacification

Increaseandsoforth,gainedbythepowerofmantra

LamaAtisha advises that ifwe regard 3 countless aeons of ascetic practices too long a period toaccumulatethemeritneededtoattainenlightenmentandwewishtoexpeditethis,oneshouldthenengage into tantra practice. There are 4 powers of mantra ‐ pacification (purifying negativites),

increase(one’spotentialandmerits),controlling(controllingknowledge/abilities)andwrathfulness(overcome intense negativities, eliminate the 4maras). Recitingmantras activates these powers.Through tantra, one can gain themerits of 3 countless aeons in a shorter time, even in this very

lifetime.

V61 Andalsothroughtheforceoftheeight

Andothergreatattainmentslikethe“goodpot”–

Ifyouwanttopracticesecretmantra

Asexplainedintheactionandperformancetantras.

In the Action and Performance tantras, it is explained that great attainments can be obtainedincludingthatofthe“goodpot”–whichisastagewherehavingdoneretreatearnestly,bymerely

holdingapotwithyourmouthandexpressingyourwish, yourwish canbe fulfilled immediately.Nyung Nay practice is also highly beneficial to enhance one’s practices. Look at our Gurus, theirpocketsareemptyyettheyhavehugeDharmaprojectswhichgetactualisedeasily.Therewasonce

anastrologerfromHongKong,aMrHungIthink,whouponreceivingteachingfromthelateGesheLamaKonchoggainedrenunciationandbecameamonk.HewantedtoofferaJapanese(Suzuki)jeep(inNepal,Japanesecarsarehighlyvalued)butGesheLamaKonchog(GLK)refusedtoacceptit.He

cameupwithanideatobuyacarbysayingitwasforhisownusewhenhevisitedNepalandsentthemoneytobuythejeep.GeshelaandVenTenpaChodentriedtopersuadeGKLtoacceptthejeepbut GLK refused. Nevertheless we went ahead to purchase the jeep. Due to that incident, I was

forcedtolearndriving.Whenthejeeparrived,GLKstoppedusingKopanjeeptogodowntoBoudhaandwalkedtoBoudhaStupaandfor1year,Iwastheonlyonedrivingthejeep.Finally,IrequestedGeshela toplease sit in the jeep just once–hehadmany comments tomakeaboutmydriving !

(laughter)andIgotintoanaccident.Itwasverycostlytomaintainthejeep.Eventually,thejeepwassold and the proceeds used for Tara statues and for the building of the kitchen. On another

occasion,adevotedIndianfamilybuiltthehouseforhimbutashewasleavingtogotothecave,hedeclineditbuttheybeggedhimtostayinit.GLKalwaysheldtheviewthatconsuminganyofferings

madetohimwithoutofferingittotheTripleGemwasinappropriate.SimilarlywithKLZR,outwardlyasimpleLama,yetintruthahighlyrealisedbeingwhoisapuretotalbodhicittapractitioner.Thisisjustoneexampleofhowmeritscomeabout;howthegreatbeingsaccumulatethem.

Doing retreat is themain factor in enhancing one’s practice of Highest Yoga Tantra (HYT). In the

Yamantakapractice,doing thecommitment retreatcompletewith firepuja isvery important. It isnotaboutritual.It’sapowerfulyoga.Itmakesthepractitioner’slifemorecomplete,withoutwhicheventhoughonereceivetheinitiation,oneremainsfragileandinsecureinutilisingthepractice.A

lotofobstaclesmaycomewhenpreparing for theYamantaka retreat,hence theadvice todo theLama Tsongkhapa Guruyoga retreat beforehand. After completing the Yamantaka retreat, self‐initiation practice can be embarked upon and is a great enhancement of your tantric practice.

However,notethatevenifonecompletes110,000mantra,withoutthefirepuja,onecannotdoself‐initiation.

V62 Thentoreceivethepreceptorinitiation

Youmustpleaseanexcellentspiritualteacher

Throughservice,valuablegiftandthelike

Aswellasthroughobedience

OneshouldreceiveInitiationsfromaqualifiedmaster.Itisbestifheisholdingfullordinationvows,is completely renounced, completely compassionate. Initiation is thedoorway to tantra.Although

one can get information from the Internet, there will not be much benefit because when onereceives teachings from a qualified master, there is the blessing of the lineage, the vows, the

teachingswhichareoraltransmissions.

One should devote to the Guru through making offerings, performing service and following hisadvice which is Dharma. It’s not about physical closeness and giving material things; it is aboutdevelopingthemindandheartinaccordancewithDharmaandtherebypleasetheGuru.Ifyouonly

relatetotheGuruatphysicallevel,whentheGurudeparts,you’relost.Wecannotcultivateinthisway.Whateverhappens,wemustbeabletocarryonourpracticeinastableway.Weshouldhavenonattachment toGuruat thephysical levelbutmergeone’sheartwith theGuru inone’seffort

towardsBuddhahood.Whetherone’sGuruispresentornot,oneneedstobefullyconfidentinone’spractice,aswellasthe increasingofone’sdevotiontohim.WeareveryfortunatetohaveaGurusuchasKLZRandtoreceiveteachingsfromhim.

Ifwearenotcarefulaboutone’sphysicalclosenesswiththeGuru,onewillnotbeabletodistinguish

between desirous attachment towards the Guru and proper devotion to himwith the aspirationtowardsenlightenment.KLZRhandlesthisinthebestwaybyrarelyappearingtousbutwhenheispresent, he fills our lives with Lam Rim and the entire Dharma and teaches us to be detached.

Understandthateachrealisationwegainisanofferingtoone’sGuru.

When one has received a HYT Initiation, one can then engage in the two stages of the path =generation stage and completion stage practices. Take for example the Yamantaka practice. The

Yamantaka long sadhana is a more detailed teaching on the generation and completion stagepractices. But this can only be done after one receives the Commentary on the Long Sadhana.Otherwise, theYamantaka retreatwillnotbecomplete.So Iencourageeveryone toparticipate in

theupcoming2011teachingsfromDagriRinpoche,whoisthereincarnationofoneofthe16Arhatsand Lama Serlingpa; who is totally devoted to HH Dalai Lama and closest to KLZR. KLZR haspreviously advised that it is suitable for Dagri Rinpoche to give Yamantaka Initiation and related

teachings.

V63 Throughthefullbestowingofthepreceptorinitiation

Byaspiritualteacherwhoispleased

Youarepurifiedofallwrong‐doing

Andbecomefittogainpowerfulattainments

PleasingtheGuru (throughabidingbytheDharma) is thegreatestpurificationofnegativity.Makesurewedon’tmisunderstandthispoint.PleasingtheGurureferstoonegainingrealisationsonthePath;keepingtheGuru inone’sheart issolelyto inspireonetoactualiseone’srealisationsonthe

Path.Ifwedothis,wearefittogainpowerfulattainments.

Verse64 BecausetheGreatTantraofthePrimordialBuddha

Forbidsitemphatically

Thoseobservingpureconduct

Shouldnottakethesecretandwisdominitiation

Verse65 Thoseobservingtheausterepracgiceofpureconduct

Weretoholdtheseinitiations

Theirvowofausteritywouldbeimpaired

Throughdoingthatwhishisproscribed.

Verse66 Thiscreatestransgressionswhichareadefeat

Forthoseobservingdiscipline

Sincetheyarecertaintofalltoabadrebirth

Theywillnevergainaccomplishments.

Inordertoreceivethefull,4stagesofinitiations,fullyordainedmonksandnunsshouldnotreceivethe stages of the secret and wisdom initiations because there are elements which can only be

declaredtonon‐ordained,ripeneddisciples.Ifoneisordainedwithhighrealisations,thenitwouldbepossible to receive theseparticular secret andwisdom initiations. Theseparticular initiationsaffecttheordinationvows.Strictlyspeaking,anordinaryordainedpersonshouldofferbacktothe

master theordination vowsduring these2 stagesof initiation and takeback theordination vowsafterthem.

V67 Thereisnofaultifonewhohasreceived

Thepreceptorinitiationandhasknowledge

Ofsuchnesslistenstoorexplainsthetantras

Andperformsburntofferingrituals

Ormakesofferingsofgiftsandsoforth.

After receiving the Initiations froma qualifiedmaster and gaining the knowledge and ability, oneshould integrate it into one’s practice including retreat and concluding with the fire puja to

accomplishthefullaspectofthepractice.

V68 I,theElderDipamkarashri,havingseenit

Explainedinsutraandinotherteachings

Havemadethusconciseexplanation

AttherequestofJangchupOe

LamaAtishadescribeshimselfasElder(fullyordainedmonk)DipamkarashriandwhateverteachingsinthistextisnoneotherthantheBuddha’steachingsthathehaslearned,thathehastaughtthoseteachings,nolessandnomore,withthepurepreservationofthevowswithoutanytransgressions.

TheEnd