paltrul rinpoche the practice of the essence of the sublime heart jewel view meditation and action...

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The Practice ofthe Essence of the Sublime Heart Jewel,View, Meditation and Action

The Propitious Speechfrom the Beginning, Middle and End

byPatrul Rinpochetranslated byThinley Norbu


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Introduction

Patrul Rinpoche was an emanation of Shantideva, who isinseparable from Avalokiteshvara (Tib. Chenrezig). Fromamong the many commentaries and precious teachings whichhe wrote, I thought it the most beneficial to translatePropitious Speech from the Beginning, Middle and En.d,which explains how to practise with the six syllables: OM MANIPADME HUM. I translated this text with my friends in order tobenefit many beings, including Ernie McCormick and PipNicholls who asked me for a teaching on the best way.

When a text written by a sublime person is translated byan ordinary person like myself, translation becomes moredangerous than original composition because many preciouspoints of view can be lost. The translator is like the weaktrekker who cannot climb to the top of Mt Everest and mustexplain about it through maps, pictures and the view from thebase camp. The superior trekker who reaches the top of MtEverest can see all the different levels within space, asVairocana did. The author just shows his own lungs, kidneys,liver, heart, veins, gall bladder and spleen. It does not matterwhether his writing is beautiful or disgusting. There is no oneinterpolating.

There are two different styles of translation. One is fromword to word and the other is from word to meaning. It is bestto do both without losing words, syntax, order, grammar andespecially meaning. Yet because of different styles sometimesit is impossible to translate literally, so one must try to

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predominantly translate the meaning. As much as possible,and in my own style, I have tried not to lose the meaning. Ifothers can translate this text in a different style through theirown understanding mind, then it would also be beneficial andkind.

According to this teaching, these six syllables are theessence of all syllables. The definitions and benefits of thismantra are innumerable. Briefly, with a view to gain liberationfrom the six realms, the explanation is:

OM doses the door to the suffering of being reborn inthe gods' realm. The suffering of the gods is the foreseeing ofone's fall from the gods' realm when one dies. This sufferingcomes from pride.

MA closes the door to the suffering of being reborn inthe warring gods' or Asuras' realm. The suffering of these antigods is constant fighting. This suffering comes from jealousy.

Nl doses the door to the suffering of being reborn in thehuman realm. The suffering of humans is birth, sickness, oldage and death. This suffering comes from desire.

PAD (pronounced PE) doses the door to the suffering ofbeing reborn in the animal realm. The suffering of animals isstupidity, preying upon one another, being killed for meat andskins, and being beasts of burden. This suffering comes fromignorance.

ME doses the door to the suffering of being reborn inthe hungry ghosts' realm. The suffering of hungry ghosts ishunger and thirst. This suffering comes from greed.

HUM (pronounced HUNG) closes the door to thesuffering of being reborn in the hell realms. The suffering of thehells is heat and cold. This suffering comes from anger andhatred.


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This text was translated at the place where the fourthBuddha's lotus feet blessed the land; where the bodhisattvasManjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani were wisdommessengers of all the Buddhas' wisdom body, speech andmind; where they raised and blessed many stupas and goldentiled temples with their sunshine wisdom; where they prayedfor all sentient beings to accumulate merit and benefit fromthese holy sites; where one can pray to reach stainlesscompassion, the same as Chenrezig.

OM MANI PADME HUM

Thinley NorbuBoudhanath, Nepal


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Namo Lokishwaraya I

Even if just one nectar drop of your name falls on our ears,it fills them with the sound of Dharma for many lives.Wondrous Triple Gem, reknowned for your glory,may you always give the auspicious.

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I, illusory Dharma image, am like the mango fruit of Autumn,the outside seemingly ripened even though the inside is not.My mind and Dharma are not integrated.Therefore my expression of Dharma is not complete.Nevertheless, at your reverent request,without refusing, honestly I will speak.Without compromise to the vulgar beings of the Kali Yuga,I will speak and you should understand.The Lord of Lords, most reknowned sage,by the path of honesty attained the state of honesty,and to honest beings showed the honest noble path.Therefore he is called the greatest honest sage, isn't he ?Alas I In this degenerate age, the temperament of beings,their center of noble honesty, is diminished by the use of deceit.Therefore they have crooked minds and crooked speech.How can we trust those who lure others' minds?Alas I Mind is confused by beholding the beings of thisdegenerate age.Alas I Who can trust anyone's speech ?While remaining in this land of violent rakshas, be charitableto yourself.


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Previously, our own single mind,wandering and pushed by karma, took birth in this world.Now, like removing a single hair from butter,leave everything and go alone.

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This is impossible without having good intention for ourselves.This is impossible without having honesty for ourselves.By not accomplishing the essence of Dharma for our ownbenefit, we destroy our own dominion by ourselves, don't we?The intentional actions of people in the Kali Yuga are so base,whoever cannot be of benefit just lures us.It is also difficult for us to benefit them,so it is better to cut the commotion, isn't it ?However superior people are served, they are never satisfied.However inferior people are supported, they are never content.Even though we love others, they rarely love us.You must understand this and have a determined mind.Even if one is learned, this is not beneficial; it often onlyincreases metaphysical debate.Even if one is a siddha, this cannot benefit others; it oftenonly attracts more abuse.Even if a high position is held, it cannot be sustained; itoften only incites revolt.You must understand this age of degeneration and have aweary mind.


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Even i f explanation is given, others misinterpret and will notaccept it as truth.Even if intention is beneficial, candid and from the heart,they keep their misconceptions.Behold this age when crookedminded people see honestones as crooked.The rope of hope and expectation must be cut, since itcannot benefit anyone.The Victorious One said : ccAII phenomena are like m a g i c > ~ . But what greater magic is there than the present age ?Enticing magicians are performing;fear the beguiling, hypnotising phantoms of the Kali Yuga.The Victorious One said : ccAII speech is like an echo>>.But now a much greater echois hypocritical speech.Shun these luring words.Whoever are seen are not human beings, they are deceivers.Whoever speaks, this is not speech, it is just luring words.Now there is no longer anyone to trust,so remain content alone.If bodily action is in accordance with Dharma, then mostpeople object.If speech is honest, then most people get angry.If pure from the heart, then most people consider it a fault.Now it is time to hide the selfnature.Hide body and stay in a solitary place.Hide speech and disengage from conversation.Hide mind and only watch your own faults.Therefore be called a hidden yogi.


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No one can be trusted, so have aversion.Nothing has essence, so be sorrowful.Whatever is wished for, there isn't time to accomplish, sostop wishing.To be a companion of these three is most beneficial.Now happiness is exhausted, there is no time for happiness.Not desiring sorrow, end the age of sorrow by practisingDharma.

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Whether happy or unhappy, know that it comes from karmicforce.Now, have no doubt or expectation in anyone.Hoping in others with false smiles,the self pretends with expectation,doing this and that with hopes and doubts.Now, when this occurs, do nothing.Even if death comes today, do not regret leaving samsaricdharma.Even if 100 years are survived, still, passing youth is notjoyful.Whether death or life comes, so what ?To accomplish Dharma for the next life is enough.Ah ! My sole lord, treasure of compassion,root guru, Lord Chenrezig,your six syllables of Dharma are the essence of speech.There is no source of hope except in you.


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Whatever is understood is just an understanding thought : nobenefit now.Whatever is done is lost for this l ife: no benefit now.Whatever is considered is lost into delusion : no benefit now.It is time to recite the six syllable mantra : true benefit now.The undeceiving sole refuge is the Triple Gem.The essence of the Triple Gem is Chenrezig.Having unchanging trust in Chenrezig,with confident determination, recite the six syllables.Compassion is the root of the Mahayana path.Vast compassion is the only path of all the Buddhas.Compassionate mind is inseparable from the noble path.With spontaneous compassion towards sentient beings, recitethe six syllables.From beginning ess time until nowwe have wandered in samsara,whatever was done has gone to sin and further wandering.Confess transgressions with heartfelt conviction,and with four perfect powers (I 1spontaneously recitethe six syllables.The attached, grasping mind is the cause of samsara.Therefore, offer up to sublime beings and give down to pitifulbeings accumulated virtues, including wealth and body.Dedicate samsara and nirvana to all beings.Throw away precious sentiments and recite the six syllables.The root guru is the essence of all the Buddhas.His kindness is much greater than that of all the Buddhas.The root guru and Chenrezig are inseparable.Have strong, enthusiastic faith and recite the six syllables.


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Purify all obscurations : (2) follow the path of meditation andthe four kayas (3) are realized.Chenrezig is holder of the four initiations.(4)When selfnature is recognized as the root guru, the fourinitiations are accomplished.Spontaneously attaining self-initiation, recite the sixsyllables.Samsara is just self-phenomena, nothing else.If it is known that all existing phenomena are the deity, thisautomatically benefits others perfectly.With four pure-phenomena initiations (5) given to beingsinstantaneously, thus stirring samsara's depths, recite the sixsyllables.Various systems of visualization cannot be complementarywithin the mind.If just one Buddha is visualized it is spontaneously the natureof all the Buddhas.Whatever phenomena arise is the Great Compassion Body,Chenrezig.Phenomena and emptiness are inseparable, natural deitybody, so recite the six syllables.Deity reliant mantras, obtaining mantras, and activitymantras (6) are only elaborations.The six syllables are the sound of Dharma, the allaccomplishing mantra.This sound is inseparable from the speech of sublime beings.By knowing the mind this empty sound is mantra, so recitethe six syllables.


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If conceptions of the two obscurations (7) are purified, thenexperience and realization naturally increase.If self-phenomena is conquered, then the paranoia demonsand enemies are naturally subdued.Chenrezig is the granter of common and supremeattainments in this life,

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thus the four activities (8) are spontaneously accomplished, sorecite the six syllables.Offer whatever phenomena arise as torma to the self-liberationguests.In the mold of emptiness make tsa-tsa (9) inseparably from allclay-phenomena that arise.Prostrate to the non-dualistic thatness-mind lord.Practise all-encompassing Dharma; recite the six syllables.Subdue the enemy of hatred with loving weapons.By the skillful means of compassion sustain your relatives,the beings of the six realms.In the fertile ground of faith grow the crops of experienceand realization.To accomplish perfectly these daily activities, recite the sixsyllables.Burn this old attachment corpse in the fire of non-attachment.Practise essence Dharma with present phenomena, thiscontains the seven periods. (tO)Accumulated merit is a smoke offering,perfectly dedicated to the deceased, so recite the sixsyllables.


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Son of faith, put your practice at Dharma's door.Prevent samsaric offsprings by aversion to this life'sphenomena-house.

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Betroth the daughter of compassion to the bridegroom of thethree realms.This perfectly accomplishes life's occupation for being, sorecite the six syllables.Limitless phenomena are delusion, never the truth.Samsara and nirvana are just conceptions, nowhere real.If it is known that arising thoughts are self-liberated, thisaccomplishes perfectly the stages of the path.By this pith of liberation, recite the six syllables.Awareness and great void, inseparable, is continuousDharmakaya.Without contriving, remaining in unending mind, luminosityself-arises.Spontaneously without effort, traverse the path by this solemethod and accomplish Dharma.Just leave awareness fresh and recite the six syllables.With calm, stillness-mind cut following moving thoughts.With moving thoughts watch on the calm, stillness-mind.There is no difference between stillness and movement,so sustain fresh ordinary mind.Remaining in this sole experience, recite the six syllables.


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By examining relative truth, establish absolute truth.By establishing absolute truth, watch how relative trutharises.These two truths are inseparable, conceptionless, unendingself-nature.This point of view is spontaneously free from elaboratemental activity, so recite the six syllables.On phenomena, cut attachment-mind.On mind, demolish innermost deceiving phenomena.Phenomena and mind, inseparable, is completely free ofduality's trap.Spontaneous realization is of one taste, so recite the sixsyllables.

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Natural mind is liberation into unending awarenessemptiness.The self-display of awareness-thought is self-purified.Inseparable mind and awareness is spontaneously GreatTigle.Non-meditation is spontaneous Dharmakaya, so recite the sixsyllables.If it is known that all appearing forms are the deity, this isthe pith of the generative visualization stage.Concepts of attachment to beautiful and ugly phenomena areself-liberated.Phenomena of mind, free of attachment, is the body of thesublime being, Chenrezig.Spontaneously self-liberating appearance-phenomena, recitethe six syllables.


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If it is known that all sounds are mantras, this is the pith ofchanting mantras.

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Concepts of attachment to good and bad reputation are selfliberated.Self-sound of samsara and nirvana, free of attachment, is thespeech of the six syllables.Spontaneously self-liberating hearing-phenomena, recite thesix syllables.If it is known that all scents are unborn, this is the pith of thecompletion stage.Concepts of attachment to fragrant and foul scents are selfliberated.Phenomena of scent, free of attachment, is the morality ofsublime beings.Spontaneously self-liberating scent-phenomena, recite the sixsyllables.If it is known that all tastes are gana chakra, this is the pithof offering.Concepts of attachment to delicious and distastefulphenomena are self-liberated.Phenomena of taste, free of attachment, is the favorite foodof sublime beings.Spontaneously self-liberating taste-phenomena, recite the sixsyllables.If it is known that all touch-phenomena are thatnessequanimity, this is the pith of balance.Concepts of attachment to warm and cold phenomena areself-liberated.Phenomena of outer and inner feeling, free of attachment, isthe effortless action of the deity.Spontaneously self-liberating touch-phenomena, recite the sixsyllables.


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If it is known that all phenomena are empty, this is the pithof point of view.

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Concepts of attachment to true and false judgements are selfliberated.Existence of all phenomena of samsara and nirvana, free ofattachment, is dwelling continuously in the Dharmakaya.Spontaneously self-liberating aggregate conceptions,recite the six syllables.Do not follow after the object of hatred, just watch on thegrasping hatred-mind.Self-arisen anger-phenomena are self-liberated intoemptiness-clarity.There is no Mirror-like Wisdom other than this emptinessclarity.Spontaneously liberating hatred, recite the six syllables.Do not follow after the object of pride, just watch on thegrasping proud-mind.Self-arisen, self-righteous pride is self-liberated intoprimordial emptiness.There is no Equanimity Wisdom other than this primordialemptiness.Spontaneously liberating pride, recite the six syllables.Do not follow after the object of desire, just watch on thegrasping attachment-mind.Self-arisen attachment-phenomena are self-liberated intoemptiness-bliss.There is no Discerning Wisdom other than this emptiness-bliss.Spontaneously liberating desire, recite the six syllables.


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Do not follow after the object of jealousy, just watch on thegrasping jealous-mind.Self-arisen jealousy is self-liberated into emptiness-activity.There is no Unhindered Activity Wisdom other than thisemptiness-activity.Spontaneously liberating jealousy, recite the six syllables.

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Do not follow after the object of ignorance, just watch on theface of ignorance.Self-arisen thought is self-liberated into emptiness-awareness.There is no Dharmadatu Wisdom other than this emptinessawareness.Spontaneously liberating ignorance, recite the six syllables.Primordial emptiness-form is unborn like the sky.Sole emptiness-awareness is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Namkhai Gyalpo. (11)Spontaneously dwelling in emptiness point of view, recite thesix syllables.Like a lasso, feeling binds subject and object.Realizing non-dualistic equanimity is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Donyod Shagpa. (11)Spontaneously realizing equal taste, recite the six syllables.Perceiving phenomena as real is deluded mind.Leading all sentient beings with compassion is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Khorwa Dongtrug. (11)Spontaneously increasing aimless compassion, recite the sixsyllables.


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With intention one wanders in the cyclic six realms ofsamsara.Realizing that samsara and nirvana are the same isChenrezig.There is no other sublime Drodul Thugje Chenpo. (11)Spontaneously benefitting without discrimination and withone taste, recite the six syllables.The natural aspect of the eight consciousnesses, (12)if realized as Dharmakaya thatness-mind, is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Gyalwa Gyatso. (11)Knowing natural mind is Buddha, recite the six syllables.

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To grasp body-phenomena as substance is the cause of beingbound.To know emptiness-phenomena is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Khasarpani. (11)Remaining in emptiness-phenomena, the form of the deity,recite the six syllables.To grasp speech-phenomena as sound is the cause of delusion.To know emptiness-sound is mantra is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Senge Ora. (11)Recognizing all sounds are mantras, recite the six syllables.To grasp mind-phenomena as real is the cause of ignorance.To remain in conceptionless nature is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Semnyid Ngalso. (11)Remaining in the Dharmakaya thatness-mind, recite the sixsyllables.


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All existing phenomena are primordially pure, the nature ofthe Dharmakaya.Seeing the stainless self-face of the Dharmakaya is Chenrezig.There is no other sublime Jigten Wangchug. (11)Spontaneously remaining in all-pervading pure phenomena,recite the six syllables.Sole Lord, Chenrezig, is the essence of all Buddhas.Sole mantra, the six syllables, is the essence of all mantras.Sole Dharma, Bodhicitta, is the essence of the generative andcompletion stages.Spontaneously remaining in sole understanding, completeliberation, recite the six syllables.What is the benefit of having done so much in samsara ? It isonly the cause of more samsara.Look at the meaningless nature of whatever we have done.Now it is better to forget meaningless action and remain inthe effortless nature.Forget all activities, recite the six syllables.What is the benefit of whatever we say? It is only the causeof gossip.Look at the meaningless distractions we create.Now it is better to forget meaningless talk and remain in aspeechless state.Absolutely stop talking, recite the six syllables.


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What is the benefit of coming and going ? It is only the causeof fatigue.Look at how much we wander, this much distance fromDharma.Now it is better to establish relaxed mind, single pointedly.Be at ease, recite the six syllables.What is the benefit of eating ? It is only the cause of shit.Look at how much we eat but still are never satisfied.Now it is better to be nourished by samadhi food.Stop compulsive eating and drinking, recite the six syllables.What is the benefit of so much thinking ? It is only the causeof delusion.Look at your wishing, it is never successful.Now it is better to cut ideas of this short worldly life.Completely stop thinking, recite the six syllables.What is the benefit of attachment to wealth ?Look at all the acquisitions abandoned at death.Now it is better to cut grasping attachment.Throw away the intention of collecting, recite the sixsyllables.What is the benefit of sleeping ? It is only continuousignorance.See how life is wasted by just waiting around.Now it is better to increase diligence from the heart.Abandon distractions day and night, recite the six syllables.No time, no time to be lax.If death comes suddenly what can we do ?Better to try to accomplish pure Dharma right now.Immediately and with haste, recite the six syllables.


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Secondly, to establish the point of view and meditation,even though I do not have the experience of realization,through the precious lineage of the all-knowing father andson, (13)

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I expressed my understanding by the grace of their preservedspeech.Lastly, even though I did not have the desire to speak,this speech, requesting you to change from weariness-mindto Dharma, automatically elapsed.It is the speech of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas,not the opposite, so i f you can practise that is very kind.This Propitious Speech from the Beginning, Middle and End,was accomplished in the Victorious Point White Rock Cave,urgently written for an insistent dear friend,by a ruined man with the flaming five fire passions. (14)Maybe it is only idle chatter,but i f it is undeluded noble truth, then there is a flowing ofaccumulated virtue.For you, for me and for all sentient beings,I dedicate this to the cause of successful complementaryDharma.


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46NOTES(1) Four Perfect Powers:1. supportive image power : power created using an image of superiorbeings in a tangible or intangible form.

2. dispelling obscurations power: with supportive image power,obscurations are dispelled through the power of weariness and regret.3. antidote power : with supportive image and dispelling-obscurationspower, merit is accumulated through the power of applying antidotes tothe obscurations.4. restoring to purity power : with the three powers, purification isattained resulting in confident action.(2) Four Obscurations : ripened karmic obscurations; passions-obscurations;

incognitive obscurations; and residual or habitual obscurations.(3) Four Kayas : nirmanakaya, sambhogakaya, dharmakaya,svabhavikakaya.(4) Four Initiations : vase, secret, wisdom and word initiations.(5) Four Pure Phenomena Initiations :

1. Body : all form is deity phenomena,2. Speech : all sound is deity speech,3. Mind : all thought is awareness mind,4. Essence : the essence is that these three are not different.(6) Deity reliant mantras, obtaining mantras and activity mantras aremantras with different concentrations and aims.(7) Two Obscurations : passion and cognition.(8) Four Activities : pacifying obscurations, increasing benefits, bringing

conditions under power and subduing evil and unfavorable interruptingforces.(9) Tsa-Tsa : miniature clay stupas offered in large quantities to stupas ofpilgrimage.(10) Seven Periods : rituals are performed for the deceased during a periodof up to three weeks or fourty-nine days after death.(11) These are names of Chenrezig used to symbolize different aspects of

this essence at appropriate place in the text.(12) Eight Consciousnesses : sight, sound, smell, taste, touch,consciousness, passions and the basic consciousness of not being, and

paltrul rinpoche the practice of the essence of the sublime heart jewel view meditation and action...

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