Mahāmudrā Series

• Memorandum on the Subject of Mahāmudrā and Dzogchen Instructions by Dongak Chökyi Gyatso

The author makes a distinction between “instructions that apply more generally” and “teachings that are intended for specific individuals” in order to argue for a gradualist approach that culminates in Mahāmudrā or Dzogchen for all but those of the very sharpest faculties (who are able to proceed to the highest teachings directly).

• Mahāmudrā Preliminaries, Main Part & Conclusion by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

Drawn from the collection of advice called Ambrosia of the Heart (snying gi bdud rtsi) this brief text offers a very simple guide to practising Mahāmudrā.

• Mahāmudrā: the Swift Way to Become a Lord of Realization by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

This brief explanation of how to meditate on the Mahāmudrā of the innate (lhan skyes phyag chen) on the path of liberation (grol lam) is taken from the Ambrosia of the Heart collection of advice.

• The Kusāli's Instruction on the Nature of Mind by Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye

In this text Jamgön Kongtrul, referring to himself as a "kusāli"—a virtuous beggar—offers instruction on how to sustain an experience of the essential nature of mind in meditation.

• A Way of Settling into the Realization of Mind’s Essence by Khenpo Gangshar

Khenpo Gangshar describes this pithy advice on how to be truly happy by settling into realization of mind's essential nature as "insane ramblings", but it will surely be of great benefit to practitioners.

• From the Mahāmudrā Preliminary Practices: Continuous Integration with Ground, Path, and Fruition by Khenpo Gangshar

Basic instructions on the preliminary contemplations of the rarity of the freedoms and opportunities, impermanence, karma and the sufferings of saṃsāra, followed by a simple explanation of the ground, path and fruition according to Mahāmudrā.

• Naturally Liberating Whatever You Meet: A Concise Instruction for Realizing the Nature of Mind by Khenpo Gangshar

A concise instruction pointing out the nature of mind, which Khenpo Gangshar offered to the students of Thrangu Shedrup Dargye Ling in 1957.

• Verses to Remove Hindrances and Sustain Realization of the Nature of Mind by Khenpo Gangshar

Gangshar Wangpo tells us that he based these verses—which explain how to eliminate obstacles to practice and sustain realization of mind's essential nature—on scripture, the oral instructions of his guru, and his own experience.

• The Mahāmudrā Practice of Stillness, Movement and Awareness by Mipham Rinpoche

In this short text of practical advice, Mipham Rinpoche defines mental stillness, movement and awareness and explains how understanding the 'secret of the mind' leads to deeper levels of realization.

• Instructions on the Fivefold Mahāmudrā by Situ Paṇchen Chökyi Jungne

This concise commentary draws from the tradition of Fivefold Mahāmudrā teachings passed down from Pakmodrupa to Jikten Sumgön, and thus especially emphasized within the Drikung Kagyü lineage. When included in a single session of practice, these five points—bodhicitta, guru yoga, yidam practice, Mahāmudrā, and dedication—are held to provide a complete path to awakening. Chokyi Jungné’s instruction expands upon traditional presentations by concluding with specific instructions on how to practice during all periods of the day, as well as at the time of death.

• Pointing Out Instruction by Situ Paṇchen Chökyi Jungne

A straightforward yet profound instruction on the nature of mind written in response to a request from an unnamed practitioner.

• The Ganges Mahāmudrā Instructions by Tilopa

This well-known and important source for the Mahāmudrā tradition, which is included within the Tengyur (Toh 2303), contains instructions that Tilopa imparted to Nāropa on the banks of the River Ganges.

• Aspiration of the Mahāmudrā of Definitive Meaning by Third Karmapa

Among the most celebrated texts in the whole Tibetan Buddhist tradition, this beautiful prayer of aspiration succinctly conveys the spirit and profundity of the Mahāmudrā view and practice.

• A Casket of Sacred Dharma: Stages of Meditation on Dependent Arising by Pema Karpo

Belonging to the set of instructions known as the Seven Excellent Interdependent Connections (rten 'brel rab bdun ma), this text by the great Kagyü teacher Pema Karpo (1527–1592) explains meditative equipoise, which is "the dependent arising that gives rise to excellent qualities", and post-meditation, which is the "dependent arising for perfecting the capacity".

• Concise Mahāmudrā Preliminary Practice from the New and Old Secret Mantra’s Ripening and Liberating Practices of Generation and Completion by Jedrung Jampa Jungné

A brief Taklung Kagyü preliminary, or ngöndro, that focuses on Vajradhara, the great Indian siddhas, and the masters of the Taklung Kagyü tradition.

• The Concise Mahāmudrā Preliminaries Arranged for Recitation by Karma Chakme

This extremely concise form of the Mahāmudrā preliminaries includes contemplations on the preciousness of human birth, impermanence, karma and the sufferings of saṃsāra, as well as the practices of taking refuge, generating bodhicitta, Vajrasattva visualization and recitation, maṇḍala offering and guru yoga.

• The Excellent Path of Definitive Meaning: An Unmistaken Expression of the Definitive Mahāmudrā by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

A short song of realisation that succinctly describes the ground, path and fruition of Mahāmudrā.

• Dzogchen Series

• Kagyü Series

• Meditation Series