Notes Series

• The Eightfold Nature of Profundity from the Abhisamayālaṃkāra by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Notes on a single verse from Maitreyanātha's Abhisamayālaṃkāra (IV, 59) which identifies eight types of profundity related to arising, ceasing, suchness, the knowable, knowing, activity, non-duality and skill in means.

• Notes from the Oral Tradition on Ālaya, Ālaya Consciousness, etc. by Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol

These notes discuss the ālaya, or 'ground of all', as well as the ālaya-consciousness (ālaya-vijñāna) and other forms of consciousness from a practical, experiential perspective, rather than a scholastic or theoretical point of view. They drew upon the sayings and explanations of such masters as Adzom Drukpa, Tertön Sogyal and Dudjom Lingpa.

• Dependent Arising by Khenchen Ngawang Palzang

This brief text draws on the oral tradition of Patrul Rinpoche to explain three categories of dependent arising found in Longchen Rabjam's Great Chariot: 1) the dependent arising of the fundamental character (gshis) or ground (gzhi) of reality, 2) the dependent arising of saṃsāra, and 3) the dependent arising of nirvāṇa.

• Summary of Striking the Vital Point in Three Statements by Dudjom Rinpoche

These three single-sentence glosses clarify and expand upon Garab Dorje's famous 'Three Statements that Strike the Crucial Point'. Dudjom Rinpoche composed them while teaching in the West in 1976.

• Brief Dzogchen Instruction by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Simple instructions on the practices of Trekchö and Tögal composed at the request of the daughter of Katok Gyalse Kunzang Rinpoche.

• Summary of the Key Points of Advice on Trekchö by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Written at the request of Lhasé Sogyal, the king of Yönru in Lithang, this short text covers the key points of Trekchö, from the foundational prerequisites to the unique Dzogchen preliminary of 'demolishing the house of the ordinary mind' and the main meditation practice of Dzogchen itself.

• Principles of the Dzogchen Practice of Khordé Rushen by Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje

In this short essay, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche explains the theory behind the Dzogchen preliminary practice known as Khordé Rushen ('khor 'das ru shan), or separating the domains of saṃsāra and nirvāṇa.

• The Five Wisdoms by Nyoshul Khenpo Jamyang Dorje

Definitions of the five wisdoms (ye shes lnga), i.e., the wisdom of dharmadhātu, mirror-like wisdom, wisdom of equality, wisdom of discernment and all-accomplishing wisdom, according to the oral tradition of Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, aka Khenpo Ngakchung.

• The Four Uncommon Samayas of the Great Perfection by Tsultrim Zangpo

Simple, pithy explanations of the four uncommon Dzogchen samayas: non-existence (or absence), evenness, spontaneous presence, and oneness.

• Brief Explanation of Clarification and Transcendental Resolution from the Oral Tradition of Nyala Sogyal by Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol

This brief explanation of the important Dzogchen notions of clarification (shan 'byed) and transcendental resolution (la blza ba) was composed by Tertön Sogyal and recorded in the collected writings of Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol.

• How Liberation and Delusion Develop Out of the Clear Light of the Ground, etc. by Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol

In these brief notes, Chöying Rangdrol explains what is meant by the 'youthful vase body', and outlines how liberation occurs in the intermediate state (bardo), and how delusion develops should we fail to recognise the nature of bardo appearances.

• 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).

• The Bright Lamp of Wisdom: A Guide to the Practice of Guru Yoga (Yeshe Saldrön) by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Extensive notes on the Bright Lamp of the Heart Essence (Nyingtik Saldrön) practice preceded by a general discussion of guru yoga and the importance of following a teacher.

• The Seed of Reasoning: Notes on the Five Great Logical Arguments of the Middle Way by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo

A brief text summarizing the five great logical arguments of the Madhyamaka, or Middle Way: 1) the investigation of the cause: the Diamond Splinters; 2) the investigation of the result: refuting existent or non-existent effects; 3) the investigation of both: refuting the four permutations of arising; 4) the investigation of essential identity: ‘neither one nor many’; and 5) the logical argument of Great Interdependence.

• Notes on the Seven Points of Mind Training by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

These notes on the Seven Points of Mind Training appear to derive from the celebrated commentary of Sé Chilbu Chökyi Gyaltsen (1121–1189). Unfortunately the notes do not cover the entire root text and their brevity is suggestive of lecture notes or an aide-memoire.

• Brief Notes on the Visualization for the Concise Recitation of the Pure Vision Preliminary Practice by Dudjom Rinpoche

Brief notes written by Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche himself and incorporated into the recited text of the concise version of the Dudjom Tersar ngöndro.

• Notes from Miscellaneous Writings by Khenpo Shenga

Notes on the general preliminary points to be made before commenting upon any of the major Indian treatises, such as what is meant by “In the language of India...” and the four rubrics of subject matter, immediate purpose, connection and ultimate purpose.

• On the Ignorance of the Learned by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima

A candid, somewhat comical description of what it means to take a limited and superficial approach to scholarship, which Jigme Tenpe Nyima tells us is based on his own experience.

• Types of Spiritual Song by Khenpo Shenga

A list of the various types of spiritual song (mgur dbyangs) including dohās based on realization, songs of devotion, and expressions of joy and contentment.

• Notes on the Heart-Essence Practices of the Channels and Wind-Energies by Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje

These notes provide a brief but valuable overview of the practices of Tsa Lung (rtsa rlung)—literally 'channels and wind-energies'—according to the Longchen Nyingtik tradition. The text identifies some important literary sources that explain the theory behind the training, warns of potential pitfalls and highlights the benefits.

• On the Yogācāra Treatises and Buddha Nature by Khenpo Shenga

This short text, which is untitled in the original Tibetan, briefly discusses the Five Treatises of Maitreya, the writings of Asaṅga, and the fact that the buddha nature, or sugatagarbha, is not empty of its own immaculate qualities.

• Lamp That Illuminates the Excellent Path of Great Bliss: A Guide to the Practice Text of the Female Awareness-Holder, the Queen of Great Bliss by Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpe Nyima

This is the second major commentary on Yumka, the ḍākinī practice of the Longchen Nyingtik, (not including Jigme Lingpa's own writings) after the much longer and more elaborate Raṭik, which it supplements. The text begins with a discussion of the role and significance of Yeshe Tsogyal, and then proceeds to examine the practice itself, highlighting its special qualities and elaborating on many of its profound and subtle features.

• Pedagogy Series