Dispeller of Obstacles: The Heart Practice of Padmasambhava

270 Pages·2014·1.97 MB·English

by  Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche

DISPELLER OF OBSTACLES
The Heart Practice of Padmasambhava
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First paperback edition published in 2014
Distributed to the book trade by: Publishers Group West Publication data: ISBN 978-962-7341-96-3
(eBook) Dispeller of Obstacles, The Heart Practice of Padmasambhava Padmasambhava, Chokgyur Lingpa,
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Orgyen Topgyal
Rinpoche, Karmey Khenpo Rinchen Dargye, Tersey Tulku & Lama Putsi Pema Tashi Translated from the
Tibetan, based on the teachings of Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche by Erik Pema Kunsang (Erik Hein
Schmidt) Edited and compiled by Marcia Dechen Wangmo [Marcia Binder Schmidt]
Photos courtesy of Graham Sunstein
Cover photo courtesy of Chris Zvitkovits
FIRST EDITION
CONTENTS
Preface
Introductions
The Heart of Padmasambhava, Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche
A Short Introduction to the Barchey Künsel Cycle, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse
Rinpoche
Padmasambhava, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Removing Obstacles, Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche
Application
The Quintessence of Wisdom Openness, Yeshe Zangtal—Fourth Chapter of
Sheldam Nyingjang, Padmasambhava
Notes on Arrangement of the Liturgy for the Detailed Practice of Tukdrub
Barchey Künsel, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
A Seed of the Great Sal Tree, Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche
The Practice Manual for the Recitation of Approach and Accomplishment,
Dzapkyi Köljang—terma root text, Padmasambhava
Questions on Dzapkyi Köljang, Lama Putsi Pema Tashi
The Short Notes for Performing the Approach, Accomplishment, and Activities,
Chokgyur Lingpa
Key Points of Practice, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Teachings on Trinley Nyingpo, Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche
Notes on Completing the Recitation within Thirty-five Days, Jamyang Khyentse
Wangpo
Condensed Teachings on the Trinley Nyingpo Thirty-Five-Day Retreat, Lama
Putsi Pema Tashi
The Bindu of True Meaning, Karmey Khenpo Rinchen Dargye
Source Material
Additional Tibetan and English Texts, Audios, Videos, and Photos
Appendices
The Supplication to the Lineage of Tukdrub Barchey Künsel, Jamgön Kongtrül
Rinpoche
The Concise Manual for Daily Practice according to Lamey Tukdrub Barchey
Künsel, Padmasambhava
Sphere of Refined Gold, short excerpt, Jamgön Kongtrül Rinpoche
The Concise Quintessence, teaching on empowerment, Tersey Tulku
Notes
PREFACE
Marcia Dechen Wangmo
This book, Dispeller of Obstacles, The Heart Practice of Padmasambhava, is the
first in a new series presented by Rangjung Yeshe Publications. This series will
offer videos, audios, photos, and commentaries as supports for the practices of
the Three Roots. The Three Roots are the inner practices of tantra connected
with sadhanas for the lama, yidam, and dakini. As is often said, “The lama is the
source of blessings, the yidam the source of accomplishment, and the dakinis
and protectors are the source of activity.”
Apparent differences, such as gender or peaceful versus wrathful modes, do
not ultimately define these three, because in essence they are identical—the
display of the empty, cognizant, awake nature, rigpa. However, due to our
varying dispositions as sentient beings needing to be tamed, they manifest in
myriad ways to accomplish the utmost benefit. The qualities of each deity are the
fully perfected qualities of our buddha nature; we undertake this deity training in
order to connect with and accomplish that nature. Thus, we should practice
whichever deity moves us most profoundly.
As Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche said, “True blessings are the oral instructions on
how to become enlightened in a single lifetime, which you can receive from a
qualified master.” In a practical way, we can experience this ourselves, since our
guru is the source of guidance, inspiration, and strength for the Vajrayana path.
He or she is the most vital, meaningful person in our lives, dispelling hindrances
so we may progress in this tradition. Living in this degenerate age, we must
seriously study whatever we intend to practice. These sacred texts, our teachers’
words, and our own intellect and experience need to harmonize, in order to clear
away any misconceptions and doubts. The gift of teachings that we receive and
apply expands our ordinary way of seeing reality and breaks down our normal,
conditioned concepts.
Having a direct bond with a qualified, living teacher is our sole means of
being introduced to the nature of our minds and being able to recognize and train
in it. In the moment of love for our guru, we experience a gap, an opening free of
mental constructs and internal gossip. This space offers the possibility to come
into direct contact with the nature of our mind, true awareness. The Nyingma
and Kagyü traditions especially emphasize devotion and consider it
indispensable. This is another reason why guru practice is so exalted, because we
reach enlightenment by stabilizing the momentary recognition of our mind’s
nature and by continually maintaining that recognition. Without this, although
the path may be a very enjoyable one, it will definitely be quite long.
Guru practice offers an infusion of direct insight, whereby each step brings
us closer to accomplishing our teacher’s mind, as our teacher is no different from
the primary figure in any Three Roots practice. The Tukdrub Barchey Künsel
cycle of teachings presented here serves as an example and framework, although
any other guru practice will suffice. While the specifics relate to this cycle of
teachings, which I have chosen because I have the most familiarity and precious
material for it, the principles outlined are universal and applicable to all guru
practices. Such topics include development and completion stages, with
guidance on the three samadhis; the fourfold stakes of recitation; the four
recitation intents; and feasts, as well as advice for structuring a retreat. As with
guru practices, all sadhanas follow the same basic format; only the liturgies
differ. Thus, I have tried to offer teachings and advice that are general to all
sadhana practices.
This cycle of Tukdrub Barchey Künsel is a vast and profound terma, “hidden
treasure,” a revelation with a rich history that unfolds throughout the book. This
presentation is special, because it contains not only the root text and classical
commentaries by the tertöns, “hidden treasure revealers,” Chokgyur Lingpa and
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, but also explanations by modern-day masters, such
as Tulku Urgyen and Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoches.
This extensive cycle contains teachings and practices that encompass the
preliminaries up to and including the Great Perfection. Moreover, the main
sadhanas come in varying lengths, ranging from a few pages up to a few hundred
pages, and the subsidiary sadhanas consist of separate practices for each of the
main deities. Linking to a fresh terma has the power to imbue us with hot, juicy
blessings that invigorate our being and generate profound devotion and joy.
Gratitude goes to all the people who have helped to make this book a reality.
It has been a journey involving a living, breathing mandala of Dharma friends
and teachers, magnetized by the inexhaustible, inconceivable love for
Padmasambhava. With joy, it is offered to all receptive and fortunate beings, so
we may all become inseparable from the Lotus Master and reunite in the sublime
mandala of Sangdok Palri. In particular, thanks go to Erik Pema Kunsang for the
primary translation, Zack Beer for the secondary translation, Graham Sunstein
for photos and research, Anne Paniagua for editing and copyediting, Maryann
Lipaj for the cover design, Joan Olson for the book design, and Lynn Schroeder
and Michael Yockey for proofreading.
Once again, we are greatly indebted to Richard Gere and the Gere
Foundation and to its undaunted director, Mollie Rodriguez, who continue to
believe in our work and support it with graciousness.
This book was joyfully completed at the sacred place of Padmasambhava,
the Asura Cave in Pharphing, Nepal, on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month
in the year of the Water Snake (2.9.2014) by Marcia Dechen Wangmo. May it be
auspicious and may all countless beings benefit.