The Condensed Chronicle by Orgyen Padma

13 Pages·2008·0.122 MB·English

by  Tony Duff

THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE
BY ORYGAN PADMA
(cid:89) (cid:90)
BY LOTSAWA TONY DUFF
PADMA KARPO TRANSLATION COMMITTEE
THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE
BY ORYGAN PADMA
(cid:89) (cid:90)
BY LOTSAWA TONY DUFF
PADMA KARPO TRANSLATION COMMITTEE
Copyright © 2008 Tony Duff. All rights reserved. No portion of this
book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or TABLE OF CONTENTS
mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information
storage or retrieval system or technologies now known or later
developed, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Introduction ............................................. vii
The Condensed Chronicle by Orgyan Padma ................... 1
First edition 22nd December, 2006 Notes .................................................. 13
Janson typeface with diacritical marks
Designed and created by Tony Duff
Tibetan Computer Company
http://www.tibet.dk/tcc
Produced, Printed, and Published by
Padma Karpo Translation Committee
P.O. Box 4957
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Web-site and e-mail contact through:
http://www.tibet.dk/pktc
Or search Padma Karpo Translation Committee on the web.
TRANSLATOR’S INTRODUCTION
The text is a record of a discourse by Guru Padmasambhava given at the request
of Prince Muthri Tsenpo, one of the four sons of the dharma king of Tibet,
King Trisong Deutsen. The discourse chronicles the lives of Padmasambhava
before, present, and after. It also makes many predictions about the future.
At the end of the discourse, Padmasambhava instructs the great Lotsawa
Vairochana to write the discourse down and conceal it in the rooms at the
top of Samye Monastery. The text was revealed as a treasure by Orgyan Lingpa.
He wrote a small colophon which appears at the end of the text.
On the occassion. Padmasambhava gave his life story in a very condensed form.
He gave a much longer version on another occassion, and that full version
is called “The Chronicles of Padma” (padma bka’ thang).
This condensed version of the Chronicles is commonly used as a text for
recitation. Thrulzhig Rinpoche explained the virtues of reciting the text, which
are that it will tend to overcome obstacles and increase the general state of
auspiciousness. The more that you do it the better, of course, but Thrulzhig
Rinpoche suggested that it would be good to recite it once a month, if possible.
Orgyan Lingpa, the revealer of the text, suggests that you could treat it as you
would your yidam and recite it over and over again, and that if you did do that,
it would have great effects. Orgyan Lingpa makes the point that, if you read
this condensed version just one time but do it with the three things that are
the hallmark of the best style of reading or chanting—clear pronunciation,
correct pronunciation, and pleasant-sounding intonation—then it will be just
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viii THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE ix
as effective as reading the full version of the Chronicles. If you do use it for Kathmandu,
recitation, note that Orgyan Lingpa’s colophon is not part of the Chronicles Nepal
and is not recited with it. December 22, 2004
I have not provided many notes to this edition. There are other books available
that have sufficient of the history surrounding Padmasambhava and his times
that you should be able to read them and thus understand all the details of
this Condensed Chronicle.
One of the unique things that identifies a revealed treasure is the use of a special
punctuation mark. Instead of the usual vertical stroke (called shay) that serves
as a break-mark in Tibetan text, a special mark called a terma-break is used;
Î
it looks like this . Some years ago Nalanda Translation Committee was
translating revealed treasures and they discussed the work with Dilgo Khyentse
Rinpoche who was visiting at the time. One of the things that Rinpoche felt
important was that the terma-breaks should be retained, somehow, because
it is these marks that immediately and definitely indicate to the reader that
the text is a revealed treasure. Accordingly, I have kept the terma-break marks
in this translation.
The original is in Tibetan verse which makes it very useful for recitation.
However, the content is not poetry, it is prose. Therefore, the translation
is written out as prose with the terma-break marks placed according to the
verse-lines of the original. This not only fulfills the need for the terma marks
but also gives the reader a guide to the rhythm used when reciting it in the
Tibetan. This is a bit of an experiment, I freely admit. However, I’m quite
convinced that a little experimentation is in order these days, so that we could
have prayers in our own languages that really work for us as non-native Tibetan
speakers.. I’ve made the terma-break marks small enough that they do not
detract—at least not too much—from the text.
Lotsawa Tony Duff
Bauddha,
THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE
BY ORGYAN PADMA
Î
In Oddiyana language: buddha dharma sanghadhya
In English language:
Î
I take refuge always and respectfully
Î
In the buddha, dharma, and sangha.
Î
Padmasambhava, the being who guides shows this biography for the beings
Î
to be tamed and so provides protection through informed faith for the fortunate
Î
ones.
Î
E MA HO
Then, prince Mutri TsanpoÎ invited the acharya of the tiers of three races1Î
Î
and seated the acharya on a throne of five-coloured brocade nine deep, seated
Î
the preceptor on a throne of five-coloured brocade five deep and, at the head
Î
of the left and right rows on patterned seats seated the three lotsawas with
Î Î
Vairocana as chief. He offered many specially fine jewels, presented many
Î
gifts to go with his request, then politely said:
Î
E MA HO
Î
Great bodhisatva knowing the three times, you came into my father King
Î
Trisong Deutsen’s realm. Lamp of the teachings, you came into the cannibal
Î Î
lands. The Tibetan people have short lives distracted by haughtiness. From
1
2 THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE 3
Î Î Î
now until the end of the kalpa for the sake of fortunate ones, embodiment The father, basis of the teachings, the sangha is the nirmanakaya Shakyamuni.
Î Î Î Î
of the holy dharma, you, guru, because of my supplication please tell us the The father of the greater family line, royalty is the king Indrabodhi. The
story of your life in condensed form.Î Having been supplicated with those father, the earliest human met2Î is the dharma minister Trinadzin.Î The father
Î Î Î
words, the guru gave the following instruction: who is a friend with advice given out of love is the friend Ser ’Od Dampa.
Î
That was the second chapter, the chapter of the eight male fathers.
Î
Listen well, Mutri Tsanpo for the future’s sake I will show it in condensed
Î Î
form. E MA HO
Î
The third one shows the eight birth mothers. The mother, the lake of
Î Î Î
E MA HO Dhanakosha, is lotus stem and anther. The mother nothing-established
Î Î Î
There are eight male fathers, eight birth mothers eight emanation sons who great bliss is no-outflow Samantabhadri. The mother who praises the
descended into eight lands,Î eight places of residence and eight gurus attended,Î nirmanakayaÎ is Vajrayogini.Î The mother of the Tsan3 who serve self-grasping
Î Î Î
eight signs of final accomplishment of yidams met face-to-face, eight charnel is the queen ’Od Chang Lhamo. The mother who performs charnel-ground
Î Î Î
grounds, eight dharmas, eight disciples, eight isolated places and eight ladies yogic discipline is glorious Vajravarahi. The mother who confers the four
Î Î Î Î
come close to the heart, eight enlightened deeds and eight concealed treasures, empowerments complete is Bhikshuni Kunga Monlam. The mother entrusted
Î Î Î
eight profound dharmas of practice and eight dharma-owning Lingpas. with the meaning of precepts is dakini Layki Wangmo. The mother who
Î Î
plants the life pole of the teaching is Jetsun Arya Tara. That was the third
Î Î
E MA HO chapter, the chapter of the eight birth mothers.
Î
The first one shows how the eight named gurus descended. Setting the sentient
Î Î Î
beings of the three realms at ease is guru Padma Jungney. Sovereign of the E MA HO
Î Î Î
teaching, the dharma lord is guru Padmasambhava. The three pitakas without The fourth one shows the eight emanation sons. The son who made the holy
Î Î Î Î Î
flaws is Guru Padma Gyalpo. Every bliss complete in body is Guru Dorje dharma happen in Tibet is the dharma king Songtsen Gampo. The son who
Î Î Î Î
Trollo. All vehicles unfurled in the space of equality is Guru Nyima Ozer. caused the holy dharma to spread and flourish is the dharma king Trisong
Î Î Î Î
Eight arranged on one body is Guru Shakya Senge. Proclaiming the sound Deutsen. The son who stabilized the holy dharma so that it would not wane
Î Î Î Î
of dharma to all six classes is Guru Senge Dradog. Who performs the knowing is the dharma prince Mutri Tsanpo. The son who held the teaching properly
Î Î Î
of every knowable is Guru Loden Choksey. That was the first chapter, the is the commoner in the retinue Lu’i Wangpo. The son who pacified the fierce
Î Î Î
chapter of the eight named gurus. ones is the Indian Acharya Krishna. The son who will revive the teaching
Î Î
after it declines is the refuge-guardian of degenerate times, Jowo Lord. The
E MA HOÎ son who will tame whoever is to be tamedÎ is Telo Prajnabhadra4.Î The son
Î Î Î
The second one shows the eight male fathers. The father of expanse-rigpa’s who will uphold the teachings of meditators is the doctor Chandragomin.
Î Î Î
consciousness is dharmakaya Samantabhadra. The father of abandonment That was the fourth chapter, the chapter of the eight sons.
Î Î
of both showings of birth and death is the guardian Amitayus. The father
Î Î Î
over all the aryas of the six classes is buddha Amitabha. The father, root E MA HO
Î Î
of dharma, bodhicitta is the sambhogakaya, The Great Compassionate One.
4 THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE 5
Î Î
The fifth one shows the eight countries of descent. Born in a lake, I descended and wrathful Mamos in their entirety. That was the seventh chapter, the
Î Î
into the country of Orgyan. Come as a king’s son, I descended in the country chapter of the eight gurus attended.
Î
of Sahor. Come to defeat the four maras, I descended in the country of the
Î Î Î
Tirthikas. Possessing magical abilities, I descended into Vaishali. Possessing E MA HO
Î Î
hearing and contemplation, I descended into the country of Kashmir. The eighth one shows the eight yidam deities met face-to-face. The faces
Î Î
Performing others’ benefit, I descended into the country of Li. Totally famed of the eight logos of practice were distinguished then the great siddhi of each
Î Î Î
as indisputable, I descended into Nepal. Through the force of prayers, I one’s precepts was attained in the eight fearsome charnel grounds. In Cool
Î Î
descended into Tibet. That was the fifth chapter, the chapter of the eight Grove Charnel Ground, I practised Amrita and attained face-to-face meeting
Î Î
countries of descent. with Amritakundalin’s deity assembly. In Great Hum Resounding, I practised
Î
Yangdag and attained face-to-face meeting with mind Yangdak’s deity
Î Î Î
E MA HO assembly. In the Fearsome Grove, I practised Yamantaka and attained face-to-
Î Î
The sixth one shows the eight places of residence. Planting the pitakas, I face meeting with body Manjushri’s deity assembly. In Stacked Lotuses, I
Î Î Î
resided in Magadha. Having the discipline of the Vinaya, I stayed in Vajrasana. practised Hayagriva and attained face-to-face meeting with speech Lotus’s
Î Î Î
Renowned in the ten directions, I resided in the pleasant grove. Not falling deity assembly. In Corpse Littered Grove, I practised Kilaya and attained
Î Î
into extremes, I resided in Sosaling. Training in bodhicitta, I resided in Singha- face-to-face meeting with activity Kilaya’s deity assembly. In Stacked
Î Î Î
la. Leaving off self-grasping, I resided in Changra Mugpo. Taking the three Spontaneous Presence, I practised the Mamos and attained face-to-face meeting
Î Î
realms under my control, I resided at Yanglaysho. Invited by the king, I resided with Mamo Sorcery’s deity assembly. In Spread of Great Bliss, I practised
Î Î
at tiered Samye. That was the sixth chapter, the chapter of the eight places Worldly and attained face-to-face meeting with Worldly Offerings and Praises’
Î Î Î
of residence. deity assembly. In Stacked Worlds, I practiced Wrathful Mantra and attained
Î
face-to-face meeting with Curses Wrathful Mantra’s deity assembly. That
Î
E MA HO was the eighth chapter, the chapter of gaining accomplishment in the eight
Î Î
The seventh one shows the eight gurus attended. I attended the great guru, charnel grounds.
Î Î
Shri Singha and requested the dharmas of Great Completion in their entirety.
Î Î
I attended the Indian Preceptor, Prabhahasti, took ordination then did the E MA HO
Î Î Î
things of a monk. I attended the chief dakini Laykey Wangmo and requested The ninth one shows the eight signs of final accomplishment. When the
Î Î
the dharmas of the peaceful and wrathful eight logos in their entirety. I attended Orgyan King tried to exile me, I showed the sign of accomplishment of control
Î Î Î
the Rigden King Padma Karpo and requested the dharmas of Kalachakra over the dakinis. When the Indian King tried to impale me on a stake, I
Î Î Î
in their entirety. I attended Vimamitra in Kashmir and requested the dharmas showed the sign of accomplishment of limbs unaffected. When the Tirthika
Î Î
of the peaceful and wrathful Amrita in their entirety. I attended Manjushmitra King tried to drown me, I showed the sign of accomplishment of not being
Î Î Î
in Singhala and requested the dharmas of the peaceful and wrathful Yamantaka carried off by water element. When the Sahor King tried to burn me, I showed
Î Î Î
in their entirety. I attended Nagarjunagarbha in the country of Sahor and the sign of accomplishment of not being burned by fire element. When acting
Î Î
requested the dharmas of the peaceful and wrathful Lotus in their entirety. as the king’s priest at Samye, I showed the sign of accomplishment of controlling
Î Î
I attended Dharmasamtri at Nalanda and requested the dharmas of the peaceful the eight classes. When the sovereign king grandly insisted on prostration
6 THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE 7
Î Î Î
to his eminence, by emanating fire that burned his clothes, I showed the E MA HO
Î Î
sign of accomplishment saying, “I am greater; I rule!” The demonic ministers The thirteenth one shows the eight enlightened activities. Unattached to
Î Î
snickered and laughed so I showed the sign of accomplishment of paralyzing samsara, various playful acts were performed. Equal to all buddhas, various
Î Î Î
and crumpling Zha Zhing. When the rakshasas of the south-west tried to miracles were performed. A corpse was brought back to life by yogic activity.
Î Î
annex us to their territory, I showed the sign of accomplishment of setting Dharma was shown to migrators as if they were father and mother. Through
Î Î
the rakshasas into dharma. That was the ninth chapter, the chapter of the defeating the host of maras, the buddha’s bodhicitta was enacted. To turn
Î Î
eight signs of final accomplishment. the wheel of dharma, I set foot in Tibet. To make dharma flourish and spread,
Î
precious treasures were concealed. As for the rakshasas attempt at annexation,
Î Î
E MA HO I set this world at ease. That was the thirteenth chapter, the chapter of the
Î Î
The tenth one shows the eight disciples holding the eight dharmas. Namkha’i eight enlightened activities.
Î Î
Nyinpo rode the sun’s rays. Sangyay Yeshe stuck a phurba into solid rock.
Î Î
Nganlam Gyalchog could make the voice of a horse. Yeshe Tshogyal brought E MA HO
Î Î Î
a murdered corpse back to life. Drogmi Pal enslaved mamos. Langchen The fourteenth one shows the eight concealed treasures. Knowing the points
Î Î
Senge brought the haughty ones under his control. Vairocana really is equal in time, mind treasure was concealed. Producing certainty through seeing
Î Î Î
to Orgyan. The sovereign king was able to produce manifestations. That and hearing, secret treasures were concealed. In code on gold paper, profound
Î Î
was the tenth chapter, the chapter of the eight disciples sending out emanations. treasures were concealed. Amazing, wondrous treasures of treasures were
Î Î
concealed. To aid the poor, jewel treasures were concealed. Variously taming
Î Î
E MA HO beings, minor treasures were concealed. Not any one thing in particular,
Î Î
The eleventh one shows the eight isolated places of prediction: Samye Chim- two treasures were concealed. To preserve the precious, heart treasures were
Î Î Î
phu, Lhodrag Kharchu, Drag Kyi Yang Dzong, Yarlung Shel Gyi Phug, concealed. That was the fourteenth chapter, the chapter of the eight concealed
Dragmar Yama, Mon’s5 Shri Dzong,Î Senge Dzong, and Paro Tagtsang Cave.Î treasures.Î
Î
That was the eleventh chapter, the chapter of the eight isolated places.
Î
E MA HO
Î Î
E MA HO The fifteenth one shows the eight dharmas that were practiced. There are
Î Î Î
The twelfth one shows the eight ladies taken to heart. The Indian wife is four summations and four ancillaries. First, there are the four summations:
Î Î Î Î
Mandarava. The suitable vessel is Yeshe Tshogyal. The one of outstanding guru summed up in the eight logos, yidam summed up in the eight logos,
Î Î Î
service is Chogro Zadron. The one of outstanding faith is Margyan Zatso. dakini summed up in the eight logos, and dharmapala summed up in the eight
Î Î Î
The one of outstanding manifest realization is Shelkar Tsedron. The king’s logos. Then, there are the four ancillaries. There is Great Completion,
Î Î Î
daughters are the four related wives. After gaining them, the outstanding the Sun. There is secret mantra, the graded path to entering the conduct.
Î Î Î
one is wife Tromgyan. The king’s delight is wife Padma Say. The queen’s There is the Wrathful Guru’s vidyamantras. There is the Arya Black Wrathful
Î Î
delight is Nujen Sa lay. That was the twelfth chapter, the chapter of the eight Lady. That was the fifteenth chapter, the chapter of the eight profound
Î Î
ladies. dharmas practised.
8 THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE THE CONDENSED CHRONICLE 9
Î Î
E MA HO emanation Lozang Dragpa will descend and the great being’s descent will
Î Î
The sixteenth one shows the eight dharma-owning Lingpas. They are the bring happiness to Tibet. At that time, those of the white side will gain
Î Î Î Î
emanations of eight, great beings: in the centre, Orgyan Lingpa; in the east, confidence of the upper hand. In Nyangmey Nyima Do, a fortress will arise;
Î Î Î Î
Dorje Lingpa; in the south, Rinchen Lingpa; in the west, Padma Lingpa; at Red Hill in Lhasa, a temple will arise; my emanation Orgyan Lingpa will
Î Î Î Î
in the north, Karma Lingpa; Samten Lingpa and Nyida Lingpa; Zhigpo descend; and twenty-five treasures will be recovered at that time.
Î
Lingpa and Terdag Lingpa will appear as the eight, great treasure-revealing
Î Î Î
Lingpas and definitely will be my, Padma’s, emanations. That was the When these words were spoken, the king wept. Once more he prostrated
Î Î Î
sixteenth chapter, the chapter of the eight dharma-owning Lingpas. and offered a mandala. “Great acharya, being who guides, what will happen
Î
to my family lineage after this? What sort of happiness will the subjects and
Î Î Î
E MA HO sentient beings of Tibet have? Please speak great guru.” With that request
Î Î Î
Great King, listen well! I, Padmasambhava, have the ordinary five extra he paid homage by repeatedly baring his head. Then the great guru gave
Î Î Î Î
perceptions future five extra perceptions past five extra perceptions present this instruction:
Î Î
five extra perceptions and unmeasured five extra perceptions. The five extra
Î Î Î
perceptions are how I know! Before came Amitayus, Amitabha, and, at Mount King, your royal line from now will disappear from Western Tibet like a mirror
Î Î Î
Potala, Avalokiteshvara, then at lake Dhanakosha, I, Padmasambhava appeared huffed on. After that, Tibetan kings will come by turns. Especially, a
Î Î Î Î
as such but this is merely a show where there appear to be three kayas in bodhisatva emanation named Dode Kalpa Zangpo will appear and with a
Î Î
fact, they are inseparable, not different individuals. Abiding in dharmadhatu, mole on his face, will assume the royal seat of Tibet, and the sun of happiness
Samantabhadra, andÎ in Densely Arrayed, great Vajradhara, andÎ at Vajrasana, will flicker fleetingly, like shade under an awning6.Î In three years—horse,
Î Î Î
the great sage himself are non-dual spontaneously present as Padma, myself. sheep, and monkey—there will be war with China. In the Water Male Monkey
Î Î Î
In this way I receive a stream of supplications. year, Yarlung will be an army camp. Finally, this Tibet will be under China.
There will be strife within families and strife outside the stable doors7.Î The
Î Î
In the one hundred-and-thirteenth generation of the king’s lineage a king Bumthang area will be annexed to the throne. An emanation of mine will
Î Î
ruling over a vast area will wage war on Tibet and all the subjects of Tibet descend and assume secular power as a protector of dharma. There will be
will become impoverished.Î My temples also will be destroyed.Î At that time, strife between the country of Nepal and Indian8 cities.Î In Tibet, the sun of
Î Î Î
my emanation known as “Sakya” will be born as the son named Drogon Phagpa happiness will only shine a little. Because you do bad acts it will be called
Î Î Î Î
Gyaltsen of a father named Jampal from Upper Tibet and mother named “a bad time” but the time will not have changed, the beings will! At that
Î Î Î
“Drolma”. He will restore my destroyed temples and cause the secret mantra time, there will be no merit or fame for men.
Î
to spread and flourish. Tibetan subjects and sentient beings will have ease
Î Î Î
and happiness. After that, Tibetan kings will appear in a hotch-potch way, I, Padma, will receive a stream of supplications. During the day, meditate
Î Î
some as dharma kings and some as evil kings. The dharma kings will act to on the Great Compassionate One and for sentient beings’ sakes recite the
Î Î Î
establish the discipline of dharma. The evil kings will act to destroy the mani; it will repay the kindness of the mothers and fathers of the six classes.
Î Î Î
discipline of dharma. In those times, the fortunes of men will rise and fall. During the night, meditate on me, Padma Jungnay and for your own sake,
Î Î Î
Predicted by the sage, in one of the Confluence Kham Highlands Atisha’s recite the Vajra Guru. I will protect all beings of the degenerate times. I