The Nature of Mind: The Dzogchen Instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne

222 Pages·2016·3.39 MB·English

by  Patrul Rinpoche et al.

“I am so happy to hear that this book is being published!
Having such texts is our great good fortune, the result of
our inconceivable merit. Patrul Rinpoche was a living
buddha, a bodhisattva in the flesh, so of course his
teaching can be trusted and relied on completely. He
wouldn’t lie to us! Moreover, Khenchen Palden Sherab and
Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal are exceptional, compassionate
masters of our time, not ordinary lamas. I think there is no
better way to practice than by following their commentary
precisely. It is my prayer that these teachings not only will
be read widely but also that each practitioner will bring
them into their heart with faith and sincerity.”
—Gyatrul Rinpoche, author of Meditation, Transformation,
and Dream Yoga
“Aro Yeshe Jungne’s inspirational teachings on the nature
of mind, which derive from the mind class of the Great
Perfection and are contained in the anthology of the
Nyingma Kama, flourished during the tenth to twelfth
centuries. A native of Langtang Dolma on the banks of the
Yangtze in Kham, Aro possessed the instructions of seven
successive masters of both Indian and Chinese lineages.
His teachings were revived during the nineteenth century
when they were recompiled by Patrul Rinpoche. Aro offers
access to the Dzogchen perspectives on the nature of mind
to persons of nine different capacities, ranging from those
in whom this realization is spontaneously and effortlessly
present to those who acquire it through the applications of
calm abiding and superior insight. The present volume
contains Sarah Harding’s clear and lucid translation of
Patrul Rinpoche’s work, along with the contemporary oral
commentary of the late Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche
and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. It is through their
kindness that these vital teachings are now widely
accessible.”
—Gyurme Dorje, translator of The Complete Nyingma
Tradition from Sutra to Tantra: Books 15 to 17: The
Essential Tantras of Mahayoga
ABOUT THE BOOK
Patrul Rinpoche, the beloved nineteenth-century master
best known for Words of My Perfect Teacher, collected the
teachings of the tenth-century adept Aro Yeshe Jungne and
synthesized them into the short text translated here as
Clear Elucidation of True Nature. How to put these
essential teachings into practice is the subject of the lively
commentary by the two Khenpo brothers, the late
Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang
Dongyal Rinpoche. The Dzogchen meditation instructions
of the Aro lineage are divided into nine sets, or nine levels,
with specific instructions for each on how to identify the
nature of the mind, how to abide in it as a way of life, and
how to liberate turbulent thoughts and emotions when they
arise. The commentary enfolds this instruction into a broad
general teaching suitable for beginners that serves as an
introduction to Dzogchen meditation, to the Nyingma
tradition, and to basic Buddhism.
KHENPO TSEWANG DONGYAL, along with KHENCHEN
PALDEN SHERAB, is a founder and director of
Padmasambhava Buddhist Center based at Padma Samye
Ling in upstate New York. PBC is a worldwide Buddhist
meditation and study network that includes local centers as
well as retreat centers and monastic institutions.
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The Nature of Mind
The Dzogchen Instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne
Patrul Rinpoche
COMMENTARY BY
Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal
SNOW LION
BOULDER
2016
Snow Lion
An imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc.
4720 Walnut Street
Boulder, Colorado 80301
www.shambhala.com
Root text translation © 1997, 2016 by Sarah Harding
Commentary © 2012, 2016 by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche This book is a
revised and updated edition of a book previously published under the title of
Pointing Out the Nature of Mind: Dzogchen Pith Instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne
(2012).
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: O-rgyan-’jigs-med-chos-kyi-dbang-po, Dpal-sprul, 1808–1887, author. |
Palden Sherab, Khenchen, 1938–2010. | Tsewang Dongyal, Khenpo, 1950– Title:
The nature of mind: the Dzogchen instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne / Patrul
Rinpoche; commentary by Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang
Dongyal.
Other titles: Theg mchog a ti’i man ngag gnas lugs gsal ston. English Description:
Boulder: Snow Lion, 2016. | Includes translations from Tibetan.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015019556 | eISBN 978-0-8348-4019-5 | ISBN 9781559394499
(paperback) Subjects: LCSH: Rdzogs-chen. | Rñiṅ-ma-pa (Sect)—Doctrines. | Ye-
shes ’Byung-gnas, A-ro, active 10th century—Teachings. | BISAC: RELIGION /
Buddhism Tibetan. | RELIGION Buddhism / Sacred Writings.
Classification: LCC BQ7662.4 .O728 2016 | DDC 294.3/444—dc23
LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015019556
Dedicated in the honor and memory of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche,
Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Lama Chimed Namgyal,
and all the lineage holders of these secret teachings,
as well as all the devoted practitioners
of the past, present, and future.
C
ONTENTS
Preface
Editor’s Introduction
CLEAR ELUCIDATION OF TRUE NATURE:
An Esoteric Instruction on the Sublime Approach of Ati by
Patrul Rinpoche. Translated by Sarah Harding
THE DZOGCHEN INSTRUCTIONS OF ARO YESHE JUNGNE:
A Teaching by Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo
Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche
1. Aro Yeshe Jungne and His Legacy
2. The Inner Hermitage
3. Bodhichitta and Impermanence
4. Opening the Aro Text
5. What Is the Nature of Your Mind?
6. Duality: Mind Deceiving Mind
7. The Nine Levels of Capability
8. Instructions for High Capability Practitioners of the
Highest Caliber
9. How Practitioners of All Levels Should Practice the Aro
Teachings
10. A Dzogchen Overview
11. Instructions for High Capability Practitioners of Medium
Caliber
12. Instructions for High Capability Practitioners of Lesser
Caliber
13. Dzogchen Must Be Practiced
14. Instructions for Medium Capability Practitioners of the
Highest Caliber
15. Instructions for Medium Capability Practitioners of
Medium Caliber
16. Instructions for Medium Capability Practitioners of Lesser
Caliber
17. Reminders
18. Instructions for Lesser Capability Practitioners of the
Highest Caliber, and the Five Stages of Meditation
19. Instructions for Lesser Capability Practitioners of Medium
Caliber, Including Some Powerful Shamatha Techniques
20. The Power of Mindfulness
21. Wisdom
22. The Four Renunciation Thoughts
23. Realizing Absolute Truth
24. The Aro Lineage and the Nine Levels Revisited
25. Instructions for Lesser Capability Practitioners of Lesser
Caliber
26. Practicing the Two Truths to Realize the One True Nature
27. Devotion and Courage
28. Beautiful Tips
29. A Brief History of Dzogchen
30. Concluding Words: Bodhichitta Is the Core
Dedication of Merit
Notes
Glossary
Illustration Credits
About the Authors
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