!, ,2<-.R:C-$.3?-0-o/-HJ<-,<-=3-$?=-1R/-28$?-?R,, BAR DO'I DAM PA GYÜN KY'ER T'AR LAM SÄL DRÖN SHUG SO
The Lamp Illumining the Path to Liberation A Daily Practice of the Instructions on the Intermediate State
#, ,*2?-/?-.!R/-3(R$-3-=?-]-3:A-{<, , KYAB NE KÖN CHOG MA LÜ LA MA'I KUR The objects of refuge, the Three Rare and precious Gems, are incarnate in their entirety in the physical form of the spiritual master.
$&A$-2#?-3R?-$?-$.%->$?-S$-0R-;A?, , CHIG DÜ MÖ GÜ DUNG SHUG DRAG PO YI To you I pray with intense devotion and yearning—
$?R=-2-:.J2?-?R-,$?-eJ?-M<-$9A$?-/?, , SÖL WAN 'DEB SO T'UG JE NYUR ZIG NE of your compassion, please swiftly turn your attention to me
:)A$?-(J/-2<-.R:C-:U%-=?-*2?-+-$?R=, , 'JIG CHEN BAR DO'I 'TRANG LE KYAB TU SÖL and grant me protection from the terrors of the narrow passageway of the intermediate state.
:.?-L?-3A-g$-<%-5=-3%R/-?3-2!/, , 'DÜ JE MI TAG RANG TS'ÜL NGÖN SUM TÄN It is quite clear that everything compounded is also inherently impermanent,
*J-2:A-3,:-.J-:(A-2<-,$-(R.-&A%-, , KYE WA'I TA' DE 'CHI WAR T'AG CHÖ CHING and equally certain that all birth ends in death
$.R?-2&?-+-3:A-=?-GA-g$-3A-,2, , DÖ CHE GYU MA'I LÜ KYI TAG MI T'UB and that the illusory physical form cannot, in any wise, be permanent—
2lJ-2:A-,/-IA-$9A$?->A$-]-3-eJ, , TSE WA'I CHÄN GYI ZIG SHIG LA MA JE my lordly spiritual teacher, pleaselook upon me with loving kindness.
5K-;A-5.-mR$?-:L%-28A:A-/?-0-*3?, , TS'E YI TS'E DZOG 'JUNG SHI'I NÜ PA NYAM When life comes to an end, the power of the four elements fades,
(/-IA-3A-1/-9?-{R3?-.%-#-:PA2, , MÄN GYI MI P'ÄN ZE KOM DANG K'A 'DRIB medicines are no longer of any use and one loses one's appetite for food and drink.
=?-?J3?-:V=-2:A-.?-=-22?-0-/, , LÜ SEM 'DRÄL WA'I DÜ LA BAB PA NA When the time comes for body and mind to separate,
5K-:.A:A-8J/-($?-V=-2<-LA/-IA-_R2?, , TS'E DI'I SHEN CHAG DRÄL WAR JIN GYI LOB gGrant me your blessing that I be without attachment to this life.
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/3-;%-3A-#R.-:(A-2<-,$-(R.-=, , NAM YANG MI DÖ 'CHI WAR T'AG CHÖ LA I can't stay forever; death is certain.
.-.%-$?R/-.-
<%-3$R-<%-$A?-2{R<-/-1%-52?-(J, , RANG GO RANG GI KOR NA P'UNG TS'AB CHE what a disaster!
:(A-2-=3-.-=R%-2<-LA/-IA-_R2?, , 'CHI WA LAM DU LONG WAR JIN GYI LOB Grant me your blessing that death be brought onto the path.
=?-_%-:O$?-0:A-!R2?-GA?-<%-=?-:.A:A, , LE LUNG TR'ÜG PA'I TOB KYI RANG LÜ DI'I May the anguish and suffering of the ending of the life,
,A-3PA/-~A%-$-vJ-2-$?%-$/?-GA, , CHI DRIN NYING GA TE WA SANG NE KYI where the five channel–knots at the crown, throat, heart, navel and secret–centre of this body of mine
:#R<-=R-s-;A-l-:..-:)A$-0:A-3,?, , 'KOR LO NGA YI TSA 'DÜ 'JIG PA'I T'Ü are destroyed by of the power of the winds of karma,
$/.-$&R.-9$-d-<%-?<-8A-2<->R$ , NE CHÖ ZUG NGU RANG SAR SHI WAR SHOG be spontaneously pacified.
1R-2:A-3J-*3?-_%-:($-9?-3A-=J/, , P'O WA'I ME NYAM LUNG 'CHUG ZE MI LEN As the energy of the digestive heat wanes, it becomes impossible to assimilate food;
YR$-:6B/-_%-:($->J?-0-3A-$?=-.%-, , SOG 'DZIN LUNG 'CHUG SHE PA MI SÄL DANG as the energy of the life–force dissolves, the mind becomes dull;
,<-?J=-_%-:($-SA-3-(J-(%-:(R<, , T'UR SEL LUNG 'CHUG DRI MA CHE CHUNG 'CHOR as the downward–clearing energy fades, one loses control over one's bladder and bowels—
_%-/?-*3?-0:A-g$?-?-%R->J?->R$ , LUNG NÜ NYAM PA'I TAG SU NGO SHE SHOG let me recognise these signs of the degeneration of the energy–‘winds’.
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IJ/-I:A-_%-:($-9?-{R3-3A.-3A-,2, , GYEN GYU'I LUNG 'CHUG ZE KOM MI MI T'UB When the rising energy deteriorates, one can no longer swallow food and drink,
$+3-IA-5-2eR.-.!:-8A%-.2$?-$-,%-, , TAM GYI MA JÖ KA' SHING UG NA T'UNG talking become difficult, and one is short of breath.
H2-LJ.-_%-$A-/?-9.-:$=-2*R.-.!:, , KY'AB JE LUNG GI NÜ ZE 'GÜL KYÖ KA' As the strength of the pervasive energy fails, it becomes difficult to move—
.J-5K-:(A-2<-,$-(R.-:IR.-3J.->R$ , DE TS'E 'CHI WAR T'AG CHÖ 'GYÖ ME SHOG tt that time, certain of the reality of death, may I be without regret.
$.R?-2&?-=?-:.A-.%-0R<-:L%-28A?-2*J., , DÖ CHE LÜ 'DI DANG POR 'JUNG SHI KYE This material body originally took birth out of the four elements,
3,<-;%-:L%-28A-$&A$-=-$&A$-,A3-:(A, , T'AR YANG 'JUNG SHI CHIG LA CHIG T'IM 'CHI and, as they dissolve back into each other, I will die.
KA-/%-$?%-2:A-g$?-$%-:(<-2-i3?, , CH'I NANG SANG WA'I TAG NANG 'CHAR WA NAM May I recognise the outer, inner and secret signs of their arising,
%R->J?-]-3-;A.-=-S/-0<->R$ , NGO SHE LA MA YI LA DRÄN PAR SHOG and keep my mind on my spiritual teacher.
?-#3?-(<-,A3-=?-GA-/?-!R2?-9., , SA K'AM CHUR T'IM LÜ KYI NÜ TOB ZE As the earth element dissolves into the element of water, the power of the body is exhausted.
/%-$A-g$?-?->J?-0-LA%-8A%-kR%?, , NANG GI TAG SU SHE PA JING SHING MONG The inner sign of this is that the awareness dulls and becomes unclear,
$?%-g$?-3,R%-$%-3A$-o-v-2<-:(<, , SANG TAG T'ONG NANG MIG GYU TA BUR 'CHAR and the secret sign that visual appearance becomes like a mirage.
.J<-;%-]-3-S/-=?-3-;J%?->R$ , DER YANG LA MA DRÄN LE MA YENG SHOG At that time, may my attention not stray from the spiritual teacher.
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(-#3?-3J-=-,A3-0?-#-$:A-(, , CHU K'AM ME LA T'IM PE K'A NA'I CHU As the water element dissolves into the element of fire, the moisture of the mouth and nose
&%-9.-:,J/-+J-{3-8A%-5-2eR.-:$$?, , CHUNG ZE 'TEN TE KAM SHING MA JÖ 'GAG diminishes and dries out to a degree, and one can no longer speak,
>J?-0-:52-&A%-$?%-g$?-.-2-v<, , SHE PA 'TSUB CHING SANG TAG DU WA TAR one's awareness becomes confused and the secret sign is like smoke—
2/-2/-=%-=R%-:(<-2-%R->J?->R$ , BÄN BÜN LANG LONG 'CHAR WA NGO SHE SHOG may I recognise the arising of this mist–like appearance.
3J-#3?-_%-=-,A3-0?-=%-SR.-(J, , ME K'AM LUNG LA T'IM PE LUNG DRÖ CHE When the fire element dissolves into the element of air, there is a sensation of overpowering heat,
/%-g$?-3A-%R-3A->J?-.2%-0R-:U=, , NANG TAG MI NGO MI SHE WANG PO 'TRÜL the inner sign of which is no longer recognising people and bewildered sense–faculties,
$?%-g$?-YA/-2-3J-HJ<-v-2-?J3?, , SANG TAG SIN BU ME KY'ER TA BU SEM and the secret sign like fireflies.
J?->R$ , RE SÄL RE MI SÄL 'GYUR NGO SHE SHOG may I recognise this experience of alternating clarity and confusion.
_%-#3?-i3->J?-=-,A3-KA-.2$?-(., , LUNG K'AM NAM SHE LA T'IM CH'I UG CHE When the air element dissolves into the element of consciousness, the outer breath stops,
/%-g$?-:O=-2:A-3,R%-$%-$-5S$?-:(<, , NANG TAG 'TRÜL WA'I T'ONG NANG NA TS'OG 'CHAR the inner sign being the appearance of various visual hallucinations
$?%-g$?-1R/-3J-:2<-v<-
.J-.?-92-=3-:1R-2-S/-0<->R$ , DE DÜ ZAB LAM 'PO WA DRÄN PAR SHOG At that instant may I bring to mind the profound path of transference.
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i3->J?-/3-3#:A-#3?-,A3-5S$?-S$-:$$ , NAM SHE NAM KA'I K'AM T'IM TS'OG DRUG 'GAG As consciousness dissolves into the element of space, the six modes of consciousness come to an end.
,A-2R:C-.!<-(-:,<-.-22?-0-.%-, , CHI WO'I KAR CHA 'TUR DU BAB PA DANG May I recognise the condensed awareness between
vJ-2:A-.3<-(-IJ/-.-wR$-0:A-2<, , TE WA'I MAR CHA GYEN DU DOG PA'I BAR the descending white element of the crown
i3-0<->J?-0-:,3-0-%R->J?->R$ , NAM PAR SHE PA 'TUM PA NGO SHE SHOG and the rising red element of the navel.
#3?-$*A?-IJ/-:,<-:UR?-0:A-o-nJ/-IA?, , K'AM NYI GYEN 'TUR 'TRÖ PA'I GYU KYEN GYI As these elements descend and mount,
<%-$%-.!<-=3-.3<-=3-/$-,R3-:(<, , RANG NANG KAR LAM MAR LAM NAG T'OM 'CHAR of themselves, appearances of whiteness, redness and deepest black arise
.$-$?3-<%-28A/-gR$-0-2o.-&-:$$ , DUG SUM RANG ZHIN TOG PA GYE CHU 'GAG and the eighty awarenesses born of the three poisons come to a halt.
$%-3(J.-,R2-0:A-:R.-.-%R->J?->R$ , NANG CHE T'OB PA'I 'Ö DU NGO SHE SHOG May I recognise these as the radiance of ‘appearance’, ‘increase’ and ‘attainment’.
.!<-.3<-_%-?J3?-.2-3<-:6S3?-0:A-:,?, , KAR MAR LUNG SEM U MAR 'DZOM PA'I 'TÜ The red and white mind and energies gathering in the central channel,
$.R.-/?-.$-0:A-2.J-$>J$?-~A%-0R-*A., , DÖ NE DAG PA'I DE SHEG NYING PO NYI may I recognise the primordially pure essence of buddhahood,
z.-3J.-$8A-;A-:R.-$?=-(R?-GA-{, , LHE ME SHI YI 'Ö SÄL CHÖ KYI KU the dharmakaya, radiance of the unmodified primordial ground,
<%-=-3%R/-?3-:(<-2-%R->J?->R$ , RANG LA NGÖN SUM 'CHAR WA NGO SHE SHOG as it directly presents itself to me.
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.J-*A.-2|R3-IA-!R2?-8/-3-PR=-/, , DE NYI GOM GYI TOB SHÄN MA DRÖL NA If, due weak meditation, one not liberated by the true nature,
/%-.2$-(.-/?-(R?-*A.-2<-.R-><, , NANG UG CHE NE CHÖ NYI BAR DO SHAR when one's internal breath ceases, the intermediate state of absolute reality dawns.
=?-?J3?-,J=-2:A-1-:R.-9J<-$!3-IA?, , LÜ SEM T'EL WA'I DRA 'Ö ZER SUM GYI May I recognise the sounds, radiance and light rays of my body and mind that fill all of space
!R%-#3?-#J%?-0-<%-$%-;A/->J?->R$ , TONG K'AM K'ENG PA RANG NANG YIN SHE SHOG as nothing but my own personal experience.
:):-:R.-,A$-=J-,A$-U/-:R.-=3-.%-, , 'JA 'Ö T'IG LE T'IG TR'ÄN 'Ö LAM DANG May I not fear the radiant path of spheres and smaller discs of rainbow light,
8A-.%-OR-2R-z-5S$?-&A<-:(<-2, , SHI DANG TR'O WO LHA TS'OG CHIR 'CHAR WA the hosts of peaceful and wrathful deities that arise
(R?-*A.-<%-1-2&?-=-3A-0$-0<, , CHÖ NYI RANG DRA CHE LA MI TRAG PA and the inherent sound of ultimate thusness,
<%-J?-%R->J?->R$ , RANG RIG CHÖ NYI YE SHE NGO SHE SHOG but recognise them as my own pure presence, primordial awareness of reality itself.
$=-+J-=?-*R/-1A2-0?-3-PR=-/, , GÄL TE LE NYÖN DRIB PE MA DRÖL NA Supposing, however, that, because of karma and emotional defilement, I am not liberated by this,
YA.-0-2<-.R-:)A$?-0?-1-28A-.%-, , SI PA BAR DO 'JIG PE DRA SHI DANG may I recognise the four fearsome sounds of the intermediate state of becoming,
3-%J?-g$?-S$-;-%:A-$;%-?-$?3, , MA NGE TAG DRUG YA NGA'I YANG SA SUM the six indeterminate signs and three terrifying precipices
,3?-&.-2.J/-3J.-+-3<->J?-0<->R$ , T'AM CHE DEN ME GYU MAR SHE PAR SHOG as illusions without the least reality.
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>A-2-%R->J?-]-3-~A%-/?-S/, , SHI WA NGO SHE LA MA NYING NE DRÄN Recognising the face of death, let me earnestly bring to mind my spiritual teacher,
.J?-$?%?-$.3?-0:A-$/.-=-%J?-0-fJ., , DE SUNG DAM PA'I NE LA NGES PA NYE and establish true confidence as to the essential meaning of his instruction.
3-.$-:#R<-2:A-3%=-|R-3A-:5S=-2<, , MA DAG 'KOR WA'I NGÄL GO MI 'TSÖL WAR let me not seek some foul samsaric womb,
0ER-:R.-GA-8A%-.-:1R-2<->R$ , PE MO 'Ö KYI SHING DU 'PO WAR SHOG but transfer my consciousness directly to the pure land of Lotus Light.
3.R<-/-.?-.%-i3-0-.J-!/-+, , DOR NA DÜ DANG NAM PA DE KÜN TU In short, throughout all time,
&A-S$-]R-$-3%-0R?-1%-:I<-2?, , CHI DRAG LO NA MANG PÖ P'UNG 'GYUR WE drawing together all my many ideas of what should be done,
l-2:A-]-3-AR-o/.LJ<-3J.-=, , TSA WA'I LA MA OR GYÄN YER ME LA inseparable from the root lama, The Lotus–Born Lord of Uddiyana,
{.-&A$-43-;%-3-;J%?-]R-$+R.->R$ , KE CHIG TSAM YANG MA YENG LO TÖ SHOG let me place my entire trust in him without wavering, even for an instant.
]-3-,$?-.%-<%-?J3?-$*A?-3J.-:SJ?, , LA MA'I T'UG DANG RANG SEM NYI ME 'DRE My mind and the mind of the spiritual teacher merged as one,
<%-
(R/-=3-,$?-eJ:A-3=-0:A-3#:-3*3-IA, , MÖN LAM T'UG JE'I TRÜL PA'I KA' NYAM GYI may I lead sentient beings—as many as space is vast—to the supreme state of buddhahood
?J3?-&/-L%-(2-3(R$-=-:$R.-0<->R$ , SEM CHEN JANG CHUB CHOG LA 'GÖ PAR SHOG by means of the emanations of my compassionate aspiration.
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&J?-0-:(A-#-2<-.R:A-$.3?-%$-$?R=-:.J2?-%R-3R.-.-:I<-2-3.R<-2#?-92-&A$-.$R?-8J?, .0R/-0R-g-3PA/-hR-eJ-.%-, (A/-PR=-~A%-0R-$*A?-GA?2{=-%R<-:VA-$%-0-$-5S$?-<%-PR=-IA?-l-5B$-:.A-*A.-2!R.-!J, Thus, since it was claimed that a brief but profound instruction of introduction to the intermediate state of the moment of death in the form of a prayer was needed, in response to the request of lords Tamdin Dorje and Mindröl Nyingpo, these root verses were composed by 'Drigungpa Nats'og Rangdröl.
:.A-;%-o/-.-]R<-:)$-0-8A$-3J.-/, :(A-#<-$.3?-%$-;A$-$J-=-=?-+J-<%-=-1/-0-3A-:L%-2?, .J?-/-o/-HJ<-.-L-KA<-$?R=-:.J2?-(R/-=3-IA5=-.-L?-0-;A/-=, :.A-*A.-5B$-*%-%<-2#R3?-0?-2>A?-GA-.!:-/, ,A<-,R?-PR=-(J/-3R:C-%R-3R.-$?R=-:.J2?-?R$?-.%-, H.-0<-2.$-$A?-L?-0:A2<-.R:C-,A-.R/-S/-0:A-3J-=R%-.J-=-8A2-+-2v?-/?-$R-gR$?-=R/-0<-36.-:5=-=R,, ,, In fact, however, one cannot really benefit unless one regularly establishes the instructions on death in one's mind and extracts the spirit of the words used to express them, so, in order to help you recite it daily, I have made it into a prayer of aspiration. However, if you find training in this brief version difficult, please at least carefully examine the pointing out instructions and prayers contained in the general teachings of the Bardo T'ödröl Chenmo—‘The Great Liberation by Hearing’—and, more especially, my own text, the Bardo'i Chidön Dränpa'i Melong, or ‘Basic Principals of the Intermediate State: The Mirror of Mindfulness’, and, having understood them, put them into practice.
This text was translated by Mike Dickman for the Drikung Dzogchen Translation Project (DDTP) and may be subject to revision at a later date. May the dākinīs and dharmapālas forgive any errors or omissions. May this translation benefit all sentient beings.
© 2007 Drikung Dzogchen Translation Project
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