Zangdok Palri The Lotus Light Palace of Guru Rinpoche
Lama Gongdü Thongdrol Khorlo Kyilkhor or the Wheel of the Embodiment of the Master's Realization Mandala is a Ter from the most sacred Lama Gongdü Cycle of Teachings discovered by Terton Sangye Lingpa (1340-1396), who was the reincarnation of Yeshe Rolpa Dorje (the second son of King Trisong Deutsen) and is counted among the Five Kingly Tertons. This is the Mandala that the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) had instructed Gelong Nyabchi to place above the Guru Nangsid Zilnon statue in Kyichu Monastery; however being so rare, no painting was found until coincidently Queen Mother Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck upon visiting the Guru Lhakhang in Dechenphug and instructing Gelong Nyabchi to clean the principal Guru statue, the meditation deity of Jamyang Kuenga Sengye (the 4th of the 9 Sengyes prophesied by Tsangpa Gyare), he discovered a scroll of the very same Mandala behind the statue. The golden secret Dakini script was written by the late Lopen Pema Tshewang (Pemala).
Zangdok Palri The Lotus Light Palace of Guru Rinpoche
Edited by Supawan Pui Lamsam Kesang Choden Tashi Wangchuck
With Contributions by Tulku Thondup Dungchen Sangay Dorji Lopen Kunzang Tengye Pema Wangdi Chotiwat Punnopatham Chongmas Rajabhandarak Tanika Pook Panyarachun
ZANGDOK PALRI SERIES Volume I
Contents PREFACE Her Majesty Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck
VIII
ZANGDOK PALRI THE PURE LAND OF GURU RINPOCHE Tulku Thondup
1
ZANGDOK PALRI MURALS AND THANGKAS IN BHUTAN Dungchen Sangay Dorji Lopen Kunzang Tengye Kesang Choden Tashi Wangchuck Pema Wangdi
93
A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF GURU ORGYEN PADMA JUNGNEY THE SECOND BUDDHA SOJOURNING IN THE SACRED KINGDOM OF BHUTAN Lopen Kunzang Tengye Kesang Choden Tashi Wangchuck Pema Wangdi
256
SACRED SITES OF GURU RINPOCHE IN BHUTAN
274
THE HOLY SITES Lopen Kunzang Tengye Pema Wangdi
316
THE ASPIRATIONAL PRAYERS OF THE GLORIOUS COPPER COLORED MOUNTAIN FROM THE LONGCHEN NYINGTHIG COLLECTION Discovered by Kunkhyen Jigme Lingpa 324 Glossary
336
Bibliography and References
364
Editors’ Note
367
About the Authors
368
Acknowledgements
370
VII
XVI
Zangdok Palri the Pure Land of Guru Rinpoche By Tulku Thondup
The Different Perspectives of Zangdok Palri
3
The Life of Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava
7
The Details of Zangdok Palri with Their Symbolic Meanings
17
Clouds of Enlightened Ones Fill the Pure Land
23
Narrations of Lamas Visiting Zangdok Palri in Their Pure Visions
33
Ratna Lingpa
34
Pema Lingpa
37
Do Khyentse Yeshe Dorje
43
Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa
51
Dudjom Lingpa
60
Jigme Tenpe Nyima
64
Shugseb Jetsun Rigdzin Wangmo
68
Dodrupchen Thupten Thrinle Palzang
73
Importance of Meditations and Prayers
75
Three Levels of Meditations and Prayers
77
The Benefits of Building and Serving Zangdok Palri Monuments
83
The Mantra of Guru Rinpoche and Its Meaning
86
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The Different Perspectives of Zangdok Palri
Zangdok Palri,1 the Glorious Copper-Colored Mountain, is known as a Buddha pure land2 manifested through the enlightened power of Guru Rinpoche. It is an enlightened world, a paradise on earth, accessible only to accomplished adepts. At the top of the glorious mountain is the Lotus Light Palace,3 the heart of the pure land. This Palace is called the Lotus Light as it is the wisdom light of the Lotus Born4 Master—Guru Rinpoche—appearing in the form of a pure land. For the realized ones, Guru Rinpoche and his pure land; his wisdom and his wisdom light—all are inseparable, like the sun and the light of the sun. According to the literature on Zangdok Palri, it is a union of all the three Buddha-bodies5 of Buddhahood. Highly or fully enlightened ones see it in its inner or innermost qualities, as they are, but others may only see its outer qualities or none—depending on the depth of their spiritual realizations. In its innermost emptiness nature, Zangdok Palri is the Ultimate-body6 of Buddhahood, the absolute sphere of all. It is the union of wisdom and emptiness, the primordial purity, like sky. Never moving from such a nature, the Ultimate-body facilitates the arising of the two form Buddha-bodies7DQGWKHLUSXUHODQGVDVWKHVN\HQDEOHVVKRZHUVWRVDWXUDWHWKHÀHOGV In its quality of inner clarity, Zangdok Palri is the Enjoyment-body.87KHSXUHIRUPERGLHVRIWKHÀYH%XGGKDIDPLOLHV9 and their pure lands are ever present. They appear as the union of enlightened wisdom and the radiant light of wisdom. All are spontaneously and indivisibly present, like the sun and its radiance. However, it can only be seen by the wisdom of enlightened ones. In its outer all-prevailing compassion, Zangdok Palri is the Manifested-body.10 7KHLQÀQLWH%XGGKDVDQGSXUHODQGVDSSHDU WRRUGLQDU\EHLQJVLQYDULRXVIRUPVDQGDFWLYLWLHVDWRUGLQDU\OHYHOVOLNHLQÀQLWHUHÁHFWLRQVRIWKHPRRQDSSHDULQJLQLQÀQLWH EXFNHWVÀOOHGZLWKZDWHUFRQFXUUHQWO\
Opposite: Three levels in the Lotus Light Palace, Buddha Samantabhadra in the Dharmakaya Paradise, four-armed Avalokiteshvara in the Sambhogakaya Paradise, and Guru Padma Jungney in the Nirmanakaya Paradise. Wall painting. Sampa Lhundrup Lhakhang, Kurjey, Bumthang.
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Thus, Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa writes: Its innate essence beyond concepts is the naturally pure womb (the Ultimate-body). Its ceaseless radiant glow of the union of bliss and emptiness is the Enjoyment-body. Its emanating power appearing in the World of Endurance is the Manifestation-body’s pure land. The Glorious Copper Colored Mountain, in it may I take rebirth.11
Khyentse’i Wangpo writes: The great wisdom of indestructible-essence And the ultimate sphere of innate luminosity Appear in union, like rainbow light in clear sky. That is the naturally manifested excellent pure land—the Lotus Light.12 Hence, the highly or fully enlightened beings see Zangdok Palri as it is, the union of the three Buddha-bodies, and the natural glow of the union of wisdom and ultimate sphere of their own minds. The devotees who have accumulated merits and are preserving sacred connections13EXWDUHVWLOOHQGXULQJDGXDOLVWLFPLQGDQGHPRWLRQDOÁDPHV see Zangdok Palri as a pure land of Manifested-body with symbols of Enjoyment-body and Ultimate-body. They see it as a glorious world of esoteric power, presided over by Guru Rinpoche. Many of us are devotees, as we meditate on and pray to Guru Rinpoche and his pure land with two factors: the joy of being in the presence of Guru Rinpoche and trust in his enlightened power. Such devotion opens our heart, accumulates merits, accomplishes spiritual attainments, causes rebirth in Zangdok Palri, realizes Zangdok Palri as the union of the three Buddha-bodies, DQGIXOÀOOVVHUYLFHVIRUPDQ\EHLQJVZKRDUHRSHQ However, ordinary beings, who have no devotion to Guru Rinpoche, do not see Zangdok Palri at all, as it is beyond the range of their not-yet-awakened mental scope and not-yet-cleansed karmic penetration. Nevertheless, if they could learn the enlightening actions of Guru Rinpoche’s life and the profound teachings that he imparted, their hearts could begin opening to Guru Rinpoche and Zangdok Palri, step by step, and they could become devotees.
Opposite : Guru Padma Jungney in the Lotus Light Palace, with Amitabha on the top level and four-armed Avalokiteshvara on the middle level. Wall painting. Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro.
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The Life of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche is not only a fully enlightened Buddha, but he has also manifested as one of the greatest sages of the Vajrayana%XGGKLVWZRUOG+HZDVERUQPLUDFXORXVO\DQGVHUYHGLQÀQLWHEHLQJVIRUPLOOHQQLXPVWKURXJKWKHSRZHURIKLV wisdom and compassion. He manifested Zangdok Palri pure land and remains there in the body of light.14 Twelve years after the mahaparinirvanaRIWKH%XGGKDWKHUD\VRIEOHVVLQJOLJKWRIWKH%XGGKDRI,QÀQLWH/LJKW15 touched a lotus in the Milk Ocean in the Southwest direction from Bodhagaya. As a result, Guru Rinpoche was born miraculously in that lotus by “lotus birth”16 without human parents. Indrabodhi, the King of Oddiyana, and his Ministers found the child while returning from sailing across the ocean. They brought the child to the Palace and enthroned him as the Crown Prince. The young Prince was trained and skilled in all the arts of knowledge that were taught then. But before long he took leave of the royal Palace in order to serve a greater number of beings through the path of esoteric17 teachings and sacred power. Guru Rinpoche was already a fully enlightened Buddha, but in order to show others the importance of following the Dharma trainings stage by stage, he himself received various transmissions from both human Knowledge-holders18 and non-human deities,19 and dakinis. He trained himself in different stages of esoteric disciplines at many sacred places and progressed through various stages of high realizations. +HJDYHWKRVHWHDFKLQJVWRLQÀQLWHYLVLEOHDQGLQYLVLEOHEHLQJVDQGWKURXJKKLVLQYLQFLEOHSRZHUSDFLÀHGPDQ\QHJDWLYH forces obstructing his enlightening activities. 2QHRIWKHQXPHURXVPLUDFOHVWKDWKHGLVSOD\HGZDVWKHWUDQVIRUPDWLRQRIDKXJHÀUH³ZKLFKZDVPHDQWWREXUQKLP³LQWR the Rewalsar lake.20 As a result, he brought the Kingdom of Zahor into Dharma. Then he and his consort Princess Mandarava of Zahor meditated in Maratika cave21 and attained immortality.
Opposite: Guru Padma Jungney on a thousand-petals lotus. Wall painting. Phurdup Gompa, Paro
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Through the meditations on Dzogpa Chenpo, Guru Rinpoche transformed his mortal body into “the rainbow-light-body of great transference.”22 With such a pure light body, a person can live in the same body as long as he or she wishes, as his or her body is free from the conditions of gross elements. At the beginning of the ninth century, Guru Rinpoche visited Tibet at the invitation of King Trisong Deutsen to build Samye Monastery and to establish Buddhism. His visit to Tibet and other Himalayan areas accomplished three major goals. First, through his mystical power, Guru Rinpoche tamed both human and non-human beings who were obstructing the building of the Samye Monastery and the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet. On the top of Hepo Mountain near Samye Monastery, he summoned the spirit forces of Tibet and the Himalayan areas, and bound them to the vow of protecting the Dharma and Dharma followers. Also, in the cave of Taktsang in Bhutan, he manifested himself in the form of Dorje Drolö, a wrathful form of Guru Rinpoche, and subdued the negative spirit forces. Second, he taught and transmitted hundreds of different teachings and the wisdom of Vajrayana to many accomplished disciples. The unbroken lineages of those transmissions have been maintained by highly enlightened adepts for centuries and DUHÁRXULVKLQJWRWKLVGD\7RGD\WKHVHOLQHDJHVDUHHYHQUHDFKLQJPDQ\FRUQHUVRIWKHZRUOG Third, traveling to every valley of Tibet and many Himalayan areas such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim through miraculous power, he blessed them as sacred lands. More amazingly, transmitting those esoteric wisdoms and teachings to his disciples, he miraculously concealed them in the pure nature of their minds. Then he also concealed numerous symbolic scripts or texts and religious objects in different places such as rocks, statues, lakes, and space. Those concealed teachings are known as his famous ter,23 hidden treasure teachings.24 Starting from the eleventh century till today, thousands of tertons 25— the rebirths of Guru Rinpoche’s direct disciples in whom he has concealed the teachings—have miraculously been discovering thousands of volumes of ter teachings26 and ter objects27 from the rocks, earth, lakes, sky, etc. These discovered teachings and objects are called “the earth ter.”28 Then, many of those tertons discovered the concealed teachings and wisdoms from the nature of their own minds through the power of their memory. These discovered teachings are called “the mind ter.”29
Opposite:
Guru Rinpoche conducting the empowerment of Kagyé Lhatshog in Samye Chimphu. He is flanked by Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal, Lhacham Mandarava and Monmo Tashi Khryidren. Among the disciples receiving the empowerment are King Trisong Deutsen, Prince Mutig Tsenpo, Buddhist ministers and some of the twenty-five disciples as depicted by the Bhutanese master painter, Ugyen Lhundrub in according with Guru Rinpoche's biography, Pema Kathang. Wall painting. Khenlopchoesum Lhakhang, Kurjey Bumthang.
Above left: Dorje Drolö. Wall painting. Taktsang Pelphug, Paro. Above right: Padmasambhava. Wall painting. Taktsang Pelphug, Paro.
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Thus, Guru Rinpoche’s presence is still vivid and his enlightened activities remain active to these days. His teachings are not only followed and practiced in Tibet, but in many parts of Himalayan areas and even many places around the world. Guru Rinpoche also blessed many valleys such as Sikkim, Khenpa Lung30 and Pemakö as “hidden lands.”31 He gave prophesies, saying, In the dark ages, people blame the decadence of the time as the culprit of their sufferings, but the sufferings are actually caused by their own misdeeds. (Nevertheless,) when the devotees are facing danger, the safe places for them to escape to are the hidden lands.32 ,QWKHUHFHQWGHFDGHVZHVDZDWÀUVWKDQGWKDWWKRVHZKRHVFDSHGWRDQGFKRVHWRUHPDLQLQWKRVHKLGGHQODQGVKDYHEHHQ able to evade two dangers. Their corporeal lives have survived the dangers caused by the political waves. Their spiritual lives were relieved from the relentless pressures of greed and obligations, the routines of modern life. There is hardly any valley in Tibet that Guru Rinpoche has not visited through his miraculous power and blessed as a sacred sanctuary for his future followers and spiritual seekers in general. In all those valleys he also left numerous imprints of his own hand, foot and body in rocks and lakes— as sources of blessings and sacred rememberances. One of the most famous body imprints of Guru Rinpoche is in Kurjey in Bumthang, Bhutan. It can still be seen after more than a millennium. $IWHUVWD\LQJLQ7LEHWIRUDERXWÀIW\ÀYH\HDUV33 Guru Rinpoche announced that he was leaving for the lands of the rakshas.34 On Gongthang pass in Western Tibet, he bade farewell to King Mutig Tsenpo35 and the assembled devotees of Tibet, saying:
Opposite: Image of Pejung Dorje Guru in front of Guru Rinpoche’s famous body imprint, inside the cave of Guru Padmasambhava, Old Guru Lhakhang, Kurjey, Bumthang. Above:
Guru Rinpoche’s foot imprints and hand imprint on rock face at Shuk Drak, Bumthang.
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While you are young, exert yourself in Dharma trainings. For it is hard for the elements of the body to cope with trainings when you are old. O lord and subjects - life is momentary! When you are having gross thoughts, just stare at their root. Without accepting or rejecting anything, just relax there naturally.
2/RUGDQGVXEMHFWVLWLVFUXFLDOWRKDYHFRQÀGHQFHLQVXFKYLHZ
:KHQWKHGHÀOHGHPRWLRQVDUHH[KDXVWHGWKHUHLVQRQHHGRIPRUH'KDUPDWUDLQLQJV If there is no compassion in you, the root of your Dharma training is rotten, So, think about the sufferings of samsara, again and again. O Lord and subjects! Do not delay Dharma trainings. The devout accomplish their own goals by themselves. ... Gain Dharma experiences before you die. It is too late to rely on ceremonies after your death. ... For the devout, Padmasambhava has not gone anywhere. For those who pray to me, I am at your doors.36... Now, Padmasambhava will not stay in Tibet, but goes to the land of rakshas,
$VDELUGÁLHVDZD\IURPDWUHHWRS
Again, promising his unswerving presence with the devotees, he sang to the grieving Tibetans,37 Every morning and every evening, I will come to serve you By riding the rays of the rising and setting sun. On the tenths of the waxing moons, I will come in person. O my devout followers! Arrange feast offerings in blazing vessels of precious gems And sing the Seven Line Prayer in devotional melodies With the sounds of music and skull damarus. I, Orgyen (Guru Rinpoche) - from the Chamara subcontinent, who, like a mother, cannot bear the cry of her beloved child, Will come to grant my blessings. This is a promise! 38
Opposite, above : Scene at Gongthang Pass of Guru Rinpoche leaving for Zangdok Palri. Wall painting. Tsali Gompa, Thimphu. Below left :
The divine celestail horse, Balaha led by a Raksha with skull hat, waiting to escort Guru Rinpoche to Zangdok Palri. Tsali Gompa, Thimphu.
Below right :
A greatly distressed King Mutig Tsenpo fainted on the ground upon Guru Rinpoche leaving for the Paradise of Zangdok Palri. Wall painting. Tsali Gompa, Thimphu.
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He looked up at the sky. From the sky there suddenly appeared hosts of dakinisDQGFHOHVWLDOEHLQJVZLWKÁRZHUVEDQQHUV and music in the midst of colorful beams of light with a beautiful blue horse adorned with ornaments. 5LGLQJWKHKRUVH*XUX5LQSRFKHÁHZDZD\WKURXJKWKHVN\EHIRUHWKHH\HVRIDOO+HODQGHGLQ=DQJGRN3DOULZKHUHKH instantly emanated the Lotus Light Palace as a Manifested Pure Land.39 He still resides in Zangdok Palri, in the form of “rainbow-light-body of great transference”40 with an ocean of Enlightened Ones and the rebirths of many of his numerous devotees. Hence, he remains in the nature of Ultimate-body and the qualities of Enjoyment-body and the display of Manifested-bodies of Buddhahood. Kunkhyen Pema Karpo writes,
Although the Dharmakaya is free of all elaborations like the sky, Clouds of Sambhogakaya’s all-pervading compassion gather And from them the Nirmanakaya, an outpouring of Dharma’s diverse vehicles, Rains upon all realms of beings to be helped with no exception. I bow down to you, spontaneously presence of the three kayas.41
Opposite : Scenes of Guru Rinpoche leaving Tibet for Zangdok Palri. Wall painting. Tsali Gompa, Thimphu. Above :
A wall painting based on the Pema Thangyig or Biography of Guru Rinpoche. It is one of the most detailed Pema Thangyig wall found in Bhutan. Tsali Gompa, Thimphu.
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Chokgyur Dechen Lingpa (1829-1870)112 He was one of the great tertons, who discovered many ter teachings. 2QFHZKLOH&KRNJ\XU/LQJSDZDVLQUHWUHDWÀYHdakinis adorned with rich ornaments arrived with sounds of music. They said, We have come from the pure land manifested by Guru Rinpoche. The Dharma wheel on Kadü Chökyi Gyatsho113 is about to turn in Zangdok Palri, Son, we are sent to invite you; so you can enjoy your visit. The dakinis seated him on a vajraFURVVVHDWDQGWRJHWKHUWKH\ÁHZWKURXJKWKHVN\ WRZDUGVWKH6RXWKZHVW:KLOHRQWKHÁLJKWKHYLHZHGPDQ\VDFUHGSODFHVRI7LEHWDQG India. They crossed a huge ocean called “the Magical Blue Sea of Mu-le,” as huge as if the EOXHVN\KDGIDOOHQRQWKHHDUWK7KHdakinis said, “Now we are close to Zangdok Palri, ZKLFKLVLQWKHFHQWHURI&KDPDUDVXEFRQWLQHQWµ 7KH\FURVVHGWKHRFHDQLQDEHDXWLIXOVKLSDQGSXOOHGXSRQWKH(DVWHUQVKRUHRI Zangdok Palri. Then they walked along the sacred path of the dakinis and saw astonishing VWUXFWXUHVÀOOHGZLWKDFWLYLWLHVRIWHDFKLQJVDQGFHOHEUDWLRQV(YHQWKHELUGVDQGDQLPDOV WKHWUHHVDQGULYHUVUHVRXQGHGZLWKWKHZRUGVRI'KDUPD+HVDZ*XUX5LQSRFKHEHLQJ GULYHQDURXQGLQDJROGHQFKDULRWEHVWRZLQJEOHVVLQJVDFFRPSDQLHGE\KXQGUHGVRI thousands of dakinisVFKRODUVWUDQVODWRUVDQGNQRZOHGJHKROGHUVZLWKDOONLQGVRIPXVLF DQGRIIHULQJEDQQHUV Then the dakinisWRRN&KRNJ\XU/LQJSDDURXQGWKH/RWXV/LJKW3DODFHEHIRUHJRLQJ in. He saw an amazingly vast wall made of nets of all kinds of instruments. Inside the ZDOOWKHODQGVZHUHÀOOHGZLWKÁRZHUVWUHHVJDUGHQVVZLPPLQJSRQGVODNHVGDQFLQJ arenas, and concert halls. The dakinisWRRNKLPWRWKH3HDFHIXO$VVHPEO\+DOORI'KDUPDLQWKH(DVW+HVDZ*XUX5LQSRFKHWKHUHWRRWHDFKLQJWKH 'KDUPD$OOWKHJDWKHULQJVZHUHHQMR\LQJGLVFXVVLRQVDQGGHEDWHVRQWKRVHWHDFKLQJV The dakinisWRRNKLPWRWKH(ODERUDWH$VVHPEO\+DOORI)HDVWVLQWKH6RXWK+HVDZ*XUX5LQSRFKHWKHUHDJDLQSHUIRUPLQJ yogic exercises, while dakas and dakinisZHUHGDQFLQJ$OOZHUHHQMR\LQJWKHJUHDWEOLVVIXOIHDVWRIIRRGDQGGULQN Then the dakinisWRRNKLPWRWKH3RZHUIXO$VVHPEO\+DOOLQWKH:HVW:UDWKIXOIRUPVRI%XGGKDV³+D\DJULYDDQG 9DMUDYDUDKL³ZHUHGLVSOD\LQJWKHGDQFHVRIJUHDWEOLVV:LWKIRXUV\PEROLFVLJQVDOOZHUHLQWURGXFLQJHDFKRWKHUDQGDOO were enjoying ascetic performances. Then the dakinisWRRNKLPWRWKH:UDWKIXO$VVHPEO\+DOOLQWKH1RUWK7KHHYLOGRHUVFDXJKWE\WKHIRXUNLQGVRIDJHQWV ZHUHEHLQJOLEHUDWHGE\*XUX5LQSRFKHLQ:UDWKIXOIRUPZLWKKRVWVRIDFFRPSOLVKHGRQHVLQZUDWKIXOIRUPV &KRNJ\XU/LQJSD·VPLQGDQGERG\ZHUHÀOOHGZLWKJUHDWMR\DQGGHYRWLRQ%XWKHDOVRIHOWVDGDERXWQRWKDYLQJDQ\WKLQJ with which to make offerings. At that moment, his companion dakinisSURGXFHGDSLOHRIMHZHOVRQKLVEHKDOILQIURQWRI*XUX 5LQSRFKH&KRNJ\XU/LQJSDRIIHUHGKLVERG\VSHHFKPLQGDQGHYHU\WKLQJWR*XUX5LQSRFKHDQGUHFHLYHGWKHIRXUIROG empowerments,114 again and again. He attained full realization of Dzogpa Chenpo. 7KHQ&KRNJ\XU/LQJSDZDVWDNHQWRDYHU\EHDXWLIXOZLQJRIWKH/RWXV/LJKW3DODFHZLWKDGRPH,QVLGHKHVDZDYHU\ EHDXWLIXOdakini, young like sixteen years old, in the midst of an ocean of dakinis performing a simpler feast ceremony than the earlier ones. He asked the dakinisZKRVKHZDV/DXJKLQJWKH\VDLG´
Opposite :
While Chokgyur Lingpa was in a retreat, five dakinis appeared to escort him to visit Zangdok Palri. They seated him on a vajra cross seat and together they flew through the sky towards the Southwest. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery.
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Then Chokgyur Lingpa wished to have a guide to take him to the Second and Third Stories of the Lotus Light Palace and also wished to receive more teachings from Guru 5LQSRFKHDQGKLVFRQVRUWV,QVWDQWO\WKHÀYHdakinisHPHUJHGIURP
While in flight to Zangdok Palri, Chokgyur Lingpa viewed many sacred places of Tibet and India. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery.
Opposite, above : Chokgyur Lingpa riding a white horse led by five dakinis. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery. Opposite, below : On a beautiful ship, Chokgyur Lingpa and the dakinis crossing the Magical Blue Sea of Mu-le to get to Zangdok Palri. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery.
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Then Chokgyur Lingpa was taken to the Top Story. There he saw Guru Rinpoche, again, in the form of the Five Classes of Skeleton Garlanded Ones115 with the assemblies of the ÀYH%XGGKDIDPLOLHVDQGKXJHDVVHPEOLHVRIGLVFLSOHV From the Top Story, Chokgyur Lingpa looked out at the surroundings of the Lotus Light 3DODFH+HVDZWKDWWKHZKROHSXUHODQGZDVHQFLUFOHGE\DZDOORIIRXUFRORUV³ZKLWHLQ WKH(DVW\HOORZLQWKH6RXWKUHGLQWKH:HVWDQGJUHHQLQWKH1RUWK$OVRWKHJURXQGÁRRU of the Palace was white and the middle one was red, and each story had four wings. The top story was in the structure of a PDQGDOD. Above that there was a golden dome with thirteen ULQJVWRV\PEROL]HWKH'KDUPDZKHHOVWRSSHGE\DJHPZLWKDYDMUD as the pinnacle. The whole pure land was covered by FORXGVRIÀYHFRORUOLJKWWKDWV\PEROL]HGWKHÀYHZLVGRPV7KHFRORUVRIWKH/RWXV/LJKW3DODFHZHUHDIIHFWLQJWKHFRORU of the sky in each direction, and images of rainbow-light were appearing in various forms as offerings.
Opposite, above left : Principal deity Guru Rinpoche and two divine consorts; in the small mansion below is Guru Rinpoche as a pandita at the Peaceful Hall of Dharma in the East, teaching the Dharma to Terton Chokgyur Lingpa and other beings. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery. Opposite, above right : Guru Rinpoche at the Elaborate Assembly Hall of the Feast in the South performing yogic exercises, while dakas and dakinis are dancing. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery. Opposite, below :
Guru Rinpoche in golden chariot, bestowing blessings, accompanied by dakinis, scholars, translators, and knowledgeholders. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery.
Above left :
In the Powerful Assembly Hall in the West, wrathful forms of Buddha, Hayagriva, and Vajravahari are displaying dances of great bliss. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery.
Above right :
Khandro Yeshe Tsogyal in a very beautiful wing of the Lotus Light Palace. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery.
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+HDOVRVDZWKDWIDULQWKH(DVWWKHUHZDVDSDUNÀOOHGZLWKDOONLQGVRIWUHHV,QWKH6RXWKWKHUH ZHUHODNHVIRUVZLPPLQJ,QWKH:HVWWKHUHZHUHÁRZHUJDUGHQVDQGORWXVSRQGVZKHUHSHRSOH were taking instant “lotus birth.” In the North, there was a mountain of rocks in the shape of a VWXSD emitting rays of light. With the exception of the lands of rakshas³DOOZHUHWUDQVSDUHQW as they were made of light. 7RXFKLQJ&KRNJ\XU/LQJSD·VKHDGZLWKKLVWZRKDQGV*XUX5LQSRFKHVDLG (PDIRUWXQDWHVRQ 7KHRSSRUWXQLW\RIWDPLQJSHRSOHLQ7LEHWKDVDUULYHGIRU\RX )DWKHUDQGVRQZLOOKDYHQRVHSDUDWLRQ
7KHQKHIHOWKLPVHOIÁ\LQJDZD\DQGLQVWDQWO\IRXQGKLPVHOIDWKRPHZKHUHKHZDVLQUHWUHDW
Opposite, above : Seated in the upper story are Buddhas of the Five Families; seated in the lower story is Guru Padmasambhava with Eight Vidyadharas of India in an unusual depiction of Lotus Hats and Tibetan dress. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery. Opposite, below : In the clouds are the various forms of Guru Sambha Lhundrup, with Guru Orgyen Menlha in dark blue and Guru Orgyen Khandro Norlha in yellow; while within the Mansion are various ascetics performing yogic exercises on the yellow bricked terrace floor. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery. Above :
Touching Chokgyur Lingpa’s head with his two hands, Guru Rinpoche told him to return to Tibet to continue to serve the Dharma. Thangka. Courtesy of Shechen Monastery.
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7KH%HQHÀWVRI%XLOGLQJDQG6HUYLQJ=DQJGRN3DOUL0RQXPHQWV Building, preserving, paying respect to, making offerings, and pracising meditations on Guru Rinpoche or Zangdok Palri monuments are great sources for earning dual accumulations148—the accumulations of merits and wisdom. The two accumulations will cause us to attain two Buddha-bodies: the Ultimate-body and the two Form bodies.149 The two Form-bodies are the Enjoyment-body and the Manifestation-body of Buddhahood. The Great Master Nagarjuna said: The Form-body of the Buddha is caused by the accumulation of merits. The Ultimate-body of the Buddha is caused by the accumulation of wisdom.150 $WWKHWLPHRIWKHFRQVHFUDWLRQRI6DP\H0RQDVWHU\*XUX5LQSRFKHJDYHWHDFKLQJVRQWKHEHQHÀWVRIRIIHULQJVHUYLFHVWR the consecrated religious objects. He said: Whoever sees the objects (with devotion) will seal the door of their birth in the hell-realms. Whoever pays respect to them will prosper as Kings. Whoever meditates on them as deities Will attain the state of Knowledge-holder of Mahamudra. Whoever makes offerings to them, +LVRUKHUZLVKHVIRUZHDOWKIRRGRURIIVSULQJZLOOEHIXOÀOOHG151 Guru Rinpoche told Princess Mandarava the merits of serving the images of Guru Rinpoche. He said: For the people of the future, who will not meet me, My images will dispel the darkness of their ignorance. Whoever builds representations of Padmasambhava, as the objects of offerings, ,VUDLVLQJWKHYLFWRU\EDQQHURI'KDUPDDQGIXOÀOOLQJWKHSXUSRVHVRIWKHWKUHH%XGGKDERGLHV Whoever generates devotion and pays respect to them, Opposite : Front view of the Copper-Colored Palace or Zangdok Palri of Guru Rinpoche and offering altar below. Zangdo Palri Lhakhang, Kurjey, Bumthang. Above :
View of Zangdok Palri rooftop emanating rays of rainbow from balcony view. Zangdo Palri Lhakhang, Kurjey, Bumthang.
Below :
Center is an offering of the eight auspicious substances. Two Bodhisattvas are making offerings on the outer left and right; on golden lotuses are Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother, Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck on the left and Mayuem Choying Wangmo on the right—patrons of Zangdo Palri Lhakhang of Kurjey.
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Above : View of the Main Floor of Zangdo Palri Lhakhang of Kurjey, Bumthang.
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His or her wishes will be realized, like having a heap of precious gems.
Whoever offers precious jewels to an image of Padmasambhava
Such monuments are the source of changeless joy, that will never decrease.
Will enjoy wealth and will not face poverty. ...
Whoever recites my heart-essence152
Whoever prostrates to and circumambulates an image of Padmasambhava (with devotion)
(Will realize) the aspirations that he or she is making. ...
Will attain liberation without wandering in samsara. ...
Whoever offers lights to an image of Padmasambhava
Whatever aspiration you make before them, you will realize.
Will enjoy a clear mind with no darkness.
Whatever prayers you make to them, I will grant you.153
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Thisscribddocumentcontainsafewsamplepagesfrom ZangdokPalri:TheLotusLightPalaceofGuruRinpoche. Thisbookisavailablecurrentlyatthefollowingplaces: US Paragon Books: http://bit.ly/162zHxZ [Museums and other resellers can obtain it from Art Media Resources at http://bit.ly/16aNUcr] Asia Gatshel Publishing: http://bit.ly/162zPxo It will be available in Europe soon.
