The infallible, supreme and glorious Guru,
Who from the depth of the unchanging, primordial sphere of reality,
Radiates forth five rays of clear light that are unaffected by anything
And are the union of appearance and emptiness.
To you, I pay homage from the heart with unflagging faith.
Everyone, high and low, is well aware that the tradition of Earlier Translation – Nyingma School- of Tibetan Buddhism took birth during the time of the Tibetan King Trisong Deutsen, Guru Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita. These three supreme beings are the sole refuge of the snow land, due to whose inexpressible blessings; the light of Buddha Dharma illuminated the entire murky land of Tibet. To repay their kindness, all the followers of this enlightened lineage, mainly the two clans of the monastic community and the lay practitioners who are the objects of veneration since the time of Khen-Lop-Cho-Sum, should practice the outer, inner and the secret precepts relying on their own conscience as the witness.
Vasubandhu proclaimed: ‘‘The Buddha’s teachings consist of two kinds: Scriptures and Realizations.” Therefore, everyone should study the scriptures, contemplate on them and practice rigorously to attain high insights, without which dharma will not flourish. This is highlighted in the following verse:
“The precious lamp of the Buddha’s teachings
Shines only in the heart of Saffron-robed [monks] who practices arduous asceticism.”
Since morality is the basic foundation for upholding the Buddha Dharma, it is immensely necessary to observe the three classes of vows (i.e. the outer pratimoksha vows, the inner bodhisattva vows, and the secret tantric vows) strictly. The Scriptures foretell that the precepts followed for a single day during the degenerating era of Dharma would be more meritorious than those observed in the ancient times when Buddha’s teachings flourished so widely. Thus, practicing the vows perfectly is definitely beneficial to prolong and propagate the teachings. Discarding the false appearance of a religious person, one should cultivate unwavering faith in the teachings and live accordingly, so that one could accumulate vast merit and cleanse the obscurations, which will prove effective in preserving the Dharma. Particularly, the white robed tantric practitioners have higher precepts and commitments to fulfil than the monks. Therefore, as stated in the Tantric scriptures, they should:
“View the nature of all phenomena that are primordially pure without any clinging to dualistic appearances;
Abandon physical artificiality by keeping the hair and beard as they are;
Abandon verbal artificiality by reciting mantras continuously;
Abandon the mental artificiality of meditation by abiding in the pristine awareness that is empty but clear in nature.
Such a Yogi (unfabricated practitioner) is truly fortunate.“
And as stated furthermore:
Experiencing the blissful warmth through the practice of energy channels, winds and essences;
Achieving power by remaining in the meditative absorption of deity and mantra;
And actualizing the clear-light wisdom free from the conception of grasping,
Such a Yogi who has realized the equality of cyclic existence as liberation is truly fortunate.
It is utterly crucial for all practitioners to become purely devout by shunning all selfish thoughts and practicing Dharma with a compassionate motivation toward all sentient beings, so that their endeavours will serve as an antidote to the afflicted emotions. Moreover, it is really important to be able to sow the seed of faith and devotion in the minds of all those with whom they come into contact, then only will their conduct be a meaningful service for the longevity of Dharma and the happiness of all. If one is a highly realized Yogi, then it is an exceptional case, but otherwise all others should totally avoid smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol as they are things which ruin the very purpose of this and future lives. It is proclaimed:
“Firstly, the non virtuous food meat,
Secondly, the yellow intoxicant beer,
Thirdly, the woman’s seducing touch,
Are like poison to the religious person.”
There are persons who pretend to be highly realized masters, but their conduct totally contradicts their presumptions. As these verses state:
“Look at the consort who is impregnated by one who boasts of his mastery to draw in the essential drops [semen virile].
Look at the doorsteps that are defecated on by one? Who claims to possess the power to enchant pebbles.
Look at his shivering body in winter, one who presumes to generate physical heat through the practice of energy-channels and winds.”
It is extremely essential to keep in mind to restrain oneself from every unwholesome deed of the three doors [physical, verbal and mental] for the general benefit of all beings and the enhancement of the Buddha’s teachings, and particularly for one’s happiness in the present and future lives. Regarding the dress of Sangha, it should be in accordance with the sutra and tantric teachings, and their behaviour should be calm, disciplined, conscientious and free from the eight worldly concerns. As everyone is well aware of the sacredness of Vajrasana (Bodh-Gaya), the holiest place of the Buddhists, it is needless to mention the importance of the meritorious actions to be performed here. Due to the noble and profound inspiration of Palyul Darthang Chogtrul Rinpoche, who possesses peerless enthusiasm for the upholding and preservation of Buddha-dharma in general, and the Nyingma lineage in particular, the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo was established several years ago. Since then it has dedicated its prayers for world peace and harmony, and served those who are connected to this ceremony directly or indirectly with temporal and ultimate benefits. As we are the followers of the Buddha, not only during this prayer ceremony, but at all times we must abide by the teachings in terms of our external and internal attitude, dress and the way of thinking, as frequently advised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Further, it is of utmost importance to avoid politics in our religious deeds, so that our obligations will be purely religious. This will prove a good example for the future generations and bring enormous benefits to one and all.
By Rigzod Editors
