SHAMBHALA PUBLICATIONS, INC HORTICULTURAL HALL MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02115 300 http://www.shambhala.com Translation and introductory matter C 1994, 1998 by Padmakara Translation Group 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 s First edition published 1994 Second edition published 1998 Photoset in Classical Garamond by Padmalcara Printed in the United States of America This edition is printed on acid-free paper that meets the American National Standards Institute Z39.48 Standard Distributed in the United States of America by Random House, Inc and in Canada by Random House of Canada Ltd LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA 0-rgyan-'jigs-med-chos-lcyi-dban-po, Dpal-sprul, b 1808 [Kun Bzan bla ma'i zallun English] The words of my perfect teacher/Patrol Rinpoche; translated by the Padmalcara Translation Group.-Rev ed p em Includes bibliographic references and index ISBN 1-57062-412-7 (pblc.: aile paper) Rdzogs-chen (Rnin-ma-pa) Spiritual Life-Buddhism Buddhism-China-Tibet-Doctrines I Tide BQ7662.4.072513 1998b 98-22526 294.3'420423-dc21 CIP To the teachers of the past, the present and the future Patron HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT Trustees Sir Brian McGrath, KCVO (Chair) Dr Narinder Singh Kapany Martine Batchelor Richard Summers Dr Muhammad Zaki Badawi Michael Stillwell The Duchess of Abercorn Xll INTERNATIONAL SACRED LITERATURE T R U S T T he International Sacred Literature Trust was established to promote understanding and open discussion between and within faiths and to give voice in today's world to the wisdom that speaks across time and traditions What resources the sacred traditions of the world possess to respond to the great global threats of poverty, war, ecological disaster and spiritual despair? Our starting-point is the sacred texts with their vision of a higher truth and their deep insights into the nature of humanity and the universe we inhabit The translation programme is planned so that each faith community articulates its own teachings with the intention of enhancing its self-understanding as well as the understanding of those of other faiths and those of no faith The Trust particularly encourages faiths to make available texts which are needed in translation for their own communities and also texts which are little known outside the tradition but which have the power to inspire, console, enlighten and transform These sources from the past become resources for the present and future when we make inspired use of them to guide us in shaping the contemporary world Our religious traditions are diverse but, as with the natural environment, we are discovering the global interdependence of human hearts and minds The Trust invites all to participate in the modern experience of interfaith encounter and exchange which marks a new phase in the human quest to discover our full humanity Xlll Contents List of illustrations Foreword by the Dalai Lama Foreword by Dilgo Khyentse runpoche Translators' Acknowledgements Preface to the Second Edition Translators' Introduction A brief historical introduction to Tibetan Buddhism xxiii XXV xxvii xxviii xxix xxxi xl PROLOGUE PART ONE THE ORDINARY OR EXTERNAL PRELIMINAR IES • Chapter One The difficulty of finding the freedoms and advantages I THE PROPER WAY TO LISTEN TO SPIRITUAL TEACHING Attitude THE VAST ATTITUDE OF THE BODHICITTA 1.1 VAST SKILL IN MEANS: THE ATTITUDE OF THE SECRET 1.2 MANTRAYANA Conduct WHAT TO AVOID 2.1 The Three Defects of the Pot 2.1.1 The Six Stains 2.1.2 The Five Wrong Ways of Remembering 2.1.3 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 xiv 10 12 15 WHAT TO DO The Four Metaphors The Six Transcendent Perfections Other Modes of Conduct 16 18 19 ...To the teachers of the past, the present and the future Patron HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT Trustees Sir Brian McGrath, KCVO (Chair) Dr Narinder Singh Kapany Martine... despair? Our starting-point is the sacred texts with their vision of a higher truth and their deep insights into the nature of humanity and the universe we inhabit The translation programme is planned... xl PROLOGUE PART ONE THE ORDINARY OR EXTERNAL PRELIMINAR IES • Chapter One The difficulty of finding the freedoms and advantages I THE PROPER WAY TO LISTEN TO SPIRITUAL TEACHING Attitude THE