We have gained a perfect human form with its freedoms and advantages, we have met the precious teachings of the Mahāyāna, and we have the freedom to practice the sacred Dharma authentically. So, at this time, let us not waste our lives in meaningless pursuits, but work towards the genuine, lasting goal. Longchenpa
Experience may arise in the mind but it is neither mind nor anything but mind; it is a vivid display of absence, like magical illusion, in the very moment unutterable. All experience arising in the mind, at its inception, know it as absence! Longchenpa
Through being partial towards our lama, lineage and practice, We believe we are upholding them. But to praise our own side whilst disparaging others is the source of attachment and aversion. ‘To give all this up’ is my heart advice. Longchenpa
Rejoicing is habituating yourself to feeling happy about all the constructive acts of the Triumphant Ones, their spiritual offspring, and all wandering beings. This is a supreme method for transforming fathomless masses of positive force into something immeasurably great. Longchenpa
Begin with bodhicitta, do the main practice without concepts, Conclude by dedicating the merit. These, together and complete, Are the three vital supports for progressing on the path to liberation. Longchenpa
In the universal womb that is boundless space All forms of matter and energy occur As flux of the four elements, But all are empty forms, absent in reality: All phenomena, arising in pure mind, are like that. Just as dream is a part of sleep, Unreal in its arising, So all and everything is […]
To be naked and so on in the middle of ordinary people, We might think of such eccentric behaviour as part of higher asceticism, But it is a reason for worldly beings to lose faith in what is pure. ‘To act with mindfulness’ is my heart advice. Longchenpa
Through taking on responsibility, bearing witness, enforcing the law and so on, We reconcile people in their disputes, thinking this benefits them, But still, aversion and attachment arise. ‘To be without hope and fear’ is my heart advice. Longchenpa
Pointing out faults to a short-tempered retinue In these degenerate times, even with the wish to benefit, Gives rise to negative states of mind. ‘To speak peacefully’ is my heart advice.
Whatever exists is only its own nature; and whatever ends is only its own nature: there is no movement at all in pure mind and that stillness is the body of buddha. Every word that is uttered is only its own purity; and every vibration is only its own purity: nothing is spoken or uttered […]
In any of the four times and ten directions Enlightenment will not be found Except in the mind, which is the fully enlightened state. Do not seek the Buddha in any other source. (Otherwise) even if the Buddha (himself) searches, it will not be found. Longchenpa
To amass a multitude of profound texts Such as scriptures, commentaries and oral instructions, Without practicing them, will be of no benefit at the time of death. ‘To watch your mind’ is my heart advice. Longchenpa
Below rocky cliffs, a vivid sense of impermanence and disenchantment dawns, clear and inspired, helping us to achieve the union of calm abiding and penetrating insight. Longchenpa
To timeless buddhahood, basic total presence, To unchanging spontaneity, the spacious vajra-heart, To the nature of mind – natural perfection, Constantly, simply being, we bow down. Longchenpa
If we have listened to many learned masters and received deep instructions, Have studied a few sutras and tantras, Without ever applying them —‘Oh how pitiful!’— we are just fooling ourselves. Longchenpa
The preparatory generation of the enlightened mind, The unconceptualized main practice, And concluding with the dedication, all thoroughly applied: These are the three invaluables for traversing the path of liberation. Longchenpa
To experience the ocean of essence, resembling the sphere of unchanging space: free of center and perimeter, pervading the expanse. Enlightened mind transcends cognitions! Rootless and baseless are appearance and void, in the self-arisen rikpa of every perception. Vivid is the sense of noncessation: luminous, the absence of object perception. Within the voidness free of […]
To have subordinates, wealth, a retinue, good fortune and Fame spreading through the whole world – At the time of death all this is of no benefit. ‘To be diligent in one’s practice’ is my heart advice. Longchenpa
Were we to offer a hundred valuable things accumulated through wrong livelihood, Based on conducting business, taking interest, deception and so on. We might attempt to be virtuous, but instead give rise to the eight worldly dharmas. ‘To meditate on renunciation’ is my heart advice. Longchenpa
In order to receive provisions from the faithful, We might pay respect in a hypocritical way To attract attention, but that will only fetter us. ‘To act regarding everything as equal’ is my heart advice. Longchenpa
