Today, it is a pleasure to present selected works from the Venerated Master Nyala Pema Dündul’s where he give’s advice on how to measure our spiritual progress from our actions, emotions and thoughts.
Advice Revealing How Our Faults Become Clear
“Namo guru! I prostrate to the accomplished Vidyādhara Guru – Bless me so that my mind’s five poisons are brought onto the path! Whether the darkness of delusion has been eliminated Is clear whenever we lie down to sleep at night. Whether the flames of anger have been extinguished Is clear whenever we’re struck by words of abuse. Whether the mountain of arrogance has been levelled Is clear whenever we’re honored by those of lesser learning. Whether the lake of desire has dried up and disappeared Is clear whenever we spend time with a beautiful girl. Whether the tornado of envy has been brought to an end Is clear whenever our rivals gain the upper hand. Whether the tight knot of stinginess has been loosened Is clear whenever we gain some material wealth. Whether the flower of discipline has blossomed Is clear whenever we’re in the midst of common folk. Whether we have donned the armor of patience Is clear whenever adversity strikes all of a sudden. Whether the steed of diligence has developed to its finest Is clear whenever we set about accomplishing some virtuous deed. Whether the fortress of meditation has been secured Is clear whenever serious illness befalls us. And whether the sword of wisdom has been sharpened Is clear whenever the destructive emotions arise and unfold. This teaching on how our faults become clear, Was composed by the old beggar called Dündul, In response to requests from many students. Through the merit of this may all beings become entirely devoid of faults!”
Advice on Abandoning the Eight Worldly Concerns
“A ho! Listen well, all you fortunate, supreme disciples of excellent karma! Gain and loss, happiness and unhappiness, Fame and insignificance, praise and blame – These are what we call ‘the eight worldly concerns.’ Those who cling to the duality of good and bad, and feel pleasure and frustration, Can’t even be called practitioners of non-dual self-liberation, Bound as they are by the chains of attachment to the eight worldly concerns. Whatever happens, whether it appears good or bad, pleasurable or painful, Is just like the ten similes of illusion – recognise this! And, in a state of perfection, transcending the ordinary mind, and beyond words, thought and description, Rest in the expanse of the view, beyond the limitations of hope and fear. This advice on abandoning the eight worldly concerns, Was put together by the old beggar Padma, For a group of students who had repeatedly requested it. Through this, may my followers, yogis intent upon enlightenment, Be free from even so much as a single thought That is deceived by the māra of the eight worldly concerns!”
Advice on the View, Meditation, Action and Fruition
“Namo mahāguru buddhāya! It is exceptional among all the tenets of the outer, inner and secret vehicles, It is the key to crossing the ocean of excellent teachings in all their many aspects, And it is the single point that’s sufficient for understanding the Buddhas’ ultimate wisdom – Grant your blessings, so that I may recognize my very own rigpa as the guru! The view that is uncontrived, without basis or origin, the original condition: Let the view that is primordial wisdom, devoid of thought, manifest! Meditation that is sustained awareness, referenceless and free from grasping: Without ‘meditating,’ let the wisdom of clear light unfold in mind’s expanse! Action that is spontaneous, taking whatever occurs as the path of yogic conduct: Let perceptions and mind arise as the action of realizing ‘one taste!’ Beyond the duality of saṃsāra [cycle of life, death and rebirth] and nirvāṇa, and free from hope and fear: Let the ultimate fruition of reality-itself be actualized!
Now, for advice on the uncontrived, naturally arising view, Listen again, all you devoted disciples! When you gain stability, abiding by the uncontrived natural state, There’s no need to look any further: clear light dawns all by itself. There’s no need to meditate: mind’s nature is already there. Distraction is impossible: awareness is its very essence. Movement dissipates by itself: thoughts are purified like the sky. There’s no need for adjustment: just abide by the empty-clarity. And no need for hope or fear: saṃsāra [cycle of life, death and rebirth] and nirvāṇa are equally free.
Listen again, all you disciples gathered here! The mind that’s always been free has no defining marks. Even when looking, nothing is seen – it is emptiness. But it is not an empty void – it’s aware and clear. Awareness and emptiness are indivisible, pervasive like the sky, Without focus, all-penetrating, beyond coming and going. And yet all manner of thoughts and perceptions arise. It is not existent, because it is empty, It is not non-existent, because there’s intrinsic awareness, Appearance and emptiness are in union, realization’s expressive power. Your own mind, undistracted, is the dharmakāya, And the wisdom mind of the buddhas is dharmakāya too. These two are indivisible, merged within clear light. When, out of this ground of emptiness-dharmakāya, Clear light dawns as its expression, spontaneously perfect, Wisdom, love and capacity for action blaze in strength; Primordial wisdom unfolds effortlessly and impartially; And buddha-forms and pure-lands arise in boundless measure. Listen again, all you disciples gathered here! As for this old beggar’s practice, His view is Dzogchen, the Great Perfection; His meditation, Mahāmudrā, the Great Seal; And his conduct, the Vinaya, pure and simple.”
