Patrul Rinpoche et al. - The Nature of Mind: The Dzogchen Instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne

I am so happy to hear that this book is being published! Having such texts is our great good fortune, the result of our inconceivable merit. Patrul Rinpoche was a living buddha, a bodhisattva in the flesh, so of course his teaching can be trusted and relied on completely. He wouldnt lie to us! Moreover, Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal are exceptional, compassionate masters of our time, not ordinary lamas. I think there is no better way to practice than by following their commentary precisely. It is my prayer that these teachings not only will be read widely but also that each practitioner will bring them into their heart with faith and sincerity.

Gyatrul Rinpoche, author of Meditation, Transformation, and Dream Yoga

Aro Yeshe Jungnes inspirational teachings on the nature of mind, which derive from the mind class of the Great Perfection and are contained in the anthology of the Nyingma Kama, flourished during the tenth to twelfth centuries. A native of Langtang Dolma on the banks of the Yangtze in Kham, Aro possessed the instructions of seven successive masters of both Indian and Chinese lineages. His teachings were revived during the nineteenth century when they were recompiled by Patrul Rinpoche. Aro offers access to the Dzogchen perspectives on the nature of mind to persons of nine different capacities, ranging from those in whom this realization is spontaneously and effortlessly present to those who acquire it through the applications of calm abiding and superior insight. The present volume contains Sarah Hardings clear and lucid translation of Patrul Rinpoches work, along with the contemporary oral commentary of the late Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. It is through their kindness that these vital teachings are now widely accessible.

Gyurme Dorje, translator of The Complete Nyingma Tradition from Sutra to Tantra: Books 15 to 17: The Essential Tantras of Mahayoga

ABOUT THE BOOK

Patrul Rinpoche, the beloved nineteenth-century master best known for Words of My Perfect Teacher, collected the teachings of the tenth-century adept Aro Yeshe Jungne and synthesized them into the short text translated here as Clear Elucidation of True Nature. How to put these essential teachings into practice is the subject of the lively commentary by the two Khenpo brothers, the late Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche. The Dzogchen meditation instructions of the Aro lineage are divided into nine sets, or nine levels, with specific instructions for each on how to identify the nature of the mind, how to abide in it as a way of life, and how to liberate turbulent thoughts and emotions when they arise. The commentary enfolds this instruction into a broad general teaching suitable for beginners that serves as an introduction to Dzogchen meditation, to the Nyingma tradition, and to basic Buddhism.

KHENPO TSEWANG DONGYAL, along with KHENCHEN PALDEN SHERAB, is a founder and director of Padmasambhava Buddhist Center based at Padma Samye Ling in upstate New York. PBC is a worldwide Buddhist meditation and study network that includes local centers as well as retreat centers and monastic institutions.

Sign up to receive weekly Tibetan Dharma teachings and special offers from Shambhala Publications.

Or visit us online to sign up at shambhala.com/edharmaquotes.

The Nature of Mind

The Dzogchen Instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne

Patrul Rinpoche

COMMENTARY BY

Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal

S NOW L ION

B OULDER

2016

Snow Lion

An imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc.

4720 Walnut Street

Boulder, Colorado 80301

www.shambhala.com

Root text translation 1997, 2016 by Sarah Harding

Commentary 2012, 2016 by Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche

This book is a revised and updated edition of a book previously published under the title of Pointing Out the Nature of Mind: Dzogchen Pith Instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne (2012).

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.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: O-rgyan-jigs-med-chos-kyi-dbang-po, Dpal-sprul, 18081887, author. | Palden Sherab, Khenchen, 19382010. | Tsewang Dongyal, Khenpo, 1950

Title: The nature of mind: the Dzogchen instructions of Aro Yeshe Jungne / Patrul Rinpoche; commentary by Khenchen Palden Sherab and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal.

Other titles: Theg mchog a tii man ngag gnas lugs gsal ston. English

Description: Boulder: Snow Lion, 2016. | Includes translations from Tibetan.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015019556 | eISBN 978-0-8348-4019-5 | ISBN 9781559394499 (paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: Rdzogs-chen. | Ri-ma-pa (Sect)Doctrines. | Ye-shes Byung-gnas, A-ro, active 10th centuryTeachings. | BISAC: RELIGION / Buddhism / Tibetan. | RELIGION / Buddhism / Sacred Writings.

Classification: LCC BQ7662.4 .O728 2016 | DDC 294.3/444dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015019556

Dedicated in the honor and memory of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche,

Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Lama Chimed Namgyal,

and all the lineage holders of these secret teachings,

as well as all the devoted practitioners

of the past, present, and future.

C ONTENTS

T HE LEGACY OF the enlightened teacher Aro Yeshe Jungne was recently reignited by Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche at Padma Samye Ling, so that these authentic, ever-expanding lineage teachings are now increasing in Western countries as they did in Tibet in the tenth century, near the end of the first millennium C.E .

I had the great fortune and opportunity to join with such a great master as Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, and am very happy to bring forth this gift of his as a monument of these teachings.

I pray that these teachings will inspire and support practitioners, and that this book honors the great lineage masters and fulfills Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoches wishes, and the wishes of other great masters who entered mahaparinirvana within recent years. I offer this with prayers for their swift reincarnations, which are very much needed during these times.

I also pray that all great lineage masters, world peacemakers, and everyone supporting the cause of peace and harmony have long and healthy lives, fulfill all their wishes, and that all their activities flourish and increase.

I would like to thank everyone who helped with this book, including Richard Steinberg for transcribing and editing all the teachings and creating the glossary, as well as Lama Pema Dragpa, Ann Helm, and Mark Flinton. I would also like to thank Lama Jomo Lorraine and Lama Laia for their ongoing support of the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center.