Khenchen Thrangu - A Harmony of Views: Three Songs by Ju Mipham, Changkya Rolpay Dorje, and Chögyam Trungpa

We often read about the different schools of Buddhism, and we might wonder whether they share any essential, common view. This is the question addressed by the three songs that form the basis of this book. The great Geluk scholar Changkya Rolpay Dorje (17171786) wrote a song describing the view of the Middle Way, and then later the nonsectarian polymath Ju Mipham Rinpoche (18461912) and the influential Kagyu master Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoche (19391987) wrote songs modeled upon it that describe the views of dzogchen and mahamudra. One of the striking features of these songs is the metaphors they use: Changkya Rolpay Dorje compares the Middle Way to a mother, Ju Mipham compares dzogchen to a jewel, and Chgyam Trungpa compares mahamudra to a lover. But even though the imagery each author uses and the specific points they make are different, the songs share many characteristics. Indeed, the later songs follow the same structure as the earlier songs, in many places copying lines verbatim or just slightly altering them from the earlier songs. Together, the three songs show how the essential points of the view of these three practices are the same and reveal how Buddhisms various traditionsincluding the pinnacles of the Middle Way, dzogchen, and mahamudraare all harmonious.

These three songs are presented together here with commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, who explains how studying the profound view helps develop the necessary certainty to bring meditation practice to fruition. He shows how songs such as these can serve as antidotes for discouragement, especially for people who have had strong meditation experiences but find themselves unable to sustain that level of practice. Thrangu Rinpoche explains that, even in comparison to oral instructions and treatises, songs of this kind are of special benefit because of their engaging eloquence. The songs are not long, and they are a delight to read, reread, and memorize. By clarifying the view again and again in this way, they offer continual inspiration to practitioners. In addition to explaining the songs, Rinpoche also shares stories about the masters, including stories of his own personal connections with Ju Mipham and Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

Rather than following the historical sequence of their composition, the songs are presented here in the order that they were taught by Thrangu Rinpoche over the course of a few weeks in the fall of 2009. He first taught Mipham Rinpoches and Changkya Rolpay Dorjes songs in Crestone, Colorado, and then Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoches song in Boulder, Colorado. During the oral teachings, Rinpoche would refer to points he had already explained, so when putting this book together, it seemed clearest to leave them in the order they were taught rather than match the order in which they were written.

Rinpoche structured his teachings around the outlines for these songs that are found in Mipham Rinpoches commentary on Changkya Rolpay Dorjes song, Khenpo Gangshar Wangpos commentary on Ju Miphams song, and Rinpoches own outline for Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoches song. These three outlines provide the basis for the chapter titles and subheadings used in this book and are included in their entirety in the appendices.

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

A book such as this is the product of many peoples efforts and generosity. In particular, we would like to thank Karma Cholha for preparing the initial transcription of Rinpoches teachings and Nikko Odiseos and Michael Wakoff at Shambhala Publications for shepherding this book through the editorial and production process and into print. Thanks are also due to Lady Diana Mukpo for permission to include a new translation of Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoches song in this book. Despite all of their assistance and care, it is still possible that there are some faults in this book, and they are solely our own. Still, we hope that this book can help all its readers understand that despite the differences in terminology and explanation, all the different Buddhist schools come from a single teacher, the Buddha.

P ROLOGUE

This book is about three songs: Ju Mipham Rinpoches Experiential Song of the Dzogchen View Called The Music of Sweet Sounds (often referred to by the abbreviated title Song of the Dzogchen View), Changkya Rolpay Dorjes Song of the View Called Recognizing My Mother (referred to as the Song of the Middle Way View), and Chgyam Trungpa Rinpoches Experiential Song of the View of Luminous Mahamudra Called The Music of Great Bliss (referred to as the Song of the Mahamudra View). Even though it has not been very long since the Secret Mantra Vajrayana spread to the West (compared with Tibet and India, where it has been spreading for over thirteen hundred years), many Westerners have great faith in the dharma. They practice diligently and study well, and they are knowledgeable. This is extremely fortunate. The Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa and other great teachers came to the West, taught the dharma, and gave pointing-out and other instructions. Many practitioners have developed meditation experience and actual realization as a result of their diligence, perseverance, and willingness to endure the necessary hardships. This is wonderful. These practitioners often ask me this kind of question: I had an amazing realization, a wonderful meditation experience, but it lasted only for a very short period of time. I wasnt able to extend it for very long. What instructions will make the experience last?