Khamtrul Rinpoche - The Royal Seal of Mahamudra, Volume Two: A Guidebook for the Realization of Coemergence

O NE OF the meanings of the term mahamudra is great seal, the analogy being that just as the subjects of a kingdom do not go beyond the command-seal of the king, all phenomena of samsara and nirvana without exception are not beyond mahamudra, or suchness.

For a practitioner of mahamudra, or any of the contemplative traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, instruction guidebooks are a source of advice on how to enhance inspiration and tune our practice so that mistakes can be avoided. Such manuals have been written by truly realized beings who express their immense experience of practice and realization in the written word. Whether in an isolated retreat hermitage or at home, practitioners often do not have ready access to a teacher the very moment that advice is needed; however, a manualthough in no way equal to the direct instruction from a qualified teacherremains always at hand to help clarify doubts and suggest techniques for removing obstacles.

This guidebook for the main body of the practice of mahamudra is one of the most complete and detailed commentaries on the four yogas: one-pointedness, simplicity, one taste, and nonmeditation. I started reading it many years ago while in India, and decided to translate it in 1983, while I was in retreat at Ven. Sengdra Rinpoches retreat center in Nepal, near the border with Tibet. Although the first draft was completed there, I was only able to resume work on it in 2010.

The Tibetan text has two main sections: the first covering the introduction and main body of the practice and the second including an introduction to mind essence from various approaches as well as detailed instructions for removing obstacles, enhancing the experience, distinguishing between experiences and realization, and elaborating on other aspects that complete the mahamudra path.