Christopher Wilkinson - Sky Space: The Royal Tantra on the Great Perfection of the Bodhicitta

Sky Space The Royal Tantra On the Great Perfection Of the Bodhicitta Translated by Christopher Wilkinson The painting on the cover of a goose is the work of Tsering Kelsang, a master painter who is currently residing in Dharamsala, India. He may be reached at: tsekelsang1984@gmail.com. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote excerpts in a review. Independently Published Copyright 2020 Christopher Wilkinson All rights reserved. ISBN : 9798630955043 DEDICATION For all teachers and students of the Great Perfection Also Translated By Christopher Wilkinson The Mind Section The All-Creating King: A Root Tantra of the Great Perfection Atiyoga: The Eighteen Tantras The Bodhicitta Sutra: Ten Scriptures of the Great Perfection The Tantra of Great Bliss: The Guhyagarbha Transmission of Vajrasattvas Magnificent Sky Secret Sky: The Ancient Tantras on Vajrasattvas Magnificent Sky The Space Section The Royal Tantra on the Brilliant Diffusion of Majestic Space The Great Tantra of Vajrasattva: Equal to the End of the Sky Perfect Wisdom: Four Early Tantras of the Great Perfection The Secret Tantras of the Fish Wheel and the Nine Spaces: Two Ancient Scriptures of the Great Perfection Secret Wisdom: Three Root Tantras of the Great Perfection The Upadea Instruction Section The Jewel Maker: The Great Tantra on the Consequence of Sound The Lion Stops Hunting: An Upadesha Tantra of the Great Perfection The Secret Kissing of the Sun and Moon: Three Upadesha Tantras of the Great Perfection The Six Spaces of the All Good: An Upadesha Tantra of the Great Perfection A Mound of Jewels: Three Upadesha Tantras of the Great Perfection A Subtle Arrangement of Gemstones: Two Upadesha Tantras of the Great Perfection The Mirror of the Heart of Vajrasattva: Two Upadesha Tantras of the Great Perfection The Pearl Necklace Tantra: Upadesha Instructions of the Great Perfection Eight Early Tantras of the Great Perfection: An Elixir of Ambrosia Other Great Perfection Clear Meaning: The Force of Wisdom Tantra The Magic Key: Instructions on the Bodhicitta Ten Early Tantras of the Great Perfection: A Basket of Diamonds The Gods and the Demons Are Not Two: A Tantra of the Great Perfection Beyond Secret: The Upadesha of Vairochana on the Practice of the Great Perfection The Sakya Kongma Series The Poetic Wisdom of Sakya Pandita Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsan: The Hermit King Sonam Tsemo: Admission at Dharmas Gate Sachen Kunga Nyingpo: An Overview of Tantra and Related Works Chogyal Phagpa: The Emperors Guru Advice to Kublai Khan: Letters by the Tibetan Monk Chogyal Phagpa to Kublai Khan and His Court At the Court of Kublai Khan: Writings of the Tibetan Monk Chogyal Phagpa CONTENTS

It was he who introduced me to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and through his recommendations enabled me to receive full empowerments, transmissions, and permissions in the areas of Mah, Anu, and Ati yogas. With the highest regard I wish to thank Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Khetsun Zangpo Rinpoche, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and Khenpo Palden Sherab for their kind instruction and encouragement in my effort to translate the literature of the rDzogs chen. There are many individuals, too many to name here, who have helped me in many ways over the years to become a qualified translator. At this time I want to acknowledge the kindness of Ngawang Kunga Trinlay Sakyapa, Jigdral Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche, Dhongthog Rinpoche, Karmapa Rangjung Rigpay Dorje, Kalu Rinpoche, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Geshe Ngawang Nornang, Carl Potter, David Ruegg, Turrell Wylie, Gene Smith, Karen Lang, Richard Salomon, Jack Hawley, David Jackson, Cyrus Stearns, Herbert Guenther, Eva Neumeier-Dargyay, Leslie Kawamura, Frits Staal, Robert Thurman, Paul Nietupski, Lou Lancaster, David Snellgrove, Jean-Luc Achard, Sarah Harding, Steve Landsberg, Tsultrim Allione, Carolyn Klein, Rob Mayer, Jonathan Silk, David White, and Mark Tatz. I want to thank Nora Staffanell for proofreading the manuscript. I also want to thank Diana McPhee, Eric Bause, Giovanni Santuz, and Robert J.

Barnhart, whose support has helped to make this translation possible. I owe special thanks to Tsering Kelsang for painting the cover art. The many people who have contributed to my understanding and ability to do this work cannot be counted. I wish to thank everyone who has taken a kind interest in these translations, however slight, for their part in making this work a reality. Introduction Sky Space is a Tantra of the Great Perfection, the Dzogchen or Atiyoga. It was translated into Tibetan in the Eighth Century of our era in India, and has been well cared for in Tibet for well over a thousand years.

In it we are presented with the timeless teachings of Vajrasattva on the essence of our own minds. This scripture is a transmission called the Vajra Bridge (Dorje Zampa). In the division of Tantras that includes the Mind Section, the Space Section, and the Upadea Instruction Section, Sky Space is a Root Tantra of the Space Section. It is here translated into a modern language for the first time. This translation was completed during the time of the coronavirus epidemic, while under lockdown. It does say in Sky Space that its contents are intended for those who live during the last five hundred years of the teachings.

It strikes me as significant that this translation is coming out now. Sky Space In the Indian language: Bodhicitta Mahsandhi Khasame Alangkara Tantra Rja Nma In the Tibetan language: Byang chub kyi sems rdzogs pa chen po mKha mnyam klong gi rgyud kyi rgyal po zhes bya ba In the English language: Sky Space: The Royal Tantra on the Great Perfection of the Bodhicitta The Basic Scene I bow to the Blessed One, The glorious Vajrasattva. On one occasion I heard these words: The Tathagata, The Arhat, The properly perfected Buddha, The Blessed One Works to maintain secret pleasures And is majestically non-divisive. He abides with every Dharma without duality. He enjoys the infinity of the sky. The secrets of his body, speech, and mind Are elegant like vajras.