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Buddha Tönpa Shenrap’s Eleventh Deed: The Deed of Complete Liberation

The enlightened Lord Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché taught his disciples that in order to quickly attain complete liberation, one should practice the highest view of the dzogchen teachings according to the ultimate truth. However, he emphasized that spiritual behavior is based upon the relative truth and should be practiced from the bottom to the top. The method for this practice is the Ten Perfections and the foundation is compassion. According to Lord Tönpa Shenrap, even though one practices the highest view, one should continually pay close attention to the details of behavior according to the relative truth.

The Ten Perfections are:

  • Generosity
  • Moral Discipline
  • Patience
  • Zeal
  • Power
  • Concentration
  • Compassion
  • Aspiration
  • Skillful Means
  • Wisdom

For a brief explanation of each of these perfections, see previous post: https://ravencypresswood.com/2015/10/23/the-ten-perfections-of-the-yungdrung-bon/

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Wisdom Water

His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche performs a water purification ritual. Photo credit: Unknown.

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Lineage of Ancient Wisdom

HH 34th Menri Trizin Dawa Dargye Rinpoche and HE Menri Ponlop Yangton Thrinley Nyima Rinpoche during a ritual at Menri Monastery in Dolanji, Inida. Photo credit: Unknown.

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Giving Without Attachment

Mandala Offering at Tokden Yungdrung Bon Monastery. Photo credit: Unknown

“EMAHO!

To the great, peerless lama possessing characteristics, I present unequaled external, internal and secret offerings.

Externally, I offer the environment and the beings within it. I offer my own body and its vitality as an ornament. Furthermore, I present these offerings with non-attachment.

Internally, I offer the arising of my mental and physical aggregates. I offer my accumulated realization that whatever arises as subject and object is illusory. Furthermore, I present these offerings within the vast space of self-liberation.

Secretly, I offer the natural radiance of my unborn mind, which is unceasing and understands whatever arises as enlightened manifestation and wisdom. Furthermore, I present these offerings within a completely vast and all-pervasive space.”

—From Offerings for the Lama. Translated from the Tibetan by Raven Cypress Wood

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Sacred Offering of Flowers

Ritual flower offering of ornamented tsampaka being prepared. Photo credit: Jessica Gallego

Within the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition, flowers are one of the five daily offerings and an important offering during most rituals. Often tsampaka seeds are used to create an auspicious flower offering that never withers or fades in beauty. These seed pods grow on commonly found trees in the Himalayas and measure an average of 25 to 28 inches in length.

Left: tsampaka seed pod Center: tsampaka seed pod with seeds iinside Right: tsampaka seeds. Photo credit: Raven Cypress Wood

As a ritual flower offering, the winged seeds are glued one above another to a small piece of wood or bamboo. The center of the seeds are then painted or otherwise decorated with the five colors of the five elements.

Tsampaka flower offerings for a Nampar Gyalwa Fire Ritual. Photo credit: Raven Cypress Wood.

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