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The Ninth Way: The Unsurpassed Way

The Tibetan syllable AH surrounded by the five lights in a field of dark blue is often used as a meditative support in dzogchen training.

Among the Nine Ways of Bön, The Ninth Way is the highest. It is the practice of dzogchen, the great perfection. Here, everything is spontaneously perfected and there is no activity to be performed. The view is unbounded and beyond subject and object. Because everything is spontaneously perfected and complete, it is beyond needing the effort of a generating stage and perfection stage. It is beyond the extremes of existence and nonexistence, and without beginning or end. Although it is ineffable, the enlightened Lord Tönpa Shenrap has given guidance using words for those disciples who need instruction. Therefore, this Way is often classified and explained in three parts: the foundation, the path, and the result, or the view, the meditation, and the behavior.

According to the Lord Tönpa Shenrap Miwoche:

“If it is divided into each separate aspect, it has 84,000 elaborations. Condensed inward, it is one essence, a single tiklé.”

Furthermore:

“It cannot be lost. It is not created from a cause, nor is it destroyed by circumstance.”

Although the dzogchen view is the highest and is beyond the dualistic concepts of good and bad, the dzogchen practitioner is not beyond these concepts until they have completely realized the fruit of the teachings, which is buddhahood. Therefore, even if a disciple has a vast and high view, Lord Tönpa Shenrap advises that they maintain behavior according to the path of the two accumulations of virtue and wisdom.  Although dzogchen is about knowing and being aware rather than performing any particular behavior or ritual, there are specifics practices that are prescribed  to be applied to whatever cause or condition is blocking or interrupting awareness. Central to the practice of dzogchen is the development of the mind of enlightenment, doubtless refuge, and indestructible devotion to one’s root lama who points out the true nature of the disciples mind and gives them advice along the path.

Raven Cypress Wood© 2018

 

 

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The Shining Light of Kailash

Chogyal Namkha’i Norbu Rinpoche. Photo credit: Unknown

On the  17th day of the 8th Tibetan Month, Western date September 27,  2018, the esteemed dzogchen master and scholar, Chogyal Namkha’i Norbu Rinpoche passed away. Although he was a Nyingma lineage holder, he had close ties with many Yungdrung Bön lamas. Through his years of research, he often verified the validity of Bönpo religious and historical accounts. In 1983, he and a group of his students traveled to Dolanji, India and received teachings and transmissions of the Zhang Zhung Nyen Gyü from His Eminence Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche. In 1988, having been invited by Namkha’i Norbu Rinpoche to his Merigar Retreat Center in Italy, Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche taught his first dzogchen retreat to Westerners.

Namkha’i Norbu Rinpoche and his students with HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche and Geshe Tenzin Wangyal in Dolanji, India. 1983. Photo credit: Unknown

Namkha’i Norbu Rinpoche was a prolific writer and authored many books, including the well known “The Crystal and the Way of Light,” and “The Cycle of Day and Night.” He also wrote a three volume study of Zhang Zhung and Tibetan history which has been eloquently translated and edited by Donatella Rossi entitled, “The Light of Kailash, A History of Zhang Zhung and Tibet.”

Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche with HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche in 2016. Photo credit: Unknown

When a realized lama passes, it is appropriate to fervently practice guru yoga, imagining the master merged with all masters and enlightened beings, to perform aspiration prayers, to perform acts of virtue, and to sponsor the performance of tsog offerings by the monastic community. For students, it is especially important to purify and renew commitments they have made with the master, and to zealously apply the master’s spiritual guidance until achieving realization for themselves and others.

Raven Cypress Wood ©2018

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A Mandala of Offerings

His Eminence Menri Ponlop Yangton Trinley Nyima Rinpoche being offered the mandala in Kham, Tibet. Photo credit: Unknown.

 

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Grand Enthronement of His Holiness 34th Menri Trizen

HH 34th Menri Trizen Dawa Dargye Rinpoche with Dr. Lobsang Sangye. Photo credit: Unknown

The grand enthronement ceremony of His Holiness 34th Menri Trizen Dawa Dargye Rinpoche was attended by the president of the Central Tibetan Administration, Dr. Lobsang Sangay. During the event, Dr. Sangay gave a speech and also presented the 34th Menri Trizen Rinpoche with a mandala offering.

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A Thousand Prostrations to our Spiritual Father!

His Holiness 34th golden throne holder of Tashi Menri Monastery, Dawa Dargye Rinpoche, leader of the Yungdrung Bon religious tradition. Photo credit: Unknown

On September 6th 2018 at Tashi Menri Monastery in Dolanji, India, Dawa Dargye Rinpoche will be formally enthroned as Holder of the Golden Throne, the 34th Menri Trizen, Spiritual Leader of the Yungdrung Bön religious tradition and its disciples.

“Amazing!

In a place where even the name of precious Bön could not be heard, teachings and realizations blossomed in the garden of lotuses of the spiritual leader, following the enlightened activities of the previously manifested Sun.

May these prayers go to the leader who is the manifestation of the perfect Moon.”

This prayer for HH 34th Menri Trizen was requested by HE Menri Ponlop Yangton Trinley Nyima Rinpoche and written by HE Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche March 25, 2018.

This translation of the first of two stanzas is offered by Gyalshen Institute.

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