Advice for the Faithful of Upper Trindu

Advice for the Faithful of Upper Trindu[1]

from The Essential Amrita of Profound Meaning: Oral Instructions and Practical Advice Bestowed upon Fortunate Followers, Eye-Opener to What Is to Be Adopted and Abandoned

by Chokgyur Lingpa

You of great fortune, who wish to practice the sacred Dharma,
Don’t let this human body you’ve obtained this one time go to waste!

Since the time of death is uncertain, ramp up your diligence.
Since karmic cause and effect do not deceive,
Persevere in adopting and avoiding accordingly.

Since saṃsāra is suffering, you should yearn for liberation.
Since the refuge objects, the Three Jewels, are excellent,
You should place your trust in them.

Since bodhicitta is the greatest wealth, focus on it ardently.
Since misdeeds create suffering,
Confess and resolve never to commit them again.

Since awakening is attained by perfecting the accumulations,
Make offerings and give.

To receive the stream of blessings, arouse devotion for the guru.
To attain siddhis, practice the approach and accomplishment of the deity.
To dispel obstacles, make offerings to the ḍākinīs and dharma protectors.
To increase your roots of virtue, make dedications and aspirations.

Neither invite thoughts of the future nor chase thoughts of the past;
These are the deluded appearances of your wild, discursive mind.
You should simply let be, naturally.

When stillness or movement occur, don’t pick and choose;
Just maintain the essence, no matter what arises.
Don’t chase after thoughts; look at their essence.

Don’t be mistaken as to what to look at: look at the looker itself.
When you look, you will see no essence. There is neither basis nor root.
At this point, relinquish all doubt as to whether or not this is it.

In short, free of distraction, without meditating,
Maintain the practice—whether moving or sitting, throughout all activities.

At the request of the faithful of Upper Trindu,
Chokgyur Lingpa spoke this
And the old man called Drön (Guest) transcribed it.

| Samye Translations, 2024.

Bibliography

Source Text

mChog gyur gling pa, “rJes ’jug skal bzang rnams la bstsal pa’i zhal gdams bslab bya nyams len gyi skor spang blang mig ’byed zab don snying gi bdud rtsi.” In mChog gling bka’ ’bum skor. Vol. 36 of mChog gling bde chen zhig po gling pa yi zab gter yid bzhin nor bu’i mdzod chen po, 118–119. Kathmandu, Nepal: Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery, 2004.

Version: 1.0-20240108