Instructions for Sokpo Kachupa

Instructions for Sokpo Kachupa

by Gorampa Sonam Senge

You asked for some essential advice for directing the mind toward Dharma.
Because you have an excellent understanding of both sūtric and tantric textual systems, you can proceed from there. However, let me share some crucial points that are of immediate necessity:

In this deceptive experience of defiled saṃsāra,
All that seems provisionally perfect and desirable,
Should be understood as the suffering of the conditioned;
Renunciation is thus the root of the path to liberation.

In this great ocean of saṃsāra, where motherly beings
Are constantly caught in the sharp fangs of suffering’s sea monsters,
Cultivating the compassionate wish to liberate them
Is the root of the Mahāyāna.

Seeing the the form of the supreme guru,
Who bestows the four complete empowerments,
As embodying the assembly of deities complete with the three seats
And making supplications to him[1] is the root of blessing.

The impure appearances of saṃsāra – container and contained –
Are naturally pure, as they are, in essence, supreme deities.
Still, to remove conceptual clinging to characteristics
By meditating on them as deity forms is the root of the generation stage.

When primordial wisdom arises through any method,
Whether with or without focus,
Blessing all appearances with it and meditating on everything
As wisdom itself is the root of the completion stage.

Although one may internally realize the view free from elaboration,
Never belittling the profound methods
Of deity meditation, mantra recitation, and the like, and
Diligently practicing them is the root of accomplishments.

Although you may understand the foundation,
Where all the essential points of practice related to higher and lower vehicles converge,
When conditions provoke stubborn habitual tendencies,
Still you must remember the most cherished instructions.

If desire for possessions, respect or renown arises,
And you acquire many things and gain respect,
And feel proud of all your widespread acclaim,
At death this will bring only fear, so it’s important to let go.

In this degenerate age, so rife with fierce afflictions,
When gathering disciples can lead to wrong practice,
It’s important to rejoice as if finding a treasure at home,
And, through patience, transform it into a path to enlightenment.

To prevent the results of the attitude
Of wishing yourself high and others low,
To carry all beings as a crown upon your head,
And always maintain humility is most important.

Though mentally you wish to take the lowest place,
When among the supreme field of merit – the Sangha assembly –
Primarily to be a great ornament of the teachings,
It’s important that you gracefully accept respect in others’ presence.

Though the three forms of mindfulness
Are qualities of the Buddha, they should be cultivated aspiringly.
In relating to the twofold conduct of disciples,
Freedom from attachment, aversion, and anger is most important.

Regarding the inner practice of study, reflection, and meditation,
And the outer activities of teaching, debate, and composition:
If pride arises, their benefit diminishes.
It’s important, therefore, to be free from the pride of accomplishment.

These days, when properly practicing the sublime Dharma,
The power of obstacles is great on account of the time.
To counter this, it is important to conduct regular practice
Of approach and accomplishment and offering tormas to the ḍākinīs and dharma protectors.

If you, great-minded one, apply yourself
To these seven roots of the path
And seven important points of practice,
You will achieve the supreme goal that you seek.

As a symbolic support for this letter, a statue of Avalokiteśvara made from the cremation relics of the Lord Great Bodhisattva,[2] and one nectar pill, marked with this seal is offered. This was sent from Thubten Namgyal[3] on the twenty-fourth day of the fifth Hor month. May virtue and excellence increase! May it be virtuous!

| Translated by Lopön Sonam Jamtsho, 2024.

Bibliography

Tibetan Edition

bsod nams sengge. gsung 'bum bsod nams sengge, Dehra Dun: Sakya College, 1979, Vol. 13: 646–649.

Version: 1.0-20241126