Response to Denma Tsegyal Kyab

Response to Questions from Denma Tsegyal Kyab

by Gorampa Sonam Senge

Having bowed to the protector Avalokiteśvara,
Who compassionately cares for all beings,
I will briefly say something in response
To the questions asked by the devoted one.

The way to establish the correct view
according to the systems of the Perfection vehicle, is as follows:
When examined through reasoning like
The ‘neither one nor many’ argument
As taught in the Middle Way texts,
One cannot find the self as separate from aggregates,
as designated by other schools,
The indivisible particles and momentary consciousness as
substantially existing designated by our own schools;
Or the non-dual wisdom as truly existing.
This is negating the first of the four extremes,
the foundation of total freedom from elaborations.

Since the object of negation – true existence – is not established,
How can one find the emptiness that is its negation?
Finding neither two nor non-two,
The view is not to grasp anything at all.

With regard to this, some claim
that it is the view of Hvashang.
Without distinguishing between
Not finding the four extremes through analysis
And merely blocking thoughts arbitrarily,
Which is proclaimed to be the supreme meditation,
It aims to eliminate the view of freedom from elaboration,
And as such it is the demonic speech of arbitrary pronouncement.

Though analysis finds no four extremes,
Meditation is resting naturally
In mere clarity and continuity of awareness,
Having eliminated faults like laxity and excitement.

Regarding the Vajrayāna view
When established through investigation by reasoning,
There is no higher reason than this.
Therefore, the view [of Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna] from the study and reflection perspective is one.

When summarized by means of the pith instruction tradition,
This may be reduced to three points:
Mind, illusion, and lack of inherent nature.
There is no difference between the two in terms of meditation.

The Vajrayāna is superior
Due to how self-arisen wisdom emerges
Through ripening empowerments, the two stages,
And some measure of profound blessings.

Though there is much more to say about this,
As it is not the right occasion, I shall leave it for now.
May this much also fulfill all the hopes
Of the devoted one.

Written at Thubten Namgyal Monastery by the learned monk Sonam Senge, at the request from afar by an individual from Denma, namely Tsegyal Kyab.

| Translated by Lopön Sonam Jamtsho, 2024.

Bibliography

Tibetan Edition

bsod nams sengge. gsung 'bum bsod nams sengge, Dehra Dun: Sakya College, 1979, Vol. 9: 142–143.

Version: 1.0-20241126