Hung Syllable surrounded by Vajra Guru Mantra.
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
1990 Summer

Opening Letter

Listen, my children

linked to me through karma!

'By the blessing of the Three Jewels

I wish for you bliss of body and mind.

I give you my message in these few words…

 

 

With this great ship, this precious human body,

so difficult to come by,

exert yourselves to reach the far shore

for the sake of yourselves and others.

Never succumb to the deva's offspring of distraction.

Arouse yourselves urgently by recalling impermanence and death,

and forge a connection between your own experience and the sacred dharma.

A family coming together is like small birds flocking in the fields.

Do not quarrel, my children,

but regard one another with affection and harmony.

 

If you wish to find happiness and be free of suffering,

do not overlook even tiny acts of virtue or harm.

Take care to embrace or abandon them without error,

for karma is infallible.

 

The honors, fame, companions and abodes of this life-

samsara 's bliss and happiness-are like food mixed with poison.

As if they were a burning pit or a swamp of rotting corpses,

abandon them with immutable resolve for release.

To seek enlightenment out of pride–

this self-made dharma clouds the issue.

Don't fool yourselves!

Practice as the infallible lama instructs you!

The teacher, the perfect Buddha,

embodies the consummation of letting go and gaining realization. His teachings of sacred dharma

are the path to ultimate happiness. Of all companions the most excellent are those of

the noble sangha. Do not forsake them in your heart,

but take refuge in them at all times.

 

The lama is the source of all blessings without exception.

Hold to what he indicates is your mind's samaya

and you will attain siddhis.

 

The myriad phenomena do not actually come and go,

yet in the utter simplicity of sky like dharmata,

the interdependent connections of phenomena do not cease.

Through this realization,

enlightened activity is accomplished beyond limit

In this way make the Three Roots inseparable from your heart.

 

The only virtue of harmful action is that

it can be purified through confession.

Each day, before your source of refuge as witness,

confess from your heart the harmful acts and failings

committed from beginningless time.

Keep your vow not to commit these injuries again

and, by pure and powerful blessings,

be cleansed of all harm and obscurations.

Wherever you go or stay in the course of your conduct,

know that whatever phenomena arise are not truly existent.

Forms, in all their unceasing variety, are like houses in a dream;

sounds, pleasant or unpleasant, are but echoes;

the multitude of thoughts are like drawings on water.

Cut through your clinging to the seeming truth

of all these impermanent and changing phenomena

Cut through again and again, and relax in your own true ground.

On occasion offer the world and all that it contains,

your own body and wealth, your gathered virtue in general and,

in the moment, the lovely forms you see,

the pleasant sounds you hear, soft textures, fragrant scents,

delicious tastes and so forth-

offer all of these to the vast assembly of the sources of refuge.

Until you have actually realized, just as it is,

the ultimate meaning of the profound nature of reality,

inconceivable and ineffable,

gather the accumulation of merit on a vast scale and seal this

without reference to the three spheres

of offerer, recipient and offering.

Practice in this way and anything at all

can arise in your meditative experience;

whatever arises, take your stance without hope or fear.

Dedicate completely your accumulated virtue

for the sake of all beings.

Aspire that all may be liberated

from the causes and effects of suffering;

that they be enriched with longevity, good health,

pleasure, personal glory and pure bliss;

that they attain happiness upon happiness

and reach at last the state of ultimate happiness!

 

I, Chagdud Padma Gargyi Wangkhyug, composed this with my own hand on snow-white paper near the place called Ati Ling on June 4, 1990, between practice sessions. Whatever came into my mind out of my love for you, I have written down in haste to encourage you. I offer this to ease the yearning in your heart. May there be virtue.

Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
1990 Summer

Opening Letter

Listen, my children

linked to me through karma!

'By the blessing of the Three Jewels

I wish for you bliss of body and mind.

I give you my message in these few words…

 

 

With this great ship, this precious human body,

so difficult to come by,

exert yourselves to reach the far shore

for the sake of yourselves and others.

Never succumb to the deva's offspring of distraction.

Arouse yourselves urgently by recalling impermanence and death,

and forge a connection between your own experience and the sacred dharma.

A family coming together is like small birds flocking in the fields.

Do not quarrel, my children,

but regard one another with affection and harmony.

 

If you wish to find happiness and be free of suffering,

do not overlook even tiny acts of virtue or harm.

Take care to embrace or abandon them without error,

for karma is infallible.

 

The honors, fame, companions and abodes of this life-

samsara 's bliss and happiness-are like food mixed with poison.

As if they were a burning pit or a swamp of rotting corpses,

abandon them with immutable resolve for release.

To seek enlightenment out of pride–

this self-made dharma clouds the issue.

Don't fool yourselves!

Practice as the infallible lama instructs you!

The teacher, the perfect Buddha,

embodies the consummation of letting go and gaining realization. His teachings of sacred dharma

are the path to ultimate happiness. Of all companions the most excellent are those of

the noble sangha. Do not forsake them in your heart,

but take refuge in them at all times.

 

The lama is the source of all blessings without exception.

Hold to what he indicates is your mind's samaya

and you will attain siddhis.

 

The myriad phenomena do not actually come and go,

yet in the utter simplicity of sky like dharmata,

the interdependent connections of phenomena do not cease.

Through this realization,

enlightened activity is accomplished beyond limit

In this way make the Three Roots inseparable from your heart.

 

The only virtue of harmful action is that

it can be purified through confession.

Each day, before your source of refuge as witness,

confess from your heart the harmful acts and failings

committed from beginningless time.

Keep your vow not to commit these injuries again

and, by pure and powerful blessings,

be cleansed of all harm and obscurations.

Wherever you go or stay in the course of your conduct,

know that whatever phenomena arise are not truly existent.

Forms, in all their unceasing variety, are like houses in a dream;

sounds, pleasant or unpleasant, are but echoes;

the multitude of thoughts are like drawings on water.

Cut through your clinging to the seeming truth

of all these impermanent and changing phenomena

Cut through again and again, and relax in your own true ground.

On occasion offer the world and all that it contains,

your own body and wealth, your gathered virtue in general and,

in the moment, the lovely forms you see,

the pleasant sounds you hear, soft textures, fragrant scents,

delicious tastes and so forth-

offer all of these to the vast assembly of the sources of refuge.

Until you have actually realized, just as it is,

the ultimate meaning of the profound nature of reality,

inconceivable and ineffable,

gather the accumulation of merit on a vast scale and seal this

without reference to the three spheres

of offerer, recipient and offering.

Practice in this way and anything at all

can arise in your meditative experience;

whatever arises, take your stance without hope or fear.

Dedicate completely your accumulated virtue

for the sake of all beings.

Aspire that all may be liberated

from the causes and effects of suffering;

that they be enriched with longevity, good health,

pleasure, personal glory and pure bliss;

that they attain happiness upon happiness

and reach at last the state of ultimate happiness!

 

I, Chagdud Padma Gargyi Wangkhyug, composed this with my own hand on snow-white paper near the place called Ati Ling on June 4, 1990, between practice sessions. Whatever came into my mind out of my love for you, I have written down in haste to encourage you. I offer this to ease the yearning in your heart. May there be virtue.

Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
1990 Summer

Opening Letter

Listen, my children

linked to me through karma!

'By the blessing of the Three Jewels

I wish for you bliss of body and mind.

I give you my message in these few words…

 

 

With this great ship, this precious human body,

so difficult to come by,

exert yourselves to reach the far shore

for the sake of yourselves and others.

Never succumb to the deva's offspring of distraction.

Arouse yourselves urgently by recalling impermanence and death,

and forge a connection between your own experience and the sacred dharma.

A family coming together is like small birds flocking in the fields.

Do not quarrel, my children,

but regard one another with affection and harmony.

 

If you wish to find happiness and be free of suffering,

do not overlook even tiny acts of virtue or harm.

Take care to embrace or abandon them without error,

for karma is infallible.

 

The honors, fame, companions and abodes of this life-

samsara 's bliss and happiness-are like food mixed with poison.

As if they were a burning pit or a swamp of rotting corpses,

abandon them with immutable resolve for release.

To seek enlightenment out of pride–

this self-made dharma clouds the issue.

Don't fool yourselves!

Practice as the infallible lama instructs you!

The teacher, the perfect Buddha,

embodies the consummation of letting go and gaining realization. His teachings of sacred dharma

are the path to ultimate happiness. Of all companions the most excellent are those of

the noble sangha. Do not forsake them in your heart,

but take refuge in them at all times.

 

The lama is the source of all blessings without exception.

Hold to what he indicates is your mind's samaya

and you will attain siddhis.

 

The myriad phenomena do not actually come and go,

yet in the utter simplicity of sky like dharmata,

the interdependent connections of phenomena do not cease.

Through this realization,

enlightened activity is accomplished beyond limit

In this way make the Three Roots inseparable from your heart.

 

The only virtue of harmful action is that

it can be purified through confession.

Each day, before your source of refuge as witness,

confess from your heart the harmful acts and failings

committed from beginningless time.

Keep your vow not to commit these injuries again

and, by pure and powerful blessings,

be cleansed of all harm and obscurations.

Wherever you go or stay in the course of your conduct,

know that whatever phenomena arise are not truly existent.

Forms, in all their unceasing variety, are like houses in a dream;

sounds, pleasant or unpleasant, are but echoes;

the multitude of thoughts are like drawings on water.

Cut through your clinging to the seeming truth

of all these impermanent and changing phenomena

Cut through again and again, and relax in your own true ground.

On occasion offer the world and all that it contains,

your own body and wealth, your gathered virtue in general and,

in the moment, the lovely forms you see,

the pleasant sounds you hear, soft textures, fragrant scents,

delicious tastes and so forth-

offer all of these to the vast assembly of the sources of refuge.

Until you have actually realized, just as it is,

the ultimate meaning of the profound nature of reality,

inconceivable and ineffable,

gather the accumulation of merit on a vast scale and seal this

without reference to the three spheres

of offerer, recipient and offering.

Practice in this way and anything at all

can arise in your meditative experience;

whatever arises, take your stance without hope or fear.

Dedicate completely your accumulated virtue

for the sake of all beings.

Aspire that all may be liberated

from the causes and effects of suffering;

that they be enriched with longevity, good health,

pleasure, personal glory and pure bliss;

that they attain happiness upon happiness

and reach at last the state of ultimate happiness!

 

I, Chagdud Padma Gargyi Wangkhyug, composed this with my own hand on snow-white paper near the place called Ati Ling on June 4, 1990, between practice sessions. Whatever came into my mind out of my love for you, I have written down in haste to encourage you. I offer this to ease the yearning in your heart. May there be virtue.

Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
1990 Summer

Opening Letter

Listen, my children

linked to me through karma!

'By the blessing of the Three Jewels

I wish for you bliss of body and mind.

I give you my message in these few words…

 

 

With this great ship, this precious human body,

so difficult to come by,

exert yourselves to reach the far shore

for the sake of yourselves and others.

Never succumb to the deva's offspring of distraction.

Arouse yourselves urgently by recalling impermanence and death,

and forge a connection between your own experience and the sacred dharma.

A family coming together is like small birds flocking in the fields.

Do not quarrel, my children,

but regard one another with affection and harmony.

 

If you wish to find happiness and be free of suffering,

do not overlook even tiny acts of virtue or harm.

Take care to embrace or abandon them without error,

for karma is infallible.

 

The honors, fame, companions and abodes of this life-

samsara 's bliss and happiness-are like food mixed with poison.

As if they were a burning pit or a swamp of rotting corpses,

abandon them with immutable resolve for release.

To seek enlightenment out of pride–

this self-made dharma clouds the issue.

Don't fool yourselves!

Practice as the infallible lama instructs you!

The teacher, the perfect Buddha,

embodies the consummation of letting go and gaining realization. His teachings of sacred dharma

are the path to ultimate happiness. Of all companions the most excellent are those of

the noble sangha. Do not forsake them in your heart,

but take refuge in them at all times.

 

The lama is the source of all blessings without exception.

Hold to what he indicates is your mind's samaya

and you will attain siddhis.

 

The myriad phenomena do not actually come and go,

yet in the utter simplicity of sky like dharmata,

the interdependent connections of phenomena do not cease.

Through this realization,

enlightened activity is accomplished beyond limit

In this way make the Three Roots inseparable from your heart.

 

The only virtue of harmful action is that

it can be purified through confession.

Each day, before your source of refuge as witness,

confess from your heart the harmful acts and failings

committed from beginningless time.

Keep your vow not to commit these injuries again

and, by pure and powerful blessings,

be cleansed of all harm and obscurations.

Wherever you go or stay in the course of your conduct,

know that whatever phenomena arise are not truly existent.

Forms, in all their unceasing variety, are like houses in a dream;

sounds, pleasant or unpleasant, are but echoes;

the multitude of thoughts are like drawings on water.

Cut through your clinging to the seeming truth

of all these impermanent and changing phenomena

Cut through again and again, and relax in your own true ground.

On occasion offer the world and all that it contains,

your own body and wealth, your gathered virtue in general and,

in the moment, the lovely forms you see,

the pleasant sounds you hear, soft textures, fragrant scents,

delicious tastes and so forth-

offer all of these to the vast assembly of the sources of refuge.

Until you have actually realized, just as it is,

the ultimate meaning of the profound nature of reality,

inconceivable and ineffable,

gather the accumulation of merit on a vast scale and seal this

without reference to the three spheres

of offerer, recipient and offering.

Practice in this way and anything at all

can arise in your meditative experience;

whatever arises, take your stance without hope or fear.

Dedicate completely your accumulated virtue

for the sake of all beings.

Aspire that all may be liberated

from the causes and effects of suffering;

that they be enriched with longevity, good health,

pleasure, personal glory and pure bliss;

that they attain happiness upon happiness

and reach at last the state of ultimate happiness!

 

I, Chagdud Padma Gargyi Wangkhyug, composed this with my own hand on snow-white paper near the place called Ati Ling on June 4, 1990, between practice sessions. Whatever came into my mind out of my love for you, I have written down in haste to encourage you. I offer this to ease the yearning in your heart. May there be virtue.

Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
1990 Summer

Opening Letter

Listen, my children

linked to me through karma!

'By the blessing of the Three Jewels

I wish for you bliss of body and mind.

I give you my message in these few words…

 

 

With this great ship, this precious human body,

so difficult to come by,

exert yourselves to reach the far shore

for the sake of yourselves and others.

Never succumb to the deva's offspring of distraction.

Arouse yourselves urgently by recalling impermanence and death,

and forge a connection between your own experience and the sacred dharma.

A family coming together is like small birds flocking in the fields.

Do not quarrel, my children,

but regard one another with affection and harmony.

 

If you wish to find happiness and be free of suffering,

do not overlook even tiny acts of virtue or harm.

Take care to embrace or abandon them without error,

for karma is infallible.

 

The honors, fame, companions and abodes of this life-

samsara 's bliss and happiness-are like food mixed with poison.

As if they were a burning pit or a swamp of rotting corpses,

abandon them with immutable resolve for release.

To seek enlightenment out of pride–

this self-made dharma clouds the issue.

Don't fool yourselves!

Practice as the infallible lama instructs you!

The teacher, the perfect Buddha,

embodies the consummation of letting go and gaining realization. His teachings of sacred dharma

are the path to ultimate happiness. Of all companions the most excellent are those of

the noble sangha. Do not forsake them in your heart,

but take refuge in them at all times.

 

The lama is the source of all blessings without exception.

Hold to what he indicates is your mind's samaya

and you will attain siddhis.

 

The myriad phenomena do not actually come and go,

yet in the utter simplicity of sky like dharmata,

the interdependent connections of phenomena do not cease.

Through this realization,

enlightened activity is accomplished beyond limit

In this way make the Three Roots inseparable from your heart.

 

The only virtue of harmful action is that

it can be purified through confession.

Each day, before your source of refuge as witness,

confess from your heart the harmful acts and failings

committed from beginningless time.

Keep your vow not to commit these injuries again

and, by pure and powerful blessings,

be cleansed of all harm and obscurations.

Wherever you go or stay in the course of your conduct,

know that whatever phenomena arise are not truly existent.

Forms, in all their unceasing variety, are like houses in a dream;

sounds, pleasant or unpleasant, are but echoes;

the multitude of thoughts are like drawings on water.

Cut through your clinging to the seeming truth

of all these impermanent and changing phenomena

Cut through again and again, and relax in your own true ground.

On occasion offer the world and all that it contains,

your own body and wealth, your gathered virtue in general and,

in the moment, the lovely forms you see,

the pleasant sounds you hear, soft textures, fragrant scents,

delicious tastes and so forth-

offer all of these to the vast assembly of the sources of refuge.

Until you have actually realized, just as it is,

the ultimate meaning of the profound nature of reality,

inconceivable and ineffable,

gather the accumulation of merit on a vast scale and seal this

without reference to the three spheres

of offerer, recipient and offering.

Practice in this way and anything at all

can arise in your meditative experience;

whatever arises, take your stance without hope or fear.

Dedicate completely your accumulated virtue

for the sake of all beings.

Aspire that all may be liberated

from the causes and effects of suffering;

that they be enriched with longevity, good health,

pleasure, personal glory and pure bliss;

that they attain happiness upon happiness

and reach at last the state of ultimate happiness!

 

I, Chagdud Padma Gargyi Wangkhyug, composed this with my own hand on snow-white paper near the place called Ati Ling on June 4, 1990, between practice sessions. Whatever came into my mind out of my love for you, I have written down in haste to encourage you. I offer this to ease the yearning in your heart. May there be virtue.