Tilopa's Mahamudra Upadesha The Gangama Instructions with Commentary

by Nyenpa, Sangyes; Molk, David

• ISBN13: 9781559394260
• ISBN10: 1559394269
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2014-04-15
• Publisher: Snow Lion

Summary

An explanation of the Indian Mahasiddha Tilopa's renowned Gangama Mahamudra meditation instructions, given in a traditional Tibetan context by one of its lineage's most accomplished contemporary masters. These ancient instructions, in the form of a "song of realization," are the original source for all Mahamudra lineages of meditation.

All lineages of Mahamudra meditation have their source in a verse teaching--a "song of realization"--sung by the Mahasiddha Tilopa to his disciple Naropa on the banks of the Ganges River more than a thousand years ago. Since that time the meaning of the instructions has been passed directly from master to disciple in a continuous transmission lineage that exists unbroken to this day. Mahamudra meditation, while highly advanced, is yet simple and practical because what is identified and meditated upon is the very essence of one's own mind. This book offers the reader a window into the oral transmission of these instructions, given in a traditional Tibetan context by one of the Kagyu lineage's most learned and accomplished contemporary masters.

Author Biography

The Tenth SANGYES NYENPA RINPOCHE was born into a family of practitioners at the temple of Paro Taktsang in Bhutan. Recognized by His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa and educated at Rumtek, Sikkim, Sangyes Nyenpa Rinpoche is one of the Kagyu lineage's most accomplished and respected reincarnated teachers (tulkus). He is based in Kathmandu, Nepal, directs centers in Europe and Asia, and teaches worldwide.

DAVID MOLK studied Tibetan language at Venerable Geshe Rabten's Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies in Mont-Pèlerin, Switzerland. Since 1987 he has interpreted and translated for many Tibetan lamas. He lives in Big Sur, California.

Table of Contents

Blessing by His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa
Preface by Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche
Introduction by David Molk
The Ganga Mahamudra of Tilopa: The Root Text in Tibetan and English
1. The Meaning of the Name
2. Translator's Homage
3. The Promise to Impart the Essence Instructions
4. The Actual Instructions: Mahamudra Transcends Terms and Concepts
5. Meditation within the Unfabricated State
6. How to Settle in the Original State without Modification
7. How the Movement of Thought Is Purified on the Spot
8. The Essential Mode of Existence Is Not Something or Nothing
9. Samsaric Phenomena Do Not Stain the Essence of the Mind
10. Expanding upon That Meaning
11. Showing How to Practice with Body, Speech, and Mind
12. Summary of the Previous Points
13. This Essential Meaning Cannot Be Seen through View, Meditation, and Action That Make Assertions
14. The Realization of Reality Without Mental Activity and the Capacity to Transcend Samsara and Nirvana
15. Urging of Compassion for Beings Who Have Not Realized It Thus
16. The Essential Meaning of This
17. How to Practice This
18. How It Transcends Intellect
19. View, Meditation, Action, and Results
20. The Result Abides in Spontaneity without Hope and Fear
21. How Experience Arises from Correct Practice
22. How to Dispel Obstacles
23. Revealing the Path to That
Notes
Selected Bibliography