Dear friends near and far

As always, I hope this message finds you well, healthy and happy. Today we continue with the “Ten Key Instructions on Following the Sublime Way” by my previous incarnation, the 17th throne-holder of Kham Riwoché, the Third Phakchok Rinpoche, Chöying Lhündrup. Last Guru Rinpoche day, I shared with you the first five of these instructions, which cover the path from the four common preliminaries (the four thoughts that turn the mind towards the Dharma) through all four special preliminaries, up to Guru Yoga. The remaining five points cover the path of tantra, all the way up to the Ati vehicle:

(5) The yidam, source of supreme and common siddhis;
empty yet appearing deities; the inexpressible tone of mantra;
self-liberated thoughts; and the treasury of the wisdom wheel:
strive in the threefold mandala—for that is the sublime way.

(6) Rest in calm-abiding with stable, unwavering meditation,
and maintain the perception of illusion outside of sessions.
Spontaneously present emptiness is the great seal of self-liberation,
so traverse the path of four yogas—for that is the sublime way.

(7) See outer appearances as false and deceiving
and the inner mind as empty and unreal.
Perceive the thoughts in between as adventitious
and whatever arises, maintain the natural state—for that is the sublime way.

(8) Do not lapse into clinging onto appearances as permanent,
nor into mistaking emptiness for nihilism:
maintain instead natural realization of the naked recognition of empty appearances,
unobscured and free from extremes—for that is the sublime way.

(9) Though you may have realized the sky-like view of emptiness,
neither belittle nor dismiss the smaller vehicle and its subtle teaching
of cause and effect, but maintain instead the conduct of Kadampas
with mindfulness and vigilance—for that is the sublime way.

(10) Transmit the Buddha’s words and take them as witness,
making sure to apply what the practitioners of old have taught.
Do not lose your self-esteem, and with confidence
take advantage of your present good fortune—for that is the sublime way.

Chöying Lhündrup, the Third Phakchok Rinpoche

Please reflect on these points and take them to heart. You can find the text in its entirety in both English and Tibetan here.

With all my love and prayers,

Sarva Mangalam,

Phakchok Rinpoche

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