Table Of ContentT S A D R A
M s
a c h i k
C
o m p l e t e
E
x p l a n a t i o n
C larifying th e
M ea ning of C h o d
Expanded edition
Translated and introduced by
SARAH HARDING
M a c h ik ’s
COMPLETE EXPLANATION
The Tsadra Foundation Series
published by Snow Lion, an imprint ofS hambhala Publications
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M achiks C omplete Explanation
Clarifying the Meaning of Chod, a Complete Explanation
of Casting Out the Body as Food
EXPANDED EDITION
Translated and introduced by
Sarah Harding
Snow Lion
BOSTON & LONDON
2013
Snow Lion
An imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Horticultural Hall
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Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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© 2003, 2013 by Tsadra Foundation
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the publisher.
987654321
Expanded Edition
Printed in the United States of America
© This edition is printed on acid-free paper that meets
the American National Standards Institute Z39.48 Standard.
O Shambhala Publications makes every effort to print on recycled paper.
For more information please visit www.shambhala.com.
Distributed in the United States by Random House, Inc.,
and in Canada by Random House of Canada Ltd
Designed by Gopa&Ted2, Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Pubiication Data
Labdron, Machig, 1055-1153.
[Phung po gzan skyur gyi rnam bshad gcod kyi don gsal byed. English]
Machik s complete explanation : clarifying the meaning of chod :
a complete explanation of casting out the body as food / translated
and introduced by Sarah Harding.—Expanded edition,
pages cm. — (The Tsadra Foundation series)
ISBN 978-1-55939-414-7 (hardcover)
1. Gcod (Buddhist rite) I. Harding, Sarah, 1951- II. Title.
BQ7699.G36L33 2013
2.94.34446—dc23
2012042819
Contents
Foreword by Thrangu Rinpoche 9
Acknowledgments 11
Preface 13
introduction 21
CMachik’s Complete Explanation: The Translation
1. T rain in g 57
Previous Life in India 57
Her Birthplace, Parents, and Birth 59
Childhood 63
Life as a Recitation Chaplain with Lama Drapa 65
First Meeting with Dampa Sangye 66
Meeting with Sonarn Lama 67
Empowerment 69
Other Masters 72
Teachings from Dampa Sangye 72
Synopsis 75
2. M a tu rity 77
Meeting Topa Bhadra 77
Empowerment from Sonarn Lama 81
Empowerment from Dampa 83
The Red House of Copper Mountain 84
Encounter with Tara 86
Tonyon Samdrup 89
The Inquisition of thé Indian Panditas 93
Machiks Teachings and Transmissions 98
6 Contents
3. T he Q u estio n s o f T on yon Sam drup 103
How lonyon Perceives Machik 106
How She Emanates 107
The Five Degenerations 107
The Specialness of Chod 109
About Mahamudra 114
4. The Q u estio n s o f G angpa M uksang 117
The Four Devils 117
When to Sever Them 121
Six Kinds of Gods and Demons 123
Evidence of Success at Severance 133
5. T o n y o n ’s Q u estio n s on C hod 137
Giving Rise to the Resolve for Enlightenment
and Gathering the Guests 140
Meditating on the Objects of Refuge, Training the Mind
in the Four Immeasurables, and Inviting the Field
of Accumulation 144
Paying Homage with the Eight Branches
and Making Offerings 133
Separating Body and Mind (powa)
and Offering the Mandala 156
Supplicating and Bringing Down Blessings 162
Offering the Body and Giving It in Charity 163
Concluding with the Dedication, Prayers, and Dissolution 181
6. T he Q u estio n s o f G yenem a 185
Death and Dying 185
Divisions of the Body 189
Outer and Inner Gods and Demons 195
Characteristics of the Body 196
The Syllables Ha, Hung, and P’e 203
7. T he Q u estio n s o f C h ok yi Senge 205
The Ten Obligations 205
Dress Styles of Chod 207
Identifying Local Spirits 212
Contents
Size and Quantities in the Chod Visualizations 214
Uprisings, Apparitions, Evidence of Success,
and Evidence of Severance 217
The Common and Uncommon Evidence of Success 221
8. The Q uestion of Jetsun Zilnon 231
Outer and Inner Apparitions of Spirits 231
General Apparitions 247
Special Occurrences 250
9. The Q uestions of Sonam Gyen 253
Future Corruption of State Law 253
10. M ore Q uestions of Sonam Gyen 261
Future Deterioration of Religious Ethics 261
The Future of Chod 271
Colophon 282
The Great Bundle of Trecepts on Severance with Commentary
Introduction to Machik s Çreat 'Bundle of Trecepts 285
The Great Bundle of Precepts: The Source Esoteric
Instruction on Severance, the Profound Perfection
of Wisdom 287
The Great Bundle of Precepts on Severance Outline 303
Complete Explanation of Severance 307
Abbreviations Used in Notes 327
Notes 329
Glossary 373
Bibliography 383
Index 391
THRANGU TASHI CHOELING
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