The Emanated Scripture of Manjushri: Shabkar’s Essential Meditation Instructions (Tsadra)

248 Pages·2019·7.19 MB·English

by  Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol (Author)

THE TSADRA FOUNDATION SERIES
published by Snow Lion, an imprint of Shambhala Publications
Tsadra Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that contributes to the
ongoing development of wisdom and compassion in Western minds by
advancing the combined study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.
Taking its inspiration from the nineteenth-century nonsectarian Tibetan
scholar and meditation master Jamgön Kongtrül Lodrö Tayé, Tsadra Foundation
is named after his hermitage in eastern Tibet, Tsadra Rinchen Drak. The
Foundation’s various program areas reflect his values of excellence in both
scholarship and contemplative practice, and the recognition of their mutual
complementarity.
Tsadra Foundation envisions a flourishing community of Western
contemplatives and scholar-practitioners who are fully trained in the traditions of
Tibetan Buddhism. It is our conviction that, grounded in wisdom and
compassion, these individuals will actively enrich the world through their
openness and excellence.
This publication is a part of the Tsadra Foundation’s Translation Program,
which aims to make authentic and authoritative texts from the Tibetan traditions
available in English. The Foundation is honored to present the work of its
fellows and grantees, individuals of confirmed contemplative and intellectual
integrity; however, their views do not necessarily reflect those of the
Foundation.
Tsadra Foundation is delighted to collaborate with Shambhala Publications in
making these important texts available in the English language.

For Ven. Konchog Tenzin
BUDDHA SHAKYAMUNI. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VEN. MATTHIEU
RICARD/SHECHEN ARCHIVE.
CONTENTS
Foreword by the Seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Gyurme Chökyi Sengye
Introduction by Matthieu Ricard
Translator’s Introduction
Opening Homage and Prologue
1. The Necessity of Giving Up the World
2. How to Rely upon a Spiritual Teacher: A Ninefold Perception
3. Identifying a Precious Human Birth: The Eight Freedoms and Ten
Endowments
4. Death and Impermanence: Three Roots, Nine Reasons, and Three
Conclusions
5. Basic Ethics: The Ten Virtuous Actions and Their Counterparts, the Ten
Negative Actions
6. The Dissatisfactory Nature of Samsara
7. The Importance of Ethics
8. How to Establish Genuine Compassion
9. Nurturing Love and Compassion: The Eight Thoughts of a Great and
Noble Being
10. The Cultivation of Bodhichitta
11. On Taking the Bodhisattva’s Vow: The Four Black and Four White Deeds
12. The Bodhisattva’s Vow: The Six Perfections and the Four Means of
Gathering Disciples
13. An Explanation of Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses of Mind Training
14. The Cultivation of Calm Abiding
15. Methods for Achieving Special Insight
16. The Need for Both Calm Abiding and Special Insight
17. How to Practice a Union of Relative and Ultimate Bodhichitta
18. Ultimate Bodhichitta
19. Mahamudra: A Teaching on the Nature of Mind, Based on the Songs of
Milarepa
20. Buddhahood without Meditation
21. How to Prepare for, Practice in, and Gain Accomplishment in the Various
In-between Bardo States
22. The Benefit of Retreat
23. Encouragement to Adopt a Nonsectarian Outlook and Concluding Advice
24. Conclusion of the Teachings at Kailash
25. Afterword
Notes
Bibliography
Index
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FOREWORD
Shabkar Tsogdruk Rangdrol was the perfect example of a dedicated and
accomplished practitioner who became an authentic master and vastly benefited
beings. Born in the northeast region of Amdo, he attended teachers of all schools
of Tibetan Buddhism and consequently spent years putting their teaching into
practice; dwelling in hermitages, remote caves, and even on a distant island in
the Blue Lake (Tso Ngönpo). He traveled far and wide throughout Tibet,
meeting many of the great masters of his time, practicing in sacred places; he
even made the daring pilgrimage through the Ravines of Tsari and traveled as far
as Mount Kailash in western Tibet. He visited Nepal and gilded the pinnacle of
the revered Jarung Khashor Stupa at Boudhanath, near Kathmandu. His
teachings are known to be remarkably clear and profound. He would deliver
them through spiritual songs, like the famous yogi Milarepa, or through his
writings that fill fourteen volumes, which were published by Shechen
Publications.
Like my grandfather and root master, Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche,
Shabkar was an upholder of the nonsectarian approach (Rimé), which endeavors
to ensure the preservation and transmission of the teachings of the various
lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as the Eight Chariots of
Accomplishment.
I am therefore delighted that my dear friend Gelong Tenzin Jamchen (Sean
Price) has brought to completion the translation of the Emanated Scripture of
Manjushri, a text that explains the graded path of Buddhism through clear and
inspiring pieces of advice—ready to be put in practice by anyone who aspires to
enter the path of liberation.
May these teachings benefit countless beings and fulfill the compassionate
aspirations of our spiritual masters.
The Seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Gyurme Chökyi Sengye
The Seventh Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Gyurme Chökyi Sengye
INTRODUCTION BY MATTHIEU RICARD
When, in the early spring of 1814, Shabkar arrived at one of the most sacred
mountains of Tibet, Mount Kailash, the “Silver Mountain,” he had made up his
mind—nothing else mattered but to engage in one-pointed spiritual practice. He
wasted no time and within a few days, he collected some provisions and settled
in a cave near the Cave of Miracles, where Milarepa had stayed seven centuries
earlier. After singing some verses in praise of the holy mountain and of the great
Lake Manasarovar, he sealed the entrance to his cave with mud and vowed to
practice with complete dedication.
This cave lies a few minutes’ walk slightly above and on the side of
Milarepa’s cave. To enter the cave, which is below the ground level, one has to
descend a few steps. Since this cave is not as famous as Milarepa’s dwelling
(upon which a small temple has now been built), only a few pilgrims know about
its location. Consequently, it has been left as it is, and it seems as if Shabkar had
just left. The hearth where he used to boil his tea is still there, and an atmosphere
of utter simplicity reigns in this secluded retreat place.
This cave is also located near the famous White Footprint, one of the four
footprints said to have been left by Buddha Shakyamuni when he traveled
miraculously to Mount Kailash. In fact, Tsogdruk Rangdrol (“Self-Liberation of
the Six Senses,” the name given to Shabkar by his root master Chogyal Ngakyi
Wangpo, became known as “Shabkar,” or “White Foot,” in part because he spent
many years near the Buddha’s footprint, but also because wherever he would set
his feet, the land would become “white with virtue,” meaning that through his
teachings, the minds of the people would be turned toward the Dharma.
While the great yogi was in strict retreat in this cave, not seeing or speaking to
anyone, one of his heart-sons, Jimba Norbu, as well as quite a few other
disciples, settled in the vicinity to practice near their beloved teacher. One day,
through the curtain that was covering the small window made in the mud door