Padmasambhava
Advice from the
Lotus-Born
While the great master Padmasambhava was staying
in Great Rock Hermitage at
Samye, Sherab Gyalpo of Ngok, an uneducated sixty-one year old man
who had the highest faith and strong devotion to this master,
served him for one year. All this while Ngok didn't ask him for any
teachings, nor did the master give him any. When after a year the
master intended to leave, Ngok offered a mandala plate upon which
he placed a flower of one ounce of gold. Then he said, "Great
master, think of me with kindness.First of all, I am uneducated.
Second, my intelligence is small. Third, I am old, so my elements
are worn down. I beg you to give a teaching to an old man on the
verge of death which is simple to understand, can thoroughly cut
through any doubt, is easy to realize and apply, has an effective
view, and will help me in future lives."
The master pointed his walking staff at the old man's heart and
gave this instruction: Listen here old man! Look into awakened mind
of your own awareness! Such has neither form nor color, neither
center nor edge. At first, such has no origin but is empty. Next,
such has no dwelling place but is empty. At the end, such has no
destination but is empty. This emptiness is not made of anything
and is clear and cognizant. When you see this and
recognize
this, you know your natural face. You understand this nature of
things. You have then seen this nature of mind, resolved the basic
state of reality, and cut through doubts about topics of
knowledge.
This awakened mind as awareness is not made out of any material
substance; such is self-existing and inherent in yourself. This is
the nature of 'things' which is easy to realize because such is not
to be sought elsewhere. This is nature as mind which does not
consist of a concrete perceiver and something perceived to fixate
on. Such defies limitations of permanence and annihilation. In such
is no thing to awaken; awakened state as enlightenment is your own
pure awareness, naturally awake. As this, here is no thing which
goes to the hells; awareness is naturally pure. As this, within is
no practice to carry out; our nature as such is naturally
cognizant. This great view as this natural state is present within
yourself. Resolve this: such is not to be sought elsewhere.
When you understand view in this way and would like to apply this
in your experience, wherever you stay is the mountain retreat of
your body. Whatever external appearance you perceive is a naturally
occurring appearance and a naturally empty emptiness; let this be,
free from mental constructs. Naturally freed appearances become
your helpers, and you can practice while taking appearances as
path.
Within, whatever moves your mind, whatsoever you think, has no
essence but is empty. Thought occurrences are naturally freed.
While remembering (being mindful of) your mind-essence, you can
take thoughts as path and practice is effortless and easy! As for
innermost advice: no matter what kind of disturbing emotion you
feel, look into the emotion and such tracelessly subsides. The
disturbing emotion is thus naturally freed. This is simple to
practice.
When you can practice in this way, your meditation training will
not be confined to some kind of 'sessions'. When you know
everything is a helper, your meditation experience is unchanging,
this innate nature is unceasing, and your conduct is unshackled.
Wherever you stay, you are never apart from this innate
nature.
Once you realize this, your material body may be old, but awakened
mind doesn't age. Such knows no difference between old and young.
This innate nature is beyond bias and partiality. When you
recognize such awareness, innate wakefulness, is present in
yourself, here is no difference between sharp and dull facilties.
As you come to understand this innate nature, free from bias and
partiality, is present within yourself, here is no difference
between small and great learning. Even though your body, this
support for mind, falls apart, dharmakaya of awareness wisdom is
unceasing. As you come to have stability revealed in this
unchanging state, here is no difference between a short or long
life span.
Old man, practice this true meaning! Take practice to heart!
Literally! Do not mistake words and meaning! Do not part from your
good friend diligence! Embrace everything whatsoever with
mindfulness! Do not indulge in such idle talk and pointless gossip!
Don't become involved with common aims! Do not disturb yourself
with worry of offspring!
Don't excessively crave food and drink! Intend to die an ordinary
man! Your life is running out, so be diligent! Practice this
instruction for an old man on the verge of death!
Because of his pointing his staff at Sherab Gyalpo's heart, this is
entitled "The Instruction of Pointing the Staff at the Old Man".
Sherab Gyalpo of Ngok was liberated and attained accomplishment.
This was written down by the Princess of Kharchen for the sake of
future generations. This is also known under the name "The
Instruction of Pointing the Staff".
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Dakini Queen Tsogyal from
Padmasambhava in "Advice from the Lotus-Born", 1994,
RYP.