Report January 2021
This month we have published two new translations on Lotsawa House and also published our research on a new edition of the Longchen Nyingtik Core Texts.
Read our detailed investigation into a new edition of the Longchen Nyingtik Core Texts or Nyingtik Tsapö produced and published by Samye Ngagyur Rikdzö Tsomdrik Khang and Böjong Böyik Penying Petrün Khang (the latter is connected with Alak Zenkar Rinpoche). To our knowledge, this is the first new edition of the core texts since the edition published by Shechen Monastery/Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in the early 90's.
Our first new translation of this year is a text by Adzom Gyalse Gyurme Dorje: Notes on the Heart Essence Practices of the Channels and Wind-Energies. These notes provide a brief but valuable overview of the practices of Tsa Lung (rtsa rlung)—literally 'channels and wind-energies'—according to the Longchen Nyingtik tradition. The text identifies some important literary sources that explain the theory behind the training, warns of potential pitfalls and highlights the benefits.
Our second translation is A Ritual of Blessing and Empowerment for the Female Practice, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse, by Jigme Lingpa. This source text of the Yumka Dechen Gyalmo empowerment, part of the original treasure revelation of Longchen Nyingtik, served as the basis for later, more elaborate manuals composed by Jamgön Kongtrul and the Third Dodrupchen, Jigme Tenpe Nyima. This text is the first in a series of empowerment texts belonging to the Yumka cycle. At the moment we are in the process of translating the self-initiation by Jigme Lingpa and the empowerment manual by Jamgon Kongtrul. Only read this text when you have received the Yumka empowerment, or at least a dakini empowerment from the Highest Yoga Tantra class.
"First, fearing samsara, I turned my mind to liberation.
Then, I proceeded along the treacherous path of the infallible law of karma.
In the end, I gained realization, knowing the three spheres to be unreal.
This is the universal life story of siddhas."
From The Steps to Liberation: Essential Instructions on the Common Preliminary Practice of the Sevenfold Mind Training, by Jigme Lingpa, in Steps to the Great Perfection: The Mind-Training Tradition of the Dzogchen Masters, translated by Cortland Dahl (2016).
Jigme Lingpa. Image from EWAM monastery, Siliguri.