Report October 2023

Jigme Lingpa (courtesy of HAR)

This month it was Jigme Lingpa's anniversary, which for us was the perfect occasion to announce the completion of the first ever translation into English of a concise auto-biography of Jigme Lingpa: Adornment of Dohā: A Factual Account of the Life and Liberation of the Dzogchenpa Rangjung Dorje.

This outer autobiography in verse was likely composed in 1786 at the request of the Sakya throne-holder, Jamgön Wangdü Nyingpo (1763–1809). Jigme Lingpa tell us:

“When favourable conditions arose,
At Śrī Parvati and at Samye Chimphu
I meditated single-mindedly for seven years
On the generation and perfection phases,
While upholding a mere semblance of the vows of the Mantra Vehicle.
As the five faculties of thorough affliction
Became causes of complete purification,
My mind was overwhelmed with spiritual experiences, I became relaxed,
And my realization of emptiness and compassion increased more and more.
Thoughts of attachment, anger, hope and fear
Were naturally liberated on the path.

Through the blessing of the Three Roots
And the direct cause of the vajra path
I opened the treasury of all the qualities of complete purification.
My body was set ablaze, the ḍākinīs granted signs,
And I found the treasure of discriminating awareness,
Just as the mighty victor Padma had prophesied.”

And:

“In particular, through the strength of previous aspirations
And relying on the pith instructions of the great omniscient one,
I realized the nature of my mind.
Since in the lower cave at Chimphu
I met Longchenpa in a vision and realized the truth of reality,
What need is there for ocean-like philosophical tenets?
Based on his blessing, I knew every detail of the teachings,
Beginning with the eighteen freedoms and advantages
And the refuge of the three types of being.”

And:

“Those individuals who are inspired
By the Great Vehicle,
Though they may not have the power to benefit beings
Should constantly have that intention.
The very fact of having such an intention
Will mean that they accomplish it.

Thus, when you are constantly devoted to the precious mind of bodhicitta,
Which is likened to an elixir that transforms everything into gold,
The rest of your life will be profoundly meaningful.”

The translation of this text has taken almost a year to complete and we want to give special thanks everyone who made is possible, in particular Lama Sherab Tharchin of Dodrupchen Monastery and Khenpo Sonam Tsewang of Namdroling, Matthias Staber, Barry Cohen and Adam Pearcey.