5) Abridged History of the Lineage entitled Jewel Garland (rGyud-pa’i lo-rgyus bsdus-pa nor-bu’i phreng-ba), composed by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 1, pp. 27-48.
Empowerment (dbang-bskur)
1) Natural Liberation through Encountering the Four Empowerments: The Extensive and Elaborate Empowerment of the Vase (dBang-bzhi ’phrad-tshad rang-grol-gyi spros-bcas bum-dbang chen-mo). Volume 1, pp. 49-92.
2) Natural Liberation through Encountering the Four Empowerments: The Extraordinary Profound Elucidation of the Three Higher Empowerments Including the Natural Liberation Through the Secret Empowerment of Great Bliss (dBang-bzhi ’phrad-tshad rang-grol-gyi gsang-dbang bde-chen rang-grol-la-sogs-pa’i dbang gong-ma gsum-gyi zab-gsal khyad-par-can). Volume 1, pp. 93- 125.
3) Natural Liberation through the Propelling of the Six Classes of Beings into Higher Rebirth: The [Middle-Length] Empowerments of the Natural Liberation of Degenerated Commitments Through Reparation and Confession (sKong-bshags nyams-chags rang-grol-gyi dbang-bskur gnas-spar ‘gro-drug rang-grol), Volume 1, pp. 127-160.
4) Torma Empowerment: Meaningful to Touch (gTor-dbang reg-pa don-ldan), composed by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 1, pp. 161-164.
5) Natural Liberation through Encountering the Four Empowerments: Flower Elucidating the Concluding Sequences (dBang-bzhi ’phrad-tshad rang-grol-gyi rjeskyi rim-pa gsal-ba’i me-tog). Volume 1, pp. 165-168.
6) Natural Liberation through Connecting with Practical Application: A Supplement to the Middle-length Maturational Empowerment entitled Natural Liberation of the Six Classes of Living Beings (sMin-byed sgo-’byed dbang-bskur ’bring-po ’gro-drug rang-grol-la kha-skong phyag-bzhes-kyis brgyab-pa ’brel-tshad rang-grol ). Volume 2, pp. 145-228.
7) Minor Annotations on the Rites and Empowerments of the Binding to Higher Rebirth (gNas-lung-gi cho-ga-dang dbang-bskur sogs-la nye-bar mkho-ba’i zur-’debs phran-bu). Volume 2, pp. 229-238.
Generation Stage of Meditation (bskyed-rim)
1) Spiritual Practice entitled Natural Liberation of Habitual Tendencies (Chos-spyod bag-chags rang-grol). Volume 1, pp. 169-200. See Chapter 5.
2) Natural Liberation of the Nature of Mind: The Four-session Yoga of the Preliminary Practice (Chos-spyod thun-bzhi’i rnal-’byor sems-nyid rang-grol), composed by Nyinda Ozer. Volume 1, pp. 201-216. See Chapter 1.
3) Natural Liberation of Degenerated Commitments through Reparation and Confession: Preliminary Supplement to the Generation Stage of Ritual Purification ([sKang-bshags nyams-chags rang-grol-gyi] Las-byang bskyed-rim sngon-’gro lhan-thabs ), composed by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 1, pp. 217-232.
4) Natural Liberation of Feelings: Primary Rosary of Ritual Purification according to the Assembly of Peaceful and Wrathful Deities, in eighteen sections (Zhi-khro ’dus-pa’i las-byang rtsa-phreng tshor-ba rang-grol spyi-don bco-brgyad-pa). Volume 1, pp. 233-325.
5) Natural Liberation of Feelings: Lesser [Rosary of] Ritual Purification, in three essential sections (Las-byang chung-ba tshor-ba rang-grol snying-po spyi-don gsum-pa). Volume I, pp. 327-352.
6) Sequence of Meditation on the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities entitled Coemergent Pristine Cognition (Zhi-khro sgom-rim lhan-skyes ye-shes). Volume 1, pp. 353- 367.
7) Natural Liberation of Negativity and Obscuration through [Enactment of] the Hundredfold Homage to the Sacred Enlightened Families (Dam-pa rigs-brgyar phyag-’tshal sdig-sgrib rang-grol). Volume 1, pp. 369-390. See Chapter 6.
8) Abridged Homage to the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities (Zhi-khro’i phyag-’tshal bsdus-pa). Volume 1, pp. 391-396.
9) Natural Liberation through Acts of Confession in the Presence of the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities (Zhi-khro’i klong-bshags brjod-pa rang-grol). Volume I, pp. 397-429. See Chapter 7.
10) Natural Liberation of Degenerated Commitments through Reparation and Confession: The Sequence for the Fulfilment of Meditative Commitments (bsKang-bshags nyams-chag rang-grol-gyi thugs-dam bskang-ba’i rim-pa), compiled by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 1, pp. 431-465.
11) Natural Liberation of Degenerated Commitments through Reparation and Confession: The Natural Liberation of the Six Classes of Living Beings through the Guidance of the Deceased to Higher Rebirth (bsKang-bshags nyams-chag rang-grol-gyi tshe-’das gnas-spar/ ’dren ’gro-drug rang-grol spyi-don bcu-pa). Volume 2, pp. 1-50.
12) Natural Liberation through Enlightened Activity: The Burnt-offerings of the Ritual Purification (Las-byang sbyin-sreg phrin-las rang-grol), composed by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 2, pp. 51-123.
13) Natural Liberation through the Rite of Burnt Offerings: The Sequence of the Preliminary Practices (sByin-sreg phrin-las rang-grol-gyi sngon-’gro sta-gon-gyi rim-pa). Volume 2, pp. 123-144.
14) Abridged Notes on Ritual Service Elucidating the Meaning of Liberation (bsNyen-yig mdor-bsdus rnam-grol don-gsal). Volume 2, pp. 239-253.
Perfection Stage of Meditation (rdzogs-rim)
1) Contents entitled Natural Liberation of the Keys to the Chapters (Sa-bcad lde’u-mig rang-grol gsal-bar bkod-pa), composed by Nyinda. Volume 2, pp. 255- 265.
2) Prayer entitled Natural Liberation in the Vast Expanse of the Three Buddha-bodies (gSol-’debs sku-gsum klong-yangs rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 267-272.
3) A Prayer for Union with the Spiritual Teacher [entitled] Natural Liberation Without Renunciation of the Three Poisons (sKu-gsum bla-ma’i rnal-’byor-gyi gsol-’debs dug-gsum ma-spangs rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 273-276. See Chapter 2.
4) Natural Liberation through Enlightened Intention: Guidance to the Experience of the Intermediate States: A Supplement on Mental Training in the Preliminary Practices (Bar-do’i nyams-khrid dgongs-pa rang-grol-gyi sngon-’gro rang-rgyud ’dul-byed-kyi lhan-thabs), a teaching of Choje Lingpa, compiled by Nyinda Ozer and redacted by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 2, pp. 277-302.
5) Natural Liberation through the Ground-of-all: A Manual of Guidance to the Intermediate State of This Life (sKyes-gnas bar-do’i khrid-yig kun-gzhi rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 303-340.
6) Natural Liberation through Bewilderment: A Manual of Guidance to the Intermediate State of Dreams (rMi-lam bar-do’i khrid-yig ’khrul-pa rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 341-361.
7) Natural Liberation through Awareness: A Manual of Guidance to the Intermediate State of Meditative Concentration (bSam-gtan bar-do’i khrid-yig rig-pa rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 363-377.
8) Natural Liberation through Recollection: A Manual of Guidance to the Intermediate State of the Time of Death (’Chi-kha’i bar-do’ikhrid-yig dran-pa rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 379-400. See Chapter 10.
9) Natural Liberation through Vision: A Manual of Guidance to the Intermediate State of Reality (Chos-nyid bar-do’i khrid-yig mthong-ba rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 401-417.
10) Natural Liberation through Rebirth: A Manual of Guidance to the Intermediate State of Rebirth (Srid-pa bar-do’i khrid-yig srid-pa rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 419-432.
Introductions (ngo-sprod)
1) Preliminary Practice for All the Introductions entitled Exhortation on Impermanence, Based on Escorting a Corpse to a Cemetery (Ngo-sprod thams-cad-kyi sngon-’gro dur-khrod-du bam-ro bskyal-ba-la brten-nas mi-rtag-pa’i bskul-mar ngo-sprod-pa). Volume 2, pp. 433-442.
2) Introduction to the Origin, Emergence and Presence of Consciousness, Supported by the Human Body, from the Cycle of Introductions to the Great Perfection (rDzogs-pa chen-po ngo-sprod-kyi skor-las khams-pa’i mi-mo-la brten-nas rnam-shes ’byung-’jug-gnas gsum-gyi ngo-sprod), redacted by Namgyel Zangpo. Volume 2, pp. 443-467.
3) Introduction to Awareness: Natural Liberation through Naked Perception (Rig-pa mngon-sum-du ngo-sprod-pa gcer-mthong rang-grol). Volume 2, pp. 469- 488. See Chapter 4.
4) Introduction to the Three Buddha-bodies in Accordance with the Great Perfection: A Supplement to the Liberation by Hearing (rDzogs-chen sku-gsum ngo-sprod bar-do thos-grol-gyi cha-lag). Volume 2, pp. 489-493.
5) Natural Liberation through Conscious Awareness: Introduction to the Six Lamps (sGron-ma drug-gi ngo-sprod shes-rig
rang-grol). Volume 3, pp. 1-20.
6) Natural Liberation through Vision: Introduction by Means of a Crystal (Shelrdo’i ngo-sprod mthong-ba rang-grol). Volume 3, pp. 21-28.
7) Supplement to the Introduction to the Inner Radiance of the Ground (gZhi’i ’od-gsal ngo-sprod-kyi lhan-thabs), composed by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 3, pp. 29-36.
8) Introduction by Means of a Butter Lamp (Mar-me’i ngo-sprod), composed by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 3, pp. 37-40.
9) Great Liberation by Hearing; Elucidating the Introduction to the Intermediate State of Reality (Chos-nyid bar-do’i ngo-sprod gsal-’debs thos-grol chen-mo). Volume 3, pp. 41-114. See Chapter 11, Parts One and Two.
10) Great Liberation by Hearing; Elucidating the Introduction to the Intermediate State of Rebirth (Srid-pa bar-do’i ngo-sprod gsal-’debs thos-grol chen-mo). Volume 3, pp. 115-162. See Chapter 11, Part Three.
11) Supplement to the Teaching Revealing the Natural Expression of Virtue and Negativity: An Introduction to the Intermediate State of Rebirth, entitled Gong of Divine Melody (Srid-pa bar-do’i ngo-sprod dge-sdig rang-gzugs ston-pa’i lhan-thabs dbyangs-snyan lha’i lhan-thabs), composed by Namka Chokyi Gyatso. Volume 3, pp. 163-173. See Chapter 13, Part Two.
12) Natural Liberation through Recognition of the Visual Indications and Signs of Death (’Chi-ltas mtshan-ma rang-grol). Volume 3, pp. 175-204. See Chapter 8.
13) Natural Liberation of Fear through the Ritual Deception of Death (’Chi-bslu ’jigs-pa rang-grol) Volume 3, pp. 205-218. See Chapter 9.
14) Developing the Greatness of the Teachings of the Liberation by Hearing during the Intermediate State of Dreams (rMi-lam bar-do thos-grol chos-kyi che-ba bskyed-byed), composed by Nyinda Ozer. Volume 3, pp. 219 — 254.
15) Liberation by Wearing: Natural Liberation of the Psycho-physical Aggregates, in which the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities are encompassed (Zhi-khro ’dus-pa’i btags-grol phung-po rang-grol). Volume 3, pp. 255 — 286. See Chapter 14.
16) An Abridgement of the Liberation by Wearing: Natural Liberation of the Psycho-physical Aggregates, entitled Nucleus of Natural Liberation (bTags-grol phung-po rang-grol-gyi don-bsdus rang-grol snying-po). Volume 3, pp. 287- 306.
17) Chapter on the Means of Attaching a Diagram which Liberates by Wearing; from the Tantra of the Great Perfection: Natural Liberation of Cyclic Existence and Nirvāṇa (rDzogs-chen ’khor-’das rang-grol-gyi rgyud-las btags-grol bcangthabs-kyi le’u). Volume 3, pp. 307 — 313.
18) Memorandum on the Actual Preparation of the Great Chart of the Liberation by Wearing (bTags-grol ’khor-lo chen-mo’i lag-len zin-bris). Volume 1, pp. 467- 492.
19) Inventory for Insertion within the Casket (Glegs-bam bzhugs-pa’i dkar-chag). Volume 1, pp. 493-499.
20) Root Verses of the Six Intermediate States (Bar-do drug-gi rtsa-tshig). Volume 3, pp. 316-318. See Chapter 3.
21) Aspirational Prayer which Rescues from the Dangerous Pathways of the Intermediate States (Bar-do’i ’phrang-sgrol). Volume 3, pp. 318-322. See Chapter 12.
22) Aspirational Prayer which Protects from Fear of the Intermediate States (Bar-do’i ’jigs-skyobs-kyi smon-lam). Volume 3, pp. 322-325. See Chapter 12.
23) Natural Liberation of Fear: Aspirational Prayer [Calling] to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for Assistance (Sangs-rgyas byang-sems-rnams ra-mda’ sbran-pa’i smon-lam ’jigs-pa rang-grol). Volume 3, pp. 325-327. See Chapter 12.
Path of Skilful Means (thabs-lam)
1) Natural Liberation through Desire: Most Profound Quintessence of Guidance on Supreme Bliss Pertaining to the Sexual Practices (’Og-sgo bde-ba chen-po’i khrid ’dod-chags rang-grol zhes-bya-ba yang-zab bcud-bsdus). Volume 3, pp. 329-419.
2) The Means of Establishing the Lineage by Carrying Desire onto the Path and the Means of Closing the Womb Entrances (’Dod-chags lam-khyer rigs-brgyud bzhag-thabs-dang mngal-sgo ’gag-thab khol-du phung-ba). Volume 3, pp. 421- 437.
3) Natural Liberation through Supreme Bliss: A Profound Abridgement of the Guidance on Supreme Bliss Attained through the Sexual Practices (’Og-sgo bde-chen ’dod-chags rang-grol-gyi nyams-khrid gud-sbas don-bsdus zab-khrid bde-ba chen-po rang-grol zhes-bya-ba shin-tu zab-pa’i nying-khu), composed by Nyinda Ozer. Volume 3, pp. 439-481.
Protector Rites (bstan-srung)
1) Seven Classes of Oath-bound Protectors, Associated with the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities: Natural Liberation of the Venomous Hostile Malevolent Forces and Obstructors through Enlightened Activity (Zhi-khro bka’-srung dam-can sde-bdun-gyi phrin-las dgra-bgegs gdug-pa rang-grol), composed by Nyinda Ozer. Volume 3, pp. 483-490.
2) Seven Classes of Oath-bound Protectors, Associated with the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities: Natural Liberation of Venomous Forces through Reparation (Zhi-khro dam-can sde-bdun-gyi mdangs-bskang gdug-pa rang-grol), Volume 3, pp. 491-498.
The Lotus Peaceful and Wrathful Deities (Padma zhi-khro)
1) Natural Liberation of Rebirth: A Teaching Revealing the Natural Expression of Virtue and Negativity, through the Introduction to the Intermediate State of Rebirth (Srid-pa bar-do’i ngo-sprod dge-sdig rang-gzugs ston-pa’i gdams-pa’am me-long srid-pa rang-grol), contained in the Delhi offset edition of the Great Liberation by Hearing in the Intermediate States, pp. 499-533. See Chapter 13, Part One.
Appendix Two: Symbolism of the Maṇḍala of the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities
The maṇḍala represents a perfected state of being, and the central deities within it symbolise the perfected states of the meditator’s own awareness, psycho-physical aggregates, elemental properties, and sensory and mental processes. The peaceful deities represent the quiescent natural purity of these fundamental components of our being and the wrathful deities represent the transformative aspects of these energies, which bring about the natural transformation of the most enduring and deep-seated expressions of our mundane perceptual states. Last, the outer deities of the maṇḍala represent the modes of activity of an enlightened being.
The exact mapping of this symbolism does vary according to the lineage and class of the practice. In the chart presented below, the correspondences are based on Chapter 5 of the present work, supplemented by correspondences taken from other texts within the cycle, with certain common variances noted.
The Forty-two Peaceful Deities
The male and female primordial buddhas: Samantabadra and Samantabhadrῑ in union represent the indivisible union of pure awareness and emptiness
The five female buddhas: Ākāśadhātvῑśvarῑ, Buddhalocanā, Māmakῑ, Pāṇḍaravāsinῑ and Samayatārā, represent the natural purity of the five elements
The eight male bodhisattvas: Kṣitigarbha, Maitreya, Qamantabhadra, Ākāśagarbha, Avalokiteśvara, Mañjuśrῑkumārabhūta, Nivāraṇaviśkambhin and Vajrapāṇi, represent the eight classes of consciousness
N.B. According to th Guhyagargha Tantra, they also symbolise the four senses and four sense organs.
The eight female bodhisattvas: Lāsyā, Māmyā, Dhūpā, Gῑtā, Ālokā, Gandhā and Nartῑ, represent the four sense objects and the four phases of conceptual thought (past, present, future and indeterminate), or alternatively the eight objects of consciousness
The four male gatekeepers: Trailokyavijaya, Yamāntaka, Hayagrῑva and Amṛtakuṇḍalin, represent the natural purity of the four extreme views and four aspects of enlightened activity
The four female gatekeepers: Aṅkuśā, Pāśā, Sphoṭā and Ghaṇṭā, represent the natural purity of the four types of birth and the four immeasurable aspirations
The Fifty-eight Wrathful Deities
The six peaceful male buddhas: Samantabhadra, Vairocana, Aksobhya-Vajrasattva, Rtnasambhava, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi are in their wrathful aspects respectively: Mahottara Heruka, Buddha Heruka, Vajra Heruka, Ratna Heruka, Padma Heruka and Karma Heruka, who represent the natural transformation of the six dissonant mental states.
The six peaceful female budhas: Samantabhadrῑ, Ᾱkāśadhātvῑśvarῑ, Buddhalocanā, Māmakῑ, Pāndaravāsinῑ a
nd Samayatārā in their wrathful aspects respectively are Krodheśvarῑ, Buddhakrodheśvarῑ, Vajrakrodheśvarῑ, Ratnakrodheśvarῑ, Padmakrodheśvarῑ and Karmakrodheśvarῑ, who represent the natural transformation of mental constructs associated with the six objects of consciousness
The eight Mātarah: Gaurῑ, Caurῑ, Pratāmohā, Vetālῑ, Ghasmarῑ, Candālῑ and Śmaśānῑ, represent the natural transformation of mental constructs associated with the eight classes of consciousness
The eight Piśācῑ: Simhamukhῑ, Vyāghrῑmukhῑ, Śṛgālamukhῑ, Kaṅkamukhῑ, Kākamukhῑ and Ulūkamukhῑ, represent the natural transformation of mental constructs associated with the objects of the eight classes of consciousness
The four Female Gatekeepers manifest as Vajratejasῑ, Vajrāmoghā, Vajralokā and Vajravetālῑ, respectively representing the closing of the doors to the four types of birth and the four immeasurable aspirations
Twenty-eight Iśvarῑ, represent the purification of the aggregates of bewildered mental constructs and the enactment of enlightened activity
Notes
List of Abbreviations
Derge Derge Parkhang xylographic editions, of the Kangyur, Tengyur and Collected Tantras of the Nyingmapa (NGB).
Disc. gTer-ston, discoverer of concealed teachings (gter ma).
DR Zab-chos zhi-khro dgongs-pa rang-grol, 3 vols. The most extensive and accurate version of Karma Lingpa’s revelations (64 texts, 764 folios), a manuscript of Katok provenance, from the library of the previous Dudjom Rinpoche, published in photo-offset form (Delhi: Sherab Lama, 1975-76), reproduced on CD-ROM by TBRC, New York, Ref: 2330-2332.
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