Taking Refuge by Je Pabongka
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Taking Refuge
By H.H. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche
The One Hundred and Fifty Verses of Praise says:
Take refuge in whomever
Has absolutely no shortcomings,
Absolutely no blindness, and in whom resides
Every aspect of all good qualities.
When you think of this,
Respect those who praise him
And abide by his teachings.
In other words, when you think of how to distinguish between what should be your refuge, and what should not, you will want to take refuge in the Buddha, the teacher of Buddhism, in his teachings, and in those who abide by his teachings. The average worldly person seeks refuge in worldly creatures – spirit kings, gods, nagas, spirits, and so forth. Non-Buddhists seek refuge in Brahma, Indra etc. but these themselves are beings in samsara so they are not fitting refuges.
Who then is a fitting refuge? From The Seventy Verses on Taking Refuge:
Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
Are the refuge for seekers of liberation.
That is, the only refuge is the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. But if we do not identify these three properly, we will not take refuge purely. We are not critical and so pretend to be Mahayana knowledge- bearers, yet when things go wrong, sickness comes and so forth, or when we have some important work to do, we seek refuge in worldly Dharma protectors, in spirit kings, local gods etc: we perform smoke purifications or carry wood talismans under our armpits; we rush off to the shrine of any deity. All this external activity indicates our inner state. Buddhists should entrust themselves to the Three Jewels. We may have actually gained admittance to a Monastery, but we do not even qualify to be Buddhists, let alone Mahayana knowledge-bearers.
Nagas, spirit kings, and others do not have these three qualities: omniscience, love and ability. They don’t even know when they are going to die. Normally they are categorised as animals or hungry ghosts, and their rebirths are inferior to ours. There is no worse method we could use than to rely on them. What means could be worse than to seek refuge in them? So far from protecting us from samsara and the sufferings of the lower realms, or even giving us a little temporary help, they may do us great harm instead. Here is a story to illustrate this. A man with a goitre once went to a place haunted by flesh-eating spirits. A tax in flesh that these spirits paid to other creatures was due, so the spirits removed the man’s goitre. Another man with a goitre went to them and took refuge in them hoping for the same result, but the spirits did not destroy his goitre – they made it larger. Similarly, worldly gods and evil spirits are sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful; they can never be trusted.
Non-Buddhists make Brahma, Indra, Shiva, and so forth, their refuge. This is an improvement on the above, yet those gods are still not liberated from samsara and the lower realms so they cannot protect other beings. But Buddha, the teacher of Buddhists is not like these. Praise to the Praiseworthy says:
You proclaimed, ‘I am a friend
To you who are without protection’.
Your great compassion embraces all beings,
Teacher, you have great compassion,
You have love; you act by your love.
You are diligent, you are not lazy.
Who else could be like you?
You are the protector of all sentient beings;
You are a kind relative to all.
According to that section [the Buddha] has three magnificent qualities: omniscience, love and ability. Not only do spirit kings, evil spirits and so forth not have even a portion of these good qualities, but also the sum of the good qualities of worldly refuges, gods, nagas, and the like, cannot rival even the good qualities of a single Shravaka Stream Enterer.
Buddha is the ultimate refuge because he has taken the two benefits [benefit for self and for others] to their most developed state. Our teacher has eliminated all faults and possesses all good qualities.
Simply put, the ultimate jewel of Buddha is assumed to be the two dharmakayas, or ‘truth bodies’; the relative jewel of Buddha, the two physical kayas [the sambhogakaya, or ‘enjoyment body’, and nirmanakaya, or ’emanation body’].
The jewel of Dharma is as follows. The ultimate jewel of Dharma is anything that comes under the truth of cessation or the truth of the path – these are the [two] purifying truths [in contrast to the two truths of suffering and the origin of suffering] in the mind-streams of Aryas. As a guide,- we take the ‘truth of cessation’ partly to mean a freedom from [or the ‘cessation’ of some particular obscuration, this freedom being a function of a particular unhindered path. The ‘truth of the path’ is taken to be the means for Aryas to achieve these cessations and realisations in their mindstreams. People who have not studied the classics and who think at a lower level may instead identify the three scopes of the Lam Rim as a rough approximation for the ultimate jewel of Dharma.
Such things as the twelve divisions of Scripture are the generally accepted idea of the jewel of Dharma.
The jewel of Sangha is as follows. The ultimate jewel of Sangha are Aryas who have any of the eight good qualities of the liberated mind.
A group of four ordinary beings holding the monk’s full ordination vows is the generally accepted idea of the jewel of Sangha. If we help or harm these beings we will receive virtuous or non-virtuous karmic results in relation to the Sangha.
One doesn’t need all three of these refuges in order to be protected from some types of danger; each of the Three Jewels can protect one. Once a man in Dokham petitioned Avalokiteshvara while he was being dragged off by a tiger. The tiger immediately put him down and the man was freed from all danger.
After Purna became ordained and gained arhatship, some relatives and merchants went to sea to obtain choice sandalwood, but their boat began to disintegrate. The relatives petitioned the Arhat Purna [in their prayers] and were saved from the waters.
The king of nagas caused a rain of weapons to fall on King Prasenajit; Maudgalyayana turned it into a rain of flowers.
However, all Three Jewels are needed to protect one completely from samsara and the lower realms. To cure a patient of a severe illness, three things are needed: a doctor, medicine, and nurses. Similarly, in order to be freed from the serious illnesses of the sufferings of samsara and the lower realms, the danger of the peace [of Hinayana Arhats], or [samsaric] existence, one definitely needs all these: the Buddha, the teacher of the liberating path, who is like the doctor; the Dharma, the liberating path of the three scopes, which is like the medicine; and the Sangha, the friends of the Dharma practitioners, who are like the nurses. So, these three are things to take refuge in.
This teaching is an excerpt from Liberation in the Palm of your Hand by H.H. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche. Read up here what other lamas expressed about Kyabje Pabongka.
The Contents of the Eleven-Volume Lhasa Edition of Phabongkha’s Collected Works, Together with the Contents of the Twelfth Volume as Found in the Potala Collection
His Holiness Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche has eleven volumes of writings that are highly sought after and very much used till the present day. Very few works by teachers in Tibet become classics within their lifetime, but Pabongka Rinpoche’s writings did become classics.
For the sake of brevity, the titles listed below follow those given in the contents pages at the beginning of each volume in the set (phabong kha. khyab bdag rdo rje ‘chang pha bong kha pa dpal bzang po’I gsung ‘bum (11 vols.). Lhasa: s.n., 199-.) and those listed by the TBRC [W3834]. As Vol. 11 is a single work, the full title of the text is given.
Preference has been given for the TBRC’s listing as it is easily accessible and often more extensive, especially as Vol. 10, for example, has no printed listing of contents. Any important discrepancies between the order and contents of the TBRC’s listings and those of the contents pages of the Lhasa edition volumes, as well as the catalogue to the Potala edition are noted in square brackets.
In several cases the bibliographical titles have been expanded, usually by incorporating sections of the full headings as presented on the title pages of the individual works, with the additions in question also enclosed in square brackets. The contents of the twelfth volume are also listed following the presentation given in the catalogue to the Potala’s edition.
Vol. 1 (ka)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Ka
pha bong ka pa’i gsung ‘bum pod kha pa’i dkar chag/
- A Compilation of Only Initiations Drawn from Phabongkha’s Records of Received Teachings
pha bong kha pa’i gsan yig las dbang rkyang gi skor phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - A Compilation of Combined Initiations and Instructions Drawn from Phabongkha’s Records of Received Teachings
pha bong kha pa’i gsan yig las dbang khrid sbrag ma’i skor phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - A Compilation of Various Oral Transmissions and Instructions Drawn from Phabongkha’s Records of Received Teachings
pha bong kha pa’i gsan yig las lung khrid sna tshogs skor phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - A Compilation of Only Oral Transmissions Drawn from Phabongkha’s Records of Received Teachings
pha bong kha pa’i gsan yig las lung rkyang gi skor phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/
Vol. 2 (kha)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Kha
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod kha pa’i dkar chag/
- A Compilation of Permission Initiations Drawn from Phabongkha’s Records of Received Teachings
pha bong kha pa’i gsan yig las rjes gnang skor phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - A Compilation of Text-collections Drawn from Phabongkha’s Records of Received Teachings
pha bong kha pa’i gsan yig las be’u bum skor phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - The Method for Practicing the Yoga of the Guru Pūjā with Cakrasaṃvara: A Ritual Arranged for Convenient Recitation
bla ma mchod pa ‘khor lo sdom pa dang ‘brel ba’i rnal ‘byor nyams su len tshul gyi cho ga nag ‘gros su bkod pa/ - The Method for Practicing the Guru Pūjā with Bhairava: A Recitation Ritual Arranged for Convenient Recitation
bla ma mchod pa ‘jigs byed dang ‘brel bar nyams su len tshul gyi ‘don chog nag ‘gros su bkod pa/ - A Festival of Emanations: A Skillful Ritual Arrangement for the Extensive Way of Taking the Four Initiations According to the Hearing Lineage
snyan brgyud dbang bzhi rgyas pa len tshul gyi chog sgrigs thabs mkhas ‘phrul gyi dga’ ston/ - The Image of the Everlasting Vajra: The Way of Offering a Longlife Accomplishment Ritual Through the Guru Pūjā: Indivisible Bliss and Emptiness, Combined with the Long-life Practice of the Drubgyal Tradition
bla ma mchod pa bde stong dbyer med ma dang grub rgyal lugs kyi tshe sgrub sbrags ma’i sgo nas brtan bzhugs ‘bul tshul rtag brtan rdo rje’i re khA/ - A Compilation of Guru Yoga Texts [such as the Treasury of All Desired Blessings-Guru Yoga, and Others]
bla ma’i rnal ‘byor [byin rlabs ‘dod dgu’i gter mdzod sogs bla ma’i rnal ‘byor gyi rim pa] phyogs gcig tu bsgrigs pa/ - A Compilation of Lineage Guru Supplication Texts and so forth.
bla brgyud gsol ‘debs sogs kyi skor phyogs gcig tu bsgrigs pa/ - The Storehouse of Precious Treasure: The Way of Practicing the Yoga of Ganden Lhagyama According to the Precious Oral Pith Instructions of the Hearing Lineage
dga’ ldan lha brgya ma’i rnal ‘byor nyams su len tshul snyan brgyud zhal shes man ngag rin chen gter gyi bang mdzod/ - The Ganden Lhagyama Guru Yoga, [Drawn from the Pith Instructions of the Ganden Hearing Lineage].
[dge ldan snyan brgyud kyi man ngag las byung ba’i] bla ma’i rnal ‘byor dga’ ldan lha brgya ma/ - The Staircase for the Fortunate to Travel to Tuṣita: An Instruction Manual for the Recitation-ritual of Consciousness-transference Based on the Ganden Lhagyama
dga’ ldan lha brgya ma’i ‘pho khrid ‘don chog skal bzang dga’ ldan bgrod pa’i them skas/ - Fruits of the Wish-fulfilling Divine Tree Which Give Rise to the Two Accomplishments: Notes on Experiential Instructions on The Way to Rely on a Spiritual Guide
bshes gnyen bsten tshul myong khrid zin bris grub gnyis ‘dod ‘jo’i dpag bsam yongs ‘du’i snye ma/ - Notes on the Graduated Stages of the Tantric Path [Taken During a Transmission from the Venerable Lama Chone Pandita]
[rje btsun bla ma co ne paN+Di ta rin po che’i zhal snga nas/] sngags rim chen mo’i [bshad lung nos skabs kyi gsung] zin bris/ - An Amazing Feast of Nectar: Notes of Guidance for Drubde Gegye Thegchog Ling
sgrub sde dge rgyas theg mchog gling gi bca’ yig ngo mtshar bdud rtsi’I dga’ ston/
Vol. 3 (ga)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Ga
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod ga pa’i dkar chag/
- A Collection of Notes on Both the Guhyasamāja Generation Stage Ocean of Accomplishment and the Completion Stage Lamp that Illuminates the Five Stages, Arranged Together
gsang ‘dus bskyed rim dngos grub rgya mtsho dang rdzogs rim rim lnga gsal sgron gnyis kyi zin tho ‘ga’ zhig phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - The Supreme Festival: A Condensed Sādhana of the Ārya Tradition of Guhyasamāja
‘dus pa ‘phags lugs kyi sgrub thabs mdor bsdus mchog gi dga’ ston/ - Victory Over Māra: The Sādhana of Solitary Hero Bhairava, Conveniently Arranged for Recitation
‘jigs byed dpa’ bo gcig pa’i sgrub thabs bdud las rnam rgyal gyi ngag ‘don nag ‘gros su bkod pa/ - The Way to Practice the Succinctly Condensed Self-generation of the Terrifying Solitary Hero
‘jigs mdzad dpa’ bo gcig pa’i bdag bskyed cung bsdus te nyams su len tshul/ - The Extremely Condensed Sādhana of Solitary Hero Bhairava Together with an Extremely Condensed Self-entry
‘jigs byed dpa’ bo gcig pa’i sgrub thabs shin tu bsdus dang bdag ‘jug shin tu bsdus pa/
[This work is not listed in the Potala edition’s catalogue] - The Method for Engaging in the Approximation Retreat of Serviceability of Solitary Hero Bhairava, [Uncommon] Notes on the Great Retreat of the Solitary Hero [by Amdo Deyang Rinpoche], and Notes on The Wrathful Distribution of the Sixty-Four Torma Offerings
‘jigs byed dpa’ bo gcig pa’i las rung gi bsnyen pa bya tshul dang / dpa’ gcig gi bsnyen chen zin tho [thun mong ma yin pa a mdo bde yangs rin po ches mdzad pa]/ drug cu ma drag bsngos kyi zin tho bcas/ - Compiled Notes from the Transmission of the Cakrasaṃvara Tantra’s Total Illumination of the Hidden Meaning and the Generation Stage of Kālacakra
‘khor lo sdom pa’i rgyud ‘grel sbas don kun gsal gyi bshad lung dang / dus ‘khor gyi bskyed rim phyag zin thor bu bcas/ - The Swift Path to Great Bliss: The Lineage Prayer of the Ghaṇṭapāda Tradition of Cakrasaṃvara and Thoroughly Increasing Great Bliss: The Sādhanā of the Ghaṇṭapāda Tradition of the [Bhagavān] Cakrasaṃvara [Body Mandala]
dril bu lugs kyi ‘khor lo sdom pa’i bla brgyud gsol ‘debs bde chen nye lam dang/ [dril bu zhabs lugs kyi bcom ldan ‘das] ‘khor lo sdom pa’i lus dkyil gyi mngon rtogs bde chen rab ‘phel/ - The Continuous Rain of Camphor that Compassionately Cleanses the Stains of Downfalls: The Vase Generation of the [Bhagavān] Cakrasaṃvara Body Mandala [in the Tradition of Mahāsiddha Ghaṇṭapāda] and the Brief Self-entry
[grub chen dril bu zhabs lugs bcom ldan ‘das] ‘khor lo sdom pa’i lus dkyil gyi bum bskyed dang bdag ‘jug mdor bsdus nyes ltung dri ma ‘khrud pa’I thugs rje’i ga pur char rgyun/ - A Compiled Ritual for the Great Approximation Retreat Based on the Cakrasaṃvara Body Mandala, Arranged for Oral Recitation.
‘khor lo sdom pa lus dkyil gyi gzhi bsnyen chen mo’i bsnyen sgrub sbrags ma’i cho ga bklag chog tu bkod pa/ - The Festival of Highest Virtue: The Method for Engaging in the Oral Recitation Ritual of External Offerings in Dependence on the [Bhagavān] Cakrasaṃvara Body Mandala [in the Tradition of Mahāsiddha Ghaṇṭapāda]
[grub chen dril bu zhabs lugs bcom ldan ‘das] ‘khor lo sdom pa lus dkyil la brten pa’i phyi rol mchod pa bya tshul gyi ‘don chog bsod nams mchog gi dga’ ston/ - Offering Clouds of the Vajra Body: A Tea Offering of Cakrasaṃvara
‘khor lo sdom pa’i ja mchod rdo rje’i lus kyi mchod sprin/ - [Drop of Essential Nectar of the Hearing Lineage: The Pith Instructions for the Way to Practice the White Long-life Deity Cakrasaṃvara,] a Long-life Accomplishment Ritual Sealed in Secrecy.
[sbyor bde mchog tshe lha dkar po dang sbrags ten nyams su len tshul gyi man ngag snyan brgyud bdud rtsi’i thig le/] tshe sgrub bka’ rgya/ - The Good Vase of Immortal Nectar: The Way of Performing a Long-life Offering Ritual to a Great Being Based on the White Longlife Deity Cakrasaṃvara, Combined Together with the Repellence of the Dakinis
bde mchog tshe lha dkar po’i sgo nas [yul khyad par can la] zhabs brtan ‘bul tshul mkha’ ‘gro bsun bzlog [dang bcas pa ‘chi med bdud rtsi’i bum bzang/] - The Hook Which Summons Attainments: The Gaṇacakra Offering of the White Long-life Deity Cakrasaṃvara
bde mchog tshe lha dkar po’i tshogs mchod dngos grub ‘gugs pa’i lcags kyu/ - Garland of Cittamani: The Pith Instructions for the Yogas of the Two Stages of Khadiravani Tārā
seng ldeng nags kyi sgrol ma’i lam rim pa gnyis kyi rnal ‘byor nyams len gyi man ngag tsit+ta ma Ni’i do shal/ - Offering of the ‘Explanatory’ Torma on the Occasion of Teachings on the Two Stages of Guhyasamāja, Vajrabhairava and Cakrasaṃvara, Together with the Unmistaken Offering of the Illusory Body
gsang bde ‘jigs gsum gyi rim gnyis bka’ khrid skabs ‘grel gtor ‘bul tsul skor dang / sgyu lus mchod pa sogs kyi phyag bzhes ‘khrul med/
Vol. 4 (nga)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Nga
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod nga pa’i dkar chag
- Swift Path to Great Bliss: The Uncommon Sādhanā of [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod kyi sgrub thabs thun min bde chen nye lam/ - The Way for Meditating on an Abbreviated Version of the Swift Path to Great Bliss sādhanā of [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod kyi sgrub thabs bde chen nye lam las bsdus te bsgom tshul/ - Festival of Great Bliss: The Mandala Ritual of Queen [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo’i dkyi ‘khor gyi cho ga bde chen dga’ ston/ - A Staircase for the Fortunate to Travel to Kechara: The Practice of the Approximation, Accomplishment and Activities of Queen [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo’i bsnyen sgrub las gsum gyi lag len skal bzang mkha’ spyod bgrod pa’i them skas/ - The Messenger Invoking the Hundred Blessings of the Vajra: The Ritual Text to be Recited as a Preliminary to the [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari Approximation Retreat Together with Notes on the Ritual Practiced During the Approximation and the Way to Practice the Long, Middling and Brief “Tenth-day” Offerings
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod ma’i bsnyen pa’i sngon ‘gro’I ‘don cha bklag chog zur du bkol ba rdo rje’i byin brgya ‘beb pa’i pho nya dang/ bsnyen pa ‘dug skabs kyi phyag len dang cho ga’i zin tho/ tshes bcu rgyas ‘bring bsdus pa bya tshul/ - Fulfilling the Wish for Attainments: The Peaceful Burning Offering of Queen [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo’i sgo nas zhi ba’i sbyin sreg bya tshul dngos grub ‘dod ‘jo/ - Swift Invocation of Attainments: The Way of Relying on and Practicing the Invocation of the Worldly God Agni to the Hearth in Dependence on Vajrayoginī Naro Kechari
rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma nA ro mkha’ spyod ma la brten nas ‘jig rten pa’i me lha thab tu ‘gugs pa’i bsnyen pa bya tshul dngos grub myur ‘gugs/ - Offerings and Gifts Pleasing the Rishis: The Way of Practicing the Tenth-part Burning Offering in Relation to the Approximation Retreat for the Invocation of the Worldly God Agni to the Hearth, in Dependence on Vajrayoginī Naro Kechari
rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo’i sgo nas ‘jig rten pa’I me lha thab tu ‘gugs pa’i bsnyen pa’i bcu cha’i sbyin sreg bya tshul drang srong dgyes pa’i mchod sbyin/ - [The Point of Entry to Kechara Pure Land:] A Recitation Text for the Sindhura Ritual, or Approximation and Accomplishment of Queen [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo la brten pa’i sin+d+hU ra’i sgrub pa’am bsnyen sgrub sbrags ma’i ‘don sgrigs [mkha’ spyod zhing gi ‘jug ngos/] - The Meaningful Magical Lasso: The Tenth-part Burning Offering of the [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari Approximation Retreat
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo’i bsnyen pa’i bcu cha chen mo’i sbyin sreg don yon ‘phrul gyi zhags pa/ - The Uncommon Golden Dharma: The Pith Instructions for Journeying to Kechara
mkha’ spyod bgrod pa’i man ngag gser chos thun min zhal shes chig brgyudma/ - Festival of Uncontaminated Joy: The Short Gaṇacakra Offering of Queen [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo’i tshogs mchod mdor bsdus zag med dgyes rgu’i dga’ ston/ - The Magical Ritual of Skillful Means: The Way of Performing the Sesame Seed Burning Offering of Vajrayoginī which Purifies All Negativities Without Remainder and The Cloud of Offerings of Virtuous Skillful Means-Food Offering
rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma’i sgo nas til gyi sbyin sreg bya tshul sdig ltung lhag med spyod pa’i thabs mkhas ‘phrul gyi cho ga dang/ zas mchod thabs mkhas bsod nams mchod sprin/ - The Iron Hook of Compassion: The Transference of the Solitary Mother, Together with the Way of Performing the Hand Offering
yum rkyang gi ‘pho ba myur ‘dren thugs rje’i lcags kyu dang/ lag mchod bya tshul/ - The Painted Mandala Initiation Ritual of the Eleven-Faced Avalokiteśvara of the Palmo Tradition [Arranged in a Straightforward Manner, which is Similar to the Mandala-rite of the Supreme Victor, The Great Seventh [Dalai Lama]]
thugs rje chen po bcu gcig zhal dpal mo lugs kyi ras bris kyi dkyil ‘khor du dbang bskur ba’i cho ga [rgyal mchog bdun pa chen po’i dkyil chog ltar nag ‘gros su bkod pa/] - Some Notes on Madhyamaka and on Transmissions of the Mahāyānasūtrālamkāra and Madhyamakāvatāra
mdo rgyan sbyar ba’i bshad lung dang dbu ma la ‘jug pa/ dbu ma’i brjed byang nyung ngu/ - Notes on The Essence of True Eloquence
drang nges legs bshad snying po’i zin bris/ - Fragmentary notes on Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra
byang chub sems dpa’i spyod pa la ‘jug pa zhes bya ba bka’ mchan thor bu/ - Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra Outline
spyod ‘jug sa bcad/ - Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra Notes
spyod ‘jug zin bris/
Vol. 5 (ca)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Cha
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod ca pa’i dkar chag/
- Recollective Notes on the Four Interwoven Annotations of the Lamrim Chenmo
lam rim chen mo mchan bu bzhi sbrags kyi skor dran gso’i bsnyel byang/ - [Chariot of the Mahāyāna:] The Way of Practicing the Jorchoepreliminaries of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment
byang chub lam gyi rim pa’i sngon ‘gro sbyor chos nyams su len tshul [theg mchog ‘phrul gyi shing rta/] - The Excellent Path of the Victors: A Compiled Jorchoe Recitation for the Central Tibetan Lineage’s Extensive Commentarial Tradition of the Essential Lamrim Instructions of the The Sacred Words of Mañjuśrī
lam rim dmar khrid ‘jam dpal zhal lung gi khrid rgyun rgyas pa dbus brgyud lugs kyi sbyor chos kyi ngag ‘don khrigs chags su bkod pa rgyal ba’I lam bzang/ - On Outlines from an Experiential Commentary on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment’s Essential Instructions- the Easy Path and Swith Path
[byang chub lam gyi rim pa’i dmar khrid bde myur gyi thog nas nyams khrid stsal skabs kyi] sa bcad skor/ - Pith Instructions Pointing Out the Way to Train According to an Important Experiential Stages of the Path Commentary, Taught in Everyday Language.
lam rim myong khrid gnad du bkar te skyong tshul gyi man ngag phal tshig dmar rjen lag len mdzub btsugs kyi tshul du bkod pa/ - Advice Spoken to Kongpo Tre Rabchog Tulku Rinpoche
kong po bkras rab mchog sprul rin po che la stsal ba/
[This work is included together with previous title [5.5] and is not listed separately in the contents of the actual printed volume, or in the catalogue to the Potala edition.] - Heart Spoon: Practice Instructions to Bear in Mind [Drawn From] Experiences of the Long Path
shul ring lam gyi myong ba lag len dmar bcang snying gi thur ma/ - Regarding Advice Presented in the Form of Songs of Realization, such as All Countless Objects of Refuge and so forth
rab ‘byams skyabs kun ma sogs nyams mgur bslab bya’i skor/ - The Root Text of the Seven Points of Mind Training
blo sbyong don bdun pa’i rtsa ba/ - [The Common Jewel of the Ganden Practice Lineage:] Enhancing the Experience of Method and Wisdom by the Practice of Dedicating the Collection of the Illusory Body
sgyu lus tshogs su bsngo ba thabs shes nyams kyi bogs ‘don [dga’ ldan sgrub brgyud spyi nor/] - The Emanated Chariot: The Way to Practice the Generosity of Offering the One Hundred Tormas [Which Carries to the Jewel of the Three Bodies]
gtor ma brgya rtsa gtong tshul [sku gsum nor bu ‘dren pa’i] mchod sbyin’phrul gyi shing rta/ - 12. A Textual Collection of Notes by Various Disciples on the Nectar of Dagpo Lama Rinpoche’s Speech, which had been Forgotten and Scattered
dwags po bla ma rin po che’i gsung gi bdud rtsi bsnyel thor gnang ba sogs phyag zin thor bu sna tshogs phyogs gcig tu bsgrigs pa/ - Brief Notes on Pramāṇa
tshad ma’i bsnyel byang mdor bsdus/
Vol. 6 (cha)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Cha
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod cha pa’i dkar chag/
- A Guide for those Travelling to the Supreme Field: The Profound Instruction for those Travelling to Shambhala in Dependence on White Mañjuśrī
‘jam dbyangs dkar po la brten nas sham+ba+ha lar bgrod pa’i gdams pa zab mo zhing mchog bgrod pa’i sa mkhan/ - A Collection Regarding the Sādhanas of the Highest Deities
lhag lha’i sgrub thabs skor phyogs bsgrigs/ - The Way of Practicing the Long-life Accomplishment Ritual of SitaTārā Cintācakra for the Sake of Oneself and Others
sgrol dkar yid bzhin ‘khor lo’i sgo nas rang gzhan gyi tshe sgrub bya tshul/ - Festival of the Nectar of Immortality: Praises and Requests to SitaTārā Cintācakra
sgrol dkar yid bzhin ‘khor lo’i bstod gsol ‘chi med bdud rtsi’i dga’ ston/ - Chone Pandita’s Sita-Tārā Long-Life-Commentary, the Collected Activity- sādhanā of White Mañjuśrī and Sarasvatī, Together with Lecture Notes
co ne paN+Di ta’i sgrol dkar tshe khrid dang / ‘jam dkar/ dbyangs can ma rnams kyi sgrub thabs las tshogs bcas pa’i gsung bshad zin bris/ - On Sealed Teachings
gsung bka’ rgya ma’i skor/ - Some Scattered Teachings Compiled Together
gsung thor bu ba ‘ga’ zhig phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - A Compilation of Various Questions and Answers on Sutra and Tantra
mdo sngags skor gyi dris lan sna tshogs phyogs gcig tu bsgrigs pa/ - The Permission Initiations of the Dharma-cycle of Mañjuśrī, and so forth, Arranged Together
‘jam dbyangs chos skor sogs kyi rjes gnang bca’ sgrigs skor/ - [Festival of the Victory Over the Three Worlds:] The Nine-floored Iron House Torma Ritual Victory Over the Three Worlds, Arranged for Convenient Recitation
lcags mkhar zur dgu pa’i gtor chog srid gsum rnam rgyal gyi ‘don cha nag ‘gros su bkod pa [srid gsum rnam rgyal dga’ ston/] - [The Machine of Sky-Iron:] A Supplement to Festival of the Victory Over the Three Worlds, which is the Nine-floored Iron House Torma Ritual, Victory Over the Three Worlds, Arranged for Convenient Recitation
lcags mkhar zur dgu pa’i gtor chog srid gsum rnam rgyal gyi chog sgrigs srid gsum rnam rgyal dga’ ston gyi zur rgyan [gnam lcags ‘phrul ‘khor/] - The Inescapable Dark Belly of Yama: A Subjugation Ritual for Ghosts and Demons, in Dependence on Solitary Hero Bhairava
‘jigs byed dpa’ bo gcig pa’i sgo nas sgab ‘dre’am sgrub sri mnan pa’i cho ga thar med gshin rje’i lto khung/ - A Brief Subjugation of Demons Which Can Be Modified for Use in Relation to Any Meditational Deity or Dharma Protector Based on the Practice of the Subjugation Ritual for Ghosts- The Inescapable Dark Belly of Yama, in Dependence on Solitary Hero Bhairava,
‘jigs byed dpa’ bo gcig pa’i sgo nas sgab ‘dre mnan chog thar med gshin rje’i lto khung gi bca’ gshom gyi lag len dang /yi dam chos skyong gang la’ang sbyar du rung ba’i sri mnan mdor bsdus/
Vol. 7 (ja)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Ja
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod ja pa’i dkar chag/
- The Sun that Enlarges the Lotus of the Three Types of Faith: An Explanation on the Way of Offering the Mandala
maN+Dal bshad pa ‘bul tshul dad gsum pad+mo rgyas pa’i nyin byed/ - A Collection of Long-life Prayers and Swift-return Supplications to Incarnation Lineages
zhabs brtan dang myur byon ‘khrungs rabs gsol ‘debs kyi rim pa rnams phyogs gcig tu bsdebs pa/ - [The Melodious Sound of Conviction,] The Roar of Good Faith: An Incarnation Lineage Supplication
‘khrungs rabs gsol ‘debs skal bzang dad pa’i nga ro [yid ches bden dbyangs/] - The Melodious Drum Victorious Over the Terrifyingly Laughter of the Lord of Death: A Long-life Prayer Supplication to Tagtra
stag brag gi brtan bzhugs gsol ‘debs ‘jigs mdzad bzhad pa’i gad rgyangs ‘chi bdag g.yul las rgyal ba’i rnga dbyangs/ - A Heart Jewel of Offering Clouds of Good Fortune Pleasing the Local Protectors: The Permission Initiation Ritual of the Glorious Four-Faced Protector of Seventeen Expressions
dpal mgon gdong bzhi pa rnam ‘gyur bcu bdun gyi rjes gnang gi cho ga zhing skyong dgyes pa’i mchod sprin skal bzang snying nor/ - The Increasing and Auspicious [Akṣara Garland]: A Ritual of the Glorious Four-Faced Protector of Seventeen Expressions, Together with the Entrustment
dpal mgon gdong bzhi pa rnam ‘gyur bcu bdun mngag gtad dang bcas pa’i cho ga spel legs [ak+Sha ra’i phreng ba]/
[This work is included together with previous title [7.5] and is not listed separately in the contents of the actual printed volume, or in the catalogue to the Potala edition.] - The Rain of Treasure Fulfilling All Needs and Wants: The Yellow Increasing Ritual of the Glorious Four-Faced Protector in Dependence on the Nine Deities, the Quintessential Instruction to Fulfill all Desires
dpal mgon gdong bzhi pa’i ser po rgyas byed lha dgu la brten pa’i ‘dod dgu dbang du bya ba’i man ngag dgos ‘dod dbyig gi char ‘bab/ - Summer Thunder: A Supplement to The Rain of Treasure Fulfilling All Needs and Wants: The Increasing Ritual of the Glorious Four-Faced Protector with a Yellow [Expression] in Dependence on the Nine Deities, the Quintessential Instruction to Fulfill all Desires
dpal mgon gdong bzhi pa’i [rnam ‘gyur] ser po rgyas byed lha dgu la brten pa’i ‘dod dgu dbang du bya ba’i man ngag dgos ‘dod dbyig gi char ‘bab kyi lhan thabs dbyar gyi rnga gsang - A New Fulfillment Ritual of Glorious Four-Faced Protector Based on that Written by Sakyapa Ngawang Khyenrab, with Exceptional Changes
dpal mgon zhal bzhi pa’i bskang gsar sa skya pa ngag dbang mkhyen rab kyis mdzad par dmigs bsal bsgyur ba gnang pa/ - Exhortations to Entreat Various Protectors of the Teachings: Serkyem, Gaṇacakra Offerings and so forth, as well as the Cycle of the Wealth Deity
bstan srung khag gi ‘phrin bskul gser skyems tshogs mchod sogs dang nor lha’i skor/ - [The Chariot of the Jewel of Faith Drawing Together a Precious Mass of Blessings:] The Life Entrustment of Shugden Possessing the Seal of Secrecy and Notes on How to Draw the Life-energy Cakra
shugs ldan srog gtad bka’ rgya can dang srog ‘khor bri tshul gyi zin bris/ [byin rlabs rin chen phung po ‘dren ba yi/ /yid ches nor bu’i shing rta/] - A Supplement on How to Practice the Preliminaries for the Lifeentrustment of Shugden
shugs ldan srog gtad kyi sngon ‘gro’i mtshams sbyor kha skong/ - The Victory Banner Thoroughly Victorious in All Directions: A Presentation of the Approach, Accomplishment and Activities of Shugden, Fulfilling all Needs and Wants
shugs ldan gyi bsnyen sgrub las gsum gyi rnam gzhag dgos ‘dod yid bzhin re skong phyogs las rnam par rgyal ba’i rgyal mtshan/ - The Melodious Drum Victorious in All Directions: The Extensive Uncommon Fulfillment Ritual of the Five Manifest Families of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden
rgyal chen rdo rje shugs ldan rigs lnga rtsal gyi sger bskang rgyas pa phyogs las rnam par rgyal ba’i rnga dbyangs/ - Swift Summoning of the Deeds of the Four Activities: The Middling Fulfillment Ritual of Gyalchen Dorje Shugden
rgyal chen rdo rje shugs ldan rtsal gyi bskang chog ‘bring po las bzhi’I ‘phrin las myur ‘gugs/ - On [the Way to Perform the Swift Summoning of AuspiciousnessIncense Offering to Cakrasaṃvara’s Assembly of Mandala Deities and Other] Incense Offerings
[dpal ‘khor lo sdom pa’i dkyil ‘khor gyi lha tshogs rnams la bsangs mchod ‘bul tshul bde chen phywa g.yang myur ‘gugs sogs] bsangs mchod kyi skor/
Vol. 8 (nya)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Nya
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod nya pa’i dkar chag/
- A Necklace of Increasing, Beautiful Fresh Flowers: A Compilation of Official Correspondences
chab shog gi rim pa rnams phyogs gcig tu bkod pa spel legs me tog gsar pa’I do shal/ - A Compilation of Requests, Dedications, Supplications, Aspirational Prayers of Printing Colophons and Introductions, Such as Those of [the Contents of the Dharma-cycle of Cakrasaṃvara, The Heart-Jewel of the Dakinis of the Three Places and So Forth]
[‘khor lo sdom pa’i chos skor gyi dkar chag gnas gsum mkha’ ‘gro’i snying nor sogs] spar byang smon tshig dang/ dbu brjod / ‘dod gsol bsngo smon gyi skor rnams phyogs gcig tu bkod pa/ - Notes on the Experiential Instructions on [the Consciousness transference of] a Single Day [from a Fully-Ripening Profound Commentary on the Profound Path of the Guru Pūjā, the Uncommon Guru Yoga of the Ganden Hearing Lineage]
[dga’ ldan snyan brgyud kyi bla ma’i rnal ‘byor thun mong min pa zab lam bla ma mchod pa’i zab khrid smin rgyas su nos skabs ‘pho ba] zhag gcig ma’I nyams khrid brjed byang/ - “The Swift Path for Travelling to Tuṣita Pure Land:” Teaching Notes Taken During a Profound Commentary on the Ganden Lhagyama Guru Yoga [of the Segyu Tradition]
[sras rgyud lugs kyi] bla ma’i rnal ‘byor dga’ ldan lha brgya’i zab khrid gnang skabs kyi gsung bshad zin bris dga’ ldan zhing du bgrod pa’i myur lam/ - Entryway to the Ocean of Great Bliss: Notes on the First Stage of the Ghaṇṭapāda Cakrasaṃvara Body Mandala
‘khor lo sdom pa dril bu lus dkyil gyi rim pa dang po’i zin bris bde chen rgya mtsho’i ‘jug ngogs/
[Note that the catalogue of the Potala edition as well as the numbering of the popular Lhasa-edition gives this text as work six of the volume] - Opening the Door to the Good Path: Teaching Notes Taken During a Profound Commentary on the Principal Paths
lam gtso’i zab khrid bstsal skabs kyi gsung bshad zin bris lam bzang sgo ‘byed/
[Note that the catalogue of the Potala edition as well as the numbering of the popular Lhasa-edition gives this text as work five of the volume] - The Key of Secrets: Notes on the Principle Paths
lam gtso’i zin bris gsang ba’i lde mig/
[This work is included together with the previous title and is not listed separately in the contents of the actual printed volume or in the catalogue to the Potala edition.] - The Outline of the Essential Instructions of the Generation and Completion Stages of the Ghaṇṭapāda Cakrasaṃvara Body Mandala
‘khor lo sdom pa dril bu lus dkyil gyi bskyed rdzogs gnyis kyi dmar khrid sa bcad/ - Explanatory Notes on the Root Mantras of Cakrasaṃvara Father and Mother
‘khor lo sdom pa yab yum gyi rtsa sngags kyi mchan ‘grel/ - [The Nectar of the Great Bliss-Guru, Droplets of Jamphel Nyingpo’s Blessings:] Notes on the Prayer to Meet with the Teachings of Tsongkhapa the Great
tsong kha pa chen po’i bstan pa dang mjal ba’i smon lam gyi zin bris [bde chen bla ma’i gsung gi bdud rtsi ‘jam dpal snying po’i byin rlabs kyi zegs ma/]
Vol. 9 (ta)
Contents of Phabongkhapa’s Collected Works, Vol. Ta
pha bong kha pa’i gsung ‘bum pod ta pa’i dkar chag/
- Verses for Intervals in the Contents of the Kangyur- Volume One.
bka’ ‘gyur dkar chag gi bar skabs tshigs bcad stod cha - Verses for Intervals in the Contents of the Kangyur- Volume Two.
bka’ ‘gyur dkar chag gi bar skabs tshigs bcad smad cha - Brief Notes from a Commentary Given on the Six Session Guru Yoga, the Twenty Stanzas on the Vows, the Fifty Verses on the Guru and the Root Downfalls Constituting a Gross Contravention
thun drug bla ma’i rnal ‘byor dang /sdom pa nyi shu pa/ bla ma lnga bcu pa/ sngags kyi rtsa ltung sbom po bcas kyi bshad khrid gnang ba’i zin tho mdor bsdus/ - [The Essence of the Vast and Profound: A Concise Compilation of] Notes Taken During a Combined Commentary on Tsongkhapa’s Shorter Stages of the Path to Enlightenment and the Essential Instructions of the Swift Path
rje’i lam rim chung ngu dang / myur lam dmar khrid sbrags ma’i gsung bshad stsal skabs kyi zin bris [mdo tsam du bkod pa zab rgyas snying po] - Easy to Understand Instructions on the Sequential Performance of the Rite of Generating the Mind of Bodhicitta, as Given on One Occasion at Tashilhunpo
bkras lhun du sems bskyed mchod pa gnang skabs gzhan kyi gzigs bde’I phyag bzhes ‘gros bkod du bstsal ba/ - Notes Marking Out Whatever Discrepancies Were Found in Various Wordings of the Manuscript Made from the New Printing Boards of the Great Stages of the Path
lam rim chen mo par gzhi gsar bskrun gyi ma dpe’i tshig sna mi mthun pa byung ba gang rnyed rnams brjed thor btab pa/
Vol. 10 (tha)
- The Moon-Vine Increasing the Milk-Lake of Faith: The Biography of Dagpo Bamchoe Lama Lobsang Jamphel Lhundrub Gyatso
dwags po bam chos bla ma blo bzang ‘jam dpal lhun grub rgya mtsho’i rnam thar dad pa’i ‘o mtsho ‘phel byed zla ba’i ‘khri shing/ - Compilation of Notes on Experiential Instructions on The Sacred Words of Mañjuśrī Stages of the Path, According to The Abridged Commentarial Tradition of the Southern Lineage, Received from the Unequalled Dagpo Lama, Lord of the Dharma
dwags po bla ma mnyam med chos kyi rje las lam rim ‘jam dpal zhal lung gi khrid rgyun bsdus pa lho brgyud du grags pa’i nyams ‘khrid gsan skabs sogs kyi bsnyel byang phyogs bsdebs - A Collection of [Kyabdag Dorjechang Phabongkha’s] Minor Compositions and Instructions
[khyab bdag rdo rje ‘chang pha bong kha pa’i] bka’ rtsom dang phyag bzhes phran tshegs skor phyogs su bkod pa/
[The catalogue to the Potala edition lists the third work of the volume as: “The Mirror of the View: Notes Taken During an Explanation of the Profound Commentary on The Hero Entering Into Battle – Transference of Consciousness ‘pho ba dpa’ bo g.yul ‘jug gi zab khrid gnang ba’i gsung bshad zin bris lta ba’i me long/”] - [An Ornament Embellishing Arising Wisdom:] An Explanation of the Layout of the Vairocana-Abhisaṃbodhi
rnam snang mngon byang gi thig ‘grel [sher ‘byung dgongs rgyan/]
[The catalogue to the Potala edition lists the fourth work of the volume as: “Abbreviated Rites to Protect Harvests from Rain, Frost, Hail, Disease, Drought and So Forth lo tog gi rim ‘gro dang/ char ‘bebs/ sad ser btsa’ than sogs srung thabs mdor bsdus/“] - [The Heart Essence of the Dakinis of the Three Places: Extremely Secret] Notes on the Profound Commentary of the Two Stages of Queen [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari.
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod dbang mo’i lam rim pa gnyis kyi zab khrid zin bris [shin tu gsang ba gnas gsum mkha’ ‘gro’i snying bcud/] - The Clear Essence of the Profound Path of Great Bliss: An Accessory to The Heart Essence of the Dakinis of the Three Places: Notes on [Vajrayoginī] Naro Kechari’s Two Stages
[rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma] nA ro mkha’ spyod ma’i rim gnyis zin bris gnas gsum mkha’ ‘gro’i snying bcud kyi zur rgyan bde chen zab lam snying po gsal ba/ - The Way to Perform the Increasing Burning Offering at the End of the Great Tenth-part Burning Offering of Vajrayoginī
rdo rje rnal ‘byor ma’i bcu cha chen mo’i sbyin sreg gi mjug tu rgyas pa’I sbyin sreg bya tshul/ - The Way to Perform the Long-life Accomplishment Ritual [Related] to Sita-Tārā [Cintācakra]
sgrol dkar [yid bzhin ‘khor lo’i sgo nas] tshe sgrub bya tshul/
[The catalogue to the Potala edition lists the eighth work of the volume as: “The Way To Perform the Gaṇacakra [of Vajrayoginī] de’i tshogs ‘bul tshul la“]
Vol. 11 (da)
- [Profound and Completely Unmistaken Pith Instructions for Delivering Liberation in Your Hand:] Notes on Experiential Instructions on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, [the Heart-Elixir of the Unequalled Dharma King,] the Essence of Nectar, Instructions that Assemble the Elixir of all the Teachings
[rnam grol lag bcangs su gtod pa’i man ngag zab mo tshang la ma nor ba mtshungs med chos kyi rgyal po’i thugs bcud] byang chub lam gyi rim pa’i nyams khrid kyi zin bris gsung rab kun gyi bcud bsdus gdams ngag bdud rtsi’i snying po/
Vol. 12 (na), Present Only in the Potala Collection
- The Beautiful Ornament of the Oceans: The Biography of the Yogi Wangchuk Yabje Dorjechang Lobsang Sangye Palzangpo, Holder of the Great Unsurpassable Secret Teachings
gsang chen bla na med pa’i bstan pa’i gdung ‘tshob rnal ‘byor dbang phyug yab rje rdo rje ‘chang blo bzang sangs rgyas dpal bzang po’i rnam thar rgya mtsho’i mdzas rgyan/ - A Collection of The Lord of Refuge, Kyabdag Dorjechang Phabongkha’s Minor Compositions and Instructions
khyab bdag rdo rje ‘chang pha bong kha pa’i bka’ rtsom dang phyag bzhes phran tshegs skor phyogs su bkod pa/ - An Ornament Embellishing Arising Wisdom: An Explanation of the Make-up of the Vairocana-Abhisaṃbodhi
rnam snang mngon byang gi thig ‘brel sher ‘byung dgongs rgyan/ - Notes Taken During a Profound Commentary on the Foundation of All Good Qualities, the Abbreviated Essence of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment
byang chub lam gyi rim pa’i snying po bsdus pa yon tan gzhi gyur ma’i zab khrid gnang skabs kyi brjed byang/ - The Way to Perform the Amending Burning Offering for the Approximation Retreat of Serviceability of the Glorious Solitary Hero Vajrabhairava
dpal rdo rje ‘jigs byed dpa’ bo cig pa’i las rung gi bsnyen pa’i kha skong sbyin sreg bya tshul/ - The Preliminary Practice Text for the Solitary Hero Vajrabhairava Approximation Retreat, Arranged for Convenient Recitation
de’i bsnyen pa’i sngon ‘gro’i ‘don cha nag ‘gros su bkod pa/ - Notes for Ocean of Attainments: The Burning Offering for Solitary Hero Vajrabhairava
de’i sbyin sreg dngos grub rgya mtsho’i zin bris/ - The Hook Which Summons Attainments: The Self-Entry of the Solitary Hero
dpa’ bo gcig pa’i bdag ‘jug dngos grub ‘gugs pa’i lcags kyu/]
From: Joona Repo, “Phabongkha Dechen Nyingpo: His Collected Works and the Guru-Deity-Protector Triad”, Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines, no. 33, October 2015, pp-43-62.
Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche’s Sungbum
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In Buddhism, we take refuge in the ultimate reality as expressed as the Three Jewels….. the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. When we think about death and the lower realms, it gives us some concern about our future lives . To prepare for our future lives, we do take refuge. Being a Buddhist , we should learn, practice Dharma to improve ourselves so as to benefit others. Refuge is a very important part of the path because it is the gateway to the Dharma.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this important teachings of taking refuge by H.H. Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche.
A very profound teachings and details explanation for me to learn and I will be reading it from time to time. To be free of samsara and the three lower realms , we are to seek refuge in the Three Jewels….. Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this important teachings.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this important teaching on why we should take refuge in the Three Jewels. Only the Three Jewels and the Guru who teaches us the Dharma has omnisciences, love and ability. They hand us the path to enlightenment by showing us and teaching us the steps or ways to transform ourselves and free ourselves from suffering.
However, out of our ignorance and keenest to get immediate gratification, we will unwittedly take refuge in spirits or other unseen beings, thinking they might grant us what we want. It actually reflects our worldly states of mind, only wanting worldly pleasures without leaving our comfort zone.
I pray for all who had taken refuge or about to take refuge to have the tenacity to follow the path of the Buddha all the way.
Thank you, kyab sum choe. Worth of everything needed to take refuge.
Thank you Rinpoche, this is a very profound teaching. I think refuge ceremonies have to include extensive meditation session on the development of faith in Triple Gems. _/\_
[…] Taking Refuge by Je Pabongka – http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/taking-refuge-by-je-pabongka.html […]
We should only take refuge in something that can benefit us short term and long term. If something is unreliable like a particular type of insurance why rely on something unreliable. Its no insurance at all.
The stories mentioned above show how refuge can really save us.
Thank you very much Rinpoche. It’s very helpful for myself to reflect on the basis of refuge and the vows, and HH Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche gives a very clear and detailed explanation.
Thank you Rinpoche for the explanations in the above post. I am very thankful to have taken refuge vows from Rinpoche and I will always remind myself to refrain myself in doing anything opposite of my vows. I will always rely on the ‘doctors, nurses and medicines’.
May we never be separated from the perfect Gurus from now until we gain liberation.
The great Master Pabongka Rinpoche shows us very clearly and in no uncertain terms (in the Lamrim) that there is only one refuge we can seek if we wish to be free of samsara and the three lower realms. That Refuge is the Three Jewels – the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Other sources of refuge like samsaric gods, nagas and spirit kings(that many still mistakenly seek) are still within the realms of samsara and are themselves subject to uncontrolled death and rebirth. They do not possess the qualities of the Buddha, ie, omniscience, love and ability So how can they be reliable sources of refuge?
We all suffer from the terrible disease of mental afflictions and the three poisons. The only medicine that can cure us is the Dharma. The only doctor who can correctly diagnose our disease and prescribe the right medicine is the Buddha. The Sangha is the nurse that helps us, through advice and support, to take the medicine and so be healed of the three poisons and gain liberation from suffering and samsara.
Sad to say, if we don’t take the medicine(as is the case with most of us), we will never be cured and be liberated from suffering and from samsara.