Wisdom from Machig Labdron
Machig Labdron
Wisdom from an Old Lady
For ninety-nine years, I have worked for the benefit of beings.
Now this work is almost complete.
I will not take birth again in this human realm in a physical form, nor will I leave behind any remains or relics.
But my emanations in the world will be innumerable, and many will recognize them.
They will be perceived in different ways, depending on karma, pure or impure.
In the same way, mind itself has no support, has no object; let it rest in its natural expanse without any fabrication.
When the bonds (of negative thoughts) are released, you will be free; there is no doubt.
As when gazing into space, all other visual objects disappear, so it is for mind itself.
When mind is looking at mind, all discursive thoughts cease and enlightenment is attained.
As in the sky all clouds disappear into sky itself: wherever they go, they go nowhere, wherever they are, they are nowhere.
This is the same for thoughts in the mind: when the mind looks at mind, the waves of conceptual thought disappear.
This body of ours is impermanent, like a feather on a high mountain pass.
This mind of ours is empty and clear like the depth of space.
Relax in that natural state, free of fabrication.
When mind is without any support, that is mahamudra.
Becoming familiar with this, blending your mind with it – that is buddhahood.
Supreme view is beyond all duality of subject and object.
Supreme meditation is without distraction.
Supreme activity is action without effort.
Supreme fruition is without hope and fear.
This old lady has no instructions more profound than this to give you.
~ Machig Labdron
Machig Labdron the enlightened Lady Buddha
The practice of Chod means “cutting through,” severing erroneous concepts about the world of appearances and all illusions regarding the existence of a personal self.
External chod is to wander in fearful places where there are deities and demons.
Internal chod is to offer one’s own body as food to the deities and demons.
Ultimate chod is to realize the true nature of the mind and cut through the fine strand of hair of subtle ignorance.
– Jetsun Milarepa
Padampa Sangye the guru of Lady Machig Labdron
ཕ་དམ་པ་སངས་རྒྱས
Padampa Sangye (pha dam pa sangs rgyas, ?- 1117) or Sanskrit Paramabuddha was a great Indian siddha visited Tibet and Bhutan several times. His main disciple was Machik Labdrön (1055-1149) who founded the lineage of Chöd in Tibet and Bhutan.
Both he and Machik Labdrön meditated in caves near Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan.
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I hope all of us ( i. e. all sentient beings) will realise the true meaning behind this profound wisdom the soonest.
Machig Labdron, was a renowned Tibetan tantric Buddhist practitioner, teacher and yogini who originated several Tibetan lineages of the Vajrayana practice of Chod. She was remembered for her practices, teachings, and explanations that have been extremely important to many lineages besides the Cho teachings.
Machig Labdron’s teacher, Padampa Sangye is considered as a lineage guru by all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Padampa Sangye was an Indian yogi and spiritual master who has travel widely throughout his life and brought Indian Buddhist teachings to China and Tibet.
Wow…….meaningful and clear words of wisdom from Machig Labdron.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
My sacred and ancient Bodhgaya Vajra Yogini immersed in red lights in her casing. So fortunate to even hear her name in this Kaliyuga times. Tsem Rinpoche
This statue of Padampa Sangye is beautiful.