Teaching on Kagyu Lineage Prayer – Dorje Chang Tungma - His Holiness the Karmapa

January 09, 2009, report by Karma Palmo, photos taken by Karma Norbu, Pema Orser Dorje

  (Summary of His Holiness's words)

On Day Six of the Kagyu Monlam, preceding the recitation of the Aksobhya Ritual, the assembly chanted the Dorje Chang Tungma, Short Lineage Prayer. His Holiness gave a short teaching on the prayer.

Great Vajradhara, Telo, Naropa,
Marpa, Mila, Dharma Lord Gampopa,
Knower of three times, omniscient Karmapa,
Those who hold the four elder and eight younger lineages,
The Drikung and Taklung and Tsalpa, great Drukpa
And others who’ve mastered mahamudra’s profound path,
Incomparable protectors of beings, Dakpo Kagyu,
We supplicate you, Kagyu gurus, we hold
Your lineage: to follow your example, please bless us.

His Holiness said that the great blessings of the lineage are still warm, they are hot. The lineage is the foundation of meditation, and this lineage prayer explains the practice. The root or the foot of practice is to understand the four reliances, and rely on a genuine Master and understand the four ways of turning the mind to Dharma. We should work not only for this life but for liberation, and dedicate the life so that the main practice is meditation in solitary places without positions, until we die. When this is clear, this is the foot of meditation that has taken root.

Then the Four Preliminary Practices are undertaken. His Holiness explained that we should have deep respect from the heart for our teacher: my teacher who opens the door to the teaching, so that as soon as we hear the name of our Great Master, our hairs raise up and tears pour down and we receive the inspiration to practice. Without that devotion and inspiration, nothing happens.

Then the actual meditation comes. His Holiness described the sequence of meditation. First Shamatha meditation [concentration meditation]: non-distraction. If the mind does not have strong stability through Shamatha meditation then the practice will not advance, and His Holiness mentioned the Nine Methods of Shamatha, such as meditation on the form of the Buddha. He said to let this moment’s awareness be the object of concentration – be relaxed and natural, and do not alter the mind. Let the clarity and brightness and freshness appear, and rest, relax in that. This is meditation free of conception. Then comes the practice of Lhagtong [insight meditation]. It is to see that Dharmakaya is the essence of mind. His Holiness explained that when the Yogi becomes highly realized, all essence of awareness becomes like butter coming out of milk. The mind transforms into the Dharmakaya. There is nothing concrete there, nothing solid, only clear light, awareness; and that is the Dharmakaya.

His Holiness described the nature of mind as pure and naturally arising. All Samsara and Nirvana arise as appearance while they are empty, and while empty, they appear. These two happen simultaneously, inseparably. Mind’s nature is emptiness and clarity. These unceasing appearances, clarity and emptiness merge into one, and become the three Kayas. Mind becomes the Dharmakaya.

Through all of our births may we never be separate
From the perfect guru, and always enjoy Dharma’s splendor,
Perfecting the qualities of the paths and levels,
May we quickly reach the state of Vajradhara.