Transparent Prison

This site began in the summer of 2006, for therapeutic reasons, while I was recovering from a heart attack. 

As time passed, I began to receive email from a variety of readers, and thus came to learn of their several interests. I came to understand there are people from all walks of life, in every corner of the world, who wish to make tangible some form of connection with Buddhism as historically practiced in Tibet. 

They have read that they need permission, or initiation, or empowerment to accomplish this; however, they do not have immediate access to a lama or other experienced practitioner. 

Relative bodhichitta glimpses ultimate bodhichitta rather naturally, quietly, and privately, yet such people still entertain doubt, wondering if they proceed rightly or wrongly. Because they are unable to recognize the deities as their own state, they feel themselves at something of a disadvantage. 

In a way, they are in a transparent prison. The walls of this prison are constructed from the narrow view one collects from books, and cluttered chatter with other prisoners. 

Bodhichitta is stateless, without boundary, and sufficient.

So, today seems auspicious without necessary reference, and I thought to publish the following work, entitled "Diamond Bridge" 

This is, quite simply, a practice for people who feel themselves in need of introduction to themselves. It has been with me for a very long time: it is the song my heart sings, and I believe it will be beneficial. If you let go of everything, the transparent prison will disappear and you will see the deities, waiting for you.

DIAMOND BRIDGE

OM SHUNYATA JNANA BEDZRA SOBHAWA ATMAKO NYA HAM
All things and I are the nature of that indestructible wisdom that is emptiness.
[With this mantra, all appearances are refined to emptiness.]

YOUR THOUSAND FACES OF WISDOM: PRAYER TO THE COINCIDENTALLY-
ARISEN REVEALER OF THE PURE VISION OF THE TRUE MOTHER

May the clouds of ignorance that prevent me from seeing you be spontaneously lifted.

A heart stream of adorned motive is tributary to a river of mercy, where beings as numberless as stars find, and take comfort from, the energetic display of your thousand faces of wisdom.

For you, inhabiting one and then the other, with a realization beyond the three times, I pray that a connection be established forever.

Oh, Rinpoche, even as I have no understanding, let faith guide me to the self-liberation that comes through your presence; even as I have no faith, let intention guide me to the aspiration that comes through your voice, even as I have no intention, let the hero of awareness waken me from conceptual thinking.

Oh, Rinpoche, I beg you: look quickly to me.
Oh, Rinpoche, I beg you: please remain.

YAN-LAG DUN-PA: THE SEVEN BRANCHES

The Lama, Yidam, and Dakini come
And take their seats upon the lotus of the sun and moon.
I reverently pay homage to the three: the Body, Speech, and Mind of the Buddha.
I make offerings outer, inner, and secret.
I confess and atone for any broken vows, sins, or obscurations.
I rejoice upon following the sadhana practice of the Mantrayana.
I shall turn the Wheel of Dharma, which consists of initiation into and realization of the Secret Mantras.
I shall not enter into Nirvana until all sentient beings first enter Nirvana.
I dedicate all my spiritual merit to the welfare of all sentient beings.
Let there come forth the realization of the truth of this perfect Vajrayana.

DIAMOND BRIDGE, TO THE FORTUNATE SHORE OF LOVING-KINDNESS

E MA HO
From stillness born of equanimity
Like the infinite river of a stainless sky
Ever-present deities spontaneously appear
Displaying numberless aspects of compassion
Uniquely appropriate to each being
Dissolving obstacles to inherent benefit
According to individual circumstance
Reminding us that here we are never separate
From naturally arising perfection
I pray that I and all beings of the six realms
Self-recognize the inseparability
Of mind and the play of primordial wisdom
Along the shores of loving-kindness
Neither embracing nor rejecting the ocean of suffering
Awareness and emptiness liberate themselves
Making boundaries unnecessary

AH
In the space before me, a tranquil pond appears: it's placid, mirror-like surface perfectly reflecting the empty sky.
Instantly, as I glance between that which reflects and that which is reflected, the True Mother appears.
She is standing on a lotus, which grows from a small, pearlescent cloud suspended between the water and the sky.
She is white, with long, black hair aesthetically arranged on top of her head.
She is splendidly attired in flowing, opal-colored silk, with brocade trim the color of rich, dark burgundy.
She is adorned with softly glowing ornaments.
Her features are serenely beautiful, yet her expression is stern.

E MA HO
Great Lady!
I know that you're the holder of the key to my instruction.
I know that I am bound to you by eternal promises.
I will follow your teachings without fail.
I will never forget the promises I have made to you.
I renew those promises to you now.

AH HUNG
The tranquil pond is now transformed into a swift, deep river.
On the opposite bank of the river, a point of light appears.
As my mind watches my mind, the point grows into a large, translucent white sphere, the color of brilliant moonlight.
In the center of the sphere, the Lord of Refuge appears, accepting all beings that approach.
As beings enter the sphere of the deity's influence, they too become translucent white, and are instantly relieved of all uncertainty.

E MA HO
Great Deity!
I am here in order to benefit beings.
The Vajrayana is the supreme method to benefit beings.
I follow the Vajrayana in observance of eternal vows.
My practice provides everything necessary to benefit beings.
May I be endlessly reborn in conditions where I will benefit the greatest number of beings.

I pray to you now in earnest: look quickly to me, remember me always, and bestow your blessings the way the wind moves over the grass.

copyright (c) 2008 by Tulku Urgyan Tenpa Rinpoche. All rights reserved.