Essence of Clear Light MIPHAM )AMPAL GYEPA'I DORJE An Overview of the Secret Commentary 1horough Dispelling ofD arkness throughout the Ten Directions entitled Essence ofC lear Light Translated by Lama Chonam and Sangye Khandro of the Light ofBerotsana Translation Group under the guidance of Khen Rinpoche Namdrol SNOW LION PUBLICATIONS ITHACA, NEW YORK Snow Lion Publications P.O. Box 648J Ithaca, NY J.f.8s• USA ( 607 }2.73·8s19 www.snowlionpub.com Copyright C> UIJO Ligh ofBerorsana Restriction: Anyone interested in reading this text must have received the empowerment of Vtt.jrasattva's Magktrl Manifestation M11trix for the peaceful and wrathful deities from either the kama or the terma tradition and must have received the reading transmission. AJI rights reserved. No portion oft his book may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission from the publisher. ISBN•IO I•SS9J9·J64·S ISDN·IJ 978·l·SS9J9·J64·S Library ofC.ongrtss CAtaloging-in-PublitAtion D111a Mi·pham-rgya-mtsho, 'Jam-mgon 'Ju,J8.f.6-l91:Z.. [G sar\ 'grc:l phyogs bc:u'i mun sd gyi spyi don 'od gsal siiin po. English] Essence ofc lear light : an overview of the sccrer commentary Thorough dispelling of darkness tt.roughout the ten directions cntidcd Essence of clear light I Miphamjampal Gyepa'i Oorje: translated by Lanla Chonam and Sangyc Khandro of the Light of Bcrowna Translation Group under the guidance of Khc:n Rinpochc Namdrol. p.cm. Includes bibliographical rckrcnces and index. JSBN•IJ: 978·1·SS9J9·J64·S (alk. paper) ISBN·Jo: l·SS9J9·J64·S (alk. paper) 1. Tripitaka. Sutrapitaka. Tantra. Guhyagarbhatantra-Criticism, inter· prcration. etc. I. Chonam, Lama. II. Khandro, Sangyc.lll. Title. BQ.:Z.l80.G9J7MS7SlJ 2.010 194·3'8s-dc:u :1.010014664 Designed and typeset by Gopa & Ted~. In~ Mipham jampal Gyepa'i Dorje Reproduced by permission from Hungkar Dorje. TangkllJ in Golog, 1be Tangka .Album ofL ung-ngon Monastery, compiled and cdircd by Hungkar Dorjc (Beijing, China: Encyclopedia ofC hina Publishing House, z.oor). Contents Foreword xiii Introduction Translators' Note s Essence of Clear Light Homage 11 Statement of Commitment 1 3 TI1e Greatness of the Tantra to Be Explained 1 13 s 1. 1 The Various Vast, Common Tantras 1 1.2. The Essential Profound, Uncommon Tantras 17 lhe Explanation of the Meaning of This Tantra 2. 2.1 The Vast, Common Tradition 2..1 2.1 lhe Profound, Uncommon Tradition 2..2. 2.1 lhe Explanation of the Meaning of the Tide 2..2..1 2.3 A Synopsis of the Crucial Points of the Meaning 2..2..2. oftheSubject 2.7 An Explanation of the Purpose of and Connection 2..2..2..1 to the Tantra 2.7 2..2..2..2. A Description of the Meaning of the Tantra 3 1 The Narrative Context: The Root Cause 2..2..2..2..1 31 Bringing Forth the Subject: lhe Contributing 2..2..2..2..2. Circumstance 3 5 The Meaning of the Tantra: The Result 2..2..2..2.. 3 3 7 A General Description of the lhree Tantras 2..2..2..2..3.1 39 A General Description of the Three Tantras: 2..2..2..2..3.1.1 The Ground 3~ viii ESSENCE OF CLEAR LIGHT Revealing the Ground as the Intrinsic 2..2..2..2..3.1.1.1 Nature MaQ~ala 39 How Confusion Occurs through 2..2..2..2..3.1.1.2. Not Realizing That 41 2.2..2..1.p.1.3 The Way Confusion Never Departs from the Nature 45 How Confusion Is Reversed 2..2..2..2..3.1.1.4 45 A General Description of the "Tiuee Tantras: 2..2..2..2..3.1.2. "TI1e Path 51 s 2..2..2..2..3.1.2..1 The Nature of the Path 1 2..2..2..2..3-I .2..2. The Divisions of the Path s 1 General Divisions 2..2..2..2..p.2..2..1 53 Specific Divisions 2..2..2..2..p.2..2..2 69 2..2..2..2.. 3.1.2..2..2..1 An Explanation of Generation and Completion Stages 69 z..z..z..z..}.1.2..2..2..2. An Explanation of Method and Liberation 75 2..2..2..2..3-J.2..3 The Manner of Progressing on the Path 79 A General Description of the Three Tantras: 2..2..2..2.. 3.1. 3 "TI1e Result 9 3 A Specific Explanation of the Tantra of the Path 2..2..2..2..3.2. 95 2..2..2..2..3.2..1 An Explanation of the Various Stages of Classifications 97 2..2..2..2..3.2..2. An Explanation oflhis Exposition 99 2..2..2..2.3.2..1.1 The View 101 "TI1e Nature 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.1 101 "TI1e Divisions 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.2. 105 ProvingtheNatureoftheView 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.3 105 Demonstrating Mantra's View Is More 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.3.1 Sublime than Surra's 107 Proving the Profundity of the Sublime 2..2..2..2..p. . 2..1.3-2. View of Mantra 1 1 5 Individually 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.3.2..1 1 1 5 Proved as Purity 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.3.2..1.1 117 Proving the Way of Purity 2..2..2..2.. 3 .2..2..1. 3.2..1.1.1 1 17 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.3.l.J.J.J.I Proving Appearances as Wisdom Deities 1 17 "Tiuough the Valid Cognition 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.3.2..1.1.1.1.1 of Analyzing Designated "TI1ings 1 17 CONTENTS ix 2..2..2..2.. p .. 2.. 1. 3.2.. 1.1.1. 1. 1.1 Proved through Scripture 119 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..J.3.2..J.J.J.J.J.2. Proved through Reasoning 12.1 2..2..2..2..J.2..2..J.3.2..J.J.J.J.2. Through Valid Cognition of Genuine: Analysis 1 2.9 2.2.2.2.3.2.2.f.3.2.1.1.1.2 Proving the: Subject to Be: Wisdom 129 2..2..2..2.. p .• l. 1.3 .2.. 1. 1.2. Refutation of Opposing Views 1 3 9 2.. 2.. 2.. 2.. 3. 2.. 2.. 1. 3. 2.. 1. 2. Proved as Evenness 1 4 3 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..J.3.2..1.3 Proved as Inseparability 149 2.. 2.. 2.. 2.. 3. 2.. 2.. 1. J. 2.. 2. Collectively 1 s 1 2.2..2.2..3.2..2..I.}.z..z..1 Directly Proving the Meaning for Fortunate: Ones 1 S3 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.3.1.2..2. Indirectly Proving the Meaning for Skeptics ss 1 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..1.4 The Purpose 161 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..2. Samadhi 167 z..z..2..z.J.2..2..2.,1 The Nature 167 2.2.2.2.3.2.2.2.2 Thc:Distinctions 169 1•1•1•1•3.1.1.1.3 The Manner of Accomplishing 171 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..2..4 lhe Purpose 181 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..3 Conduct 18 s 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..3.1 lhe Nature 185 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..3.2. The Divisions 185 2.1.2..2..p. . l.3.3 TheMannerofAccomplishing 187 2.2.2.2.3.2.2.3.4 The: Purpose: 197 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..4 MaQc;lala 199 2..2..2..2.. 3.2..2..4.1 The Nature 199 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..4.2. lhe Divisions 199 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..4.3 lhe Manner of Engaging 2.05 z..z..:z..:z..3.1.1.4.4 The Purpose 2.07 1.2.2.2.3.2.2.5 Empowerment 2.09 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..S.I TheNature 209 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..5.2. 1he Divisions 2.11 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..5.3 How Empowerment Is Established 2.13 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..5.4 The Purpose 2.1 s 2..2..2..2..3.2.,2.,6 Samaya 2.19 2.2.1.1.}.2.2.6.1 The: Nature 2.2.1 2..2..2..2.3.2.2.6.2 The Divisions 2.2.1 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..6.3 The Crucial Points 147 X ESSENCE OF CLEAR LIGHT 2..2..2..2..3.2.2..6.4 The Purpose 2.51 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..7 Accomplishment 15 7 1.1.1.1.3.1.1.7.1 lhe Nature 2.5 7 1.1.1.1.3.1.1.7.2. The Divisions 2.59 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..7.2..1 General Explanation 2.59 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..7.2..2. Specific Explanation 2.61 2..2..2..2..,.2..2..7.3 The Manner ofA ccomplishment 2.65 2..2..2..2..p .. 1.7·3·1 lbeManner of Accomplishment 165 1.1.1.1.3.1.1.7.3·1 lhe Result of the Accomplishment 2.69 2..2..1.1.3.1.1.7.4 The Purpose 2.79 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..8 Offerings 2.79 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..8.1 The Nature 2.81 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..8.2. The Divisions 181 2..2..2..2..3.2.,7..,8.1.1 Uncommon, Individual Distinctions 181 1.1.1.1.}.1.1.8.1.1 General Explanation of the Gal)achak.ra 187 1.1.1.1.3-2. . 2..8. 3 The Manner ofM aking Offerings 2.89 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..8.4 The Purpose 2.93 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..9 Enlightened Activity 2.95 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..9.1 lbe Nature 2.95 2..2..2..2.. 3.2..2..9.2. The Divisions 197 z..z..1.z..p. . 2..9·3 The Manner of Accomplishing 303 1.1.1.1. 3.1.1.9.4 lhe Purpose 311 1.1.1.2..3.2..z..1o Mudra 31 3 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..10.1 The Nature 313 s 2.. 2.. 2.. 2.. 3. 2.. z.. 1o . 2. lhe Divisions 3 1 2..2..2..2..3.2..2..10.2..1 General 31 S s z..z..z..z..J.z..z..1o.2..2. Specific 31 1.1.1.1. 3. 1.2..1 0.1. 3 Exceptional 3 17 1.1.1.1.3.1.2..10.3 lhe Characteristics 319 2..2..2..2..3.2..!..10.4 The Purpose 32.3 2..2..2..2..3.2..1..11 Mantra 3 2.5 2..2..2..2..3.2..1..11.1 The Nature 32.7 2.,2.,2..2..J.2..::..11.1.1 The Cause of Mantra: lhe Syllables 317 1.1.1.1.3.1.1..11.1.1 lhe Nature Possessing Four Accomplishments 3 2.9 2..2..2..2.. 3.2..1.1 1. 1.3 The Result of Unimpeded Ability 33 3 2.. 2.. 2.. 2.. 3. 2..1. 1 1. 2. lhe Divisions 3 H 2..2..2..2..3.2..1.11.3 TheMannerofEngaging H7 CONTENTS xi 2..2..2..2.-3-2..2..11.3.1 The Cultivation of Confidence in Mantra through Profound Prajna H9 l.l.l.l.3.1.1.1 1.3-1 Abiding with the Visualization ofMantra through Profound Samadhi HS 2..2..2..2..3 .2..2..11.3 ·3 The Fruition of the Conduct of Mantra through Exceptional Diligence 349 2..2..2..2.. 3.2..2..11.4 TI1e Purpose 3 51 2..2..2..2..4 The Entire Entrustment: The Conclusion 3 s3 2..2.. 3 An Extensive Explanation of the Meaning of the Words oflhis Tantra 3 67 Colophon 369 Glossary 37 3 Works Cited by Author 3 79 Notes 383 Index 393