Light of Wisdom Vol. 2, Padmasambhava and Jamgon Kongtrul

Light of Wisdom Vol. II

In-depth explanations of sadhana & yidam practice according to Maha and Ati. The Light of Wisdom is a famous set of teachings covering the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment, especially that of Vajrayana. Based on Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, a spontaneous song by the ninth-century Indian master Padmasambhava.

The Light of Wisdom Vol. II contains the root terma or hidden treasure text of Padmasambhava, The Gradual Path of the Wisdom Essence and its commentary The Light of Wisdom by Jamgon Kongtrul the Great. Annotations on the commentary Entering the Path of Wisdom spoken by Jamyang Drakpa and recorded by Jokyab Rinpoche are included as well as clarifcations from other masters.

Volume II presents in-depth explanations of the Vajrajana Buddhist perspective. It begins with the nature of empowerment and the tantric commitments followed by the two stages of the path, development and completion.

To purify one’s being prior to entering the path of the natural state, one combines the development stage to the preliminaries for the path. To practice the actual natural state after having purified one’s being, the completion stage is the main part of the path.

Jamgon Kongtrul the Great

The root text of Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, a terma revealed by the great treasure-finder Chokgyur Lingpa, and its commentary by Kongtrul Rinpoche, the great translator in person, form together a complete scripture that embodies all the tantras, statements and instructions of the Nyingma School of the early translations, which is most rare to find in the past, present, or future.

Kyabje Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche, February 24, 1991

Let me tell you about the extraordinary scripture the Light of Wisdom. This basic text by Padmasambhava reads like a poetic song. As a guidance manual for practice, it is strikingly clear all by itself. The Light of Wisdom is immense in its scope, including virtually every aspect of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Old Khyentse described it in these words: “This single volume, the size of my forearm, is worth more than one hundred yak-loads of scriptures.”
Accompanying this root text is an extensive commentary by the great Kongtrul. This document is truly a mind treasure, a revelation in its own right, written in incredible depth and detail—studded with abbreviations that require copious cross-referencing to numerous other scriptures.
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

216 pp, 6 x 9, paper, $20, ISBN 962-7341-33-9

Introduction to Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo

Index to Light of Wisdom, Vol. 2,

Other books in this series:
Light of Wisdom, Vol. I
Light of Wisdom, Vol. II
Light of Wisdom, Vol. IV

Teachers consulted for transmission and clarifications:

Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
Tulku Pema Wangyal Rinpoche
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
Lama Putse Pema Tashi
Khenpo Pema Sherab
Khenpo Tashi Palden
Khenpo Konchok Monlam

Prepared by Rangjung Yeshe Translations
Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery
Kathmandu, Nepal

Translator: Erik Pema Kunsang
Associate translator and editor: Marcia Binder Schmidt
Assistant editors: Michael Tweed and Dell O’Conner.

Publication Data:
The root text, Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo, by Padmasambhava, as recorded by Yeshe Tsogyal, and revealed and decoded by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo and Chokgyur Lingpa. The commentary, The Light of Wisdom, by Jamgon Kongtrul the First. The notes, Entering The Path of Wisdom, by Jamyang Drakpa, as recorded by Jokyab Rinpoche. Supplemented with clarifying remarks by Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse and Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Translated from the Tibetan according to the teachings of Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche by Erik Pema Kunsang (Erik Hein Schmidt). Edited by Marcia Binder Schmidt.
The Root Text: bla ma’i thugs sgrub rdo rje drag rtsal las zhal gdams lam rim ye shes snying po pad ma sam bha’i snying thig go. The Commentary: bla ma’i thugs sgrub rdo rje drag rtsal las, zhal gdams lam rim ye shes snying po’i ‘grel pa ye shes snang ba rab tu rgyas pa. The Notes: bla med nang rgyud sde gsum gyi rgyab chos pad-ma’i zhal gdams lam rim ye snying ‘grel pa ye shes snang ba’i zur rgyan brgyud ldan bla ma’i zhal rgyun rnams brjed byang gcig bsdus ye shes lam ‘jug.
isbn 962-7341-33-9 (pbk.)
1. THE LIGHT OF WISDOM, Vol. II. 2. Eastern philosophy — Buddhism. 3. Vajrayana — Tibet. I. Title.
Line drawings courtesy of © Shechen Achives, by artists Konchog Lhadripa, Wangdu, and Oleshey
Cover Art courtesy of Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche
Cover photo: Graham Sunstein

PREFACE
The Light of Wisdom, Vol. II, has as its main focus the practice of the development stage. Padmasambhava’s precious pith instructions are clarified by Jamgon Kongtrul, one of the greatest masters of Tibe¬tan Buddhism. Based on Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s advice, I have struc¬tured the root text, commentary and notes to span several volumes. Each of these texts are sequential continuations from the previous volume. When asked about how to approach the many levels of teachings contained in the Lamrim, Rinpoche said:

“It is correct that it is quite complex to practice the entire Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo. You can use what is directly appropriate. If you practice development stage you should use the instructions on that ac¬cording to the intent of the vase empowerment. When practicing the secret empowerment you should use the instructions on the nadis and pranas. When practicing the knowledge empowerment, use the teachings concerning the mental consort. When practicing the ‘cut¬ting through of pri¬mor¬dial purity,’ you should use the teachings on Dzogchen. This same principle goes for all other root texts. The whole Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo is for you to use for your entire life. It contains the complete path.”

In addition to the invaluable oral instructions of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, I was fortunate to receive detailed clarifications from Khenpo Tashi Palden and the late Lama Putse Pema Tashi on this particular section. Many of the notes attributed to Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche were extracted from his explanation of Sheldam Nyingjang, in his Collected Writings, pgs. 1-89, and his commentary on the complete path according to Tukdrub Barchey Kunsel, Vol. 15, pgs. 118-174, which basically follows the same outline as Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo.
Two other texts were used to supplement the notes. One was Illuminating Sunlight by Khenpo Rinchen Namgyal, a close disciple of Chokgyur Lingpa. The other was Notes for the Development Stage by Kunkhyen Tenpey Nyima.
In spite of the inestimable help from these masters, I would like to apologize in advance for any mistakes or shortcomings and beg the readers to find it their hearts to be forgiving.
Additionally, I would like to thank Andreas Doctor and Douglas Duckworth for helpful suggestions and Judith Amtzis for proof-reading and continual support in this project.
Lastly, this work owes its completion to the constant prodding and encouragement from a present sun of the Dharma, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche.
Erik Pema Kunsang
Nagi Gompa, ‘98