Meditation Lectures on First Pan-chen La-ma's Prayers for Release from the Perilous Straits of the Intermediate State in Charlottesville, 1977-1978; translated by Jeffrey Hopkins. For a translation of the First Pan-chen La-ma's book see His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Advice on Dying/Mind of Clear Light
Part 1 (46:32 minutes) Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation regarding the indicators of progress in spiritual study and meditation. It guides the practitioner in discerning whether their hearing and meditative efforts are effective, emphasizes the necessity of pure motivation, and distinguishes the life of a religious practitioner from that of a worldly person. Finally, it offers practical instructions on analyzing the mental continuum to facilitate the taking of refuge.
Main Topics:
Signs of Successful Hearing and Meditation
The explanation begins by detailing how a practitioner can recognize their progress in spiritual study and practice. Successful hearing, or study, is evidenced by a peaceful and disciplined body, speech, and mind, indicating a reduction in coarse, non-virtuous activities. Similarly, successful meditation is marked by a lessening of the kleśas, such as pride, hatred, and miserliness. Even if only one type of affliction is slightly reduced, it serves as a sign of success.
The Importance of Pure Motivation
If a practitioner finds no progress, the recording suggests they must examine their motivation. It is cautioned that meditating with the desire for fame or social status is a wasted effort that prevents the purification of the mind. Instead, one should focus on the welfare of all sentient beings and the attainment of Buddhahood; by focusing on these altruistic goals, other benefits, such as a good reputation, will arise naturally without being the primary aim.
The Legacy of Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen
The explanation introduces the great scholar and practitioner Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen, whose writings form the basis of the upcoming teachings. Through historical context regarding the establishment of the Ganden Phodrang government in Tibet, the recording illustrates his profound humility. Despite having the opportunity to hold immense political power, he chose to prioritize his spiritual practice and support the Fifth Dalai Lama, demonstrating his lack of worldly desire.
Distinguishing Religious and Non-religious Life
A distinction is made between the life of a religious practitioner and a non-religious person. The recording explains that a religious practitioner is one who, while still engaging in worldly affairs, prioritizes the cultivation of virtue for the sake of future lifetimes. In contrast, those whose primary concern is the immediate benefits of the current lifetime are not considered religious practitioners.
Self-Analysis and the Practice of Refuge
The recording concludes by explaining that the gateway to effective meditation is the analysis of one's own citta-santāna, or mental continuum. By examining the mind, a practitioner can identify their most predominant kleśas. This identification is essential for the practice of taking refuge, which involves visualizing the Buddha, the lamas, and various deities, and placing absolute confidence in the Triratna to request blessings and empowerment to overcome those specific afflictions.
Part 2 (44:26 minutes) Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation of the difficulties encountered during the intermediate state, known as the antarābhava, and the importance of taking refuge in the triratna. The explanation emphasizes the need for long-term commitment to the path, warning against the desire for rapid results, and describes the specific practice of utilizing prayers to navigate the perils of the state between death and rebirth. It also details the proper method of taking refuge through visualization and the cultivation of correct motivation.
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The Necessity of Long-term Effort
The recording warns against the misconception that liberation or sarvajñatā can be achieved in a short period of time. It explains that such unrealistic expectations can lead to profound doubt and a loss of faith in the teachings if the practitioner becomes exhausted without seeing immediate results. True progress on the path requires steady, dedicated effort over many lifetimes.
The Perils of the Intermediate State
An explanation is provided regarding the antarābhava, the state between death and a new rebirth. This transition is likened to a narrow, perilous path along a steep cliffside. Without the assistance of a powerful figure or a 'hero,' the consciousness must navigate this difficult and frightening transition alone amidst great distress.
The Qualities of a Guru
The recording defines a guru as one who is 'heavy' with virtuous qualities and possesses the ability to teach the doctrine correctly. A suitable spiritual guide is one who can discern between what should be adopted and what should be discarded in practice, often possessing heightened spiritual capacities to assist students.
Distinctions in Taking Refuge
The explanation distinguishes between the hīnayāna and mahāyāna approaches to taking refuge in the triratna. While the former focuses on personal protection from the sufferings of cyclic existence, the mahāyāna approach involves placing hope in the guru and the Three Jewels for the benefit of oneself and all sentient beings throughout the universe.
Visualization Techniques for Refuge
To deepen the practice of taking refuge, the recording describes a specific method of visualization. The practitioner is encouraged to imagine an infinite number of beings—including parents, friends, and even former enemies and those in lower realms—and to request protection for all of them from the Three Jewels.
The Essential Causes of Refuge
The recording concludes by outlining the two necessary conditions for high-quality refuge. These are a firm belief in the power of the guru and the Three Jewels to protect all beings, and a sincere wish for mokṣa driven by a sense of renunciation regarding the various sufferings of existence.
Part 3 (46:11 minutes) Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation of the preparatory practices necessary for the mahāyāna path, specifically focusing on the profound value of the human rebirth and the reality of impermanence. The teacher guides the listener through the importance of recognizing the difficulty of attaining leisure and fortune, while emphasizing the need to prepare for the inherent transience of all existence to ensure this precious lifetime is used for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Main Topics:
Preparatory Visualizations and Intentions
The recording begins by discussing the importance of visualization as a method to sustain the mind of enlightenment and prevent mere intellectualism. The explanation suggests that if a practitioner is capable, they should imagine the Buddha surrounded by various protectors and a vast assembly of sentient beings. These mental exercises are intended to plant a prayer or petition to seek liberation from the sufferings of this lifetime, the intermediate state, and future lifetimes for both oneself and all beings.
The Rarity of Leisure and Fortune
A significant portion of the explanation focuses on the difficulty of attaining the human rebirth, which provides the necessary 'leisure and fortune' for spiritual practice. The teacher describes several 'non-leisure' states, such as the hell realms, the realm of hungry ghosts (pretas), and the animal realm, where the intense suffering or lack of cognitive ability prevents the practice of the dharma. By reflecting on the hardships of these lower realms, the practitioner can develop a deeper appreciation for their current situation.
The Value and Fragility of the Human Basis
The explanation details how a favorable human life, characterized by the ten fortunes, is extremely difficult to attain and requires the accumulation of merit and the pāramitās in previous lifetimes. However, the teacher warns that this precious basis is highly unstable and easy to lose. Much like a candle flame in a breeze, the human life can be extinguished unexpectedly at any moment, making it vital to use this opportunity for meaningful spiritual progress rather than being distracted by worldly affairs.
Impermanence and the Inevitability of Separation
Finally, the recording addresses the themes of impermanence and death. The teacher explains that all conditioned things are subject to change and that all beings who are gathered together must eventually undergo separation. Using analogies such as people gathering in a marketplace or a cinema, the explanation emphasizes that no matter one's status or wealth, the transient nature of existence is absolute, serving as a motivation to practice the mahāyāna path without delay.
Part 4 (42:31 minutes) Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation of the preliminary practices related to the precepts of death, specifically focusing on the petition to be spared from overpowering illness at the time of passing. It highlights the importance of cultivating realizations of impermanence and the preciousness of human existence to ensure that one can remain mindful of the Dharma and the Guru's instructions during the transition of death.
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Impermanence and the Indefiniteness of Death
The recording begins by addressing the nature of impermanence and the inevitability of death. It explains that while the certainty of death is absolute, the timing of its arrival is indefinite, which creates an urgent need for the practitioner to use their current life to plant seeds of virtue and devotion to the Triratna and the Guru.
The Importance of Leisure and Fortune
The explanation then moves to the importance of leisure and fortune, emphasizing how difficult it is to attain a human rebirth. By reflecting on the preciousness of this opportunity and the time previously lost to worldly distractions, a practitioner can develop a stronger motivation to utilize their mental citta-santāna for spiritual progress.
The Petition Regarding Overpowering Illness
A central part of the recording is the discussion of a specific petition to the Lamas and the Three Jewels, asking for relief from illnesses that cause overpowering pain. The explanation notes that such physical suffering can be so distracting that it prevents a person from reflecting on the necessary spiritual precepts at the moment of death.
The Illusion of Subject and Object
Finally, the explanation delves into the philosophical concept of the illusory nature of reality, specifically the misconception of the subject (grāhaka) and the object (grāhya). It describes how attachment to these perceived entities and the physical skandha leads to the afflictions that drive the cycle of saṃsāra.
Part 5 (45:06 minutes) Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation regarding the necessity of spiritual preparation for the transition of death. It explores techniques to overcome worldly attachments, the dangers of procrastinating religious practice due to a false sense of permanence, and the importance of making petitions to the Triratna to navigate the frightening, mistaken appearances that can arise from non-virtuous actions during the dying process.
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Overcoming Attachment through Contemplation
The explanation begins by discussing various methods to counteract worldly attachments and desires. For instance, when dealing with attraction to others, one can meditate on the inherent ugliness of the body or its impure composition of the four elements. Similarly, attachment to wealth or status can be mitigated by reflecting on their instability. The most profound method mentioned is the realization that all phenomena are merely conceptual designations, a realization that can simultaneously address desire, hatred, and moha.
The Importance of Petitions to the Triratna
A significant portion of the recording focuses on the necessity of making petitions to the Lamas and the Triratna (the Three Jewels). The speaker explains that one should plant the strong wish to remember virtuous precepts at the time of death. This preparation is crucial because if one is overwhelmed by intense physical pain at the moment of transition, the mind will naturally gravitate toward that pain, making it difficult to engage in spiritual practice or maintain a virtuous state of mind.
The Illusion of Permanence and Procrastination
The explanation addresses the psychological tendency to procrastinate on religious practice due to a false sense of permanence. People often believe they have plenty of time, which leads to laziness or a focus on temporary worldly matters. The speaker emphasizes that while the time of death is indefinite, death itself is definite, and one should prioritize the welfare of future lifetimes over the fleeting comforts of the present.
Religious Practice as a Guide for the Journey
Using the analogy of a long journey through unknown and dangerous territory, the recording describes religious practice as a necessary guide, protector, and source of sustenance. Just as a traveler needs a guide and a protector against robbers, a practitioner needs virtuous activity to navigate the transition of death and the uncertainty of rebirth among the six realms. Without this preparation, one is compared to a leaf blown aimlessly by the wind.
Navigating Mistaken Appearances
The final section of the explanation discusses the frightening, mistaken appearances that can arise at the time of death, such as yakṣas or lords of death. These terrifying visions are described not as external realities, but as manifestations of one's own accumulated non-virtues. By making petitions to the Triratna and maintaining virtuous practice, one can find a path toward a happy rebirth rather than being lost in a state of fear and anxiety.
Part 6 (44:53 minutes) Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation of the psychological and spiritual challenges faced during the transition of death, specifically focusing on how the three kleśas produce frightening, erroneous appearances based on one's past karma. It emphasizes the importance of making petitions to the Lama and the Three Jewels to mitigate these experiences and highlights the essential role of śraddhā (conviction) in receiving spiritual blessings. Ultimately, the teaching encourages practitioners to prepare for death by engaging in virtue and meditation, ensuring they can remain focused on the Lama's precepts when all other worldly supports fail.
Main Topics:
The Influence of the Three Poisons at the Time of Death
The explanation details how the three kleśas—desire, hatred, and ignorance—manifest during the process of dying. Desire appears as a fearful attachment to the cherished body, hatred manifests as an inability to bear suffering, and ignorance appears as a lack of understanding regarding the true nature of reality. These afflictions result in erroneous, frightening appearances for those who have engaged in non-virtuous actions, such as falling into fire or experiencing natural disasters.
Petitions to the Three Jewels and the Lama
To mitigate the fear caused by these mistaken appearances, the recording suggests making petitions to the Lama and the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha). By making these petitions during one's current life, a practitioner seeks blessings to ensure that unpleasant, karma-driven visions do not arise at the moment of death, thereby facilitating a more stable transition.
The Necessity of Śraddhā (Conviction)
A significant portion of the explanation is dedicated to the importance of developing śraddhā, or faith and conviction, in the teachings. The recording emphasizes that the blessings of the Three Jewels can only be effectively received by those who have prepared themselves through refuge and virtue. Using metaphors such as sunlight entering a window or rain falling on a vessel, the explanation illustrates that without the proper internal orientation and conviction, the spiritual benefits of the path cannot be realized.
The Ultimate Purpose of Spiritual Practice
The recording clarifies that the purpose of spiritual practice is not merely to seek temporary worldly happiness, which can be achieved through non-religious means, but to improve one's future lifetimes. By engaging in virtuous activities and meditation on impermanence, a practitioner prepares their mental continuum to ensure a favorable rebirth and to handle the inevitable separation from possessions, friends, and the physical body.
Recollection of the Lama's Precepts
The explanation introduces a specific petition focused on the moment when external supports, such as doctors and loved ones, are no longer able to assist. The goal is to ask for the blessing to remember the Lama's precepts at the time of death, ensuring that the practitioner can maintain a proper meditative state and contemplate the teachings even amidst the final processes of dying.
Part 7 (18:46 minutes) Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation of the importance of spiritual preparation for the impending moment of death. It focuses on the necessity of being able to maintain meditative familiarity with the Lama's teachings—ranging from the Anuttarayoga Tantra to the realization of śūnyatā—to ensure a favorable rebirth and to alleviate mental suffering during the transition from this life to the next.
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The Inevitability of Death and the Loss of Worldly Support
The recording describes the specific moment when all worldly supports, such as medical intervention, religious rites, and even the hope of friends and family, cease to be effective. It highlights the psychological state of confusion and hopelessness that arises when one realizes that death is imminent and no longer preventable. This serves as the motivation for seeking the blessings of the Three Jewels to maintain spiritual focus during this transition.
The Hierarchy of Meditative Familiarization
A significant portion of the explanation details the various levels of practice one should attempt to remember at the time of death. The recording suggests that, ideally, one should focus on the stages of generation and completion within Anuttarayoga Tantra. If that is not possible, one should turn to the yogas of the lower tantras, or at the very least, cultivate bodhicitta alongside an understanding of śūnyatā, the emptiness of all phenomena.
The Importance of View and Aspiration
The recording emphasizes that understanding the non-inherent existence of all phenomena is crucial. Practitioners are encouraged to view all appearances during the dissolution of the elements as merely nominal or imputed, much like illusions. Alongside this view, one should develop a strong aspiration to be reborn in a favorable state to continue the path toward Buddhahood, rather than remaining trapped in the suffering of saṃsāra.
Spiritual Practice as a Tool for Present Suffering
An explanation is provided regarding how spiritual practice benefits a person both in old age and during illness. While non-practitioners may experience profound mental suffering alongside physical pain, a practitioner can view sickness as the fruition of past negative karma, thereby finding a sense of peace. This distinction illustrates that the benefits of the path extend beyond future lives to providing mental stability in the present.
The Necessity of Rigorous Preparation
The recording concludes by stressing that the ability to meditate at the moment of death is not spontaneous; it requires rigorous familiarization during one's healthy years. Using the metaphor of showing a horse a track before a race, the explanation urges practitioners to engage in their respective contemplations now—whether it be bodhicitta or the realization of śūnyatā—so that the mind is prepared to follow the Lama's instructions when the time comes.
