Sunday, February 08, 2009
Blessings
Over on his website Alex Berzin has posted an article on jinlab, which is typically translated as blessings, that i think is well worth reading. I for one look forward to hearing Erik's thoughts on it.
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A fascinating and profound angle to the meaning of "blessing" is found in Wellsprings of the Great Perfection. Here the two parts of the Tibetan word jinlab is explained in a way that invokes the words "inspired resplendence" -- the way the dharmakaya and sambhogakaya buddhas transmit the sacred Dharma.
This is the origin of dharmakaya’s teaching:
Wisdom came from maturing into forms.
Through the thought-free venue of enlightened mind
They were taught by an inspired resplendence.
If you are interested in more details you can find them within the explanation on the Tantra of the Sun of the Brilliant Expanse which was taught by the female buddha Samantabhadri to the dakinis of the five families. After she taught this, the dakini Karmeshvari retained its hundred and forty chapters, wrote it down with golden ink on lapis parchment and placed it within a crystal casket. This tantra was kept in the dakini mandala in the mystical charnel ground Blazing Fire Mountain, within the uppermost part of a jeweled stupa with one hundred and eight tiers standing at the roof of a pagoda made of five precious metals. And here it remained until the lineage was passed to Hayagriva and Vajra Varahi, and from them to Padmasambhava.
Excellent stuff Erik! and let`s not forget Tulku Urgyen`s own, rather succinct, reply that day i asked him what blessings actually are: ``True blessings are the oral instructions on how to become enlightened in a single lìfetime, which you can receive from a qualified master.`` (see Vajra Speech pg 19)
You know i can`t seem to find the reference to ``inspired resplendence`` in Wellsprings. At least not in the chapter on Brilliant Expanse (pp. 298-303). Do you happen to know where it is exactly?
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