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His Eminence the Third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche,Karma Lodrö Chökyi Senge
 
Instructions based on
“Pointing Out the Dharmakaya,” 
composed by the Ninth Gyalwa Karmapa, Wangchug Dorje
 
 
 Introduction
I will present teachings based on the text entitled
"Pointing Out the Dharmakaya”
that wascomposed by the Ninth Gyalwa Karmapa, Wangchug Dorje. It is one of the mostimportant texts on meditation in the Karma Kagyü Tradition. It’s called
"Pointing Out theDharmakaya"
because it points to the mind. Before I begin, though, I want to remindeveryone to give rise to the sincere attitude and pure motivation before receiving theinstructions that originated with Buddha Shakyamuni and that have been handed down tous through the masters who have upheld the Oral Transmission Lineage unbroken sincethat time.Maybe one isn’t attentive of the teachings that are being presented because one isn’tconcentrated. This is compared to pouring water into a bowl that is turned upside down;it’s logical that this bowl cannot contain the water poured into it. In the same way, onemay be physically present while the teachings are being imparted, but if one doesn’t listenattentively, it’s as though one hadn't participated at all. One needs to have a clear andattentive mind and listen carefully to the Lama's words.The second error one needs to be free of while receiving instructions on theBuddhadharma is being inconsiderate of the meaning of the words by not contemplatingthe instructions after having received them. For example, one may hear the words butapply no effort in trying to understand the meaning, an attitude likened to a bowl withcracks in the bottom. Any liquid poured into such a bowl automatically leaks out again. Incomparison, when one receives the teachings but ignores them, because one fails tocontemplate the meaning, they leak out. This is the second error one needs to be free ofwhile receiving the teachings.
 
The third error that can occur is having disturbing emotions while listening to theteachings. Lacking faith and confidence in the instructions that are being presentedpollutes the teachings with one’s prevailing mind poison, which are the mental afflictionsone stubbornly holds on to. This error is likened to pouring pure water into a bowl thatcontains poison, in which case the water becomes contaminated. One needs to be free ofthe third fault while receiving the precious Dharma teachings. I request that you clearyour mind of all three faults before commencing and ask you to have pure faith, devotion,and confidence in the teachings and in the teacher who is presenting them. One aspires tounderstand the instructions correctly so that one will truly be able to help sentient beingsbecome free of the suffering that samsara entails.Buddha Shakyamuni presented three cycles of teachings that comply with his pupils'propensities and needs. For disciples steeped in daily concerns, the Buddha offeredexplanations on situations related to relative reality that are experienced in everyday life.He then imparted explanations on ultimate reality for disciples who have a keenercapacity to understand the teachings. The teachings I will elaborate here belong to thehighest cycle of the Buddha’s instructions - Mahamudra. They deal with the subtle andprofound truth of reality that pupils with superior qualities can understand.During the third and last cycle of teachings, Lord Buddha showed the Buddha nature thatabides within every sentient being without exception. All instructions on the Buddhanature belong to the third cycle of teachings that the Buddha presented. The Buddhanature is everyone’s true nature. It isn’t necessary to fabricate or create the true nature assomething different than what always and already abides within every sentient beingsince beginningless time. One’s Buddha nature is momentarily obscured, though, whichdoesn’t mean that it is polluted, rather it’s concealed by one’s mental and emotionaldefilements. Buddhahood doesn’t mean one becomes someone else and different than onealready is, rather one realizes one’s true mind, in its entire abundance, when oneaccomplishes Buddhahood. A Buddha has realized his mind’s true nature; an ordinaryliving being hasn’t.As mentioned, the Mahamudra instructions belong to the third cycle of teachings. TheKarma Kagyü Tradition is deeply linked with Mahamudra. In the
“ Samadhirajasutra”
andin the
“ Lankavatarasutra
,
”
the Buddha prophesied the coming of a doctor who wouldperfectly uphold and transmit the Mahamudra instructions. This doctor was LhajeGampopa. He founded the Karma Kagyü Lineage, and so the Kagyü Tradition isextraordinary.
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