Description
Ornament of Dakpo Kagyü Thought presents a sparkling translation of The Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer by Rangjung Dorjé and commentary by Mendong Tsampa. This is one of the most brilliant and popular ritual prayers today, and is also considered the most profound exposition of mahamudra, the pinnacle of practice in the Kagyü school of Tibetan Buddhism. The facing pages of Tibetan script make this a go-to book for daily practice and for Tibetan-language students.
The Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer is one of the most brilliant and popular compositions on mahamudra and is the pinnacle of practice in the Kagyü school of Tibetan Buddhism. Written in easygoing nine-meter verse, this heartfelt prayer by the third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorjé lends itself to chanting and ritualized group prayer and is at the same time intricately organized into the most profound and thorough exposition of mahamudra. The commentary on the prayer by Mendong Tsampa Rinpoché brilliantly illuminates its subtleties, making it even more accessible for the reader, and students and teachers alike will appreciate the inclusion of the Tibetan script on facing pages of the prayer and commentary.
This is a text for encouraging study, for inspiring practice, and for the awakening of the world.
Review
“Sarah Harding clarifies the essence of mahamudra with characteristic humor and penetrating insight, including points of contention. These pithy texts, elegantly translated, are contemplations on lucid awareness and immeasurable compassion, sparking illumination while refreshing one’s language skills!” (Karma Lekshe Tsomo, professor of Buddhist Studies, University of San Diego)
“Everybody in the Kagyü lineage knows the pithy and touching verses of the Third Karmapa’s famous Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra, which are like the well-shaped limbs of a beautiful body. Their being adorned by Mendong Tsampa’s concise Ornament skillfully elicits just the right amount of thoughts to shine a light on thought-free mahamudra. In the mirror of Sarah Harding’s fine introduction and translation, we are now enabled to clearly see all these adornments pointing back at naked mahamudra in its unadorned state.” (Karl Brunnhölzl, author of Milarepa’s Kungfu: Mahamudra in His Songs of Realization)
“I well remember, during our three-year retreat, when I shared with Sarah this delightful commentary on the third Karmapa’s Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer. The pleasure and benefit I derived at that time from reading Mendon Tsampa’s words are mirrored now by the pleasure of knowing that Sarah has brought this gem into English for others to benefit.” (Richard Barron (Chokyi Nyima), translator of The Autobiography of Jamgon Kongtrul: A Gem of Many Colors)
“Mendong Tsampa’s commentary on the third Karmapa’s famous Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer is a perfect balance of depth and concision, and Sarah Harding’s presentation—from her introduction to her translation and notes—also strikes the perfect balance of precision and readability. Ornament of Dakpo Kagyü Thought opens up the profundity and brilliance of The Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer in a direct and lucid way—it’s the middle-length commentary we’ve all needed! This book will be savored by all who are inspired by the path of mahamudra, from those starting out to seasoned Buddhist practitioners and scholars.” (Elizabeth Callahan, translator of Moonbeams of Mahamudra)
About the Author
The third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorjé (1284–1339), composed on a variety of topics and is considered a preeminent figure not only in the Kagyü lineages but also those of Severance, or Chö (gcod), and Nyingma. He composed treatises that became the foundation for studies by generations of meditators and scholars in the Karma Kagyü tradition and beyond, ranging from the massive commentary on the highest yoga tantras, The Profound Inner Principles (Zab mo nang don), to condensed profound supplications such as our Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra, which stands on its own as a deep contemplative practice.
After taking the levels of monastic ordination and studying sutras, tantras, and classical texts with many experts, Mendong Tsampa Rinpoché (1867–1921?) received all the empowerments and instructions on the great secret mantra from Chöwang Tulku Rinpoché, and through mastery of the paths he could control his own wind-mind, achieving liberation from the stains of worldly concerns. He passed his time in retreat and also spoke spontaneously, becoming a great orator. He gave empowerments, guidance, and wrote commentaries on the treatises and oral instructions, creating a vast and profound body of work, now available in the three-volume Collected Works of Mendong Tsampa Rinpoché, Karma Ngedön Tengyé, reproduced from tracings from the collected woodblock prints impressed from the xylographs preserved at Mendong Monastery in western Tibet.