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PREFACE

Marcia Dechen Wangmo

This book, Dispeller of Obstacles, The Heart Practice of Padmasambhava, is the first in a new series presented by Rangjung Yeshe Publications. This series will offer videos, audios, photos, and commentaries as supports for the practices of the Three Roots. The Three Roots are the inner practices of tantra connected with sadhanas for the lama, yidam, and dakini. As is often said, “The lama is the source of blessings, the yidam the source of accomplishment, and the dakinis and protectors are the source of activity.”

Apparent differences, such as gender or peaceful versus wrathful modes, do not ultimately define these three, because in essence they are identical—the display of the empty, cognizant, awake nature, rigpa. However, due to our varying dispositions as sentient beings needing to be tamed, they manifest in myriad ways to accomplish the utmost benefit. The qualities of each deity are the fully perfected qualities of our buddha nature; we undertake this deity training in order to connect with and accomplish that nature. Thus, we should practice whichever deity moves us most profoundly.

As Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche said, “True blessings are the oral instructions on how to become enlightened in a single lifetime, which you can receive from a qualified master.” In a practical way, we can experience this ourselves, since our guru is the source of guidance, inspiration, and strength for the Vajrayana path. He or she is the most vital, meaningful person in our lives, dispelling hindrances so we may progress in this tradition. Living in this degenerate age, we must seriously study whatever we intend to practice. These sacred texts, our teachers’ words, and our own intellect and experience need to harmonize, in order to clear away any misconceptions and doubts. The gift of teachings that we receive and apply expands our ordinary way of seeing reality and breaks down our normal, conditioned concepts.

Having a direct bond with a qualified, living teacher is our sole means of being introduced to the nature of our minds and being able to recognize and train in it. In the moment of love for our guru, we experience a gap, an opening free of mental constructs and internal gossip. This space offers the possibility to come into direct contact with the nature of our mind, true awareness. The Nyingma and Kagyü traditions especially emphasize devotion and consider it indispensable. This is another reason why guru practice is so exalted, because we reach enlightenment by stabilizing the momentary recognition of our mind’s nature and by continually maintaining that recognition. Without this, although the path may be a very enjoyable one, it will definitely be quite long.

Guru practice offers an infusion of direct insight, whereby each step brings us closer to accomplishing our teacher’s mind, as our teacher is no different from the primary figure in any Three Roots practice. The Tukdrub Barchey Künsel cycle of teachings presented here serves as an example and framework, although any other guru practice will suffice. While the specifics relate to this cycle of teachings, which I have chosen because I have the most familiarity and precious material for it, the principles outlined are universal and applicable to all guru practices. Such topics include development and completion stages, with guidance on the three samadhis; the fourfold stakes of recitation; the four recitation intents; and feasts, as well as advice for structuring a retreat. As with guru practices, all sadhanas follow the same basic format; only the liturgies differ. Thus, I have tried to offer teachings and advice that are general to all sadhana practices.

This cycle of Tukdrub Barchey Künsel is a vast and profound terma, “hidden treasure,” a revelation with a rich history that unfolds throughout the book. This presentation is special, because it contains not only the root text and classical commentaries by the tertöns, “hidden treasure revealers,” Chokgyur Lingpa and Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, but also explanations by modern-day masters, such as Tulku Urgyen and Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoches.

This extensive cycle contains teachings and practices that encompass the preliminaries up to and including the Great Perfection. Moreover, the main sadhanas come in varying lengths, ranging from a few pages up to a few hundred pages, and the subsidiary sadhanas consist of separate practices for each of the main deities. Linking to a fresh terma has the power to imbue us with hot, juicy blessings that invigorate our being and generate profound devotion and joy.

Gratitude goes to all the people who have helped to make this book a reality. It has been a journey involving a living, breathing mandala of Dharma friends and teachers, magnetized by the inexhaustible, inconceivable love for Padmasambhava. With joy, it is offered to all receptive and fortunate beings, so we may all become inseparable from the Lotus Master and reunite in the sublime mandala of Sangdok Palri. In particular, thanks go to Erik Pema Kunsang for the primary translation, Zack Beer for the secondary translation, Graham Sunstein for photos and research, Anne Paniagua for editing and copyediting, Maryann Lipaj for the cover design, Joan Olson for the book design, and Lynn Schroeder and Michael Yockey for proofreading.

Once again, we are greatly indebted to Richard Gere and the Gere Foundation and to its undaunted director, Mollie Rodriguez, who continue to believe in our work and support it with graciousness.

This book was joyfully completed at the sacred place of Padmasambhava, the Asura Cave in Pharphing, Nepal, on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of the Water Snake (2.9.2014) by Marcia Dechen Wangmo. May it be auspicious and may all countless beings benefit.