Lotus Source: becoming Lotus Born
This book focuses on Padmasambhava, the Lotus Born Guru, known in Tibet as Guru Rinpoche. He awakens us to our own lotus source.
All Buddhist practice is concerned with awakening from the illusions which bind us. The lotus represents both this awakening and also the intrinsic purity which is the source of both awakened Buddhas and deluded sentient beings. Forgetfulness of our lotus source has given rise to our experience of being someone real somewhere in a real world.
The wide range of prayers and practices translated and explained in this book provide guidance on how to live in a clear and ethical way. These practices ease the process of dying and guide us to Padmasambhava in his pure realm of Lotus Light, also known as Zangdopalri, the Copper Coloured Mountain.
Texts translated by C. R. Lama and James Low
Contents
27 Prayer to Buddha Shakyamuni 28 Offering Salutation and Praise 34 Aspiration of the Vajra Knot 40 The Prayer of Aspiration which Is a Wish-Fulfilling Jewel 63 The Sutra of the Story of the Lamp of King Golden Hand 83 The Aspiration for Pure Discernment 107 If You Wish to Purify Your Sins and Obscurations 113 The Prayer Which Effortlessly Fulfils Our Wishes 134 The Prayer Which Removes Obstacles from the Path 166 The Prayer Which Quickly Fulfils Our Wishes 172 The Prayer of the Stainless Biography 197 Pure White Lotus: The Life of the Lotus Born from Oddiyana 223 A Prayer to Padmasambhava by the Fifth Dalai Lama 236 Imploring Padmasambhava 244 The Precious Guru from Oddiyana 259 Lotus Source Practice 293 Aspiration for Zangdopalri 315 A Description of Zangdopalri 337 In One’s Own Hand: The Profound Instructions for Using Death as the Path