Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche was another genius. Very romantic. He never concealed what he would like to do. I sort of like him. Anthony
--- On Sat, 18/9/10, ED <seacrofter...@yahoo.com> wrote: From: ED <seacrofter...@yahoo.com> Subject: [Zen] Tantra: The Diamond Path To: Zen_Forum@yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, 18 September, 2010, 12:34 AM Tantra: The Diamond Path "LISTEN, ABUSHRI" by Dza Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887) Translated by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche You who enjoy the union of bliss and emptiness Seated motionless on the lunar disc Above a beautiful hundred petalled flower Radiant with white light, I pay homage to you the Divine Guru, Vajrasattva. Listen, Abushri, You miserable, daydreaming fool, You remember how delusions Confused you in the past? Watch out for delusions in the present, And don't lead a hypocritical life. Stop unnecessary speculations. You've made hundreds of plans Which never came off And only led to disappointment. Unfinished acts are like The overlapping action of the waves. Stay alone and stop Making your own head spin. You've studied hundreds of philosophies Without grasping any of them. What's the point of further study? You've studied without remembering Anything when you needed it. What's the point of contemplation? Forget about your "meditation"! It doesn't seem to be The Cure for conflicting emotions. You may have recited the set number of mantras But you still haven't mastered the concrete visualisations. You may have mastered the concrete visualisations But you still haven't loosened the grip of duality. You may have subdued apparent evils But you still haven't tamed your ego. Forget your set periods of meditation And following an obsessive schedule. High and clear but not letting go, Low and steady but lacking clarity, Penetrating insight but only stabbing That's your meditation! Forget the stare of concentration And the tethered mind. Lectures sound interesting But they don't help your mind. The logical mind seems sharp But it's really the seed of confusion. Oral instruction sounds very profound But it doesn't help if it isn't practised. Forget about browsing through books Which causes distraction and eyestrain. You bang your antique prayer-drum, But, just for the novelty of playing (with) it. You offer up your body, But in fact you're still attached to it. You play clear sounding cymbals But your mind is heavy and dull. Forget about these tricks, Attractive though they are. Your disciples seem to be studying But they never follow through; One day there's a glimmer of understanding, But the next day it has gone. They learn one thing out of a hundred But they don't retain even that. Forget these apparently fervent disciples! One's closest friend is full of love Today and indifferent tomorrow. He is humble one minute and proud the next. The more one loves him the more distant he becomes. Forget the dear friend who smiles Because the friendship is still a novelty! Your girlfriend puts on a smiling face But who knows what she really feels? For one night of pleasure it's nine months of heartache. You can spend a month trying to bed her and still not succeed. It's really not worth all the scandal and gossip, So forget about her. Never-ending chatter stirs up likes and dislikes. It may be amusing, and enjoyable But it's merely imitating the faults of others. The listeners seem receptive But they may be critical at heart. It only gives you a dry throat So forget about idle talk! Preaching without first-hand experience Of the subject is like dancing on books. The audience way seem willing to listen But they're not really interested at all. If you do not practise what you preach You'll be ashamed of it sooner or later, So forget about hollow rhetoric! When you haven't any books You feel the need for them; When you have them you don't. It's only a few pages But to copy them is endless. All the books in the world Would give you no satisfaction, So forget about copying – Unless you get a fee for it! One day you're relaxed, The next you are tense. You will never be happy If you're swayed by people's moods. Sometimes they are pleasant But maybe not when you need them And you might be disappointed. So forget about politeness and flattery! Political and religious activities Are only for gentlemen. That's not for you, my dear boy. Remember the example of an old cow: She's content to sleep in a barn. You have to eat, sleep and shit – That's unavoidable – anything Beyond that is none of your business. Do what you have to do And keep yourself to yourself. You're as low as the lowest So you ought to be humble. There's a whole hierarchy above you So stop being proud. You shouldn't have too many close associates Because differences would surely arise. Since you're not involved In religious and political activities Don't make demands on yourself. Give up everything, that's the point! This Teaching is given by Yogi Trime Lodrö from his own experience to his dear friend Abushri. Do practise it, although there is nothing to practise. Give up everything – that's the whole point. Don't get angry with yourself even if you can't practise the Dharma. Source: 'The Essential Chogyam Trungpa', Shambala, pp 15 - 156
