Short Dorjé Chang Mahamudra Invocation

The volume presents translations and editions of crucial mahamudra texts of Tibetan Buddhism. The Invocation by Bä ngar Jampä l Zangpo is considered one of the most important teachings of the Kagyü tradition. It was commented on by prominent masters and philosophers, whose commentaries are translated here for the first time into a European language. with commentaries by 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorjé Karma Chagmé 15th Karmapa Khakhyab Dorjé Rinchen Dargyä Gä npo Tshepä l Commentaries The importance of a text can be recognized not only by the number of commentaries but also by the names of commentators. From this point of view again, Jampä l Zangpo’ s Invocation – as the text of a simple practitioner who in his time was not recognized as any particular incarnation – proves it’ s highest rank. Among the commentators, the names of the 8th Karmapa, Karma Chagmé or the 15th Karmapa speak for themselves. The fourth commentator Rinchen Dargyä (rin chen dar rgyas, known also as karma rat+na, karma mkhan po, 1835?d.u.) is perhaps less famous but still he was a very prominent lama of high esteem among his contemporaries, being not only the attendant of Jamgö n Kongtrü l Lodrö Thajé and a close student of Choggyur Lingpa but also claimed to be the incarnation of Santarak=ita who played such an important role in the Buddhist history of Tibet. The least known is the last commentator, Gä npo Tshepä l, who was also the attendant of Jamgö n Kongtrü l Lodrö Thajé (I was not able to find any information about his life or text written by him).

Thaye Dorje, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, is the leader and lineage holder of the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. The Karmapa was the first lama to reincarnate in Tibetan Buddhism, the first Karmapa being born in 1110, more than 250 years before the first Dalai Lama (1392). In 2019, Karmapa is thirty-six years old. He is married and has a baby boy, and his teachings reflect both the limitless wisdom and compassion of a timeless tradition, and the practical questions and challenges that we all face in life today. Dr hab. Artur Przybyslawski - Lecturer of Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy at the Centre for Comparative Studies of Civilisations of the Jagiellonian University, translator (English and Tibetan). Till 2011 worked at the Chair of Philosophy at The University of Lodz. Stipendist of Foundation for Polish Science, translator awarded by Association of Polish Translators. Jampä l Zangpo (15th century) – mahamudra master of Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. He spent 18 years in retreat. The main student of the 6th Karmapa (karma pa mthong ba don ldan, 1416?1453), and a principal teacher of the 7th Karmapa (karma pa chos grags rgya mtsho, 1454?1506). Praised by the 8th Karmapa and the 8th Situ show him as equal to Buddha himself. Having such a high spiritual position, he received from Karmapa in Tshurpu the title of vajracharya (Tib. rdo rje slob dpon) given to the lamas most experienced in tantric rituals.

Table of contents Introductory letter by 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorjé Introduction by Artur Przybyslawski Bä ngar Jampä l Zangpo Short Dorjé Chang Mahamudra Invocation 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorjé Instructions for practicing Short Dorjé Chang Mahamudra Invocation Karma Chagmé Phases of visualization of the Short Dorjé Chang Mahamudra Invocation being the invocation enhancing [the practice of] mahamudra 15th Karmapa Khakhyab Dorjé Instructions for practicing Short Dorjé Chang Mahamudra Invocation Rinchen Dargyä Rain of inspiration that opens the gate of knowing everything. Instruction manual of Short Dorjé Chang Mahamudra Invocation Gä npo Tshepä l Instructions on Short Dorjé Chang Mahamudra Invocation. Oral teachings of the masterly lama Appendix: Complete Liberation Life-story of All-knowing Bä ngarwa by 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorjé Editions of the originals Bibliography