Ven. Khenpo Samdup was born in Tibet and is a longtime student of His Eminence Grachen Rinpoche. He studied the philosophy of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism under numerous khenpos, such as Khenpo Munsel and Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok.

He taught for five years at Kagyu College in India, Which was founded by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang from whom he received the vast teaching and transmissions of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage. His current writing include Learning Biddhism: source of Temporary and Permanent Happiness, commentaries on Jigten Sumgon’s Gongchig: Clarifying the Central Thoughts of the Single Intention, and the Stages of Meditation: Awakening the Mind. Presently, he is the spiritual director at Gar Drolma Buddhist Learning and Meditation Center in Dayton, Ohio and Drikung Dharma Surya Center in Fairfax, Virgnia.

Among all the written teachings of Illustrious Drigung Kyobpa, the Ten Nying, or Essence of the Mahayana Teachings, is an exceptional work that contains within it the nectar-like essence of all the Buddha's teachings and the holy treatises that comprise the sutras, tantras, and direct oral instructions. This is a teaching to be practiced, one that presents the three vows and the stages of the path of the lineage of accomplished practitioners in such a way that the Dharma can be brought into the mind-stream in accordance with the acumen and proclivities of the practitioner. This important text for students should form the basis for future study and reflection. Thus, feeling this was important, I earnestly requested Khen Rinpoche Konchog Samdup to compose a commentary on this root text that would elucidate the meaning without being too long or wordy. In accordance with my request, he has worked very hard to produce this Concise Explanation of Jigten Sumgon's "Essence of the Mahayana Teachings." My aspiration is that his commentary becomes a cause for the benefit and happiness of all infinite sentient beings.

The root text, Essence of the Mahayana Teachings, that forms the basis for this commentary holds the distilled nectar, or heart essence, of all the teachings of profound truth found throughout the Three Baskets and four classes of tantra of the Buddha's teachings. This text is one of two exceptional works produced by the illustrious master, Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon. The first work is the Gong Chik, or Singular Wisdom-Mind. The Gong Chik was written primarily as a scholarly work for Dharma students who are focused on listening to teachings and contemplating their meaning. This other exceptional work, referred to by the abbreviated name of Ten Nying (Teachings' Essence), was written by Jigten Sumgon primarily for practitioners who are engaged in practice.

His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche instructed me to write a commentary based on the Ten Nying that would offer a comprehensive synopsis of all the essential points covered in the root text. In accordance with Rinpoche's instructions, I began to consult numerous commentaries, of various lengths ranging from extensive to concise, composed by countless knowledgeable and realized masters. I have relied primarily on the explanations found in omniscient Drigung master Chokyi Drakpa's commentary Instructions on Jigten Sumgon's "Essence of the Mahayana Teachings": A Beautiful Ornament of a Wish- Fulfilling Jewel Garland to compile my understanding of the essential points. I wrote this in an easy-to-follow format for the sake of some Western students with interest in the Buddha Dharma, and my aspiration is that this text will become a source of benefit, perhaps even serving as the basis for future teachings, and that it will serve as a support for practice and meditation.

I would like to thank the translator, Vanessa Kubota, who translated it into English from the original Tibetan, and the editor Kay Candler, copy editor Hang Tam, cover design Mia Milk, page layout Mark Riege, as well as Debbie Jackson, who has compiled and produced it. Thank you all for your help and contributions to this project.

Contents

	Foreword by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang	10
	Foreword by His Eminence Carchen Rinpoche	12
	Introduction and Acknowledgements	14
	Part One: The Introductory Section	18
	Part Two: The Main Body of the Teaching	10
1	The Four Dharmas	10
	1.1 Finding the Lama	10
	1.2 How to Rely on the Lama	22
	1.3 How to Please the Lama	24
	1.4 How to Practice the Path	26
2	Abandoning the Faults of the Vessel	30
	2.1 Meditation on Death and Impermanence	30
	2.2 Contemplating the Difficulty of Finding Precious Human Birth	32
	2.3 Karma, Cause and Effect	34
	2.4 Contemplating the Defects of Samsara	36
3	The Four Trainings	42
	3.1 Refuge	42
	3.1.1 Precepts of What to Abandon	46
	3.1.2 Precepts of What to Adopt	48
	3.2 Pratimoksha Vows	50
	3.2.1 How to Take the Vows	52
	3.2.2 Benefits of Holding the Vows	52
	3.2.3 Repairing Broken Vows	56
	3.3 Bodhisattva Vows	60
	3.3.1 How to Awaken Bodhichitta	60
	3.3.2 The Causes of Bodhichitta	66
	3.3.2.1 Accumulation of Merit	66
	3.3.2.2 Extraordinary Refuge	68
	3.3.2.3 Cultivating the Four Immeasurables	68
	3.3.2.4 Seeing the Lama as Buddha	68
	3.3.3 The Essence of Bodhichitta Mind	70
	3.3.4 To Categorize Bodhichitta	72
	3.3.4.1 Twenty-One Analogies	72
	3.3.4.2 According to the Five Paths	74
	3.3.4.3 According to the Essence	74
	3.3.5 How to Take the Vows	74
	3.3.6 The Benefits of Bodhichitta	76
	3.4 Bodhisattva Practices	80
	3.4.1 Aspiring Bodhichitta: Remembering, Increasing, Purifying	80
	3.4.2. Engaging Bodhichitta: Ethical Discipline	82
	3.4.2.1 Abandon All Non-Virtue	84
	3.4.2.2 Accomplish the Benefit of Beings	90
	3.4.2.3 Gather Virtuous Dharma	98
	3.4.2.3.1 Perfect Abandoning and Practicing	100
	3.4.2.3.2 The Six Perfections	100
	3.4.2.3.3 The Four Ways of Gathering Disciples	108
	3.4.2.3.4 Dedication	110
	3.4.2.3.5 Progression Along the Paths and Bhumis	114
	4.0 Vajrayana	120
	4.1 Ripening Empowerment	120
	4.1.1 Qualities of the Master	120
	4.1.2 Qualities of the Disciple	120
	4.1.3 Empowerment	122
	4.1.4 Samaya	124
	4.2 Instructions on the Fivefold Path	130
	4.2.1 Bodhichitta	132
	4.2.2 Yidam Deity Meditation	134
	4.2.2.1 The Deity Arises from Bodhichitta	136
	4.2.2.2 Deity Pride	136
	4.2.2.3 Clear Visualization	136
	4.2.2.4 Recalling the Purity	138
	4.2.3 Guru Yoga	142
	4.2.4 Mahamudra	146
	4.2.5 Dedication	154
	4.2.6. The Ultimate Result	156
	Part Three: Concluding Section	170
	Endnotes	173

 

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