The Six Lamps

The Secret Instructions of the Six Lamps 

of the Dzogchen Zhang Zhung Nyengyü

Transmitted, translated, and taught by Geshe Tenzin Gelek

ROOT TEXT OF FIRST LAMP 

༼ THE LAMP OF THE ABIDING BASE ༽

Homage to Küntu Zangpo, the omniscient, self-knowing Rigpa. 

When the great Gyerpung Nangzher Lӧdpo was staying at Deer Faced Rock Monastery west of Drajé, the Emanation Body Lord Tapihritsa came there to subdue his arrogant pride, showing the natural state of Rigpa, loosening the chains that bound him, by which he was cast on the plain of equality, leaving Rigpa in its natural place. 

Then after about five years, the great Gyerpung was living in solitude at the hermitage at the lake island. At midday on the fifteenth day of the first summer month, while Gyerpung was meditating, he saw the Emanation Body Lord Tapihritsa in front of him in the sky. Tapihritsa’s pure Body was immaculate like the color of crystal. His self-arisen pure Body was unadorned, remaining naked, without the covering of obscurations. 

Gyerpung generated faith and longing, doing circumambulations and prostrations to him. 

Tapihritsa said, “Fortunate lineage son, you have the karmic propensity of the training of previous lifetimes. I will teach you the true meaning. Focus your senses and listen to me. In order to guide future fortunate generations on the unmistaken path, I will tell you the three words of my profound heart advice.” 

The consummation of the Eighty-Four Thousand teachings of Bӧn, the quintessence of Bӧn Dzogpa Chenpo. The secret instructions of the Nine Buddha Mind Transmissions. The Oral Transmission of the Twenty-Four Dzogchen Masters. 

If the Lama who teaches does not know what are called the Six Essential Points of the Enlightened Mind, then it is like showing things to a blind person. If without these instructions, then although teaching many Dzogchen, Tantras and oral transmissions, it is like the body without the heart or the sense faculty without the eyes. Even if the Eighty-Four Thousand teachings of Bӧn are explained, it will only be the expression of the provisional meaning. Without these instructions, whatever you get will not be the real essence. 

Fortunate lineage son, It is for this reason that these instructions are called..., The Mirror in which the Universal Base is identified, The lamp that brings forth the secret concealed primordial wisdom. The secret instruction that strips Rigpa naked. The instructions that decisively settle delusion, The teaching of the heart advice pointing the finger at the Natural State.

1. The Lamp of the Abiding Base, which is the essential point that identifies the way the essence of the Universal Base abides. 

2. The Lamp of the Flesh Heart, which is the essential point of where the base of self-knowing Rigpa is and how it arises within. 

3. The Lamp of the Smooth White Channel, which is the essential point of the path of Rigpa where the transparent primordial wisdom ascends. 

4. The Water Lamp of the Far Reaching Lasso, which is the essential point of naked vision of Rigpa of whatever shines out of the doors. 

5. The Lamp of Direct Introduction of the Pure Realms, which is the essential point of the way to practice the path and the decisive certainty of the Three Bodies of Enlightenment. 

6. The Lamp of the Time of the Bardo, which is the essential point of reaching the border of delusion and realization and the way cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering separate. 

Fortunate Son, these are the instructions. 

Do not speak any words of this into the ears of those selfish people who lack faith, those who hold wrong views, who are distracted, lacking confidence and without sincere resolve. Nor to immature, vulgar people, or those who practice the lower vehicles. 

To those who are deeply afraid of birth and death and strive for enlightenment, who have tireless faith and feel the Lama is most important, who have renounced worldly activities and practice the profound meaning, these are the proper recipients to teach these instructions. Thus having spoken, Tapihritsa instructed him in the secret instructions of the six types of Lamps, and the instructions of the Six Essential Points of the Enlightened Mind. 

May this teaching not decline until the end of time and bring benefit for beings, SAMAYA

ROOT TEXT OF FIRST LAMP, THE LAMP OF THE ABIDING BASE.

Homage to the Küntu Zangpo the Primordial Buddha of Self-Knowing Rigpa! 

Fortunate Son, the Lamp of the Abiding Base Teaches

The Essence of the Natural State,

And the Way Cyclic Existence and Transcendence of Suffering Separate Into Two. For the Teaching of the Abiding Mode of the Base, 

What Is To Be Known Are the Three Aspects of the Universal Ground, Rigpa, and the Intellect, 

1. The Universal Ground, the Enlightened Mind itself is…

The unfabricated, unadulterated, empty luminosity.

The great primordial purity of the Reality Body,

It is immaculate and unaffected by limits.

Its nature is spontaneously present, the Completion Body.

It entirely completes, thoroughly completes, and totally completes.

It is the indeterminate Emanation Body which is neutral. 

Its magical display arises as anything impartially. 

There is no distinct separation. 

Like space completely pervades phenomenal existence, 

It completely pervades cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering. 

It is the same clear sky that pervades everything. 

The clarity of the sky is impartial.

Everything arises from the single great expanse. 

The empty expanse without width and confine. 

Everything abides in the great single space. 

An equal space without high and low. 

Thus it is called the Enlightened Mind. 

The provisional meaning is explained as three-fold. 

By the ultimate meaning there is no division, 

Abiding as the Great Single Sphere. 

SAMAYA 

2. What is known as the Primordial Wisdom of Rigpa, 

Like the sun rising in the expanse of the sky. 

Rigpa arises from the expanse of the Universal Ground, 

The essence is luminous, and the nature is empty. 

Rigpa is the basis of consciousness but is non-conceptual, 

From this the three visions of dynamic energy arise. 

Whatever arises in it is the three of sounds, lights, and rays. 

The lights arise in the clear sky. 

The self-arisen sound from the empty expanse. 

Emanating as the rays of nondual Rigpa. 

From that is what are known as the apparent objects. 

The object and Rigpa are not separate. 

They are integrated without being distinguished by division. 

Which is called Rigpa primordial wisdom, 

The Knowing Rigpa Universal Ground Mind, 

The Base of the Qualities of Mirror-Like Primordial Wisdom, 

The Universal Ground of the basis of the karmic traces of consciousness, It is unmixed and absolutely complete. 

Rigpa arises in the individual mental continuum. 

The Universal Ground is non-conceptual and neutral. 

Its essence is immaculate, primordially pure, 

Yet it is the base of both cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering, defects and virtues. 

From the connection between light and Rigpa, 

It becomes the base of Enlightened Bodies and ordinary bodies. From the connection between sound and Rigpa, 

It becomes the base of Enlightened speech and ordinary speech. From the connection between rays and Rigpa, 

It becomes the base of Enlightened Mind and ordinary mind. 

SAMAYA 

3. As to what is known as the ordinary thinking mind,

although the Knowing Rigpa King is without conceptual thinking, 

It is the basis of the arising of the various thoughts and memories. 

Like the light rays from the energy of the sun, 

The intellect arises from the dynamic energy of Rigpa. 

The mindful awareness gets engaged in the various objects. 

The dynamic energy arises as the six consciousnesses and the six sense objects. 

This is called the “thinking intellect”. 

It is called “recollection” as it is the intelligence of remembering. 

It is called “mind” as it engages with objects. 

SAMAYA 

First, if this is summarized, it is like this; 

The three of the Universal Ground, Rigpa, and the Intellect. The three of the Base, Essence, and Magical Display. 

The three of the Mother, Son, and Dynamic Energy. 

And also the mind and the nature of the mind. 

Abiding in the mind-stream of an individual being, 

without uniting or separating in this way... 

The Universal Ground is like the expanse of the sky. 

Rigpa is like the essence of the sun. 

The Intellect is like sun rays. 

Sound arises as self-occurring dynamic energy. 

Light is like a rainbow light circle around the sun. 

Rays are like webs of sun rays. 

This is the natural state of the primordial, unconditioned nature. 

SAMAYA 

4. The way cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering divide,

The way cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering divide… 

How is Küntu Zangpo primordially enlightened? 

How do sentient beings wander through cyclic existence through karma? 

By Realizing the Natural State of Mind Küntu Zangpo is primordially enlightened. 

By not realizing the Natural State of Mind, sentient beings wander in cyclic existence through their karma. 

The Universal Ground and Rigpa are the basis of realization and delusion. 

The sounds, lights, and rays are the conditions of realization and delusion. 

The consciousness that remembers and knows objects is the cause. 

The Universal Ground and Rigpa are without realization and delusion. 

They do not divide into the duality of cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering. 

It is to the remembering intellect that realization and delusion occurs, 

And that cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering arise as a duality. 

What is the reason for realization? 

When the dynamic energy of the three objects of vision arise, 

They are clearly seen by the consciousness that remembers, knows objects, and thinks. 

From the condition of the self-appearing objects… 

Rigpa arises nakedly. 

The unobscured Universal Ground is clearly realized. 

Through this realization, Rigpa holds its own state. 

The objects of appearances are not followed. 

At that time, freedom is actualized. 

All the manifestations of transcendence of Enlightenment. 

Arise automatically without being accomplished. 

From the connection between the light and Rigpa, 

All the manifestations of Enlightened Bodies arise. 

From the connection between sound and Rigpa, 

All the manifestations of Enlightened Speech arise. 

From the connection between rays and Rigpa, 

All the manifestations of Enlightened Mind arise. 

From the dynamic energy of the Enlightened Body, Speech, and Mind, qualities and enlightened activities automatically arise. 

It does not come from collecting the two accumulations. 

It arises automatically by the power of realization. 

SAMAYA 

5. What is the reason sentient beings become deluded

What is the reason sentient beings become deluded? 

When the three objects of appearance manifest, 

The mental consciousness that remembers and thinks becomes confused about the objects. 

Not knowing these as self-manifesting illusions, 

they are seen as real and coming from another. 

The reality of Rigpa is covered by the mind seeing things as something else. 

Not recognizing the face of self-knowing Rigpa, 

the reality of the Universal Ground is not realized. 

That is what is called the “co-emergent ignorance”. 

By the power of the nonrecognition of Rigpa, consciousness follows objects. 

The mind labels the objects of appearance and grasps them. 

That is what is called the “mental consciousness”. 

Since that consciousness follows objects it loses its own place. 

By the consciousness losing its own place, 

it becomes disturbed by the three appearing objects. 

By being disturbed by the three objects, 

the five causal elements arise. 

By the arising of the five causal elements, 

the appearance of the five sense objects arise. 

From the appearance of the five sense objects, 

the consciousnesses of the five doors arise. 

The six consciousnesses examine objects and divide them into a manifold diversity. 

This is the “all-conceptualizing ignorance” 

By the power of the all-conceptualizing ignorance, self and other are grasped. 

By grasping self and other, the negative emotions of the five poisons arise. 

This is the “afflictive mental consciousness”. 

By the power of the five poisons conditioned actions arise. 

By the power of actions and afflictive emotions karmic traces collect in the Universal Ground. 

The non-conceptual Universal Ground is the base where karmic traces collect. 

The six consciousnesses are the agents that collect the karmic traces. 

Actions and afflictive emotions collect the various karmic traces. 

Which are held by the “afflicted mind consciousness” without releasing them. 

As the power of the karmic traces increases, 

Conceptual thought mental bodies manifest. 

By the power of ignorance become deluded in the Formless Realm. 

From the power of the karmic traces becoming coarser and increasing, 

Apparent light bodies manifest. 

By the power of hatred wander in delusion in the Form Realm. 

From the power of the karmic traces increasing even more than that, 

The material body of flesh and blood manifests. 

By the power of attachment there is the delusion of the Desire Realm. 

From the connection between the sounds, lights, and rays, 

The body, speech, and mind manifest. 

By the six consciousnesses collecting karmic traces, 

the delusion of the Six Realms appears. 

By the power of the afflictive emotions of the five poisons, the delusion of the five paths of cyclic existence arises. 

From the great causal four elements, the four types of birth are produced. 

From the four of flesh, blood, heat, and breath come the four types of physical imbalance. 

From the connection between Rigpa and light, the universe and beings, and the mind and illusory body arise. 

6. As for the way the outer world arises from the mind,

From the connection between the light of space and Rigpa, 

Comes the fluctuating movement of wind. 

From the power of this movement the heat of fire arises. 

From the conflict between heat of the fire and cold wind, arises moisture as water. 

From the vital essence of water, arises the generative earth. 

All of the world is formed from this. 

From the vital essence of the five causal elements, 

the manifestation of the five objects of the senses arises. 

In that way the outer world arises from the mind.

7. As to the way the inner sentient beings arise from the mind.

From the connection between the light of space and Rigpa, 

The thinking mind and the moving wind arise. 

From the connection between moving wind and the mind, 

The movement of breath arises. 

From the power of the breath, heat arises, the element of fire. 

By the combination of breath and heat, blood arises, the element of water. 

From the vital essence of blood, flesh arises, the element of earth. 

By the connection of the body and mind, the five vital organs arise, 

Which are the support of the five kinds of elements. 

The five limbs arise from the dynamic energy of the five elements. 

The five inner organs collect the vital essence of the five elements. 

The doors of the five elements open in the five sense organs. 

The five dynamic energies of the five consciousnesses develop individually. 

Grasping and engaging with each of the five sense objects. 

That is how the inner sentient beings arise from the mind. 

By the connection between the five elements and the mind, 

The afflictive emotions of the five poisons are generated. 

By the connection between space and the mind, hatred is produced. 

By the connection between the breath and the mind, pride is produced. 

By the connection between heat and the mind, jealousy is produced. 

By the connection between blood and the mind, attachment is produced. 

By the connection between flesh and the mind, ignorance is produced. 

By the connection between the five poisons and the five elements, 

The five types of aggregates are produced. 

By the connection between hatred and space, 

The aggregate of consciousness is produced. 

By the connection between pride and the breath, 

The aggregate of formation is produced. 

By the connection between jealousy and heat, 

The aggregate of perception is produced. 

By the connection between blood and attachment, 

The aggregate of feeling is produced. 

By the connection between ignorance and flesh, 

The aggregate of form is produced. 

From the connection between the five aggregates and the five poisons, 

Various conditioned actions and behavior arises. 

From the causes and conditions connecting actions and afflictive emotions, 

The general and specific sufferings of cyclic existence arise. 

From beginning-less time and endless cyclic existence, 

we continuously cycle in the Three Realms, 

receiving bodies by the six causes, 

And through the twelve links of interdependence the wheel of cyclic existence turns. 

Not thrown into cyclic existence by wrongdoing, 

But arising from the power of not recognizing Rigpa. 

Although cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering arise as a duality, 

They are just mental perceptions according to realization or non-realization. 

In reality there is no dualistic division of cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering. 

They are the great equality of the Single Sphere. 

The Lamp of the Abiding Base is hereby finished. 

SAMAYA 

ROOT TEXT OF SECOND LAMP 

༼ THE LAMP OF THE FLESH HEART ༽

Homage to Küntuzangpo, the self-knowing Rigpa arising from within. 

Fortunate child of Noble Clan, this is the Lamp of the Flesh-Heart, the essential point of where the Universal Ground (basis) abides and self knowing Rigpa internally arises. 

1. Teaching that the Universal Ground and Rigpa do not reach the limits of cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering 

Thus, since the duality of delusion and realization arise from the thinking mind, the duality of cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering also arise. 

The Universal Ground and Rigpa do not experience delusion or realization throughout the past, future, and present.

They do not experience the dualistic division of cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering. 

2. the Way the Universal Ground and Rigpa Abide

Well then, this Universal Ground that does not experience obscuration, and this Rigpa that does not experience delusion, 

Where does this primordially abiding essence abide? 

In the womb of the expanse of space, the clear sky. 

That is the Brown Cornelian Tent with crystal railings. 

Abiding with luminous appearances in the tent of light. 

What is its way of abiding? 

As the Holding the Heart Channels. 

Externally it abides as an eight-cornered jewel, and internally as an eight petalled lotus. 

Abiding in the center as the five lights like a pitched rainbow tent. 

In the expanse of this, the Universal Ground and Rigpa do not mix with anything, remaining unstained as the great primordial purity. 

3. How the Universal Ground and Rigpa pervade the body. 

The Universal Ground naturally pervades the body like the sky, however, it is not apparent due to the covering of the clouds of delusion. 

In the center of the heart like a cloudless sky, Primordial Wisdom abides as the great inner clarity. 

Rigpa abides completely pervading the body like the sun, however, it is not apparent due to the obscuration of the darkness of conceptual thoughts. 

In the center of the heart, like the sun free from darkness, the self-knowing Rigpa abides as the great inner arising. 

Like the sun shining in the cloudless sky, the Mother and Son remain inseparably in the center of the heart. 

4. How the Intellect Arises 

The thinking mind is like the rays of the sun, 

Supported by the heart, coming through the path of the channels, 

it grasps and engages with objects through the sense doors. 

5. How the Body and Mind Combine and Separate 

The Universal Ground is like the sky, pervading everywhere. Rigpa is like a bird, abiding in its own place. 

The thinking mind is like the wings of the bird, going everywhere. The body is like a net, catching the bird. 

The bird and the net unite and separate, 

yet they never unite or separate from the space of the sky. The Universal Ground does not rely on anything but is all-pervasive. The Universal Ground is like the earth, embracing everything. 

Rigpa is like a human, abiding in his own place. 

The thinking mind is like a horse, leading him everywhere. 

The body is like a strap which the human uses to hold the horse. 

The strap, human, and horse combine and separate, yet they never unite or separate from the space of the ground. 

The Universal Ground does not rely on anything but is all-pervasive. The Universal Ground is like the ocean, pervading everywhere. Rigpa is like a fish, abiding in its own place. 

The thinking mind is like the fish’s fins, moving it everywhere. The body is like a fishing net, in which the fish is entangled in the net. 

The net and the fish unite and separate, yet they never unite or separate from the space of the ocean. 

The Universal Ground does not rely on anything but is all-pervasive. 

The Lamp of the Flesh Heart is hereby finished. 

SAMAYA 

ROOT TEXT OF THIRD LAMP 

༼ THE LAMP OF THE SMOOTH WHITE CHANNEL ༽

Homage to Küntu Zangpo, the Body of Unimpeded Primordial Wisdom! 

Son of Fortunate Lineage, this is the Lamp of the Smooth White Channel, the path where Rigpa arises, the so-called essential point of unimpeded Primordial Wisdom. 

The primordially abiding essence of the Universal Ground and Rigpa abides in the center of the heart, 

and arises in the self-arisen path, the pathway of the channel. The explanation of the way the body and mind arise from the Enlightened Mind is as follows... 

1. The body and mind are generated in the mother’s womb through the five element 

When the body and mind combine in the mother’s womb, Space opens making room and the earth generates the support. They are nourished through being combined as one with the water. Through the heat of fire the body and mind are ripened. The wind separates the purity from the impurity and opens the cavities of the channels. 

The existence of the external body is formed from the navel. The existence of the inner mind arises from the heart. 

2. How the three channels and six chakras are formed 

Then, in the middle of the heart, from the dynamic energy of lights and Rigpa, the wind of the space element arises, opening the door of the heart channel. 

From there, the upward-moving wind opens the cavity of the central channel upwards, moving through the center of the Wheel of Enjoyment in the throat. 

It pierces the Wheel of Great Bliss at the crown of the head. The door is a hole on the crown of the head. 

That is the path of the transcendence of suffering. 

The lower-clearing wind opens the cavity of the central channel downwards, moving through the center of the Wheel of Emanation in the navel. 

It pierces the ladder of the sacrum. 

The door is at the Wheel of Means and Wisdom at the secret place. This is the path of cyclic existence. 

From the sacrum, the two channels of cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering divide from the central channel, supported on the right and left. 

They move through the small holes at the back of the throat, winding around the membrane of the brain, curving down between the eyes, 

and opening at the nostrils. 

The right one is the channel of cyclic existence, where the impure physical vital force of the sperm, and the wind of the afflictive emotions move, with the many faults arising. 

The left one is the channel of transcendence of suffering, where the pure sphere of the mind and Primordial Wisdom wind move, with the many positive qualities arising. 

No negative or positive quality whatsoever moves through the central channel. The great primordial purity of Rigpa arises. These three channels are the Universal Ground space channels. The heart abides like a pitched tent, and the three channels abide like the tent poles. 

2. How the five organs, five sense powers, the limbs and secondary limbs arise 

Then, in the middle of the heart, from the dynamic energy of light and Rigpa, the four element winds arise. 

The cavities of the channels are opened, like pulling tent ropes in the four directions and the four vital organs are formed... Which are the support of the four elements. 

Then, from the five vital organs, the five winds of the limbs arise, 

which open the cavities of the channels so that the five limb elements arise. 

From these, the elements separate into five secondary limb winds in fives by which they separate into the five sense powers in the head, and in the four limbs they separate into fives as the toes and fingers. Then, from the vital organs the five pure winds of the elements arise, opening the cavities of the channels upward by which the doors of the five elements arise as the supports of the sense doors, and arise as the the five objects at the five doors of the five elements. 

In the cavities of these five channels is the radiance of the five lights from which the pure essence of each of the five elements arises. This generates the dynamic energy by which the five consciousnesses engage with the five objects. 

That is why they are called the five sense powers. 

Then, the five impure winds of the elements arise from the five vital organs, opening the cavities of the channels downward forming the vessels of the five elements, the five internal organs. 

Within these organs the five sacred substances of the five elements move. 

4. How the Channels, Branch Channels, and Secondary Channels Divide 

Thus, the three channels are the trunk. 

All the channels of the elements are the main branches which divide into the three-hundred and sixty branches, 

which divide into the twenty-one thousand secondary channels. They further divide into the eighty-four thousand leaves, from which the variety of the dynamic energy of consciousness arises. 

5. How Primordial Wisdom arises in the path of the central channel 

Thus, although many channels arise, the Lamp of the Channel is the central channel. 

Although the Universal Ground completely pervades all the channels like the sky, it is not apparent because it is obscured by the clouds of delusion. 

In the path of the central channel that is like a cloudless sky, the great unimpeded Primordial Wisdom arises. 

Although Rigpa abides totally pervading the channels like the sun, it is not apparent because it is obscured by the darkness of conceptual thoughts. 

In the path of the central channel that is like the sun free of darkness, 

self-knowing Rigpa arises as the great primordial purity. Like the sun rising in a cloudless sky, the Mother and Son inseparably arise in the path of the central channel. 

The Lamp of the Smooth White Channel is hereby finished. SAMAYA 

ROOT TEXT OF FOURTH LAMP 

༼ THE WATER LAMP OF THE FAR REACHING LASSO ༽

Homage to Küntu Zangpo, the Body of Self-Arisen Primordial Wisdom! 

Fortunate Son, this is the Lamp of the Far Reaching Lasso, What is called the essential point of the door where Rigpa arises and is nakedly seen. 

Thus, the primordially abiding essence, the Universal Ground and Rigpa, 

The base abides in the center of the heart. 

The path rises up the channel to the door of the Water Lamp. 

1. How the channel arises 

In the skull in the center of the brain in the central channel is a channel called Tsangri Purlang. 

From a single channel it divides at the top into two, connecting to the eyes. 

The doors of the channels appear like a blossoming flax flower, which are the doors where the visions of Rigpa appear. 

2. How Primordial Wisdom arises 

From inside this channel, the five lights shine like the eye of a peacock feather. 

When these lights are seen through the door, 

the Mother Universal Ground which is like the sky, 

appears as the completely pervasive Primordial Wisdom without inside or outside. 

The son Rigpa is seen at the door shining like the essence of the sun without conceptualization. 

The Intellect is like the rays of the sun, the thinking mind engaging with the diversity of objects. 

Light is the natural light of Rigpa, shining in the sky like a rainbow. Rays are the natural rays of Rigpa, seen like webs of sunlight. 

3. How Rigpa is Nakedly Seen 

Thus, the primordially abiding essence, 

Arising at the doors of the Lamp without diminishing or developing, not created by the Intellect, directly manifests nakedly at the doors of the eyes. 

 This is called the essential point of seeing Rigpa nakedly. The Lamp of the Far Reaching Lasso is hereby finished.

SAMAYA 

ROOT TEXT OF FIFTH LAMP 

༼ THE LAMP OF THE DIRECT INTRODUCTION TO THE PURE REALMS ༽

Homage to Küntuzangpo, directly manifesting self-knowing Rigpa. 

Son of Noble Family, this is the Lamp of the Direct Introduction to the Pure Realms, relating to practicing the path, known as the essential point of gaining decisive certainty about the Three Bodies of Enlightenment. 

The direct introduction is... 

Direct introduction to the nature of reality, and remain as the self-arisen Reality Body. 

Son of Noble Family, the state of the Universal Ground, the enlightened Nature of the Mind, that is all-pervasive and without directions or limits, is the expanse of the nature of reality. 

In this state, the self-knowing Rigpa abides as the great primordial purity. 

This is the Reality Body that arises within oneself by which the Pure Realm of the Reality Body abides within oneself. 

Although it always accompanies us throughout the three times, it is not recognized. 

Direct introduction to the Perfection Body. 

Son of Noble Family, the place of the Brown Cornelian Tent with crystal railings, in this shining palace of light is the Highest Pure Realm that cannot be transcended. 

There, self-knowing Rigpa Primordial Wisdom is spontaneously present as sounds, lights, and rays, and all of cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering is spontaneously perfect. 

This is the Perfection Body that arises within oneself by which the Pure Realm of the Perfection Body abides within oneself. 

If it is not recognized then it arises as the Pure Realm of delusion. 

Direct introduction to the Emanation Body. 

Son of Noble Family, the place complete with the three channels and six chakras, trunks and branches, limbs and secondary limbs, is the perfect Pure Realm of syllables and chakras. 

There, self-knowing Rigpa Primordial Wisdom arises as the dynamic energy of the six consciousnesses and the six objects, from which the many activities of the body, speech, and mind are performed. 

This is the Emanation Body that arises within oneself by which the Pure Realm of the Emanation Body abides within oneself. 

If it is not recognized then it arises as the appearance of the Six Realms. 

Gaining Decisive Certainty 

Gaining decisive certainty of the Three Enlightened Bodies has the direct introduction to Rigpa essence as to gain decisive certainty of the Reality Body and the direct introduction to the Rigpa special vision as to gain decisive certainty of the Form Bodies 

First, The Direct Introduction to the Rigpa essence as to Gain Decisive Certainty of the Reality Body 

The Direct Introduction to the Rigpa essence directly introduces through three lamps; Identifying the Base by the Lamp of the Abiding Base, the Lamp of the Illustrative Examples which Demonstrates the Meaning Through Examples, and the Lamp of the Signs of Primordial Wisdom that Directly Introduces the Signs. 

Son of Noble Clan, identifying the base... 

Right now, leave the Lamp in its own place. 

When consciousness does not examine objects and it is left in its own place, 

From the consciousness not examining objects, the object does not occur to the consciousness. 

At that time, in the empty, luminous Universal Ground that is vividly clear, not covered by obscurations, all of the appearing objects are vividly clear, arising like reflections in a mirror. 

At that time, Rigpa is without thoughts and senseless, without reference point. 

Maintained without grasping and remaining naked without conceptual thoughts. 

Then all the appearing objects arise vividly like reflections in a crystal ball. 

The Intellect is the various thoughts and memories that distinguish and analyze objects individually. 

Six examples that illustrate the self-knowing Rigpa King.

1. The butter lamp illustrates the self-luminosity of Primordial Wisdom

2. The lotus illustrates the stainless primordial purity

3. The sun illustrates the spontaneously present luminosity

4. The mirror illustrates the unobscured self-luminosity

5. The crystal ball illustrates the unimpeded nakedness

6. The sky illustrates the all pervasive Primordial Wisdom

Son of Noble Family, the direct introduction to the signs is the direct introduction to the reality of the Universal Ground and to the reality of Rigpa. 

Direct introduction to the reality of the Universal Ground, 

As for the direct introduction to the reality of the Universal Ground, 

the butter lamp is free from the covering of darkness as it clearly shines by its own luminosity. 

At the doors of the lamps, the Universal Ground is free from any obscuring darkness with Primordial Wisdom clearly shining by its own luminosity. 

The lotus, although in the mud, is never stained by the mud, remaining nakedly stainless. 

At the doors of the lamps, the Universal Ground is not stained by anything, remaining in naked primordial purity. 

The sun that is not created by anyone, brightly shines with its primordial great luminosity. 

At the doors of the lamps, the Universal Ground is not created by anyone, spontaneously present primordially as the great luminosity, brightly shining as self-arisen Primordial Wisdom. 

On a mirror that shines without any obscurations, all reflections arise unobstructedly. 

At the doors of the lamps, the Universal Ground is not obscured by anything, shining as self-arisen Primordial Wisdom, and to where all external objects of appearance arise unobstructedly. 

A crystal ball that is without any cloth to cover it remains in naked transparency. 

At the doors of the lamps, the Universal Ground is also without any covering cloth, remaining as naked, transparent Primordial Wisdom. 

Just as the sky is all-pervasive, without inside or outside, at the doors of the lamps, the Universal Ground is all-pervasive without inside or outside as the great transparent Primordial Wisdom. 

Direct Introduction to the Reality of Rigpa 

Son of Noble Family, for the direct introduction to the reality of Rigpa, just as the Universal Ground abides, Rigpa also abides in the same way. 

 Directly Gaining Decisive Certainty 

As for gaining decisive certainty of the reality of Rigpa, not clothed by the mantle of conceptual thoughts, leave Primordial Wisdom nakedly. Leave Rigpa nakedly without mixing with the mind’s aspirations. Leave the mind naturally fresh without creating or altering. Leave memories and thoughts without a trace, not grasping and following them. 

Leave the mind in the great equality, without the many mental movements. 

Maintain the primordial state without stopping the connection to Rigpa. 

All of the outer world and inner beings, cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering are false, lying to the mind. 

Gaining decisive certainty that everything without exception is from Rigpa, 

Without being deceived by delusion, one attains manifest Enlightenment right now. 

Son of Noble Family, with the direct introduction to Rigpa special vision, gaining decisive certainty of the Form Bodies, 

The great oceans are moved up. 

Focus on the expanse of the dark iron mountains. 

inside the expansive space of the Luminous appearances, like celestial palaces of light like rainbows shining in the sky. 

inside the expansive space of darkness, luminous appearances of celestial palaces are seen, like rainbows shining in the sky. 

In the center of the spiraling conch lake, the brain, arises the door of the sound of the empty expanse. 

From inside the ear, the secret sound in the cavities of the half-moons, the roar of the self-arisen sound U RU RU continuously resounds. 

Subdue the moving mind on sounds. 

Hold the thinking mind on the lights. 

Train the three dynamic energies of Rigpa on the rays. 

By training the three dynamic energies on the rays, the forms of the Three Enlightened Bodies arise within oneself. 

From the emptiness of the nature of the mind, selflessness, the empty magical display of appearances arises. 

Although the self-knowing Rigpa primordial wisdom is formless, the special vision Form Bodies are the dynamic energy of Rigpa. 

They arise like a rainbow in the sky. 

Like an unfolded silk brocade blanket. 

Appearing like reflections in a mirror. 

For the explanation of the methods of training dynamic energy, catch the golden fish of the moving mind in the net of light in the dark room. 

Put the all-illuminating mirror of Rigpa on the clear expanse of space . Aim the spear of the thinking and knowing mind on the shields of luminous visions. 

At that time, you can see the seeds of the Form Bodies. Like stars shining in space. 

As you get familiar with this practice, five types of special qualities of familiarization arise. 

First, the visions will increase, and things like liquid mercury scattering and condensing are seen. 

Then, the visions will spread, things bigger than the sun and moon in the sky are seen. 

Light wheels of Rigpa are seen. 

Light tents of spheres are seen. 

Then the visions become more elaborate. 

The mandalas of the Five Families of Perfection Bodies are seen. Then the visions become complete. 

Then the visions become complete. 

the pure mandalas of spontaneous presence are seen. Visions of Pure Realms of light are seen. 

Unmoving magical displays are seen. 

Then the ultimate stage of visions appears. 

Lights are the natural lights of Rigpa. 

They are empty appearances like rainbows. Sounds are the natural sounds of Rigpa. 

They are empty sounds like echoes. Rays are the natural rays of Rigpa. 

They are an empty magical display appearing like a reflection. Enlightened Bodies are the natural forms of Rigpa. 

They are empty reflections like the moon in water. 

The visions that are ultimately unreal are all exhausted in the mind. Form Bodies are decisively determined in the mind. 

Delusion is completely cut so being deluded is impossible. You are liberated into the Three Enlightened Bodies right now. Cause and effect, and the power of karma are great lies. This is the forceful method to get enlightened. 

These instructions on the ultimate meaning are medicine for those with proper training, and become poison for those who are ignorant. 

Do not teach it to everyone, but keep it secret and hidden. 

This milk of the lioness should be poured into the vessels of those with fortunate karma. 

For those without fortune who are not proper vessels, like the precious jewel in the throat of a crocodile, do not give this teaching even for a thousand eons. 

Thus are the instructions. 

The Lamp of the Direct Introduction to the Pure Realms is hereby complete. 

SAMAYA 

ROOT TEXT OF SIX LAMP

༼ THE LAMP OF THE TIME OF THE BARDO ༽

Homage to Küntuzangpo, the manifest enlightenment of self-knowing Rigpa. 

Son of Noble Family, the Lamp of the Time of the Bardo is the junction of where delusion and realization, what are called the essential points of how cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering divide regarding how the physical aggregates and mind separate, explaining how liberation comes from realization, and how delusion comes from non-realization. 

How the elements disintegrate 

The way the body and mind separate has two aspects: How the elements disintegrate and how they are absorbed. This is the explanation of how they disintegrate: 

As the spleen and the earth element degenerate, you lose physical sensation. 

You cannot raise your left arm, and fluid leaks from the nine orifices. 

As the kidney and the water element degenerate, your ears cannot hear sound. 

You cannot raise the left leg, and you cannot control urination. 

As the liver and the fire element degenerate, your tongue cannot taste anymore. 

You cannot raise the right arm, and blood leaks from the nose. 

As the lungs and the wind element degenerate, you can no longer smell. 

You cannot raise your right leg, and you cannot hold your feces. 

As the heart and the space element degenerate, your eyes cannot see forms. 

You cannot raise the head, and sperm leaks from the secret place. 

How the Elements Absorb 

This is the explanation of how the elements absorb: 

As the earth element dissolves into water, the body loses its strength. As the water element dissolves into fire, the body loses its luster. As the fire element dissolves into wind, the heat of the body is lost. 

As the wind element dissolves into consciousness, it becomes difficulty to inhale. 

As consciousness dissolves into the expanse of the Universal Ground, the breath ceases. 

Establishing the Special Essential Points of Instruction 

This time of death is the junction of happiness and suffering. As the directing power of positive and negative thoughts is greater, 

The instructions should be given unmistakably to those who are dying according to their mental capacity. 

How Liberation Comes From Realization 

Son of Noble Family, the way liberation comes from realization is according to superior, medium, and lower. 

The way those of Superior capacity are liberated 

Like a garuda chick or lion cub, those of superior capacity complete the three dynamic energies right now. 

As soon as the mind and body separate, the purity and impurity of the elements are distinguished,... 

Cyclic existence is shaken from its depths. 

Delusion is cleared in its own place. 

In the limitless expanse of the sky-like Universal Ground, the Rigpa Primordial Wisdom is like the sun shining everywhere. 

The magical display of the Three Enlightened Bodies is like the sun rays endlessly arising, continuously working for the benefit of sentient beings. 

The Way Those of Medium Capacity are Liberated 

At the time of dying, the outer appearances of fire, water, earth, and wind cease, and the visions of sounds, lights, and rays arise. 

Being separated from the material flesh and blood body, Rigpa is without support, remaining nakedly. 

All the accumulation of delusion of karma, afflictive emotions, and conceptual thoughts ceases, and the Universal Ground remains without the covering of obscurations. 

Self-knowing Rigpa remains unobscured. 

At that time, from being directly introduced to the essence of Rigpa and the Rigpa special vision, by the power of familiarization with this... 

From the arising of the Six Clairvoyances and the Six Rememberings comes enlightenment. 

The Six Clairvoyances are: 

1. As Rigpa remains without support, you know past and future lives. 

2. As the Universal Ground remains unobscured, you know the causes and results of karma. 

3. As the divine eyes are totally pure, you know pure and impure realms. 

4. When the appearances of the sounds, lights, and rays arise, you know them to be the Bardo of the Luminous Nature of Reality. 

5. Having been directly introduced to the essence of Rigpa, you know that the Three Enlightened Bodies are spontaneously present in your own mind. 

6. Having been directly introduced to the Rigpa special vision, you know that the self-manifesting sounds, lights, and rays are the appearances of the Three Enlightened Bodies. 

The Six Rememberings are: 

1. First you remember you have transferred from this life. 

2. Then you remember you are in the bardo. 

3. Then you remember Rigpa remains without support. 

4. Then you remember the introduction to the teachings from the Lama. 

5. Then you remember that the sounds, lights, and rays are self-appearances. 

6. Then you remember your own mind is Buddha. 

The Way of Liberation 

Rigpa is seen nakedly. 

The Universal Ground without obscurations is clearly realized. 

From realization, Rigpa holds its own place. 

As Rigpa holds its own place, appearances are not followed. 

By not following the appearances of the sounds, lights, and rays, appearances are liberated as illusory self-appearances. 

As appearances are liberated as self-appearances, delusion is naturally cleared. 

As delusion is naturally cleared, the Three Enlightened Bodies naturally arise. 

By the natural arising of the Three Enlightened Bodies, they have the power to automatically benefit sentient beings. 

The Way those of Lower Capacity are Liberated 

For those of lower capacity, although they have these teachings, they have little understanding and realization... 

By the power of these instructions, they will get a body in the upper realms. 

By the pure karmic propensities, past life experiences are awakened, and great liberation will be attained in a single lifetime. 

How Delusion Comes from Non-Realization 

Son of Noble Family, as for the explanation of how delusion comes from non-realization, 

all those ordinary people who do not have these teachings, by the power of negative karma do not realize the nature of Rigpa. 

The moving wind arises and stirs the ocean of Rigpa. 

Disturbed by the water ripples of karmic traces, and the waves of conceptual thought. 

The sky-like Universal Ground is obscured by the clouds of delusion. The sun of Rigpa is covered in the darkness of afflictive emotions. The sounds, lights, and rays are seen as real external appearances. 

Appearances arise dualistically according to positive karma and negative karma. 

Having a mental body, it will be seen as the same form as before. 

All of the sense faculties are complete and the mind moves without hindrance. 

Without a place of support, there is also no guardian to protect, Like a child abandoned by its mother. 

Covered in the darkness of delusion, there is an overflowing ocean of suffering, 

By the winds of karmic traces arising they wander in the six realms. Circling like a waterwheel or a wheel of a chariot. 

Helpless without protection, the Three Realms are so sad! How hopeless, never free from this suffering! 

Think of the faults of delusion and turn your back to worldly activities. 

Generate diligence for the path of practice, fortunate son. 

The Brief Conclusion 

In that way, the junction of both enlightenment that comes from realization, and wandering in cyclic existence that comes from non realization is reached at the bardo. 

So this is the essential point of how cyclic existence and transcendence of suffering divide. 

The commentary to the Six Lamps is hereby finished. 

An Abbreviated Discourse on the Conclusion of the Main Points. 

First, Son of Noble Family, these six essential points of the Enlightened Mind are a lamp for those who do not recognize the nature of the mind. 

A mirror for those who have not seen the mind. 

A hook for those with fleeing minds. 

A nail for lost minds. 

They are an elucidation for dull minds. 

They energize drifting minds. 

A yoke for the untamed mind. 

A key for locked minds. 

How to Take Care of the Instructions 

Son of Noble Family, in the future, check whether to give or keep these teachings, and according to the student’s mental capacity, guide fortunate individuals on the unmistaken path. 

Thus he said. 

The Emanation Body Tapihritsa became invisible, disappearing like a rainbow in the sky. 

How the Instructions were Transmitted 

From gaining decisive certainty of Rigpa, Gurib Nangzher Lӧpo transformed his pride and attained the supreme and ordinary accomplishments and many magical powers. 

Sarva Mangalam!