href="#ulink_8db425d0-d17f-50a3-9efc-8ec376c21951">FOREWORD
I am very happy to introduce this collection of teachings by Tsoknyi Rinpoche, which bears the beautiful title Fearless Simplicity. On many occasions I have had the great pleasure of watching Tsoknyi Rinpoche teach, and I am always struck by his truly remarkable qualities. For me, he is a master who combines both ancient and modern. Recognized by the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, he was trained in the Nyingma and Drukpa Kagyü traditions of Tibetan Buddhism by the foremost masters of our age: Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Khamtrul Rinpoche, Adeu Rinpoche of Nangchen and Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. Now, when he teaches, Tsoknyi Rinpoche remains totally faithful to the authentic word and spirit of the teachings, as passed down in the great practice lineages of Mahamudra and Dzogchen. In the depth of his understanding, he reminds me of the outstanding masters of the past, and I find it incredibly encouraging that a master as young as he is can embody so deeply the wisdom of this tradition. And in the generous, direct and careful style of his teaching, he bears an extraordinary resemblance to his father, the great Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche.
At the same time, Tsoknyi Rinpoche speaks to us with an exhilarating freshness, being fully aware of the complexity of modern life, and the needs of men and women today. He is gifted with an ability to unravel the most profound of topics in a way that is clear and easy to understand, and as he maps out the teachings, he draws listeners constantly back to their own experience, allowing them to discover the truth of the Dharma within themselves. From his teachings at my centers at Lerab Ling in Europe and elsewhere, I know at first hand just how much he is appreciated by the many Rigpa students around the world who have heard him teach. One of the qualities everyone remarks on is his kindness—his humanity and his unfailing eagerness to help. I count myself most fortunate that I can number him among my closest friends.
It is our great good fortune that for fifteen years now, Rinpoche has been teaching in Europe, North and South America, Australia and South East Asia. I know that what motivates him is an unshakeable commitment to bring benefit to people and to the teachings, as much as possible. In fact, he has played a vital, perhaps historic, role in opening up the Dzogchen teachings to many individuals from the west who are prominent Buddhist teachers. From many long and fascinating discussions with him, I know of his deep concern for the future of the Dharma, and about how best to present the teachings to make them ever more accessible to modern people. I rejoice at this book; it will be a tremendous blessing for practitioners, and I pray that it will allow his voice and the teaching of Buddha to reach out to people everywhere, and bring them closer and closer to liberation.
—Sogyal Rinpoche
Fearless Simplicity is a collection of various talks, approximately seventy-five of them, given by Tsoknyi Rinpoche in diverse types of locations in different countries, to groups large and small and to individual students, between 1998 and 2002. In some cases, teachings on similar topics were synthesized and combined; other teachings are presented as they were originally spoken. Throughout the process of collecting, transcribing, selecting, and editing, Rinpoche was instrumental in directing and refining the work that culminated in this book.
Quite recently a manuscript of vajra songs of realization from masters of the Nyingma lineage compiled by Kyungtrul Rinpoche was brought out of Tibet. This precious text contained a song by the first Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Upon hearing this, the present Tsoknyi Rinpoche asked that it be translated and included in this book. Finding this song was like finding a treasure in that it condenses the meaning of the entire Fearless Simplicity.
In earlier drafts, we called the manuscript A Feast of Merit and Wisdom. This is a double play on Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s name, being the two accumulations (tsok-nyi) as well as the word for feast (tsok). Later, Rinpoche decided on the current title, as it seemed more true to the contents. We have tried our best to keep the flavor of Rinpoche’s teaching style through the process of codifying the live transmission into the written word.
We have traveled this exceptional journey with many friends. Our thanks go to Sogyal Rinpoche for making time in his busy schedule to write the foreword; to the transcribers, Joanne Larson and Michael Tweed, who also helped edit; to the Rigpa Sangha for sharing some Lerab Ling transcripts from 1999; to the primary editor, Kerry Moran; the copy editor, Tracy Davis; the proofreaders Daniel Kaufer and Christine Daniels; and to our kind patron, Richard Gere.
Please approach this book as you would an exquisite banquet, a feast. Understand that the kitchen staff has prepared it with the best possible intentions, ingredients, and skills. Let it nourish you with a delightful frame of mind. And as a dedication, may all we aspiring Dzogchen yogis attain accomplishment and rebirth in the pure realm of the Copper-Colored Mountain at the table of the master chef, Padmasambhava.
—Erik and Marcia Nangkyi Gompa
A la la ho!
Vajradhara, lord who pervades all families,
Gracious father guru, I supplicate you.
Within the sky of nonarising mind,
The myriad appearances, no matter how they emerge,
When I don’t accept or reject, confirm or deny, they dissolve into space.
The mind of this yogi of nonarising is completely at ease!
I shall sing you a song about the empty bliss of this ease.
Listen here all of you fortunate men and women!
Since it is hard for people of this dark age to pay attention,
Listen here you worthy men and women!
Even just to see or meet me,
A yogi with whom every link is meaningful,
Is a meeting with one who is very rare to meet.
All your myriad mundane deeds
And all your possible deluded thoughts—
Let them be in the nondual state beyond concepts.
Free of the notion of seer and seen,
While you sustain the essence of your mind,
Meditator and meditated dissolve into space,
And there is not even the words ‘meditation beyond concepts.’
This empty bliss that is unceasing
Is the kindness of the glorious father guru.
I am a yogi who gladly accepts
Meat, wine and mudra.
Like the Indian peacock feasting on poison,
All the emotions, no matter which,
Are my great adornments, the five wisdoms.
If you want to share your father’s experience, follow me!
No matter which emotion I experience,
I am an untainted yogi who brings the five poisons to the path.
All of you benefactors, male or female, high or low,
Every link you make with me will be meaningful,
And surely, you will gain rebirth on the glorious island of Chamara.
To be