The Lotus Garden’s Play (By Dza Patrul Rinpoche)

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

This story expounds the relevance of Buddhism to a modern world. Written in the 19th century by most venerable Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1807) a Tibetan Buddhist yogi this story differs greatly from older Buddhist literature. It is a dramatic tale about love, loss and the ultimate fulfillment provided by Buddha hood attained through practicing the path of Dharma.

It metaphorically depicts the draws of worldly life as well as the need for spiritual fulfillment. It speaks to one who loves life as the bees did in the story and relates a philosophically sound argument for Buddhahood that loss is inevitable and must be accepted if there is to be peace of mind. Most modern stories seem to follow the same plot where some force of good encounters struggles with and overcomes a force of evil. They often end happily ever after with love and righteousness prevailing. But this story picks up where the others leave off showing that no worldy existence can be everlasting. Patrul Rinpoche deftly wove this lofty lesson into his tragic story. In the enchanting garden of Tibet’s literary heritage this text stands out as a most striking and singular beautiful flower.

The most venerable Dza Patrul Rinpoche was born to father Gyalthok Lhawang and mother Doima on Earth Dragon Year (1808) in a nomadic area of Getse district of the Dzachuka Province in eastern Tibet. He was ordained by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo. Due to his sharp intelligence from childhood he mastered in reading and writing without much difficulty. He was recognized as the incarnation of Palge Samten Phuntsok by accomplished master Dola Jigme Kalsang and Dodrup Jigme Thinly Oser and gave the little boy the name Orgyen Jigme Chokyi Wangpo. Palge samten Phuntsok was the emanation of chenrezig and well known for erecting a stone wall with one hundred thousands Om Mani Padme Hum mantras engraved on it. Later another accomplished master also recognized him as incarnation of great Nalanda scholar Shantideva and some consider him as the speech incarnation of Jigme Lingpa..

He studied and mastered all the teachings of four major lineages without any discrimination. He received the quintessence teachings of the Longchen Nyingthig (Heart Essnence of the great Expense) 25 times form his principal teacher, Jigme Gyawali Nyugu who is a disciple of Jigme Lingpa (1729- 1798) received the heart treasure Lineage through great longchenpa a guide to the Bodhisattva’s way of life is his favourite text and Patrul Rinchope gives teaching on a guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of life every year.

He spent his entire life hearing contemplating and meditating on divine dharma for his own benefit and teaching debating and composing text on it for the benefit of others. He had followers and disciples from all the four lineage holders of Tibetan Buddhism. He dissolved his physical aggregate at the age of seventy-nine on 18th day of Budh-Purnima month with full confidence absorption on mind of primordial nature.

Acharya Nyima Tsering graduated form the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath Varanasi where he attained the Acharya degree in 1993. Since then he has been undertaking various activities for the preservation of Tibetan culture which is inherited from the Nalanda tradition.

He worked as a translator of Buddhist teachings for international student groups and has lectured at universities and other institutions in the USA and India. He also participated in seminars gave workshops and lectures organized by the Tibetan government and non government organization. In addition he has published translation sand his own commentaries on major Buddhist teachings and has authored scholarly articles romantic and patriotic poems in Hindi and English.

Every living creature is unique and has been gifted with the wisdom to deal with life in its own way. Each and every living creature carries the habitual karmic imprints of different experiences through many lifetimes. Even in this life we travel to various places interact with different people and are influenced accordingly. So the process it judgment differs from one person to the next due to different frames of reference different forms of socialization and different habits that are ingrained form childhood. Therefore no person or book can meet the various requirement of every individual. That acknowledge I hope that this book will high-light some general causes of our suffering and some of the drawbacks of this decadent age and show us several techniques to grow and became more mature when dealing with challenges and difficulties.

It is stated in both Sutra and Tantric texts that a mere glimpse of a true bodhisattva or the simple sound of his voice is enough to dispel the misery and suffering of sentient beings. This happens automatically on account of their untainted prayers and altruistic intention to benefit every sentient being. Dza Patrul Rinchope (1808-1887) is one of the most renewed teachers in Tibet a great Bodhisattva. His teachings are lucid meticulous practical and down to earth meeting the needs of everyone form the most advantage practitioners to common laypeople. His teachings devoid of scholarly elaboration and display were delivered with the sincere purpose of benefiting all people.

Patrul Rinpoche’s message reflects that the blessing of Buddha can be received according to the mental and emotional capacity of each individual. Every teaching of the Buddha with in sutra and Tantric texts among the four lineages are true from their viewpoint yet one needs to pick those which best suit ones own mind and heart. As Patrul Rimpoche noted in his instruction to his disciples.

One does not need to have all knowledge within oneself. It is not necessary for everyone to rely on one text only. Because of the different abilities of each person.

In his commentary on Shantideva’s A guide to the bodhisattva’s way of life in March 1985 his holiness the Dalai Lama explained how he received the Lineage of the teaching from Patrul Rinpoche through Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen. He described Patrul Rinpoche remarkable ability transmit the teaching so that even nature upon hearing words let the flowers bloom spontaneously an act of appreciation.

The teaching and writings of Dza Patrul Rinpoche are perfect I am only able to make this simple translation but my effort will be amply rewarded if anyone gains some insight while reading this translation there may be errors due to any mistaken understanding or due to lack of conscientiousness on my part. I humbly request all sincere practitioners and enlightened beings to have patience and tolerance for any flaws that come to light.