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[[Image:LNNRefuge.jpg|frame|Field of Merit from the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro]]
[[Image:LNNRefuge.jpg|thumb|320px|[[field of merit|Field of Merit]] from the [[Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro]]]]
'''Ngöndro''' (Tib. ''sngon ‘gro''). The preliminary or ‘foundation’ practices of [[Vajrayana]] Buddhism are profound and powerful means for effecting a deep purification and transformation, at every level of our being. Not only do they prepare the practitioner for the profound path of [[Vajrayana]] and teachings of [[Dzogchen]], but they also lead him or her gradually towards the experience of [[enlightenment]].
'''Ngöndro''' (Tib. སྔོན་འགྲོ་, [[Wyl.]] ''sngon ‘gro'') — the preliminary or ‘foundation’ practices of [[Vajrayana]] Buddhism. The ngöndro practices are profound and powerful means for effecting a deep purification and transformation, at every level of our being. Not only do they prepare the practitioner for the profound path of [[Vajrayana]] and teachings of [[Dzogchen]], but they also lead him or her gradually towards the experience of [[enlightenment]].


===Etymology===
[[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche]] said:
:When we take our first steps on the Path, we are not yet capable of helping others. To accomplish the good of others, we must first perfect ourselves, by purifying and transforming our minds. This is the aim of what we call the preliminary practices, which establish the foundations of all spiritual progress. You may feel like dispensing with these foundations in order to practice teachings that you think are more profound, but if you do so, you are building a palace on the surface of a frozen lake.<ref>Dilgo Khyentse, ''The Excellent Path to Enlightenment'', Snow Lion Publications, page 10. </ref>
 
==Etymology==
In Tibetan, ''ngön'' means ‘before’, whilst ''dro'' means ‘to go’. So ngöndro is usually translated as ‘preliminary practices’, or ‘foundation practices’.
In Tibetan, ''ngön'' means ‘before’, whilst ''dro'' means ‘to go’. So ngöndro is usually translated as ‘preliminary practices’, or ‘foundation practices’.


==Stages of the Practice==
===The Outer Preliminaries===
===The Outer Preliminaries===
The foundation practices begin with a series of life-changing contemplations—the outer preliminaries—embracing:  
The foundation practices begin with a series of life-changing contemplations—the outer preliminaries—embracing:  


—the uniqueness and opportunity of human life;<br>
*the uniqueness and opportunity of human life;<br>
—the ever-presence and deeper meaning of [[impermanence]] and death; <br>
 
—the infallibility of the cause and effect of our actions, [[karma]]; <br>
*the ever-presence and deeper meaning of [[impermanence]] and death; <br>
—and the repetitive cycle of frustration and suffering that is [[samsara]].  
 
*the infallibility of the cause and effect of our actions, [[karma]]; and<br>
 
*the repetitive cycle of frustration and suffering that is [[samsara]].  


These contemplations are known as the "[[four thoughts]]".
These contemplations are known as the "[[four thoughts]]".
Line 18: Line 25:
These reflections inspire a strong sense of renunciation, an urgent desire to emerge from [[samsara]] and follow the path to liberation, which forms the foundation for the specific practices—the inner preliminaries—of:
These reflections inspire a strong sense of renunciation, an urgent desire to emerge from [[samsara]] and follow the path to liberation, which forms the foundation for the specific practices—the inner preliminaries—of:


[[taking refuge]] in the [[Buddha]] as the guide, the truth of his teaching (the [[Dharma]]) as the path, and the example of his practitioners (the [[Sangha]]) as companions on the path, so awakening a confidence and trust in our own inner [[buddha nature]];
*[[taking refuge]] in the [[Buddha]] as the guide, the truth of his teaching (the [[Dharma]]) as the path, and the example of his practitioners (the [[Sangha]]) as companions on the path, so awakening a confidence and trust in our own inner [[buddha nature]];


giving birth to love and compassion—[[Bodhichitta]], the heart of the enlightened mind—and training the mind to work with ourselves, with others, and with the difficulties of life;
*giving birth to love and compassion—[[bodhichitta]], the heart of the enlightened mind—and training the mind to work with ourselves, with others, and with the difficulties of life;


removing obscurations of all kinds through the purification and healing practice of meditating on [[Vajrasattva]] and reciting his [[mantra]];
*removing [[obscurations]] of all kinds through the purification and healing practice of [[Meditation and Recitation of Vajrasattva‎|meditating on Vajrasattva]] and reciting his [[mantra]];


accumulating merit and wisdom by developing universal generosity and creating auspicious circumstances, through the [[Mandala offering]];
*accumulating merit and wisdom by developing universal generosity and creating auspicious circumstances, through the [[mandala offering]];


finally, in the practice of [[Guru Yoga]], which is the most crucial, moving and powerful practice of all, we unite our mind with the wisdom mind of all the buddhas and so awaken the wisdom of realization.
*finally, in the practice of [[guru yoga]], which is the most crucial, moving and powerful practice of all, we unite our mind with the wisdom mind of all the buddhas and so awaken the wisdom of realization.
 
====Purifying the Obscurations====
It is sometimes said that
*[[prostrations]] remove the obscurations associated with the '''body''',
*recitation of the [[hundred syllable mantra]] removes obscurations associated with '''speech''',
*mandala offering removes obscurations associated with '''mind''', and
*guru yoga removes the obscurations of all three: '''body, speech and mind'''.


==Versions of the Ngöndro==
==Versions of the Ngöndro==
The two principal ngöndros that the Rigpa sangha practise are:<br>
The principal ngöndros that the Rigpa sangha practise are:
—the Brief [[Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro]], and <br>
*[[The Excellent Path to Enlightenment]]‎‎
—the [[Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro]].
*the Brief [[Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro]], and
*the [[Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro]].
 
==Notes==
<small><references/></small>
 
==Teachings Given to the [[About Rigpa|Rigpa]] Sangha==
*[[Khandro Rinpoche]], Rigpa London, UK, 21 March 2019


==External Links==
==External Links==
*[http://www.lotsawahouse.org/ngondro.html Ngöndro Series on Lotsawa House]
*{{LH|topics/ngöndro|Ngöndro Series on Lotsawa House}}


[[Category:Key Terms]]
[[Category:Key Terms]]
[[Category:Prayers and Practices]]
[[Category:Prayers and Practices]]
[[Category:Ngöndro| ]]

Latest revision as of 08:50, 14 September 2023

Field of Merit from the Longchen Nyingtik Ngöndro

Ngöndro (Tib. སྔོན་འགྲོ་, Wyl. sngon ‘gro) — the preliminary or ‘foundation’ practices of Vajrayana Buddhism. The ngöndro practices are profound and powerful means for effecting a deep purification and transformation, at every level of our being. Not only do they prepare the practitioner for the profound path of Vajrayana and teachings of Dzogchen, but they also lead him or her gradually towards the experience of enlightenment.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche said:

When we take our first steps on the Path, we are not yet capable of helping others. To accomplish the good of others, we must first perfect ourselves, by purifying and transforming our minds. This is the aim of what we call the preliminary practices, which establish the foundations of all spiritual progress. You may feel like dispensing with these foundations in order to practice teachings that you think are more profound, but if you do so, you are building a palace on the surface of a frozen lake.[1]

Etymology

In Tibetan, ngön means ‘before’, whilst dro means ‘to go’. So ngöndro is usually translated as ‘preliminary practices’, or ‘foundation practices’.

Stages of the Practice

The Outer Preliminaries

The foundation practices begin with a series of life-changing contemplations—the outer preliminaries—embracing:

  • the uniqueness and opportunity of human life;
  • the ever-presence and deeper meaning of impermanence and death;
  • the infallibility of the cause and effect of our actions, karma; and
  • the repetitive cycle of frustration and suffering that is samsara.

These contemplations are known as the "four thoughts".

The Inner Preliminaries

These reflections inspire a strong sense of renunciation, an urgent desire to emerge from samsara and follow the path to liberation, which forms the foundation for the specific practices—the inner preliminaries—of:

  • taking refuge in the Buddha as the guide, the truth of his teaching (the Dharma) as the path, and the example of his practitioners (the Sangha) as companions on the path, so awakening a confidence and trust in our own inner buddha nature;
  • giving birth to love and compassion—bodhichitta, the heart of the enlightened mind—and training the mind to work with ourselves, with others, and with the difficulties of life;
  • accumulating merit and wisdom by developing universal generosity and creating auspicious circumstances, through the mandala offering;
  • finally, in the practice of guru yoga, which is the most crucial, moving and powerful practice of all, we unite our mind with the wisdom mind of all the buddhas and so awaken the wisdom of realization.

Purifying the Obscurations

It is sometimes said that

  • prostrations remove the obscurations associated with the body,
  • recitation of the hundred syllable mantra removes obscurations associated with speech,
  • mandala offering removes obscurations associated with mind, and
  • guru yoga removes the obscurations of all three: body, speech and mind.

Versions of the Ngöndro

The principal ngöndros that the Rigpa sangha practise are:

Notes

  1. Dilgo Khyentse, The Excellent Path to Enlightenment, Snow Lion Publications, page 10.

Teachings Given to the Rigpa Sangha

External Links