Natural Liberation: Padmasambhava's Teachings on the Six Bardos

by Padmasambhava, Gyatrul Rinpoche (Contributor), B. Alan Wallace (Translator)

A perfect companion to the well-known Tibetan Book of the Dead .

In life and in death, in meditation and in sleep, every transitional stage of consciousness, or bardo, provides an opportunity to overcome limitations, frustrations, and fears. The profound teachings in this book provide the under- standing and instruction necessary to turn every phase of life into an opportunity for uncontrived, natural liberation.

Like the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Natural Liberation is a terma, a "hidden treasure" attributed to the eighth-century master Padmasambhava. Gyatrul Rinpoche's lucid commentary accompanies the text, illuminating the path of awakening to the point of full enlightenment. Natural Liberation is an essential contribution to the library of both scholars and practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 1997

About the author

According to tradition, Padmasambhava was incarnated as an eight-year-old child appearing in a lotus blossom floating in Lake Dhanakosha, in the kingdom of Uddiyana, traditionally identified with the Swat Valley in present-day Pakistan. His special nature was recognized by the local king who married him to one of his daughters, Mandarava. She and Padmasambhava's other main consort, Yeshe Tsogyal, developed into realised practitioners. Many thangkas and paintings show Padmasambhava in between them.
Padmasambhava's ability to memorize and comprehend esoteric texts in a single hearing established his reputation as a master above all others. Knowing that the life force of the wife and son of evil minister was about to end, he constructed an accident which resulted in their death. As a result, Padmasambhava was banished from the court and exiled in a charnel ground. Transiting various heavens and hells, he developed the power to transcend the cycle of birth and death, accomplishing the so-called great transference.
His fame became known to Trisong Detsen, the 38th king of Tibet (742–797), whose kingdom was beset by evil mountain deities. The king invited Padmasambhava to Tibet where he used his tantric powers to subdue the evil deities he encountered along the way, eventually receiving the Emperor's wife, identified with the dakini Yeshe Tsogyal, as a consort. This was in accordance with the tantric principle of not eliminating negative forces but redirecting them to fuel the journey toward spiritual awakening. In Tibet he founded the first monastery in the country, Samye Gompa, initiated the first monks, and introduced the people to the practice of Tantric Buddhism.
In Bhutan he is associated with the famous Taktshang or "Tiger's Nest" monastery built on a sheer cliff wall about 500m above the floor of Paro valley. He flew there from Tibet on the back of Yeshe Tsogyal, whom he transformed into a flying tigress for the purpose of the trip. Later he travelled to Bumthang district to subdue a powerful deity offended by a local king. Padmasambhava's body imprint can be found in the wall of a cave at nearby Kurje Lhakhang temple.
According to Tibetan tradition, the Bardo Thodol (commonly referred to as the Tibetan Book of the Dead) was among many treasures hidden by Padmasambhava, subsequently discovered by a Tibetan terton, Karma Lingpa.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of this book was fascinating, some of it was patronizing and paternalistic. At times it was confusing and a little repetitive. As someone new to Tibetan Buddhism I appreciated the glossary and prayers and very detailed descriptions of what posture and breathing and focus to do for whichever natural liberation you are working on.

[Bob Woodley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complicated text:
- Padmasambhava "composed" the root text.
- It was discovered by Karma Lingpa in the 14th century, as a terma.
- The commentary on the text in this book was written by Gyatrul Rinpoche based on a workshop he gave in 1995.
- In this book, Part I is 2 chapters of preparation texts, Part II is the Karma Lingpa text with commentary, Part III is 3 chapters of supplemental prayers.

The core text concerns the 6 bardos, which can be contrasted with the 3 bardos discussed in the Tibetan Book of the Dead (also revealed by Karma Lingpa).

Each bardo text reveals a set of practices that could be expected to take place over days or weeks.

So there is a lot going on here.

I did not finish this book, because really it is an instruction manual that should be practiced in an intense monastic setting under the guidance of a lama. So reading it end-to-end without practicing it would be kind of pointless.

[Dhātturā · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book very slowly. Then read it again. An essential, profound compendium of practices, insights, explanations, and support for many, many, points along the path. There have been few books that I personally would say are so rich and informative one must read them repeatedly and keep by the cushion-side. Aho. Samaya. OM.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a wonderful text, if you want to seriously study and learn the Bardo teachings. If you want an introduction or overview, this may not be the text to start. I read it as part of my online Vajrayana class, along with other reference materials. I will definitely reread, as well as contemplate, and meditate on the material presented.

[Buddhasamāgama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep

here is Wisdom. deep and (I would say) just what the world is needing right now. The straightforward faith is what appeals to me the most

Sandhu Sandhu sadhu