The Path of Compassion: A Biography of Hor shul Khenpo Gelek Palsang Rinpoche — Part One: An Introduction to the Lineage of the Nyingma Tradition

Oṃ svasti!

Whoever, throughout successive kalpas, sought the Buddhadharma—the blessings of the masters of the three lineages gathered in one body;

Even if only for a single verse of liberation—the lineage words of the esoteric Dharma of the three divisions and nine realms;

Gave wealth, servants, sons, daughters, head, eyes, and life—the enlightened intent that clearly manifests saṃsāra and nirvāṇa throughout the three times;

All the deeds of our teacher Śākyamuni—the great master Padmasambhava, bearer of the three secrets;

Today I take constant refuge with a pure heart! Today I pay homage with a devout heart!

The sunlight of omniscience illuminates the vast dharmadhātu; Samantabhadra Buddha and noble Vajrasattva;

The moon of compassion gazes upon all sentient beings; Garab Dorje, keeper of the secret Vajra Dharma;

Power and activity shine brilliantly like starlight; the Five Noble Ones, Nāgārjuna, Asaṅga, and the masters of the esoteric teachings;

The great masters, heirs and descendants of the buddhas throughout the ages; Venerable Kāśyapa and the other learned ones of India and Tibet;

Today I praise you with a devout heart! I pray: bless me and grant me the power of wisdom!

The Tibetan translators Vairotsana, Kawa Paltsek, Chokro Lüi Gyaltsen, and Shang Yeshe Dé; the great Sūtra Section lineage of the master, king, and subject;

Nanam Dorje Dudjom, Nyak Jñānakumāra, and Nubchen Sangye Yeshe, holders of the tantras of the three inner vehicles; the compilers were the brothers of Mindrolling;

Rongzom, Longchenpa, Yungtön, and Sogdogpa; Zhenpen Thaye, Do Khyentse, and Tenzin Pel;

Mipham and the other commentators of Katok, Palyul, and Dzogchen; our gracious master Yeshe Dorje Mingse and others;

Supreme venerable ones of the Nyingma tradition’s vidyādhara lineage: today I make offerings with a grateful heart.

The essential teaching, the great Sūtra Section of the Old Translations,

The summit of the nine vehicles in sequence—Dzogchen,

The tantras, liturgies, commentaries, treatises, and other works,

Were gathered and organized through great hardship;

A brief history of this compilation is related below.