Dukngal Rangdrol

Dukngal Rangdrol thangka

Dukngal Rangdrol (Tib. སྡུག་བསྔལ་རང་རང་གྲོལ་, Wyl. sdug bsngal rang grol; Eng. 'The Natural Liberation of Suffering') — a sadhana of Avalokiteshvara from the Longchen Nyingtik. It is classified as a peaceful yidam practice, or as the secret guru practice from the peaceful male vidyadhara section of the cycle.

History

As it says in the colophon of the text, Jikmé Lingpa revealed the mind terma of Dukngal Rangdrol in the Earth Tiger year (1758), although he kept it concealed for a further seven years:

Thus, the teaching on the most profound crucial points of the sadhana, ‘The Supreme Noble Natural Liberation of Suffering’ by the Jetsun Mahaguru was bestowed on the monarch, the dharma king, father and son, on the second storey [of Samyé], in the ‘Glowing Turquoise Covered Shrine Room’. It was placed in a casket of heart treasures and entrusted to them with powerful aspirations.

The time for revelation came in the Earth Tiger year, when I had a vision of the Great Compassionate One, and the dakini of the space of wisdom, in the vast expanse of the magical net of illusion, the luminous space, entrusted me with the scrolls of the symbolic script. I wrote it down without concealing anything of the signs and meaning.

See also: The Revelation of the Longchen Nyingtik

Texts

Practice Texts

• The Secret Sādhana of the Great Compassionate One: The Natural Liberation of Suffering, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse, by Jikme Lingpa (thugs chen - klong chen snying gi thig le las/ gsang sgrub thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol) Tsapö vol 2 (355-364)
  • English translations: Natural Liberation from Suffering - The Great Compassionate One - The Secret Sadhana from the Longchen Nyingthig Cycle, According to the liturgical tradition of Dodrupchen, translated by Tulku Thondup and Philip Richman, 2006.
  • Colophon: Thus, the teaching on the most profound crucial points of the sadhana, ‘The Supreme Noble Natural Liberation of Suffering’ by the Jetsun Mahaguru was bestowed on the monarch, the dharma king, father and son, on the second storey [of Samyé], in the ‘Glowing Turquoise Covered Shrine Room’. It was placed in a casket of heart treasures and entrusted to them with powerful aspirations. The time for revelation came in the Earth Tiger year, when I had a vision of the Great Compassionate One, and the dakini of the space of wisdom, in the vast expanse of the magical net of illusion, the luminous space, entrusted me with the scrolls of the symbolic script. I wrote it down without concealing anything of the signs and meaning.Guardian of the teachings, protector who obeys commands, great Rahula, don’t be careless, don’t be idle! Guard the essence of the most profound terma! Samaya! I kept this concealed for seven years: this revelation is more precious than my heart.
• A Prayer to the Noble One: The Vision, by Jikme Lingpa ('phags pa'i gsol 'debs zhal mthong ma) Tsapö vol 2 (403-407/408)
  • English translation: Prayer to Ārya (Avalokiteśvara): The Vision, Translated by Tulku Thondup.2006
  • English translation: The Vision: A Prayer to Ārya Avalokiteśvara, Rigpa Translations, with reference to an earlier translation by Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, and with a number of kind and vital clarifications by Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tsewang.
  • Colophon: At dawn on the tenth day of the tenth month of the Earth Tiger year (1758), when Longchen Namkhé Naljor actually saw the exalted Lord of the World in a vision, and the symbolic signs appeared of the Tukjé Chenpo Dukngal Rangdrol, he composed this prayer. Geo! Geo! Geo!
• A Gift Bestowing Blessing and Glory: A Prayer to the Lineage of the Secret Practice of the Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (sdug bsngal rang grol brgyud 'debs - gsang sgrub thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi brgyud 'debs byin rlabs dpal ster) Tsapö vol 4 (p.357/358)
  • English Translation: Bestowing the Glorious Blessings - the Lineage Prayer of the Secret Sadhana: Avalokiteshvara The Natural Liberation from Suffering, by Tulku Thondup.
  • Colophon: In the grove of Hayagrīva at Samyé, in the mandala gathering when turning the wheel of tsok many hundreds of times, the practitioner Rigdzin Jikmé made this prayer, writing whatever came to mind. Siddhi Rastu. Virtue!
• The Visualization of the Four Goddesses of the Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (sdug bsngal rang grol mngon rtogs - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi sems ma bzhi'i mngon rtogs) Tsapö vol 4 (p.359/360)
  • English translation: The Visualization of the Four Goddesses of the Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation of Suffering,translated by Han Kop, for the Longchen Nyingtik Project, 2020.
• Detailed Visualization of the Great Compassionate One’s Retinue, by Dodrupchen Jikme Trinle Özer (thugs rje chen po'i 'khor rgyas pa)
  • English translation: Detailed Visualization of the Great Compassionate One’s Retinue, translated by Han Kop, 2019.
  • Colophon: This was written by Dodrupchen Künzang Shenpen.
• The Main Visualization for the Recitation at the Occasion of Making Pills Which Liberate on Taste for the Natural Liberation of Suffering Practice of the Great Compassionate One (sdug bsngal rang grol dmigs bzlas - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi myang grol ril bu sgrub pa'i skabs rtsa ba'i dmigs bzlas) Tsapö vol 4 (p.361/362)
• An Additional Text For When Accumulating the Guidance Practice of the Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering (sdug bsngal rang grol gnas lung - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi gnas lung grangs gsog skabs) Tsapö vol 4 (365-368)
• The Tsok Offering for the Secret Practice of the Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering: Bestower of Merit and Glory, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse , by Dodrupchen Jikme Trinle Özer (rang grol tshogs mchod - klong chen snying gi thig le las/ gsang sgrub thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi tshogs mchod bsod nam dpal ster) Tsapö vol 4 (381-387/388)
  • English translation: The Source of Glorious Merits: The Feast Offering for the Secret Sadhana: The Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation from Suffering, translated by Tulku Thondup and Philip Richman (2006).
• Confession and Fulfilment for the Natural Liberation of Suffering Practice of the Great Compassionate One, Who is Indivisible from the Guru, by the first Dodrupchen Jikme Trinle Özer (bskang bshags - bla ma dang dbyer med pa'i thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi bskang bshags byed par 'dod) Tsapö vol 4 (389-392)
  • English translation: Fulfillment Prayer for the Great Compassionate One, The Natural Liberation from Suffering of the Longchen Nyingthik, translated by Tulku Thondup and Philip Richman (2006).
  • Colophon: Thus, at the urging of faithful Sherab Tenzin, this fulfilment practice for the Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation from Suffering, entitled as the Fulfilment of All the Wishes was written by Dola (Jikmé Trinlé Özer, the first Dodrupchen) and transcribed by Kunzang Chimé. May it cause all beings to attain the state of the Great Compassionate One. May virtue reign victorious!
• The Excellent Path to Perfect Liberation: A Guidance Practice for the Natural Liberation of Suffering Practice of the Great Compassionate One, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse, by Dodrupchen Jikme Trinle Özer (thugs chen gnas 'dren - klong chen snying thig gi cha lag thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi gnas 'dren rnam grol lam bzang) Tsapö vol 4 (393-414)
  • English translation: The Excellent Path to Perfect Liberation: A Guidance Practice (Nedren) for the Dukngal Rangdrol (Natural Liberation of Suffering) Practice of the Great Compassionate One from the Longchen Nyingtik
  • Colophon: This Excellent Path to Perfect Liberation, a guidance practice (nedren) for the Natural Liberation of Suffering (Dukngal Rangdrol), a mind treasure of my guru, the lord of all buddha families, was written by Jikme Trinle Özer in response to the repeated requests of Lama Sangye Chöpel. May it be a cause for all those who have died and who lack protection to attain omniscience!
• Light of Liberation: A Ritual Arrangement for a Cremation Purification Practice, from the Natural Liberation of Suffering Practice of the Great Compassionate One (sbyin sreg - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol las/ sreg sbyong gi chog sgrig thar pa'i 'od) Tsapö vol 4 (415-434)
• Mantras to Consecrate the Bones (rus sngags) Tsapö vol 4 (435-437/438)
  • English translation: Mantras to consecrate the bones, Rigpa Translations
• A Ritual for Making Tsatsas , by the third Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima (satsatsha gtab - byang satsatsha gtab pa'i cho ga) Tsapö vol 4 (439-448)
• A Method for Accomplishing Tsatsas based on Practice of the Tamer of Beings, the Natural Liberation of Suffering , by the third Dodrupchen Jikme Tenpe Nyima (satsatsha sgrub - 'gro 'dul sdug bsngal rang grol la brten pa'i satsatsha bsgrub tshul) Tsapö vol 4 (449-461/462)
• The Refined Essence of Compassion: A Daily Sādhana for the Natural Liberation of Suffering, the Secret Practice of the Great Compassionate One, by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (rgyun khyer - gsang sgrub thugs rje chen po sdug bsnal rang grol kyi rgyun khyer thugs rje'i yang zhun) Tsapö vol 4 (477-480)
  • English translation: The Refined Essence of Compassion: A Daily Sādhana for the Natural Liberation of Suffering, the Secret Practice of the Great Compassionate One, translated by Han Kop with the assistance of Stefan Mang, 2019.
  • Colophon: This was written by Maṅgala Śrībhūti at the request of Ama Karma Drolma (i.e., Yahne le Toumelin, the mother of Matthieu Ricard.).
• Illuminating Amṛta Which Benefits Others: A Framework for the Great Accomplishment Practice of Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse , by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (sgrub khog - klong chen snying gi thig le las/ thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi sgrub chen khog dbub gzhan phan bdud rtsi'i snang ba) Tsapö vol 4 (509-550)
• sdug bsngal rang grol sgrub pa'i khog dbub rin po che'i za ma tog, by Khenpo Ngawang Palzang [smyo shul mkhan po ngag dbang dpal bzang bka' 'bum, Vol 1, pp. 754-843]
• thugs chen sgrub khog, by Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (pp. 449-508)
• klong snying thugs rje chen po'i sgrub chen 'brel ba'i stong thun, by Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (pp. 509-535)
• thugs rje chen po'i bsgom bzlas, by Khenpo Ngawang Palzang (pp. 537-538)

Empowerment

• Clarifying the Self-initiation: An Empowerment of the Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Jikme Lingpa (dbang don - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol las/ dbang don bdag 'jug gsal ba) Tsapö vol 2 (383-387/388)
• Empowerment for the Pills Which Liberate on Taste Connected with the Empowerment of the Natural Liberation of Suffering Practice of the Great Compassionate One (sdug bsngal rang grol ril dbang - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi dbang dang 'brel bar myong grol ril bu'i dbang bskur bar 'dod) Tsapö vol 4 (p.363/364)
  • Colophon: Extracted from the empowerment ritual for the concise innermost practice of the Great Compassionate One, a profound treasure revealed by Guru Chökyi Wangchuk.
• Boundless White Light: The Empowerment for the Secret Practice of the Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse , by Dodrupchen Jikme Trinle Özer (dbang chog - klong chen snying gi thig le las/ gsang sgrub thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi dbang chog 'od dkar mtha' yas) Tsapö vol 4 (481-508)

Commentaries

• The Loud Drum of Spring: A Commentary on the Difficult Points of the Ritual of the Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Jikme Lingpa (dka' 'grel - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol gyi cho ga'i dka' 'grel dbyar gyi rnga gsang) Tsapö vol 2 (365-381-382)
• The 'Pratri' Commentary that Lays Bare the Pith Instructions, from the Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Jikme Lingpa (pra phrid - thugs rje chen po sdug bsngal rang grol las/ pra khrid dmar byang gnad yig) Tsapö vol 2 (389-402)
• A Guide to Accomplishing Tsatsas through the Great Compassionate One, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse, according to the tradition of Dodrupchen Monastery (lag len - klong snying thugs rje chen po'i sgo nas satsatsha bsgrub lag len) (463-476)
• An Ornament for the Wisdom of the Vidyādharas, A Retreat Manual for the Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Khenpo Pema Vajra (sdug bsngal rang grol gyi bsnyen yig rig pa 'dzin pa'i dgongs rgyan)

• Khenpo Pema Vajra, sdug bsngal rang grol bsnyen yig grub gnyis nor bu'i gan mdzod (This commentary seems to be about another practice).

Teachings Given to the Rigpa Sangha

• Alak Zenkar Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 8 April 2008

Empowerments Given to the Rigpa Sangha

The empowerment of Dukngal Rangdrol has been given to the Rigpa sangha on several occasions, including:

• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 13 November 1999
• Tulku Pegyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara, 20 December 1999
• Kyabjé Penor Rinpoche, London, 9 November 2003
• Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 25 June 2003
• Kyabjé Yangthang Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 6 August 2012
• Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 16 August 2019

Oral Transmissions Given to the Rigpa Sangha

• Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 16 August 2019:
  • The Secret Sādhana of the Great Compassionate One: The Natural Liberation of Suffering, from the Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse, by Jikme Lingpa
  • The Refined Essence of Compassion: A Daily Sādhana for the Natural Liberation of Suffering, the Secret Practice of the Great Compassionate One, by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
  • A Prayer to the Noble One: The Vision, by Jikme Lingpa
  • A Gift Bestowing Blessing and Glory: A Prayer to the Lineage of the Secret Practice of the Great Compassionate One, Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
  • A Manual Clarifying the Crucial Heart Instructions of 'Pratri', from the Great Compassionate One, the Natural Liberation of Suffering, by Jikme Lingpa

Further Reading

• Tulku Thondup, Masters of Meditation & Miracles (Shambhala, 1996), pages 45, 122-124.
• Janet Gyatso, Apparitions of the Self: The Secret Autobiographies of a Tibetan Visionary (Princeton University Press, 1998), pages 38, 79, 94.