Takdrol
Takdrol (Wyl. btags grol) is one of the “five methods that lead to liberation without the need for meditation”. These are sometimes given as:
- liberation through seeing (chakras) (Tib. tongdrol, Wyl. mthong grol);
- liberation on hearing (mantras and dharanis) (Tib. tödrol, Wyl. thos grol);
- liberation by tasting (amrita) (Tib. nyongdrol, Wyl. myong grol);
- liberation by touch[1] (mudra) (Tib. takdrol, Wyl. btags grol); and
- liberation by recollection or thinking (which includes the practice of phowa) (Tib. drendrol)[2]
Numerous kinds of takdrol exist: many are mantras in diagrams (Skt. yantra; Tib. sung khor, Wyl. srung 'khor) related to the Dzogchen teachings, and others belong to the tantras. The takdrol can form part of a more detailed empowerment, or it can be given independently as a simple empowerment on its own. Sometimes a text of a tantra is used as a takdrol and worn, for example, in a locket on the top of the head.[3]
Takdrols can also be placed on a deceased person's body after death—and either buried or burned with the body—in order to help alleviate their suffering during the bardo.[4]
Notes
- ↑ or 'wearing'
- ↑ Also called liberation through meditation (Tib. gomdrol, Wyl. bsgom grol)
- ↑ Source: Endnotes to Dzogchen: The Heart Essence of the Great Perfection, by The Dalai Lama, page 231—Information kindly given by Tulku Thondup Rinpoche.
- ↑ Source: Songtsen: Kyabje Kangyur Rinpoche’s Tagdröl yantra. Link here
Oral Teachings Given to the Rigpa Sangha
- Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Dzogchen Beara, 18 May 2009