Introduction

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The Heart Essence of Profound Meaning

The Quintessence of all Source Texts and Esoteric Instructions of Severance, the Perfection of Wisdom

Jamgön Kongtrul gives the author of this text as Jamyang Gönpo (‘Jam dbyangs mgon po, b. 1208, or 1196) in his catalogue of the Treasury of Precious Instructions called An Ocean of Auspicious Renown (f. 72a). “Draft:The Heart Essence of Profound Meaning,” however, seems to be a general name referring to a whole system of teachings in the Severance tradition, and a note was added at the end of this text stating as much. Kongtrul also writes of the inception of Heart Essence written down by Samten Özer of Gyaltang after a visionary experience of Machik Lapdrön, which later became known as the direct lineage of the Gyaltang system (TOK, vol. I, p. 545). A collection of texts transmitted by Samten Özer, however, is differently entitled Cycle of Profound Severance of Evil (bDud gcod zab mo’i skor), and this is not among them. In a rare collection of ancient works on Severance entitled Practices of the Severance Collection, and So Forth (gCod tshogs kyi lag len sogs) from Limi monastery, this same text is signed “the Shakya monk, holder of the vajra, Prājñasambhava,” a Sanskrit translation of Jamyang Gönpo’s ordination name, Sherap Jungne (Shes rab 'byung gnas). The brief summary of the work is similarly signed “the Shakya monk, holder of the vajra, Mañjughoṣanatha,” translating Jamyang Gönpo. According to Dan Martin (Tibskrit/The Treasury of Lives), a brief biography of Jamyang Gönpo is found in PPKT (pp. 137-138) with a list of 11 titles of his works, mainly on Severance, even though his main affiliation was with the Lower Drukpa lineage. Born in the borderlands between Upper and Lower Nyang (myangs) valleys, he studied with the master Urepa (sLob dpon dBus ras pa) and Zhikpo Kunseng (Zhig po Kun seng) from the age of six. After his mother died when he was fourteen he entered the monastery at Serding (gSer sding) and was ordained under Lama Martön (Mar ston). His main teacher was Lorepa Wangchuk Tsondru (Lo ras pa dbang phyugs brtson ‘grus, 1187-1250).

Jamyang Gönpo may be the author of this source text, but there are many other texts by various authors bearing the name Heart Essence of Profound Meaning. The commentary called The Big General Guide of Severance (gCod kyi spyi khrid chen mo), also bearing the name Mañjugoṣanatha and available in several collections, is a commentary on this short text, greatly elaborated and inclusive. The translation has been done with reference to this commentary, as have the notes on alternative versions of the root text and the divisions into verse. The page numbers in the notes refer to the edition found in the Padma Lingpa collection.