The Third World Karmapa Gave Him A Study On The "Yu Da Handprint Prayers"

The Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje is an important holder of the black hat department in Kagyu sect,which is one of the five main sects of Tibetan Buddhism.He is the third Kagyu Great Master who has a very important position in the history of Tibetan Buddhism and plays great influence.This paper based on Karmapa Rangjung Dorje’s "Aspiration Prayer on the exactly meanings of Mahamudra " shows the views、the meditation、the behaviors and the achievements of the Mahamudra teaching by detailed interpretation and analysis.First,there is a brief introduction of Third Karmapa Rangjung Dorje,which includes the process of Rangjung Dorje was authenticated as the third Karmapa by Ogyenpa、his education and training process on Buddhism 、teachings during the journeys、the contact with the central government of the Yuan Dynasty、his main works and important disciples.Moreover,it discusses the status of Mahamudra teachings in Tibetan Buddhism and the inheritance of Mahamudra.Then it analyzes the structure of the " Aspiration Prayer on the exactly meanings of Mahamudra ".Secondly,this paper gives an explanation of the “Aspiration Prayer on the exactly meanings of Mahamudra” from “the views、the meditation、the behaviors and the achievements” the four aspects.“The views and the meditation” are the emphasis.“The views” is divided into five parts.First,everything is the illusion of the mind;second,the mind exists and at the same time it does not exist;third,the nature of the mind can’t be described by words;fourth,dependent origination and emptiness exists at the same time;fifth,the confirm to the exact root.Through the above analysis,Rangjong Dorje establishes the fundamental view that “everything has no fixed nature”.In “the meditation” part,it starts from practicing Samatha to reach the peace and clear of the mind.Then observe the mind and the phenomena by practicing Vipassana to know the bright nature of mind.And further to get the view of know-one-know-everything.Go beyond the attachment of the extraordinary feeling and final realize the ultimate meaning of the profound reality that underlies all things.It shows the formal meditation methods of Mahamudra.On “the behaviors” aspect,Rangjong Dorje considers that “compassion and wisdom” is the two sides of the nature of mind.When the real and strong compassion rises,at the same time the wisdom of emptiness will be clearly displayed.So the meditators should practice compassion to realize the emptiness.In “the achievements” part,Rangjong Dorje considers that when meditators lead sentient beings to go to becoming Buddhas,purify the lands of Buddhas and complete all the wishes,they will get the supreme and exact buddhahood.Third,the "Mahamudra prayer" gives a highly summary for Mahamudra teachings from the two systems of “the base、the way and the result” and “the views、the meditation and the behaviors”.There are different emphases in Mahayana and Tantra on “The base、way and result”.Mahayana thinks that the nature of mind is the "base".Accumulation of the wisdom and the merit is the “way”.The buddhahood of getting rid of the attachment of Samsara and Nirvana and do good to oneself and others satisfactorily is the “result”.From the angle of practicing of Tantra,it can be summarized that the "base" is the nature of mind,whose nature is a combination of awareness and emptiness.The “way” which can clean the “base” is the Mahamudra yoga;after cleaned the confusion,one will reach the pure dharmakaya,which gets away from all the dirt.From “the views 、 the meditation and the behaviors” of Mahamudra,the affirmatory opinion to the root of Mahamudra is “the views”.To maintain the statement of being aware of the nature of the mind and settling naturally without any distraction is "the meditation ".Continuing this state,regardless of formal meditation or daily activities,all activities of body and language remain in the Mahamudra state is "the behaviors ".Finally,this paper summarizes the content and the structure of the " Mahamudra prayer " to five characteristics.First,the views and the theory are systematic and profound.Second,the steps of the meditation are methodical and clear.Third,the behaviors which contain compassion and emptiness belong to Mahayana.Forth,the achievement is the supreme and exact buddhahood.Fifth,the style is traditional and the structural is complete.