Difference between revisions of "Rig pa"
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| − | The most important word in the intimate instruction section ([[man ngag sde]]) of the teaching of the [[great perfection]] is "[[rig pa]]". It is a word that has no effective equivalence in English, and within the last few years many translators have ceased to try and translate it at all when it is used as a noun in [[great perfection]] teachings and not as a verb (where it means "to know"). | + | The most important [[word]] in the intimate instruction section ([[man ngag sde]]) of the [[teaching]] of the [[great perfection]] is "[[rig pa]]". It is a [[word]] that has no effective equivalence in English, and within the last few years many [[translators]] have ceased to try and translate it at all when it is used as a noun in [[great perfection]] teachings and not as a verb (where it means "to know"). |
| − | Today while translating a section from the [[Self]]-originated [[Self]]-arisen Original Purity revelations of [[Rigzin Godem]] (1337-1409), I came across a definition given by [[Padmasambhava]] that I [[feel]] is instructive for those with some [[doubts]] as to what "[[rig pa]]" is. He states: | + | Today while translating a section from the [[Self]]-originated [[Self]]-arisen Original [[Purity]] revelations of [[Rigzin Godem]] (1337-1409), I came across a definition given by [[Padmasambhava]] that I [[feel]] is instructive for those with some [[doubts]] as to what "[[rig pa]]" is. He states: |
| − | : “[[Rig pa]]” does not follow [[delusion]] after deluded appearances are consciously known ([[shes par rig]]) to be false | + | : “[[Rig pa]]” does not follow [[delusion]] after deluded [[appearances]] are [[consciously]] known ([[shes par rig]]) to be false |
| − | The operative term here is "consciously known" or "[[shes par rig]]". [[Rig pa]] is in fact a specific type of [[knowledge]]. Nevertheless, the word "[[knowledge]]", like the word "[[awareness]]", is a word too fraught with other connotations to be used to accurately translate the term "[[rig pa]]" in this context. | + | The operative term here is "[[consciously]] known" or "[[shes par rig]]". [[Rig pa]] is in fact a specific type of [[knowledge]]. Nevertheless, the [[word]] "[[knowledge]]", like the [[word]] "[[awareness]]", is a [[word]] too fraught with other connotations to be used to accurately translate the term "[[rig pa]]" in this context. |
| − | These days there is a real [[danger]] of people conflating [[Dzogchen]] teachings with the teachings of other so-called "[[non-dual]]" [[traditions]] such as [[Advaita]], {{Wiki|Kashmir}} {{Wiki|Shaivism}} and so on. It is important to understand that "[[rig pa]]" is not some sort of over-arching uber-[[consciousness]] like the cit of sat cit ananda in Vedantic teachings. | + | These days there is a {{Wiki|real}} [[danger]] of [[people]] conflating [[Dzogchen]] teachings with the teachings of other so-called "[[non-dual]]" [[traditions]] such as [[Advaita]], {{Wiki|Kashmir}} {{Wiki|Shaivism}} and so on. It is important to understand that "[[rig pa]]" is not some sort of over-arching uber-[[consciousness]] like the cit of sat cit [[ananda]] in {{Wiki|Vedantic}} teachings. |
Instead, [[rigpa]] is just the accurate [[knowledge]] of our own state, that deepens as we become more accustomed to the [[Dzogchen]] [[view]]. | Instead, [[rigpa]] is just the accurate [[knowledge]] of our own state, that deepens as we become more accustomed to the [[Dzogchen]] [[view]]. | ||
Revision as of 07:11, 17 October 2013
- See also :
- See also :
The most important word in the intimate instruction section (man ngag sde) of the teaching of the great perfection is "rig pa". It is a word that has no effective equivalence in English, and within the last few years many translators have ceased to try and translate it at all when it is used as a noun in great perfection teachings and not as a verb (where it means "to know").
Today while translating a section from the Self-originated Self-arisen Original Purity revelations of Rigzin Godem (1337-1409), I came across a definition given by Padmasambhava that I feel is instructive for those with some doubts as to what "rig pa" is. He states:
- “Rig pa” does not follow delusion after deluded appearances are consciously known (shes par rig) to be false
The operative term here is "consciously known" or "shes par rig". Rig pa is in fact a specific type of knowledge. Nevertheless, the word "knowledge", like the word "awareness", is a word too fraught with other connotations to be used to accurately translate the term "rig pa" in this context.
These days there is a real danger of people conflating Dzogchen teachings with the teachings of other so-called "non-dual" traditions such as Advaita, Kashmir Shaivism and so on. It is important to understand that "rig pa" is not some sort of over-arching uber-consciousness like the cit of sat cit ananda in Vedantic teachings.
Instead, rigpa is just the accurate knowledge of our own state, that deepens as we become more accustomed to the Dzogchen view.
