This volume presents one of Buddhism’s most concise yet profound teachings: the pith instructions the young Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158) received in a vision from Manjusri. In just four lines, these teachings contain the essence of the entire path to awakening:
- If you are attached to this life, you are not a Dharma practitioner.
- If you are attached to samsara, you have no renunciation.
- If you are attached to your own self-interest, you have no bodhicitta.
- If there is grasping, it is not the view.
The oral instructions contained in this book come from one of the most accomplished and learned masters of our time, offering readers a practical guide to awakening. Khenchen Appey Rinpoche seamlessly blends pith instructions from the great meditation masters with lucid explanations of the theories underlying the stages of practice. This teaching challenges us to move beyond superficial levels of spiritual practice, directly confronting the mechanisms of attachment and suffering, with the potential to fundamentally transform our understanding of reality.
To complement Khenchen Appey Rinpoche’s teachings, the book also includes new translations of three texts based on the four lines of Manjusri’s heart advice: brief instructions by Sakya Pandita, a practice manual by Gorampa Sönam Sengé, and a song of experience by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.
