The meaning of Troma Nagmo Chöd

On the meaning of Chöd

Chöd is not to be arrogant. I order to create auspiciousness on the outer level there are bell and damaru, and the true Chöd is cutting through the self for the understanding of Dharmata. Chöd should be a remedy for afflictive emotions, a true path. True understanding of meaning. Just the name is no good, the meaning is what we need.

When we practise Dzogchen and the Sutras together, then the fruit of the Great Perfection will ripen. And while our view is tantric, our conduct should be sutric.

How should one practise the view of Dzogchen? By having courage in oneself and pride in one’s view. All around us there are sentient beings, activities, virtues, realms... then the view is contradicted by saying to oneself that it is not so, and this can lead to fear. We should not fear, and have pride in the truth of the view. We should have complete faith, so in this way we should practise.

The meditation should be of Great Perfection, then the ground of Buddhahood is there.

Sutric conduct means: have compassion for all sentient beings 24 hours a day, and for 24 hours a day believe in the law of karma. This should lead us to great and total faith in the Lama (who is the three jewels) 24 hours a day. Through faith and belief in karma, compassion is born. This generates faith in the Lama, which leads to realising emptiness.

In order for the door of emptiness to open, we start by realising the selflessness of the ego. And this is not enough; until we abide in emptiness we practise the emptiness of phenomena.

When we practise Chöd we should have these three: view, conduct, meditation.

(12/6/2001 Teaching by Namkha Rinpoche; edited by Konchok)