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The Buddha's Single Intention

Translation of Sacred Teaching on the Single Intention

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This book presents an influential and extraordinary teaching of the Kagyü tradition of Tibetan Buddhism known as the Single Intention by the master Drigung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön (1143–1217), along with its chief commentaries, principally the Light of the Sun by Rikzin Chökyi Drakpa (1595–1659).

Early in the history of the Kagyü school, the teachings of Jikten Sumgön were condensed into 150 core formulations called vajra statements. These pithy, revelatory statements comprise the Single Intention (Dgongs gcig), which presents the thought of the Buddha and the nature of the ineffable (brjod du med pa) in concise and direct expression. The Single Intention weaves the thread of ineffable mahāmudrā through the entire fabric of Buddhism. It presents mahāmudrā as pervading disciplined conduct, meditative concentration, and discriminative knowledge; ground, path, and result; view, practice, and conduct; and the “three vows” of prātimokṣa, of the bodhisattvas, and of mantra. Jikten Sumgön teaches how the fundamental values and insights revealed by the Buddha are woven into reality and therefore accessible to all.

Jan-Ulrich Sobisch manages to convey the unity of the Buddha’s message both in its particulars and in its scope. His deep and authoritative skill makes this the definitive presentation of one of the most unique and compelling works of classical Tibetan literature. (Source: Wisdom Publications)

Citation	Sobisch, Jan-Ulrich, trans. The Buddha's Single Intention: Drigung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön's Vajra Statements of the Early Kagyü Tradition. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2020.

Table of Contents About the Book Texts Translated Quotes

• Foreword ix
• Preface xi
• Introduction i

Light of the Sun by Rikzin Chökyi Drakpa

• Preliminaries 39
  • 1. The Vital Points of the Dharma Wheel 49
  • 2. The Vital Points of Dependent Origination 169
  • 3. The Vinaya-Prātimokṣa 209
  • 4. The Training of the Bodhisattvas 291
  • 5. The Observance of Mantra Awareness Holders 395
  • 6. View, Practice, and Conduct 517
  • 7. The Resultant State of Buddhahood 629
  • 8. Supplements 677
• Appendix: Commentaries of the Single Intention733
• Table ofTibetan Transliteration 737
• Bibliography 747
• Index 785
• About the Author 843

Drikung Chungtsang, 1st, (Chos kyi grags pa). Dam pa'i chos dgongs pa gcig pa'i rnam bshad lung don gsal byed legs bshad nyi ma'i snang ba. In Gsung 'bum/ chos kyi grags pa, Vol. 3: 1-382. Kulhan: Drikung Kagyu Institute, 1999.