The Mahamudra teachings are profound instructions that lead to the realization of the true nature of mind. Mahamudra is a Sanskrit word that describes the fundamental nature of reality, both relative and ultimate. It encompasses our mundane consciousness, in all its confusion, as well as the primordial wisdom that is its true nature. It extends to our experience of all phenomena. In Sanskrit, Maha means “great” and mudra means “seal,” or “symbol.” Mahamudra is like the king’s seal; once the king stamps his seal on a legal document, everyone has to abide by that law. No one can escape its reach. Similarly, nothing can escape the reach of Mahamudra—all phenomena are contained within and sealed by this reality. This is what Mahamudra means: nothing beyond, nothing outside. No matter how hard we search, no matter how skillful or powerful we are, we cannot find buddhahood outside of our present experience.
For a more experiential perspective on the meaning of Mahamudra, we can look at the nature of the present mind as a thought or emotion arises. When you look at the very nature of that instant of consciousness without altering it, that experience becomes a glimpse of mind’s true nature. What is the true nature of mind? It is the union of luminosity-emptiness, awareness-emptiness, and bliss-emptiness. It doesn’t matter whether our thoughts and emotions are positive or negative—that nature is right there. Our thoughts and emotions are Mahamudra, whether we realize it or not.
So Mahamudra is the symbol, the seal, the mudra of all phenomena and the true nature of mind. Thus, the true reality of all appearances is called Mahamudra.
The Ultimate Lineage of Meaning
Even more important than understanding the literal or experiential meaning of Mahamudra is to understand the principle of lineage, and to appreciate the special methods of the Mahamudra lineage for pointing out the nature of mind. Recognizing mind’s true nature is our goal, and it is the lineage gurus who can help us achieve it, in both simple and extraordinary ways.
The lineage transmission brings actual realization, rather than a conceptual understanding of the nature of mind.
