Chapter 1 - Shri System (i): Introduction: The Cycle of the Mahākarunnika

[Full title: The Cycle of the Mahākarunnika (thugs rje chen po'i skor); and that of the Vajrāvali (rdo rje phren ba)].

Just as the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī took over China, in the same manner the Bodhisattva Mahāsattva Ārya Avalokiteśvara protected this country of Tibet. By his blessing the sound of the 'Manni' resounds in the mouths of men, women and monks, even children. One can obtain blessing by praying to a tutelary deity, therefore for us (Tibetans) the quickest way to obtain blessings is to follow after Avalokiteśvara himself.

The sacred images and monasteries (viharas) erected by Sron btsan sgam po, a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara in the form of a king, are the chief places of worship for the Tibetans. The mountain, on which has been built the Palace where the king resides, received also the name of Potala (the Abode of Avalokiteśvara). It is known that many had attained the realization of Yamāntaka and other deities adhering to the precepts of the mantra, enunciated by the king.

Though the Commentary by a teacher, who had followed on this Doctrine enunciated by the king, does not exist at present, there still exist parts of the book on propitiating rites.^[1] The saint1777 dngos grub discover^[2] ed the hidden book on the Sādhana of Avalokiteśvara. Rog shes rab 'od obtained (them) at the monastery of spa rnams. He gradually handed them down to his own son, and disciples. Further, the nirmanakaya myang ston obtained (them) from the saint^[3] dngos grub. He (myang ston) transmitted (the Doctrine) to the bla ma ras pa mi bkyod rdo rje, the bla ma sakya seng ge bzan po, the doctor (Iha rje) dge ba 'bum^[4] , the sister (lcam mo) ye shes mchog, byang sems chus gom, mtha' bzhi bya bral, bsod nams seng ge, bkra shis rgyal mtshan, and the bla ma blo gros rgyal mtshan. From the (last) two the bla ma bsod nams bzang po. The latter to rgod phrug grags pa 'byung gnas.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Sādhanas {R}

[2]:

siddha {R}

[3]:

siddha {R}

[4]:

the builder of the golden roof over the Lha sa gtsug lagkhan {R}