The First Karmapa

Compiled by the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, this first English translation of the teachings and biographies of the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa enables contemporary readers to fully receive the transmission of this peerless spiritual being, who brought perfect benefit to himself and others.

I aspire that you receive fully the transmission that is offered to you by this book. As you read Dusum Khyenpa’s teachings and his spiritual biographies, I hope that you will deepen your resolve and courage to transform yourself into a great being like him, who can bring perfect benefit to yourself and countless others. — from the foreword by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Foreword
by His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Translators’ Introduction

Acknowledgments

Supplication

The Golden Isle
The Precious Lives of the Lord of Dharma in Eighteen Chapters

A Strand of Pearls
Composed by Lord Dusum Khyenpa

A Ritual of Going for Refuge and Rousing Bodhichitta
Dedications for Living and the Deceased
A Ritual for the Fasting Vows

Dusum Khyenpa’s Life Story in One Hundred and Eight Vignettes

Dharma Talks

Advice for Great Meditators
Four Things that Are Important for Practice
Impediments to Secret Mantra Meditation Practice
The Elements of the Path to Achieve Enlightenment
Six Things for Quickly Achieving Enlightenment

A String of Jewels
A Spiritual Biography of Dusum Khyenpa, the Precious Protector of Living Beings, Including His Reincarnations

Collection of Songs

Dusum Khyenpa’s Spiritual Biography in Verse

Dialogues with Gampopa

The Final Words of Dusum Khyenpa

Anniversary Poem
by His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Glossary

Bibliography

Notes