The Trikaya Of Dzongchen (大圓滿三身)

To many practitioners, the teaching of Dzongchen is touted as the pinnacle of the nine yanas (九乘之巔). Within this teaching, the ‘trikaya’ or ‘three bodies’ is an important concept that must be appreciated before moving to a deeper level. Major part of Dzonghen circles around the concept of ‘self liberation’ (自解脫), so the transformation and relationships of these three bodies must be comprehended before one is even talking about venturing into further ritual practices.

 

Below is a section taken from ‘the prayer of trikaya guru yoga’ (三身上師瑜伽祈愿):

 

未悟自心三身無分別，執煩惱障更執所知障；

哀彼未成佛道諸有情，愿我等能得三身成就。

 

"Without understanding that the trikaya of our mind is indifferent,

Still grasping to the ignorance of our trouble minds and our imperfect knowledge;

Pity to these ignorant sentient beings,

Wish that we can achieve the accomplishment of trikaya."

 

So what are this ‘trikaya’ in the simplest terms?

 

·         The Dharmakaya, or Dharma-body. 法身

o   We are in Dharmakaya when we are in meditation or resting.

·         The Sambhogakaya, or Enjoyment-body, 報身

o   We are in Sambhogakaya when we are enjoying or pleased.

·         The Nirmanakaya, or Transformation-body, 化身

o   We are in a series of thought creation: happy, sad, angry, bewilderment, doubt etc.

 

For ordinary human theses three bodies switch back and forth: Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya. If however, these switching of various stage of mind ceased; then we are said to be ‘self liberated’ (自解脫). There is no need to beg for the Lord Buddha, divine power of any sorts to liberate any individual, simply by ‘understanding’ these basic concepts one can be freed from karmic bondage.

 

Now, don’t you think that Dzongchen is not so difficult after all?