Introduction Today on the full moon, I offer this first translation and publication of a practice text on Avalokiteśvara, Path of Blissful Union: Great Compassionate One. Extremely Concise Practice from Tsembu Tradition, by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo ('jam dbyangs mkhyen brtse'i dbang po, (1820-1892). It can be freely downloaded on request here. Vajrayogini who gave the… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: Vajrayogini’s ‘Extremely Concise Practice of the Great Compassionate One’ by Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
Month: Nov 2020
ANNOUNCEMENT: ‘Yeshe Tshogyel Guru Yoga’ text download and requirements to practice
Yesterday, I posted the first translation of a Yeshe Tshogyel Guru Yoga text by the 15th Karmapa, Khakyab Dorje. However, due to some technical issues, an earlier version of the text was uploaded. For those who have already downloaded the prior version please upload the correct version here. There have also been a few queries… Continue reading ANNOUNCEMENT: ‘Yeshe Tshogyel Guru Yoga’ text download and requirements to practice
NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Yeshe Tsogyel Guru Yoga’ by 15th Karmapa
"You are a fully qualified dakini and the mother who gives life to all triumphant buddhas. Yours is the great force of all buddhas, as the motherly loving protector of all beings of the six realms. My own qualities as Lotus-Born don’t come from me— they come from you." ---Praise of Guru Rinpoche to Yeshe… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Yeshe Tsogyel Guru Yoga’ by 15th Karmapa
NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Actually Realising’ White Tārā Daily Practice’ by 13th Karmapa
White Tārā, Wish-Fulfilling Wheel (18th Century Karma Kagyu thangka, with 13th Karmapa depicted in it). Today for Tārā day, I offer the first translation and publication of a very concise White Tārā daily practice composed by the 13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje (dDud-'dul rDo-rje, 1733-1797). The text (compiled in English, Tibetan and phonetics) can be downloaded… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Actually Realising’ White Tārā Daily Practice’ by 13th Karmapa
4th Shamarpa, Yangchenpa Monastery and his ‘Praises to Dolpopa’
Omniscient Dolpopa (1292-1361) Today is the paranirvana of Omniscient (Kun mkhyen) Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (dol po pa shes rab rgyal mtshan) (1292–1361) one of the most extraordinary Tibetan Buddhist masters, and key advocates and founders of the Empty-of-Other (gzhan stong) philosophy school and a highly realized practitioner of tantra, in particular Kālacakra. He is one… Continue reading 4th Shamarpa, Yangchenpa Monastery and his ‘Praises to Dolpopa’
The Chinese and the Karmapas: Historical survey from the 2nd to 19th Karmapas
"Marvellous indeed is the play which comes to its end before a large audience. The duty of a monk is to go wherever a peaceful place is to be found and to help spread the doctrines through compassion to all beings." –4th Karmapa, Rolpe Dorje to Chinese Emperor and Ministers Tibet has always had a strong… Continue reading The Chinese and the Karmapas: Historical survey from the 2nd to 19th Karmapas
Vajrayogini and the 1st Karmapa
Five Deity Vajravārāhı mandala (Naropa Karma Kagyu tradition) For Ḍākinī Day today, I am delighted to publish a post (and three new translations) on the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (Dus gsum mkhyen pa, 1110–1193) and his connection to Vajrayogini, the texts and their content. Vajravārāhı is one of the main yidams of the Karmapas and… Continue reading Vajrayogini and the 1st Karmapa
The power of a woman’s devotion: Utpalavarṇā, the first to greet Buddha’s Descent from the Heavens (Lhabab Duchen)
"With chariot and horses, four I came,Made visible by supranormal power,And worshipped, wonder working, at his feet,The wondrous Buddha, Sovereign of the World."-Utpalavarṇā , the first person to greet the Buddha on his Descent from the Heavens Today is known as Descent from the Divine Realm (Lha-Bab Duchen) and is celebrated on the 22nd day… Continue reading The power of a woman’s devotion: Utpalavarṇā, the first to greet Buddha’s Descent from the Heavens (Lhabab Duchen)