PRAISES TO TĀRĀ! TWENTY-ONE TĀRĀ BLESSINGS IN BODH GAYA FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE. Empowerment by HH 14th Dalai Lama, introduction to the four main traditions of twenty-one Tārās and ‘The Explicit and Secret Aspects’ of Tārā commentary by Jetsun Tāranātha

Introduction As an offering for the Twenty-one Tarā (jenang) permission empowerment given today by HH 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (video here), in the place where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, (which I was fortunate to attend in person), I offer first a brief introduction to the four main traditions of the Twenty-One Tārās (two from… Continue reading PRAISES TO TĀRĀ! TWENTY-ONE TĀRĀ BLESSINGS IN BODH GAYA FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE. Empowerment by HH 14th Dalai Lama, introduction to the four main traditions of twenty-one Tārās and ‘The Explicit and Secret Aspects’ of Tārā commentary by Jetsun Tāranātha

‘KNOWER OF THE THREE TIMES’ MASTER WITH THE MIDNIGHT-BLUE DAKINI HAT: New artwork and poetic verse released for the anniversary of the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa

Yesterday, was the anniversary of the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (karma pa 01 dus gsum mkhyen pa chos kyi grags pa, 1110-1193). The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje released an exquisitely beautiful painting of the renowned master together with an accompanying poetic praise. The First Karmapa's name Dusum Khyenpa means 'knower of the three… Continue reading ‘KNOWER OF THE THREE TIMES’ MASTER WITH THE MIDNIGHT-BLUE DAKINI HAT: New artwork and poetic verse released for the anniversary of the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa

“My female messengers are everywhere; They bestow all the spiritual attainments By gazing, touching, kissing, and embracing. The most excellent place for yogis is Wherever there is a gathering of yoginis; There all the magical powers will be attained By all those blissful ones.” --Cakrasaṁvaratantra “As The Great Tantra of the Primordial Buddha emphatically forbids… Continue reading GOING BACK TO THE FEMALE ROOTS OF VAJRAYĀNA: A 21st Century review of the female and yogic roots of Vajrayāna, monastic vows and tantric practice, and the invisible, silent female consort

“Although Dzogchen and Mahāmudrā are a pair of different names, they are in essence one. “---Karma Pakshi He asked, “How should one recite it?” whereupon four ḍākinīs sang the tune in unison. The wisdom ḍākinī then said, “If subsequently one uses this tune for the mantra, then all who hear it will be greatly blessed,… Continue reading THE HAUNTING, MYSTERIOUS FEMALE TONES OF COMPASSION: THE ḌĀKINĪ’S MANI MANTRA MELODY OF SECOND KARMAPA. Review and excerpts from new book on the life, legacy and works of the 2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi

Introduction The Bokar Monastery community, led by Khenpo Donyo Rinpoche are now currently performing the Ratna Lingpa Vajrakīlaya (Dorje Phurpa) Great Torma offering ritual (from 15th to 24th December) during the Winter Solstice (on the new moon on the 23rd December) in the run up to the Kagyu Winter (Guncho) Debate gathering and oral… Continue reading UNSURPASSED, SECRET DAGGER (PHURBA YANG SANG LAMEY) TREASURE OF RATNA LINGPA: The historical background, lineage, textual sources and its practice in the Karma Kagyu

"There is an idea that love is generally love we have for our children, families, lovers or spouses. Yet, in reality, this kind of love can easily breakdown over small or big matters, sometimes over something very trivial like taking personal offence at what someone said to you, or you thinking they ‘disrespected’ you. It… Continue reading WHAT IS LOVE? The Buddhist view vs. the worldly view of love, attachment and equanimity and as an essential quality of a Buddhist teacher

“Read well the ‘Collected Works of Gampopa‘, the crown jewel of all the Kagyu. These teachings on the union of Kadampa and Māhamudrā are more wondrous and greater in blessings than other works and termas. The Kagyu masters of the past all received siddhi through these profound teachings. Meeting the Buddha’s teachings through the compassion… Continue reading A KAGYU NEW YEAR FESTIVE FEAST OF DHARMA DELIGHTS! Full transmission of Gampopa’s Collected works by 12th Gyeltsab Rinpoche and 17th Karmapa’s teaching on the Thirty Verses by Vasubandhu

"Then, without material needs, I carried gems and gold powderAnd underwent hardships without concern for my precious lifeTo travel seven times to Nepal and India.I approached one hundred fifty Indian scholars,Among whom fifty were particularly learned and accomplished.Four were my especially exalted root spiritual masters;Two were wisdom dākinīs who received teachingsDirectly from enlightenment’s perfect rapture,… Continue reading “KNOW DAKINI IS MIND!” THE FIVE DAKINIS’ SONG TO KHYUNGPO NELJOR AND ‘THE OCEAN OF BLESSINGS MEANINGFUL TO HEAR” VAJRA SONGS OF SHANGPA KAGYU: Overview of the Vajra Verses and Songs of the Shangpa Kagyu compiled by First Jamgon Kongtrul and new translation of the five Dākinīs’ song to Khungpo Neljor to commemorate his parinirvana

"We've all had experiences of people we thought we had this love for, romantic relationships being the prime example. Then, all of a sudden something happened, or a friend said something, or did something, which we just felt so offended by, and all of a sudden, our love for them has completely gone. Actually, what… Continue reading THE ‘INNER’ LIFE OF BLISS, CELIBACY, DESIRE, LOVE, TANTRIC UNION AND WOMEN: New podcast interview of Adele Tomlin on Love and Liberation