"Without Xuanzang, we would never know where the Buddha went wandering." --Deepak Anand For Episode 9 of the Dakini Conversations podcast (available on Youtube (with English captions and outline), Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music) I am delighted to welcome Deepak Anand, an Indian explorer, writer, researcher and author of several books on Indian Buddhist heritage… Continue reading RETRACING THE FOOTSTEPS OF BUDDHA AND XUANZANG: Walking and mapping by foot the (2000 km) route of Xuanzang on the Indo-Gangetic plains: Interview with Deepak Anand (Dakini Coversations, Ep.9 )
Month: June 2024
81st Birthday Wishes to the remarkable and extraordinary, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
“Unless you have enough merit, you’re not going to get any dakinis interested in your case. You must have merit in the beginning to want to practice and to be in a situation where you are practicing. So, they just help the show along. They’re part of your merit that you have dakinis helping.” –Jetsunma… Continue reading 81st Birthday Wishes to the remarkable and extraordinary, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
SHOWER OF SPONTANEOUS SONG BLESSINGS: English translation of new four-verse (11 syllable per line) poetic, ‘vajra words’ supplication composed by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje for the swift return of Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche (28 June 2024)
As was announced on 27th June 2024, the great Dzogchen yogi-scholar, and devoted student and teacher of the 16th and 17th Karmapas, Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche passed into a four-day 'tug-dam' meditative state on 22nd June. The following day, 28th June 2024, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa published a new four-verse (11-syllable per line) supplication for… Continue reading SHOWER OF SPONTANEOUS SONG BLESSINGS: English translation of new four-verse (11 syllable per line) poetic, ‘vajra words’ supplication composed by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje for the swift return of Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche (28 June 2024)
TIBETAN YOGI, KHENPO TSULTRIM GYAMTSO RINPOCHE PASSES INTO FOUR-DAY ‘TUG-DAM’: Announcement of passing of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche into ‘Tug-dam’ four days ago, with special instructions by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa not to announce it until dissolution of the sacred, meditative state
"When I was born, I was born alone.When I die, I will leave alone for certain.Knowing this, I take delight, between these two stages,In places of solitude, where I wander, alone.Seeking out the path of liberation." "Look at appearance-emptiness forms,Listen to sound and emptiness sounds,Rest in mind's nature, clarity-emptiness,And when your thoughts free themselves,Laugh, oh… Continue reading TIBETAN YOGI, KHENPO TSULTRIM GYAMTSO RINPOCHE PASSES INTO FOUR-DAY ‘TUG-DAM’: Announcement of passing of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche into ‘Tug-dam’ four days ago, with special instructions by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa not to announce it until dissolution of the sacred, meditative state
FULL ‘STRAWBERRY’ MOON BIRTHDAY WISHES TO 12TH GYALTSAB RINPOCHE: New 71st Birthday message from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and offering of new website section dedicated to the Goshri Gyaltsab lineage and activities
"Life-force of the practice lineage teachings, Master of secrets, Vajra holder; representative (Gyaltsab) of the Victors.....Despite being given medical treatment for your health, the physical fatigue and weariness struck you again. For the sake of the general and glorious teachings with profound power you recovered your life-energy; like a cloud-free moon, gradually revealing its brilliant-bright… Continue reading FULL ‘STRAWBERRY’ MOON BIRTHDAY WISHES TO 12TH GYALTSAB RINPOCHE: New 71st Birthday message from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa and offering of new website section dedicated to the Goshri Gyaltsab lineage and activities
MING CHINESE MALAYSIA AND THE 16TH CENTURY “TEMPLE OF THE GREEN CLOUD” (CHENG HOON TENG): Scenes of the multi-culti Malays, Chinese and Dutch influences in Malacca and UNESCO world heritage 16th century temple (Malaysia Pilgrimage III)
Continuing with the places from the Malaysia pilgrimage trip, this short article is about my short time in Malacca, on the coast of Malaysia as one travels down from Kuala Lumpur, before heading to Indonesia for the 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche teachings and empowerments there. Officially the Historic State of Malacca (Malay: Melaka Negeri Bersejarah), is… Continue reading MING CHINESE MALAYSIA AND THE 16TH CENTURY “TEMPLE OF THE GREEN CLOUD” (CHENG HOON TENG): Scenes of the multi-culti Malays, Chinese and Dutch influences in Malacca and UNESCO world heritage 16th century temple (Malaysia Pilgrimage III)
“WHY BUDDHISTS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT ANIMALS”: Launch of ‘Buddhism in a Nutshell” short reels series (I)
For the full Strawberry Moon (and Summer Solstice), I am delighted to launch a new short video reels series, called "Buddhism in a Nutshell" (available on Instagram and Facebook pages). This series is to give short (and hopefully easy-to understand) explanations of key fundamental concepts and ideas in Buddhist philosophy and practice. The first reel… Continue reading “WHY BUDDHISTS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT ANIMALS”: Launch of ‘Buddhism in a Nutshell” short reels series (I)
“LEAPING FROM THE PRECIPICE” WITH THE UNEXAMINED: Vajrayāna empowerments for the ‘unexamined masses’ and the question of their accordance with the Buddhist Tantras and samayas
The Great Master of Oddiyana [Guru Padmasambhava] warns: "Not to examine the teacher, Is like drinking poison; Not to examine the disciple, Is like leaping from a precipice." "If one does not practice secretly and hidden, then no matter who you are if you publicise it to everyone, in particular, if you reveal secrets to… Continue reading “LEAPING FROM THE PRECIPICE” WITH THE UNEXAMINED: Vajrayāna empowerments for the ‘unexamined masses’ and the question of their accordance with the Buddhist Tantras and samayas
“A LONE SONGBIRD’S WARBLING LAMENT”: Birthday praises from Tsurphu and new poem commemorating the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s Birthday
"To the one who revealed the spontaneous power of enlightened activities, The Vajra-holder, Karmapa, bow down." --Tsurphu Monastery praise to 17th Karmapa "May this bird's melancholy, warbling lament, spontaneously burst from the 'spring' of longing, soar out of the dark, blinding forest of hopes and fears,into the open space nest of our'evergreen' heart...."… Continue reading “A LONE SONGBIRD’S WARBLING LAMENT”: Birthday praises from Tsurphu and new poem commemorating the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s Birthday
OPENING THE DOOR TO BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHICAL TENETS AND ULTIMATE VIEW: ” Gateway of Knowledge” by Ju Mipham Rinpoche with “Magic Key” commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche: Parinirvana anniversary commemoration offering
“To the great emptiness free from the elaborations of the eight limits,From the authentic logical path of the wise scholars,That totally connects all beings to the ground of bliss and benefit,I prostrate to those kind and sacred gurus.” “It is not completely non-existent emptiness, mere nothingness like space, or the child of a barren woman.”… Continue reading OPENING THE DOOR TO BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHICAL TENETS AND ULTIMATE VIEW: ” Gateway of Knowledge” by Ju Mipham Rinpoche with “Magic Key” commentary by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche: Parinirvana anniversary commemoration offering