"After a Tsang uprising against the foreign invaders, an incensed Mongolian leader, Gushri Khan gave orders to execute the [already imprisoned] Tibetan Tsang King, Karma Tenkyong together with his ministers Dronyer Bongong and Gangzukpa. The King was administered the capital punishment ko-thumgyab-pa, which in Tibet is "reserved for upper class offenders". He was put in… Continue reading A PALACE FIT FOR KINGS AND ARMIES: The “shady” and murderous political foundations and Ladakhi-style aspirations of the Potala Palace(s) in Tibet under Mongolian-Gelug military rule
Month: October 2024
The 17th Karmapa’s unrequested vows from the 14th Dalai Lama and why he still lacks monastic vows (Chinese translation included below)
In this short clip (Tibetan and English subtitles, Chinese translation in writing below) from the 36th Kagyu Monlam speech in 2019, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa explains how as a young man he was advised by HE Tenga Rinpoche to be given monastic ordination vows by the 14th Dalai Lama, as the 16th Karmapa was said… Continue reading The 17th Karmapa’s unrequested vows from the 14th Dalai Lama and why he still lacks monastic vows (Chinese translation included below)
What defines a monastic? Vows, dress and conduct and advice and personal experience of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
In my latest Buddhism in a Nutshell reel and this companion article, the question is what makes someone a monastic and how to distinguish them from a layperson householder (not from a ngagpa tantric practitioner, which is another type of non-monastic practitioner). In sum, there are three main features of a monastic that distinguishes them… Continue reading What defines a monastic? Vows, dress and conduct and advice and personal experience of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
HANOI DAYS AND NIGHTS: Three ancient temples, colonial architecture, vintage art, Train Street, and the Indian Bodhi tree gift in the ‘non-stop’ traffic capital city of Vietnam (Vietnam pilgrimage II)
Recently, I had a break from travelling, for a variety of reasons, but started up again with a brief (but necessary) long weekend visit to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. I have visited Vietnam before, the coastal city of Danang, where I saw among other Buddhist sites, the magnificent huge Mother of Compassion statue, see… Continue reading HANOI DAYS AND NIGHTS: Three ancient temples, colonial architecture, vintage art, Train Street, and the Indian Bodhi tree gift in the ‘non-stop’ traffic capital city of Vietnam (Vietnam pilgrimage II)
The 17th Karmapa’s lifetime vow to give up eating meat and other recent teachings on Buddhism and eating animals (video clips in Tibetan w English subtitles)
Below are some video clips I made of the 17th Karmapa's recent teachings in 2021 (in Tibetan with English subtitles) on the topic of the importance of not eating slaughtered animals not only for the Karmapas and Karma Kagyu tradition, but in original Buddhism Vinaya, and the Mahayana. For the full teachings (Days 16 and… Continue reading The 17th Karmapa’s lifetime vow to give up eating meat and other recent teachings on Buddhism and eating animals (video clips in Tibetan w English subtitles)
The second main Buddhist precept: Not stealing (Adinnādānā veramaṇī)
In the latest post for the Buddhism in a Nutshell series, I explain in a short reel the second main Buddhist precept, which is not stealing, or more correctly translated, "refraining from taking that which is not freely given". In Sanskrit the precept is: Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyami: To abstain from taking what is not… Continue reading The second main Buddhist precept: Not stealing (Adinnādānā veramaṇī)
Promising development in Himachal court case connected to 17th Gyalwang Karmapa: Tibetan exile leader, Penpa Tsering’s announcement in Sikkim
"Two thousands years after my passing, The teachings will spread in the land of the red-faced ones, Who will be the disciple of Avalokita. At that time, the bodhisattva, Simhananda, known as "Karmapa" will appear. Possessing mastery over samadhi,he will tame beings and establish them in bliss through seeing, hearing, recalling and touching. Endowed with… Continue reading Promising development in Himachal court case connected to 17th Gyalwang Karmapa: Tibetan exile leader, Penpa Tsering’s announcement in Sikkim
The 600-year Anniversary of the Goshir Gyaltsab lineage at Ravangla, Sikkim, with special video message from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
"In terms of the definitive meaning, Gyaltsab Rinpoche is an emanation of Vajrapani." "Stony-faced one without a fake smiling mask,Straight-talker, not spouting phony praise,Master of Tantric discipline, who rarely talksVictorious Gyaltsab, I praise you!"—excerpt from ‘Praises to 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche’ by 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje Today, at Palchen Choling Lachi monastery in Ravangla, Sikkim,… Continue reading The 600-year Anniversary of the Goshir Gyaltsab lineage at Ravangla, Sikkim, with special video message from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
CALL FOR ACTION/PETITION UPDATE: Email the delegation of Tibetan exile representatives visiting Sikkim to attend the 1st Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche commemoration
On 14th October 2024, it was announced by Tibetan exile media that the Sikyong, Penpa Tsering and a six-person delegation of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s Standing Committee, led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel is visiting Ravangla in South Sikkim (see photo). There is only one woman delegate. The announcement states that: "The delegation will be attending… Continue reading CALL FOR ACTION/PETITION UPDATE: Email the delegation of Tibetan exile representatives visiting Sikkim to attend the 1st Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche commemoration
The ‘completed’ investigation of Kagyu Samye Dzong Ireland abuse allegations
"Incidentally it is only when the apparent absurdity of life is faced in all truth that faith really becomes possible. Otherwise, faith tends to be a kind of diversion, a spiritual amusement, in which one gathers up accepted, conventional formulas and arranges them in the approved mental patterns, without bothering to investigate their meaning, or… Continue reading The ‘completed’ investigation of Kagyu Samye Dzong Ireland abuse allegations