“The dull-witted[1] follow faith [without wisdom].” If you don't have wisdom, you also do not want to understand/explain the Dharma. It is difficult to believe that this is the right thing to do. Also, being deceived by a false spiritual teacher is effortless, it is said.” “A guru must have renounced attachment to this life;… Continue reading “SWEEP THE SNOW OFF YOUR OWN HEAD/ROOF”: 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s new thangka artwork of 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa and his oral instructions on the important qualities of a student and guru (English translation)
Month: February 2025
WHAT IS LOVE? Remembering the Buddhist notion of love on Valentine’s Day
“The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love.” — Henry Miller "People carry roses, And make promises by the hour, My love she laughs like the flowers, Valentines can't buy her." — Bob Dylan “May this bird’s melancholy, warbling lament, spontaneously burst… Continue reading WHAT IS LOVE? Remembering the Buddhist notion of love on Valentine’s Day
THE SMILING “GOLDEN HEART” OF A CHILD: Red crown ceremony of 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Three Roots Combined empowerment, the ongoing absence of the 17th Karmapa, and Marme (Light Offering) Monlam, with 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara vision of light
"Be the light you wish to see in the world. Be a light unto yourself and others." --Shakyamuni Buddha “The Tibetan Mahasiddha Karma Pakshi [2nd Karmapa] said: “Whoever sees the crown and the wearer together, will not fall into the lower realms.” “The benefit of seeing the precious crown that brings liberation upon seeing, is… Continue reading THE SMILING “GOLDEN HEART” OF A CHILD: Red crown ceremony of 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Three Roots Combined empowerment, the ongoing absence of the 17th Karmapa, and Marme (Light Offering) Monlam, with 1000-armed Avalokiteshvara vision of light
JE ATISHA’S DECISION TO SHORTEN HIS LIFE-SPAN TO GO TO TIBET: Historical background to inviting Atisha, to Tibet, the prophecies of Noble Tārā and the dakini about his life-span, and the invention of the Tibetan Ragdung horn
In Day 3 of the Kagyu Monlam 2025 Life of Atisha teachings, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa spoke about the importance of Je Atisha as a Buddhist leader and teacher in India at that time, and why and how the Tibetans, via the Tibetan Kings, who tried to invite him several times but failed to get… Continue reading JE ATISHA’S DECISION TO SHORTEN HIS LIFE-SPAN TO GO TO TIBET: Historical background to inviting Atisha, to Tibet, the prophecies of Noble Tārā and the dakini about his life-span, and the invention of the Tibetan Ragdung horn
“NOT A LIE”, THE THREE ROOTS COMBINED: Origin, history and practice of the Three Roots Combined, 3rd Karmapa to 9th Karmapas, Treasure revealer, Choje Lingpa and 17th Karmapa’s revival of the Karma Kagyu tradition
“The aspect of the lama is Amitayus; the aspect of the yidam is the great compassionate one, Jinasagara/Gyalwa Gyatso; and the aspect of the Dharma protector is the wisdom protector Mahakala/Bernagchen. All the three roots are complete in this one form. So one could say that if we were given this empowerment, it would be… Continue reading “NOT A LIE”, THE THREE ROOTS COMBINED: Origin, history and practice of the Three Roots Combined, 3rd Karmapa to 9th Karmapas, Treasure revealer, Choje Lingpa and 17th Karmapa’s revival of the Karma Kagyu tradition
A KAGYU FEAST OF DEBATE, WHITE COTTON-CLAD YOGIS AND WAVING WHITE SCARVES: The white-cotton clad ‘tummo’ practitioners and 17th Karmapa’s speech: final day of the Kagyu Monlam 2025
Introduction "During the time of the 10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje, the Mongolians invaded and took over Tibet, and destroyed the Great Encampment and so after that there was no Kagyu Monlam." --17th Karmapa (2025) Today, the last day of the 39th Kagyu Monlam, there was a procession of white cotton-clad yogi practitioners, demonstrating their proficiency… Continue reading A KAGYU FEAST OF DEBATE, WHITE COTTON-CLAD YOGIS AND WAVING WHITE SCARVES: The white-cotton clad ‘tummo’ practitioners and 17th Karmapa’s speech: final day of the Kagyu Monlam 2025
JE ATISHA’S “KINDEST” GURU, SERLINGPA (Suvarṇadvipi Dharmakīrti): One of Atisha’s most revered teachers, Serlingpa, and the Tārā temple visited by Atisha in Java, Indonesia (17 Karmapa, Life of Atisha, 2025)
"Tibetans asked Atisha “How was Serlingpa so kind to you?” Atisha replied: “I cannot say I have many good qualities at all. But I can say I have a little bit of goodness; we might say this is my one quality. The reason I have a kind heart is due to Serlingpa’s kindness.” Je Atisha… Continue reading JE ATISHA’S “KINDEST” GURU, SERLINGPA (Suvarṇadvipi Dharmakīrti): One of Atisha’s most revered teachers, Serlingpa, and the Tārā temple visited by Atisha in Java, Indonesia (17 Karmapa, Life of Atisha, 2025)
THE FEMALE VOICE OF ‘TRUTH’: The Dakinis and Noble Tara scolding Je Atisha for his pride about his expertise in Tantra (17th Karmapa, Life of Atisha, 2023)
“Do you know these sadhanas?” Tara asked. Atisha said that he had never seen or heard the name of the texts. She then said: “If that is so, then why do you think you are so well-versed in the Dharma and secret mantra practices? The tantras that you know are like no more than a… Continue reading THE FEMALE VOICE OF ‘TRUTH’: The Dakinis and Noble Tara scolding Je Atisha for his pride about his expertise in Tantra (17th Karmapa, Life of Atisha, 2023)
FROM TANTRIC YOGI OF UNCONVENTIONAL CONDUCT (TUL-ZHUG) TO FULLY ORDAINED MONK: Reasons why Je Atisha became a monastic, his name and meaning, studies and main gurus (17th Karmapa (Day 2, 2025)
On the second day (7th February 2025) of the 39th Kagyu Monlam teachings on the life of Jowo Je Atisha, the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (repeating most of the teaching he gave in 2023 on the topic), explained the following: Reasons/signs why the tantric yogi Atisha took monastic ordination after years as a secret mantra yogi… Continue reading FROM TANTRIC YOGI OF UNCONVENTIONAL CONDUCT (TUL-ZHUG) TO FULLY ORDAINED MONK: Reasons why Je Atisha became a monastic, his name and meaning, studies and main gurus (17th Karmapa (Day 2, 2025)
LIFE OF JE ATISHA: A Mind-Only Yogācāra Madhyamaka Proponent who engaged in yogic conduct (tul-zhug): 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (Day 1, 2025 continued))
"Avadhūtīpa the elder (chenpo) was from the Yogācāra Madhyamaka school. This seems to be the reason why Atisha upheld the views of the Yogacara Madhyamaka view. Once there were some Tibetan lamas who asked Atisha, the reasons why he holds the Yogacara Madhyamaka view? In response, Atisha said: “I asked exactly the same question to… Continue reading LIFE OF JE ATISHA: A Mind-Only Yogācāra Madhyamaka Proponent who engaged in yogic conduct (tul-zhug): 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (Day 1, 2025 continued))