“The great master of yoga, Je Milarepa, said: “When asked who is my Yidam? “My Yidam is Chakrasamvara.”" “Also, Je Mikyo Dorje [8th Karmapa] said: “May I in all my lives have only the supreme, sacred spiritual guide, wearing the black hat ornament, and may the heart-essence yidam, glorious Chakrasamvara, always protect me.” --Introduction Chakrasamvara… Continue reading THE CHAKRASAMVARA (DEMCHOK: WHEEL OF BLISS) FOR GUIDING THE DECEASED (LHO-GO) RITUAL: New composition by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
Month: May 2025
GOING BEYOND APPEARANCES OF FEMALE BEAUTY: The “dollybird” phenomenon, and how images of beauty are used against women (and even censored) in the name of “empowering women” in male-led Buddhist communities
“She is darker, stronger, looser, tougher, sexier. The maturing of a woman who has continued to grow is a beautiful thing to behold. How can an “ideal” be about women if it is defined as how much of a female sexual characteristic does not exist on the woman’s body, and how much of a female… Continue reading GOING BEYOND APPEARANCES OF FEMALE BEAUTY: The “dollybird” phenomenon, and how images of beauty are used against women (and even censored) in the name of “empowering women” in male-led Buddhist communities
THE “STOLEN STASH” OF MASSES OF TEXTS HIDDEN AT DREPUNG MONASTERY FOR CENTURIES”:Remembering Je Tāranātha’s legacy and life on his parinirvana, and uncovering the Gelugpa “hiding” and suppression of hundreds of Je Tāranātha’s (and thousands of other lineage texts) in the Sixteen Arhats Temple (Drepung Monastery, Tibet) during Gelugpa dictatorial rule of Tibet
“One of the temples built at that time was the chapel at the rooftop of the Great Assembly Hall [in Drepung monastery] called the Temple of the Sixteen Arhats (Gnas bcu lha khang). It was named after the sandalwood statues of the 16 disciples of Buddha Śākyamuni that were initially housed in the Karma Kagyu… Continue reading THE “STOLEN STASH” OF MASSES OF TEXTS HIDDEN AT DREPUNG MONASTERY FOR CENTURIES”:Remembering Je Tāranātha’s legacy and life on his parinirvana, and uncovering the Gelugpa “hiding” and suppression of hundreds of Je Tāranātha’s (and thousands of other lineage texts) in the Sixteen Arhats Temple (Drepung Monastery, Tibet) during Gelugpa dictatorial rule of Tibet
INSTITUTIONAL ENABLING OF ABUSE IN BUDDHIST COMMUNITIES “REARS ITS UGLY HEAD” AGAIN: Why are the European Buddhist Union promoting known enablers of teacher misconduct and dishonesty? EBU podcast (June 2024) of Lama Rinczen, head teacher of Benchen Poland
After the blissful times in Vietnam, I am sorry to report that the institutional enabling of abuse, unethical conduct and lies in Buddhist communities has "reared its ugly head"again [1]. A Chinese translation of this article has been kindly provided by a reader of my work, below the English here. A couple of weeks ago,… Continue reading INSTITUTIONAL ENABLING OF ABUSE IN BUDDHIST COMMUNITIES “REARS ITS UGLY HEAD” AGAIN: Why are the European Buddhist Union promoting known enablers of teacher misconduct and dishonesty? EBU podcast (June 2024) of Lama Rinczen, head teacher of Benchen Poland
EXPERIENCING THE BLISS-EMPTY NATURE WITH H.E. GYALTON RINPOCHE: A participant’s report of first year of the “Discovering the Buddha Within” (Inner Peace) teachings by Karma Kagyu vajra master,7th Gyalton Rinpoche at the ancient Sui Pagoda, near Hanoi (18-21st May 2025) (Vietnam IV 2025)
"It is important to be flexible but maintain principles/discipline." "Imagine two highly educated and skilled doctors. One is mainly motivated by money and personal success. The other has a genuine wish to help others, with little concern for material gain. Although both have the same medical knowledge, the doctor with sincere compassion often brings better… Continue reading EXPERIENCING THE BLISS-EMPTY NATURE WITH H.E. GYALTON RINPOCHE: A participant’s report of first year of the “Discovering the Buddha Within” (Inner Peace) teachings by Karma Kagyu vajra master,7th Gyalton Rinpoche at the ancient Sui Pagoda, near Hanoi (18-21st May 2025) (Vietnam IV 2025)
SAIGON RIVER NIGHT LIGHTS: A boat trip along the Saigon river and the stunning architecture and lights (Vietnam III, 2025)
After Vesak 2025 conference finished on 9th May (and I checked out of the magnificent The Reverie Saigon hotel by the river), I decided to take a short boat cruise on the fabulous Saigon river at night. There are two options of boat to go from the main pier in the centre of HCMC District… Continue reading SAIGON RIVER NIGHT LIGHTS: A boat trip along the Saigon river and the stunning architecture and lights (Vietnam III, 2025)
SHAMBHALA VEGGIE SANCTUARIES IN SAIGON: Vegetarian Restaurant reviews in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam II, 2025)
Introduction A couple of days ago was the full moon (15th Day) of the 4th Lunar month, which is traditionally celebrated as Vesak Day/Buddha Purnima in Buddhist Asian countries like Vietnam and India, commemorating the Shakyamuni Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana. Traditionally, in many countries it is considered to be a "vegetarian day" where Buddhists… Continue reading SHAMBHALA VEGGIE SANCTUARIES IN SAIGON: Vegetarian Restaurant reviews in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam II, 2025)
A FANTASTIC BUDDHIST REVERIE OF UNITED NATIONS IN SAIGON (HO CHI MINH): Sights and observations of an invited official delegate speaker at the United Nations Vesak Day (UNVD) Conference 2025 (Ho Chi Minh City 2025)
Introduction For Vesak Day 2025 (officially on May 12th in Vietnam) am happy to share this new article about my participation and experience as an official delegate and invited speaker at the United Nations Vesak Day (UNVD) International Conference hosted by the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha in Saigon/Ho Chih Minh City between 6-8 May 2025. It… Continue reading A FANTASTIC BUDDHIST REVERIE OF UNITED NATIONS IN SAIGON (HO CHI MINH): Sights and observations of an invited official delegate speaker at the United Nations Vesak Day (UNVD) Conference 2025 (Ho Chi Minh City 2025)
“EVERYTHING IS KARMA AND ALL I CAN DO IS REPENT” CONFESSION TO THE BUDDHAS WRITTEN IN BLOOD: The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa copied the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas with his own blood
“Copying scriptures with one's own blood” is a long-standing tradition in Chinese Buddhism, and many Buddhist monks have performed such austerities since ancient times. It is an excellent offering, and is similar in meaning to the “burning one's body to offer to the Buddha” recorded in the Dharma Flower Sutra and the Brahma Net Sutra.… Continue reading “EVERYTHING IS KARMA AND ALL I CAN DO IS REPENT” CONFESSION TO THE BUDDHAS WRITTEN IN BLOOD: The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa copied the Thirty-five Confession Buddhas with his own blood
“WHEN A FOX TRIES TO JUMP WHERE A LION LEAPS”: Consequences of disobeying a realised guru’s commands, Rechungpa’s savage beating by his Princess “bitch” consort, the difference between extraordinary gurus and ordinary gurus, a story of “giving everything including one’s bones’ to the guru and the era of gurus treating students “badly” is over (Day 10 Fifty Verses on the Guru, 17th Karmapa 2025)
“You will meet a “bitch [female dog]” who will grab you by the leg……“The downfalls of the learned are the heaviest" refers to people like you.”” –Je Milarepa to Rechungpa (according to a biography) “If we have this kind of doubt, “Well what if the guru gives us instructions like Tilopa gave to Naropa, or… Continue reading “WHEN A FOX TRIES TO JUMP WHERE A LION LEAPS”: Consequences of disobeying a realised guru’s commands, Rechungpa’s savage beating by his Princess “bitch” consort, the difference between extraordinary gurus and ordinary gurus, a story of “giving everything including one’s bones’ to the guru and the era of gurus treating students “badly” is over (Day 10 Fifty Verses on the Guru, 17th Karmapa 2025)