"One who makes the lamp offering accumulates immeasurable and boundless blessings."--Pradīpadānīya Sūtra (Sutra of the Merit of Offering Light) "So what is the key to lighting a lamp? It is a pure mind, which is very important. The depth of the merit of lighting a lamp depends on our mental attitude when lighting the lamp,… Continue reading SOUNDS OF “ANCIENT, INNER TIBET” AND AWAKENING THE LIGHT, WEALTH AND WISDOM OF THE “BUDDHA HEART”: The 17th Karmapa’s live online speech at the final day of the Kagyu Monlam Taiwan 2025 (English translation and summary), sounds of “inner Tibet” and the “speaking, living” Buddha Shakyamuni image
Month: June 2025
17TH GYALWANG KARMAPA’S BIRTHDAY EVENTS AND HIS SPEECHES, TAIWAN AND RUMTEK MONASTERY, INDIA: Report on the 2025 Birthday events and speeches of the 17th Karmapa and special long-life ritual event led by HE 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche in Taipei, Taiwan (17 Karmapa birthday II)
"We should remember several kinds of kindness: the kindness of parents, the kindness of sentient beings, the kindness of the guru, and the kindness of the Three Jewels." "Third, because the Karmapa of each generation has a deep affinity with Chinese disciples, I am also keen to improve my Chinese proficiency. I believe that I… Continue reading 17TH GYALWANG KARMAPA’S BIRTHDAY EVENTS AND HIS SPEECHES, TAIWAN AND RUMTEK MONASTERY, INDIA: Report on the 2025 Birthday events and speeches of the 17th Karmapa and special long-life ritual event led by HE 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche in Taipei, Taiwan (17 Karmapa birthday II)
TREE OF IMMORTAL NECTAR: The “Three Roots Unified/Abandoning Lies” Long-Life Karma Kagyu practice. Translated introduction of the first in the trilogy of commentary and sadhanas by the 17th Karmapa (Three Roots I)
"In short, the three, Nag [Mahakala]-Gyal [Gyalwa Gyatso], Phag [Vajravarahi], and Guru, are inseparable, and are practiced as one essence of Amitayus.” “Here, the essence of the three roots of the Karma Kagyu lineage is practiced. Furthermore, the practice of the unequalled Vajra Saraswati Amitayus, a ritual text for the activity of dispelling falsehoods/lies, is… Continue reading TREE OF IMMORTAL NECTAR: The “Three Roots Unified/Abandoning Lies” Long-Life Karma Kagyu practice. Translated introduction of the first in the trilogy of commentary and sadhanas by the 17th Karmapa (Three Roots I)
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE AMAZING 17TH GYALWANG KARMAPA: Birthday Greetings, Praises and brief review of work done to support his vast and profound Dharma activities (17th Karmapa birthday 2025)
Today for HH 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley's 41st birthday, now officially celebrated on the first day of the fifth lunar month when he was born in Tibet, here is the first in a series of posts I will be publishing to celebrate and commemorate the life, legacy and activities of this great vajra Buddhist… Continue reading CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE AMAZING 17TH GYALWANG KARMAPA: Birthday Greetings, Praises and brief review of work done to support his vast and profound Dharma activities (17th Karmapa birthday 2025)
ENTERING THE DEWACHEN “BLISS REALM” BHAGAVAN SECRET SPACE: Buddha Amitabha Transmission and Phowa (Transference of Consciousness) Practice teachings with 7th Khyungpo Gyaton Rinpoche (14-15 June 2025, Taiwan II)
“If you study Phowa, then at the time when death is approaching, you will know no despair. If beforehand you have become accustomed to the path of phowa, then at the time of death you will be full of cheerful confidence.” --Marpa Lotsawa “If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the… Continue reading ENTERING THE DEWACHEN “BLISS REALM” BHAGAVAN SECRET SPACE: Buddha Amitabha Transmission and Phowa (Transference of Consciousness) Practice teachings with 7th Khyungpo Gyaton Rinpoche (14-15 June 2025, Taiwan II)
JE MILAREPA’S BLISSFUL RED “SECRET CONSORT” SASH: The inseparability of wisdom and method of the guru, Milarepa and Vajravarahi in 7th Gyalton Rinpoche’s experiential weekend teaching of pith instructions and practice, Taichung ( Taiwan, June 2025 I)
"I eat when I am hungry, sleep when I am tired, and watch thoughts like clouds in the sky." "Everything can be used as firewood for practice." --Je Milarepa After attending the impressive (yet elegant and understated) Buddha Within Year One Vietnamese teachings of the 7th Gyalton Rinpoche, I decided to go to Taiwan and… Continue reading JE MILAREPA’S BLISSFUL RED “SECRET CONSORT” SASH: The inseparability of wisdom and method of the guru, Milarepa and Vajravarahi in 7th Gyalton Rinpoche’s experiential weekend teaching of pith instructions and practice, Taichung ( Taiwan, June 2025 I)
“FOOTPRINT DEEPER AND VASTER THAN AN OCEAN”: PRAISING THE BUDDHA: Saga Dawa day commemorating the amazing, incomparable life and deeds of Shakyamuni Buddha
"At the centre of your enlightened intention of immeasurable limitless profundity, even the ocean renowned for its depths, is like no more than a footprint.--from the 150 Verses of Praise to Buddha by Mātṛceṭa "We who claim to follow Shakya, even if we don't appreciate or repay the kindness of others, if we don't remember… Continue reading “FOOTPRINT DEEPER AND VASTER THAN AN OCEAN”: PRAISING THE BUDDHA: Saga Dawa day commemorating the amazing, incomparable life and deeds of Shakyamuni Buddha
Alleged hacking/impersonation regarding serious domestic violence case of the 14th Dalai Lama’s nephew and secretary, Tenzin Taglha exposed by his wife, with accusations of enabling by senior Tibetan exile figures, including the 14th Dalai Lama
Today, I am sad and concerned to report that I got this message from an anonymous person concerned about the well-being and safety of a Tibetan woman, Tsering Dolkar Taglha, in the Tibetan community in exile, who is married to Tenzin Taglha, a nephew and secretary of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. The woman… Continue reading Alleged hacking/impersonation regarding serious domestic violence case of the 14th Dalai Lama’s nephew and secretary, Tenzin Taglha exposed by his wife, with accusations of enabling by senior Tibetan exile figures, including the 14th Dalai Lama
The crucial difference between respect, faith and devotion – 17th Karmapa (video clip, Day 11, Fifty Verses on Guru, 2025)
In this new video clip from the 17th Karmapa explains the crucial difference between respect, faith/belief and devotion ( Fifty Verses on the Guru: Day 11, 2025) It is in the original Tibetan (and specially translated/created English subtitles by me (Adele Tomlin)). The 17th Karmapa considers the most important thing with respect for a teacher… Continue reading The crucial difference between respect, faith and devotion – 17th Karmapa (video clip, Day 11, Fifty Verses on Guru, 2025)
RESPECTFULLY YOURS WITH DEVOTED BODY, SPEECH AND MIND: Treating the guru’s objects and wealth with respect, and how to behave purely and respectfully with one’s body, speech and mind conduct when in the guru’s presence and hearing, and the difference between having only faith and real devotion (17th Karmapa, Day 11)
“At the beginning, if you don't correct your broken discipline, later it's difficult to feel actual genuine faith and respect for the guru.” -Je Jigten Sumgon, Drigung Kagyu founder “The tantras teach that you should protect and cherish the guru's wealth like your own wealth. For this reason, you may only give the guru's wealth… Continue reading RESPECTFULLY YOURS WITH DEVOTED BODY, SPEECH AND MIND: Treating the guru’s objects and wealth with respect, and how to behave purely and respectfully with one’s body, speech and mind conduct when in the guru’s presence and hearing, and the difference between having only faith and real devotion (17th Karmapa, Day 11)