Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje (1985 – )

General – Research and Translations

‘SOARING IN THE SKIES OF THE WORLD, THIS MAN, KARMAPA’: New praise composed by Karma Kagyu heart-son 11th Pawo Rinpoche

THE KARMAPAS, TAI SITUPAS AND THE SIX MAIN HEART-SONS: Closing Speech of the 38th Kagyu Monlam by 17th Karmapa (Summary and transcript)

AN EMANATION OF VAJRAVĀRĀHĪ MAKING NĀRO, MARPA AND MILA PROUD! The unparalleled and amazing Dharma Activities and Teachings of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa (and Kagyupas): An annual 2023 review

‘THE GURU RESIDES IN THE HEART’: GURU YOGA TEACHING BY 17th GYALWANG KARMAPA: The importance qualities of an authentic teacher and student and checking motivation and purpose

‘BE SAFE AND SOUND’ (PÍNG’ĀN). The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s new Chinese calligraphy artwork and message for the mid-Autumn festival 2023

CELEBRATING A TIBETAN HERO KEEPING THE ANCIENT ‘KARMA GAR-DRI’ ART ALIVE IN CONTEMPORARY TIBET: Verses of Praise to 90-year old Karma Deleg, master thangka painter by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

ASPIRATION FOR THE SWIFT RETURN OF JONANG LINEAGE HEAD BY 17th KARMAPA: Memorial Tribute to the Supreme Head of the Jonang Lineage, Jigme Dorje Rinpoche and ‘Swift Re-Birth Aspiration for the Definitive Teachings Holder’ by 17th Karmapa

A 21st CENTURY TIBETAN ‘POLYMATH RENAISSANCE GENIUS’, 17th KARMAPA BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE. An overview of the 17th Karmapa’s outstanding activities and teachings on Buddha Dharma, female empowerment, vegetarianism, environmentalism, art, theatre and poetry

‘Swift Dawn of the Lion’s Speech Sun’: Re-birth Supplication for 9th Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

PRAYERS AND ASPIRATIONS FOR THE HEALTH OF 17TH KARMAPA’S FATHER, KARMA DONDRUB

‘DANCE OF 17 LIVES: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF TIBET’S 17TH KARMAPA’. New Video/podcast interview with writer/journalist, Mick Brown (Dakini Conversations: Ep.3) and accompanying book review

New Audio-Video: ‘Magnetising All’ (Wangdu) aspiration chanted by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

HEARING ‘HER-STORY'(II): DAGMEMA. Marpa’s Wife and Milarepa’s confidante, friend and teacher, her life, textual sources, visual depictions and new translation of Praise to Marpa by 17th Karmapa

THE BRUSH THAT CREATES AUSPICIOUS FORTUNE: Tibetan Losar Greetings from Gyalwang 17th Karmapa

‘INCINERATING ANGER’: ŚRĪ MAHĀKĀLA AND THE GYALWANG KARMAPAS: A brief history, lineage, and short catalogue of texts by the Karmapas, activities of the 17th Karmapa and 17th Karmapa’s speech to Rumtek monastery community

Tibetan script of Guru Padmasambhava’s prophecy on 15th to 21st Karmapas, as revealed by Chogyur Lingpa

UNSTAINED BY THE WOMB AT BIRTH AND WHO PASSED AWAY INTO THE MOON: NEW CONCISE LIBERATION-STORY AND ARTWORK OF 3RD KARMAPA (by the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa)

PEACE COMES FROM WITHIN AND LOVING-KINDNESS. Transcript of 17th Karmapa’s recent teaching on loving-kindness and compassion.

‘EXPANDING SMILE OF A FEROCIOUS TIGER’ LOSAR GREETINGS BY 17th KARMAPA and NEW ARTWORK

‘THE SUNLIGHT OF HUMANITY’: DUDJOM RINPOCHE YANGSI’S PASSING AND NEW ‘ASPIRATION FOR HIS SWIFT RE-BIRTH’ BY 17TH GYALWANG KARMAPA

‘RAVISHING PEARL ROSARY: PRAISES TO MARICI’ AND THE ‘THOUSAND-FOLD OFFERINGS’. NEW SADHANA COMPOSITION BY 17TH KARMAPA

NEW ARTWORK REVIEW: SIX-ARMED MĀRĪCĪ (OZER CHENMA) BY 17TH KARMAPA

‘GOLDEN TEACHINGS’ OF KAGYU TANTRA: Marpa the Translator and student Ngog, the Seven Ngog Mandalas, Thirteen Tantras of Marpa, Kongtrul’s ‘Treasury of Kagyu Mantras’, 17th Karmapa’s birthday teaching and Drikung Kagyu ‘Mar-Ngog’ activities

‘Actions Speak Louder than Words’: 17th Karmapa’s outstanding activities on female empowerment and equality

PRAISE AND OFFERINGS TO THE GOSHRI GYELTSAB: Translation of ‘Praises to 12th Gyeltsab Rinpoche’ by 17th Karmapa and new biography of 2nd Gyeltsab Rinpoche, Tashi Namgyel

3RD BARDOR RINPOCHE (1949-2021): Life-story, Swift Re-birth Prayer by 17th Karmapa, Letters of Condolence, Letter from 16th Karmapa and Self-Arisen Guru Rinpoche

‘Direct Instructions on the Great Compassionate One’ by 8th Karmapa and commentary by 17th Karmapa

Kagyu Mahāmudrā : origin of the term, distinction between Sūtra and Secret Mantra Mahāmudrā , and pith advice from Je Gampopa by 17th Karmapa

The concepts of tulku reincarnation and re-birth in Tibetan Buddhism: HH 17th Karmapa on the terms ‘tulku’; and ‘yangsi’

LONG-LIFE PRAYER FOR HH 17th KARMAPA BY HH 14th DALAI LAMA

Specific Texts/Commentarial teachings

Fifty Verses on the Guru (17th Karmapa, February 2024)

‘COURAGEOUS HEROIC’ EXAMINATION OF A QUALIFIED VAJRAYĀNA STUDENT AND GURU: The issue of samaya-breaking gurus and students, the necessary qualities of a qualified student and guru, who to avoid and follow after examination (Fifty Verses, 17th Karmapa, Day 6)

‘DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER’, ‘UNCONVENTIONAL CONDUCT’ OF A FULLY ORDAINED MONASTIC: Inner qualities more important than outer appearances/clothes, how to ask a qualified guru to be your vajrayāna teacher, and what to do when student is a monastic and the guru is a householder (Fifty Verses on The Guru, 17th Karmapa, Day 5)

“INSEPARABLE FROM THE BODHICITTA VAJRA”, VAJRA MASTERS WORTHY OF PROSTRATION FROM THE BUDDHAS. The stainless tantras source of the Fifty Verses text, the meaning and qualifications of ‘vajra master’, and why all the Buddhas venerate them (Fifty Verses on the Guru, 17th Karmapa, Day 4)

THE TRANSLATOR’S HOMAGE TO VAJRASATTVA AND ‘SECRET MUDRAS UNDER THE ROBES’: opening stanza, homage to and meaning of the word ‘Vajrasattva’, reason for composing the texts, and the importance of secrecy in secret mantra practice and the meaning of ‘bowing down to the lotus feet of the guru’ (Fifty Verses on the Guru, Day 3, 17th Karmapa)

‘YOU’RE MY WORLD’: GURU AS ROOT OF ALL SIDDHIS. Becoming a Qualified Vajrayana Student, Examining the Guru, Taking Vows and then studying the Fifty Verses text (Fifty Verses on the Guru, 17th Karmapa, Day 2)

THE ‘HEAVY’ GURU FULL OF WEIGHTY QUALITIES: Meaning of the word ‘guru’ and introduction to the editions, translations and commentaries on the crucial Vajrayāna text on how to correctly follow a guru, ‘Fifty Verses of the Guru’ (17th Karmapa, Day 1)

8th Karmapa’s Instructions on Yangonpa’s Seven Pointing Outs (17th Karmapa, Kagyu Guncho, January 2024)

THE IMPORTANCE OF WISDOM AND REVIVING THE KAGYU AFTER CENTURIES OF DESTRUCTION IN TIBET: Final Day of Seven Pointing Out Instructions by 8th Karmapa, importance of both study and practice for the revival of Kagyu study communities, and teachings on the Fifty Verses of the Guru for the forthcoming Arya Kshema nuns’ Dharma event (17th Karmapa, Kagyu Guncho teaching Day 3, January 2024)

LIKE AN ANT ON A LEAF ON WATER, CALMLY REST THE MIND WHEREVER IT GOES: Instructions on Calm-Abiding, Superior Insight and Carrying Thoughts Onto the Path, 8th Karmapa’s Instructions on Gyalwang Yangonpa’s Seven Points, and Gampopa’s nephew’s advice on Mahamudra (17th Karmapa teaching, Day Two)

THE ‘SEVEN POINTING-OUTS’ (Ngo-Tro Dunma) INSTRUCTIONS: A teaching by Drugpa Kagyu yogi-master, Gyalwang Yangonpa and the instructions by 8th Karmapa (17th Karmapa Kagyu Guncho teaching, Day 1)

First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa’s Liberation-Story (December 2023)

THE CHILDHOOD AND UNIQUE LINEAGES OF FIRST KARMAPA: Dusum Khyenpa’s childhood and key dates, important teacher the ‘mercurial’ Vairochanavajra, and Lineage Holder of Palden Lhamo and five-deity Tara direct from Atisha  (17th Karmapa teaching, December 2023)

8th Karmapa’s Autobiographical Stories (Teachings by 17th Karmapa, March-May 2023)

LIKE A ROSE BLOOMING IN WINTER: CHERISHING AND PROTECTING THE JEWEL OF 8TH KARMAPA’S FOUR GREAT COMMENTARIES AND OTHER WORKS. Background and overview of 8th Karmapa’s influential and great commentaries on the four texts of Madhyamaka, Prajnaparamita, Vinaya and Abhidharma; 17th Karmapa’s project of a new Collected Works with critical editions of these texts; and the final two verses of 8th Karmapa’s autobiographical praises, ‘He Searched Thoroughly’ with summary (17th Karmapa, Day 13 (Part II) Spring 2023 teaching)

CREATING AMAZING SANDCASTLES WITH THE DIVINE EAR AND EYE: The vast activities and clairvoyances of the 8th Karmapa and the 7th autobiographical verse of ‘He Searched Thoroughly’ on wisdom and the definitive meaning (17th Karmapa, Spring 2023 teaching, Day 13, part 1)

LIKE SHOOTING AN ARROW IN THE DARK: “WITHOUT TELEPATHY AND CLAIRVOYANCES DO NOT GATHER OR TEACH STUDENTS”: 8th Karmapa on the crucial importance of the six clairvoyances as a teacher and practitioner (17th Karmapa Spring 2023, Day 12)

THE ORIGINAL ‘MOTHER’ OF THE KARMA KAGYU FOUR-SESSION GURU YOGA: Lama Zhang’s four-session guru yoga, the vajra words of the dakinis, pure visions of 8th Karmapa and his students, and Karma Chagme’s texts on its practice and origin (17th Karmapa, Spring 2023 teachings, Day 11, part 2)

‘HIDDEN’ TIBETAN HEROES: PURE VISIONS OF MIKYO DORJE AND THE HISTORY AND HEROIC SAVIOUR OF THE “SILVER SPACE STATUE” OF TSURPHU: 8th Karmapa’s conduct around his many bad followers, the origin of the silver statue of Sangye Nyenpa, miraculous pure visions during its consecration and the ‘hidden hero’ who saved it from destruction (17th Karmapa, Spring 2023 teachings, Day 11, part I)

PURE DEVOTION TO AN INEXHAUSTIBLE TREASURY OF GOOD QUALITIES: RECEIVING THE BLESSINGS AND SIDDHIS OF A QUALIFIED GURU: 8th Karmapa on staying away from jealous and competitive people, impure gurus and lineages, the meaning of real devotion (17th Karmapa Spring Teaching 2023, Day 10, part 1)

THE GREAT ARMOUR OF THE SOLITUDE OF BODHICITTA: 8th Karmapa’s interest and reasons why big monasteries can become like ‘fortresses’ of conflict and sectarianism, and his interest and joy at practising in isolated, difficult retreat places, and the meaning of real ‘solitude’ from the’ Bodhisattva perspective  (17th Karmapa Spring 2023 teachings, Day Nine)

A TIBETAN TRAVESTY: DESTRUCTION AND APPROPRIATION OF KARMA KAGYU/8TH KARMAPA’S MANY MONASTERIES: Reasons why 8th Karmapa newly established many colleges and retreat centres, disrespect of his activities by Sakya teacher, Tsarchen Losal Gyatso, and case study of the Karma Kagyu Gatsel Karma Zhunglug Ling college and its stolen/forced conversion into Ganden Thosam Dargye Ling monastery by the 5th Dalai Lama/Gelug (17th Karmapa Spring teaching 2023, Day 8)

THE YELLOW-HAT KAGYUPAS: LOST, STOLEN AND DESTROYED KARMA KAGYU TRADITIONS AND MONASTERIES IN TIBET. 8th Karmapa on inclusivity in Dharma communities, the yellow-hat Kagyu tradition of the Karmapas, signs of being in the last 500-year period of ‘merely wearing the robes’, worldly warring ‘monks’, and the many shedras and retreat places established by the 8th Karmapa (17th Karmapa Spring teaching 2023, Day 7)

THE CAUSE OF BUDDHA’S TEACHINGS BEING DESTROYED: DISPUTES BASED ON ATTACHMENT AND AVERSION: 8th Karmapa on the dangers of religious sectarianism and harmful disputes based on arrogance, pride and jealousy (17th Karmapa Spring Teachings 2023, Day 6)

‘YOUR LIPS ARE WHAT WILL SEND YOU TO HELL AND NEED TO BE SHUT AND LOCKED’: 8th Karmapa on the difference between ‘dry’ and ‘juicy’ words, Je Gampopa on signs of the Dharma disappearing,  and the importance of having pure perception of all people’s faults and mistakes, and keeping your lips shut (17th Karmapa’s Spring teachings 2023 (Day 5)

“CALLING A BEGGAR A KING, DOES NOT MAKE THEM A KING”: 8th Karmapa on the fifth pāramitā of Dhyana and why he did not teach Mahāmudrā, or secret instructions to those who have not even entered the Dhyana meditation  (17th Karmapa Spring Teachings Day 4)

HYPOCRITICAL ‘SPIRITUAL FOOLS’ AND HONEST ‘HERO YOGIS’: 8th Karmapa on pseudo-Dharma and pretender yogis, the importance of not breaching the lower vows, and of vast and enduring discipline, patience, and infinite effort (teaching by 17th Karmapa, Spring Teachings 2023, Day 3)

THE ‘SAMĀDHI MASTERY OF THE TREASURY OF SPACE’ AND EMANATING ENDLESS WEALTH: The purpose of liberation-stories, the meaning of ‘excellent deeds’, Drugpa Kunleg and the 8th Karmapa on the first pāramitā of generosity and the importance of non-attachment to wealth and pleasure ( Day Two)

BEING AN INDEPENDENT THINKER AND MEDITATING ON ULTIMATE BODHICITTA: The status of nuns in India and Tibet, 8th Karmapa’s vast knowledge of all the different views, his independence of thought, amazing qualities and vegetarian students (Day One)

Life and Liberation of Jowo Atisha (February 2023)

‘BLOWING THE HORN FOR INVITING TRANSLATORS AND SCHOLARS’: BRINGING JOWO ATISHA TO TIBET. Tibetans studying in Kashmir and at Vikaramashila, the invention of the Ragdung horn, Atisha’s connection to Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo and reasons for composing Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (Life and Liberation of Atisha by 17th Karmapa, Day 3)

‘EVERY SIX DAYS LEAVING THE MONASTERY TO PRACTICE SECRET MANTRA’: THE STUDIES AND MAIN TEACHERS OF THE ‘GREAT YOGI PANDITA’ MONK ATISHA: Atisha’s names, monastic ordination, his main teachers and historical background to his being invited to Tibet (Life and Liberation of Atisha by 17th Karmapa Day 2)

‘YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF TANTRAS IS LIKE A HORSE-HAIR IN THIS WORLD!’: NOBLE TĀRĀ’S ADVICE TO YOUNG, HANDSOME TANTRIC YOGI, ATISHA: Jowo Atisha’s early life, studies of tantras, secret mantra unconventional conduct with Indian mahasiddhas, ‘pride-smashing’ direct instructions from Tārā and Ḍākinīs, and upholder of Mind-Only view. (Life and Liberation of Atisha by 17th Karmapa Day 1)

Teaching on Mind-Only view from Vasubandhu’s Thirty Verses (January 2023 – continued from March 2022)

FROM MASSES OF ABLE AND WILLING DHARMA TRANSLATORS TO AN ELITE ‘SELECT FEW’: The ‘translation-school ‘ methods of the ancient Buddha Dharma translators during the four main eras of the 900-year period of intensive translation in China (Thirty Verses by Vasubandhu 17th Karmapa, January 2023, Day 10)

‘PROVING MIND-ONLY’ (成唯識論; Chéng Wéishì Lùn), XUANZANG’S TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY OF VASUBANDHU’S ‘THIRTY VERSES’ AND ITS TEN GREAT INDIAN COMMENTARIES: A CHINESE NEW YEAR OFFERING AND TRIBUTE. (Thirty Verses by Vasubandhu 17th Karmapa, January 2023, Day 9)

Origins of Secret Mantra: The Formation of the Early Sangha, Vinaya and the First Buddhist Council (Teachings by 17th Karmapa, August 2022)

‘FLESH AND BLOOD’ EMBODIMENT OF DHARMA AND ‘TREASURY OF MUCH LISTENING’: ANANDA (ALL-JOYFUL) BUDDHA’S BEST AND MAIN ATTENDANT. An Introduction to the life-story of Ananda and his eight special qualities by 17th Karmapa (Day Seven, August 2022)

‘MAGNETISING ALL (WANGDU)’ GREAT CLOUDS OF BLESSINGS SUPPLICATION BY JU MIPHAM RINPOCHE (NEW TRANSLATION) AND ORAL TRANSMISSION BY 17TH KARMAPA

FROM RICHES TO RAGS: THE MAN TO WHOM BUDDHA GAVE HIS OLD ROBES. MAHAKASHYAPA’S LIBERATION-STORY BY 17th KARMAPA (Day Six, 17th Karmapa teachings, August 2022)

AN ACTUAL BEACON OF LIGHT NOT AN IMAGE OF ONE: THE DHARMA AS THE REAL REFUGE AND TEACHER; AND VINAYA AND SECRET MANTRA AND THE THREE SETS OF VOWS (Day Five, 17th Karmapa teachings, August 2022)

A CELIBATE LIFE WITH LITTLE DESIRE FOR WORLDLY PLEASURES: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MONASTICS AND HOUSEHOLDERS: Origin and development of the Vinaya rules, the eight kinds of precepts, four defeats, the origin and meaning of the Pratimoksha Sutra and comparison between different Vinaya versions and schools (Day Four, 17th Karmapa teaching, August 2022)

FROM WANDERING MENDICANTS TEMPORARILY SHELTERING FROM THE RAIN TO LARGE, AUTONOMOUS MONASTIC COMMUNITIES IN MONASTERIES: Development of monasteries and categories and terminology for Sangha dwellings and members (Day 3, 17th Karmapa (2022)

THREE-MONTH MONSOON MEDITATION AND PUBLICLY DECLARING ONE’S FAULTS: A DIFFICULT, YET SIMPLE LIFESTYLE TO REDUCE GREED, DESIRE AND SELF-CLINGING. Seniority ranking in the sangha, one meal per day, no fixed abode, the three month rains retreat and fortnightly Sojong (confessing faults) (Day 2, 17th Karmapa’s Summer 2022 Teaching)

THOSE WHO ‘APPROACH VIRTUE’ (GENYEN), ‘ADOPT VIRTUE’ (GELONG) AND “ASPIRE FOR VIRTUE TOGETHER’ (GEDUN): THE FORMATION, MEANING AND LIFESTYLE OF THE EARLY BUDDHIST SANGHA (Day 1, 17th Karmapa’s Summer 2022 teaching

CONCISE LIBERATION-STORY OF JE GAMPOPA BY 17th GYALWANG KARMAPA (2022): Influential doctor, Kadampa Masters, Milarepa’s Dream and Unifying Sutra and Tantra

8th Karmapa’s Autobiographical Praises (17th Karmapa, March-April 2022)

‘LIKE STARS IN THE DAY’, THE DESCENT OF FEMALE ARHATIS: FULLY ORDAINED TIBETAN BUDDHIST NUNS IN TIBET, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE (17th Karmapa Spring Teachings (Day 13)

A YOGI’S ‘INTENTIONS FULFILLED’: ‘CANDYMAN’ MILAREPA’S SECRET STASH OF ‘GOLD’ CANDY AND MIRACULOUS PARTING GIFTS AND FINAL ADVICE ‘TO EAT SH*T!’ Milarepa’s last testament and miraculous gifts and new translation of his song ‘Intentions Fulfilled’ from ‘The Black Treasury’

‘WHY IS LIFE SO UNFAIR?!’ PRAISING AND GIVING TO OTHERS FOR PERSONAL FAME AND GAIN; WHY ‘BAD THINGS’ HAPPEN TO ‘GOOD’ PEOPLE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE’ (17th Karmapa Spring Teaching 2022, Day 7)

‘WAKING UP FROM THE SLUMBER OF IGNORANCE’: THE ‘KA-NYING’ CONNECTION. (17th Karmapa Spring teachings, Day 6)

‘CALLING A SPADE A SPADE’ AND THE ‘SEEDS OF HONESTY’: THE 8TH KARMAPA’S DIRECT AND UNBIASED WAY OF TEACHING AND HIS DENIAL OF AUTHORSHIP OF A DOCUMENT REFUTING THE NYINGMA SECRET MANTRA (17th Karmapa, Spring Teaching, Day 5 )

‘PRACTISING WHAT YOU PREACH AND TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK’: TRANSFORMING OTHERS’ NEGATIVITY INTO VIRTUE. (17th Karmapa, Spring Teachings Day 4)

DON’T BE LIKE A PARROT RECITING ‘MANI’ MANTRAS. The most valuable investment in the universe, dealing with demons/obstacle-makersand the importance of motivation and discipline when accepting ‘food of faith’ offerings and reciting rituals and texts (17th Karmapa Spring 2022 teachings, Day 3)

‘NEVER TAKING AN ORDINARY BREATH’: ASPIRING BODHICITTA AND EXCHANGING SELF WITH OTHERS. The unbearable compassion of the boy 8th Karmapa who slept with a calf and the extraordinary life of Kadampa mind-training master, Geshe Langri Thangpa (Day Two, Spring Teachings 2022)

‘WALKING IN MY SHOES’: STORIES TO INSPIRE FAITH AND DEVOTION. THE IMPORTANCE OF LIBERATION-STORIES (NAMTHAR) OF GREAT BEINGS (17th Karmapa, (Day One. Spring Teachings 2022)

Teaching on Mind-Only view and Vasubandhu’s Thirty Verses (February – March 2022)

MIND-ONLY IN TIBET (PART II): FIVE DHARMAS OF MAITREYA; KAGYU, JONANG AND SAKYA ZHENTONG VIEWS AND DIFFERENCES; DOLPOPA’S ASSERTIONS ABOUT MIND-ONLY AND ZHENTONG AS MIDDLE WAY, AND THE NEED TO ASSERT THE THIRD MAHAYANA SCHOOL OF ‘BUDDHA NATURE’ (17th Karmapa teaching, Day 8)

‘MIND-ONLY’ PHILOSOPHY IN TIBET (PART I): Translation of Mind-Only texts into Tibetan, reasons why the Mind-Only School did not spread in Tibet, inaccurate explanations in Tibet of the Mind-Only view; and the classification of the five Dharmas of Maitreya (17th Karmapa teaching, (Day 7)

DON’T BE LIKE ‘A FROG IN A WELL’: SANSKRIT-CHINESE TRANSLATORS, THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING OPEN MINDS AND STUDYING OTHER LANGUAGES AND VIEWS. (17th Karmapa (Day 5)

Origins of Secret Mantra (Teachings by 17th Karmapa, August-September 2021)

(DAY 12). BUDDHA THE RADICAL REVOLUTIONARY AND FEMINIST: WHEN ROYALTY BOWED TO LOWER CASTES AND WOMEN BECAME FULLY-ORDAINED SANGHA (by 17th Karmapa)

(DAY 11): ‘CAN’T GET NO SATISFACTION’; FROM PRINCE SIDDHARTHA TO SHAKYAMUNI THE ASCETIC: the early life of Buddha, family lineage, name, locations and practicing austerities in the forest (by 17th Karmapa)

(DAY 10): ‘DO WHATEVER YOU ENJOY’, HERETICS, HEDONISTS, NIHILISTS AND ‘NAKED ASCETICS’ IN INDIA: Sixty-two wrong views, six non-Buddhist teachers, the Charvakas and Jain followers at the time of Buddha

(DAY 9): ‘NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE’, INDIAN PHILOSOPHICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON MATTER, MIND, METAPHYSICS, LOGIC AND THE MEANING OF LIFE AND REALITY (by 17th Karmapa)

(DAY 8): THE AGE OF PHILOSOPHY, ARRIVAL OF SUTRAS, DIVINE GEOMETRY AND DEVANAGARI SCRIPT by 17th Karmapa

(DAY 7): IDEAS ON SAMSARA, KARMA, ADVANCED PHILOSOPHY AND INDIAN CASTE: the Upanishads on liberation, two epic Indian poems, Buddha’s clan as ‘friend of the Sun’, rise of the Brahmins and status of women (by 17th Karmapa)

(DAY 6): FROM MANY GODS TO ONE- BRAHMA, PRIMAL SOURCE OF ALL PHENOMENA. Development of Indian Philosophy, the Brahmanas texts, the Upanishads and profound views of the ‘one source’ nature of reality and appearances (by 17th Karmapa)

(DAY 5): VEDIC MAGICAL RITUALS, ACTIVITIES AND MANTRAS: the four Vedas, horse sacrifice, King empowerment, fire pujas, the fourth Veda and their connection to Secret Mantra

(DAY 4): ‘HUMAN NATURE’ AND VEDIC GODS: Fire, intoxicants, money, death and the Vedic ‘dark side’: Demi-Gods, Maras, Flesh-eaters, animal sacrifices (by 17th Karmapa)

(DAY 3) VEDIC HYMNS TO DIVINE MOTHER NATURE: Oral myths, poems and praises to the Gods of Nature and the importance of the Vedas for understanding Buddhist Secret Mantra origins (Origins of Secret Mantra (by 17th Karmapa).

(DAY 2): ARRIVAL OF THE ARYANS, MOTHER OF INDO-EUROPEAN LANGUAGES. Ancient Indus Valley civilisation, Aryan migration and language, the indigenous Dravidians and cultural mixing (teaching by 17th Karmapa)

(Day 1) ANCIENT MOTHER OF BUDDHISM: India and the Tibetan river that flows through it (Origin of Secret Mantra (by 17th Karmapa) (August 2021).

Good Deeds by 8th Karmapa ( Teachings by 17th Karmapa, February-March 2021)

TIBETAN ART, PRE-GREAT ENCAMPMENT (KARMA GAR-RI) : Indian, Newar and the ‘Three Great Tibetan Styles’ of Men-ri, Khyen-ri and Jeyu-ri (7th -15th Century) by 17th Karmapa

THE ‘SINGLE-SITTING’ VEGETARIAN PRACTICE: Sakya Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo’s vegetarianism; Kālacakra master, Śākyaśrī and the four monastic communities (Joden Tshogpa Zhi); the Gedun Gangpa’s monastic ordination of the 4th-8th Karmapas

UNBEARABLE GRIEF LIKE EATING THE FLESH OF ONE’S OWN CHILD: Jamgon Kongtrul the Great, Yogi Drugpa Kunleg and 17th Gyalwang Karmapa on abandoning meat; love and compassion more important than scriptures and logic

JE MILAREPA’S SONG ON THE SUFFERING OF ANIMALS FOR THE EVIL ‘CUSTOM’ OF MEAT-EATING

COMPASSION NOT COMPETITION: THE MAHAYANA VIEW ON EATING ANIMALS. Buddha’s vegetarian disciples, Devadatta, Mahākāśyapa and Bakula; Mahayana Sūtras on great compassion and Buddha-Nature; and Chinese Buddhist vegetarianism

RULES OF BUDDHIST CONDUCT (VINAYA) FOR MONASTICS (AND LAYPEOPLE) ON EATING MEAT: 17th Karmapa on the Vinaya rules on ‘offered’ meat and the three ‘tests’ of impurity –

‘IF YOU EAT MEAT YOU ARE NOT KAGYUPA’: The 8th Karmapa and other Karmapas’ strict vegetarianism and the Great Encampment rules

JE TSONGKHAPA AND THE KAGYU LINEAGE: Marpa’s Guhyasamāja and Nāropa’s Cakrasaṃvara and Six Yogas. ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 12)

TEENAGE 8TH KARMAPA’S ADAMANT REFUSAL TO MEET CHINESE EMPEROR: thousands of people, offerings and threats of force could not persuade him. ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 10: part 2)

THE KARMAPA WHO SAID ‘NO’ TO WORLDLY POWER: 5th Karmapa’s refusal to take control of Tibet; Je Tsongkhapa; famous Chinese translators, Zhiguang and Palden Tashi; the Chinese ‘Marco Polo’ explorer, Zhenghe; and a $45 million thangka. Good Deeds teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 10: Part I).

EMPRESS XU’S DREAM REVELATION OF A SUTRA BY AVALOKITESVARA AND ADVOCATE OF WOMANS EDUCATION. ‘Good Deeds’ by 17th Karmapa (Day 9: part 2)

OFFICIAL SEAL OF APPROVAL: White jade seal, paintings and precious objects given by Chinese Emperor to the 5th Karmapa, and other Tibetan seals, their language and origin. ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 7th Karmapa (Day 9:Part I)

‘THUNDEROUSLY BLOWING HIS TRUMPET’: Abandoning distractions and the 8th Karmapa’s visit to Jang. ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 8)

EATING ONLY THE ESSENCE: Birthplace of 8th Karmapa and his first gurus, 2nd Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche and 1st Sangye Nyenpa, Siddha from Denma: ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 6)

NON-SECTARIAN SONG OF FAITH AND DEVOTION: 8th Karmapa’s ‘Song to Lineage Masters, Je Tsongkhapa, Bodong Panchen, Je Ngorchen and Rongton Chenpo’. ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 5: Part II)

WOLVES IN MONK’S ROBES: 8TH KARMAPA’S ACCOUNT OF ABANDONING NEGATIVE FRIENDS , SONG FOR JE TSONGKHAPA, AND THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A KARMAPA: ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 5)

SACRED GEOGRAPHY OF KARMA KAGYU: THREE MAIN SEATS, ‘OUTER’ AND ‘INNER’ SITES OF CHAKRASAMVARA AND BIRTH PLACES AND DATES OF THE EIGHT KARMAPAS. ‘Good Deeds’ teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 4)

THE WHITE CONCH’S RESOUNDING HORN: ASTONISHING CHILD PRODIGY, MIKYO DORJE AND THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE ‘WESTERN’ AND ‘EASTERN’ CANDIDATES: ‘Good Deeds’ Teaching by 17th Karmapa (Day 3)

‘JAW-DROPPING’ HANDWRITTEN COLLECTED WORKS THAT EMANATED LIGHT: TEXTUAL SOURCES, THE MEANING OF ‘LIBERATION-STORY’, IMPORTANCE OF FAITH AND INNER QUALITIES: ‘Good Deeds’ by 17th Karmapa (Day Two)

THE BRAVE ‘KAGYU FOX’: Meaning and origin of the name ‘Karmapa’, the ‘midnight-blue crown’ and ‘Karmapa Khyenno’ mantra: ‘Good Deeds of 8th Karmapa’ by 17th Karmapa (Day One)

Aspirations to End Adversity (January 2021)

USHNISHNA WHITE PARASOL PROTECTION AND REPULSION FROM ALL HARM: ‘STALLION GARUDA KING OF BIRDS’ DAILY PRACTICE BY KARMA CHAGME: ‘Aspirations to End Adversity’ with 17th Karmapa (Day VIII: Part 1)

TANTRA CANNOT BE KNOWN WITHOUT KNOWING THE “CHANTED NAMES OF MAÑJUŚRĪ’: ‘Aspirations to End Adversity’ with 17th Karmapa (Part VII)

MOTHER TĀRĀ AND PADMASAMBHAVA GURU OF ALL LINEAGES: ‘Aspirations to End Adversity’ with 17th Karmapa (Part VI)

ASPIRATION IS THE BASIS OF ALL RESULTS: ‘Sutra of the Essence of Immeasurable Longevity and Awareness’ and ‘Aspiration for Rebirth in Sukhāvatī’: ‘Aspirations to End Adversity’ with 17th Karmapa (Part 5)

MASTER OF HEALING, BHAISHAJYA: SUTRA OF MEDICINE BUDDHA. ‘Aspirations to End Adversity’ with 17th Karmapa (Part IV)

‘WE HUMANS ARE BECOMING LIKE TERRIFYING DEMONS DESTROYING LIFE ON EARTH’: the Sūtra and Dhāraṇī of Protector Buddha Akṣobhya’: Aspirations to End Adversity’ by 17th Karmapa (Part III)

‘GATHERING ACCUMULATIONS AND PURIFYING NEGATIVE DEEDS’: ‘Aspirations to End Adversity’ by 17th Karmapa (Part II)

Brilliant Light Goddess: Karmapa ‘s Tibetan Translation of the Dhāraṇī of Mārīcī (Ozer Chenma): Aspirations to End Adversity (Part I)

The Four Dharmas of Gampopa (January 2021)

‘Confusion dawning as primordial awareness’: the fourth Dharma, Chinese Zen and the debate on gradual vs instant awakening. ‘Four Dharmas of Gampopa’ by 17th Karmapa (Day 8: Part II)

‘Dismantling Artificial Boundaries’: Concepts of nations, ‘self’ and ‘other’; developing great love and compassion and ‘without borders’ ultimate nature. ‘Four Dharmas of Gampopa’ by 17th Karmapa (Day 8)

Suffering is ‘ready and waiting to happen’: The three types of suffering, being a Dharma practitioner and ‘Dharma going on the Path’. ‘Four Dharmas of Gampopa’ by 17th Karmapa (Day 7)

‘May Dharma go along with Dharma’: The difference between ‘real Dharma’ and ‘pretend Dharma’: ‘Four Dharmas’ of Gampopa by 17th Karmapa (Part 5)

‘The Crown Jewel of Kagyu’: Gampopa’s Collected Works, Last Testament and Textual Sources : ‘Four Dharmas’ of Gampopa by 17th Karmapa (Day 4)

When Gampopa met Milarepa: A tale of beggars, buttocks and bliss. ‘Four Dharmas’ of Gampopa by 17th Karmapa (Day 3)

The Doctor of Dagpo (Dagpo Lhaje) whose family tragedy led to monkhood: ”Four Dharmas’ of Gampopa’ by 17th Karmapa (Day Two)

‘All Buddhists can be called ‘Kagyupa”: the ‘Four Dharmas’ of Gampopa by 17th Karmapa (Day One)