Introduction Today, on Guru Padmasambhava day, the Palchen Choling Monastery in Ralang, Sikkim, the monks are performing the Vajrakīlaya cham(dance) The Seven Profound Daggers (Zab bdun phur ba) in the tradition of treasure-revealer, Chogyur Lingpa. See live video here and photos on their Facebook page, here. For this reason, I am republishing a research article, first… Continue reading The Karmapas, Vajrakīlaya and Chogyur Lingpa’s ‘Dagger of the Seven Profound Cycle’ (Zabdun Phurba)
Tag: 15th Karmapa
‘IMMUTABLE, GREAT BLISS’: GURU PADMASAMBHAVA AND THE KARMAPAS
"Om Swasti!To Dharmakāya, limits of appearances; Sambhogakāya, Avalokiteśvara;Nirmanakāya, Great Padmasambhava,With continual devotion of body, speech and mindBy this heart-felt supplication, bestow the blessings of the siddhis! In particular, for those of the degenerate age lacking refuge,May the incomparable, supreme protector of the three secrets and all the qualities,Bless our three ‘doors’ with luminous clarity,Purifying all… Continue reading ‘IMMUTABLE, GREAT BLISS’: GURU PADMASAMBHAVA AND THE KARMAPAS
‘A CANOPY OF FRESH SKY FLOWERS’, 15th KARMAPA’S SONG FOR HIS STUDENT (AND GURU) 1st JAMGON KONGTRUL from THE OCEAN OF KAGYU SONGS (KAGYU GURTSO): Birthday offering for 4th Jamgon Kongtrul
"Here is a little song called ''A Canopy of Fresh Sky Flowers.'' It shows my own faults and puts into words whatever has been remembered by a dry understanding that merely dances on books." "Although I wear saffron robes, I am an ordinary man. Although I have a bodhisattva name, I am filled with passion… Continue reading ‘A CANOPY OF FRESH SKY FLOWERS’, 15th KARMAPA’S SONG FOR HIS STUDENT (AND GURU) 1st JAMGON KONGTRUL from THE OCEAN OF KAGYU SONGS (KAGYU GURTSO): Birthday offering for 4th Jamgon Kongtrul
NEW: Guru Padmasambhava page and sacred places in Bhutan
Today for Guru Rinpoche Day, the tenth day of the sacred lunar month of Saga Dawa, here is a brief catalogue of the works and research so far published on Guru Padmasambhava and his two main students/consorts, Yeshe Tsogyel and Mandarava. These are now listed on a new website page dedicated to Padmasambhava. Work on… Continue reading NEW: Guru Padmasambhava page and sacred places in Bhutan
NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Supplication to the Life of 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa’ by 8th Karmapa
A few days ago, Karma Kagyu monastic centres commemorated the paranirvana of the 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa (dus gsum mkhyen pa, 1110-1193), who is the founder of the Karma Kagyu lineage (passed down from Gampopa) and said to be the first Tibetan teacher to start the official ‘tulku’ system, by predicting where and when he… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Supplication to the Life of 1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa’ by 8th Karmapa
ANNOUNCEMENT: ‘Yeshe Tshogyel Guru Yoga’ text download and requirements to practice
Yesterday, I posted the first translation of a Yeshe Tshogyel Guru Yoga text by the 15th Karmapa, Khakyab Dorje. However, due to some technical issues, an earlier version of the text was uploaded. For those who have already downloaded the prior version please upload the correct version here. There have also been a few queries… Continue reading ANNOUNCEMENT: ‘Yeshe Tshogyel Guru Yoga’ text download and requirements to practice
NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Yeshe Tsogyel Guru Yoga’ by 15th Karmapa
"You are a fully qualified dakini and the mother who gives life to all triumphant buddhas. Yours is the great force of all buddhas, as the motherly loving protector of all beings of the six realms. My own qualities as Lotus-Born don’t come from me— they come from you." ---Praise of Guru Rinpoche to Yeshe… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Yeshe Tsogyel Guru Yoga’ by 15th Karmapa
‘Embodiment of all the Buddhas’: Twenty-three short Karmapa Guru Yoga texts by the 15th Karmapa
15th Karmapa, Khakyab Dorje For today’s full ‘blue moon’, it is a pleasure to offer the first translation of Embodiment of all the Buddhas Guru Yoga[i] by the 15th Karmapa, Khakyab Dorje, (mkha' khyab rdo rje, 1871/2-1921/2). This Guru Yoga is in a Collection of Works by the Garland of Karmapas[ii], published in Lhasa, Tibet… Continue reading ‘Embodiment of all the Buddhas’: Twenty-three short Karmapa Guru Yoga texts by the 15th Karmapa
NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Seeing the Face of Karma Pakshi: 2nd Karmapa Guru Yoga’ by Yongey Mingyur Dorje and 15th Karmapa
"Great bliss, dharmadhātu, great binduUnstoppable, creative display of natural-appearanceVajrasattva, KarmapaWith unbroken confidence from my heart, I approach you.Primordial awareness kāya of all the BuddhasArising as a chakra of the illusory magical netMandala of the great-bliss guru.I will reveal here the instructions for approaching." "The final birth of divine son, Mutri, the terton, mahasiddha and vidyadhara,… Continue reading NEW TRANSLATION: ‘Seeing the Face of Karma Pakshi: 2nd Karmapa Guru Yoga’ by Yongey Mingyur Dorje and 15th Karmapa
The Karmapas, Chogyur Lingpa and Vajrakīlaya
Vajrakīlaya Rumtek monastery, the seat of the Gyalwang Karmapa in Sikkim, India[1], is currently performing the annual Vajrakīlaya ritual in the tradition of The Seven Profound Cycle Phurba (Zab bdun phur ba) tradition of treasure-revealer, Chogyur Lingpa. Monks at Rumtek monastery, Sikkim constructing the Vajrakīlaya sand mandala (August 2020) Vajrakilaya drubchen, Rumtek monastery, Sikkim (August… Continue reading The Karmapas, Chogyur Lingpa and Vajrakīlaya