In my latest Buddhism in a Nutshell reel and this companion article, the question is what makes someone a monastic and how to distinguish them from a layperson householder (not from a ngagpa tantric practitioner, which is another type of non-monastic practitioner). In sum, there are three main features of a monastic that distinguishes them… Continue reading What defines a monastic? Vows, dress and conduct and advice and personal experience of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
Tag: monastic vows
GOING BACK TO THE FEMALE ROOTS OF VAJRAYĀNA: A 21st Century review of the female and yogic roots of Vajrayāna, monastic vows and tantric practice, and the invisible, silent female consort
“My female messengers are everywhere; They bestow all the spiritual attainments By gazing, touching, kissing, and embracing. The most excellent place for yogis is Wherever there is a gathering of yoginis; There all the magical powers will be attained By all those blissful ones.” --Cakrasaṁvaratantra “As The Great Tantra of the Primordial Buddha emphatically forbids… Continue reading GOING BACK TO THE FEMALE ROOTS OF VAJRAYĀNA: A 21st Century review of the female and yogic roots of Vajrayāna, monastic vows and tantric practice, and the invisible, silent female consort
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
Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo, 15th Century Tibetan thangka (1382-1456) (see Teacher (Lama) - Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo (Himalayan Art)) Hey! Followers of mine, give up the impure lifestyle of consuming meat, alcohol, and the like! Being the sole basis of all marvelous qualities, cherish the precious discipline more than your life! --Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo, An Epistle Benefitting… Continue reading 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
Developing the decisive wish ‘to emerge’ from samsara by 8th Karmapa
8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje I have been reading and translating some of the Short Instructions of the 8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje, in his Collected Works, in particular, his Guiding Instructions on Chod[i] (which will be published here in full soon). In 2012, after attending the 17th Karmapa’s empowerment of Chod and his teachings on this… Continue reading Developing the decisive wish ‘to emerge’ from samsara by 8th Karmapa