Here is a new reel on the brief question of “What is Emptiness?” in Buddhism. Obviously, this is a huge topic, but in brief, it generally refers to the idea of a “lack” or negative/absence/emptiness in the phenomena, people, events, concepts and so on which we cling to and cause us and others suffering. So,… Continue reading “What is emptiness?”: Video reel and short explanation on the “positive, full” aspects of emptiness and the view of “Empty-of-Other”
Tag: shentong
‘AWAKENING WISDOM’ NEW ONLINE COURSE: Read, study and understand the Heart Sutra in Tibetan (September 2023)
Read and Understand the Heart Sutra in Tibetan with Adele Tomlin, scholar-translator and founder of Dakini Translations Ever wanted to read and understand a well-known text in Tibetan? But lack of time and guidance? Well here is your chance! At the beginning of the Autumn season this September 2023, due to requests for Tibetan language… Continue reading ‘AWAKENING WISDOM’ NEW ONLINE COURSE: Read, study and understand the Heart Sutra in Tibetan (September 2023)
New Dharma Talk: “A Bird With Two Wings: Flying with the Correct View of Emptiness” by Adele Tomlin (Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, May 2023)
As promised, my first Dharma Talk with Tricycle Buddhist Review, on the two views of emptiness, Empty-of-Self (Rang-tong) and Empty-of-Other (Zhen-tong) was published today and can be watched here. The talk is split into six sections and a transcript can be downloaded on the Tricycle website too: 00:00 Introduction 03:36 Great Wisdom Mother symbolism (Yum… Continue reading New Dharma Talk: “A Bird With Two Wings: Flying with the Correct View of Emptiness” by Adele Tomlin (Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, May 2023)
WHO IS KHALKHA JETSUN DAMPA AND WHY IS HIS RECENT RECOGNITION CONTROVERSIAL? The 5th Dalai Lama/Gelugpa forceful and violent takeover and suppression of Jonang (and other lineages) in Tibet, and their ongoing recognition of the Jonang and Shangpa Kagyu lineage master, Tāranātha
"In 1642, eight years after Tāranātha’s death, an alliance of Mongol armies led by Gushri Khan defeated the U-Tsang rulers and enthroned the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso (Nga-dbang-blo-bzang-rgya-mtsho) (1617–1682). According to most historical accounts, in the year 1650, the Fifth Dalai Lama sealed and banned the study of Jonang Empty-of-Other texts, prohibiting the… Continue reading WHO IS KHALKHA JETSUN DAMPA AND WHY IS HIS RECENT RECOGNITION CONTROVERSIAL? The 5th Dalai Lama/Gelugpa forceful and violent takeover and suppression of Jonang (and other lineages) in Tibet, and their ongoing recognition of the Jonang and Shangpa Kagyu lineage master, Tāranātha
MOTHER OF ALL THE BUDDHAS: PRAJNAPARAMITA AND THE ULTIMATE HEART ESSENCE
"Empty does not mean completely empty but primordial awareness empty of dualistic appearances." "[The Heart Sutra] teaches that the ultimate perfectly established [nature] is empty of apparent samsara and nirvana. The primordial awareness of the perfectly established ultimate nature pervades all of samsara and nirvana but is not contaminated by either samsara or nirvana. Since… Continue reading MOTHER OF ALL THE BUDDHAS: PRAJNAPARAMITA AND THE ULTIMATE HEART ESSENCE
4th Shamarpa, Yangchenpa Monastery and his ‘Praises to Dolpopa’
Omniscient Dolpopa (1292-1361) Today is the paranirvana of Omniscient (Kun mkhyen) Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (dol po pa shes rab rgyal mtshan) (1292–1361) one of the most extraordinary Tibetan Buddhist masters, and key advocates and founders of the Empty-of-Other (gzhan stong) philosophy school and a highly realized practitioner of tantra, in particular Kālacakra. He is one… Continue reading 4th Shamarpa, Yangchenpa Monastery and his ‘Praises to Dolpopa’
New Translation: Jetsun Tāranātha’s ‘The Ornament of Madhyamaka Empty-of-Other’
A new translation of one of Jetsun Tāranātha's key texts, on the view of 'Empty of Other' (gzhan stong), Ornament of the Great Middle Way Empty-of Other (gzhan stong dbu ma'i rgyan) has recently been announced by Jonang lama, Khentrul Rinpoche, who is based in Australia. It has not been translated/published into English until now.… Continue reading New Translation: Jetsun Tāranātha’s ‘The Ornament of Madhyamaka Empty-of-Other’
On the meaning and translation of ‘Shentong’ – a modern debate or dismissal of a woman’s voice?
A modern, scholarly debate? I was recently involved in an online ‘debate’ with two renowned white, male scholars of Tibetan Buddhism, Dr. Michael Sheehy and Prof. Klaus-Dieter Mathes, regarding their translation of the philosophical term, shentong (gzhan stong) as ‘the other-emptiness’, see here and here. This translation is given as the title of their new… Continue reading On the meaning and translation of ‘Shentong’ – a modern debate or dismissal of a woman’s voice?
New translation project: 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche’s Shentong Commentary on the Third Karmapa’s ‘Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer’
Have recently been spending significant time at Benchen Monastery, Pharping Nepal attending the teachings and Vajrakilaya Drubchen led by HE 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche. While I was there in September 2018, I had the good fortune and timing to offer Rinpoche a personal copy of Taranatha's Commentary on the Heart Sutra, just before he was… Continue reading New translation project: 10th Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche’s Shentong Commentary on the Third Karmapa’s ‘Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer’
The Life and Works of Tsen Khawoche: Founder of ‘the Meditative Tradition’ and Tibetan ‘Empty-of-Other’
Tsen Khawoche (btsan kha bo che, b. 1021) Inspired by the new English translation of a biography of 11th century Tibetan master, Tsen Khawoche (btsan kha bo che, b. 1021), by Alexander Gardner, published online by Treasury of Lives, I decided to write a short post about this great Tibetan scholar, master and translator who was… Continue reading The Life and Works of Tsen Khawoche: Founder of ‘the Meditative Tradition’ and Tibetan ‘Empty-of-Other’