The ‘vajra descent’ and ‘authentic completion stage’: the 8th Karmapa and Tāranātha on the meaning of ‘vajra’ and ‘non-conceptual primordial awareness’

In this post today, for the auspicious day of Saga Dawa, that celebrates the birth, enlightenment and paranirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni, I consider and share some thoughts from two great Tibetan Buddhist masters on the 'completion stage' and 'signs' of attaining full awakening and what the word 'vajra' means in that context. The first  text… Continue reading The ‘vajra descent’ and ‘authentic completion stage’: the 8th Karmapa and Tāranātha on the meaning of ‘vajra’ and ‘non-conceptual primordial awareness’

Tāranātha on the Benefits of Love and the Four Immeasurables

Translator snippet Friday!  THE BENEFITS OF LOVING-KINDNESS by Tāranātha. In his important text on the Six Vajra-Yogas, One Hundred Blazing Lights: A Supplementary Commentary on Seeing the Meaningful, Tāranātha gives several quotes on bodhicitta and the the four immeasurables from Nagārjuna's texts. He goes into detail about the benefits of loving-kindness quoting from a variety… Continue reading Tāranātha on the Benefits of Love and the Four Immeasurables

Jetsun Tāranātha on having ‘Confidence in a Teacher’

Translator snippet this Saturday..... In his Introduction of the major text on the Kālacakra Six Yogas, One Hundred Blazing Lights, a Supplementary Commentary on Seeing the Meaningful, Tāranātha states one must have 'three confidences' on the path. These are 'confidence in the tantras'; 'confidence in the teacher' and 'confidence in oneself'. So why is confidence… Continue reading Jetsun Tāranātha on having ‘Confidence in a Teacher’

NECESSARY QUALITIES OF A VAJRAYANA TEACHER BY TARANATHA in ‘A HUNDRED BLAZING LIGHTS’

Often students and followers of Vajrayana get confused about what qualities are seen as essential requirements in a Vajrayana guru. They falsely believe that they should not examine a teacher and that they should take the first teacher they meet and feel intense devotion for. Fortunately, a great Vajrayana master and guru, Jetsun Tāranātha, explains… Continue reading NECESSARY QUALITIES OF A VAJRAYANA TEACHER BY TARANATHA in ‘A HUNDRED BLAZING LIGHTS’