Do you have any yourself that I can see or possibly keep a copy of?

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 16 replies

Yangtang Tulku Rinpoche is a lama that I heard about at a recent event, and I was wondering if anyone knows of any events where he will be teaching or could provide more information. I tried Google, but there didn't seem to be very much information available.

Thank you.

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 0 replies

Can someone here explain what makes up a 'cycle' of teachings. And do different mandalas symbolically represent the individual elements of a particular cycle ?

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 2 replies

Re: Facts are stubborn things. Concerning the historicity of Guru Sakyamuni Buddha and the Mahayana Buddhist Canon. . . and Right Speech Generally.

Concerning the historicity of Guru Sakyamuni Buddha and the Mahayana Buddhist Canon
( And also historicity of other persons in ancient times, such as Socrates and Confucius, and related attacks by Swarm on the Dalai Lama and various Buddhist "controversies" )


Re Swarm (1) on Tribe Crossroads of Religion:

"On the mahayana canon...

the accounts of the texts specific to the Mahayana school (the Mahayana Sutras) are seen by scholars to not represent a true historic account of the life and teachings of the Buddha.[15] The traditional account of why these accounts are not preserved in the older Tripitaka texts (the Pali Canon and the Agamas) of Early Buddhism asserts that the Mahayana teachings were given to, and preserved by, beings in other realms (either supernatural beings or Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on other planes of being). The teachings were not generally taught in this realm. . . "

This is of course false. Guru Sakyamuni taught and entrusted many teachings to his direct disciple Shariputra, and emphasized that Shariputra was an important holder of his direct teachings. These teachings include a lot of Mahayana teaching. Thus the Mahayana teaching is historically established directly from Guru Sakyamuni to a first generation immediate student, and no can can effectively refute this.

Thus Swarm's assertion fails completely on the first point.


Re Swarm (2), same thread:

"The Pali Mahaparinibbana Sutta is biographical; it gives an account of the events surrounding the end of the Buddha's life, of which scholars have said that it displays attention to detail and has been resorted to as the principal source of reference in most standard studies of the Buddha's life. "

Yes, this and many other accounts of the historical life of Guru Sakyamuni Buddha are well established and accepted by all Buddhist traditions and all academic institutions, including University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of California Berkeley and Tokyo University.

In particular, everyone accepts that Guru Sakyamuni taught the Dhammapada, which gives very clear and definite teachings on philosophy, moral conduct and ethics, karma and dharma. No one in academia nor in any of hundreds of Buddhist groups or among millions of Buddhist practitioners rejects the Dhammapada as being inaccurate or a fabrication.

This disproves two key ( and entirely bizarre ) assertions Swarm has attempted to make on tribe Buddhism. There Swarm asserts that
(1) "There was never a historical Buddha Shakyamuni."
(2) "Buddhist refuge is a mistake."

Clearly this is a syllogism, and in particular a false syllogism, specifically of the following form:
"Since there was never a historical Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddhism is fundamentally a fabrication and therefore to be rejected."

Clearly now we see that Swarm has contradicted himself ( between these posts ). He made it clear that there was never a historical Buddha, but now admits that early scriptures such as Mahaparinirvana etc. ARE completely historical, and these of course establish the life and times of the historical Buddha, in his interaction with students and others.

So now we all see that even from his own arguments Swarm has completely contradicted himself. "No there never was a Sakyamuni Buddha", and "Yes, there was a Sakyamuni Buddha." At this point it is not even necessary to "prove" the historical existence of Sakyamuni, but only to point out that Swarms assertions fail through complete self-contradition, and thus are false in all respects.

Case closed on Swarm! What a profound self humiliation in public he has made.

Swarm has made many attempts to attack Buddhism generally, in particular against Guru Sakyamuni and against the Dalai Lama. His attack against the Dalai Lama is equally weak and lacks concrete specfics. Swarm asserts that the Dalai Lama "doesn't let people practice [ Buddhism ] the way they want" but that of course is simply not true.

The opposite is true. The Dalai Lama is quite aware that there are different lineages and perspectives and historical currents in Tibetan Buddhism, and his restriction is basically that those who practice the deity "Shugdan", as some Gelugpas do, are not to take teachings from him as well. This is reasonable, and every Buddhist teacher has the right to exclude those who follow a path contradictory to the path they teach.

For example, there are Buddhist teachers who exclude Hindu students. This is not to prevent Hindus from being Hindus, but only a definition of who is accepted into a specific school of Buddhist teaching.

It should be pointed out that exclusion of Shugdan practitioners in very common in the Four Schools of Tibetan Buddhism:

(1) Shugdan practice is completely against the practice of Nyingma Tibetan Buddhism.

(2) Shugdan practice is completely incompatible with the historical lineage of Karma Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism, which makes much use of Nyingma practices such as Padmasambhava, Vajrakilaya, and Great Perfection / Dzogchen.

(3) Shugdan practice is rejected by major current teachers of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism for the same reason. HH Sakya Trizin and other primary Sakya teachers have received Nyingma teachings and also hold ancient Nyingma lineage through a Sakya predecessor who was a DIRECT student of Guru Padmasambhava. This is true even though some Sakyas have practiced Shugdan.

(4) Shugdan practice is greatly marginalized and rejected by many modern Gelugpas, both Tibetan-born and the global Gelugpa communities worldwide. A major example is the global Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Trust, which accepts the guidance of the Dalai Lama.

(5) Many or most Tibetan-born Buddhists ( in exile or in Tibet ) follow the explicit guidance of the Dalai Lama, and have therefore marginalized Shugdan practitioners.

I am not saying this to play politics, or to cause further difficulties for the Shugdan people. I am simply stating the facts on a political / theological issue which have been brought up. I personally do not wish any ill to Shugdan people, who have in fact some effect in North American and Europe.

However, since their approach is against the practice of Guru Padmasambhava and Nyingma practice in general, they have effectively excluded themselves from association with the Nyingma and Kagyu schools altogether, the modern Sakya school, the Dalai Lama and other Gelugpas.

Further, Guru Padmasambhava is practiced by millions of Chinese on a daily or weekly basis. This Nyingma practice is in fact one of the main Kagyu and Sakya and tantric Chinese Buddhist practices, not just Nyingma Tibetan per se. And furthermore, the current Dalai Lama himself inherits a major Padmasambhava practice lineage from his predecessor, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, and he has repetedly given this transmission in the West.

Thus the attack on the Dalai Lama as somehow causing problems and dividing Buddhist practitioners is quite false. Swarm is not a Buddhist, does not accept any Buddhist teaching, and is not familiar with the issues or histories of anything in Buddhism.

An ignorant or biased person might also claim that the Dalai Lama is also "interfering" with the current controversy concerning the inheritance of the Karmapa lineage, but this is also not true. The Dalai Lama personally supports one inheritor of the lineage, but does not oppose the other claimant. This is not divisive, and does not attempt to control or oppress any Kagyu school activities. Just so you know.

As we can ALL see from the above detailed discussion, Swarm's attempted criticisms are ignorant and unfounded and on a fundamental level, completely self-contradictory.

The fact is that some persons from ancient time, such as Socrates, Confucius, and Sakyamuni, are very well attested in their lives and social interactions. Sakyamuni lived for eighty years, and taught for fifty. We all know and agree on essentially all the particulars of his biography ( except dates ) from life to desth, from his family of origin to his marriage and fatherhood to his renunciation of the lay life and so forth, his entire progress as a person for eighty years.

This is in profound contrast to the "histories" of Jesus the Nazarene, of whom many basic questions remain, such as the huge gap in the middle of his rather short life.

Nevertheless, it has be conclusively shown that there are some people from ancient times, such as Socrates, Jesus the Nazarene, Confucius, and Sakayamuni, whose historical lives are well attested in the social domain and who are anything but fictional. It is absurd and laughable to deny the historical facts. Facts are stubborn things. To reject historical factual lives is merely a delusion, in psychological terms a "negative hallucination".

The clear and definite and historical account of the Buddha's teaching in Dhammapada is accepted by all, by all academics and all Buddhists worldwide. To reject this and similar foundational accounts and teachings is merely a psychological disorder, not evidence based reasoning.

The basic foundational teachings of Guru Sakyamuni stand as they always have. . . and there are other layers or developments of this foundational teaching. All Buddhist schools accept the classical early teachings given by Sakyamuni on the karma and ethics of Body Speech and Mind.

For a book reference and general introduction to Buddhist teaching, I offer
"The Dharma That Illuminates"
by Kalu Rinpoche,
a great modern master of the twentieth century, and holder of the three sets of vows, including the basic vows of monastic ethics ( Vinaya ) as taught by Sakyamuni Buddha, as well as the Mahayana and Tantric Vows.

The Dalai Lama is also capable of teaching the Three Sets of Vows. And he does.

These are universal Buddhist teachings. They are clear and direct and well understood and well communicated to all. There is no controversy. It's not like what you find in the Middle East, nor in the various theological controversies of monotheism, which are typically severe and intractable.

It's nothing like Swarm says. He has no understanding nor teaching of basic Mahayana Buddhist texts such as the Heart Scripture, the Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra. We all know this. That's simply because he is not in any way Buddhist, nor does he use any historically valid arguments. This has been obvious for years through our ongoing discussions.

This has been shown. Q.E.D. I rest my case.

You have been helped. Sarva mangalam.

KT

SOMEBODY has to know how this stuff works.


From M on tribe Crossroads of Religion:

The moral discipline portion of the Buddhist Eightfold Path is Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. This essay explores the meaning of "Right Speech."

In Pali, Right Speech is "samma vaca." The word "samma" has a sense of being perfected or completed, and "vaca" refers to words or speech. "Right speech" is more than just "correct" speech. It is the wholehearted expression of our Buddhist practice, and with Action and Livelihood it is interconnected to the other parts of the Eightfold Path -- Right Mindfulness, Right Intention, Right View, Right Concentration, Right Effort.

Right Speech is not just a personal virtue. Modern communication technology has given us a culture that seems saturated with "wrong" speech -- communication that is hateful and deceptive. This engenders disharmony, acrimony, and physical violence.

We tend to think of violent, hateful words as being less wrong than violent action. We may even think of violent words as being justified sometimes. But violent words, thoughts and actions arise together and support each other. So to do peaceful words, thoughts and actions.

Beyond cultivating beneficial or harmful karma, Right Speech is essential to personal practice. Abbess Taitaku Patricia Phelan of the Chapel Hill Zen Group says "Right Speech means using communication as a way to further our understanding of ourselves and others and as a way to develop insight."

The Basics of Right Speech

As recorded in the Pali Canon, the historical Buddha taught that Right Speech had four parts:

Abstain from false speech; do not tell lies or deceive.
Do not slander others or speak in a way that causes disharmony or enmity.
Abstain from rude, impolite or abusive language.
Do not indulge in idle talk or gossip.
Practice of these four aspects of Right Speech goes beyond simple "thou shalt nots." It means speaking truthfully and honestly; speaking in a way to promote harmony and good will; using language to reduce anger and ease tensions; using language in a way that is useful.

If your speech is not useful and beneficial, teachers say, it is better to keep silent.

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 10 replies

This video features Gelugpa Lamas Zopa Rinpoche,
Dagri Rinpoche along with the Female Nyingma
practitioner called Khandro-la who is known as
a Dakini and an Oracle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVJkBJq-0kM

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 7 replies

"Is The First Amendment for Monotheists Only?" Overturn the State of California’s “five faiths policy”

Repost from
http://tribes.tribe.net/c70c7a4b-9a2a-4751-a329-69c4ccf86a28/thread/7be3f2cd-2040-4138-ae9e-86767dc6c8ba

A case coming before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals could end up having major legal ramifications for all religious minorities in the United States. Wiccan chaplain Patrick McCollum has been fighting for years to overturn the State of California’s “five faiths policy”, which limits the hiring of paid chaplains to Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Native American adherents. While McCollum has suffered setbacks in his quest, with a California federal district court ruling in early 2009 that he had no standing to bring his suit, he recently gained support on appeal from several civil and religious rights groups who argue that his case should be heard.

“McCollum’s central claim strikes at the heart of the rights and freedoms that the Establishment Clause, the Equal Protection Clause, and Title VII were designed to guarantee. A state policy that classifies on the basis of religion (or any other protected ground) epitomizes disparate treatment that is properly subject to challenge by a member of the excluded group.” – From an Amicus Brief submitted by Americans United For Separation of Church and State, The Anti-Defamation League, The American Jewish Committee, The Interfaith Alliance, and The Hindu American Foundation

While decisions made so far have focused only on whether McCollum has standing as a taxpayer or non-inmate to bring his suit, a new Amicus Curiae filed by the National Legal Foundation, on behalf of a conservative activist organization called WallBuilders, argues that McCollum has no standing because modern Pagans aren’t guaranteed the same Constitutional rights and protections as Christian or monotheist citizens.

“The true historic meaning of “religion” excludes paganism and witchcraft, and thus, does not compel a conclusion that McCollum has state taxpayer standing … paganism and witchcraft were never intended to receive the protections of the Religion Clauses. Thus, in the present case there can be no violation of those clauses … Should this Court conclude that McCollum has taxpayer standing … this Court should at least acknowledge that its conclusion is compelled by Supreme Court precedent, not by history or the intent of the Framers.”

These statements, while certainly not representative of modern-day understandings of the Religion Clauses, have been seemingly welcomed by the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), as the amicus gives no indication that they are missing consent from the defense.

“Wallbuilders files this Brief pursuant to consent from Counsel for Plaintiffs-Appellants and pursuant to the accompanying Motion For Leave to File a Brief Amicus Curiae.”

Indeed, instead of rejecting such a blatantly discriminatory amicus, according to McCollum, in a statement sent to The Wild Hunt, lawyers for the CDCR have argued from the beginning of this long legal saga that there are two “tiers” of religion in America.

“I originally sued on behalf of myself and Pagan inmates as their chaplain, but about a year later several inmates joined the lawsuit. Together, we claimed that it is unconstitutional for the state to deny the Pagan inmates their religious rights, their religious materials, and their religious services.

During the course of the case, the CDCR, other related defendants, and the Assistant Attorneys General who represents them have argued before the court that Pagans are not deserving of equal civil rights as are provided adherents of the preferred faiths. In one of their first arguments to the court, the defendants said that certain “traditional” faiths are first tier faiths and that those faiths were meant to have equal rights and protections under the United States Constitution, but that all of the other faiths were second tier faiths, and were not meant to have the same equal rights and protections under the United States Constitution as the first tier faiths.”

The bold claim in the WallBuilders’ amicus that modern Pagans have no Constitutional claim to protection under the Religion Clauses is the plain-speaking truth behind the more nuanced claims of faith “tiers” or “traditional” faiths made by the CDCR’s legal counsel. The brief reveals, in the words of McCollum, the “real culprits” behind this long struggle.

“I was told by a wise person early on in my legal battle with the CDCR and the other defendants that in every civil rights case the true nature of those opposing the civil rights of the injured parties would eventually rear their ugly heads, and that it would then become crystal clear who was actually calling the shots on their side and what their objective was. Yesterday with the filing of this most recent brief, I think I can safely say that the real culprits have clearly shown themselves in full form — and that their goal is to tear down the religious freedoms of all faiths, except a privileged few, to create a theocracy of privilege similar to the one that spurred the discriminations and abuses on account of religion, which prompted the American founders to form a new nation with liberty and justice for all–a new nation free from such coercion.

If the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals should decide that this line of argument has any validity, it could send a shock-wave through the legal community, casting doubt on any number of legal cases that now ensure the equal protection of religious minorities. This case, fought for so long, and simply to keep a Wiccan from possibly getting a paid chaplaincy position, has already created a “two-tier” religious system for incarcerated Pagans in California. Guaranteeing that some faiths are more equal than others.

In the face of these recent developments, McCollum calls for modern Pagans and their allies to speak up against this injustice.

I think it is now time for our community, and also for people of good will in other faiths and religious communities of conscience to respond to this outrageous position in support of continued discrimination by a governmental agency. The safety and security of every minority faith community in the country is in danger when arguments like these are thought to be credible by anyone.

We all need to write to Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Mathew L. Cate, the Secretary of the CDCR and let them all know our outrage. And if you are a Pagan or Heathen, then we must also demand equal treatment, equal accommodations, equal access to our religious items for institutionalized persons, including prison inmates, and equal access to paid Pagan chaplains.”

It seems increasingly clear that arguments in this case over “taxpayer standing” has been something of a red herring, obfuscating the true history of this legal odyssey by McCollum and the Pagan inmates he is fighting for. This is about civil rights and our religious freedoms, not just a chaplaincy job in a prison. One can only echo McCollum’s sentiments, that the time to speak out is now. The time to stand behind and support McCollum is now.

You can be sure that I will continue to follow and report on this case, and that I will make more information and documents regarding this appeals process available as I have them.

Relevant Documents:

* Statement by Patrick McCollum
* Amicus Curiae by The National Legal Foundation on behalf of WallBuilders
* Amicus Curiae by Americans United For Separation of Church and State, on behalf of Americans United, The Anti-Defamation League, The American Jewish Committee, The Interfaith Alliance, and The Hindu American Foundation
* Amicus Curiae by the Florida Justice Institute and the Legal Aid Society of New York
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posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 24 replies

There is a discussion here: http://tribes.tribe.net/christian-buddhist about whether in Buddha's teachings there is a soul or God.

Care to weigh-in here or there?

I would love your input ...

Personally, in the short-short time I have been a practicing Buddhist and according to my little mind, I have yet to see any evidence or indication of either soul or God.

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 22 replies

This note is from Rigpa's website:

Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche:
"I am not creating some new Dharma. I might have a new face
and new body but the Dharma is the same."


This year students in the West will see the emergence of a
whole new generation of teachers. Amongst others,
His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi
and Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche are preparing for their international
teaching tours, including a number of events at Rigpa centres.

Each of them an incarnation of a great master from the last century,
it is amazing to see how quickly they are making a mark as teachers
in their own right. While their predecessors might have been somewhat
startled by the peculiarities of modern, western life, this group of young
lamas are fully up to the challenge. Raised by English-speaking tutors
and just as familiar with Playstation as they are with Madhyamika philosophy,
they transmit the teachings of the Buddha in ways both authentic and accessible.

Last week Lama Sonam and Kagyu Rinchen Choling hosted Yangsi Kalu
Rinpoche's public talk in Montpellier, near Rigpa's main centre of Lerab Ling
in France. A number of Rigpa's monastic and lay community attended the teaching.
They had the opportunity to meet Kalu Rinpoche after the talk, and to express both
Sogyal Rinpoche and the sangha's excitement about his visit to Lerab Ling next month.

The Montpellier event is part of Kalu Rinpoche's first European tour since finishing
a three year retreat in 2008, and he will teach at around 30 centres during this
three-month tour. Kalu Rinpoche's teaching style was direct, warm and very natural.
He covered a wide range of topics including bodhichitta, devotion, lineage, meditation,
karma and motivation - making them completely accessible to both Buddhist and
non Buddhists alike. Even though the words seemed clear and simple, one could
feel a much deeper and direct teaching underlying!

When speaking about the motivation of bodhichitta, Kalu Rinpoche described
'all sentient beings' as an extension of our family. We simply need to extend the love
and care we show our family to all sentient beings. 'All sentient beings' are just our family!
As if hinting about the need for us to recognize our Buddha Nature, he referred again
and again to 'being natural' and 'being yourself'.

Join us for Kalu Rinpoche's visit to Lerab Ling from 12 - 14 April where he will teach
on the Four Foundations of Shangpa (the Shangpa Preliminaries). This text was
composed by Tai Situ Rinpoche in 2009 at the request of Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche,
so it is an incredible opportunity to receive teachings on this new text from the holder
of the lineage! This event is open to all.

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 1 reply

Venerable Traga Rinpoche will be leaving for Tibet and is offering his last Phowa teaching March 25th through 31st at the Garchen Buddhist Institute in Arizona. If you received the empowerment previously you can attend whatever days you are able. If not they ask that you make sure to attend the first day.

Traga Rinpche is a Phowa master and it is truly a great opportunity.

My apologies for not announcing sooner than this.

Hope to see you there!

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 1 reply

Buddhist Deity of Compassion Avalokitesvara/ Tara / Kuanyin : References and resources ( and an event with Sandy Boucher In Seattle 15 April )

Here I provide a deep and broad set of book and audio references, including classical practice texts and mantras, for the Buddhist deity Avalokitesvara, known under many names throughout the Buddhist world, and also practiced by some Hindus and Taoists and pagans generally.

Some of the names ( or manifestations ) of Avalokitesvara are Tara, Kuanyin ( Chinese ), Chenresig ( Tibetan ), Kwannon ( Japanese ), Kuan Um ( Korean ) and so forth. There are many many traditions and practices of Avalokitesvara and Tara throughout Northern Asian Buddhism. All are from the Mahayana ( Universal Service / Universal Enlightenment ) schools of Buddhism. One of the most famous and most important of all Mahayana scriptures and practices is that of the Heart Sutra, which comes from Avalokitesvara.

Kuanyin ( or Kwannon or Tara ) is one of the primary goddess practices worldwide, among several hundred million Chinese and Japanese Buddhists, and also among millions of western Buddhists both male and female, in the Americas, Europe and so forth.

I am ( under tantric teaching vows ) required to propagate Avalokitesvara teaching and practice, and have now done so.

You have been helped.
Sarva mangalam. Siddhi rastu!

KT




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara
Avalokitesvara is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. He is one of the more widely revered bodhisattvas in mainstream Mahayana Buddhism. In China and its sphere of cultural influence, Avalokitesvara is often depicted in a female form known as Guan Yin.

Bodhisattva from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva
:
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva ( means either "enlightened (bodhi) existence (sattva)" or "enlightenment-being" or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one (satva) for enlightenment (bodhi)." Another translation is "Wisdom-Being." It is the name given to anyone who, motivated by great compassion, has generated bodhicitta, which is a spontaneous wish to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all living beings.[2]


http://www.eastwestbookshop.com/


Thursday, April 15 at East West Seattle
Experience the Compassion of Kwan Yin, the Buddhist Goddess
7-8:30 p.m. Free!

SANDY BOUCHER will evoke the luminous spirit of Kwan Yin, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion, will invite us to share our own encounters with this powerful goddess, and will lead a guided full-moon meditation to connect us all with Kwan Yin’s compassionate energy.

Sandy has been leading retreats in the Northwest for ten years, working with women’s energy to break down our self-destructive patterns. Her books include Turning the Wheel: American Women Creating the New Buddhism; Opening the Lotus, A Woman’s Guide to Buddhism; Hidden Spring: A Buddhist Woman Confronts Cancer; and Dancing in the Dharma: The Life and Teachings of Ruth Denison.
Website: http://www.sandyboucher.net


East West Bookshop of Seattle
6500 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98125
206-523-3726 or 800-587-6002

View map:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=6500+roosevelt+way+ne+98115&z=12


Email: info@eastwestbookshop.com


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana

Mahayana ( mahayana literally 'Great Vehicle') is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice. It was founded in India. The name "Mahayana" is used in three main senses:

1. As a living tradition, Mahayana is the larger of the two major traditions of Buddhism existing today, the other being Theravada. This classification is largely undisputed by all Buddhist schools.
2. According to the Mahayana method of classification of Buddhist philosophies, "Mahayana" refers to a level of spiritual motivation[1] (also known as "Bodhisattvayana"[2]). According to this classification, the alternative approach is called "Hinayana", or "Sravakayana". It is also recognized by Theravada Buddhism, but is not considered very relevant for practice.[3]
3. According to the Vajrayana scheme of classification of practice paths, Mahayana refers to one of the three routes to enlightenment, the other two being Hinayana and Vajrayana. This classification is the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism, and is not recognized by Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwan_Yin

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/kuanyin-txt.htm

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/heartstr.htm

The Heart Sutra
Prajna Paramita Hrydaya Sutra


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Compassion_Mantra

Nilakantha Dharani (The Blue Necked Dharani)

Namo ratna-trayaya
(Adoration of the triple Gem)

[edit] I. Initial Salutation

Nama aryavalokite-svaraya bodhisattvaya maha-sattvaya maha-karunikaya
(Adoration to the noble Lord who looks down, the enlightened sentient being, the great being, the merciful one!)

[edit] II. Name of Avalokitesvara

Om sarva-bhaya-sodhanaya tasya namaskrtva imu Arya-valokite-svara tava namo Nilakantha 2
(Om! Having paid adoration to One who dispels all fears, the noble Avalokitesvara, adoration to the blue-necked one!)

[edit] III. sloka enunciation of the merit of the hrdaya-dharani

Hrdayam vartayisyami sarvartha-sadhanam subham 3 ajeyam sarva-bhutanam bhava-marga-visodhakam 4
(I shall enunciate the heart dharani which ensures all purpose, is pure and invincible for all beings, and which purifies the path of existence.)

[edit] IV. Dharani

Tadyatha: Om Alokadhipati lokatikranta
(Like this: Om! Lord of Effulgence, the World-Transcending One.

Ehy maha-bodhisattva sarpa-sarpa smara smara hrdayam
(Come, great bodhisattva, descend, descend. Please remember (smara) my heart dharani.

Kuru-kuru karma dhuru-dhuru vijayate maha-vijayate
(Do, do the work. Hold fast, hold fast, Victor, the great Victor)

Dhara-dhara dharini-raja cala-cala mama vimala-murtte
(Hold on, hold on, King of the Dharani. Move, move onto my spotless image.)

Ehi ehi chinda chinda aras pracali vasa-vasam pranasaya
(Come, come, the vow, the vow of the admantine king, destroy, destroy every poison.)

Hulu-hulu smara hulu-hulu sara-sara siri-siri suru-suru
(Quick-quick, please remember, quick-quick. Descend-descend, descend-descend, descend-descend)

Bodhiya-bodhiya bodhaya-bodhaya maitriya Nilakantha [dehi me] darsanam
(Being enlightened, being enlightened; enlighten me, enlighten me. Merciful Blue-necked One appear [unto me].)

Praharayamanaya svaha siddhaya svaha maha-siddhaya svaha siddhayogisvaraya svaha
(To you who sees us, hail! To the Successful one hail! To the Great Successful one hail! To the Successful Lord of the yogis, hail!)

Nilakanthaya svaha varaha-mukhaya svaha narasimha-mukhaya svaha
(To the Blue-necked one (Nilakantha) hail! To the Boar-faced One hail! To Man-Lion faced One hail!)

Gada-hastaya svaha cakra-hastaya svaha padma-hastaya svaha
(To one who bears the mace (gada) in his hand, hail! To the holder of discus in his hand, hail! To One who sports a lotus (padma) in his hand, hail!)

Nilakantha-pandaraya svaha Mahatali Sankaraya svaha
(To Blue-necked One smeared (with holy ashes), hail! To the mighty auspicious one, hail!)

[edit] V. Final Salutation

Namo ratna-trayaya Nama aryavalokite-svaraya bodhisattvaya svaha
(Adoration to the Triple Gem, adoration to the noble Avalokitesvara (Lord who looks down), the enlightened being, hail!)

Book References:

http://www.snowlionpub.com/html/product_7204.html

Trainings in Compassion
with translation by Tyler Dewar under the guidance of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

The manuals included in this book were authored by the great Tibetan siddha Thangtong Gyalpo, the renowned nineteenth century master Jamgon Kongtrul, and the Fifteenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje.

This work includes translations of key Kagyu lineage meditation manuals for the practice of the deity of compassion Avalokiteshvara, one of the main introductory meditation practices presented in scores of Tibetan Buddhist centers across North America and Europe. The book also includes teachings on the nature of compassion by the highly regarded teacher Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, praises to Avalokiteshvara by the Indian master Chandrakirti, and a fresh translation of the famed Mahayana text The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva.

Excerpt at
http://www.snowlionpub.com/pages/N65_3.html

"The following is an excerpt from a chapter of the book by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.

Entering the Trainings in Compassion

"When looking at the notion of enlightenment, the possibility of becoming completely awake, the only method that can lead us to that state of total wakefulness is the practice of loving-kindness and compassion.

"In the sâtras, the Buddha said that in the beginning, compassion is like the seed without which we cannot have any fruit; in the middle, compassion is like water to nourish the seed we have planted; in the end, compassion is like the warmth of the sun that brings the fruit to ripening. Thus, without compassion, there is no seed of enlightenment, no path to enlightenment, and no fruition of enlightenment. The genuine heart of loving-kindness and compassion is crucial in achieving one's own freedom from suffering, and in achieving freedom for all sentient beings.

"In Tibetan, the word for compassion is nying-je (Tib. snying rje), which literally means "noble heart." Compassion is the most dignified, noble, and profound treasure of our heart. There is nothing more profound or precious than this heart of compassion. What is this heart of compassion? It is a genuine concern, a genuine willingness to give anything of ourselves that is necessary to alleviate the sufferings of sentient beings. Compassion also has a quality of being passionate-a genuine, innocent desire and willingness, as well as a sense of openness and bravery. Bravery here refers to not being afraid of seeing and being with suffering, and to not being afraid of where you are or who you are in any given moment.

The Vast and the Profound

"The path of training in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that focuses on the development of loving-kindness and compassion is called MahÏyÏna-the "great vehicle." All of the many MahÏyÏna teachings are included within two categories: the vast and the profound. These two qualities correlate to the two types of bodhichitta, absolute bodhichitta and relative bodhichitta. Absolute bodhichitta is the profound reality, and relative bodhichitta is the vast methods for connecting to that reality. . . ."


http://www.snowlionpub.com/html/product_9868.html

THE HEALING POWER OF LOVING-KINDNESS: A Guided Buddhist Meditation
by Tulku Thondup

"A remarkable lucid distillation of Tibetan Buddhist teachings on how the state of our minds in life affects the nature and quality of our experiences in death." The result is a provocative and surpisingly compelling work that will appeal to beginners and advanced practitioners alike."--Publishers Weekly

This book-and-CD set presents Buddhist instructions for changing our negative thoughts and feelings to a positive, loving attitude toward everyone. By bringing images and thoughts of the Buddhist deity of loving-kindness to mind, our hearts connect with the Buddha’s and our activities become beneficial and helpful.The CDs present Tulku Thondup guiding an extended meditation practice, which is a traditional ritual of visualizing and invoking the blessings of the Buddha of Loving-Kindness. The book includes teachings on the Buddhist view of lovingkindness, the philosophy behind Tibetan Buddhist visualization and prayer practices, and basics of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. The package includes a full-color illustration of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Loving-Kindness, for help with the visualization.

Tulku Thondup came to the United States as a visiting scholar at Harvard University. He currently teaches programs throughout the world and is the author of many books.

118 pp., 3 audio CDs (3 hours) with meditation card and slipcase.
# HEPOLO - $ 24.95


http://www.namsebangdzo.com/Thousand_Armed_Avalokitesvara_p/12549.htm

Thousand Armed Avalokitesvara
By: Lokesh Chandra

A fundamental work based on original Sanskrit, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and the lost Iranian language Sogdian and Tibetan works-on the origin of Avalokitesvara. It indentifies the several prevalent folk-deities, which were assimilated into the iconographical form. The worship of Avalokitesvara was accompanied by a dharani (recited hymn). This work describes five versions of thedharani. The dharani is an essential part of the Zen repertoire of sutras.


http://www.amazon.com/Nyung-Achievement-Eleven-Faced-Compassionate-Avalokiteshvara/dp/0861712501/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269803419&sr=1-1

Nyung Na: The Means of Achievement of the Eleven-Faced Great Compassionate One, Avalokiteshvara of the (Bhikshuni) Lakshmi Tradition

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Wisdom Publications (March 25, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0861712501
ISBN-13: 978-0861712502

Product Description
An intensive Buddhist practice for purification and the accumulation of positive energy.

See also
http://www.fpmt.org/shop/product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=190&Category_ID=8

Nyung Na

The Nyung Nä retreat is a two-day intensive practice that includes taking the 24-hour Mahayana precepts with the addition of complete fasting and silence on the second day.

Doing even one Nyung Nä or "abiding in retreat" for just two days is said to be as effective as three months of other purification practices and is extremely powerful for healing illness, purifying negative karma, and opening the heart to compassion.

Contents Include:
-The Preparatory Ceremony
-Calling the Lama from Afar
-Taking the Restoring and Purifying Ordination
-Requesting the Lineage Gurus
-The Foundation of All Good Qualities
-Request to the Supreme Compassionate One
-Invocation of the Merit Field
-The Bodhisattva's Confession of Moral Downfalls
-How to Meditate on Self-Generation
-Meditation on the Front-Generation
-The Principle Practice of Praise
-Offering the Tormas
-Praises to the Dharma Protectors
-Offering an Ablution
-Verses of Auspiciousness

Appendices:
1: Arranging the Essential Bases
2: Instructions
3: Notes about the Mahayana Ordination
4: Mudras for the Nyung Na Practice
5: Modes of Practice
6: Notes on Mantra Recitation
7: How to Perform the Offering Bath
8: Avalokiteshvara
9: Bhikshuni Lakshmi
10: Notes on the Long Dharani
11: About the Author, Lozang Kalsang Gyatso

-Notes
-His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama's Dedication
-Chenrezig Mandala (removable line drawing)

Spiral bound, 182 pages


http://www.fpmt.org/shop/product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=105&Category_ID=8

Chenrezig - A Short Practice of Four Arm Chenrezig

This practice develops our ability to have an open heart through meditation on Chenrezig. The mantra of Chenrezig is the most widely recited mantra in Tibetan Buddhism and has great power for developing a good heart.

http://www.fpmt.org/shop/product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=733&Category_ID=25

Mantras of the Great Compassionate One - CD

On this high quality recording, Lama Zopa Rinpoche beautifully chants OM MANI PADME HUM, followed by the long dharani of Chenrezig, the Great Compassionate One. The chants are preceded by a short commentary on the benefits and instructions for recitation of the long mantra by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

The package includes a written transcript. You will receive an e-mail with your order containing a link to a downloadable PDF file.


http://www.amazon.com/Praise-Tara-Songs-Saviouress/dp/0861711092/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269803568&sr=1-1

In Praise of Tara: Songs to the Saviouress

Product Description
The most dearly loved of all the Buddhist deities is the blissful goddess Tara. She acts with lightning speed to aid those in distress and to fulfill their wishes. In Praise of Tara is a complete guide to understanding this Buddhist goddess, including a history of the Tara Tantra, canonical and practice texts, and lyrical praises.

Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Wisdom Publications (May 25, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0861711092
ISBN-13: 978-0861711093


http://www.amazon.com/Cult-Tara-Hermeneutics-Studies-Religions/dp/0520036352/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269806022&sr=1-1

The Cult of Tara: Magic and Ritual in Tibet (Hermeneutics: Studies in the History of Religions) (Paperback)

Product Description
The unique importance of Stephan Beyer's work is that it presents the living ritual of Tibetan Buddhists. The reader is made a witness to cultic proceedings through which the author guides him carefully.(Reprinted)

Product Details

Paperback: 564 pages
Publisher: University of California Press (June 12, 1978)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0520036352
ISBN-13: 978-0520036352



http://www.amazon.com/Skillful-Grace-Tara-Practice-Time/dp/9627341614/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Skillful Grace: Tara Practice for Our Time (Paperback)
Marcia Binder Schmidt (Author), Erik Pema Kunsang (Author)

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: North Atlantic Books (October 16, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9627341614
ISBN-13: 978-9627341611

Product Description
Tara is one of the most inspiring of Buddhist deities, embodying the most compelling and vital qualities of the feminine: beauty, grace, and the ability to nurture, care for, and protect. This complex goddess, whose practice transcends sect and class, is also a true warrior, vanquishing fear and ignorance–in a sense the earliest known incarnation of Buddhist feminism. Skillful Grace is an elegant introduction to practice and meditation techniques based on the Vajrayana path.

The book is divided into three main sections. The first contains the basic text of Tara practice, The Essential Instruction on the Threefold Excellence, which connects the seeker to the profound essence of Tara as revealed by Chokgyur Lingpa. The other two sections feature enlightening commentaries on the text by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Jamgön Kongtrül, and Adeu Rinpoche.

Skillful Grace includes all the preliminaries of Tara practice, as well as its main part and the subsequent yogas. Tara Bennett Goleman’s foreword, Marcia Schmidt’s introduction, and various appendixes and footnotes add useful context.
About the Author
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1921—1996) was among Tibetan Buddhism’s greatest 20th-century masters. Adeu Rinpoche lives at the Tsechu Monastery in Tibet.


http://www.tibetantreasures.com/tthtml/ttsadhanatapes.htm

Red Tara: An Open Door to Bliss and Ultimate Awareness

Red Tara meditations have been used for centuries to attain the recognition of our original, pure buddha nature through many perfect lineages of highly realized Tibetan Buddhist practioners. Based on the treasure discovered by the great Nyingmapa lama, Apong Terton, this practice emphasizes the continual invocation of Tara's blessings to activate our innate buddha nature. This 2 CD set includes both the Concise English Tara practice, with mantras sung by H.E. Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche and students, and an audio book recording of Red Tara Commentary: Instructions for the Concise Practice Known as Red Tara: An Open Door to Bliss and Ultimate Awareness, complied and read by his wife, Chagdud Khadro.

2CDs AVSCRTA $24.95

http://www.fpmt.org/shop/product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=1290&Category_ID=8&
http://www.fpmt.org/shop/product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=1290&Category_ID=8&

White Tara - Meditations on White Tara: Revised 2005

The practice of White Tara strengthens and restores good health and life-force energy by gathering all the various elements needed to sustain and nurture health and removing life obstacles. In addition, by relying on White Tara, we are quickly able to gain whatever is needed to accomplish our aims in this life.

This meditation can be done on behalf of oneself or others. It is frequently done to remove the obstacles to our gurus' long lives and health. If one has experienced many health problems, accidents, depression, or a loss of "lust for life," the practice of White Tara can be especially powerful.

Contents Include:
-White Tara Motivation for Long Life
-A Short White Tara Meditation
-White Tara Sadhana (with the mantra of Amitayus)
-The Practice of White Tara with Senghe Dra
-Dedication Prayers


http://www.purifymind.com/UsnisaVijayaDharani.htm

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 1 reply

I'm experiencing terrible headaches during the practice to the extent that I did not practice last night (after the sessions, on my own in temple) as the Lama suggested we do because it was too painful. Has anyone else experienced this? I finally broke down and took something to get rid of it but it was evening so ... I hesitated to take anything during day because I wanted to monitor how I felt. It is having an effect on my enthusiasm. Have you experienced anything like it? What did you do?

Thank you for sharing your experiences or stories of those you know.

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 20 replies

have any one seen this movie? it has only played in film festivals so far. i saw it at the woods hole fest after GOTV, a day of work and buzzed over there, by a freak of miracle there was no traffic! at all, i actually got the few remaining park spots across from venue, and low and behold got miracled before going in' , i cant believe i did all that after a day of work in the summer. it was the best movie eveer.... and what beautiful folks in it and involved with it. i never heard gravys song before and was more of a shocked witness to his awesome song, i went out and got his record so i could listen to it again. its so great. i hope you can check the links out below to the movie. ~ thanks for reading~

PLEDGE.......
to get wavys gravys movie off the ground and on the track to theaters around the country and eventually onto DVD.
wavy gravy has the hog farm and has been helping inner city youth get their lives on track,
totally a saint and his inspiring story should be shared with every american.
make dreams come true.
MAKE A PLEDGE!!!!!!!!!!!.. click on this link to the kickstarter site linked with amazon

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/176550745/saint-misbehavin-the-wavy-gravy-movie
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING IT OUT.
here is his facebook link:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Misbehavin-The-Wavy-Gravy-Movie/55593058644
and the movie website:

www.rippleeffectfilms.com

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 0 replies

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had heard advice from a good lama on how to be confident in having received an initiation empowerment. Are there factors that make it questionable whether the transmission has been received or factors that give confidence in whether you have?

Recently I received a series of empowerments and I confused my visualization of one of the deities during the ceremony. Does this interfere with the reception of the form empowerment? Or is it enough to pray to the lama and open to the blessings, etc?

Thank you,
M

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 28 replies

I'm thinking of getting this book, or perhaps something similar. Have any of you read it? Do you recommend this or another?

http://www.snowlionpub.com/html/product_295.html

k thnx bai

:)

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 19 replies

Is tonglen really a safe practice?

Is it really wise to take on the sufferings of others?

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 3 replies

Sakya Trizin - bestowal of the Vajrakilaya in Vancouver
August, 2011

Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling is pleased to announce that His Holiness Sakya Trizin, the 41st throne holder of the Sakya Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, under the invitation of Jetsun Kushok Chimey Luding Rinpoche, will bestow the Vajrakilaya 2-day major empowerment and teachings in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from 19 to 21 August, 2011.

"Of the profound and inexhaustible ocean of teachings that Guru Padmasambhava possessed, Vajrakilaya is one of the most important. Its empowerment, teachings and pith instructions were given to one of his most important spiritual disciples, Khön Nagendra Rakshita (Lü'i Wangpo Sungwa), who then practised it until he achieved both ordinary and supreme siddhis. As a sign of his great attainment, he managed to display the great miracle of keeping his vajra and bell suspended in space. Guru Padmasambhava himself declared that Nagendrarakshita had attained the eighth stage of the great bodhisattva path.

The Vajrakilaya empowerment, teachings and pith instructions then passed down from Nagendrarakshita to his own nephews, as they were appointed as the holders of the Khön lineage; and ever since then they have been passed down through this lineage, which includes the five Sakya patriarchs.

So this is a very rare teaching that has not only continued through an unbroken lineage from the primordial Buddha, but has also been passed down through the hereditary lineage. Each of these masters, from Guru Padmasambhava to those of the present, has achieved great realization, and as a result has performed great miracles. I myself received this from my own father, as well as from one of my most important root gurus, both of whom attained great realization through the Vajrakilaya practice, and showed many significant miracles." - His Holiness Sakya Trizin

Please remember to mark your calendar for this very special and precious event, and please help us forward this message to your Dharma friends and students who may be interested. To receive further information regarding this event, please send an email to vancouver.vajrakilaya@gmail.com. Detailed information will be available shortly when the planning is completed .

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 0 replies

http://www.jcrows.com/vajraguru.pdf

"Commentary on the Mystic Syllables and the Benefits of the Vajra Guru Mantra"

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 2 replies

Seems to have disappeared from the internet. Does anyone here have a copy?

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 7 replies

Hello everyone,

I am just a beginner studying Tibetan Buddhism for my anthropological fieldwork at a Buddhist center.
So I was wondering how romantic love is viewed in Tibetan Buddhism. I'm guessing that it is viewed as one of the possible causes of suffering.
But what if a Tibetan lama, for an instance, fell in love with a woman... how would he deal with it? Or if it was the other way around - a disciple fell in love with her lama or a monk? They would never act on these feelings, I presume?

What do you think? Have these things happened before? I've heard stories of Buddhist monks falling in love before.

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 5 replies

Hello dear sisters and brothers. It is a feast day - Dakini Day. I hope you have the opportunity to connect with your circle of fellow practitioners and your guru. It is a magical experience! Wishing you all the best today and always!

Cliff

posted in Tibetan Buddhism - 1 reply