Dharma Wheel

OK, so the Dzogchen POV is that the Vajrasattva of Ngondro is a real Buddha, not just a method? Whichever position you end up taking, please don't consider yidams to be "just" methods. They are methods. Existent or not, there is nothing meager or diminutive about the methods of the Vajray...

The Trinley Nyingpo is part of the Tukdrub Barchey Kunsel cycle from the termas of Chokgyur Lingpa. That cycle is particular powerful for dispelling obstacles to awakening, and I would recommend anyone connect in some way to the blessings of the Chokling tradition. The length of the sadhana depends ...

What is more appropriate for a monk, to renounce samsara or justify it? That's irrelevant to this discussion. The ethics of a monk are totally different from the ethics of running a nation. As a monk and practitioner, why do you concern yourself with the ethics of running a nation? You don't run a ...

As mentioned in the link to Dzongsar Khyentse's address to the mourner/practitioners, mere days before his death, Tharchin Rinpoche was remarking that he'd accomplished all he set out to do in this life and was looking forward to his future activities. That couple with the signs that manifested at h...

Contemporary national politics are concentrated chunks of samsara. Of course, as human beings we cannot extricate ourselves entirely, as any monastery will lie within the borders of some sovereign nation or another, but the fact that the gears of all states are greased with theft and violence is tes...

These are all really good suggestions. I particularly like the idea about mantra. The funny thing is that I don't listen to music regularly, certainly not every day, nor do I play an instrument. I think this is just the default way for my mind to seek distraction. And there's something about Streetl...

He may not have been a prince, but this does not disprove his luxurious upbringing under his father's doting care. My personal opinion on the Twelve Deeds formula for how Buddhas manifest in this world is that it is a convention of Indian literature. I personally don't find it inspiring, but in any ...

This is a recurring obstacle that I'm sure many people can relate to. There's a particular part of my mind that likes to play certain songs over and over and over again that I don't seem to be able to silence with Shamatha, even as other facets of my mind calm down. I usually end up doing the practi...

I have not studied the Pali Scriptures intensively, but from what little exposure I've had I have gained nothing but benefit. I think the methods of contemplation within the Suttas, particularly the Satipatthana, to be incredibly profound and work very well in tandem with Lojong teachings.

I know he's currently traveling, but Kyabje Yangthang Rinpoche lives in Yuksom most of the time and is an incredible Dzogchen master. And someone already mentioned Dodrupchen Rinpoche in Gangtok.

In my experience, smoking cigarettes is highly distasteful o Tibetans and it is exceedingly rude to smoke in the presence of a Lama. I don't know if this has its roots in the Vajrayana or is more of a Tibetan thing, but I do know that to call smoking impolite would be an understatement.

I did as much research as I could before hand. This wasn't my first cricket release and this hasn't happened before. I know crickets live in Santa Cruz (I'm listening to some chirp right now) but I couldn't figure out the exact species of the feeder crickets. I have no idea how to tell if they were ...

I know H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche revealed some mind termas that are currently being practiced.

Hello everyone Earlier today I decided to buy and release some feeder crickets from my local pet store in honor of the last day of Saga Dawa. I took them to a close-by wooded area with some redwood duff and ivy, which I read are good conditions for crickets. Towards the end of the practice, I starte...

I feel as though I have met westerners who are qualified to be called a Naljorpa, regardless of what they are wearing. More and more I am seeing the contention about the ability of Westerners to practice and achieve accomplishment as useless. The Buddha's teachings are just as effective for us as an...

Hi Phoebee, It's wonderful that you have developed such an interest at such a young age, that's a remarkable sign of maturity. I would recommend learning about the Buddhist centers in your area and visiting those places with a friend. Personal advice given one on one is usually more helpful than any...

I don't recall ever reading that diatribes against another's samaya do anything to protect one's own...

I didn't bother to read through the entire thread but I'd like to chip in my two cents anyhow. My understanding is that the continual process of unintentional rebirth is caused by clinging. Clinging to a self, clinging to views, clinging to sensations, clinging to any impression of reality as being ...

I will not claim to be a Vajrayana practitioner, as that title is reserved for people who can do things with their mind that I cannot. However, as someone who has studied with Vajrayana teachers, I must say I am in near-total agreement with Huseng. Vajrayana practices, including consort practice, ar...

I haven't seen anything posted about this, so I thought I'd bring it up just so people were aware of it. At monlam.org one can sponsor various kinds of pujas performed by monks and nuns, and with each sponsorship you can make a special request for someone or something that will be incorporated into ...