Difference between Ganges and Five Fold Mahamudra

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Aspiring.Monk
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Difference between Ganges and Five Fold Mahamudra

Post by Aspiring.Monk »

I am interested in starting ngondro for Mahamudra, but I have seen mention of Ganges and Five Fold Mahamudra and was wondering if someone would be willing to share their knowledge on the differences between these two.

Thank you
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Könchok Thrinley
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Re: Difference between Ganges and Five Fold Mahamudra

Post by Könchok Thrinley »

Gangese mahamudra is based on a song by Tilopa. It is a text that shows how to practice mahamudra directly.

Five Fold Mahamudra can be understood in two ways. Either it is practiced in a single session and is seen as what all should be included in it. Or it can be a step by step approach of different practices leading to mahamudra practice (first ngöndro, then bodhicitta, then yidam, then guru yoga and then mahamudra).

At least that is my understanding. You do need a teacher for both tho.
“Observing samaya involves to remain inseparable from the union of wisdom and compassion at all times, to sustain mindfulness, and to put into practice the guru’s instructions”. Garchen Rinpoche

For those who do virtuous actions,
goodness is what comes to pass.
For those who do non-virtuous actions,
that becomes suffering indeed.

- Arya Sanghata Sutra
Simon E.
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Re: Difference between Ganges and Five Fold Mahamudra

Post by Simon E. »

Aye, you DO need a teacher for both or either.

Not to be attempted from books or videos or online instructions.

:smile:


Not because you will go crazy or be visited by the Dharma police, but because you will reach a plateau that you cannot go beyond on your own. And the real danger is that you think that plateau is a mountain top.

It happens.
“You don’t know it. You just know about it. That is not the same thing.”

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to me.
PeterC
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Re: Difference between Ganges and Five Fold Mahamudra

Post by PeterC »

The Ganges Mahamudra Updadesha is first and foremost an instruction on the nature of mind - more than half the content of it is on that, and the practical instructions on how to practice are limited. The Five-fold Mahamudra is an arrangement of practices (done after completing the ngondro usually). If you're practicing in that particular tradition - Drikung - then you'll probably want to receive and practice that. However other traditions have their own arrangements, curricula, etc. So the first choice is which lama/tradition you want to study with. If you are interested in the Drikung lineage, Garchen Rinpoche teaches the Fivefold Mahamudra quite often and he is excellent. He also teaches the Ganges Mahamudra quite often, and every Kagyu Mahamudra practitioner, whatever their lineage, should receive that.

In short: decide first on the guru. And once you do, I believe that it's best to dedicate a meaningful amount of time to that specific lineage's curriculum and really make progress with that, rather than trying to switch between different ones. But that's just my opinion.
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