Archive for March, 2011

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H.H. 16th Karmapa – Black Crown Ceremony, New Hampshire, USA

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

This recording of H.H. the 16th Karmapa performing the the Black Crown ceremony was shot in 16mm by John Karol, at the Cathedral of the Pines, New Hampshire. The year was probably 1981, as H.H. Karmapa’s appearance already shows the signs of the cancer which would eventually lead to his passing in November of that year. Despite his serious illness, through the Black Crown ceremony H.H. Karmapa – the “King of Yogis” – displays his power, dignity and nobility, and proclaims his enlightened state of mind.

This footage is from the “extras” disc which features with the documentary film “Recalling a Buddha” (2009) by Greg Eller. The DVD is available to purchase online at www.karmapaxvi.com.

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3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche on the Mahamudra Lineage

Monday, March 7th, 2011
3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (1954-1992)

3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche (1954-1992)

“The transmission of Mahamudra does not take place through an intellectual understanding of Buddhist literature. Mahamudra is an oral transmission of the meditation instructions that have been handed down through the Lineage from a Lama to his disciples successively and is based on realization of the instructions. A transmission presupposes realization on the part of a Lama, who is able to transmit the blessings of the Lineage, without any mistakes. This is why the Mahamudra Lineage is extremely pure and beneficial – transmission is based on realization. All meditation instructions are profound and are not a mere collection of information.”

From the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul‘s instructions based on “Pointing Out the Dharmakaya” composed by the Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje. Full text here.

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Happy Year of the Iron Hare!

Friday, March 4th, 2011
Mahakala statue in Rumtek Monastery (photo: Peter Mannox)

Mahakala statue in Rumtek Monastery (photo: Peter Mannox)

Tomorrow, 5 March 2011, marks “Losar” – Tibetan New Year 2138. We wish a happy and auspicious Year of the Female Iron Hare to all our readers.

According to Karma Kagyu tradition, on the last day of the Tibetan year, a day-long practice of Black Coat (Tib. Mahakala Bernagchen) is performed to clear away obstacles and negativity of the old year to foster positive circumstances and progress in Dharma practice in the year ahead. The picture above shows statues of the Karma Kagyu protectors – Black Coat is the central form, flanked by Radiant Goddess (Tib. Palden Lhamo) on the left and Good Diamond (Tib. Dorje Legpa) on the right. 

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If you do Phowa, do it like this

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
Marpa

Marpa

“Lord Marpa, on the verge of passing into nirvana, transformed his consort Dagmema into a sphere of light and dissolved her into his heart center. Straightening his body, he said, “Sons, if you do Phowa, do it like this!” Then a sphere of five-coloured light the size of an egg ascended into the sky from a crack at the crown of his head.”

- Tsele Natsok Rangdrol, Mirror of Mindfulness (Rangjung Yeshe, 1987)

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