Existence and non-existence are extremes,
Purity and impurity are extremes as well,
Thus, having relinquished both extremes,
The wise do not dwell even in the middle.
- Buddha Shakyamuni, King of Samādhi Sūtra
Shamar Rinpoche
From “A Change of Expression” (Editions Dzambhala, 1991)
We are sure you’ll enjoy these wonderful pictures of H.H. the 16th Karmapa (click on the thumbnails to enlarge). You can see the goodness and compassion simply radiating from him.
“Mind’s essence is emptiness possessing self-awareness of manifestations, referred to as all-pervading and unobstructed, i.e., emptiness and lucidity. Mind’s nature is the inseparability of emptiness and clarity. Through meditation practice, one comes to realize that there is no mind different than thoughts and that there are no thoughts different than the mind. One realizes that one either recognizes the mind or doesn’t, whereby both are the same mind. Differences pertain to realization. One needs to look at one’s mind in order to realize that it is in truth free of an apprehending subject and apprehended objects. Realization of the union of emptiness and clarity – which is freedom from subject and objects – is Mahamudra, the goal of all meditation practices. Words will not disclose Mahamudra. One needs to purify one’s negativities and obscurations that conceal one’s mind’s true nature and accumulate merit in order to realize Mahamudra.”
From the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul‘s instructions based on “Pointing Out the Dharmakaya” composed by the Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje. Full text here.
This video is of the Q&A session held by H.H. 17th Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje in Hong Kong in February 2011. Enjoy!
This letter of condolence for the people of Japan has been posted at Gyalwa Karmapa’s website.
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Today, 19 March 2011, marks several special occasions. Firstly, we wish a very happy 70th birthday to our great teacher Lama Ole Nydahl – may he live long and may his vast activity continue to benefit countless beings!