Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye
When you study, study everything under the sun.
When you reflect, keep an open mind.
When you practice, do one practice and go deep.
– Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye, 1813-1899
Do one practice and go deep
January 15th, 2011Painting of the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje
January 13th, 2011This beautiful painting, from the collection of the Rubin Museum of Art, New York, is in the Karma Gardri style of Eastern Tibet and dates from the 19th Century. It is based on the Guru Yoga in Four Sessions (Tib. tun shi lami naljor) meditation composed by the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje (1507–1554). This practice is taught in Diamond Way Buddhist centres, after one has completed the Four Foundational Practices (Tib. ngondro) (click on image to enlarge).
Thangka painting of the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje
New book with account of the early years of the 8th Karmapa
January 9th, 2011
Lives Lived, Lives Imagined
A new book published by Wisdom Publications entitled “Lives Lived, Lives Imagined – Biographies of Awakening” is an impressive collection of cross-traditional accounts of the lives of Buddhist practitioners, with contributions from a range of contemporary authors and scholars. In particular, it contains a fascinating account of the early years of the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje (1507-1554).
The section of the book in question is “Narratives of Reincarnation, Politics of Power, and the Emergence of a Scholar – The Very Early Years of Mikyö Dorje”, by Jim Rheingans. In it, Rheingans presents a vast range of biographical and historical material on the early years of the Eighth Karmapa Mikyö Dorje, whose recognition and enthronement were overshadowed by attempts to install a rival candidate as the new Karmapa. Rheingans makes clear how the method of establishing spiritual lineages through identifying reincarnations was (and is) embedded into the politics of the day. Biographies and autobiographies reflect this religio-political dimension, and some of the stock elements of such narratives, like the self-recognition of an incarnate young lama or the establishment of the prototypical patron-priest relationship in later years, serve to legitimize the position of the Karmapa and establish the political alliances that were necessary for maintaining a religious legacy.
Milarepa’s Song to Lady Paldarboom
January 6th, 2011
Milarepa (1052—1135) (painting by Robert Beer)
In his teachings, Lama Ole Nydahl often refers to the kind of advice Milarepa would give to his female students about obstacles in meditation, for example: “when you can see the greatness of the mountain, how can you be disturbed by a few trees?” and “when you can experience the depth of the ocean, how can you be disturbed by waves?” Here is one of Milarepa’s songs, in a translation by Lama Ole and Hannah’s old friend Ken McLeod, in which this advice is contained:
Message from Lama Ole Nydahl to H.H. 17th Karmapa on the 900th anniversary of the 1st Karmapa Dusum Khyenpa
January 2nd, 2011
Lama Ole Nydahl’s New Year’s letter 2011
January 2nd, 2011
Lama Ole Nydahl
December 31st , 2010
Dearest students and friends worldwide,
Looking back over 2010, it became our year of definition. Checking where we are and realizing the power of our close communication, stabilized and secured the work in our old and new centers and groups worldwide.
Heart Advice from a Mahamudra Master
December 29th, 2010
Gendun Rinpoche
A new book of Buddhist teachings by Gendun Rinpoche has recently been published in English entitled “Heart Advice from a Mahamudra Master”.
Footprints of the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje
December 27th, 2010
Footprints of the 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje
This painting (click to enlarge), recently uploaded to the Himalayan Art Resource website, shows the footprints of the 3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339). The footprints are accompanied by the early Marpa Kagyu lineage, predecessors to the Karma Kagyu lineage, along with Buddhas, protectors and wealth aspects. The custom of having drawings done based on the physical outline of a teachers feet appears to be an oral instruction coming down from Gampopa.
