Newsletter of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery Issue 21 August 2008
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Conversion to Tibetan Buddhism: Some Reflections Bei Dawei
4 Conversion to Tibetan Buddhism: Some Reflections Bei Dawei Abstract Tibetan Buddhism, it is often said, discourages conversion. The Dalai Lama is one of many Buddhist leaders who have urged spiritual seekers not to convert to Tibetan Buddhism, but to remain with their own religions. And yet, despite such admonitions, conversions somehow occur—Tibetan dharma centers throughout the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and East/Southeast Asia are filled with people raised as Jews, Christians, or followers of the Chinese folk religion. It is appropriate to ask what these new converts have gained, or lost; and what Tibetan Buddhism and other religions might do to better adapt. One paradox that emerges is that Western liberals, who recoil before the fundamentalists of their original religions, have embraced similarly authoritarian, literalist values in foreign garb. This is not simply an issue of superficial cultural differences, or of misbehavior by a few individuals, but a systematic clash of ideals. As the experiences of Stephen Batchelor, June Campbell, and Tara Carreon illustrate, it does not seem possible for a viable “Reform” version of Tibetan Buddhism (along the lines of Reform Judaism, or Unitarian Universalism) ever to arise—such an egalitarian, democratic, critical ethos would tend to undermine the institution of Lamaism, without which Tibetan Buddhism would lose its raison d’être. The contrast with the Chinese folk religion is less obvious, since Tibetan Buddhism appeals to many of the same superstitious compulsions, and there is little direct disagreement. Perhaps the key difference is that Tibetan Buddhism (in common with certain institutionalized forms of Chinese Buddhism) expands through predation upon weaker forms of religious identity and praxis. -
The Tulku System in Tibetan Buddhism: Its Reliability, Orthodoxy and Social Impacts
The Tulku System in Tibetan Buddhism: Its Reliability, Orthodoxy and Social Impacts By Ramin Etesami A thesis submitted to the graduate school in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at the International Buddhist College, Thailand March, 20 Abstract The Tulku institution is a unique characteristic of Tibetan Buddhism with a central role in this tradition, to the extent that it is present in almost every aspect of Tibet’s culture and tradition. However, despite this central role and the scope and diversity of the socio-religious aspects of the institution, only a few studies have so far been conducted to shed light on it. On the other hand, an aura of sacredness; distorted pictures projected by the media and film industries;political propaganda and misinformation; and tendencies to follow a pattern of cult behavior; have made the Tulku institution a highly controversial topic for research; and consequently, an objective study of the institution based on a critical approach is difficult. The current research is an attempt to comprehensively examine different dimensions of the Tulku tradition with an emphasis on the issue of its orthodoxy with respect to the core doctrines of Buddhism and the social implications of the practice. In this research, extreme caution has been practiced to firstly, avoid any kind of bias rooted in faith and belief; and secondly, to follow a scientific methodology in reviewing evidence and scriptures related to the research topic. Through a comprehensive study of historical accounts, core Buddhist texts and hagiographic literature, this study has found that while the basic Buddhist doctrines allow the possibility for a Buddhist teacher or an advanced practitioner to “return back to accomplish his tasks, the lack of any historical precedence which can be viewed as a typical example of the practice in early Buddhism makes the issue of its orthodoxy equivocal and relative. -
Frequently Asked Questions Druk White Lotus School
Frequently Asked Questions CONTEXT AND HISTORY How cold does it get in the winter months? Typically around -30 degrees C (-22 degrees F). The road to the plains is usually cut off by snow between the months of October and May/June each year. What is the altitude? Leh lies at 3,350m/ 11,000 ft with surrounding mountains rising to 6,100m / 20,000 ft. Nearby Stok Kangri mountain rises to over 6,000m/20,000ft. How and when did the school project get started? The school was initiated in 1992 by local people, who requested help from their spiritual leader, His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa. With assistance from His Holiness’ local and international students, 88 children entered Nursery and Lower Kindergarten classes in 2001. Since then the school has grown to over 677 students. What is the origin of the name of the school? The school is named after Kunkhyen Padma Karpo, a great scholar of the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, who lived in the years 1527-1592. He was the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa. You can see a statue of Padma Karpo in Naropa Photang on the Shey campus. Druk means dragon and Padma Karpo can be translated as White Lotus in English. What makes this school special? Ladakh is one of the few remaining places in the world where a Tibetan Buddhist culture exists within a free society. The school operates under the guidance of His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa. Instruction is English medium, and students also learn Ladakhi (Bothi) and Hindi languages. Montessori methods are used for the initial three years, and there is an active Parents’ Association with representatives from several areas. -
DRUKPA KAGYUD SCHOOL of TIBETAN BUDDHISM in INDIAN HIMALAYAS: an INTRODUCTION Dr
www.ijcrt.org © 2021 IJCRT | Volume 9, Issue 3 March 2021 | ISSN: 2320-2882 DRUKPA KAGYUD SCHOOL OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN INDIAN HIMALAYAS: AN INTRODUCTION Dr. SONAM ZANGPO Assistant Professor, Dept. of Indo-Tibetan Studies, Bhasha-Bhavana, VISVA-BHARATI, Santiniketan, Birbhum, West Bengal Abstract After the decline of traditional Buddhism from the plains and plateaus of Indian territories. Buddhism somehow remained alive in Indian Himalayas with another dimensional names, forms and functions. Which assimilates both traditional and later progressed thoughts of Buddhism and perennial Buddhist lineage practices. In this regard, Tibetan Buddhism is very actively and widely spread as well as sustained in Indian Himalayas. Consequently, Indian Himalayas are very important places for the preservation of distinct Buddhist culture, rich heritage and uninterrupted Nālandā scholars and Tibetan students’ teachings traditions. It conveys the messages of peace, harmony, brotherhood among the other faith followers within the regions and beyond the states of the country. This research paper exclusively gives focus on different features of Drukpa Kagyud (Wyl. ’brug pa bk’ brgyud) School of Tibetan Buddhism in Indian Himalayas. It is based of both primary and secondary sources of the existing literatures as well as some field surveys. Key-Words: Buddhism, Drukpa Kagyud, Tibetan Buddhism, Monasteries, Nunneries, Lama and Rinpoches. Introduction There are many Buddhist centers in Indian Himalayan regions. Here, Indian Himalayas referred to all smaller and larger expanded places and regions as starting from Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, Paddar, Kistwar in Jammu, Pangi, Chamba, Lahual-Spitti, Kullu-Manali, Kinnour, Dharmsala in Himachal Pradesh, Dehradun in Uttarakhand, Darjeeling-Kalimpong in West Bengal, Sikkim, Mon-Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh and so forth. -
Yeshe Dorji the Founder of Bhutan's Dragon Tradition
Yeshe Dorji The Founder of Bhutan’s Dragon Tradition Khenpo Karchung Tago Dorden Tashithang Buddhist University Thimphu, Bhutan Dr. Pintong Chatnarat International Buddhist Studies College Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Ayutthaya, Thailand Prof. Dr. Phra Brahmapundit (Prayoon Dhammacitto), Peace Studies Programme, Graduate School, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Ayutthaya, Thailand Corresponding Author Email: [email protected] Abstract Tsangpa Gyare or Yeshe Dorji (1161–1211) was the main disciple of Lingchen Repa Pema Dorji and the founder of the Bhutan’s Dragon Tradition – Drukpa Kagyu Lineage – the main or central branch of which was, until the 17th Century, transmitted by his hereditary family lineage at Ralung in the Tsang region of western Tibet. He was one of the great teachers in Tibet. While he was alive, treasured by many others with his wisdom and compassion, he wrote many books and helped many people to practice for his entire life. The Druk (Standard Tibetan: འབྲུག, Dzongkha: འབྲུག་) is the “Thunder Dragon” of Tibetan and Bhutanese mythology and a Bhutanese national symbol. Druk is highly regarded by the lineage of Drukpa Tsangpa Gyare/Yeshe Dorji. Not only, Druk became the name of the country after the arrival of respected Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1616 and after the first monastic establishment in 1621 at Chagri Dorji Dhen, but also by the main instructions of Tendrel; the dependent and inter-dependent teachings to the followers which was received by Tsangpa Gyare from the seven Buddhas at Tsari. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel taught all the teachings of Tsangpa Gyare in Bhutan. He was the third incarnation of Tsangpa Gayre. The country of Bhutan is therefore called as ‘Druk’; the land is called as ‘Drukyul’; and the people are called as ‘Drukpa’. -
The Systematic Dynamics of Guru Yoga in Euro-North American Gelug-Pa Formations
University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2012-09-13 The systematic dynamics of guru yoga in euro-north american gelug-pa formations Emory-Moore, Christopher Emory-Moore, C. (2012). The systematic dynamics of guru yoga in euro-north american gelug-pa formations (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28396 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/191 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY The Systematic Dynamics of Guru Yoga in Euro-North American Gelug-pa Formations by Christopher Emory-Moore A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 2012 © Christopher Emory-Moore 2012 Abstract This thesis explores the adaptation of the Tibetan Buddhist guru/disciple relation by Euro-North American communities and argues that its praxis is that of a self-motivated disciple’s devotion to a perceptibly selfless guru. Chapter one provides a reception genealogy of the Tibetan guru/disciple relation in Western scholarship, followed by historical-anthropological descriptions of its practice reception in both Tibetan and Euro-North American formations. -
IN the FOOTSTEPS of the DRAGON YOGIS Discovering the Spiritual Heart of Bhutan 1 - 10 November 2013 PAD YATRA
1 - 10 NOVEMBER - 2013 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE DRAGON YOGIS Discovering the Spiritual Heart of Bhutan 1 - 10 November 2013 PAD YATRA 2011 Pad Yatra to Aa-ja Nye in Mongar. Bhutan, the Land of Thunder Dragon, also known as Druk Yul, be happy and spiritually fulfilled by visiting great sacred sites is one of the few remaining Shangrilas on this fragile earth. founded by Maha Guru Rinpoche and the Drukpa Masters in This exclusively designed itinerary has been instructed by His Bumthang. Eminence Gyalwa Dokhampa for the fortunate few, who are Welcome to Bhutan! coming for this joyful journey to unveil innate potentials to BUMTHANG PAD YATRA, BHUTAN Gross National Happiness Development Philosophy of Bhutan Bhutan adheres to a very different belief and advocates that amassing material wealth does not necessarily lead to happiness. Bhutan is now trying to measure progress not by the popular idea of Gross Domestic Product but by through Gross National Happiness (GNH). The Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck emphasized that for Bhutan “Gross National Happiness,” is more important than “Gross Na- tional Product.” The philosophy of GNH has recently received international recognition and the UN has implemented a resolution “…recognizing that the gross domestic product [...] does not adequately reflect the happiness and well-being of people,” and that “…the pursuit of happiness is a funda- mental human goal”. The UN has adopted Bhutan’s proposal to include Happiness as ninth Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). Daily Program Tentative Schedule 6AM : Guru Yoga , Riwo Sangchoed (smoke offering). 7:30AM : Breakfast 1 November : Thimphu - Tharpaling, Bumthang 8:30AM : Start day’s journey 11:30AM : Stop for Lunch 2 - 9 November : Pilgrimage to various sacred sites on 1:30PM : Continue journey foot 4PM : Stop and set up tents 5-7PM : Soelkha; Teaching 10 Nov, 2013 : Closing with Ganachakra Tshokhor 8:00PM : Dinner 1 - 10 NOVEMBER, 2013 Tharpaling Monastery, Chhumey Tharpaling Monastery is situated in the Chumey val- ley of Bumthang, Bhutan. -
Is South Asiałs Buddhist Leader the Gyalwang Drukpa an Ecofeminist?
Trinlae International Journal of Dharma Studies (2015) 3:3 DOI 10.1186/s40613-014-0012-y RESEARCH Open Access Is South Asia’s Buddhist Leader the Gyalwang Drukpa an Ecofeminist? Dialectical, Grounded Analysis of Eminent Feminist Theology Illuminates the Foundations for a Vajrayana Buddhist Ecofeminism Bhikshuni L Trinlae Correspondence: bhikshuni.trinlae@ Background cst.edu Claremont School of Theology The establishment of construct validity demands that a variable operate according to its definition; the extent to which empirical evidence goes against this definition threatens the variable’s viability as an explanation of behavior. (King and King 1986). His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa (“the Drukpa”) is the spiritual head of the Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, a Vajrayāna and Mahāyāna tradition of Buddhism dating back to the life of its founder, Tsangpa Gya-re a (1161–1211). The Gyalwang Drukpa is distinguished by his systemic support of both Buddhist nuns and the environ- ment over the past decade, and his efforts have been recognized by the United Nations, the Government of India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and others b. Under what circumstances, if any, could the Drukpa be legitimately characterized as an ecofeminist? Cross-cultural, cross-theological, and ethnic invariance of the constructs of feminism and ecofeminism remain unresolved, particularly in relation to dharma traditions primarily situ- ated in Asia. One might assume that since feminism and women’s studies disciplines have long been established in the academy, that therefore the conventional, popular acceptance of a personal or social identity embodying the ethic of ending gender-based discrimination across multiple cultural, ethnic, and religionscontextsiswellknown.However,neither universally-accepted definitions of feminism or ecofeminism constructs nor the functional dynamics underlying presumptions of such cross-cultural construct invariance have been established empirically among South Asian and Himalayan Vajrayāna Buddhist populations. -
15. March 2020 Retreat with Shedrup Lopon Geshe Lodoe Tsukphud
14. – 15. MARCH 2020 RETREAT WITH SHEDRUP LOPON GESHE LODOE TSUKPHUD Organizers: Maud Lennkh, Amrei Vogel Donation: 100. EUR Registration: [email protected] (to be paid in cash upon arrival) AnmendungFabienneAlexia bei: Mü[email protected] Programme Manager [email protected] Retreat Details: Schedule: The weekend seminar will focus on the preparatory 14 & 15 March 2020 10:00 18:00 practices according to the YUNGDRUNG BÖN TRADITION. (Admittance 9:30) In the spiritual tradition of Yungdrung Bön, individual practice begins with the preliminary exercises called Event Location: NGÖNDRO (sngon 'gro), according to the transmissions of ZHANG ZHUNG NYEN GYUD (zhang zhung snyan rgyud). Drikung Gompa, These practices include prayers, reflective thought Buddhistisches Zentrum processes, visualizations, movements, and internal Fleischmarkt 16, 1. Floor commitment. The preliminaries comprise GURUYOGA, 1010 Vienna, Austria IMPERMANENCE, CONFESSION OF WRONGDOING, Translation from English to German BODHICITTA, REFUGE, MANDALA OFFERING, MANTRA RECITATION, OFFERING OF ONE’S OWN BODY, INVOCATION, DEDICATION. Having become familiar with them, one can move on to DZOGCHEN (rdzogs chen), literally translated 'great perfection', as the main practice of meditation. In this seminar SHEDRUP LOPON GESHE LODOE TSUKPHUD will explain the deep meaning of the preliminary practices. He will show that the preliminary practices must not only be accomplished, but that they must be deeply understood and carried out thoroughly. They facilitate the process of taming and purifying one's own state of mind and the reflection on essential factors of human life. With this focus, the benefit for the main practice becomes clear and the participants receive an introduction to DZOGCHEN and practice it. -
Advanced Colloquial Tibetan Language Summer Intensive Orientation Sessions Start from June 9, and Classes Run from June 14 to August 5, 2021 (Eight Weeks)
Advanced Colloquial Tibetan Language Summer Intensive Orientation sessions start from June 9, and classes run from June 14 to August 5, 2021 (eight weeks) The Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute is pleased to offer a summer of intensive colloquial Tibetan language training. Instructors in the program are native Tibetan speakers and international faculty from the Centre for Buddhist Studies. Classes are held Mondays through Fridays. Course Structure and Time Schedule: Advanced Colloquial Hours per week Section 1 Section 2 Tibetan, TLAN 320 (Nepal Time) (Nepal Time) Live Master Class Four one-hour M-T-W-Th M-T-W-Th classes per week 7:45a-8:45a 8:15p-9:15p Text Class (taught by Five one-hour M-T-W-Th-F Pre-recorded, available monastic professor) classes per week 9:00a-10:00a on demand Assistant Language Five one-hour Individually allocated Individually allocated Instructor (ALI) One- classes per week on-one classes Dharma Conversation Five one-hour Individually allocated Individually allocated (ALI) One-on-one classes per week classes In addition to live classes, prerecorded videos are also available for study and review prior to the live classes at a time of your own choosing. Plus: Virtual office hours to provide 1-to-1 support. Course Description: This summer intensive is offered for advanced students of colloquial Tibetan who are interested in improving both their colloquial and Dharma Tibetan fluency. The course is designed for students who have already completed four semesters, or the equivalent, of formal colloquial Tibetan study, at least one year of Classical Tibetan, and who have a familiarity with Tibetan Buddhist topics and vocabulary. -
Fall 2019 Newsletter
ALUMNI RYIReconnect ALUMNI NEWSLETTER Fall 2019 Welcome from Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche Welcome from Head of Student Services Alumni Events RYI News RYI Offer Alumni Stay Connected RANGJUNG YESHE INSTITUTE CENTRE FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES Welcome from Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche Dear Alumni, I am thinking of all of you and wondering where you are and what you are doing. Please don’t forget Rangjung Yeshe Institute! With love and blessings, Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche Welcome from Head of Student Services Dear Alumni, First of all, thanks to all of you for your ongoing support of RYI! It is wonderful to hear that many of you are presenting at, participating in, or supporting Buddhist Studies conferences and centers around the world, and it is especially touching to see how much you are doing for the world. We eagerly await having you more involved in our alumni program and in being a wonderful resource for our present students. Looking very much forward to seeing many of you at our annual alumni dinner in November, here in Boudhanath, Tina ALUMNI EVENTS: Annual Alumni Dinner RYI invites each of you to our annual alumni dinner, which is being hosted during the annual RYI Fall Seminar. This year, the dinner will be on Saturday, November 23, at 6 p.m. If you are able to join, please RSVP by November 20 to www.ryi.org/ contact-us. RYI Alumni Dinner Have you ever studied or taught at RYI? Then you (and your significant other) are invited to join RYI’s annual alumni dinner Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 6 p.m. -
Dissertation
DISSERTATION Titel der Dissertation „When Sūtra Meets Tantra – Sgam po pa’s Four Dharma Doctrine as an Example for his Synthesis of the Bka’ gdams- and Mahāmudrā-Systems“ Verfasser Mag. Rolf Scheuermann angestrebter akademischer Grad Doktor der Philosophie (Dr. phil.) Wien, 2015 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 792 389 392 Dissertationsgebiet lt. Studienblatt: Sprachen und Kulturen Südasiens und Tibets, Fachbereich: Tibeto- logie und Buddhismuskunde Betreuer: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Klaus-Dieter Mathes 3 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. 8 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 9 The Subject ....................................................................................................................... 9 Outline ............................................................................................................................ 18 Methods and Aims .......................................................................................................... 24 State of Research ............................................................................................................ 27 Part I ̶ Four Dharmas of Sgam po pa ............................................................................... 31 1. Four Dharmas of Sgam po pa and its Role in Sgam po pa’s Doctrinal System ..... 33 1.1 Formulations ....................................................................................................