LJLIXILI JAN 2 4 2000 Office of the Sectretart-General 3 I 2000 Ni| United Nations, S-378 JU OFTHESECRETARY.Rfmfoii New York, NY 10017 E Dear Mr

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

LJLIXILI JAN 2 4 2000 Office of the Sectretart-General 3 I 2000 Ni| United Nations, S-378 JU OFTHESECRETARY.Rfmfoii New York, NY 10017 E Dear Mr i •. ^ Kagyu Dzamling Kunchab Kagyu Thubten Choling 127 Sheafe Road Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 USA Kyabje Dorje Chang Kalu Rinpoche (914) 297-2500 monastery (914) 297-3843 office, 297-5761 fax Very Venerable Lama Norlha (914) 297-4810 Tibet Projects phone/fax E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.kagyu.com f^ ,/u C Y\ ' • i ' /\>^. W^ V^ January 18, 2000 UlUJ Sectretary-General Kofi Annan LJLIXILI JAN 2 4 2000 Office of the Sectretart-General 3 I 2000 ni| United Nations, S-378 JU OFTHESECRETARY.RFMFOii New York, NY 10017 E Dear Mr. Annan: Asypu may be aware, His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje, has recently escaped from Tibet tp_ India. News organizations such as CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post are calling His Holiness's escape "the most significant departure from Tibet since the Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of his followers left their homeland in 1959." In recognition of this spectacular event, I would like to offer the enclosed book as a gift to you. Recently published by our monastery, Karmapa: The Sacred Prophecy is a history of the Karmapa's lineage, the first and oldest line of reincarnate lamas in Tibet. Unfortunately, though invested with the entire power of that unbroken lineage, the Seventeenth Karmapa has repeatedly been denied access to his principal teacher, the Twelfth Tai Situpa, to receive the religious training that would allow him to fulfill his role as one of the paramount leaders of Tibetan Buddhism. For generations, the Karmapas and Tai Situpas, along with the Goshir Gyaltsapas, have passed this sacred training down to one another, and the current Tai Situpa serves as regent of the Karma Kagyu lineage until Ffis Holiness comes of age. The close relationship between the Situ lineage and the Karmapa's lineage has been prophesied in several ancient Buddhist texts, and it was the Twelfth Tai Situpa to whom the Sixteenth Karmapa entrusted the letter predicting the circumstances of his rebirth. It was thus imperative that the young Karmapa and the Twelfth Tai Situpa be allowed to meet, and it is for this reason that the Karmapa chose to join Tai Situpa in India. Having arrived safely in India, the young Seventeenth Karmapa is poised to become a figure of worldwide importance, offering guidance and blessings to his students in both the East and the West. Centers of the Karmapa's lineage have flourished throughout the United States over the past two decades. Our own center, Kagyu Thubten Choling Monastery, is the site of the first traditional Tibetan three-year retreat program in North America, which began in 1982, and is presently sponsoring its fifth consecutive retreat. We were deeply honored to receive His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa during his several visits to the United States, and we are additionally fortunate to benefit from annual visits from the current Tai Situpa, who has taught public seminars at Kagyu Thubten Choling since 1994. It is my sincere hope that the enclosed book will serve to foster a more profound awareness of the precious gift the Karmapa holds for all beings. iooe? January 18, 2000 Page Two Like his predecessors, the Karmapa is exclusively a religious leader, with no involvement in politics. I pray that you will take whatever steps are possible to help protect His Holiness's human rights and his freedom to study and train in his religion and to meet with his disciples throughout the world. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information. Sincerely, MMj~s<s THOMAS W. PARDEE TWP/dl General Secretary Enclosure For Kagyu Thubten Choling.
Recommended publications
  • Location: Tibet Lies at the Centre of Asia, with an Area of 2.5 Million Square Kilometers. the Earth's Highest Mountains, a Vast
    Location: Tibet lies at the centre of Asia, with an area of 2.5 million square kilometers. The earth's highest mountains, a vast arid plateau and great river valleys make up the physical homeland of 6 million Tibetans. It has an average altitude of 13,000 feet above sea level. Capital: Lhasa Population: 6 million Tibetans and an estimated 7.5 million Chinese, most of whom are in Kham and Amdo. Language: Tibetan (of the Tibeto-Burmese language family). The official language is Chinese. Tibet is comprised of the three provinces of Amdo (now split by China into the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu & Sichuan), Kham (largely incorporated into the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai), and U-Tsang (which, together with western Kham, is today referred to by China as the Tibet Autonomous Region). The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) comprises less than half of historic Tibet and was created by China in 1965 for administrative reasons. It is important to note that when Chinese officials and publications use the term "Tibet" they mean only the TAR. Tibetans use the term Tibet to mean the three provinces described above, i.e., the area traditionally known as Tibet before the 1949-50 invasion. Today Tibetans are outnumbered by Han Chinese population in their own homeland, there are est. 6 million Tibetans and an estimated 7.5 million Chinese, most of whom are in Kham and Amdo. The official language is Chinese. But those Tibetans living in exile still speak, read and write in Tibetan (of the Tibeto-Burmese language family).
    [Show full text]
  • His Holiness the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, to Visit University of Redlands in Rare U.S
    His Holiness the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, to visit University of Redlands in rare U.S. tour March 18, 2015 The University of Redlands will welcome His Holiness the Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, to campus March 24, 2015, as the only Southern California stop on his third trip to the United States. Reigniting a years-long connection with the University and special bond with students, the Karmapa will interact with Redlands students, faculty, and alumni and accept an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, presented by University President Ralph Kuncl. He will then offer a public lecture, "Living Interdependence," at 7 p.m. in Memorial Chapel. The Karmapa heads the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and guides millions of Buddhists around the world. At the age of 14, he made a dramatic escape from Tibet to India to be near His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his own lineage teachers. Currently 29 years old, the Karmapa is a leader of the new century. He created an eco- monastic movement with over 55 monasteries across the Himalayan region acting as centers of environmental activism. Leading on women's issues, he recently announced plans to establish full ordination for women, a step that will change the future of Tibetan Buddhism. His latest book, The Heart is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out, co-edited by University of Redlands Professor of Religious Studies and Virginia C. Hunsaker Distinguished Teaching Chair, Karen Derris, the Karmapa speaks to the younger generation on the major challenges facing society today, including gender issues, food justice, rampant consumerism and the environmental crisis.
    [Show full text]
  • VT Module6 Lineage Text Major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism
    THE MAJOR SCHOOLS OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM By Pema Khandro A BIRD’S EYE VIEW 1. NYINGMA LINEAGE a. Pema Khandro’s lineage. Literally means: ancient school or old school. Nyingmapas rely on the old tantras or the original interpretation of Tantra as it was given from Padmasambhava. b. Founded in 8th century by Padmasambhava, an Indian Yogi who synthesized the teachings of the Indian MahaSiddhas, the Buddhist Tantras, and Dzogchen. He gave this teaching (known as Vajrayana) in Tibet. c. Systemizes Buddhist philosophy and practice into 9 Yanas. The Inner Tantras (what Pema Khandro Rinpoche teaches primarily) are the last three. d. It is not a centralized hierarchy like the Sarma (new translation schools), which have a figure head similar to the Pope. Instead, the Nyingma tradition is de-centralized, with every Lama is the head of their own sangha. There are many different lineages within the Nyingma. e. A major characteristic of the Nyingma tradition is the emphasis in the Tibetan Yogi tradition – the Ngakpa tradition. However, once the Sarma translations set the tone for monasticism in Tibet, the Nyingmas also developed a monastic and institutionalized segment of the tradition. But many Nyingmas are Ngakpas or non-monastic practitioners. f. A major characteristic of the Nyingma tradition is that it is characterized by treasure revelations (gterma). These are visionary revelations of updated communications of the Vajrayana teachings. Ultimately treasure revelations are the same dharma principles but spoken in new ways, at new times and new places to new people. Because of these each treasure tradition is unique, this is the major reason behind the diversity within the Nyingma.
    [Show full text]
  • Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden Blog Al Jazeera Top Story
    Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden Blog: Al Jazeera Top Story -- Revisits Court Case against the Dalai Lama 1/15/09 12:32 PM Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden Blog The official blog of the Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden Website, providing the latest news, videos, and updates on the Dorje Shugden controversy. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2009 Subscribe Al Jazeera Top Story -- Revisits Court Case against Posts the Dalai Lama Comments Al Jazeera’s People and Power has named ‘The Dalai Lama: The Devil Within’ one of their top two stories of 2008. As a result, Al Jazeera is now Protector of Je featuring it again. Tsongkhapa's Tradition The reporter has added at the end of the updated report: "The case against the Dalai Lama is still with the courts. We hope to bring you an update later in the year." As the lawyer for the persecuted Shugden practitioners, Shree Sanjay Jain, explains: "It is certainly a case of religious discrimination in the sense that if within your sect of religion you say that this particular Deity ought not to be worshipped, and those persons who are willing to worship him you are trying to excommunicate them from the main stream of Buddhism, then it is a discrimination of worst kind." Al Jazeera adds: "No matter what the outcome of the court case, in a country Click on picture for Wisdom Buddha Dorje Shugden where millions of idols are worshipped, attempting to ban the Website Deity is an uphill battle. One in which many Buddhist monks have lost their faith in the spirit of the Dalai Lama." Search For a full transcript, see Al Jazeera News Documentary, October 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 TIBET DAY and THANK YOU DALAI LAMA YEAR PROCLAMATION
    Town Council Phone: (413) 259-3002 [email protected] 2020 TIBET DAY and THANK YOU DALAI LAMA YEAR PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, Tibetans throughout the world will gather to commemorate the 61st Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising against the brutal occupation of their country and pay tribute to the more than one million Tibetans who lost their life lives in their struggle for the freedom of Tibet; and WHEREAS, the occupation and ongoing suppression of human rights and freedom in Tibet and the intentional marginalization of Tibetan language, culture, and identity should continue to be a concern for all freedom- loving people everywhere; and WHEREAS, on January 11, 2020 China’s Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) passed the so calledso-called Ethnic Unity Law which further aims to curb the undiminishing defiance of the Tibetan people and their call for the protection of their identity, for freedom, human rights, and for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet; and WHEREAS, in December, 2018, the United States House Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (initiated by Representative Jim McGovern), that called for an end to China’s isolation of Tibet and providing American citizens, including Tibetan Americans in Amherst, with the same opportunity of access to Tibet as enjoyed by Chinese citizens visiting our country; and WHEREAS, on January 28, 2020 the United States House of Representative with overwhelming bipartisan support passed the Tibet Policy and Support
    [Show full text]
  • THE SECURITISATION of TIBETAN BUDDHISM in COMMUNIST CHINA Abstract
    ПОЛИТИКОЛОГИЈА РЕЛИГИЈЕ бр. 2/2012 год VI • POLITICS AND RELIGION • POLITOLOGIE DES RELIGIONS • Nº 2/2012 Vol. VI ___________________________________________________________________________ Tsering Topgyal 1 Прегледни рад Royal Holloway University of London UDK: 243.4:323(510)”1949/...” United Kingdom THE SECURITISATION OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN COMMUNIST CHINA Abstract This article examines the troubled relationship between Tibetan Buddhism and the Chinese state since 1949. In the history of this relationship, a cyclical pattern of Chinese attempts, both violently assimilative and subtly corrosive, to control Tibetan Buddhism and a multifaceted Tibetan resistance to defend their religious heritage, will be revealed. This article will develop a security-based logic for that cyclical dynamic. For these purposes, a two-level analytical framework will be applied. First, the framework of the insecurity dilemma will be used to draw the broad outlines of the historical cycles of repression and resistance. However, the insecurity dilemma does not look inside the concept of security and it is not helpful to establish how Tibetan Buddhism became a security issue in the first place and continues to retain that status. The theory of securitisation is best suited to perform this analytical task. As such, the cycles of Chinese repression and Tibetan resistance fundamentally originate from the incessant securitisation of Tibetan Buddhism by the Chinese state and its apparatchiks. The paper also considers the why, how, and who of this securitisation, setting the stage for a future research project taking up the analytical effort to study the why, how and who of a potential desecuritisation of all things Tibetan, including Tibetan Buddhism, and its benefits for resolving the protracted Sino- Tibetan conflict.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, Revised Edition
    REVISED EDITION John Powers ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 1 Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 2 ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 3 Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism revised edition by John Powers Snow Lion Publications ithaca, new york • boulder, colorado ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 4 Snow Lion Publications P.O. Box 6483 • Ithaca, NY 14851 USA (607) 273-8519 • www.snowlionpub.com © 1995, 2007 by John Powers All rights reserved. First edition 1995 Second edition 2007 No portion of this book may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission from the publisher. Printed in Canada on acid-free recycled paper. Designed and typeset by Gopa & Ted2, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Powers, John, 1957- Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism / by John Powers. — Rev. ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN-13: 978-1-55939-282-2 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-55939-282-7 (alk. paper) 1. Buddhism—China—Tibet. 2. Tibet (China)—Religion. I. Title. BQ7604.P69 2007 294.3’923—dc22 2007019309 ITTB_Interior 9/20/07 2:23 PM Page 5 Table of Contents Preface 11 Technical Note 17 Introduction 21 Part One: The Indian Background 1. Buddhism in India 31 The Buddha 31 The Buddha’s Life and Lives 34 Epilogue 56 2. Some Important Buddhist Doctrines 63 Cyclic Existence 63 Appearance and Reality 71 3. Meditation 81 The Role of Meditation in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism 81 Stabilizing and Analytical Meditation 85 The Five Buddhist Paths 91 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Guidelines for Karma Kagyu Monasteries, Centers And
    ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR KARMA KAGYU BUDDHIST MONASTERIES, CENTERS AND COMMUNITY ContentsContents Pages Foreword by His Holiness, the Seventeenth Karmapa 1 Introduction 3 Acknowledgements Section 1: Forest Protection 6 These guidelines were made possible through Section 2: Water Protection 10 the contributions of the following: Section 3: Wildlife Protection 13 Dekila Chungyalpa, World Wildlife Fund, who provided assistance and advice in the development ������ the guidelines. May her efforts bring benet to all Section 4: Waste Management 16 sentient beings. Leslie and Terris Nguyen Temple, who painted the Section 5: Addressing Climate Change 19 cover thangka and illustrated the text. May their work continue to highlight and restore the legacy of Tibetan Conclusion 23 Buddhist art. The translators who produced the different versions of these guidelines so that they are easy to use by the monastic community and the wider sangha. The many editors and advisors who provided practical suggestions and improvements for the guidelines. People all over the world who work to raise awareness, protect the environment, and build harmonious values. © 2008 His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Drodul Trinley Dorje Material from this book can be used freely but please acknowledge the source Layout and design by Somchai Singsa Printed at Archana, New Delhi www.archanapress.com ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES ... ForewordForeword In the past, people in most parts of the world had a very straightforward relationship with the environment. They used the resources provided by nature as needed and due to the simplicity of their lives, rarely did great damage to the Earth. However, this has changed considerably in more recent times.
    [Show full text]
  • A Brief Introduction to Buddhism and the Sakya Tradition
    A brief introduction to Buddhism and the Sakya tradition © 2016 Copyright © 2016 Chödung Karmo Translation Group www.chodungkarmo.org International Buddhist Academy Tinchuli–Boudha P.O. Box 23034 Kathmandu, Nepal www.internationalbuddhistacademy.org Contents Preface 5 1. Why Buddhism? 7 2. Buddhism 101 9 2.1. The basics of Buddhism 9 2.2. The Buddha, the Awakened One 12 2.3. His teaching: the Four Noble Truths 14 3. Tibetan Buddhism: compassion and skillful means 21 4. The Sakya tradition 25 4.1. A brief history 25 4.2. The teachings of the Sakya school 28 5. Appendices 35 5.1. A brief overview of different paths to awakening 35 5.2. Two short texts on Mahayana Mind Training 39 5.3. A mini-glossary of important terms 43 5.4. Some reference books 46 5 Preface This booklet is the first of what we hope will become a small series of introductory volumes on Buddhism in thought and practice. This volume was prepared by Christian Bernert, a member of the Chödung Karmo Translation Group, and is meant for interested newcomers with little or no background knowledge about Buddhism. It provides important information on the life of Buddha Shakyamuni, the founder of our tradition, and his teachings, and introduces the reader to the world of Tibetan Buddhism and the Sakya tradition in particular. It also includes the translation of two short yet profound texts on mind training characteristic of this school. We thank everyone for their contributions towards this publication, in particular Lama Rinchen Gyaltsen, Ven. Ngawang Tenzin, and Julia Stenzel for their comments and suggestions, Steven Rhodes for the editing, Cristina Vanza for the cover design, and the Khenchen Appey Foundation for its generous support.
    [Show full text]
  • Tibet: Psychology of Happiness and Well-Being
    Psychology 410 Psychology of Well-Being and Happiness Syllabus: Psychology 410, Summer 2020 Psychology of Happiness and Well-Being Course Content: The goal of this course is to understand and experience teachings on happiness and well-being that come from psychological science and from Buddhism (particularly Tibetan Buddhism), through an intercultural learning experience in Tibet. Through being immersed in authentic Tibetan community and culture, students will be able to have an anchored learning experience of the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and compare this with their studies about the psychological science of well-being and happiness. Belief in Buddhism or any other religion is not necessary for the course. The cultural experiences in Tibet and understanding the teachings of Buddhism give one assemblage point upon which to compare and contrast multiple views of happiness and well-being. Particular attention is given in this course to understanding the concept of anxiety management from a psychological science and Buddhist viewpoint, as the management of anxiety has a very strong effect on well- being. Textbook (Required Readings): The course uses open source readings and videos that can be accessed through the PSU Library proxies, and open source websites. Instructors and Program Support Course Instructors and Program Support: Christopher Allen, Ph.D. and Norzom Lala, MSW candidate. Christopher and Norzom are married partners. ChristopherPsyc is an adjunct faculty member and senior instructor in the department of psychology at PSU. He has won the John Eliot Alan award for outstanding teacher at PSU in 2015 and 2019. His area of expertise includes personality and well- being psychology, and a special interest in mindfulness practices.
    [Show full text]
  • AN Introduction to MUSIC to DELIGHT ALL the SAGES, the MEDICAL HISTORY of DRAKKAR TASO TRULKU CHOKYI WANGCRUK (1775-1837)’
    I AN iNTRODUCTION TO MUSIC TO DELIGHT ALL THE SAGES, THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF DRAKKAR TASO TRULKU CHOKYI WANGCRUK (1775-1837)’ STACEY VAN VLEET, Columbia University On the auspicious occasion of theft 50th anniversary celebration, the Dharamsala Men-tsee-khang published a previously unavailable manuscript entitled A Briefly Stated framework ofInstructions for the Glorious field of Medicine: Music to Delight All the Sages.2 Part of the genre associated with polemics on the origin and development of medicine (khog ‘bubs or khog ‘bugs), this text — hereafter referred to as Music to Delight All the Sages — was written between 1816-17 in Kyirong by Drakkar Taso Truilcu Chokyi Wangchuk (1775-1837). Since available medical history texts are rare, this one represents a new source of great interest documenting the dynamism of Tibetan medicine between the 1 $th and early 19th centuries, a lesser-known period in the history of medicine in Tibet. Music to Delight All the Sages presents a historical argument concerned with reconciling the author’s various received medical lineages and traditions. Some 1 This article is drawn from a more extensive treatment of this and related W” and 1 9th century medical histories in my forthcoming Ph.D. dissertation. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Tashi Tsering of the Amnye Machen Institute for sharing a copy of the handwritten manuscript of Music to Delight All the Sages with me and for his encouragement and assistance of this work over its duration. This publication was made possible by support from the Social Science Research Council’s International Dissertation Research Fellowship, with funds provided by the Andrew W.
    [Show full text]
  • Palpung Changchub Dargye Ling Prayer Book
    Palpung Changchub Dargyeling REFUGE (x3) SANG GYE CHO DANG TSOK KYI CHOK NAM LA Until enlightenment I take refuge, JANG CHUB BAR DU DAK NI KYAB SU CHI in the Buddha, Dharma and the Supreme Assembly, DAK GI JIN SOK GYI PAY SO NAM KYI May the merits from my generosity and other good deeds, DRO LA PEN CHIR SANG GYE DRUP PAR SHOK result in Buddhahood for the benefit of all beings FOUR IMMEASURABLES SEM CHEN TAM CHE DE WA DANG DE WAY GYU DANG DEN PAR GYUR CHIK May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness, DUK NGAL DANG DUK NGAL GYI GYU DAN DREL WAY GYUR CHIK May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering, DUK NGAL ME PAY DE WA DAM PA DANG MI DRAL WAR GYUR CHIK May all beings never be separate from the supreme bliss which is free from all suffering, NYE RING CHAK DANG NYI DANG DREL WAY TANG NYOM CHEN PO LA NAY PAR GYUR CHIK May all beings live in the Great Equanimity free from all attachment and aversion PRAYER TO THE ROOT LAMA PAL DEN TSAWI LAMA RINPOCHE, DA KI CHI WOR PE DE DEN CHU LA Wonderful, precious Root Guru, seated on a lotus and moon seat above my head, KA DRIN CHEN PEU GO NAY JAY ZUNG TAY I pray that you take me into your care with your vast kindness, KU SUNG TUK JI NGO DRUP TSAL DU SOL And give me the siddhis of body, speech and mind. 2 Palpung Changchub Dargyeling THE SEVEN BRANCH PRAYER CHANG TSAL WA TANG CHURSHING SHAG PA DANG We prostrate and make offerings JESU YIR ANG KULCHI SOL WA YI We confess and rejoice in the virtues of all beings GEWA CHUNG ZEY DAGI CHI SAGPA We ask for the wheel of Dharma to be turned for all beings TAN CHE DZOG PEY CHANG CHUP CHEN POR NGO We pray that the Buddhas remain in this world to teach, We dedicate all merit to sentient beings.
    [Show full text]