Brief History of Dzogchen
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Interview #3B – Karma Lamthon December 27, 2013
Tibet Oral History Project Interview #3B – Karma Lamthon December 27, 2013 The Tibet Oral History Project serves as a repository for the memories, testimonies and opinions of elderly Tibetan refugees. The oral history process records the words spoken by interviewees in response to questions from an interviewer. The interviewees’ statements should not be considered verified or complete accounts of events and the Tibet Oral History Project expressly disclaims any liability for the inaccuracy of any information provided by the interviewees. The interviewees’ statements do not necessarily represent the views of the Tibet Oral History Project or any of its officers, contractors or volunteers. This translation and transcript is provided for individual research purposes only. For all other uses, including publication, reproduction and quotation beyond fair use, permission must be obtained in writing from: Tibet Oral History Project, P.O. Box 6464, Moraga, CA 94570-6464, United States. Copyright © 2015 Tibet Oral History Project. TIBET ORAL HISTORY PROJECT www.TibetOralHistory.org INTERVIEW SUMMARY SHEET 1. Interview Number: #3B 2. Interviewee: Karma Lamthon 3. Age: 88 4. Date of Birth: 1925 5. Sex: Male 6. Birthplace: Gemokhuk 7. Province: Dhotoe (Kham) 8. Year of leaving Tibet: 1959 9. Date of Interview: December 27, 2013 10. Place of Interview: Private home, Old Camp Number 4, Bylakuppe, Mysore District, Karnataka, India 11. Length of Interview: 2 hr 01 min 12. Interviewer: Marcella Adamski 13. Interpreter: Tenzin Yangchen 14. Videographer: Pema Tashi 15. Translator: Tenzin Yangchen Biographical Information: Karma Lamthon was born in Gemokhuk in Kham Province. His brother was a reincarnated lama and his father was a ngagpa ‘shaman,’ who helped to cure the nomads’ sick livestock. -
A Hackathon for Classical Tibetan
A Hackathon for Classical Tibetan Orna Almogi1, Lena Dankin2*, Nachum Dershowitz2,3, Lior Wolf2 1Universität Hamburg, Germany 2Tel Aviv University, Israel 3Institut d’Études Avancées de Paris, France *Corresponding author: Lena Dankin, [email protected] Abstract We describe the course of a hackathon dedicated to the development of linguistic tools for Tibetan Buddhist studies. Over a period of five days, a group of seventeen scholars, scientists, and students developed and compared algorithms for intertextual alignment and text classification, along with some basic language tools, including a stemmer and word segmenter. Keywords Tibetan; Buddhist studies; hackathon; stemming; segmentation; intertextual alignment; text classification. I INTRODUCTION In February 2016, a group of four Tibetologists (from the University of Hamburg), one digital humanities scholar (from Europe), and twelve computer scientists (from Israel and Europe) got together in Kibbutz Lotan in the Arava region of Israel with the stated goal of developing algorithmic methods for advancing Tibetan Buddhist textual studies. Participants were either recruited by the organizers or responded to an announcement on several mailing lists. See Figure 1. Most of the computer scientists had background in machine learning, and a few of them also had experience with natural language processing (NLP) research, but without any prior experience with Tibetan texts. The computer scientist organizers were quite familiar with programming workshops and contests and thought that the challenges presented by Tibetan texts would pose an ideal opportunity to explore the hackathon format. The hackathon is a short and intense event where computer scientists collaborate to develop software. For that purpose, it was essential to recruit as many software developers as possible. -
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. -
(And Tantric?) Approaches of the Rim Gyis 'Jug
The Sudden and Gradual Sū tric (and Tantric?) Approaches of the RiM GYis ’jUG Pa’i bsGOM DON aND CiG car ’jUG Pa rNaM Par Mi rTOG Pa’i bsGOM DON JOEL GRUbER According to the dates provided by the Great History of the Rdzogs chen snying thig (Rdzogs pa chen po snying thig gyi lo rgyus chen mo; hereafter Great History), the renowned saint named Vimalamitra was born in India around the latter half of the fifth century. We are told that he spent a majority of his early years studying Buddhism with some of the most esteemed Indian scholars of his generation, until his studies were interrupted by a visit from the bodhisattva Vajrasattva, who encour- aged Vimalamitra to cease practicing exoteric teachings in order to pur- sue a tantric education in China. After two decades of training with the elusive Śrī Siṃha in China, Vimalamitra returned to his homeland to meditate in India’s sacred charnel grounds. Over two hundred years later, word of Vimalamitra’s tantric proficiency reached the Tibetan king, Khri Srong lde brtsan (Trisong Detsen), who invited the Indian saint to assist with the dissemination of Buddhism throughout the Land of Snows. Though Vimalamitra was purportedly three hundred years of age when he journeyed across the Himalayas, his yogic powers were far from diminished. Shortly after departing India, rumors spread to the Tibetan court that Vimalamitra was a necromantic sorcerer rather than a Buddhist saint. Upon his arrival, Tibetan ministers questioned Vimalamitra’s saintly credentials, prompting the tantric master to disintegrate Tibet’s prized statue of Vairocana through the power of a single prostration. -
5 Pema Mandala Fall 06 11/21/06 12:02 PM Page 1
5 Pema Mandala Fall 06 11/21/06 12:02 PM Page 1 Fall/Winter 2006 5 Pema Mandala Fall 06 11/21/06 12:03 PM Page 2 Volume 5, Fall/Winter 2006 features A Publication of 3 Letter from the Venerable Khenpos Padmasambhava Buddhist Center Nyingma Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism 4 New Home for Ancient Treasures A long-awaited reliquary stupa is now at home at Founding Directors Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche Padma Samye Ling, with precious relics inside. Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche 8 Starting to Practice Dream Yoga Rita Frizzell, Editor/Art Director Ani Lorraine, Contributing Editor More than merely resting, we can use the time we Beth Gongde, Copy Editor spend sleeping to truly benefit ourselves and others. Ann Helm, Teachings Editor Michael Nott, Advertising Director 13 Found in Translation Debra Jean Lambert, Administrative Assistant A student relates how she first met the Khenpos and Pema Mandala Office her experience translating Khenchen’s teachings on For subscriptions, change of address or Mipham Rinpoche. editorial submissions, please contact: Pema Mandala Magazine 1716A Linden Avenue 15 Ten Aspirations of a Bodhisattva Nashville, TN 37212 Translated for the 2006 Dzogchen Intensive. (615) 463-2374 • [email protected] 16 PBC Schedule for Fall 2006 / Winter 2007 Pema Mandala welcomes all contributions submitted for consideration. All accepted submissions will be edited appropriately 18 Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya, for publication in a magazine represent- Nama Sanghaya ing the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center. Please send submissions to the above A student reflects on a photograph and finds that it address. The deadline for the next issue is evokes more symbols than meet the eye. -
Pilgrimage to Drakar Dreldzong
Pilgrimage to Drakar Dreldzong The Written Tradition and Contemporary Practices among Amdo Tibetans ,#-7--a};-1 Zhuoma ( |) Thesis Submitted for the Degree of M. Phil in Tibetan Studies Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages University of Oslo Spring 2008 1 Summary This thesis focuses on pilgrimage (gnas skor) to Drakar Dreldzong, a Buddhist holy mountain (gnas ri) in a remote area of Amdo, Tibet, in the present day Qinghai Province in the western part of China. The mountain had long been a solitude hermitage and still is a popular pilgrimage site for Tibetan lamas and nearby laymen. Pilgrimage to holy mountains was, and still is, significant for the religious, cultural and literary life of Tibet, and even for today’s economic climate in Tibet. This thesis presents the traditional perceptions of the site reflected both in written texts, namely pilgrimage guides (gnas bshad), and in the contemporary practices of pilgrimage to Drakar Dreldzong. It specifically talks about an early pilgrimage guide (Guide A) written by a tantric practitioner in the early 17th century, and newly developed guides (Guides B, C and D), based on the 17th century one, edited and composed by contemporary Tibetan lay intellectuals and monks from Dreldzong Monastery. This monastery, which follows the Gelukba tradition, was established in 1923 at the foot of the mountain. The section about the early guide mainly introduces the historical framework of pilgrimage guides and provides an impression of the situation of the mountain in from the 17th to the 21st century. In particular, it translates the text and gives comments and analysis on the content. -
The Nine Yanas
The Nine Yanas By Cortland Dahl In the Nyingma school, the spiritual journey is framed as a progression through nine spiritual approaches, which are typically referred to as "vehicles" or "yanas." The first three yanas include the Buddha’s more accessible teachings, those of the Sutrayana, or Sutra Vehicle. The latter six vehicles contain the teachings of Buddhist tantra and are referred to as the Vajrayana, or Vajra Vehicle. Students of the Nyingma teachings practice these various approaches as a unity. Lower vehicles are not dispensed with in favor of supposedly “higher” teachings, but rather integrated into a more refined and holistic approach to spiritual development. Thus, core teachings like renunciation and compassion are equally important in all nine vehicles, though they may be expressed in more subtle ways. In the Foundational Vehicle, for instance, renunciation involves leaving behind “worldly” activities and taking up the life of a celibate monk or nun, while in the Great Perfection, renunciation means to leave behind all dualistic perception and contrived spiritual effort. Each vehicle contains three distinct components: view, meditation, and conduct. The view refers to a set of philosophical tenets espoused by a particular approach. On a more experiential level, the view prescribes how practitioners of a given vehicle should “see” reality and its relative manifestations. Meditation consists of the practical techniques that allow practitioners to integrate Buddhist principles with their own lives, thus providing a bridge between theory and experience, while conduct spells out the ethical guidelines of each system. The following sections outline the features of each approach. Keep in mind, however, that each vehicle is a world unto itself, with its own unique philosophical views, meditations, and ethical systems. -
MBS Course Outline 11-12 (Updated on September 9, 11)
MBS Course Outline 11-12 (Updated on September 9, 11) Centre of Buddhist Studies The University of Hong Kong Master of Buddhist Studies Course Outline 2011-2012 (Course details laid out in this course outline is only for reference. Please refer to the version provided by the teachers in class for confirmation.) BSTC6079 Early Buddhism: a doctrinal exposition (Foundation Course) Lecturer Prof. Y. Karunadasa Tel: 2241-5019 Email: [email protected] Schedule: 1st Semester; Monday 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Class Venue: P4, Chong Yuet Ming Physics Building Course Description This course will be mainly based on the early Buddhist discourses (Pali Suttas) and is designed to provide an insight into the fundamental doctrines of what is generally known as Early Buddhism. It will begin with a description of the religious and philosophical milieu in which Buddhism arose in order to show how the polarization of intellectual thought into spiritualist and materialist ideologies gave rise to Buddhism. The following themes will be an integral part of this study: analysis of the empiric individuality into khandha, ayatana, and dhatu; the three marks of sentient existence; doctrine of non-self and the problem of Over-Self; doctrine of dependent origination and its centrality to other Buddhist doctrines; diagnosis of the human condition and definition of suffering as conditioned experience; theory and practice of moral life; psychology and its relevance to Buddhism as a religion; undetermined questions and why were they left undetermined; epistemological standpoint and the Buddhist psychology of ideologies; Buddhism and the God-idea and the nature of Buddhism as a non-theistic religion; Nibbana as the Buddhist ideal of final emancipation. -
Learn Tibetan & Study Buddhism
fpmt Mandala BLISSFUL RAYS OF THE MANDALA IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012 TEACHING A GOOD HEART: FPMT REGISTERED TEACHERS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE MAHAYANA TRADITION Wisdom Publications Delve into the heart of emptiness. INSIGHT INTO EMPTINESS Khensur Jampa Tegchok Edited by Thubten Chodron A former abbot of Sera Monastic University, Khensur Jampa Tegchok here unpacks with great erudi- tion Buddhism’s animating philosophical principle—the emptiness of all appearances. “Khensur Rinpoche Jampa Tegchok is renowned for his keen understanding of philosophy, and of Madhyamaka in particular. Here you will find vital points and reasoning for a clear understanding of emptiness.”—Lama Zopa Rinpoche, author of How to Be Happy 9781614290131 “This is one of the best introductions to the philosophy of emptiness 336 pages | $18.95 I have ever read.”—José Ignacio Cabezón, Dalai Lama Professor and eBook 9781614290223 Chair, Religious Studies Department, UC Santa Barbara Wisdom Essentials JOURNEY TO CERTAINTY The Quintessence of the Dzogchen View: An Exploration of Mipham’s Beacon of Certainty Anyen Rinpoche Translated and edited by Allison Choying Zangmo Approachable yet sophisticated, this book takes the reader on a gently guided tour of one of the most important texts Tibetan Buddhism has to offer. “Anyen Rinpoche flawlessly presents the reader with the unique perspective that belongs to a true scholar-yogi. A must-read for philosophers and practitioners.” —Erik Pema Kunsang, author of Wellsprings of the Great Perfection and 9781614290094 248 pages | $17.95 compiler of Blazing Splendor eBook 9781614290179 ESSENTIAL MIND TRAINING Thupten Jinpa “The clarity and raw power of these thousand-year-old teachings of the great Kadampa masters are astonishingly fresh.”—Buddhadharma “This volume can break new ground in bridging the ancient wisdom of Buddhism with the cutting-edge positive psychology of happiness.” —B. -
Recounting the Fifth Dalai Lama's Rebirth Lineage
Recounting the Fifth Dalai Lama’s Rebirth Lineage Nancy G. Lin1 (Vanderbilt University) Faced with something immensely large or unknown, of which we still do not know enough or of which we shall never know, the author proposes a list as a specimen, example, or indication, leaving the reader to imagine the rest. —Umberto Eco, The Infinity of Lists2 ncarnation lineages naming the past lives of eminent lamas have circulated since the twelfth century, that is, roughly I around the same time that the practice of identifying reincarnating Tibetan lamas, or tulkus (sprul sku), began.3 From the twelfth through eighteenth centuries it appears that incarnation or rebirth lineages (sku phreng, ’khrungs rabs, etc.) of eminent lamas rarely exceeded twenty members as presented in such sources as their auto/biographies, supplication prayers, and portraits; Dölpopa Sherab Gyeltsen (Dol po pa Shes rab rgyal mtshan, 1292–1361), one such exception, had thirty-two. Among other eminent lamas who traced their previous lives to the distant Indic past, the lineages of Nyangrel Nyima Özer (Nyang ral Nyi ma ’od zer, 1124–1192) had up 1 I thank the organizers and participants of the USF Symposium on The Tulku Institution in Tibetan Buddhism, where this paper originated, along with those of the Harvard Buddhist Studies Forum—especially José Cabezón, Jake Dalton, Michael Sheehy, and Nicole Willock for the feedback and resources they shared. I am further indebted to Tony K. Stewart, Anand Taneja, Bryan Lowe, Dianna Bell, and Rae Erin Dachille for comments on drafted materials. I thank the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange for their generous support during the final stages of revision. -
Rangjung Yeshe Chantbook
Rangjung Yeshe Chantbook This collection of chants has been compiled from the traditional chants used in practice CHANTS FOR THE MEDITATION SESSION sessions by Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, passed down from his own gurus, and from 1. Refuge the chants of Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche used in the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages for 2. Bodhichitta teaching. 3. Supplication In addition, we have included supplications for the longevity of our precious teachers. 4. Visualization for Receiving Empowerment The liturgy accompanied by a star * is translated by and reproduced with the kind 5. Dedication of Merit permission of the Nalanda Translation Committee. 6. Ema Nyönpa, the Final Words of Senge Wangchuk The translations herein, with the exception of that copyrighted by the Nalanda 7. Lamp Aspiration Translation Committee, may be freely reproduced if not for commercial purposes. 8. Aspiration for Rebirth in the Ultimate Pure Land © Rangjung Yeshe Translations & Publications, Feb. 2013 9. Düsum Sangye, Supplication to Padmasambhava Photocopies can be freely made when not for resale. 10. Orgyen Rinpoche, Supplication to Padmasambhava CHANTS FOR THE TEACHING SESSION 11.The Seven-Line Supplication 12. The Four Dharmas of Gampopa 13. Supplication to the Dakpo Kagyüs * 14. Künsang Dorsem, General Lineage Supplication 15. Damdzin Namtrül, Supplication to the Lineage of Chokling Tersar 16. Ogmin Chökyi, Supplication to the Root Guru 17. Mandala Offering 18. Request to Turn the Wheel of Dharma 19. Dedication of Merit 20. Aspiration for the Karmapa’s Activity to Flourish 21. Aspiration for Chokgyur Lingpa’s Activity to Flourish ADDITIONAL CHANTS 22. Supplications for the Long Life of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s reincarnation 23. -
Life Science Journal 2013;10(7S) 799 a Study on Buddhism in the Parthian Era in Iran Dr Mehrn
Life Science Journal 2013;10(7s) http://www.lifesciencesite.com A Study on Buddhism in the Parthian Era in Iran Dr Mehrnaz Behroozy1, Khadijeh Naghipourfar 2 1. Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2. Graduated in pre Islamic Historical Era of Iran, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Abstract: Religion among Iranians, like other nations, has always been very important. Religious tolerance in Achaemenid Empire continued in Parthian Era as well. This religious openness among public lasts in Seleucid Empire and after them, in Parthian era, and let the other religions to enter to Iran. Of course it shall be considered that after Seleucid’s attack to Iran, the Iranian’s lost their self-esteem, therefore their belief to religion became poor and acceptance of foreign religions was common in this era. One of these foreign religions was Buddhism. Buddhism formed in east and northeast of Iran. Its missionaries tried to extend their influence inside Iran and find some followers among Iranians. This is a library study to investigate Iranians approach toward Buddhism in Parthian Era, the followers of this religion, and the areas affected by this religion in the Parthian Era. This investigation is performed using different reference texts, historical resources and the literatures regarding Buddhism in Iran in Parthian Era. This is worth to mention that one can conclude that due to the religious tolerance in Parthian Era, a lot of new religions emerged in this era and Buddhism is one of them. The main problem of the author is the lack of references for the chosen subject and there is no direct reference about Buddhism history in the Parthian Era.