Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche-Biography

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche-Biography Dharma Dhrishti ― Issue 2, Fall 2009 The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche he Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche is a leading scholar in the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as an accomplished T meditation master, calligrapher, visual artist, and poet. He travels and teaches widely and is well‐versed in Western culture and technology. He is known for his warmth, humor, and lucid presentation of Buddhist teachings in a manner relevant to contemporary life. Born in Sikkim, India, Rinpoche was recognized by His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as the seventh in the line of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoches. In 1979, HH the 16th Karmapa formally empowered Ponlop Rinpoche as one of the lineage holders of the Karma Kagyu school and proclaimed him his heart son. Rinpoche is the spiritual leader and president of Nalandabodhi, a network of meditation centers located primarily in North America and including centers in three other continents. Additionally, Rinpoche founded and directs a number of other Dharma organizations. In 1994, he established Nitartha international, a nonprofit education corporation, to assist in the integration of computer technology with traditional Tibetan scholarship. In 1995, he established Nitartha Institute, a systematic program of higher Buddhist studies for Western students. Rinpoche has been a visiting professor at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, since 1996. Nalanda West, in Seattle, Washington, was established as a ©2009 Mindrolling International 1 www.mindrollinginternational.org/dharmadhrishti Dharma Dhrishti ― Issue 2, Fall 2009 center for American Buddhism to assist in the integration of the Buddhist Science of Mind into American culture. In 2008, Rinpoche organized the extraordinary first visit to the United States of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, harmoniously directing the Buddhist Centers throughout the U.S. to work together on the tour. Rinpoche’s publications include Wild Awakening: The Heart of Mahamudra and Dzogchen, Penetrating Wisdom: The Aspiration of Samantabhadra, and most recently, Mind Beyond Death. ©2009 Mindrolling International 2 www.mindrollinginternational.org/dharmadhrishti .
Recommended publications
  • Buddhism in America
    Buddhism in America The Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series The United States is the birthplace of religious pluralism, and the spiritual landscape of contemporary America is as varied and complex as that of any country in the world. The books in this new series, written by leading scholars for students and general readers alike, fall into two categories: some of these well-crafted, thought-provoking portraits of the country’s major religious groups describe and explain particular religious practices and rituals, beliefs, and major challenges facing a given community today. Others explore current themes and topics in American religion that cut across denominational lines. The texts are supplemented with care- fully selected photographs and artwork, annotated bibliographies, con- cise profiles of important individuals, and chronologies of major events. — Roman Catholicism in America Islam in America . B UDDHISM in America Richard Hughes Seager C C Publishers Since New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Seager, Richard Hughes. Buddhism in America / Richard Hughes Seager. p. cm. — (Columbia contemporary American religion series) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN ‒‒‒ — ISBN ‒‒‒ (pbk.) . Buddhism—United States. I. Title. II. Series. BQ.S .'—dc – Casebound editions of Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper.
    [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]
  • The Great Heart Way : How to Heal Your Life and Find Self-Fulfillment
    Great L Heart WAY Hbw to Heal Your Life and Find Self-fulfillment ILIA SHINKO PEREZ jth GERRY SHISHIN WICK id *ir^/ More praise for THE GREAT HEART WAY "I find that the Great Heart method skillfully addresses the fundamental issue of practicing with hidden emotional issues. The value of Great Heart is that it lays out a clear method with vivid and compelling evidence of how it works. I wholeheartedly endorse this book." —Wendy Egyoku Nakao, Abbot, Zen Center of Los Angeles "Incisive, import^t, and wfflSftfteretense. It is a skillful orTering^dapt^^^JJPj^yi duals as well teachers an< —Pat Enkyo O'Hara, Ph.D.^ Wot, "The Great Heart Way will help paople to resolve ) deep-seated issues that may not be^ccessible through traditional meditation alal^V <^ —Joan Halifax, Roshi, Ph.D., author of The Fruitful* Dc^iei "An important book. I highly recommend it for all seekers." —Anne Seisen Saunders, Abbot, Sweetwater Zen Center "Eminently practical and optimistic." —Jean Smith, author of Now! The Art of Being Truly Present .r-.?>-./ The Great Heart Way How to Heal Your Life and Find Self- Fulfillment ILIA SHINKO PEREZ GERRY SHISHIN WICK A WISDOM PUBLICATIONS • BOSTON Wisdom Publications 199 Elm Street Somerville, MA 02144 USA www.wisclompubs.org © 2006 Great Mountain Zen Center No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without permis- sion in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Perez, Ilia Shinko.
    [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]
  • Nalandabodhi Nederland, Tweejarig Pad Van Beoefening, Kort Overzicht1 Februari 2013
    Nalandabodhi Nederland, Tweejarig pad van beoefening, kort overzicht1 Februari 2013 Nalandabodhi is een organisatie die onder leiding staat van de leraar Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Zie voor meer informatie over deze organisatie www.nalandabodhi.org. Zie voor meer informatie over Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche zijn website: http://www.dpr.info. Binnen de organisatie van Nalandabodhi is het mogelijk een driejarig pad van studie, een tweejarig pad van beoefening en een éénjarig pad van ‘mindful activity’ (toepassing in het dagelijks leven) te lopen . Deze drie paden zijn vrij toegankelijk voor iedereen die eraan mee wil doen en meedoen verplicht tot niets. Velen van buiten de Nalandabodhi sangha hebben aan deze paden meegedaan voor het ontwikkelen van meer inzicht in de beoefeningen en de theorie van het boeddhisme. Het driejarig pad van studie, het tweejarig pad van beoefening en het éénjarig pad van mindful activity zijn wel verplicht voor die mensen die zich (later) willen verbinden aan de traditie van Nalandabodhi en op dat pad verder willen gaan. De beide paden zijn in die context te beschouwen als oriëntaties op de boeddhistische visie en meditatie van Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, zodat mensen bewust hun keuzes kunnen maken of ze daar deel van willen (gaan) uitmaken. Tweejarig pad van beoefening Het tweejarig pad van beoefening bestaat uit vier onderdelen, namelijk de beoefening van shamatha (I), de beoefening van vipashyana (II), de beoefening van de geest-trainingen (III) en overige beoefeningen (IV). Alle beoefeningen vragen training (uren) om die je enigszins eigen te maken. Als er staat: 2 of 9 maanden wordt bedoeld: 2 maanden of 9 maanden lang één uur per dag beoefenen.
    [Show full text]
  • Opening Speech Liao Yiwu
    About the 17th Karmapa Liao Yiwu On the morning of 4 June, 1989, a contingent of over two hundred thousand soldiers surrounded the Chinese capital of Beijing, where they opened fire on unarmed protesters in a massacre at Tiananmen Square that shook the entire world. On 5 March of that same year, there had been another large massacre in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, news of this earlier event had been effectively suppressed. Because of the absence of the Western news media, the PLA’s cold- blooded killing of Tibetan protesters was never recorded on camera. The holy city of Lhasa was about ten times smaller than Beijing at that time, and Bajiao Square where the massacre took place was about ten times smaller than Tiananmen Square, and yet over ten thousand peaceful protesters assembled in that narrow square, where they clashed with some fifteen thousand heavily-armed soldiers. As a result of this encounter, more than three hundred civilians lost their lives, another three thousand were imprisoned, and the “worst offenders” were subsequently sentenced to death. The Jokhang Temple located next to the Potala Palace was attacked and occupied by army troops because it was flying the Snow Lion Flag of Tibetan independence, and it was burned to the ground along with its precious copy of the Pagoda Scriptures, a text which symbolizes the dignity of Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism. Tens of thousands of Tibetan Buddhists stood in the street bewailing the loss of their sacred text, and the lamas continually tried to rush into the burning temple to rescue the scriptures, but were shot down amidst the flames.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [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]
  • Engaged Buddhism & Women in Black: Our Grief Is Not a Cry For
    The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning Volume 9 Winter 2003-2004 Article 5 2003 Engaged Buddhism & Women in Black: Our Grief Is Not a Cry for War Candace Walworth Naropa University Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/jaepl Part of the Creative Writing Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons, Disability and Equity in Education Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, English Language and Literature Commons, Instructional Media Design Commons, Liberal Studies Commons, Other Education Commons, Special Education and Teaching Commons, and the Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons Recommended Citation Walworth, Candace (2003) "Engaged Buddhism & Women in Black: Our Grief Is Not a Cry for War," The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning: Vol. 9 , Article 5. Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/jaepl/vol9/iss1/5 This Essay is brought to you for free and open access by Volunteer, Open Access, Library Journals (VOL Journals), published in partnership with The University of Tennessee (UT) University Libraries. This article has been accepted for inclusion in The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning by an authorized editor. For more information, please visit https://trace.tennessee.edu/jaepl. Engaged Buddhism & Women in Black: Our Grief Is Not a Cry for War Cover Page Footnote Candace Walworth is Associate Professor at Naropa University, a Buddhist-inspired university in Boulder, Colorado. This essay is available in The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning: https://trace.tennessee.edu/jaepl/vol9/iss1/5 20 JAEPL, Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BUDDHIST TANTRA PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Rob Preece | 288 pages | 01 Dec 2006 | Shambhala Publications Inc | 9781559392631 | English | Ithaca, United States The Psychology Of Buddhist Tantra PDF Book Our world is moving a lot faster than it probably was back in those days and so, yes, the stresses and complexities seem to be much greater than centuries ago. It would be difficult to clarify everything in a short period of time. This is what is meant [in the Tantras] by the unity of Samsara and Nirvana, which was for them the limit of perfection. An experienced meditation teacher and thangka painter, he lives in London and is the author of The Wisdom of Imperfection and The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra. Sample: Buddhist Tantra. Audio Software icon An illustration of a 3. Engage your body, your desires, and your obstacles as the fuel for spiritual insight. Rob Preece. Because of this, it is helpful to bear in mind that elements of the course may change as it unfolds to take into account what emerges as things progress and what is relevant to peoples experience. This book masterfully clarifies the nature of tantric practice. Select more View selections. Many teachers of lineage share their teachings to students who have sincere interest. He is credited with associating sex with tantra, a sensationalist spin that stuck. Today this tradition is accessible to Westerners as Tibetan masters come to the West to teach. Although I have read one of his book which I adored, it's the first time I listen to his teachings.
    [Show full text]
  • Brief History of Dzogchen
    Brief History of Dzogchen This is the printer-friendly version of: http: / / www.berzinarchives.com / web / en / archives / advanced / dzogchen / basic_points / brief_history_dzogchen.html Alexander Berzin November 10-12, 2000 Introduction Dzogchen (rdzogs-chen), the great completeness, is a Mahayana system of practice leading to enlightenment and involves a view of reality, way of meditating, and way of behaving (lta-sgom-spyod gsum). It is found earliest in the Nyingma and Bon (pre-Buddhist) traditions. Bon, according to its own description, was founded in Tazig (sTag-gzig), an Iranian cultural area of Central Asia, by Shenrab Miwo (gShen-rab mi-bo) and was brought to Zhang-zhung (Western Tibet) in the eleventh century BCE. There is no way to validate this scientifically. Buddha lived in the sixth century BCE in India. The Introduction of Pre-Nyingma Buddhism and Zhang-zhung Rites to Central Tibet Zhang-zhung was conquered by Yarlung (Central Tibet) in 645 CE. The Yarlung Emperor Songtsen-gampo (Srong-btsan sgam-po) had wives not only from the Chinese and Nepali royal families (both of whom brought a few Buddhist texts and statues), but also from the royal family of Zhang-zhung. The court adopted Zhang-zhung (Bon) burial rituals and animal sacrifice, although Bon says that animal sacrifice was native to Tibet, not a Bon custom. The Emperor built thirteen Buddhist temples around Tibet and Bhutan, but did not found any monasteries. This pre-Nyingma phase of Buddhism in Central Tibet did not have dzogchen teachings. In fact, it is difficult to ascertain what level of Buddhist teachings and practice were introduced.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]