September 25, 2019

Cultivating the Three Wisdoms in Degenerate Times

“It is very precious to receive and study the Buddha’s teachings. It’s like bringing light into darkness. If we don’t first study the teachings, it’s like trying to climb a mountain without any hands. We must study and contemplate, and then apply the teachings in meditation to go beyond mere intellectual understanding, and bring certainty wisdom of the teaching into our hearts. We must do all three of these things to bring about the desired result.
The three wisdoms of (1) listening, (2) contemplation, and (3) meditation are very important, particularly in these degenerate times. The great master Longchenpa said that in ancient times when the time was perfect, students would instantly achieve realization the moment they received teachings. Why did this happen? The teachers were highly enlightened beings, the students were full of devotion, enthusiasm, and joy, and without any doubt or hesitation, and the timing and circumstances were perfect. Yet according to the teachings of the Buddha, in these degenerate times, we generally don’t have as great of teachers and students as in ancient times. Everything is a little dim. Therefore we need these three wisdoms to usher our realization and understanding. We should not see them as insignificant—instead we should take them to heart and apply them in practice.”
Degenerate age (Tib. rtsod ldan; Skt. kaliyuga). The commonly heard expressions “degenerate age,”“age of dregs,” and “degenerate times” all technically refer to a kaliyuga, the last of four world cycles in traditional Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. In general, a degenerate age has five principal features: (1) beings are afflicted by war, famine, and illness; (2) the character of beings is declining and gross-level emotions and gross physicality are pervasive; (3) lifespan decreases dramatically in relation to other world cycles and will continue to decrease; (4) sentient beings continuously engage in the ten nonvirtuous actions; moreover, the extreme views of eternalism and nihilism are commonly accepted as correct; and (5) the obscurations of the five poisons—ignorance, attachment, anger, jealousy, and pride—are extremely powerful, such that worldly antidotes cannot easily reverse them.
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Supreme Wisdom: Commentary on Yeshe Lama (pgs 393 and 502)
 
Photo of Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche with his father, hidden Dzogchen Yogi Lama Chimed Namgyal at Padma Samye Ling in the 1990s.
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August 5, 2019

Padma Samye Ling Stupa Ground Blessing Ceremony Celebrating Chokhor Duchen

Padma Samye Ling Stupa Ground Blessing Ceremony
by Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche

 

 

Celebrating Chokhor Duchen, the anniversary of when Buddha Shakyamuni first taught the Dharma! August 4, 2019

A 20 foot Enlightenment Stupa will be placed in the center, surrounded by the following 12 foot stupas in the four directions: a Heaped Lotuses Stupa, a Many Doors Stupa; a Complete Victory Stupa; and a Mahaparinirvana Stupa.

These five stupas honor and commemorate Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, teaching the Dharma, extending his life, and mahaparinirvana.

They are made entirely of solid volcanic rock, and are being hand-carved in Indonesia by an expert craftsman.

 

 

The Noble Stainless Beams of Light Sutra states:

“Noble sons and daughters! Whoever circumambulates or make offerings to a stupa will be blessed by Tathagatas, move to the supreme enlightened state through a non-returning path, and purify all of their karmic obscurations. Even if the shadow of a stupa touches birds, animals, deer, or whomever, they will not be reborn in the lower realms.”

 

Learn how you can join the magic!
www.padmasambhava.org/psl-meadow-stupa-garden

 

 

 

Padma Samye Ling
618 Buddha Highway
Sidney Center, NY 13839
(607) 865-8068

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August 4, 2019

Happy Chokhor Duchen, celebrating the anniversary of when Buddha Shakyamuni first taught the Dharma!

Who is the Buddha?
www.padmasambhava.org/who-is-the-buddha
“Buddha Shakyamuni was the fourth of one thousand buddhas that would come into this world. Each of them would re-ignite the inherent spiritual qualities of the sentient beings of their time period. Because they will continue to appear without interruption, giving an incredible variety of teachings but always acting with loving-kindness and compassion, this great cycle of time during which they appear will be known as the Fortunate Aeon.”
Khenpo Rinpoches Teach in Deer Park
Introduction to the Empowerment of Buddha Shakyamuni

 

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August 1, 2019

Happy Birthday Lama Jomo Lorraine!!!

We’re all sending you sincere gratitude for your decades of tireless Dharma service, study, and practice, and pray for your very long and healthy life, and the perfect and swift fulfillment of all your noble aspirations!

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July 12, 2019

PSL Dzogchen Summer Retreat begins tomorrow!!!

Empowerment and Teachings on Hayagriva and Vajravarahi
According to the Lineage of the Great Terton Tsasum Lingpa
Bestowed by Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal RinpocheJuly 13-21, 2019
Padma Samye Ling, NY

Everyone’s welcome to attend all or part of this retreat.
The gracious teacher Buddha gave a variety of teachings based on the readiness of practitioners. These teachings are completely based on non-violence, peace, harmony, and respect for all beings, and help us to discover our ultimate goal of peace and happiness. Buddhism became very popular all over Asia, including in Tibet, particularly for King Trisong Deutsen and his ministers. Because of his courage, commitment, and willingness, Buddhism was brought to Tibet in the 8th century by the great master Shantarakshita and Guru Padmasambhava. Since then until now, Buddhism has been the focal point of Tibetan life. So many dedicated practitioners achieved the highest state of realization that we can discover through spiritual practice.Guru Padmasambhava gave numerous esoteric teachings, such as the Inner Tantras, which includes practices on the Eight Herukas. Among them, meditating on the Padma family was one of the very important heart practices of Guru Padmasambhava, so he gave many teachings on the peaceful and wrathful deities of the Padma family. Many of these instructions were hidden with ritual objects throughout Tibet with the assistance of the wisdom dakini Yeshe Tsogyal. Beginning in the 11th century, numerous great treasure discoverers, or tertons, appeared to reveal and spread these termas, which has continued through the present.

This summer, Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche will bestow one of the great teachings of the Padma family on the supreme herukas Hayagriva and Vajravarahi according to the terma of the great terton Tsasum Lingpa. Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche will explain the structure of all sadhana practices of the Inner Tantras, including the Creation and Completion Stages of visualization, mantra recitation, and Dzogchen. He will give very detailed and thorough instructions so practitioners can absorb the heart of the Vajrayana teachings, and not just receive empowerments and blessings.

The great terton Tsasum Lingpa was an emanation of Nubchen Sangye Yeshe who was one of the Nine Heart Students of Guru Padmasambhava. Nubchen Sangye Yeshe was one of the principal lineage holders of the entire Nyingma Kama, as well as the Anuyoga teachings. He emanated many great tertons and scholar-masters from the 11th century to the present.

Tsasum Lingpa was one of the renowned emanations of Nubchen Sangye Yeshe and is one of the leading of examples of a terton who discovered termas from the earth, rocky mountains, and lakes. He discovered so many essence teachings of the Inner Tantras, including Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and Atiyoga, as well as practices on a variety of deities of the Inner Tantras. In particular, he discovered this Hayagriva and Vajravarahi teaching in the Fire Monkey Year (1716) from the very holy mountain in southern Tibet known as glorious Tsari Ta, which is considered one of the 24 holiest places on earth according to the Inner Tantras.

In Tsari Ta Mountain, Guru Padmasambhava and Yeshe Tsogyal hid many termas to be discovered in the future, and exactly according to the predictions of Guru Rinpoche, many tertons revealed termas there. Many Nyingma and Kagyu masters also meditated and actualized the highest realization of enlightenment at Tsari Ta.

This Hayagriva and Vajravarahi practice is strongly connected to the Padma Heruka family and is the essence of Mahayoga, Anuyoga, and Dzogchen. The combination of these two buddhas is a very powerful practice for this time to discover our innate nature and remove physical and mental obstacles. In particular, this practice will increase life force and bring the realization of the pure view of the cosmic mandala and its inhabitants.

Retreat begins Saturday, July 13, with morning practice at 7:00am, breakfast and registration 8-10am; and first teaching at 10am.
Empowerment on Sunday, July 14th 10:00am-1:00pm.
Retreat concludes around 1:00pm on Sunday, July 21.

Padma Samye Ling
618 Buddha Highway
Sidney Center, NY 13839
jowozegyal@catskill.net
(607) 865-8068

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July 8, 2019

The true nature does not change under any circumstances

“The absolute nature of reality is unchanging and incorruptible, so it does not decrease or increase. It is unquantifiable. When we rest in the absolute nature, we are not expanding it in any way; and when we wander away from our recognition of this nature, we are not shrinking it in any way. Enlightened beings understand that the true nature does not change under any circumstances, whether sentient beings recognize it or not. Even Lord Buddha did not change this nature when he turned the wheel of the Dharma.
 
In the more elaborate Prajñāpāramitā teachings, it is often stated that the absolute nature—also known as “buddha-nature”—is the inheritance of each and every sentient being. All of us possess it, regardless of our intelligence, character, or species; it is this very nature we seek to discover on the path to enlightenment. Here we use the word “discover” to indicate that buddha-nature is not something different than ourselves. We don’t have to fabricate or construct it on top of something else. When our buddha-nature is revealed, we can access its many beautiful qualities, such as wisdom, compassion, and loving-kindness. These qualities are extremely valuable. Even now, they guide us in times of delusion and radiate out to others in the form of communication, friendship, joy, and happiness. Based on the experience of these aspects of buddha-nature, sentient beings become relaxed and cheerful, and they can share and work together.”
 
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Ceaseless Echoes of the Great Silence: A Commentary on the Heart Sutra Prajnaparamita (pg 44-45)
 
Photo of Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches in the 1990s.
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July 3, 2019

Uprooting Clinging

Question: I’m not sure that I’m ready for higher teachings. You talk about seeing yourself as a buddha, but what if I’m struggling with anger? Maybe I should be practicing something simple or more relevant? I am really grateful to hear higher teachings, and while I’m listening to you I can understand them. But I know that in my everyday life I don’t have the possibility of making use of them.

Answer: That is true for all of us. We’re teaching on the ultimate level. On the absolute level, everything is equal. However, as long as we experience duality and grasping, what you say is true. There are differences between us. We all have different habits and we have to remove our grasping. The Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava taught that compassion, love, wisdom, strong devotion, respect, and appreciation are all needed to release duality and overcome grasping. When we accomplish this, it creates the state of equanimity.

During meditation, recognize the buddha-nature within. See yourself as a buddha. Gradually as your realization grows, there will be fewer distinctions, and eventually you will discover your original nature and find your royal robes.

Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Forthcoming Book: Uprooting Clinging: A Commentary on Mipham Rinpoche’s Wheel of Analytic Meditation (pg 142)
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/books-by-khenpo-rinpoches/uprooting-clinging-a-commentary-on-mipham-rinpoches-wheel-of-analytic-meditation

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June 17, 2019

Free download of the PBC Spring/Summer 2019 Pema Mandala magazine!

Happy Saga Dawa Duchen!

Free download of the PBC Spring/Summer 2019 Pema Mandala magazine:

www.padmasambhava.org/pema-mandala-magazine

In this issue of Pema Mandala Magazine you will find:

  • Opening Letter of Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche
  • Enthronement of the Reincarnation of Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche
  • Twelve Deeds of the Buddha
  • Four Noble Truths of Life
  • Journey to Awakening: The Eightfold Noble Path
  • 2019 Summer/Fall Teaching Schedule
  • Gaining Certainty with the Practice of Analytic Meditation
  • Ecos Incesantes del Gran Silencio
  • Join the PSL Learning Dharma Skills Program
  • Radiant Lotus Land of Padma Samye Ling
  • Pemai Chiso Dharma Store
  • Help Build the Pema Ling Temple in Jupiter, Florida
  • Celebrating the Yeshe Tsogyal Temple in Nashville
  • 2018 Year in Review
  • Use Challenges to Boost Your Realization
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