The Path of Purification? No, my friend. Ratha-vinita Sutta (Chariot Relay Sutra) teaches us not to confuse the seven purifications, with the destination, Nirvana
Buddhist Sutras and Sutta English, Dharma
Although our teachers often drill hard on the theme of "just practice" and "I cannot practice for you" and "the greatest offering is your practice" — never-the-less Sutra cautions us against confusing practice with our goal of Nirvana ...
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche discusses decades of teaching, advice for beginner students and funny stories of his teachers.
Dharma, Interview with the Teachers, Teachers
H.E. Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche is always quick to smile and laugh, regardless of a hectic teaching schedule that has him spending many hours flying around the world. Despite a very tight three week schedule of teachings at ...
Acchariya Abbhuta Sutta: “Wonderful And Marvelous” Qualities of the Buddha
Buddhist Sutras and Sutta English, Dharma
What are the wonderful and marvelous qualities of a Buddha? In this amazingly joyous sutta, Buddha interrupts the Bikkhus, who are discussing the virtues of a Buddha, and asks them to explain what they believe are the virtues ...
Padmasambhava, the Lotus Born: “giving up idling and laziness” the importance of practicing incessantly and the path to self-discipline ; as recorded by Lady Tsogyal
Buddhist Practices, Dharma, Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava, Mantra, Tantra, Teachers, What the Buddhist Teachers Say
Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche, the Enlightened Padmakara, once taught Lady Tsogyal how to practice perfectly with self-discipline — basically, the message: I can't do it for you. In the teaching, "The Crystal Garland of Faultless Practice", the great and ...
Samatha meditation teaching: “Resting the mind in the natural state,” video of session 1 of a Mahamudra weekend retreat
Dharma
The first session of a teaching and meditation retreat on advanced Mahamudra, taught by H.E. Zasep Rinpoche, the author of Gelug Mahamudra: Enlightened Speech of Manjushri. In session one, Rinpoche introduces Mahamudra, then speaks about the nature of ...
Sems dpa, the Buddhist Spiritual Warrior, the Hero, the fearless Buddhist: overcoming self-ignorance and our maras
Bodhisattvas, Buddhist Living, Dharma
The term Spiritual Warrior (Tibetan "sems dpa") may hint at more than a whiff of bravado and violence — until it is understood that the enemy of the Spiritual Warrior is "avidya" or self-ignorance. Overcoming avidya is at ...
Buddha: How to protect wealth, associate with virtuous friends and relate to your spouse, employer, children: guidance for lay practitioners in Sigalovada Sutta
Buddhist Living, Buddhist Sutras and Sutta English, Dharma
It may seem hard to imagine the Peerless One, Shakyamuni Buddha, teaching the more mundane aspects of lay life conduct. Imagine the Buddha teachings us "financial planning" (really!) — and to relate to our children, employers and spouse! ...
Buddha teaches the Nadi Sutta: overcoming the assumptions of self with the River Sutra; the river of Samsara cannot be escaped by clinging to the notion of an “abiding self”
Buddhist Sutras and Sutta English, Dharma
One of the shorter sutras, the Nadi Sutta, teaches us that if we believe in an "abiding self" (or soul) we are like "a man swept away by the current" who "would grab hold of kasha grasses, but ...
The Power of Mantras: Healing, Setting the Mind Free, Protecting the Mind, and Remaining Mindful of Dharma Throughout the Day
Dharma, Mantra, Vajrayana Buddhism and Practices
In some Buddhist cultures, children learn to chant mantras before they learn more common speech. Mantra, sacred sounds, are often considered protective and healing, or even life-changing. They are commonly used by Buddhists and Hindus, and — arguably ...
Swift Healing with White Tara: the Rapid Path to Long Life, Merit, Wisdom, and Health
Bodhisattvas, Buddha, Buddhist Practices, Dakini, Deities, Dharma, Enlightened Feminine in Buddhism, Mahayana, Mantra, Meditation, Tantra, Tara
When I need help in a hurry, Tara is the "swift one"—the One I call on first. If I'm in trouble, Green Tara. If I'm sick, White Tara. So far, end of life isn't top of mind, but ...
How a Home Retreat Helps Busy People Manage Time and Save Money; How to Do It, and Why it is Necessary
Buddha, Deities, Dharma, Mahayana, Meditation, Sangha, Tantra, Teachers, Vajrayana Buddhism and Practices
Sitting retreats are important opportunities to "still the mind", allowing us to develop "realizations." There is something very special about the Buddhist Retreat. We all look forward to our first (or next) retreat, but hectic modern life makes it very difficult ...
Shabkar’s Song of Practice: the entire path, from refuge to generation to completion in one song by one of the great sages of Tibet
Buddhist Practices, Deities, Dharma, Meditation, Tantra, Teachers, Vajrayana Buddhism and Practices
Only a true visionary Yogi could distil a path that fills lifetimes and books into a single song. Such a Yogi is the great Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol, an emanation of the great Milarepa. Both were famous for their ...