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Tips. Travellers’ tales. Perspective. Gossip. Experience. Stories. Wonder. Putting a bit of flesh on the bones of Vajrayana (Tibetan style) Buddhist practice in today’s society. Are you curious about Tibetan Buddhism? But how, and where, and when, and all that? Is the water safe? Or have you taken the plunge, but want to plug into it better? Come - let’s enjoy a bowl of dharma momos in the Double Dorje. Chilli with yours? Special emphasis on Nyingma, Kagyu and on non-monastic practice.
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Beside the best-known mantras used in popular Tibetan-style Buddhism – the famous “Mani”, Tara and Guru Rinpoche for example – there are a number of prayers which are also very widely known and used. The “Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche” is one of these. Words or phrases you might want to look up: Guru Rinpoche Seven Line Prayer Mani mantra Tara…
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Emptiness (shunyata, or tongpa in Tibetan) is an utterly core theme in Buddhist teaching. When we first hear about it, we usually don’t have much idea what it’s about at all. We may mistake it for some kind of void, or a teaching that nothing matters because “everything is empty”. Can we get a handle on it without years of study? Words or phrases y…
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When you start to get “serious” (whatever that is and however you try to define it) about your vajrayana practice you will face the question of the “preliminaries” or “foundation practices”. Best to be warned about what’s involved. And it would be good to have an idea of what this ngondro is good for. Prostrating - again and again! Offering mandala…
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A powerful Vajrayogini shrine, Guru Rinpoche caves, and much, much more. Pharping is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Kathmandu valley. A shorter episode, but with a nice bit of a flute tune! The Vajrayogini Temple at Pharping and the fairy-cake stupa Words or phrases you might want to look up: Pharping Vajrayogini Asura cave Shesh…
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What does the “Tibetan Book of the Dead” tell us about being dead? Will we see the Peaceful and Wrathful deities? Bardo Tibetan Book of the Dead Bardo Thodol The 42 Peaceful Deities of the Bardo The 58 Wrathful Deities of the Bardo #Buddhism #Vajrayana #Tibet #DoubleDorje #Bardo #TibetanBookOfTheDead…
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The fruit of our actions – our karma – is said to be unavoidable. Sooner or later, every action comes back to us. But that does not mean that everything that happens to us is predetermined. Bonus speculation on the fundamental nature of reality! Words or phrases you might want to look up: Karma Jewel Ornament of Liberation Words of my Perfect Teach…
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She was a new bride, but for the help she gave I call her a princess! The pilgrimage trip to the Vajrayogini shrine at Sankhu could have been a LOT, LOT worse. The Welcome Gate at Sankhu town The damaged main temple at the top Words or phrases you might want to look up: Vajrayogini Vajravarahi Boudha Swyambhu Sankhu Kathmandu #Buddhism #Vajrayana #…
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In dreams, in the wild, dark woods where reality starts to break apart and become entangled in vision, where fear and ecstasy dance and sing, you may meet the dakini. Is she your mother, your lover, your friend? Will she cast you out or invite you to join the dance? Yeshe Tsogyal Words or phrases you might want to look up: Dakini Daka Khandroma Pha…
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From monster practice cycles that need a whole Dharma Centre to work through in a year to the handful of practices an individual carries out daily. What are practice cycles for? Is 550 pages enough? Words or phrases you might want to look up: Dudjom Lingpa Dudjom Rinpoche Terma, terton Vajrayogini Yamantaka Hevajra Cakrasamvara Shiné #Buddhism #Vaj…
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The two certain things in life are, famously, death and taxes. If you are rich enough, you may be able to mitigate your tax liability, but death cannot be bought off. How do Buddhists handle it? Episode includes the Prayer for Rebirth in Dewachen. Words or phrases you might want to look up: Pashupatinath Naropa Tilopa Dewachen Amitabha Dzogchen Lin…
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Tsok pujas are a big feature of Tibetan-style Buddhism as it is actually practiced, but newcomers often don't have a blind clue what's going on - explanations are hard to find. So here is a rundown with a bit of background and a few tips. Now there's a fancy torma! Words or phrases you might want to look up: Tsok, tsogs, tshog etc. Ganacakra, ganap…
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When secret teachings are spoken of in Tibetan Buddhism, the word "secret" is much closer in meaning to "sacred" or "holy" than it is to the meaning of "unknown to outsiders". When the 15th Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje, refers to the Mani, the most famous mantra of all, as a "secret" mantra, we know the word has meanings quite different from what we mig…
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How does pilgrimage fit into the Buddhist way of doing things? Plus the Guru Rinpoche mantra sung to a tune you might not have expected. Words or phrases you might want to look up: Walsingham Hajj Kumbh Mela Lumbini Bodh Gaya Sarnath Kuśinagara Vajrayana Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattva) Kailash Jokhang Guru Rinpoche #Buddhism #Vajrayana #Tibet #DoubleDorj…
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Chöd - a vast stream of Buddhist practice! Here is a taste. Chöd Chödpa - (images of) Jamgön Kongtrül Treasury of Knowledge Rimé Sakya Kadampa Kagyu (Marpa and Shangpa) Nyingma Kalachakra Machig Labdrön - Machik’s Complete Explanation Phadampa Sangye Dakini Damaru Karma Kagyu Dudjom Tersar Yeshe Dorje (Rainmaker) #Buddhism #Vajrayana #Tibet #Double…
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A traveller's tale from eastern Tibet three decades ago! The great prayer wheel at Mani Dunkhor. Some words you might like to look up: Sakya Mala Vajra Yushu Jyekundo Mani-Dunkhor Trisong Detsen Śāntarakṣita #Buddhism #Vajrayana #Tibet #DoubleDorje #Yushu #Jyekundo #lama #mantra #meditation #nyingma #kagyu #Refuge #Bodhicitta Transcript, with possi…
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Refuge, the Three Jewels and the Bodhisattva vow... Words or phrases you might want to look up: Refuge (Buddhist) Dharma Sangha Three Jewels Bodhisattva Bodhicitta Perfect Conduct – Ascertaining the Three Vows (by Dudjom Rinpoche) Jewel Ornament of Liberation Words of My Perfect Teacher Three kayas Sutras Bodhicaryāvatāra And the verse: Sang gya ch…
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A heavy criticism of the whole "Shambhala" cult, describing the behaviour of Chogyam Trungpa and his chief defender, Pema Chodron, recently went viral on the net. I had intended to express some thoughts about these issues sometime, so it seemed like the time had come. I reveal nothing new here - this is just stuff to think about. Trungpa's "wedding…
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More often called the "Four Thoughts to Turn the Mind": precious human birth, impermanence, karma and suffering. Something to think about Approximate text at the Blue Sky blog Words or phrases you might want to look up: Gampopa Milarepa Rechungpa Kagyu Vajrayana Tsong Khapa Khenpo Konchog Gyaltsen Herbert v. Guenther Jewel Ornament of Liberation La…
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The Guru Rinpoche (or "Vajra Guru") mantra. Includes four tunes for singing! Approximate script at my blog #Buddhism #Vajrayana #Tibet #DoubleDorje #tantra #mahamudra #dzogchen #lama #mantra #meditation #nyingma #kagyu #GuruRinpoche #mantra #tune In the early weeks of this podcast I included an approximate script, not particularly well edited, on a…
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To what degree does sex have anything to do with Buddhist tantra? Terms you might want to look up: Tantra Guru Rinpoche Milarepa Niguma Vajrayogini Lobsang Rampa Tummo Vajrayana Dakini Sangyum Approximate script available at my blog #Buddhism #Vajrayana #Tibet #DoubleDorje #tantra #mahamudra #dzogchen #lama #mantra #meditation #nyingma #kagyu In th…
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What do Buddhist practitioners and students mean when they go to "take teachings"? What to expect, how to feel comfortable. Picture irrelevant - but charming! Approximate script may be found at this blog post #Buddhism #Tibet #vajrayana #DoubleDorje #Nyingma In the early weeks of this podcast I included an approximate script, not particularly well …
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Another look at the mani (OM MANI PEME HUNG). The six syllables, their six colours, and the six worlds. Plus a description for anyone who might be confused about clockwise, anticlockwise, facing in, facing out... Approximate script with possible errors at this blog post Words and names you might like to search for: six worlds lung yidam seed syllab…
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What is the structure of a typical sadhana practice? What parts must it have, what can it have, and how do they fit together? Approximate script with possible variations and errors, is at the Blue Sky, White Clouds blog. Some words you might like to look up: Sadhana Torma Mahayana Vajrayana Bodhicitta Vajrayana Vajrasattva Ngondro (preliminaries) M…
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Tibetan Buddhist practice refers a lot to beings on "the other side" who might help or hinder. Do we have to believe in them in order to practice? Gyalpo Losar Approximate script can be found at this blog Words you might like to look up: Machik Labdron Machik Labdron’s Complete Explanation (book) Chöd Milarepa Mount Kailas Sadhana Stupa Terton Kāśy…
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What is "Direct Introduction" to the true nature of the mind, also known as "pointing out instructions" And why are the things said about it sometimes, well, puzzling? The syllable "A" you might like to look up: Namkhai Norbu Dzogchen Mahamudra Read Blake's Auguries of Innocence at: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43650/auguries-of-innocence…
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About THE MOST FAMOUS of Tibetan Buddhist mantras - what it is, reciting it and singing it - with tunes! Mani walls near Everest There is an approximate script with errors and variations at https://lunidharma.blogspot.com/2024/06/manis-and-manis-and_01125899265.html Words you might want to look up: Vajrayana Guru Rinpoche Tara Chenrezi Avalokiteshv…
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Some memories of Ato Rinpoche who "rested his intent" recently, and what he spoke of as his "two eyes". Ato Rinpoche Approximate script with errors at https://lunidharma.blogspot.com/2024/05/ato-rinpoche-will-be-missed-plus-his.html Things you might want to search for: tulku Jeykundo Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Karmapa Akong Rinpoche Samye Ling Chime R…
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What is a double dorje when it is a ritual instrument - a "diamond sceptre". And what is the Double Dorje when it is (or rather was) a restaurant in Kathmandu close to the Great Stupa. Terms you might like to search for: dorje or vajra Indra Amoghasiddhi Approximate script with errors at https://lunidharma.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-double-dorje-itse…
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In Tibetan Buddhism, "the Lama" is a many-sided word. It means much more than just a person, even a person sitting on a high throne. This episode looks at some sides of what "Lama" means. Figurine of Guru Rinpoche Words you might like to search for: Vajrasattva Lamaism Dalai Lama Kham Refuge tree Nyingma Sakya Kagyu Gelug Guru Rinpoche Padma Sambha…
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A ngagpa is a heavy-duty kind of non-monastic practitioner of the path of mantra in Tibetan Buddhism. This tradition is also entering modern, "western", societies. What does this entail? My teacher, Ngagpa Karma Lhundup Rinpoche and friend Approximate script at https://lunidharma.blogspot.com/2024/05/ngagpas-who-are-they.html. The following terms a…
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If you have sensed the magic around Tibetan Buddhism but don't know where to start, these tips might help. A total beginner Terms you might want to search the net for: Three jewels / three refuges / refuge vows Bodhicitta / the Bodhisattva vow / two kinds of bodhicitta Four noble truths Five heaps Five Buddha families Five wisdoms Six Perfections E…
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Recalling the life and achievements of Thrangu Rinpoche one year since he passed on. Thrangu Rinpoche Refers to these links: Namo Buddha Short bio (1) Short bio (2) TashiCholing Publications In the early weeks of this podcast I included an approximate script, not particularly well edited, on a blog page. For the episode dropped on 4 September entit…
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Yes, it's a trailer for the Double Dorje In the early weeks of this podcast I included an approximate script, not particularly well edited, on a blog page. For the episode dropped on 4 September entitled “Bad gurus, tosh gurus and good gurus” and for episodes due to be dropped from 18 September onwards, starting with “Jyekundo / Yushu: travelling i…
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