Palyul

Dharma in a New Land

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Tonight I’d like to say a few words on the issue of how Buddhism moves west, and spreads throughout the world. Some things change; some naturally, remain the same. The Vajrayana monastics will change in that they must make and touch money, eat, often after dark, some are nurses which must tend and therefore touch. Some are doctors and must touch others. Sometimes they travel and cannot always sleep on a low bed as prescribed.

There is no doubt monastics that must not be rigid; particularly in that as Bodhisatvas, that vow always takes precedence. The reason is, that each level of Buddhism has its own vows. Theravadens focus on strict Vinaya rules to purify. Mahayana gives rise to the Great Bodhicitta, and tame their minds with renunciation and Compassion. In Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism all levels are combined into one Supreme view. The vows are kept on the outer, inner, and secret levels; quite profound and impossible to accomplish without a Supreme Guide.

Vajrayana encompasses all three levels and is hands down the more “mystical.” In the USA we take mystical as license. It is not. It does address flexibility according to capacity for view. A Bodhisattva will minister without much concern for monastic rules only if there is suffering to remedy, causing the necessity for a deeper view. In Vajrayana there is Tantra, generation of the Diety or Yiddam and attaining the qualities and view of the Yiddam. We generate Passive Yidam to grow, heal, and expand. We generate Wrathful Yidam to subdue, pacify, and overcome.

If everything remains the same as Tibet or India we would not succeed. Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was flexible that way; he understood Buddhism was moving out of Tibet. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche allowed monks to have TV, Soccer, games. That was unless they got distracted or worldly.

They make plays about our history. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was completely Orthodox and had never broken His vows on the three levels. But He had view, compassion, as well as common sense. He understood the times and His community. Palyul, my Lineage has always persisted because the combination of enlightened Wisdom, Compassion, and Awareness of this world. The Palyul Khenpos did not like these methods, as is the style of scholarly Khenpos, haha, the different perspective is normal and natural – wonderful, really.

But the Tulkus were somewhat different. They are the Treasures of Vajrayana, they alone have crossed the ocean of samsara and guided, successfully their disciples. They are the wisdom beings in flesh and usually each Tulku has their history with their own monastery. They have the clarity and wisdom.

When Lamas come to my Palyul temple they often weep for joy that so many are ordained here in this place. How we have numerous and Holy Stupas; we have gorgeous altars, thangkas, and a full library of texts. When His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was in India He managed to go back to Tibet and rescue ancient and extraordinary rare texts and kindly gave them to us. He himself made robes for the Ordained. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche brought them in privately to take vows, cut hair, and be formally dressed by Palyul Monks. Each felt HIS compassion, purity and wisdom. Some failed; most made it. Others were ordained at retreat in New York. Ngakpa vows are given.

We are told frequently, even by Kagyu Lamas, that the ordained here have amazing good qualities. Heart. I love and trust my monks and nuns so much more than I can possibly express. I respect their journey with my body, speech and mind. They are my family, my children. They are ALL named Thubten, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s ordination name. Palyul is exquisite in every way.

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche even approved my handwritten vows! I wrote them and when His Holiness saw, he giggled and said, “These are Refuge, Bodhisattva and Genyen vows.” He was the real deal, a living Buddha, and I worship the very ground where His feet were placed.

Each Lineage is unique and perfect in its way. Has a story just like this. Therefore it is never appropriate to criticize another Lineage. Mainly because you don’t know the Miracle that is it’s blood and bone, and never will. It is Karma! Therefor respect my Lineage, my Tsawei Lama and our Monks, Nuns and householders. I promise, if you have a Lineage I will respect and Honor yours, as I train my students to do. Will we now form a community of Dharma, wholesome, undivided? THIS IS MY PRAYER! Kye HO!

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

Tibetan Schools and Palyul

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Tibetan Buddhism has four main traditions:

Nyingma “the Ancient Ones” This is the oldest, the original order founded by Padmasambhava andSantaraksita.  Whereas other schools categorize their teachings into the three vehicles: The Foundation Vehicle, Mahayana and Vajrayana, the Nyingma tradition classifies them into nine vehicles, among the highest of which is known as Atiyoga or Dzogchen “Great Perfection”.  Hidden treasures (terma) are of particular significance to this tradition.

Kagyu “Lineage of the (Buddha’s) Word” This is an oral tradition, which is very much concerned with the experiential dimension of meditation. Its most famous exponent was Milarepa, an 11th century mystic. It contains one major and one minor subsect. The first, the Dagpo Kagyu, encompasses those Kagyu schools that trace back to the Indian master Naropa via Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa, and consists of four major sub-sects: the Karma Kagyu, headed by a Karmapa, the Tsalpa Kagyu, the Barom Kagyu, and Pagtru Kagyu. There are a further eight minor sub-sects, all of which trace their root to Pagtru Kagyu and the most notable of which are the Drikung Kagyu and the Drukpa Kagyu. The once-obscure Shangpa Kagyu, which was famously represented by the 20th century teacher Kalu Rinpoche, traces its history back to the Indian master Naropa via Niguma, Sukhasiddhi and Kyungpo Neljor.

Sakya “Grey Earth” This school very much represents the scholarly tradition. Headed by the Sakya Trizin, this tradition was founded by Khon Konchog Gyalpo, a disciple of the great translator Drokmi Lotsawa and traces its lineage to the Indian master Virupa. A renowned exponent, Sakya Pandita 1182–1251CE was the great grandson of Khon Konchog Gyalpo.

Gelug “Way of Virtue” Originally a reformist movement, this tradition is particularly known for its emphasis on logic and debate. Its spiritual head is the Ganden Tripa and its temporal one the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is regarded as the embodiment of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Successive Dalai Lamas ruled Tibet from the mid-17th to mid-20th centuries. The order was founded in the 14th to 15th century byJe Tsongkhapa, renowned for both his scholasticism and his virtue.

Within these, Kunzang Palyul Choling is Nyingma

There are six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries:

  1. Katok Monastery, in east Tibet, was founded during the twelfth century, and expanded in 1656.
  2. Dorje Drak Monastery was founded in central Tibet, in 1659.
  3. Mindroling Monastery, in central Tibet, was established in 1676.
  4. Palyul Monastery, founded in east Tibet in 1665.
  5. Dzogchen Monastery, in east Tibet, established in 1685.
  6. Shechen Monastery founded in east Tibet, in 1735.

Within these monastic traditions, Kunzang Palyul Choling is Palyul.

Palyul Monastery — one of the Six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries. It was founded in either 1632 or 1665 by Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, a disciple of Terton Migyur Dorje, and Karma Chagmed. The monastery specializes in kama practices, the termas of Ratna Lingpa and Tulku Migyur Dorje (1645-67). The current head of Palyul Monastery is the Fifth Karma Kuchen.

The inspired masters who contributed to the teachings practiced within Palyul

To date, Palyul has had 12 throne-holders in its history.  According to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, while Nyingma is generally practiced as a Ngagpa tradition, within Palyul it has never been true. The Lineage Holders of Palyul have always been fully-ordained.

Important “elder statesmen” of Palyul, contemporaries and close senior students of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, are:

It is because of these pure Lineage teachers that we continue to have a pure unbroken stream of wisdom to guide us today to reveal our own enlightenment.

Sources include Wikipedia, Rigpa Wiki, and most of all Pathgate.org, who gave us permission to use their thangka images and biographies

Tsawei Lama 2

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Jetsunma greeting His Holiness Karma Kuchen
Jetsunma greeting His Holiness Karma Kuchen

It’s raining now, but I can see
That soon the sun will be with me.
It’s pouring now, but I can tell
That soon the bliss will come, as well.

That kiss of sunlight, a warming spell
Reminds me that when darkness fell
It seemed I’d lost you for a while
But then the gift- your blessing smile.

I knew that it would take some time
That soon the glory that is your Mind
Will come again, and in a while
You will come as a precious child.

Oh, lead me swiftly to that day
When I can close my eyes and pray
When I will know in that secret way
He has come!  He is here!  The great display!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Roar of the Dakini

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It is not for ordinary sentient beings to alter Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism. It has been in this country, USA, only a short while. To decry the gifts of our great founding Lamas, Tulkus, also called Nirmanakaya Buddhas, these are jewels to gradually assimilate and practice, not to destroy with arrogance and pride. We may end up seeing some things differently here. But it should be gently and with loving concern.

Some people suggest we should destroy all Tulkus. And, naturally the woman who doesn’t play patriarchy goes first. If we have just ordinary people teaching, even from texts, is like the blind leading the blind. One can see easily that these folks have no profound wisdom, being so rude, hurtful and stuffed with pride. If sincere people follow ordinary people with no particular good qualities they will end up the same as them. These ordinary people claim supreme Enlightenment just because they believe it in a deluded way. If these people lead Vajrayana it is finished. They have no wisdom, do not know the pith instructions, and cannot give empowerment from a stainless source. Then we have nothing but a Tibetan flavored new age composite. Completely worthless. Some westerners don’t even do sadhana, or bother with empowerment. They just make up their own. Like a coloring book and crayons. Draw Superman and you can be him! No, really! Write it with the purple crayon so you can be on the purple ray!! Write “I AM THE SHYT! I am a Guru!” Then hand it in to your actual teacher and she/he may write “very creative!” Yet it is not correct.

Maybe someday there will be realization, when the pride is overcome, the arrogance, and maybe when the Bodhicitta is developed. No, it does not appear naturally without effort. You can’t do a little dance and Viola’ there it is. One must practice every day! Effort is essential. Intention must also be pure. Not to destroy, but to heal. I know of someone who says he/she has practiced for 30yrs and feels they don’t need any more but when you see them you know different. You see the hate, whining, selfishness and self absorption right away. No kindness. If we accept this as American Tibetan (?) Buddhism it is Kaliyuga for sure. The end. I have practiced and studied with great Masters for 30yrs also, and still do because of the intention to benefit beings, to dedicate the merit, and because I have faith and the wish to see all beings free of suffering. Until the bloated ego is pacified it is not truly possible to liberate and benefit beings. I am properly recognized, properly enthroned, and fully capable of teaching and helping sentient beings. But western wannabees crucify me every day. They will not stop this woman. And I will continue to keep my Lineage, and all Nyingmapa, the ancient ones sacred. I will protect my own and all beings.

And, yes this is the work if a woman! I will not crumble. And I am terribly sad for those who cannot see that wisdom. Yes, I am woman, watch me roar!!! Deal with it or not – your choice.

OM MANI PEDME HUNG! OM BENZAR SATO HUNG!

©Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

Accomplishment on the Path

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How long does it take to practice and attain the fruit of the path of Dharma? It takes as long as it takes. You cannot measure in time. Some say “oh, I’ve practiced 10 years” great! Keep going. 20 years? Great! Go on wit cha bad self!!! Keep going! 30 years? Super-dooper. A large chunk of life! Keep going!!! It is so easy to delude oneself into thinking that a number is the goal. Actually one should consider their own inner qualities as the watermark. To do this one must have self-honesty. Without honesty there is no way to judge progress. So we must learn to ob serve our own minds and stop relying on the approval of one’s peers. The need for approval is a sickness, not compatible with awakening. It is a deluded and neurotic display depending on separating, dualistic concepts. The desire to give and receive love is different.

Some find a lot of thrill from displaying many words and concepts to insure how well informed they are. This is not what I want. Not for me. I would rather display my efforts on the path as actual accomplishment that is of benefit; like Stupas. They’ll be there after I’m dead. So this result is of great benefit, as many healings and miracles happen, particularly at the great Migure Dorje Stupa in Maryland and the Amitabha Stupa in Arizona.

And here we have as well a monastery founded by me but solely offered to Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. It will last until the day his Yangse Rinpoche is educated. Then it goes to him, Tsawei Lama. The property in Arizona and Maryland both will be his to put to use. It is for him. Only him! My Guru!

Since He is a Palyul Throneholder, that will keep it in our lineage after I’m gone, but under his command and none other. This is one of the greatest goals in my life. I want to be sure Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche is the beneficiary of it all. Lama Khyenno! Only he knows best.

He is my Guru, and his blessing gave rise to all of this by his wish. Once He told me I would find a big white house with columns in front. He said we should buy it, and that the money would come. We did and it did, exactly as he said. What a Lama he was! There was/is no space between us.

Since I first met him he has been the main guide of my life. Even now, as I meditate he is there, Pure Dharmakaya. No one moves me as does he. So I am waiting, hoping, praying for His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche to return. When he is able to take what I offer his Yangsi Rinpoche will be wealthy and set up to Teach and Empower here in America. This is my dream. When His Holiness returns and is ready, my life goal will be finished.

In my view this is the best way to keep Palyul safe and ongoing. Every blessing came from Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. And all should return to him.

Longing For His Holiness Penor Rinpoche

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Everyone knows Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was a living Buddha; the signs at his Parinirvana, his huge body of accomplishment, His great Kindness in establishing Palyul in India and the west. His determination to nurture Palyul, the extensive adornment of all capacity! He was a father to so many, ordained so many… Still stunned by His life… Still reeling from his passing. One never gets over that. Like the sun leaving the sky with only fireflies to guide our way.
I remember being told stories by the monks of how when Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche went to Tibet his people would follow behind Him, eat the dirt His footprints were on, for the blessing. These simple folk would do anything. Their faith in Him was powerful! And He gave every last drop every time.
When I would go for advice He was always ready to give the most profound. When I asked about our activities (KPC) He always said do what you think is best. You know. These students are yours and you know. The confidence He showed me was over the top!
I’ve been contemplating Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s teachings from New York. I have all, I believe. He was so profound. Deep like an ocean! Lama Kyen no!
I miss Him like the desert longs for rain… Like flowers long for sun… Like a mother longs for her child, like a child seeks her Father’s embrace. Kyabje Rinpoche was and is my North Star guiding me! Precious nectar that nourishes me! He lives, sitting a diamond throne within my heart!
He is every face, flower, all that is wholesome. He is the trees, the beauty of nature – my world! He is pure Dharmakaya, as I meditate, pray, if only I am still, silent, unperturbed, He is there. All phenomena, every display is Him! As uncontrived luminosity He is my prayer, my mind, my heart; Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, while keeping all vows purely, was and is my love, my purpose, my Tsawei Lama. HE is the great and only love of my life.
Stumbling in sorrow I patiently await His return. Guru, grant me the blessing of looking in your eyes before long! I wait like a butter lamp in the window of a chapel. Calling and weeping for the sound of His steps, ready to wash your feet, Beloved! Return to me, for their sake, for my children.
OM AH HUNG BENZAR GUR PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!

©Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

A video of the Compassionate Activities of His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche with permission from Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies, and special thanks to Lama Dondrup Dorje

Prayer for the People of the Earth

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DZAM LING CHI DANG YUL KHAM DI DAG TU

At this very moment, for the people and nations of the earth,

NED MUG TSON SOK DUG GNAL MING MI DRAK

May not even the names of disease, famine, war, and suffering be heard;

CHO DEN SONAM PAL JOR GONG DU PEL

Rather, may pure conduct, merit, wealth, and prosperity increase,

TAG TU TASHI DE LEK PUN TSOK SHOG

And may supreme good fortune and well-being always arise!

Prayer for the Preservation of the Palyul Lineage

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Prayer for the Preservation of the Palyul Lineage

Click the link above to hear the prayer

NAM DAG TEN PA DAR WA PAL YUL GON

Palyul Monastery is the place where pure teachings of the buddhas have flourished,

GYAL WAI NAM TRUL JON PA KHA CHOD ZHING

And the sky-land where the buddhas have manifested.

DREL TSED CHANG CHUB LAM DREN DU DE CHE

Whatever connection occurs with the gathering of this sangha leads toward enlightenment.

CHO LING DI NYI SID TAR TEN GYUR CHIG

May this land of dharma remain firm until the end of existence.

Palyul Clear Light

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Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso

The following is an excerpt of a teaching by Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso published in Palyul Clear Light

Afflictive emotions don’t arise anywhere but within yourself. The important practice is to not look outside at the external condition.  The moment anything becomes a condition for your afflictive emotions you have to look into your mind. Mostly our five senses are faced outward.  We think, “This person said this certain word and it affected me and THAT is why I’m angry.”  Our minds always try to blame.

So it is important to look into your own mind.  To watch your thoughts is the key point for your practice. If you really want Dharma, this is key.  But if you want to just have fun with Dharma then you don’t necessarily have to worry about it, you can just be angry. It’s fine unless you are really thinking, “How can I do real Dharma practice?”   Then truly you must work with your mind.  There are a few who work with mind.  For them the most important thing is to work with their minds and not fall into any afflictive emotions. When you have control over your mind, you don’t necessarily neeed to verbalize something negative. You can practice to govern your speech. This is the gift of mind.

Great thanks to Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso.  May His Holiness Penor Rinpoche return swiftly!

Tsawei Lama Kye Ho

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