Lamrim Lineage

10 Wednesday Apr 2013

Lamrim, or the stages of the path to enlightenment, is a common and praised practice within all the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Traditionally, to higher the status of these teachings, there is often given a teaching on the greatness of the authors. While all teachings can be traced back to the Buddha, the Lamrim tradition is often traced back to Lama Atisha.

This interesting video by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche is a teaching about the greatness of the Lamrim tradition, and particularily of Atisha, the great Indian yogi and scholar that began the Lamrim tradition with his classic “Lamp of the Path.”

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Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga

01 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by Lee in Tsem Tulku, Videos

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For many practitioners of the Gelug tradition, doing the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga is done daily and respectfully for the duration of one’s life. While the practice itself appears to be simple, it’s actually very rich and encompasses all 84000 teachings of the Buddha.

Tsem Tulku Rinpoche gives this interesting commentary on the practice that might be of interest and possible insight for those already doing the practice. Even for those that are looking for a practice, but are short on time and want something to be effective, Tsem Tulku also recommends this practice for them and this commentary could also be useful for that purpose.

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Making Offerings to the Sangha

19 Sunday Aug 2012

Posted by Lee in Tsem Tulku, Videos, Western Buddhist Practice

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In Malaysia, the Buddhist group Kechara House has experienced quick growth and and expansion in a relatively short period time. One thing that impressed me recently, was that prior to beginning work on their new retreat center, they made an effort to gather the local Sangha from different traditions, and made offerings to them. The idea was to create the merit in order for their continued Dharma work to be successful.

I found this very inspiring because western Buddhists don’t always see the value of doing dana. After even getting a long talk about the importance of creating merit, its still often hard for people to give money away.

In the following videos below, the first video shows the act of making offerings to the Sangha. In the second video, Tsem Tulku in his practical teaching style, explains what merit is and cause and effect is in easy to understand terms, and the importance of making offerings to the Sangha.

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Modern Day Tantra and Ngondro

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by Lee in Ngondro Preliminary Practices, Tsem Tulku, Videos

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I found this interesting video the other day by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, about how to prepare for tantric initiations. Tsem Tulku is an interesting person in that he often reaches out to people who wouldn’t otherwise be interested in Dharma practice. In that sense, he fits his approach in order to connect to those people.

Many people that get involved with Tibetan Buddhism do so with expectations of getting high-level initiations and have all sorts of ideas about what its going to do for them. However, there’s often a certain amount of preparation that’s required in order to gain benefit from them. In this interesting video, he explains in general form, some practices and study that is required in order to prepare to take on higher practices. Specifically, he talks about ngondro. While teachers were often recommend their students to do ngondro in different sequences, I think the advice he gives is very good. Especially that he emphasizes that if someone can’t do the ngondro, do something equivalent, like doing Dharma work.

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Why do Pujas?

27 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by Lee in Tantra, Tsem Tulku, Vajrayana, Videos

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Puja is a ritualized offerings or pujas are often common in Tibetan Buddhism in order to dispel obstacles and to create auspicious conditions for someone else. While this is common in Tibetan Buddhism, its also something that is commonly done in Hinduism and other religions from India. I’m not very familiar with how they’re done in these traditions, but effectiveness of pujas are heavily dependent on the intention behind it.

Common pujas within the Tibetan tradition include Medicine Buddha pujas, Green Tara Pujas, protector pujas, etc.

Here’s a video of a talk that Tsem Tulku did about the reason behind doing pujas.

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Keeping Tantric Commitments After an Initiation

27 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by Lee in Buddhist Prayers and Practices, Tibetan Buddhism, Tsem Tulku, Vajrayana, Videos

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6 session guru yoga, chakrasamvara, cittimani tara, guhyasamaja, heruka, kalachakra, tantric buddhism, tantric commitments, tsok, vajrayogini, yamantaka

I saw this interesting video the other day by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche about keeping tantric commitments that come with a highest yoga initiation. It’s very straight forward and very frank, but I think it cuts through a lot of confusion.

He talks about it in a general sense for people who are planning on taking an initiation, but it’s also helpful for those that already have one.

His explanations are applicable to all highest yoga tantra practices i.e. Yamantaka, Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara (Heruka), Vajrayogini, Cittimani Tara, Kalachakra, etc. Continue reading »

Lama Tsong Khapa Day

17 Monday Jan 2011

Posted by Lee in Lama Tsong Khapa, Tibetan Buddhism, Tsem Tulku, Videos

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Tags

buddhism, buddhist practice, deity, gelug, guru yoga, je rinpoche, kechara house, lama tsong kapha, lama tsongkhapa day, meditation, tibetan buddhism, tsem tulku, tsem tulku rinpoche, yidam

Lama Tsongkapha was a Buddhist saint and scholar, known for starting the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Every year, according to the lunar calendar, Buddhists that practice within the Gelug tradition celebrate Lama Tsongkhapa’s birthday. This usually involves doing pujas and other practices, and then dedicating the merit created by these practices for the benefit of others. Continue reading »

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Category Archives: Tsem Tulku

Lamrim Lineage

Related Posts:

Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga

Related Posts:

Making Offerings to the Sangha

Related Posts:

Modern Day Tantra and Ngondro

Related Posts:

Why do Pujas?

Related Posts:

Keeping Tantric Commitments After an Initiation

Lama Tsong Khapa Day

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