Rinpoche gives an introduction to the Mahamudra Path through a commentary on the short Mahamudra lineage prayer, Dorje Chang Thungma.

Photo thanks to Nyima Tashi Centre for Contemplation and Wellbeing Facebook page.

A video will follow soon.

A SUMMARY
by Maggy Jones

Part 1

Mahamudra, one of the most profound of Buddhist teachings, inspired many sutras and tantras, many commentaries and practices. “Pith Instruction” is another tradition where a great and experienced master summarises the whole teaching in a few words. The different schools have different approaches to these pith instructions but everything is present in Mahamudra. The emphasis is on wisdom and compassion, especially wisdom which is regarded as the strongest form of purification and accumulation. If we can awaken wisdom it will transform everything. Story about Manjushri and Devadatta. With no solid existence – what goes to hell? Compassion is very much part of this process – beings suffer and it is unnecessary. Some people can make an immediate connection others need to practice hard and train to let go. Every being has Buddha Nature and the potential to change. We all relate to Vajradhara.

This prayer is the union of tantra and sutra coming from Tilopa. Story of Tilopa, Naropa and Marpa and the Kagyu School. These enlightened Beings are continuously giving blessings – like the warmth of the sun.

Renunciation is not absence of material thing – renounce attachment and aversion.

Devotion  is heart inspired. Stories of HH XVI Karmapa. Devotion overrides the intellectual, conceptual approach.    Q & A

Part 2

Buddhist meditations are either shamatha or vipassana. Shamatha or “calm abiding” is to settle our mind to make it peaceful and clear. Our mind is like a glass of muddy water – don’t shake it and it will settle and become clear. Most of our thoughts, worries, are set in the past or the future – bring your mind back to the present. Worry, speculation – these are useless. Constructive planning is good but a calm mind will help. “Trying to meditate” is the worst thing – you are not relaxed and you create a busy mind. Relax but do not sleep! Tale of Drupka Kunley’s meditation. Advice for supports for meditation. A calm mind always brings peace and happiness.

Vipassana, insight meditation, means “seeing the true nature”. Shamatha leads you to vipassana. Two approaches – analytical i.e. examining the nature, the causes and conditions of something. Second, experiencing how things are; and an awareness – what is it that conducts the analysis? From emptiness and clarity anything can arise. Pleasant or unpleasant experiences, thoughts – they all come and go.   Q & A

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