Ricard states:

“Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche was chiefly a master of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism but, like Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, he was a perfect example of a non-sectarian teacher… These images were taken during the transmission of the Treasury of Precious Instructions (Dam-gnak Dzö), at Shechen monastery, in 2003.”

This video, recently uploaded to the internet by the Dialogue Ireland website, is called ‘Going For Refuge’. It was made by BBC (East) and broadcast in the Eastern region of the UK on 12 November 1992, as part of BBC East’s ‘Matter of Fact’ series. It is about the organisaton formerly known as The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO), which was rebranded in 2010 as the Triratna Buddhist Community (TBC). Its leader is Dennis Lingwood, known as Sangharakshita.

Dialogue Ireland goes on to add the following points of commentary:

In the introductory section of the video, the presenter says: ‘Critics from orthodox schools feel so strongly that Lingwood’s teachings break Buddhist rules on sexual conduct, and undermine family life that, for the first time, they have agreed to speak out.’ One of the teachings discussed (at 17:35) is:

‘ … if you set up communities … you abolish the family at a stroke … the single-sex community is probably our most powerful means of frontal assault on the existing social set-up.’   – Sangharakshita in seminar, http://www.ex-cult.org/fwbo/SsexAssault.htm

Another teaching discussed (at 20:25) is by Sangharakshita’s spokesman and second in command Alex Kennedy (“Subhuti”), originally published in the FWBO magazine Shabda in Sept 1986. See: http://www.ex-cult.org/fwbo/SubQuote.htm

‘Sexual interest on the part of a male Order member for a male mitra (novice) can create a connection which may allow kalyana mitrata (spiritual friendship) to develop. Some, of course, are predisposed to this attraction, others have deliberately chosen to change their sexual preferences in order to use sex as a medium of kalyana mitrata – and to stay clear of the dangers of male-female relationships without giving up sex’

Commenting on this teaching, Rev. Daishin Morgan, Abbot of Throssel Hole Priory in Northumberland, UK (http://www.throssel.org.uk/), said:

‘To me this is totally contrary to the Buddhist precepts, it’s totally contrary to the Buddhist scriptures, and it’s absolutely contrary to any sort of good practice. It to me is a form of manipulation.’

The BBC programme was the first time that criticism of the FWBO had been broadcast. Five years later, the Guardian newspaper also published a  critical article called ‘The Dark Side of Enlightenment.’ on 27 October 1997 (http://www.ex-cult.org/fwbo/Guardian.htm).

One of the individuals interviewed in the documentary is the Buddhist scholar and former chairman of the English Sangha Trust Maurice O’Connell Walshe (1911-1998), one of the 20th Century’s most eminent British Buddhists. In 1968 (see my post on the development of monastic Buddhism in the UK), in relation to the scandal surrounding Sangharakshita’s fateful incumbency at the Hampstead Buddhist Vihara, Walshe was compelled to state ”It is not only the right but the duty of true Buddhists to proclaim the genuine teaching and denounce imposters and spiritual demagogues.” Indeed, Walshe’s later influence on the publication of the critical FWBO FIles was presumably so significant as to warrant a posthumous dedication by the author on the document’s first page.

In the BBC documentary Walshe reads the infamous quote from Subhuti:

“Some are predisposed to this attraction. Others have deliberately chosen to change their sexual preferences in order to use sex as a medium of kalyana mitrata…”

He continues “… and then the best bit of all…”

“…to stay clear of the dangers of male-female relationships with out giving up sex.”

Walshe’s next comment encapsulates a view which is doubtlessly shared by a significant proportion of Britain’s Buddhist community who – despite the rebranding of its tarnished name to the Triratna Buddhist Order – still regard the FWBO with a combination of amusement and distaste: “Well.. I think if it wasn’t so serious this would all be pretty hilarious. But in fact it is, something I think, quite serious.”

Chogyal Namkhai Norbu in London 2010

This September Chögyal Namkhai Norbu will visit London to give Dzogchen Atiyoga teachings.

Born in Tibet in 1938, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s outstanding spiritual qualities were recognised at a very early age. In 1960, he was invited to Italy and was professor of Tibetan & Mongolian studies at Naples University for over 30 years. He began teaching Dzogchen in the west in the 1970′s and since then has tirelessly transmitted the Dzogchen teachings to thousands of students, establishing centres worldwide. Today he is recognised as one of the greatest contemporary Dzogchen masters and is renowned as a scholar for his numerous books on Dzogchen and Tibetan culture.

“Dzogchen is a teaching about the essentials of the human condition and its direct approach transcends cultural and spiritual boundaries. The lucid simplicity of the Dzogchen teachings can benefit us in our daily lives and awaken our true potential. This is a rare opportunity to listen to one of the greatest living Buddhist Dzogchen Masters and learn Dzogchen Atiyoga meditation practices.”

Public talk: eve. 10th September
Teachings: 11th-12th September

Venue: Camden Centre, Euston, London WC1H 9JE

All information can be found at the Dzogchen Community website:

Trulshik Rinpoche

Trulshik Rinpoche, one of the last giants of Tibetan Buddhism and head of Nyingma school, left his body on Friday 2 September 2011 at the age of 82. Born in Lho Talung, Tibet in 1923, Trulshik Rinpoche sought refuge in the Nepal following China’s invasion of Tibet in 1959, and later established Thupten Choling monastery, Nepal’s largest monastery.

Trulshik Rinpoche was considered the spiritual heir to several high Nyingma lamas such as Dudjom Rinpoche and Dilgo Kheyntse Rinpoche. Trulshik Rinpoche was initially hospitalized in Australia on 23 April 2011 while on a teaching tour. In May, Rinpoche was discharged from the hospital, and moved to his monastery at Sitapala outside Kathmandu.

The following days and weeks are an important time for all those with a connection to him to practice as much as possible and to merge their minds with his.

Keith Dowman

VAST UNBOUNDED WHOLENESS

With Keith Dowman, translator and author of many Tibetan Buddhist titles including Sky Dancer, Masters of Mahamudra, Divine Madman, Flight of the Garuda and Natural Perfection.

Weekend July 16th – 17th

A weekend of self enquiry & Meditation, sharing the non dual wisdom which points directly to one’s own essence, the greatest gift of all spiritual paths. Dzogchen is the heart essence of all the exquisite teachings from Tibet and here we have the chance to have a direct connection to these once secret teachings free from cultural bias, religious beliefs & hierarchical dogma. A profound inclination towards freedom is the only requirement. Hosted at The Study Society. 151 Talgarth Road London.

See: www.tigersnest.com for details.

Shakyamuni Buddha said in the Do-de Kalpa Zangpo [Bhadrakalpa Sutra], ‘I manifested in a dreamlike way to dreamlike beings and gave a dreamlike dharma, but in reality I never taught and never actually came’. From the viewpoint of Shakyamuni Buddha never having come and the dharma never having been given, all is mere perception, existing only in the apparent sphere of suchness.

Dudjom Rinpoche, “Dzogchen View of Tantric Ngöndro”

Vajra Wheel

H.H. the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa has launched the Vajra Wheel Project.

H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa

“We can often say that our own sufferings and all the catastrophes, unwanted situations, disasters, wars, failures and sicknesses that are happening in our world these days are a combination of different results of a lack of merit and wisdom. Therefore the practice of intensive and skillful purification is very urgently needed. Purification in the sense of cleaning our defilement and obscurations accumulated since beginningless time until today, which have come in the form of the ripening negative karmic results… Since a few years ago, I have been looking high and low for a small piece of land in a holy place where blessings have not been affected by any bad circumstances, to build a big Vajra Wheel for 100-syllable mantra.”

Because of his concerns for what has been happening in the world, H.H. Gyalwang Drukpa has been looking for an urgent antidote. In order to counter the effects of ripening negative karma, he feels that it is extremely important to find a primordially sacred place with uncontaminated blessing power and a strong energy to purify and heal, and at this holy place build a Vajra Wheel, containing one billion consecrated copied of the 100 syllable mantra of Vajrasattva, so that with every spin of the wheel the effect of a billion purification mantras is achieved. Since it is is located at a power place, the multiplying effect will be inconceivable.

The Vajra Wheel Project will have the following characteristics:

• 15-metres in height
• made of copper
• consecrated with one billion copies of the one hundred syllable mantra for great purification
• to be installed outdoors in a designated location at the holy Swayambhu Stupa
• an estimated total weight of 30-40 tons, upon completion
• every spin has the effect of reciting the hundred syllable mantra one billion times, thus receiving the corresponding benefit

Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche

Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche will be teaching at Gomde, Lindholme Hall from 9-12 July 2011 as follows:

Compassionate Enlightened Wisdom

From 9-11 July

The Threefold Tara Terma Tantra

On 12 July

Known as The Triple Excellence, this teaching describes the entire Buddhist path in gradual practical instructions. With its rich and vibrant interface, The Triple Excellence is perfectly accessible and profound for both beginners and seasoned practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. The instructions spring from the great Tibetan master Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa who met Tara in person and received this terma teaching of deep and true meaning. In practical steps this teaching covers all three vehicles (The Triple Excellence) from the perspective of the Vajrayana. Beginning with fundamental mind training, one proceeds to the Bodhisattva path of love and insight combined. Finally, the penetrating wisdom of the Vajrayana is introduced, culminating in the secret paths of the higher tantras. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche received these teachings from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche is also a close descendant of Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa. This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to receive these precious teachings from an authentic master who holds a short and uninterrupted lineage of transmission. Rinpoche will give teachings every morning. Discussion groups and meditation sessions will take place in the afternoon.

It is also anticipated that Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche will also give the empowerment for the Trinley Nyingpo – Guru Rinpoche practice, Dispeller of all Obstacles from the Chokling Tersar.

For more information, see the Gomde UK website.

Orated by Jamyang Dorje Rinpoche of the Taipei Padmakara Buddhist Society

Recorded by Pema Tsering on 22 Aug 2007 with due respect

Translated from Chinese into English and editted by Jigme Sherab with due respect

Homage to Padmasambhava and Pema Norbu Rinpoche

May 2006 – In the holy land of Padmasambhava, Bhutan, a blind accomplished master knew his time of his death in advance and sat in crossed vajra posture while passing into parinirvana.

As the author was afraid of gradually forgetting the details of this master’s liberation story over the passage of time, the sublime details of it were committed to paper with one’s own inadequate literary skills. It is hoped that all those who see, hear or are acquainted with the facts of this history will be filled with deep faith and devotion to Padmasambhava, thereby receiving blessings and accomplishments.

This accomplished adept is a Bhutanese. When he was alive, people mostly addressed him as “Drubtop” which means someone who has attained realisation. Moreover, due to the fact that he attained realisation and liberation through the recitation of the Vajra Guru mantra, he was also called, “Benza Guru Drubtop”, meaning “The Vajra Guru Siddha”

This accomplished master “Benza Guru Drubtop”, whose external appearance was dirty and unkempt but who, internally, was extraordinarily free and liberated, was previously a visually handicapped beggar who lived in the peripheral slums of Bhutan.

Later, due to the help of Urgyen Lama (of Sangngak Thegchog Osel Ling Monastery) and Jamyang Dorje Rinpoche, this accomplished master who had went through a difficult life (but with equanimity) was invited to the monastery where they looked after him as a offering to a most unsurpassed field of merit. This was the reason that the last 10 years of his life was relatively peaceful and safe.

“Benza Guru Druptop” was not born blind. It is said that his visual impairment was the result of curses wrought by mantras which his enemies had inflicted upon him. Before he went blind, he was just a common farmer who belonged to the Bon religion. At that time, the farmer did not understand the vast qualities of Padmasambhava and had even entertained sacrilegious views towards Guru Rinpoche and slandered him with negative speech.

To recover his sight, the farmer had approached many doctors who were unable to help. With no other resort, he asked several spiritual friends and masters for advice on what spiritual practice to do in order to recover his sight.

Finally, he listened to some masters’ advice and decided to start reciting the Vajra Guru mantra (OM AH HUNG BENZA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUNG), relying on it as his sole practice, and eventually he went on to achieve an astounding level of realisation.

When “Drubtop” started to recite the Vajra Guru mantra, his faith in Padmasambhava began to ripen and increase. Due to his blindness, day or night was not much difference to him and he began to recite the mantra diligently day and night without distinction.

When he completed a hundred million recitations, “Drubtop”’s prayer-wheel, which he rotated as he recited the mantra, began to drip inconceivable nectar. It is well known that prayer-wheels contain dry paper rolls and it is impossible for water to drip from it out of thin air, yet his prayer-wheel began to manifest such a strange phenomenon. This demonstrated the authencity of the results of “Benza Guru Drubtop”’s practice and also showed how wonderful Padmasambhava’s blessings were. After that, he did not slow down, but instead continued to recite the mantra diligently, praying to Guru Rinpoche with great faith.

When “Benza Guru Drubtop” had completed the mantra 300 million times, in a dream-like state, he personally met the Lotus-Born Guru and received a prophecy, thereby attaining an inconceivable level of realisation.

Padmasambhava told “Benza Guru Drubtop”, “If you live on for 7 more years, your eyesight will be recovered. The reason for you having lost sight in both eyes is that you previously believed in the Bon religion and especially, you had disparaged and despised (noble beings), causing confused inter-dependent phenomenon to arise. Now although you have seen me, due to that karmic obscuration, you will not be able to immediately regain your eyesight.”

Thus “Benza Guru Drubtop” was not able to recover his eyesight even though he had seen the Guru Rinpoche.

In the mysterious state, Guru Rinpoche also asked “Benza Guru Drubtop” to make a special dharma hat as a auspicious interdependent-arising, which the blind “Benza Guru Drubtop” made himself from bronze pieces without anyone’s help.

In spite of “Benza Guru Drubtop”’s inner realisation and his extraordinary clairvoyance due to Guru Rinpoche’s blessings, due to his external visual handicap, no-one was willing to look after him properly. Thus he wandered around in the region of “Chim” in Bhutan. The locals called him “Benza Guru Drubtop”.

“Benza Guru Drubtop” knew of a secret method to reverse obstacles which the Lotus-Born Guru had personally transmitted to him. It could swiftly remove all heavy illnesses or urgent calamities befalling a person. This method is special but inelegant. It required that “Benza Guru Drubtop” make a special kind of torma and recite a short ritual, the specifics of it is only known to himself, and then he must strip naked and while totally nude take the torma to a nearby triple-intersect junction. This method is quite powerful, all the people for whom the “Drubtop” had performed this ritual, recovered from their problems without exception.

Besides this, everytime someone requested the “Benza Guru Drubtop” for any help, his way of divination was also different from others. He did not need the use of any divination apparatus, nor did he require the person to say much, but would be able to know the intentions of the person and be able to speak out the intimate details of the supplicants’ residence, environment and all other kinds of details, including those personal secrets that the person requesting did not want revealed. Evidently, the “Benza Guru Drubtop” had attained great clairvoyance of knowing others’ minds due to the blessings of Guru Rinpoche. He was also widely acknowledged as “Drubtop” due to this.

“Benza Guru Drubtop”’s inner secret realisation did not cause him to try to improve his own living conditions but instead he regarded poverty and suffering as not being any obstacle or problem impeding him.

What did not change was that he continued supplicating Guru Rinpoche day and night, reciting the Guru Rinpoche mantra respectfully and so when he passed into parinirvana, a conservative estimate of the number of Guru Rinpoche mantras he had recited in his life amounts to more than 600 million.

Unlike others, he was not interested in promoting his own diligent efforts at practice or his miraculous responses , instead “Benza Guru Drubtop” benefitted beings in a spontaneous and extemporaneous way. Thus, most of the people who knew him did not know how profound his inner realisation was.

Most people only regarded his external style and occasional obstacle-averting rituals as a sign that he was merely a practitioner with some achievements. Most of his secret conduct and responses, he would only tell to Urgyen Lama and a few close friends who had faith.

Although he was a siddha, he did not alter his clothes or appearance, but remained like a beggar, allowing others to make offerings and making-shift of whatever they offered to wear. Although he was invited to stay at Sangngak Thegchog Osel Ling Monastery, and could have chosen to have better living premises and conditions, he only preferred to live in a dilapidated corner of the monastery and sleep in his own old covers, using yellowed and hole-ridden blankets and pillow.

“Benza Guru Drubtop” would only accept others’ clothing and food. If someone offered his cash notes or coins, he will recite mantras and blow on them as a blessing, before returning them to the offerer, telling him not to use the money but to keep it on the body as a blessed artifact for protection. When one offered him a khata, it was the same case. This showed that “Benza Guru Drubtop” has already viewed all wealth as nothing, with no desire or wish for anything.

The author once requested one of the abbots of the monastery, Jamyang Dorje Rinpoche, to make some money offerings, but was instead met with laughter from Rinpoche who said, ‘“Benza Guru Drubtop” does not want money, how to make offerings to him? If you want to give him clothings or other things, he may not accept, or he may just bless them and return them to you. if you want to offer food, he is now provided food by the monastery, so he may not enjoy what you offer him. Apart from his meals, he doesn’t really accept any other food.’ Hearing this, the author felt deeply that this siddha master was truly without needs or wants and was worthy of respect and veneration.

Seven days before he demonstrated impermanence, the “Benza Guru Drubtop” informed the abbot Urgyen Lama,”I am going to leave this world to go and see Padmasambhava.” At that time, the abbot felt that Drubtop was still healthy and thought that he was merely joking. He did not pay much attention to this remark. “Benza Guru Drubtop” then confidently told several monk friends that, “Urgyen Lama does not have freedom over birth and death, but I do. He will not understand my meaning… the dharmakaya is beyond death, because I have realised the dharmakaya, there is really no death to speak of for me!” Totally unschooled and who had not studied any dharma teachings, sutras or commentaries, yet, “Benza Guru Drubtop” was able to make many such statements that utilised the expressions of the Dzogpa Chenpo realisations.

With nothing special happening, apart from those monk-friends who knew about it being worried that “Benza Guru Drubtop” would manifest death, others did not feel that the Drubtop would really be able to predict his own time of death, and be able to leave this world with such ease and freedom. Seven days later, in the clear gentle light of dawn, “Benza Guru Drubtop” sat in crossed-vajra posture and impertubably released his intent into the dharmadhatu. At that moment, a gentle tremor in the earth could be felt.

After his parinirvana, the usually-deserted monastery was thronged by more than 3000 people trying to pay their respects. After he passed away, everyday at dawn, there were three birds flying in to circumambulate his body three rounds before flying off. These were said to be dakinis paying their respect.

“Benza Guru Drubtop” passed away exactly 7 years from when he received the vision from Padmasambhava, thus fulfilling the prophecy that he would “recover his sight”. Because now, he would have no body to obstruct him from going to the Sangdok Palri Pureland to see Guru Rinpoche.

The author wishes that this extraordinary account of a recent Guru Rinpoche siddha would encourage all sentient beings to give rise to faith and supplicate Guru Rinpoche, ultimately attaining the same state as him.

(Colophon: As the English translator was himself inspired by this account of the Vajra Guru Siddha, he decided to render it into English so that it would be accessible to more people. It is his sincere request that if there are those who have read this account and felt that it benefitted them, to please circulate it to others and do a recitation of a 100,000 of the Vajra Guru mantra for the benefit of all beings. By this translation, may more people come to know the benefits of reciting the Vajra Guru mantra, do its practice and quickly attain realisation.)

Original article here

Dzogchen Rinpoche

The 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche, Jigme Losel Wangpo, is one of the highest lamas within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the principal authority on the practices and teachings of the Dzogchen lineage. He will visit the UK this April and give public talks in London, Norwich and Birmingham, as well as more in-depth teachings and empowerments.

Public talks: “Love Free From Doubt”

We often enter into relationships with the hope that someone else will make us happy but in return we give love conditionally. When love is based on reason and our expectations are not met, we gradually become dissatisfied, doubting ourselves and our relationships.

Ancient wisdom traditions teach that all suffering comes by thinking only of ourselves and when we put others first in our thoughts and actions, our relationships will bring genuine fulfilment. Dzogchen Rinpoche will explain that when we practice the four immeasurables of loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity we can experience unconditional love.

London
Friday 22nd April, 7.00pm
London Southbank University
Keyworth Centre
103 Borough Road
London SE1 OAA

Norwich
Wednesday 27th April, 7.00pm
The Assembly House
Theatre Street
Norwich NR2 1RQ

Birmingham
Friday 29th April, 7.00pm
The Uffculme Centre
Queensbridge Road
Moseley
Birmingham B13 8QY

For tickets and further information about Dzogchen Rinpoche’s full programme in the UK, see the Shenpen UK website.