How to find a Vajrayana teacher

[RongzomFan]

What? Where did you get that from

 

You sound like him.

[RongzomFan]

By the way, which Karmapa is the real one?

 

 

Both.

 

Both were given the tantric empowerments and training to be Karmapa.

 

Tulku is not dependent on finding the correct child. That's a western misunderstanding.

[Anderson]

Initially i was siding with UTD.

 

But these days i dont care anymore because i realized that even if you were chosen based on political considerations you are still gonna get the right training, care and highest education posible which in the end will produce a spiritual individual of the highest acumen.

[RongzomFan]

By the way, lineage means authorized to teach.

 

If you are not authorized to teach, you have no lineage.

[C T]

By the way, lineage means authorized to teach.

 

If you are not authorized to teach, you have no lineage.

Sadly, that hasn't deterred people in 'spiritual circles' from portraying that role all too often. Look at that Lama Dondrup Dorje aka Dr Yeung as a prime example. Impressive website - one big, fat scam.

 

http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=9597

[yabyum24]

By the way, lineage means authorized to teach.

 

If you are not authorized to teach, you have no lineage.

So, what if someone found an authorized teacher from the lineage of Tsongkhapa?

[RongzomFan]

So, what if someone found an authorized teacher from the lineage of Tsongkhapa?

 

Fine. No problem.

 

Gelugpas don't teach Dzogchen though, which is my main interest.

Edited February 3, 2014 by RongzomFan

[yabyum24]

Fine. No problem. !!!!!

 

Gelugpas don't teach Dzogchen though, which is my main interest.

Which brings me to my next question. Would you say that Dzogchen = Vajrayana or even Buddhism?

[RongzomFan]

Which brings me to my next question. Would you say that Dzogchen = Vajrayana or even Buddhism?

 

Of course Dzogchen is Buddhadharma.

 

What kind of question is that?

 

Dzogchen, is a part of Vajrayana from the viewpoint of classification. But in terms of path, its a different path than Vajrayana.

[yabyum24]

Of course Dzogchen is Buddhadharma.

 

What kind of question is that?

 

Dzogchen, is a part of Vajrayana from the viewpoint of classification. But in terms of path, its a different path than Vajrayana.

Why is Dzogchen classified as Vajrayana. I mean there's no generation/completion stage. No 6 yogas etc. It's a whole different ball game.

[RongzomFan]

Why is Dzogchen classified as Vajrayana. I mean there's no generation/completion stage. No 6 yogas etc. It's a whole different ball game.

 

Because it is based on tantras, has empowerments etc.

[RongzomFan]

Sadly, that hasn't deterred people in 'spiritual circles' from portraying that role all too often. Look at that Lama Dondrup Dorje aka Dr Yeung as a prime example. Impressive website - one big, fat scam.

 

http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=9597

 

That youtube video in the thread is hilarious.

 

A must watch.

[C T]

Dzogchen is simultaneously the path and the fruition of the path ~ inseparable. Ati.

 

Vajrayana is still Maha and Anu, meaning thru Right practice, fruition will occur without fail. There is still a delay period, whereas in Dzogchen this pause does not arise.

 

my understanding anyways.

[yabyum24]

Because it is based on tantras, has empowerments etc.

Would you reckon that Dzogchen tantras are superior to non-Dzogchen Vajrayana ones?

[C T]

That youtube video in the thread is hilarious.

 

A must watch.

that rotund master with the stick was quite amusing too.

[RongzomFan]

Would you reckon that Dzogchen tantras are superior to non-Dzogchen Vajrayana ones?

 

The highest are termas.

[yabyum24]

The highest are termas.

That'd be Dzogchen termas I guess?

[RongzomFan]

That'd be Dzogchen termas I guess?

 

yes

[RongzomFan]

This is the thickest collection of Dzogchen tantras and termas on the market:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Wellsprings-Great-Perfection-Erik-Kunsang/dp/9627341819

 

The book is atleast a couple of inches thick.

[yabyum24]

Looks like a must-have. I'm currently reading

The Tibetan Yogas Of Dream And Sleep

Very impressive it is too.

Edited February 3, 2014 by yabyum24

[C T]

Shabkar was a great inspiration for me when i was fumbling around with the Tibetan Buddhism a few years back.

 

This is one of the few verses of his that i still spend time contemplating now and again:

 

Fortunate friend, listen without distraction.

For the yogin of the most secret Great Perfection

There is no leaving of retreat,

Neither is there any entering.

In the simplicity that is beyond concepts,

There is no crossing of boundaries.

With all this formal entering and leaving

One cannot really be called a retreatant.

 

My way of doing retreat is this:

In the retreat hut that is my own body

Endowed with the six characteristics,

With the three pure vows

I sweep away the dirt ~ negative actions of the three doors;

In the stream of the four initiations,

I wash away all defilements.

 

Seated on my cushion ~ the fundamental consciousness,

Coarse and subtle thoughts ~

I, the yogin of awareness

That is itself brilliant and cognizant

Remain in the retreat

That is the uncontrived natural state.

 

Freed from discursive thoughts,

Staying within the limits

Of naturally abiding meditation,

Fearing visitors ~ mental dullness and wildness ~

I mark my retreat boundaries

With the poles of undistracted mindfulness.

 

My retreat helper is emptiness:

Through which whatever arises

Is freed as it appears.

 

As for my way of practicing the development stage:

In the immeasurable palace

Of primordial purity arisen of itself,

The universe and beings arise

As a display of deities, apparent yet unreal.

 

Since all sounds are the resonance of voidness,

Recitation is never interrupted;

Thoughts that are set free just as they arise

Are the utter openness of Dharmakaya.

 

I offer all food and drink

As a feast-offering, a gathering of merit

To the mouth of the birthless absolute state.

 

Whether walking, sitting or sleeping,

To blend all actions with contemplation

Is the Mantrayana seal.

 

Just as no darkness exists in the center of the sun,

To a yogin the universe and beings all arise as deities ~

And the yogin is content.

 

To a yogin all sounds resound as mantras ~

And the yogin is content.

 

Just as a bird flying through a clear, empty sky

Leaves no trace,

To a yogin, all thoughts arise as Dharmakaya ~

And the yogin is content.

 

In the vastness of awareness,

Without any separation into sessions of practice,

For a yogin, practice is relaxed and at ease ~

And the yogin is content.

 

In the indivisible state in which, from the beginning,

Development and completion are indissociable,

One may do practice, or leave everything just as it is.

Even if one does intensive practice,

There is nothing to be done.

 

Beyond the workings of mind,

I realize that phenomena are the Dharmakaya.

You, my friend, should realize this too.

Not putting your trust in intellectual teachings,

Master the meaning of the great evenness

That has no origin.

 

As for the duration of such a retreat:

 

When, at death, the net of the body is finally torn apart,

And one is freed in the clear light of the Dharmakaya,

One could call that "taking down the boundaries of one's retreat".

 

The virtuous practice of such lifelong retreat,

Beyond fixed periods,

Was the way of great yogins in the past.

 

HA HA!

Having done no such thing myself,

I have just been joking!

 

 

 

 

May all who read this be blessed with happiness!

[RongzomFan]

Looks like a must-have.

 

 

Yes it has several important translations

[RongzomFan]

A Vajrayana teacher must be authorized to teach.

 

bump

[asunthatneversets]

 

Consequence: Drop Vajrayana, find a system that doesn't make you dependent on human relationships for spiritual progress

Vajrayāna does not make you dependent on human relationships, for various reasons. You seem to be taking the tradition at face value, unfortunately.

[Songtsan]

Any good Vajrayana teachers in NY state? I would like to know!

 

what you be think of dis?

http://www.whitelotusdharma.org/teachers.php

http://www.manjushri.com/centers/newyork.htm

Edited February 5, 2014 by Songtsan