Introduction to Buddhism:
In the 5th century BC, the Indian Prince Siddhartha discovered unconditional freedom and enlightenment, and became
known as the Buddha--'the awakened one.' Beginning with him, a tradition exists of uncovering what the Buddha described as "a nectar-like truth which is profound, peaceful, luminous, and unfabricated". This has remained not merely as a scriptural heritage, but also as a lineage of living experience. These two aspects of the Buddhist tradition have been kept alive in Tibet until the present day by men and women, monks and laypeople, who have dedicated their lives to integrating the truth of liberation and enlightenment, and teaching this path to others.
Shamatha Meditation:
The Buddha taught how his teaching is to be integrated on an individual level, through the practice of meditation.
For us to achieve happiness, and ultimately enlightenment, we need to remove confusion allowing the mind to recover its original wakeful nature. This
original nature is not fabricated through spiritual discipline or
wishful thinking. It is to awaken to what is. To approach this fundamental nature of
sanity, we need a sane path, a path that does not distract us with promises, but makes us relate to exactly what
we are. Meditation is being here now, without any drama, and allowing space or gap in the stream of our habitual
patterns. If we can step aside and let our mind simply be, we can begin to appreciate our own intelligence and
discover qualities such as gentleness, joy and precision, as well as to develop a sense of understanding and
kindness. This does, however, require that we sit down and relate to ourselves without habitual speed. This is
what constitutes the Buddhist practice of "shamatha" or "tranquility" which is the basis of all Buddhist meditation.
Empowerment of the Tsasum Drildrup Guru Sadhana:
Based on shamatha practice, but far greater in its scope and more profound in method, the Buddhist vajrayana path
transforms the mind and its entire realm of experience through meditation on minds natural core of wisdom. This
nature is introduced through empowerment, and then integrated through a variety of methods, such as the present
teaching of the Tsasum Drildrup.
Among all the vajrayana methods, the practice of integrating the presence and blessing of the teacher, the
so-called guru-sadhana or guru-yoga, is of crucial importance.
The Tsasum Drildrup is a central guru sadhana in the tradition of the great Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo (1820-1892).
Practiced by all the close disciples in that lineage, this sadhana embodies all the three roots: guru, deva, and
dakini.
Originally established as so-called terma teaching by the very first terton Sangye Lama (1000-1080), the lineage
eventually was lost. However, in the 19th century, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo had a vision in which he received this
transmission directly from Sangye Lama, and the great Khyentse re-established the lineage of this present sadhana.
Teachings on the Bardo:
In Tibetan, bardo means space. In the context of Buddhism, it refers to the open space that occurs when one
situation changes into another. For the practitioner of meditation, such a space, or bardo, provides an
opportunity for shedding patterns and habits. The dissolution of familiar ground is always painful, but for the
practitioner it is a moment of learning to let go. Particularly for the vajrayana practitioner who has received
guidance from an authentic guru, bardo can be a space in which he or she can discover and enhance the realization
of inherent wisdom.
Specifically, the bardo of dying is seen as a moment that can determine our rebirth, and is viewed as being
particularly important. Therefore in tantric Buddhism, great emphasis is placed on how to approach the bardo of
dying, and also how we can assist others.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is a meditation master of Tibetan Buddhism. Trained in the various Tibetan Buddhist
lineages of meditation practice, Rinpoche has dedicated his life to bringing others onto the path of liberation.
From a young age, Rinpoche has been trained to guide and attend others in the process of dying. Rinpoche will
share his knowledge and experience, enabling us to develop a perspective and practical understanding on the
crucial moments of life and death.
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