amazon review: Guru Rinpoche, His Life and Times by Ngawang Zangpo

Guru Rinpoche, His Life and Times by Ngawang Zangpo

amazon.com review:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R358S4YIC6SQZY/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=155939174X

An Important introduction to Guru Rinpoche in the contemporary times and translation of Prayer in 7 chapters

This is an important volume of work. Now, just because I said “work” i personally do not feel that it is overly scholarly or in anyway unapproachable. Whenever important books like this, written, compiled, with translations added to, somehow we gain a number of people without Guru Rinpoche as primary interest writing nearly discouraging reviews all about scholarship of the volume. Why? Because it is clear to most that this is a well researched and very well put together book.

Yet, skipping the point of the beautiful hardcover, later issued with amazing dust jacket and going to the actual subject. If you happen to be somewhat familiar with the towering figure of Guru Rinpoche the Padmasambhava also often called The second Buddha. It is an easy and informative read.

With the subject front and center, this one of the important books on the Guru Rinpoche because it includes very well made translations of what is known as the Prayer in seven chapters or the Seven Chapters of Supplications all with brief notes on origin and discovery. Followed directly by the translation of unique to the Tibetan Buddhism type of text where it is explained how to meditate on these. That instruction comes from the lineage of non sectarian King-like scholar Jamgon Kongtrul the great.

All of the texts above are meant to be short and to the point, very easy reading.

An idea of interest and degree of familiarity with Guru Rinpoche would help and where to get that but not from several inspirational sections presiding the translations. All are worth a read for the landscape covered in these just over 100 pages covers India, Tibet and flow of timeless Buddha wisdom, all towards us here, today. Again, it is in my opinion, although is based on scholarship, however is an easy read that is also informative.

amazon review: A Treasure Trove of Blessings and Protection, the Seven Chapter Prayer of the Great Teacher Padmasambhava translated by Mike Dickman

A Treasure Trove of Blessings and Protection, the Seven Chapter Prayer of the Great Teacher Padmasambhava translated by Mike Dickman

amazon.com review:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1TPXMV0XE7N88/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=188727605X

An Important Translation

Culmination of Guru Rinpoche’s speech, the seven chapters of prayers of supplication.

It is said that all of Guru Rinpoche practice instructions, all of Guru Rinpoche life story and all of transmissions of these can be summed up and connected to through these supplications.

These “7 supplications” come with huge traditional place within lives of many followers of Guru Rinpoche. Both historically and currently.

A very important translation that was waiting to happen. Alas this review is 10 years late, but the importance of this project is not diminished by passage of time, rather it has grown, for many people now can get transmissions and teachings on these with the aid of this translation.

Thank you Mike Dickman.

Upstate fog

Unreal Fog in southern direction, Binghamton NY.

As it is called “Upstate” it is ever so slightly higher, than in the morning it is impossible to tell if this mountain top is covered by fog or is it a cloud drifting through, both happen.

So, it is possible to be “up in the clouds”…

So you should view this fleeting world —

A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream,

A flash of lightening in a summer cloud,

A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream.

-From the Diamond Sutra of the Lord Buddha

Few Calendar Dates for 2016

In Western sun cycle related calendar it is 2016,

Also according to the astrological 12 year cycle it is currently Monkey year,

And according to the five element system it is year of fire element.

It is also year 2143 according to sun / moon cycle, counting from the inception of the Tibetan monarchy.

In this year we have several important days and months, here are a few of them.

1^st month is called Bumjur Dawa, it is month during which Buddha displayed miraculous activities to encourage faith and so this month is called month of miracles or multiplication month. All things done during this month are thought to carry multiplied power of great value or by 100,000 times. It’s culmination is on the 15^th day, the day of full moon.

4^th month called Saga Dawa on the 7^th day we remember Buddha’s birth and on the 15th day of full moon we remember Buddha’s enlightenment and passing.

All things done during this month are thought to carry multiplied power of great value or by 100,000 times

6^th month is the month during which, on 10^th day Guru Rinpoche the Padmasambhava appeared in this world on the wood monkey year 2556(about) years ago in Odiyanna.

1^st month: During the 2016 these are the dates for each month.

February 9^th – Tuesday. 1^st day of 1^st month of new 2143 year.

February 17^th – Wednesday. 10^th day of 1^st month. Monthly Guru Rinpoche day.

February 22ns – Monday. 15^th day of 1^st month. Full moon dasy, Culmination of the month of miracles.

March 4^th – Friday. 25^th day of 1^st month. Monthly Dakini’s day.

4^th Month:

May 13^th – Friday. 4^th month, 7^th day, Buddha’s Birth.

May 16^th – Monday. 4^th month 10^th day, Monthly Guru Rinpoche day.

May 21^st – Saturday. 4^th month 15^th day, Full moon day, Culmination of the month on which Buddha displayed birth, passing and enlightenment.

May 31^st – Tuesday. 4^th month 25^th day, Monthly Dakini’s day.

 

6^th Month:

August 6^th – Saturday. 4^th day of 6^th month. Is called ChoKhor Deutchen, day on which Buddha gave 1^st Dharma discourse.

August 13^th – Saturday. 10^th day of the 6^th month. Is the month and day when 2556(about) years ago in the year of wood monkey Guru Rinpoche appeared in this world.

August 18^th – Thursday. 15^th day of 6^th month. Full moon day.

August 27^th – Saturday. 25^th day of 6^th month. Monthly Dakini’s day.