Dang Zang

I remain uncertain about “Biff Painter“.

I half expected him to ignore my query, but I got a clearish answer:

I first learned Gtumo as a Daoist inner heat practice from Li, Long Dao of Sichuan then later from Lama Trangu Rinpoche the Tibetan version of Gtumo practice, Medicine Buddha meditations and Mantra and Chod Ritual. This took place in various locations beginning with his visit to my school many, many years ago. I am afraid I was a very poor student.

And we see that he really did meet Thrangu Rinpoche once at least:

Saturday last, at the Rigpa Centre in Sydney: Lama Pema Dorje gave the teachings on Lujong, for which I previously publicised a flyer.

On the Saturday morning there was a White Tara empowerment (from the pure vision of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo). It was explained that this was a valuable but not essential support for the practice. The practice itself is not too difficult (although some of the stretches are more than most of us could manage), and very invigorating. It seems there are some people who even make it their main practice.

I was impressed by the organisation. The event was not complicated, but the organisation was efficient and unobtrusive, and I got no sense that anybody was less welcome than anybody else. Buddhism is, of course, not free from cliques, but there was no sign of it here. Here is a picture of the Lama teaching:

And one of him with his wife (Kunzang, I believe):

The event was held in the Rigpa centre. Their shrine is a mass of prints and photos, with not so many actual statues, but I was very taken by one rather dark Guru Rinpoche. Unfortunately the photo below doesn’t quite capture the feeling that I got from it:

Anyway, one of the main reasons for this entry is that these teachings, and Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche himself, have a close connection to Padampa Sangye. A year or so ago, a translation of a biography of Padampa Sangye was published by Snow Lion (1-55939-299-1) under the title “Lion of Siddhas”, which I would like to recommend. You can click the picture to go to Snow Lion, where you can read more about it, or even order it:

It is in two main parts. The first is the biography itself which is kind of nice, although so thickly larded with miracles it would not be to everybody’s taste – you have been warned! The second main part comprises a feast of mahamudra instructions from Padampa Sangye. Well, perhaps “feast” is not quite the right word, as it’s probably best appreciated by dipping in for a few lines or a paragraph at a time and savouring them well before going back, so perhaps it’s more like a large box of Belgian chocolates.

I’ve been busy lately, but have time now to report that

• on the Kagyu side, Dekhung Gyaltsey Rinpoche will be here in August - if interested, check the Kagyu Samten Choeling site.
• on the Nyingma side, Lama Pema Dorje Rinpoche will be here in August too. Here is a flyer about his visit to Canberra, Sydney, Blue Mountains and Bellingen, while this link is to a flyer specifically about the Sydney visit, where he will teach on Guru Yoga, Dzogchen and Lu Jong.

… and their use as meditation aids, as I did a couple of weeks ago, there is an iPhone app from apricle technologies – I think the company has just been formed for this product, but who knows where it will go.

Me, I have a phone that is four years old and does its job, and a Casio digital wristwatch, but those of you with more modern equipment might like to check it out.

No, not because she or he has transcended craving, but because they have got all the Buddhist beads, bowls, bells, burners for incense and other toys the local Dharma Supplies and Joss Stick shop has to offer. Something new – the Buddha phone!

You can, it appears “press the dedicated lotus-leaf button to load a private, customisable, animated altar. The idea is to allow Buddhists to perform their dedications and rituals conveniently when away from home. You can simulate incense burning, purification rites and play music to help you meditate wherever you happen to be.”

Sadly so far only available in Japanese.

Whoopee! The catalog project for my dharma books is creeping forward. I passed the third shelf on the first book-case the other day. In terms of length of shelving, that is one quarter of the library, so I should be finished by the end of the year, with any luck! It looks like the total will be around 500 books.

Or apropos the last post, I had earlier said I’d give a general report, so here it is: teachings clear, house pleasant, atmosphere very relaxed and friendly. All-round good.

That’s so boring, I offer a funny fact. Having mentioned in a post a couple of weeks ago that the Australian Club website just might make one think that one had stumbled on an exclusive and very discreet brothel (quite incorrectly, I should stress), and having mentioned the Kagyu centre in Harris Park, the blog logs show me that yesterday Google directed someone in Sydney to this blog in response to a query for “Brothels in Harris Park, NSW”. What do you know!