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KTC Minneapolis Monastery and Meditation Center H.H. 1717th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Kagyu Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism |
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Introduction The Kagyu lineage, one of four major lineages or teaching traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, traces its history back to the Indian meditation masters Tilopa (988-1069 AD.), Naropa (1016-1100), the Tibetan translator Marpa (1012-1097), the Tibetan poet-saint Milarepa (1052-1135), and Gampopa (1079-1153), a monk and physician who created the Kagyu monastic tradition. The Kagyu tradition has been dubbed "the practice lineage" because of its emphasis on meditation practice, and also has been called "the whispered lineage" because its highest teachings are still passed on from teacher-to-student in an unbroken line. The Kagyupa order is the medium for the transmission of certain meditative disciplines, particularly that of Mahamudra. His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa, one of the four highest lamas of all of Tibetan Buddhism and a highly realized meditation master who embodies the accumulated spiritual energy of the lineage, heads the lineage. This lineage is profoundly contemplative. Meditation is the path and also its goal-less destination. It's what lamas of the lineage want to do everyday, their entire lifetime, and the next, and the next ... The reason to become a member of the sangha of a Kagyu monastery is to practice and thereby transform one's consciousness, dedicating the merit of this activity to the relief of all suffering. On one level, that's all there is to say. KTC Minneapolis is part of Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) Monastery, the home monastery of His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa in the Americas. The Importance of Time Spent in Retreat For serious practitioners of the Kagyu Lineage, the importance of time spent in retreat can not be overstated. In one respect, that's all there is to say about it. To be a serious Kagyu practitioner you must incorporate retreat time into your normal lifetime habits. A day in retreat usually consists of a minimum of 4 thuns (two and a half hour practice sessions.) If the retreat is a group retreat, rather than a solitary retreat, there will be at least 2 other group practices included in each day. Days start at 4AM, generally have a half hour to forty-five minute breakfast break, an hour and a half to two hour lunch break, and a short break after the last afternoon practice before the evening thun starts about 6:45PM. Lunch is the last solid food of the day. Tea is taken at the late afternoon break. The practice day ends at about 10PM. In Tibet many monastics in this lineage aspired to spend their entire life in retreat. Even given the changed political situation, there are still Kagyu practitioners in Tibet in lifetime retreat. Twelve year retreat is also an excellent time frame and traditional retreat format. Lifetime retreat and twelve year retreat are solitary retreats. In addition, there is the better known three year three fortnight retreat, called the three year retreat, which is a group retreat. As should be expected, it takes considerable effort and preparation time to get ready to do even the three year retreat, the shortest of these traditional retreats. Practitioners can prepare for three year retreat at KTC Minneapolis, and then do the retreat in New York state at Karme Ling Retreat Center. Retreats aren't excellent and highly recommended just for Buddhist practitioners in the process of transforming their consciousness. Everyone needs disciplined solitude to reach optimal health and well being, and to participate from a position of wisdom and compassion in all of life's interactions. At KTC Minneapolis we have a one day retreat once a month, on average, for Buddhist and non Buddhists alike who know how to do Shamata Meditation. These retreat days are called Meditator's Retreat Days. See our current class schedule for more details and registration information. We are in the process of preparing a room at KTC Minneapolis for 3 to 7 day solitary retreats. The retreat room is expected to be ready mid summer 04. For more information, or to schedule a retreat contact us . KTC Minneapolis has outgrown our current building, both in function and in footprint. We need to be able to support resident practitioners, staff, and retreatants. A second, monastic building close to our current location is in the initial planning stages. If you would like to help in any way, please contact us . Karma Kagyu Lineage Holders and their Teachings: Short biographies of teachers of the Karma Kagyu Lineageby Gregg RutterH. H. Gyalwa Karmapa XVII, Orgyen Trinley Dorje The Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism traces its origins to Shakyamuni Buddha and the primordial Buddha Vajradhara. Buddhism was transmitted in the eleventh century by the Indian mahasiddha Tilopa to the scholar Naropa who passed the teachings and meditation practices to the Tibetan translator Marpa. Marpa brought the teachings to Tibet. Marpa's main disciple, the great yogi Milarepa, passed the teachings on to Gampopa. Gampopa transmitted them to the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa. The Kagyu lineage has since been led by a succession of reincarnations of the Gyalwa Karmapa, "The Victorious One of Enlightened Activity," the first reincarnate lama of Tibet. He is regarded as an embodiment of compassion, represented by the deity Chenrezik. His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, was born in Tibet in 1985 and was recognized in 1992 through a prediction letter left by his predecessor, the Sixteenth Karmapa Ranjung Rigpe Dorje. He spent the first fourteen years of his life in Chinese-occupied Tibet, a significant portion of these years at Tsurpu, the traditional seat of the Karmapas in Tibet. In early 2000 he made a dramatic escape to India where he currently lives in a temporary residence at Gyuto Ramoche Tantric University near Dharamsala, India, in close contact with His Holiness Dalai Lama. He continues his studies in Buddhist philosophy and receives instructions and empowerments for Vajrayana practices from masters of the Karma Kagyu lineage, and from H. H. Dalai Lama while awaiting permission from the Indian government to return to Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, Sikkim, his seat-in-exile. Books, audio and video by and/or about HH the Karmapa or the Karmapas THE EIGHTH SITUPA ON THE THIRD KARMAPA'S MAHAMUDRA PRAYER Translated by Lama Sherab Dorje Snow Lion, 2004 THE THIRD KARMAPA'S MAHAMUDRA PRAYER By HE Tai Situ Rinpoche, Translated and edited by Rosemarie Fuchs Snow Lion, 2002 IN THE PRESENCE OF MASTERS: Wisdom from 30 Contemporary Tibetan Buddhist Teachers by Reginald. A. Ray Includes teaching by HH XVI Karmapa Snow Lion, available June 2004 THE KAGYU LINEAGE and The Activity of the Karmapas by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche A concise teaching on the Kagyu Lineage which presents the story of the great figures of this tradition along with the nature and place of the lineage in Buddhist history. Rinpoche also teaches about the 17th Karmapa. KARMAPA of TIBET: The Politics of Reincarnation by Lea Terhune Wisdom Publications, 2004 KARMAPA: The Sacred Prophecy by Kagyu Thubten Choling Publications Committee, fore. by H.H. the Dalai Lama LIVING, DREAMING, DYING: Practical Wisdom from the Tibetan Book of the Dead by Robert Nairn, forewords by 17th Karmapa and Ringu Tulku Available in July 2004 MAHAKALA: Puja with H. H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, CD by H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, music by Sina Vodjani, recorded 1996 MAHAMUDRA TEACHINGS OF THE SUPREME SIDDHAS by the Eighth Situpa Tenpa'i Nyinchay, H.H. the Third Gyalwa Karmapa Rangjung Dorje , intro. by Thrangu Rinpoche, trans. & ed. by Lama Sherab Dorje MAHAMUDRA: Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance by the 9th Karmapa, trans. by Alex Berzin MUSIC IN THE SKY: The Life, Art and Teachings of the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje by Michele Martin Snow Lion, 2003 THE NINTH KARMAPA'S OCEAN OF DEFINITIVE MEANING by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche; edited, introduced and annotated by Lama Tashi Namgyal Snow Lion, 2003 AN OCEAN OF THE ULTIMATE MEANING: Teachings on Mahamudra by Khenchen Thrangu explication of the most comprehensive Mahamudra treatise composed by the 9th Karmapa Shambhala, 2004 OPENING THE DOOR TO CERTAINTY by the Ninth Karmapa, Tibetan text and English trans. by Bokar Rinpoche Short and compact, Opening the Door to Certainty is a condensed version of the Ninth Karmapa's work, titled The Ocean of Certainty ClearPoint Press, 1996 POINTING OUT THE DHARMAKAYA by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, foreword by the Dalai Lama, intro. by Lama Tashi Namgyal a pithy distillation of the Ninth Karmapa's Mahamudra manual Snow Lion, 2003 TRAININGS IN COMPASSION: Manuals on the Meditation of Avalokiteshvara trans. By Tyler Dewar under the guidance of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche The manuals included in this book were authored by the great Tibetan siddha Thangtong Gyalpo, the renowned nineteenth century master Jamgon Kongtrul, and the Fifteenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Khakhyab Dorje. Snow Lion, June 2004 THE HISTORY OF THE SIXTEEN KARMAPAS OF TIBET By Karma Thinley Shambhala, 1980/2001 KARMAPA: THE BLACK HAT LAMA OF TIBET Compiled by Nik Douglas & Meryl White Luzac & Company Ltd, London, 1976 DZALENDARA AND SAKARCHUPA: Stories from the Previous Lives of the Gyalwa Karmapa By H.H. the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa & Katia Holmes Dzalendara Publishing, 1981 KARMAPA: THE SACRED PROPHECY By Thomas Pardee, Susan Skolnik, Eric Swanson Kagyu Thubten Choling Publications Committee, 1999 MAHAMUDRA: BOUNDLESS JOY AND FREEDOM: A Commentary on the Mahamudra Text of the Thrid Karmapa, Rangjung Drje (1284-1339) by Ole Nydahl, Hannah Nydahl (Translator) Blue Dolphin Publishing, 1991 THE DANCE OF 17 LIVES BY Mick Brown Bloomsbury USA, June 2004 Guru Yoga for the Four Sessions of Mikyo Dorje By: Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche KTD Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra of Definitive Meaning, 1997 RESTRICTED - the 1998 ten-day teachings A commentary on the Eighth Situ Rinpoche's text on The Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra of Definitive Meaning by the Third Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, English Translation by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso By: Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche KTD Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra By: Tai Situ Rinpoche / Rangjung Dorje Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Aspirational Prayer for Mahamudra By: Thrangu Rinpoche / Rangjung Dorje Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Mahamudra Teachings of the Supreme Siddhas by the Eighth Tai Situ Rinpoche, trans. by Lama Sherab Dorje Snow Lion, 1995 THIRD KARMAPA'S TREATISE ON BUDDHA-ESSENCE; The Nyingpo Tenpa by Rangjung Dorje By Thrangu Rinpoche Namo Buddha Publications This Treatise was written by the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, who was a brilliant scholar and an extraordinary practitioner. This text contains over 200 root verses of this profound subject and a commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche. The Uttaratantra; A Treatise on Buddha-Essence [UNABRIDGED] By Thrangu Rinpoche Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal, 2004 BUDDHA NATURE By Thrangu Rinpoche Rangjung Yeshe Publications / Bookpeople, 1996 TRANSCENDING EGO: DISTINGUISHING CONSCIOUSNESS FROM WISDOM By Thrangu Rinpoche Namo Buddha Publications, 2001 KARMAPA By Ken Holmes Altea Publishing, 1995 CDs: KARMA PAKSHI CHANT, CD by H.H. 17th Karmapa Live recording from Bodhgaya, India, December 2001 with His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. Khaeon, 2002 A TRIBUTE TO THE KARMAPA (LIVE), CD Monks of Rumtek Monastery Khaeon, 2002 KARMAPA'S MELODIOUS SONGS OF TRUTH, CD Tibetan Institute of the Performing Arts These prayers (songs) were composed by H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Drodul Dorje and performed by members of the Tibetan Institute of the Performing Arts in Dharamsala SWEET MELODY OF JOYFUL ASPIRATION, CD by H.H. the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa contains pieces composed and/or performed by H.H. the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Wind Records, 2003 VIDEO: THE LION'S ROAR: The Life and Times of H. H. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the 16th Karmapa, Video produced by Centre Productions 1985 (video release 2000) THE 17TH KARMAPA'S RETURN TO TSURPHU, DVD Mystic Fire, 1993 THREE TEACHINGS BY KARMAPA, DVD by H.H. the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa 97-minute DVD features H.H. 17th Karmapa speaking in 2003 on bodhicitta, the guru/student relationship, and shinay and lhagtong meditations. These are the first video teachings by His Holiness to be released publicly. Much of the proceeds go to H. H. Karmapa. Kunzang Productions, 2003 MONLAM ASPIRATION: The 20th Anniversary of the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, DVD features footage of many great teachers, including H.H. the Karmapa and Dalai Lama, Thrangu Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, and the reincarnation of Jamgon Kongtrul. NGONDRO: Karma Kagyu Preliminaries, DVD Includes an aspirational prayer by the 17th Karmapa Kunzang Productions, 2003 H. E. Khentin Tai Situ Rinpoche XII, Pema Donya Nyingche Wangpo His Eminance Khentin Tai Situ Rinpoche is an emanation of the future Buddha, Maitreya. The title Tai Situ, means "far-reaching, unshakable, great master, holder of the command." The first Tai Situpa was the Tibetan incarnation of the Bodhisattva Maitreya, Chokyi Gyaltsen (1377-1448). The current, twelfth Tai Situpa, Pema Donyo Nyingche Wangpo, was born in Tibet in 1954. When he was six years old, political conditions forced him to leave Tibet, where he joined the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa who had also fled Tibet. He received his formal religious training under the guidance of the Sixteenth Karmapa, at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim. In 1975, at the age of 22, he assumed his traditional responsibilities by founding the monastic project, Sherab Ling, at the request of his Tibetan followers who had settled in northern India. He founded Maitreya Institute in 1984 in response to Western interest in multicultural activity and spirituality. His Eminence was instrumental in the identification and enthronement of His Holiness Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the Seventeenth Gyalwa Karmapa and is now guiding HH Karmapa's spiritual training in exile near Dharamsala, India. The XII Tai Situpa continues the traditions of the practice lineage of the Tai Situpas, renowned Buddhist teachers, training in turn the next generation of Buddhist masters. Currently, His Eminence is involved in the advancement of interfaith and intercultural humanitarian efforts around the world. Just recently made available are the following DVDs featuring teachings given by Tai Situ Rinpoche at Sherab Ling in Baijnath, India in March of 2003: The Four Noble Truths and the Four Immeasurables The Six Paramitas: Part 1 & 2 Profound Path of Mahamudra" H E Tai Situ Rinpoche is the author of Way to Go, an introduction to Buddhist philosophy and practice, and Tilopa, a study of the 10th century Indian Buddhist master. His book Relative World, Ultimate Mind, shows how worldly activities can be an essential part of the spiritual path. His latest publication is Awakening the Sleeping Buddha. Other books by Tai Situ Rinpoche include: Mahamudra Teachings Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra Third Karmapa's Mahamudra Prayer Books by H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche: Tilopa: Some Glimpses of His Life, Dzalendara Publishing, (1988) Mahamudra Teachings, Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Aspiration Prayer of Mahamudra, Tai Situ Rinpoche/Rangjung Dorje, Zhyisil Chokyi Ghatsal Third Karmapa's Mahamudra Prayer, Translated and edited by Rosemarie Fuchs, Snow Lion, (2002) Awakening the Sleeping Buddha, Shambhala Publications (1996) Creativity, 50 pp., 45 full page color plates Relative World, Ultimate Mind, 157 pages, Penguin, (1999) *** Mahamudra Teachings of the Supreme Siddhas, by the Eighth Tai Situ Rinpoche, translated by Lama Sherab Dorje, Snow Lion (1995) The Eighth Situpa on the Third Karmapa's Mahamudra Prayer, by the Eighth Tai Situ Rinpoche, translated by Lama Sherab Dorje, Snow Lion (2004) Audio Tapes by H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche (at Namse Bangdzo): Essence of Art (Feb 1982) Open Gate of Dharma (July 1982) Spiritual Paths of Buddhism (July 1982) Ocean of Certainty Part 1, 2 (Dec 1994) Milarepa's Meeting with Paldar Bum (Jan 1996) Overcoming the Fear of Dying (June 1997) Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva Part 1, 2, 3 (May 1998) Mahamudra Retreat Part 1, 2 -RESTRICTED- (May 1998) Four Dharmas of Gampopa Part 1, 2 (Sept 1999) Teachings on First Light 2000 Prayers (Sept 1999) Mahamudra Teachings (Oct 2000) Videos by H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche: Overcoming the Fear of Dying, Karma Kagyu Institute, 3 video tapes Four Dharmas of Gampopa, in English, Karma Kagyu Institute, 3 video tapes Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva, Karma Kagyu Institute, 12 video tapes (1998) Mahamudra Teachings, Zhyi-sil Cho-kyi Gha-tsal, 4 video tapes (October 2000) The Four Noble Truths and the Four Immeasurables, DVD, NTSC, 75 minutes (March 12, 2003) The Six Paramitas: Part 1 & 2, DVD, 95 minutes (March 12, 2003) Profound Path of Mahamudra, 2 DVDs, 172 minutes (March 15 & 16, 2003) Ngondro: Karma Kagyu Preliminaries, Lama Karma Wangdu, DVD NTSC, 70 minutes (2003) Includes commentary by HE Tai Situ Rinpoche The Twelfth Goshir Gyaltsapa, H. E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche The Gyaltsab Rinpoches have always been Vajra Regents of the Karmapas and caretakers of the Karmapa's monasteries. H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche is the emanation of the Bodhisattva Vajrapani. The 1st Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Paljor Dondrub, (1427-1489), was cared for by the Karmapa from childhood, and was appointed the Karmapa's secretary and regent at fourteen years old. Receiving the complete lineage transmission from the Karmapa and others, he became the main teacher to the next Karmapa. The 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche was recognized while He was still in his mother's womb by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. He was born in 1954 in central Tibet, in Nyimo, near Lhasa. In 1959, His Eminence fled Tibet with his Holiness the 16th Karmapa into exile. He remained with His Holiness' settlement group at the old Karma Kagyu monastery which had been built during the time of the 9th Karmapa at Rumtek, where he received the complete lineage transmissions. H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche practiced and studied the dharma at Rumtek with the other heart sons of the Karmapa, including their Eminences Jamgon Kongtrul and Tai Situ Rinpoche. In 1992, H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche and His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche enthroned His Holiness the 17th Karmapa in Tibet. H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, through a long line of incarnations, is known for being an expert in meditation. His Eminence resides in Sikkim and is the Resident Regent of Rumtek Monastery, the main seat in exile of the Karmapas. His Eminence will help prepare for His Holiness the Karmapa's return to Rumtek. Like H.E. Tai Situ Rinpoche and Ven. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, H.E. Gyaltsab Rinpoche is one of the main teachers of H.H. the 17th Karmapa, and has already bestowed transmissions to His Holiness. H.E. Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche also oversees the activities at his own monasteries, such as Palchen Choeling Monastery, Ralang, Sikkim. On Friday, 2 July 2004 - the Wood Monkey Year which marks the 2,880th birthday of Guru Padmasambhava - there will be a fiftieth birthday celebration at Palchen Choeling Monastery for His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche, and Zamling Chisang ( a day for increasing one's fortune and merit by putting up prayer flags and chanting guardian deity's invocation prayers, with incense burning.) |