1 comment
The New Kadampa Tradition is an international association of Mahayana Buddhist meditation centers that follow the Kadampa Buddhist tradition founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.
bhutan |
-
Tricycle Pilgrimage: Young Monks in Bumthang
These young Bhutanese monks, at Thamshing Monastery in Jakar, Bumthang, spent the morning memorizing texts by reciting them aloud. Neither the cold nor a nearby pack of barking dogs seemed to distract them. More » -
Tricycle Pilgrimage: Self-arising talisman
Phalluses are a common sight in Bhutan. They're thought to ward off evil spirits. They are often nailed to trees or posts, or painted onto the outside walls of houses and shops. At Chimey Lhakang, or the Temple of the Divine Madman, in Bumthang, visitors are tapped on the head with a phallus, which is thought to bring fertility to those hoping to have children. Our guide referred to the sacred object as "the mighty flaming phallus of discerning wisdom of the Divine Madman." The Divine Madman, or Drukpa Kungley, remains a revered historical figure in Bhutan and is remembered as a great master of Vajrayana. After the visit, one witty Tricycle pilgrim let the rest of us know that she had morning-after pills on hand should anyone feel the need. More » -
Tricycle pilgrims make it to the Tiger's Nest
Tricycle Pilgrims are troopers—most of us made the arduous hike to the Tiger's Nest, or the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, as the Bhutanese call it. Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan, is said to have meditated there in a cave for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours. Built in 1692, the monastery was rebuilt after a fire in 1998. I should add that we not only made it up but also made it back down. Some sore muscles but nothing serious! Image: Approaching the Tiger's Nest, Paro Valley, Buthan. © Risto Kuulasmaa. More » -
Thanksgiving Blessing
Tricycle pilgrim receives blessing from Khenpo Khatar Rinpoche at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, which the the group visited yesterday. A 40km drive from Kathmandu, the monastery sits atop the Himalayan foothills, offering stunning views. It was built at Namo Buddha, where, in a former life, the Buddha is said to have saved a starving Tigress and her cubs by offering himself as food. A stupa was built on the site and is considered one of the holiest places in Nepal. We're all grateful to have made the visit. Happy Thanksgiving! Image: Khatar Rinpoche offers Tricycle pilgrims blessings. © Risto Kuulasmaa. More » -
Buddha Buzz: Buddhist Humanity
In last week's Buddha Buzz about the South Korean monks who were caught on film drinking and gambling after another monk's memorial service, I wrote that the sordid affair was another case of "Buddhists behaving badly." In response, Tricycle commenter buddahbear01 wrote, "Buddhists behaving 'badly?' Perhaps they are human?" I think buddahbear01 has got a point here. We cannot forget that putting on Buddhist robes doesn't automatically elevate you to an ethical superhuman status—monks and nuns and religious leaders of all types, more often than not, are just like the rest of us in all of our flawed and imperfect glory. More » -
Buddha Buzz: Penises, Praycations, and the Death of Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch
I'm not trying to wax philosophical here, but writing Buddha Buzz is somewhat of a metaphor for life. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's difficult, and sometimes you're thrown situations that you're not quite sure what to do with. Case in point: there are some strange Buddhist articles out there. Last week's highlight, for instance, was the story "Wizard arrested for raping Buddhist," which turned out to be a (poorly translated) bizarre and upsetting account of a Chinese self-proclaimed exorcist who would exorcise demons in exchange for sex. And now there's this article from i09: "In Bhutan, friendly phalluses painted on houses scare off evil spirits." What? More »
