H.H. Sakya Trizin helps guide us to be good buddhists.

His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya is a direct descendant of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, founder of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism. Learn about the origins of this distinguished family lineage, known for their three excellent names and their divine ancestors. Included in their history is a royal minister, some of the first Tibetan monks, a noted translator during the royal period, and disciples of Padmasambhava. They took up the new tantras while retaining a few Nyingma tantras. Upsaka Jeff Schoening will discuss the founding of the first Sakya Monastery, the prophecies about Sakya, and the birth of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. This presentation is based on the writings of Jamgön Améshap, the great Sakya lama and historian of the 17th century, the two Sakya histories by Lopön Thuchey Wangchuk, and over thirty years of Jeff's research on the Sakya lineage.

Khenpo Jampa Rinpoche gives an introduction to the Sakya view, which is the inseparability of Samsara and Nirvana. This will be done through helping us understand how to practice the path with its fruit (Lamdre). He introduces us to how the Buddhadharma is taught in the unexcelled Sakya tradition. Translator: Rigdzin Tingkhye.

His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya is a direct descendant of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo, founder of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism. Learn about the origins of this distinguished family lineage, known for their three excellent names and their divine ancestors. Included in their history is a royal minister, some of the first Tibetan monks, a noted translator during the royal period, and disciples of Padmasambhava. They took up the new tantras while retaining a few Nyingma tantras. Upsaka Jeff Schoening will discuss the founding of the first Sakya Monastery, the prophecies about Sakya, and the birth of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo. This presentation is based on the writings of Jamgön Améshap, the great Sakya lama and historian of the 17th century, the two Sakya histories by Lopön Thuchey Wangchuk, and over thirty years of Jeff's research on the Sakya lineage.

Ven. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche discusses the many male deities in Tantric Buddhism. In Tibetan Buddhism some popular male deities include Chenrezig, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Buddha Amitabha, Vajrasattva, Yamantaka, Chakrasambara, Hevajra, and Vajrakilaya. Sometimes deities come in union with their consort, sometimes alone. Depending on the sadhana, these deities are visualized either in front of oneself or as oneself, or both. Also there are various benefits that are associated with the different practices such as health, wealth, longevity, wisdom, and compassion. If you would like to learn about these important male deities, please listen.

Note: Recording begins a couple minutes into the lecture. Belief and correct motivation are two tremendously important things to cultivate. Belief, faith and absolute conviction in the Lama and in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) are essential for any attainments. Having the correct motivation is an absolute necessity. In this class, Khenpo Jampa Rinpoche gives us insight on these important topics. Translator: Rigdzin Tingkhye.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva practices the six perfections. The perfection of meditation is one of these six. Within the perfection of meditation, the practitioner practices calm abiding and insight meditation (shamatha and vipassana). This course focuses on the examination of one’s mind which is vipassana practice. Translator: Thupten Jampa.

The practice of Vajrasattva (Dorje Sempa) is for the purification of one’s karma created through the body, speech and mind. The practice purifies and mends broken commitments, especially the Vajrayana vows. This Dharma lecture on the “Vajrasattva practice in Ngondro” is taught by Khenpo Jampa Tenphel Rinpoche. Translator: Rigdzin Tingkhye.

Ven. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche teaches Tibetan Wind Yoga (Tsalung Trulkor)--a spiritual healing practice for the body and mind. It can make your body healthy and your mind peaceful and happy. Some of the conditions it helps are asthma, indigestion, heartburn, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and vision problems. It is a very profound practice, yet it is easy to learn to do anywhere and by anyone.

For Mahayana Practitioners, there are so many teachings and meditations. But in our short lives, we don’t have as much time to devote to study and practice as we’d like. Fortunately, there is a short practice that is very helpful to develop love, compassion, and wisdom. Since the 14th century Tibetan practitioners have practiced this text in their daily lives. The Thirty-Seven Bodhisattva Practices was composed by Ngulchu Thogme Zangpo (1295-1369). Tibetans believe he was the emanation of Chenrezig because he practiced love and compassion actively in his life. In this teaching, Tulku Yeshi will share about this extraordinary master and give a commentary on the first half of the 37 practices.

As one of the pillars of the Theravadan tradition as well as the Mahayana path, the Four Applications of Mindfulness comprise the foundation of the Buddha's teachings. Also known as the Four Essential Recollections, these are simple instructions to be mindful of the body, of feelings, of the mind, of the dharmas, and the phenomena of perception. This teaching is based on Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyāvatāra, or Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. The teaching is followed by short instructions on how to meditate on the Four Applications of Mindfulness. Translator: Rigdzin Tingkhye.