All traditions of Buddhism practiced today trace their lineage directly to an Indian prince named Siddhartha who, over 2,600 years ago, abandoned his royal life and went on to achieve a state of pure and noble being that surpassed all worldly measure. This prince—by looking at his mind and realizing its true nature—became the Buddha, the Awakened One. Thus, he was liberated from all suffering and fear and spontaneously accessed such depths of wisdom and compassion that a stream of enlightened activity was set in motion that continues to benefit countless beings today.

This stream of enlightened wisdom has been passed down from teacher to student in an unbroken succession—the light of one candle igniting another—over and over again through the centuries. In our time, this transmission is being carried on by a number of remarkable teachers dedicated to preserving and propagating the very essence of the Buddha's wisdom, transplanting it fully worldwide. Pre-eminent among these are His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, supreme heads of the Gelug and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. While the Dalai Lama is widely known and beloved around the globe, the twenty-one-year-old Karmapa has yet to travel beyond the borders of India. He nevertheless is revered as a world spiritual leader and guide for millions of students East and West.

Ever since the appearance of the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, in the 12th century, the line of the Karmapas has been known for their meditative realization, brilliant scholarship, and vast compassionate activity. Indeed, the name "Karmapa" means "embodiment of all the activities of the Buddhas." Thus, for sixteen previous lifetimes, His Holiness Karmapa has manifested his enlightened nature in ways that naturally and palpably arouse compassion and wakefulness in those around him. It is even said that just seeing the Karmapa plants the seeds of enlightenment in one's stream of being.

The first opportunities for most American Buddhists to see the legendary Karmapa came in the years 1974–1981, with the visits to America of the Sixteenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje. Inspired by his evident dignity, compassion, and authentic spiritual presence, many of the first generation of American Buddhists formed an indelible link with this great master and a new understanding of and respect for the principle of lineage.

With the aspiration that His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa will visit America soon, this issue of Bodhi features several teachings by His Holiness and a biographical overview and historical timeline of his life's major events. Bodhi is also pleased to present an exceptional teaching by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, as well as teachings by several of the most prominent and respected Tibetan Buddhist masters actively teaching in America today. The wisdom they embody and articulate is the living expression of lineage—the original wisdom of the Buddha passed on as fresh insight—to be received and realized by the next student, and the next generation. In addition, this issue includes the contributions of Western scholars and translators who are also dedicated practitioners, and whose work is infused with the very essence of this ancient yet ever new transmission.

This issue of Bodhi is dedicated to the long life of the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, and to the increase and flourishing of his enlightened activities. By this virtue, may all living beings be freed of suffering and attain ultimate happiness, the precious jewel of full awakening.

How to Practice the Heart of the Matter
by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa
(trans. Karl Brunnhölzl)

The Kind Teacher We Rely On
by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa (trans. Tyler Dewar)

For Teachers, Loving Kindness Is Foremost
by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa (trans. Tyler Dewar)

Selections from Songs & Instructions of the Karmapas
HH the Fifth Karmapa: A Short Aspiration
HH the Tenth Karmapa: An Aspiration of Bodhichitta
HH the Sixteenth Karmapa: Vajra Words Endowed with Blessings

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa: A Biographical Overview
by Martin Marvet

FEATURE SECTION
BUDDHISM IN AMERICA: Voices of Eminent Teachers & Scholars

A Talk to Western Buddhists
by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Since everyone has more or less the same nature, the practice of religion, in this case Buddhism, has something deep and useful for one’s life. If we adopt a right attitude toward our fellow humans, that will give in return great satisfaction. The principles are good motivation and compassion.

The Open Expanse of Space: A Commentary on the Meaning of Milarepa’s Eight Kinds of Mastery
by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche
It is important to know that thoughts are the primary creators of phenomena; thoughts are what give phenomena the characteristics we believe them to possess; and ultimately, phenomena’s true nature is beyond thoughts.

A Note to My Thoughts
By The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche

Just Wake Up: Meditation and the Truth of Suffering
by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche
The basis of the ongoing dilemma known as suffering is that it takes a lot of energy to create and protect what isn't there.

Beyond Picking and Choosing
by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoches
Whatever you do is sacred action. By sacred action we do not mean magical or God ridden, but shamatha-vipashyana ridden. There is always room for precision and there are always vipashyana possibilities in whatever you do.

This Song of the Roar of the Mountain Lion That Is Not Yet a Snow Lion
by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
The practice of meditation is completely unlike any other kind of study you might do. It is not something you learn out of a book. It is not something you simply try to comprehend intellectually.

Exaggerating Me
by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
Realizing interdependence leads us to the naked understanding of reality beyond the extremes of existence and non-existence— empty of all conceptual contrivances.

Rangtong and Shentong in the Madhyamaka
by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
In Rangtong one can examine the nature of phenomena and gain knowledge of the emptiness of phenomena using intellectual arguments. Meditation practice with the Shentong view is the union of sutra and tantra and is therefore very important.

Inviting the Demon: The Shadow in Buddhist Meditation and Awakening
by Judith Simmer-Brown
Perceiving external demons is a precious opportunity to open our minds to direct experience of things as they are.

Lessons from the Life of Milarepa
by Khandro Rinpoche

Interview with Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Rinpoche joins Bodhi contributing editor, Tyler Dewar, in a wide-ranging conversation touching on skepticism, reincarnation and the cause of depression.

Don the Armor of Diligence! by Ngetön Tenzin Zangpo
Translated by Cortland Dahl

The Crucial Point of Practice by Patrul Rinpoche
Translated by Karl Brunnhölzl

Heart Counsels of a Fool: A Method for Sustaining the Essence of Mind by Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol
Translated by Tyler Dewar

Emotions—What They Really Are
Working with Them, Transforming Them
by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Since our suffering and pain have causes, if we discover those causes, then we can remedy them. When we are looking for the causes of our suffering, the teachings of the Buddha direct us to look first at the mind as the source of our experience and the means for understanding it. 

 

Regular Column: Working with Emotions
By Howard M. Aposhyan, Ph.D.
Bodhi introduces a new column in Q&A format. Dr. Howard Aposhyan responds to readers' questions about personal difficulties, challenges with emotion or mental material, relationships, and difficulties in living.

Why Are We Unhappy?
By Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Most people don't have a very clear idea of what happiness is, and consequently find themselves creating conditions that lead them back to the dissatisfaction they so desperately seek to eliminate. That being the case, it would be a good idea to look at happiness, unhappiness, and their underlying causes a bit more closely.

Phowa: Transforming Consciousness at the Time of Death
By The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
Yogis and yoginis are not afraid of death. For them, death is a time to recognize the guru's pointing-out instructions on ordinary mind, or naked awareness. The experience of death is the same as the moment in which you received pointing-out instructions from the guru.

Regular Column: Illusions of Life and Death: Introduction to Column and Pets & Death
By Andrew Holecek
Bodhi introduces a new column on dying, death and rebirth from Eastern and Western perspectives. This column gives readers the tools to help themselves and others, before, during and after death.

Pure Land, Pure Mind
By Andrew Holecek
Genuine profundity underlies the noble Pure Land tradition, and there are good reasons why Tibetan masters are now recommending it for Western students.

REGULARS

SOCIETY & ENVIRONMENT

Global Warming Prayer
By Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche

Naropa University: Reflecting the Interplay of Discipline & Delight
By Thomas B. Coburn
Naropa University's president looks back over the 33 years since the founding of what Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche called a one-hundred year project and finds continuity in purpose and spirit between the institute of the past and the university of today.

Are You Listening? Contemplative Lawyering
By Deborah Calloway
We can practice mindfulness, loving kindness and compassion in any lawyering context. One way we can do this is by practicing mindful listening.

Bodhi Directory

Teaching Schedule of Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and the Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche