Dear Sangha Friends, The Blessings of the Lineage are fully present and vividly apparent with the unforeseen arrival of His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje, in India. This singular event has spread joy around the world. Though we may be distant from Dharamsala, we have had the opportunity to see the vajra body of His Holiness through the many images appearing on the Internet and in the news media, and to hear his vajra speech, through his
elegant and spontaneous poems and songs. These displays of his inconceivable vajra mind transcend expression and directly touch our hearts. The Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche, having spent several weeks with His
Holiness in India, returned recently to the West with stories highlighting and underscoring the maturity and brilliance of the young Karmapa's compassionate wisdom. We are very pleased to present, in this issue of Bodhi, five melodious songs and prayers composed by His Holiness for the benefit of all beings. We add our prayers to the innumerable voices supplicating for the long life of this supreme, enlightened master. May we all meet with him soon!
This issue also features an in depth report by Martin Marvet on the Karmapa's flight from Tibet, providing important background information and intimate details of the actual journey. In addition, we continue here with the second segments of the teachings by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche on In Praise of the Dharmadhatu, and by The Dzogchen Ponlop, Rinpoche on The Life and Teachings of Guru Padmasambhava. From Judith Simmer-Brown's book Dakini's Warmth Breath: The Feminine
Principle in Tibetan Buddhism, forthcoming from Shambhala Publications, we present an excerpt on "The Great Queen Prajnaparamita." And we continue with sangha news and other reports from the Nalandabodhi community. Thank you for your continued support of Bodhi as we look forward to many auspicious and meaningful connections in the Metal Dragon year. Yours in the Bodhi-dharma, The Editors Cindy Shelton and Carole Fleming, Seattle; Amita Gupta, Vancouver |
