Erik Pema Kunsang: Stories of Meditation Masters

Today, our guest is the Balinese high priest,  Ida Pedanda Gede Putra Watulumbang Manuaba also known as Ida Pedanda Watulumbang. We meet at his house and learn about his path to becoming a priest and some of the spiritual beliefs and practices in the Balinese Hindu tradition. Time notes: 00:01:00 Becoming a priest 00:05:00 Ceremonies 00:06:45 Ritual and adornment 00:10:45 Balinese cremation 00:12:25 Karma and daily correction 00:16:29 Fearless Death 00:19:00 Daily spiritual tending ~ Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Erik Pema Kunsang is a dharma teacher, practitioner, and one of the most highly regarded Tibetan translators. Today, we meet in his homeland of Denmark, where Erik shares stories of meditation masters he has spent time with, as well as on some essential aspects of the path and fruit of spiritual realization.   00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:24 Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche 00:04:50 Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche 00:12:22 Dilgo Khyentse and 16th Karmapa 00:13:25 Tulku Urgyen on nature of mind 00:17:20 Dilgo Khyentse’s style of teaching 00:20:44 Former training for realization 00:23:46 Tantras and sutras theatre 00:26:37 Chatral Sangye Dorje 00:27:30 Open-mindedness towards Bodhisattva activity 00:30:12 Outcome of denigrating a bodhisattva 00:36:00 Karmic links with humans and non-humans 00:39:44 Two accumulations 00:42:18 Instantaneous enlightenment 00:44:00 Seeking what makes sense in this life ~ Links: Gomde Denmark https://gomde.dk/   Previous conversations with Erik https://oliviaclementine.com/erik-pema-kunsang-changing-karmic-patterns-studying-reality-being-a-decent-human/   Podcast website & transcript https://oliviaclementine.com/erik-pema-kunsang-stories-of-meditation-masters/  

Kulavadhuta Satpurananda (Khyapababa) was initiated into the secret oral tradition of the great Indian lineage of Buddhist tantra at the age of five. He then spent decades practicing under great Indian gurus and mystics. Kulavadhuta is an artist, teacher and research guide in Buddhism, Tantra, Sufism, and the Indigenous practices of Mystics of India and Tibet. And at the heart is an Avadhuta, one who has transcended worldly concerns and even the dharma.    Time notes: 00:00:00 Introduction 01:05:80 Spiritual matriarchy from birth 0:6:30 Early spiritual experiences 00:10:00 Near-death experiences as a child 00:11:00 Knowledge making him an orphan 00:14:00 Spiritual experience with Baba Ramnath Aghori 00:22:00 Cremation ground practice 00:22:56 Internal conflict around Ma, the divine goddess 00:28:00 Renunciation with  Ma Annandamoyee 00:30:00 Leaving his family and material support, for spiritual life 00:34:00 Museum iconography consultant and designer 00:37:00 Confirmed as an Avadhuta 00:41:00 Self-initiated into Buddhist tantra 00:44:00 Why Vedas are not Khyapababa's cup of tea 00:49:00 Comparing Christian Gnostic, Wrathful Sufi Order, and Leftist Tantra 00:55:00 2 Essences of cremation ground practice 00:57:00 5 Deaths 00:50 Compassionate exorcism 01:03:00 Taking obstacles as the game of life 01:08:00 Life beyond the world and dharmas 01:11:00 Meeting his spiritual partner and marrying at 60 01:15:00 Meaning of a tantric practitioner 01:16:00 On tantric partnership and 5 elemental relationship 01:23:00 Baul traditions historical Siddhas 01:30:00 Ngakpa robes, dreadlocks, and earrings 01:34:00 Non-importance and samadhi 01:38:00 Baba shares a doha by Lalan Shah Fakir of Kushthiya, Bangladesh,19th Century. Lalan made it clear in his teaching songs that Vajrayana came up to Vaishnavism and Sufism to create Sahajiya Bauls of Bengal. His Teachings are pointing out to Voidness and Tantrayoga. 01:38:48 Closing: Khyapababa sings about the Guru   ~    Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Watch here: https://oliviaclementine.com/kunzang-choden-bhutanese-nobility-museum-temple-tour-part-two/ ~ Kunzang Choden, one of Bhutan’s most well-known authors, brings us on a tour of her ancestral home in Bhumtang’s Tang Valley, which was turned into museum. This space offers a first-hand view of daily life for Bhutanese religious nobility during the 19th and 20th centuries. We then go to the main temple and see some of the chapels held in this two-story space dedicated to different deities. ~ If you missed Part One:  An Interview with Kunzang Choden https://oliviaclementine.com/kunzang-choden-bhutanese-heritage-dorji-linga-part-one/ ~ Tour Time Notes: Museum Tour 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:26 Weaving, textiles, ghos and kiras 00:14:46 Trading & Tools 00:17:30 Rice room 00:18:28 Alcohol distillation 00:27:41 Traditional medicine 00:29:27 Altar room 00:30: Origin and History of Ogyen Choling 00:32:00 Printing place 00:34:00 Library of rare books 00:37:45 Masks, Ritual instruments and dress 00:40:00 Family temple   Temple Tour 00:42:00 Tara Temple 00:51:46  Main Temple 00:53:00 Longchenpa, Dorji Lingpa, and geomancy   ~   The Ogyen Choling https://www.oling.bt   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Kunzang Choden is one of Bhutan’s most legendary authors. We meet in Bhutan in the Tang Valley, where Kunzang’s family has lived since the 15th century, land that is tied to the Tibetan yogic master Longchenpa and treasure revealer Dorji Linga.  This is part one of two. To watch the video version, you can visit the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8T0ZqtrBM ~ Time notes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:41 Lineage land and Kings 00:03:47 Treasure revealer Dorji Lingpa 00:10:18 Intense childhood recollections 00:15:00 Intergenerational homelife 00:19:50 Seasonality 00:28:42 Kunzang’s way of writing 00:30:00 Recording dreams 00:32:00 Kuzang’s new memoir   Ogyen Choling https://www.oling.bt   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts  

Todays conversation takes place at Rinpoche's residence in Bhutan, where she shares advice as well as her experiences being an emanation of Vajravarahi, a treasure revealer, diviner, and a manifester of miracles. Rinpoche spends most of her time in the Zhemgang District at her monastery for nuns and monks that is also a home to orphans, elders, physically unable and terminally ill people who want to devote their life to the dharma.   00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:59 Being the Incarnation of Vajravarahi 00:03:45 Intention and Action 00:05:56 Being a female tulku 00:06:38 No shortcuts  00:11:40 Revealing treasures 00:16:47 Why Rinpoche stopped teaching 00:22:00 Pure dharma 00:22:00 Manifesting miracles 00:25:49 Obstacles and karma 00:32:00 Divination through Dreams 00:34:00 Practicing carefully and properly 00:37:00 A message to great masters   Thank you to both Karma Lhazom, who you'll hear offering the English translation of Rinpoche as well as to Tshering Tashi who offered the initial translation during our meeting.   Links Rinpoche and her foundation: https://dorjephagmofoundation.org/about/khandro-dorje-phagmo/   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts   Pearl Garland membership https://www.pearlgarland.com/  

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo is a bhikṣuṇī, author and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India. She also spent twelve years living and practicing in a remote cave in the Himalayas.  Today's timenotes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:17  8th Khamtrul Rinpoche 00:06:45 Togden and togdenma (yogi and yogini) lineage and history 00:8:05 16th Karmapa and Khampagar 00:09:30 Requests leading to the Togdenma revival 00:10:36 Jetsunma's cave retreat in  Lahaul 00:14:15 Finding proper Togdenma mentors 00:21:22 Togden Acho 00:24:24 Becoming officially Togdenma 00:28:31 Khampagar lineage in Tibet 00:31:00 Practice group system 00:33:00 Togdenma practice path and contemporary additions 00:40:00  Full bhikkhunī ordination with HH Je Khenpo. 00:44:35 The four fold sangha   Links: Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo https://tenzinpalmo.com/   Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery https://dglnunnery.com/   Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts

Today’s episode is the final part of three parts ~ 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:49 Signs, visions, dreams 00:12:00 Protector land spirits 00:16:00 Tests, conceptual collapse and faith 00:20:00 Meditation boxes 0023:30 Sky burial 00:28:00 Sri Lanka vipassana reform 00:29:30  Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok and Larung Gar 00:32:00 Modernity, realization and tacit knowledge 00:39:00 Old world preservation 00:43:50 Yidam neuroscience and dilution 00:46:00 Changes in education system 00:49:00 Yogini tulkus and titles 00:57:00 The Gebchak way, peer-pressure and self-responsibility 01:03:00 Becoming a translator 01:07:00 Disrobing 01:10:00 Historical rarity of terms Rigpa and dzogchen 01:12:00 Character of yoginis and aspirations ༓ Listen to Part One here: On Gebchak's History & Yogic Activity in the Realm of the Meditators https://oliviaclementine.com/elizabet... ༓ Listen to Part Two here: On Embodied Practitioners of Tsa-lung Inner Fire & Dzogchen https://oliviaclementine.com/elizabeth-mcdougal-gebchak-yoginis-part-two/ ༓ Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts ~ About Elizabeth Elizabeth McDougal, known also as Tenzin Chozom, grew up in Western Canada and then trained as a Buddhist nun in India and on the Tibetan Plateau for seventeen years. Towards the end of her time as a nun – she studied a Masters of Indian philosophy at Banaras Hindu University and then a PhD (2021) at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on the modernisation of Tibetan Buddhist practice lineages and on pedagogy as a crucial bridge in translating pre-modern wisdom traditions to the modern world. Elizabeth currently lives in Australia with her human and animal family where she lectures at Nan Tien Institute in applied Buddhist studies. She continues to serve as a Tibetan-to-English translator for Gebchak Wangdrak Rinpoche and other practice lineage lamas. Elizabeth published a book in 2024 called “The Words and World of Gebchak Nunnery: Tantric Meditation in Context.” Images included: 1: Of two Gebchak yoginis by Jerome Raphalen 2: Yoginis looking out in ceremony to a sacred feminine vulva form in the landscape

Today’s episode is part two of three parts. ~ Time notes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:15 Subtle body, mind and prana 00:11:30 Yidam and reflections of the universe 00:13:40 Tsa-lung and trulkhor 00:18:51 Modernization influence on dedication, asceticism and health. 00:24:00 Chu Rey, wet sheet ceremony 00:31:00 Tsa-lung lama Jamtsen Chodron 00:33:40 Chudlen retreats 00:37:00 Mundane and sacred, collective and individual 00:39:00 Togal and trekchod 100 day winter practice 00:46:00 On memorization and reading as a means of realization 00:50:00 Tantric practice form of learning 01:00:00  Yogin Pema Dorje and a song of devotion 01:06:00 Yogin Pema Drimed 01:13:00 Sherab Zangmo and Urgyen Chodron 01:16:00 Sky burial 01:21:00 Recognizing signs 01:24:00 Cultivating a whole person ༓ Listen to Part One here: On Gebchak's History & Yogic Activity in the Realm of the Meditators https://oliviaclementine.com/elizabeth-mcdougal-the-gebchak-yoginis-part-one/   About Elizabeth: Elizabeth McDougal, known also as Tenzin Chozom, grew up in Western Canada and then trained as a Buddhist nun in India and on the Tibetan Plateau for seventeen years. Towards the end of her time as a nun – she studied a Masters of Indian philosophy at Banaras Hindu University and then a PhD (2021) at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on the modernisation of Tibetan Buddhist practice lineages and on pedagogy as a crucial bridge in translating pre-modern wisdom traditions to the modern world. Elizabeth currently lives in Australia with her human and animal family where she lectures at Nan Tien Institute in applied Buddhist studies. She continues to serve as a Tibetan-to-English translator for Gebchak Wangdrak Rinpoche and other practice lineage lamas. Elizabeth published a book in 2024 called “The Words and World of Gebchak Nunnery: Tantric Meditation in Context.”  

Today's episode is part one of three parts that will be shared over the coming weeks.  Time notes: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:51 Elizabeth’s early years at Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s retreat place, and about the Togdens and Togdenmas 00:07:14 What led Elizabeth to Gebchak gonpa. 00:09:00 The initial meeting between Wandrak Rinpoche and the Gebchak yoginis 00:15:00 How Elizabeth spent her time at Gebchak gonpa 00:18:40 Nangchen as a fertile ground for yogis 00:23:00 Gebchak founder Tsang-Yang Gyamtso & the Rime period 00:29:37 The way of the yogin scholar 00:37:00 The first Tsokyni Rinpoche's, vision  00:44:00 Karma mudra and the early years at Gebchak with yogins and yoginis 00:55:00 Origin and preservation of practice texts at Gebchak 00:56:00 The yogini Sherab Zangmo 00:59:00 Rebuilding Gebchak 01:05:00 The Royal Family 01:08:00 Gebchak practice path 01:15:00 16 retreat divisions and yidam accomplishment 01:28:00 Typical day during drubchen periods 01:34:00 Typical day outside drubchen ~ About Elizabeth: Elizabeth McDougal, known also as Tenzin Chozom, grew up in Western Canada and then trained as a Buddhist nun in India and on the Tibetan Plateau for seventeen years. Towards the end of her time as a nun – she studied a Masters of Indian philosophy at Banaras Hindu University and then a PhD (2021) at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on the modernisation of Tibetan Buddhist practice lineages and on pedagogy as a crucial bridge in translating pre-modern wisdom traditions to the modern world. Elizabeth currently lives in Australia with her human and animal family where she lectures at Nan Tien Institute in applied Buddhist studies. She continues to serve as a Tibetan-to-English translator for Gebchak Wangdrak Rinpoche and other practice lineage lamas.  Elizabeth published a book in 2024 called "The Words and World of Gebchak Nunnery: Tantric Meditation in Context." ~ Podcast website & transcripts https://oliviaclementine.com/podcasts