May 19, 2007

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche


Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche was born in Bhutan in 1961, and was recognized as the main incarnation of the Khyentse lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He has studied with some of the greatest contemporary masters, particularly H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

From a young age he has been active for the preservation of the Buddhist teaching, establishing centers of learning, supporting practitioners, publishing books and teaching all over the world. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche supervises his traditional seat of Dzongsar Monastery and its retreat centers in Eastern Tibet, as well as his new colleges in India and Bhutan. He has also has established centers in Australia, North America and the Far East.


Khyentse Lineage

In Tibetan Buddhism there is a widespread tradition of recognizing the reincarnations of highly realized teachers, as their dedication to others compels them to be reborn in human society. Such reincarnations are called 'tulkus', which means someone whose rebirth is motivated by compassion. These tulkus will usually carry on the responsibilities of their previous life or lives, and work to uphold the theoretical and experiential heritage. Such tulkus are the Khyentses.

Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo
Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo [1820-1892] was widely renowned as a master of all the Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Studying in his younger years with over 150 teachers, he entered a life-long retreat to practice all the teachings he had received. Regarded as someone who embodied the highest realization, from his retreat he would guide his students, as well as write extensively, seeking to preserve all the spiritual lineages of Tibet, an approach known as the "Rimé" or unbiased movement.

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö [1894-1959] was recognized as the main incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, and continued his work, teaching and writing extensively, becoming the teacher of most of the great Sakya, Kagyü and Nyingma lamas. The present main incarnation of Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö is Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

May 11, 2007

Faith tree of Buddhism not keeping well

Source: NewKerala.Com

Bodh Gaya, May 10 : The Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, which is sacred to millions the world over since Lord Buddha attained enlightenment there about 2,550 years ago, is threatened by an unknown disease.

"Hundreds of fresh leaves of the holy tree are falling off daily like never before. Something is wrong with the tree," said a monk at the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, about 100 km from Bihar's state capital Patna.

The Bodhi tree grew from the original banyan tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It stands behind the Mahabodhi temple. In 2002, UNESCO declared the Mahabodhi temple a World Heritage SiteSources in Bodh Gaya said plant scientist A.K. Singh had suggested some corrective measures after examining the tree.

"He had reportedly warned that the tree is undernourished and lacks required moisture level around the roots," a source said.

But Gaya district officials are reluctant to speak in detail on what afflicts the tree. "A.K. Singh had suggested some measures like additional nutrients for the tree," Gaya District Magistrate Jitendra Srivastava told IANS.Last week, the Gaya administration again sought the help of A.K. Singh to check the rapid fall of fresh leaves. Only two years ago scientists had saved the Bodhi tree from a disease, when the leaves started turning black and dull."The tree grew new leaves after three years of treatment by scientists," an official said.Hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims from around the world carry back leaves from the tree.Last year, miscreants cut off a branch of the tree.According to an official of the Mahabodhi temple, the Bodhi tree was the sixth regeneration of the original banyan tree.

--- IANS