Last Saturday, 8 June, Lama Jampa resumed his teaching on Sakya Pandita’s ‘Discriminating the Three Vows’, continuing with the section on the vajrayana. Topics covered included the meaning and practice of mahamudra meditation, as outlined in the source texts, the tantras, and communicated through the teachings and songs of great masters. The text also emphasises the necessity of receiving vajrayana initiation, as through this, the appropriate connection is made with the relevant meditation deity and one has a basis for cultivating this through subsequent practice.
Another point made was on the nature of realisation and the qualities associated with this. When the text was composed there were those who claimed that, whilst one may have true realisation, the qualities - such as being able to travel to many buddha realms - will not be displayed until after death. This would be similar to saying that whilst the sun is in the sky, the rays will show tomorrow!
Gaining clarity on these points means that we don’t mistake temporary experiences for true realisation, we understand what’s needed for practice to work, and we will not be tricked by those who assert that they are enlightened when this is not the case. In short, we can travel the path to buddhahood with greater knowledge and confidence.
In the afternoon, Lama Jampa bestowed the initiation of Green Tara. Green Tara is known as the mother of all buddhas, as she is the embodiment of the wisdom of all the buddhas. As the princess Jnanachandra, she made a vow to remain in female form, to demonstrate the possibility of achieving enlightenment as a woman. This initiation was bestowed directly by Tara to the Kashmiri master, Shakya Shribhadra, and has been transmitted in an unbroken line through the Sakya tradition.
Lama Jampa will return to Bristol in the autumn to continue teachings on this important text.