Conclusion of the Gyalwang Karmapa’s Gunchö Teachings Day 10: Teachings on One Hundred Short Instructions
The Gyalwang Karmapa completed the transmission of the chapter on Vast and Profound Light: Instructions on the Two Types of Bodhichitta According to the Founders of the Two Traditions by reading Mikyo Dorje’s post meditation instructions.
Enhancing Bodhichitta— Day 9: Teachings on One Hundred Short Instructions
During the teaching today, the Gyalwang Karmapa gave the monks the oral transmission and practice instructions for the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje’s Four Session Guru Yoga, the practice recited over loudspeakers across the Garchen last thing each evening at 10.00pm.
First, however, His Holiness read a short section from Mikyö Dorje’s text, continuing the instructions on how to increase bodhichitta. The whole chapter can be understood as an extensive Guru Yoga practice, with a visualisation of the gurus in front of you, and continuous supplication of them. Within this section, the instructions on tonglen meditation continue.
Generating Bodhichitta— Day 7 and 8: Teachings on One Hundred Short Instructions
The Gyalwang Karmapa began as usual with the command: Please arouse Bodhichitta and listen to the teaching.
Having covered the common preliminary meditations which form the basis for all further Dharma practice in previous sessions, on Sunday [Day 7] the section on the actual practice of arousing bodhichitta began.
The text explains that you should develop aspirational bodhichitta then take the Bodhisattva vows with engaged bodhichitta. But first come detailed instructions on several meditations to prepare the mind. The whole text is an extended Guru Yoga, and, thus, at each stage there is a supplication to the Guru for his blessings in order to accomplish the practice.
The Common Preliminaries are the Foundation of Dharma Practice – Day 6: Teachings on One Hundred Short Instructions
The theme of karma cause and effect begun yesterday continued.
The first meditation concerned all aspects of karma cause and effect combined.
The meditation begins with a reflection on how, lifetime after lifetime, we have clung to our bodies, our possessions, our families and friends, ignoring impermanence and the certainty of death, only to be reborn again in the lower realms, not knowing how to free ourselves from the prison of samsara. Having accepted that our lives are impermanent, we should then use contemplation and meditation to develop certitude that karmic cause and effect is infallible.
When we consider our own self-clinging, we should contemplate how we have been deceived by this mistaken view from beginningless time, and then resolve to completely eliminate self-cherishing.
The Law of Karma Cause and Effect is Inescapable – Day 5: Teachings on One Hundred Short Instructions
Hundreds of monks and laypeople packed into the shrine room to listen to the Gyalwang Karmapa continue his transmission of the chapter on Vast and Profound Light: Instructions on the Two Types of Bodhichitta According to the Founders of the Two Traditions . As they waited, they chanted Karmapa Khyenno. Then the sound of the gyalins heralded the Karmapa’s descent from his quarters on the roof of the monastery and an expectant hush fell.
Having prostrated three times, the Karmapa mounted the throne, and after recitation of the prayer requesting the teaching and the short mandala offering, the teachings recommenced.
Yesterday’s focus had been that having realised the priceless opportunity we have in our precious human life, and knowing that this life is impermanent, we should be inspired to practice Dharma wholeheartedly without delay.
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