From: CASonline-owner@yahoogroups.com
Date: 06/24/06 23:33:46
To: CASonline
Subject: [CASonline] The Great Drikung Phowa --
 
 
 
Dear Friends @ CASonline of Thousand-Arm Chenrezig,
 
We are so happy and honoured to announce the coming important, rare and precious programme of the Great Drikung Kagyu Phowa -- traditionally taught publicly only once in twelve years -- with beloved Khenpo Rangdol.
 
Details of the programme is in the attachment and scanned-confirmed virus-free.
 
Do please give all your prayers that programme will be of greatest good to all.
 
With every regards and wishes,
 
bb & other ghostly figures @ CAS of Thousand-Arm Chenrezig
 
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Khenpo Rangdol
holds Abbotship of one of Tibet's most celebrated and ancient monastic institution, the main Drikung Kagyu institute in-exile. He is a widely-demanded Teacher in Europe and is Guest Professor cum Scholar-Translator at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He is a close student of HH the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, Supreme Head of the precious Drikung Kagyu Lineage.
 
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We have extracted the below information from the sources via the internet about the Great Drikung Phowa:
 
 
Jag-tshug-ma: The Great Drikung Phowa

"Phowa" is a Tibetan word meaning transference. In particular the type of transference referred to here is the transference of consciousness at the time of death. The Drikung Kagyu tradition of Phowa can be traced back over one thousand years to the great master Padmasambhava in ancient India. It was written down and hidden as a treasure by the great accomplished female master Yeshe Tsoygal. Discovered hundreds of years later, it became integrated into the Drikung Kagyu lineage. It is said that the blessings from this particular practice are limitless, for so many great realized saints have practiced it. In the practice one generates oneself as Vajrayogini and transfers one's consciousness to the heart of Buddha Amitabha, liberating oneself into the Pure Realm of Great Bliss, Sukavati. It is said that if one truly has faith in this practice, then the practice of Phowa is one of the easiest ways to attain a wonderful rebirth.

It is very important and beneficial for those who utilize these sacred practices to have the empowerments, reading transmissions, and oral instructions on how to do them. These can be received from a spiritual teacher who holds the transmissions of these empowerments and teachings. Thus to fully benefit, to dispel any obstacles, and to receive the blessings for these practices it is highly recommended that the aforementioned are first obtained.
Marpa Lotsawa said, "From now, if you study Phowa, purify, purify time and time again. Then, at that time, when death is approaching, you will know no despair. If, beforehand, you have become accustomed to this Path of Phowa, then at the time of death you will be full of cheerful confidence."

The Drikung Phowa lineage, whose Tibetan name "Jaktshukma" means "the standing grass blade," is one of the most powerful and precious Phowa practices still taught today. In the eighth century, an important minister of King Trisong Detsen named Nyima was in the process of moving. While packing some belongings by the light of a lantern, a small spark caused a fire that instantly burned down the whole palace, killing thirteen people including his parents. Many animals also perished in the fire. The king wanted to ease the suffering of his minister and went to request the help of Padmasambhava. Padamasambhava, accepting the king's request, then journeyed to Dewachen to see Amitabha. He asked Amitabha to give a special teaching to free the victims of the fire, as well as all other beings, from suffering. Buddha Amitabha gave this particular Phowa teaching to Padmasambhava, who then gave it to his minister. Nyima subsequently gave up all worldly activities and devoted himself to the practice of Phowa. After some time, the minister reached the accomplishment of this practice, and at the time of his death, many miraculous signs appeared. These teachings were then hidden as terma, rediscovered, and propagated a few hundred years later, and are presently upheld in an unbroken lineage through the Drikung masters.
 
The Drikung Kagyu Order
is famous for its ability to successfully transfer the power of the
Phowa meditation to initiated and devoted practitioners who practice
it. Thus, the Phowa transmission given by the Drikung Lamas came to be
known as the 'Drikung Phowa Chen-mo' - the Great Drikung Phowa. The
Drikung Phowa became so powerful that it became a tradition in Tibet
to have a Drikung Phowa Ch'en-mo ceremony every twelve years at
Dro-ngor Sum-dho at Drikung in central Tibet. The fame of this Phowa
continued to spread as thousands of participants would experience the
signs of the Phowa during the 'Lung' (Blessing Transmission) given by
a head Lama of Drikung Kagyu. Due to the accumulated energy of the
lineage and the blessing of the teaching itself, the qualified Lama is
able to directly transfer the blessings of this practice to the pure
and devoted disciples who can experience the signs very quickly. When
one has received any of the signs of the Phowa meditation, then one is
considered to be prepared to enter into the Buddha-field of Amitabha
Buddha (Dewa-chen) at the time of death. It is taught that one does
not return to the samsaric realms after having entered Dewa-chen and
that one can quickly achieve Enlightenment.  Because of all this, the
Drikung Phowa is becoming particularly relevant in these times simply
because in today's society we do not have the time nor the
circumstances to walk the spiritual path of the Dharma as did our
predecessors in the past. We desperately need a spiritual path that is
simple, relevant, and direct, enabling us to transform the stresses
and pace of modern life into a vital force that cuts through
materialism and attachment to worldly phenomenal, and awakens in us
the realization of our Buddha-natures.

 
The Drikung Phowa meditations is simple and yet powerful. We have
the same opportunity as did the thousands of people in Tibet to master
the Phowa practice, enabling us to transform the experience of death,
which is a certainty, into a passage to the realization of Dewa-ch'en
(Blissful, Pure Land). Today, we have the blessings and special permission
of His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon, the Vaira-regent of Lord Jigten Sumgon
who is the incarnation of Chenrezig, to Khenpo Rangdol for transmission and
teaching of this most famous and precious of Phowas.
 
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The Jewel Ornament of Liberation
forms the spinal-core of the Buddha's Teachings. It covers every major topics throughout the entire spectrum of the holy Dharma, HH the Dalai Lama frequently praised the unique presentation of the text. This is the second time CAS of the Thousand-Arm Chenrezig has hosted teaching of this precious text, the first time being with the 100th Ganden Trisur Rinpoche in Singapore, in year 2000.
Khenpo Rangdol will complete the entire text in structured stages over the next 2 years.
 
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