HuffPost blogger Matteo Pistono is writing regularly from the Dalai Lama's "Kalachakra for World Peace" event in Washington D.C., running July 6-16. Scroll down to read all of Matteo's updates.
What is the Kalachakra?
The Kalachakra refers to a corpus of tantric Buddhist teachings, as well as a specific tantric Buddhist deity.
With regards to the body of teachings, the Kalachakra is set of tantric Buddhist practices and teachings that include philosophy, meditation instructions, cosmology, medicine, and yoga. The Kalachakra is one of a number of different systems taught in tantric Buddhism in Tibet, all of which originated in India.
Tantric Buddhism, which can also be called Vajrayana, is the principal stream of Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia (whereas, generally speaking, Theravada Buddhism predominates Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma, and Mahayana Buddhism is prevalent in China, Vietnam, Japan and Korea). Tantra is based on the principle of the transformation of impure perception into pure perception. Utilizing visualization of deities and mandalas, recitation of sacred syllables known as mantra, and meditation brings about such pure perception. It is believed that through such practices, one's ordinary outlook can be fundamentally transformed into a 'sacred perception,' where all sights, sounds and even thoughts, are experienced purely in their true nature.
The ultimate point to the skillful methods found in tantra is to transform the mind and mature one's innate wisdom and compassion. The Dalai Lama has said, "Buddhism is not about rituals, mantras, visualizations, or ceremonies. They may be part of it, but the fundamental point of Buddhism is to transform the mind."
To practice the Kalachakra, as with all tantric teachings, consistent guidance by a qualified master is required. Central to this guidance is an empowerment, or initiation, into the various visualizations of deities and mandalas, mantra recitation and all associated practices. Empowerment is analogous to the manner in which an unlit candle is poised to illuminate a dark room but requires the condition of another flame. In a similar manner, when a qualified master conducts an empowerment, the student's spiritual potential can be ignited which allows their indwelling wisdom and compassion to shine forth.
Sometimes Kalachakra refers to the specific tantric deity. Kalachakra is a widely studied and practiced deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Tantric deities, of whom there is a wide variety, are believed to represent various aspects of the enlightened mind. For example, the Dalai Lama is said to be the human manifestation of the tantric deity, Avalokiteshvara, commonly referred to as the Buddha of Compassion. Practitioners of a specific tantric deity utilize complex visualization, mantra recitation, and concentration, to cultivate positive inner qualities in such as way that they will become manifest for the benefit of others.
Wednesday 7/6: The Dalai Lama Arrives for Two Week Visit
The Dalai Lama arrived yesterday in the nation's capital and will spend much of the next two weeks (July 6-16) at the Verizon Center conducting rituals and prayers for world peace, and imparting Tibetan Buddhist teachings. The Dalai Lama is also expected to have meetings with U.S. government leaders.
Events on July 6 will include a birthday celebration for the 76 year-old Tibetan leader. Martin King, son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, will join the celebration.
On July 9, the Dalai Lama will give "A Talk for World Peace"on the West Lawn of the National Mall. Whoopi Goldberg will emcee the event, which will include chanting by monks from Namgyal Monastery, performances by cellist Michael Fitzpatrick and singer Skylar Gray.
July 9-11, the Dalai Lama will present the foundations of Buddhist philosophy and ethics, and from July 12-15, he will bestow the empowerment of the Kalachakra, one of the principal tantric practices found in Tibetan Buddhism. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend daily. See here for a schedule of events from July 6-16. A live web cast will be offered (with English and Chinese translation) here.
The Capital Area Tibetan Association (CATA) is organizing the event, along with the greater Tibetan community in the U.S. Mongolians, Kalmyks, and the peoples of the Himalayan regions are also expected to attend.
In addition, a full array of events highlighting Tibetan Buddhism and culture will be held at different locations in Washington and Northern Virginia. These include a display of Kalachakra materials from the Tibetan Collection at the Library of Congress, films, performances by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, and concerts. Evening lectures on Tibetan Buddhist topics will be given by leading Tibetan Buddhist lamas and scholars at the 6th and I Historic Synagogue.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matteo..._b_891011.html
Attachments - Sikh Philosophy Network
More...
What is the Kalachakra?
The Kalachakra refers to a corpus of tantric Buddhist teachings, as well as a specific tantric Buddhist deity.
With regards to the body of teachings, the Kalachakra is set of tantric Buddhist practices and teachings that include philosophy, meditation instructions, cosmology, medicine, and yoga. The Kalachakra is one of a number of different systems taught in tantric Buddhism in Tibet, all of which originated in India.
Tantric Buddhism, which can also be called Vajrayana, is the principal stream of Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan, and Mongolia (whereas, generally speaking, Theravada Buddhism predominates Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma, and Mahayana Buddhism is prevalent in China, Vietnam, Japan and Korea). Tantra is based on the principle of the transformation of impure perception into pure perception. Utilizing visualization of deities and mandalas, recitation of sacred syllables known as mantra, and meditation brings about such pure perception. It is believed that through such practices, one's ordinary outlook can be fundamentally transformed into a 'sacred perception,' where all sights, sounds and even thoughts, are experienced purely in their true nature.
The ultimate point to the skillful methods found in tantra is to transform the mind and mature one's innate wisdom and compassion. The Dalai Lama has said, "Buddhism is not about rituals, mantras, visualizations, or ceremonies. They may be part of it, but the fundamental point of Buddhism is to transform the mind."
To practice the Kalachakra, as with all tantric teachings, consistent guidance by a qualified master is required. Central to this guidance is an empowerment, or initiation, into the various visualizations of deities and mandalas, mantra recitation and all associated practices. Empowerment is analogous to the manner in which an unlit candle is poised to illuminate a dark room but requires the condition of another flame. In a similar manner, when a qualified master conducts an empowerment, the student's spiritual potential can be ignited which allows their indwelling wisdom and compassion to shine forth.
Sometimes Kalachakra refers to the specific tantric deity. Kalachakra is a widely studied and practiced deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Tantric deities, of whom there is a wide variety, are believed to represent various aspects of the enlightened mind. For example, the Dalai Lama is said to be the human manifestation of the tantric deity, Avalokiteshvara, commonly referred to as the Buddha of Compassion. Practitioners of a specific tantric deity utilize complex visualization, mantra recitation, and concentration, to cultivate positive inner qualities in such as way that they will become manifest for the benefit of others.
Wednesday 7/6: The Dalai Lama Arrives for Two Week Visit
The Dalai Lama arrived yesterday in the nation's capital and will spend much of the next two weeks (July 6-16) at the Verizon Center conducting rituals and prayers for world peace, and imparting Tibetan Buddhist teachings. The Dalai Lama is also expected to have meetings with U.S. government leaders.
Events on July 6 will include a birthday celebration for the 76 year-old Tibetan leader. Martin King, son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, will join the celebration.
On July 9, the Dalai Lama will give "A Talk for World Peace"on the West Lawn of the National Mall. Whoopi Goldberg will emcee the event, which will include chanting by monks from Namgyal Monastery, performances by cellist Michael Fitzpatrick and singer Skylar Gray.
July 9-11, the Dalai Lama will present the foundations of Buddhist philosophy and ethics, and from July 12-15, he will bestow the empowerment of the Kalachakra, one of the principal tantric practices found in Tibetan Buddhism. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend daily. See here for a schedule of events from July 6-16. A live web cast will be offered (with English and Chinese translation) here.
The Capital Area Tibetan Association (CATA) is organizing the event, along with the greater Tibetan community in the U.S. Mongolians, Kalmyks, and the peoples of the Himalayan regions are also expected to attend.
In addition, a full array of events highlighting Tibetan Buddhism and culture will be held at different locations in Washington and Northern Virginia. These include a display of Kalachakra materials from the Tibetan Collection at the Library of Congress, films, performances by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, and concerts. Evening lectures on Tibetan Buddhist topics will be given by leading Tibetan Buddhist lamas and scholars at the 6th and I Historic Synagogue.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matteo..._b_891011.html
Attachments - Sikh Philosophy Network
More...