During our first cycle of work, from October 2004 to July 2006, our primary texts were Dakpo Tashi
Namgyal's "Clarifying the Natural State" and Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, "Crystal Clear:
Practical Advice for Mahamudra Meditators". At Thrangu Rinpoche's request we also studied
Shantideva's "Way Of the Boddhisattva" using several different English translations in parallel.
During our second cycle of work, from September 2006-May 2007, our primary text was Thrangu
Rinpoche's commentary on "Pointing Out the Dharmakaya", a short Tibetan text on Mahamudra
practice by the Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556-1603). We are pleased to have hosted the
Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche in Austin; Rinpoche taught a two day retreat program for
more experienced Buddhist practitioners on August 5-6, 2006 based on "Pointing Out the
Dharmakaya". At Rinpoche's request, participation in the second cycle of the study group was
limited to people from the retreat program.
Our third cycle started in September 2007, and Thrangu Rinpoche asked us to base this cycle on
his new commentary on the long root text by Wangchuk Dorje called "An Ocean of the Ultimate
Meaning", available from Namo Buddha Publications and other online sources. We also read his
other commentary on the same text titled "The Ninth Karmapa's Ocean of Definitive Meaning" which
is available in its entirety online or in printed form from Snow Lion Publications.
Our fourth cycle of work started in October 2008 and was based on two very short Mahamudra
texts that Thrangu Rinpoche taught in his June 2008 Crestone Retreat Program. These texts were
two versions of "The Amulet Mahamudra" by Thangtong Gyalpo and Taranatha respectively.
Our fifth cycle of work started in October 2009 and was based on Dakpo Tashi Namgyal's
"Clarifying the Natural State" and Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, "Crystal Clear: Practical Advice
for Mahamudra Meditators".
Suggested Prerequisites For Mahamudra Practice Group
The work of this group presumes you already have a regular Buddhist meditation practice. This
group also assumes you have received instruction in, and have personal experience with, both
shamatha and vipashyana meditation as taught in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. We expect to
schedule a phone call with prospective members to make sure they understand how this group
works.
Namgyal's "Clarifying the Natural State" and Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, "Crystal Clear:
Practical Advice for Mahamudra Meditators". At Thrangu Rinpoche's request we also studied
Shantideva's "Way Of the Boddhisattva" using several different English translations in parallel.
During our second cycle of work, from September 2006-May 2007, our primary text was Thrangu
Rinpoche's commentary on "Pointing Out the Dharmakaya", a short Tibetan text on Mahamudra
practice by the Ninth Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje (1556-1603). We are pleased to have hosted the
Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche in Austin; Rinpoche taught a two day retreat program for
more experienced Buddhist practitioners on August 5-6, 2006 based on "Pointing Out the
Dharmakaya". At Rinpoche's request, participation in the second cycle of the study group was
limited to people from the retreat program.
Our third cycle started in September 2007, and Thrangu Rinpoche asked us to base this cycle on
his new commentary on the long root text by Wangchuk Dorje called "An Ocean of the Ultimate
Meaning", available from Namo Buddha Publications and other online sources. We also read his
other commentary on the same text titled "The Ninth Karmapa's Ocean of Definitive Meaning" which
is available in its entirety online or in printed form from Snow Lion Publications.
Our fourth cycle of work started in October 2008 and was based on two very short Mahamudra
texts that Thrangu Rinpoche taught in his June 2008 Crestone Retreat Program. These texts were
two versions of "The Amulet Mahamudra" by Thangtong Gyalpo and Taranatha respectively.
Our fifth cycle of work started in October 2009 and was based on Dakpo Tashi Namgyal's
"Clarifying the Natural State" and Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, "Crystal Clear: Practical Advice
for Mahamudra Meditators".
Suggested Prerequisites For Mahamudra Practice Group
The work of this group presumes you already have a regular Buddhist meditation practice. This
group also assumes you have received instruction in, and have personal experience with, both
shamatha and vipashyana meditation as taught in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. We expect to
schedule a phone call with prospective members to make sure they understand how this group
works.
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Last updated: 17 Aug 10
| "I think that it is of far greater importance than the experience of dramatic instantaneous pointing out that people be taught mahamudra as a full system of instruction that they can implement on their own gradually through diligent application using any one of the three texts by the Ninth Gyalwang Karmapa - An Ocean of the Ultimate Meaning, Eliminating the Darkness of Ignorance, or Pointing Out the Dharmakaya - or one of the two texts by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal - Moonbeams of Mahamudra or Clarifyng the Natural State." - Thrangu Rinpoche |
About Vajra Vidya Austin
Vajra Vidya Austin is a Tibetan Buddhist meditation group under the direction of
the Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. We have been meeting weekly
since 2004 as an ongoing mahamudra practice group.
Our core work is progressive mahamudra meditation practice. Our work
frequently uses the online practice guide published by the Mahamudra
Meditation Center, which also publishes an excellent bibliography.
Vajra Vidya Austin is a Tibetan Buddhist meditation group under the direction of
the Venerable Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. We have been meeting weekly
since 2004 as an ongoing mahamudra practice group.
Our core work is progressive mahamudra meditation practice. Our work
frequently uses the online practice guide published by the Mahamudra
Meditation Center, which also publishes an excellent bibliography.