Mindfulness Meditation · Stress Management
This week’s meditation session is led by Khangser Rinpoche and the theme is Stress Management.
Flying Naga; Nepal or Tibet; 14th century; Gilt copper alloy; repoussé; 13 1/4 × 15 3/4 × 2 1/8 in.; Rubin Museum of Art; Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2005.16.18
Vajrasattva is viewed as the primordial teacher (adi guru). In tantric practice, one’s teacher is the Buddha, and through identification with the teacher, the practitioner attains Buddhahood.
Vajrasattva appears not as a humble monk, as did Buddha Shakyamuni in his time on earth, but in a heavenly form. His perfect, supple body sways gracefully at the waist; his round arms are held dancelike; his jewels and sacred threads denote inner and outer purity; and a crown signifies his achievement. The identifying tools, or attributes, of Vajrasattva are a vajra scepter and a bell. In this image, the bell is stilled against his hip, signifying spaciousness and clarity of mind, without attachment to thoughts. This wisdom principle is identified as female.
The highly venerated 8th Khangser Rinpoche, Tenzin Tsultrim Palden, was born in Kathmandu, Nepal in May 1975. At the age of 5, he was recognized as the reincarnation of 7th Khangser Rinpoche, who was one of the three high lamas (Keutsang Rinpoche, Khangser Rinpoche, Phurchok Rinpoche) responsible for searching the 14th reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Khangser Rinpoche started basic study of Buddhist philosophy in the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, Dharamsala. Thereafter, he completed advanced Buddhist studies on sutra and tantra in Sera Jey Monastery, Karnataka, and Gyuto Tantric Monastic University in India, where he obtained Geshe Lharampa (equivalent to a PhD) and a Doctorate Degree in tantra, both with highest honors among the top division.
Khangser Rinpoche teaches Buddhist philosophy at Sera Jey Monastic University, one of the three great Gelugpa monastic universities. In 2012, he established the Dipankara Buddhist Organization to to convey the practice of mind training all over the world.
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