Tag: Buddha Nature

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Student's Question

Not Self – If the Self doesn’t exist what would motive people to meditate?

A student writes: If the self is non-existent, what motivates people to meditate and do things such as this training course? Lama Shenpen responds: Do I ever say that the self is non-existent? What the Buddha always taught was that what was impermanent, unsatisfactory and not as we wanted it, could not be the Self. The Self, in this context, is the one who wants … Continue reading Not Self – If the Self doesn’t exist what would motive people to meditate?

Awakened Heart Sangha
Lama Shenpen Teaching

Lama Shenpen in Conversation on Buddha Nature

A few weeks ago Lama Shenpen was live in conversation with Lopen Dr Karma Phuntsho of the Tsadra Foundation’s Buddha-Nature initiative, discussing the deep topic of Buddha Nature, which can now be viewed on YouTube and above. On the Tsadra’s Buddha-Nature resource website, it also has created several handy, short clips divided into topics which can be viewed here. Continue reading Lama Shenpen in Conversation on Buddha Nature

Awakened Heart Sangha
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Student's Question

Lama Shenpen advises a student who is struggling with feeling there’s no point or purpose to their being

Our purpose is to hang on in there, trusting that our True Nature hasn’t actually changed, that how it manifests is not how it is and that although the pain of not being able to recognise that True Nature seems endless and hopeless, actually it is spurring us on to abandon what is false and open to what is real. Continue reading Lama Shenpen advises a student who is struggling with feeling there’s no point or purpose to their being

Awakened Heart Sangha
Student's Question

What does it mean to meet the Buddha ‘face to face’?

Another way of thinking of what meeting Buddhas face to face means is to actually break through the limitations of our present conception of time and space. The tradition says that this is actually possible and is a genuine experience that arises for the Bodhisattva at a certain stage of his or her progress towards Enlightenment. Continue reading What does it mean to meet the Buddha ‘face to face’?

Awakened Heart Sangha
Article, Lama Shenpen Teaching

Long read article: Who was Queen Shrimala and Why is the Shrimaladevi Sutra important?

The Shrimaladevi Sutra is a very important source for our tradition that goes right back to a person who lived at the time of Shakyamuni. It is great that that person is actually a woman and not a monastic.  That feels very refreshing somehow. I don’t say that because I am a woman particularly. I think everyone, men and women, like to see that it is not just men and not just monastics that are powerful practitioners… Continue reading Long read article: Who was Queen Shrimala and Why is the Shrimaladevi Sutra important?

Awakened Heart Sangha
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Student's Question

How should we interpret the word ‘Chitta’ – the heart-mind – as we take our understanding and practice deeper?

‘Mind’, ‘heart’ and ‘awareness’ all work in various contexts – but not in a particularly precise way – but look out for when mind seems to be taking you into your head and thinking… Continue reading How should we interpret the word ‘Chitta’ – the heart-mind – as we take our understanding and practice deeper?

Awakened Heart Sangha
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Lama Shenpen Teaching

We already have within ourselves the power to Awaken

The process of Awakening relies on the fact that we already have within ourselves the power to Awaken and that power is none other than the power of the truth.  The more open and honest we are, the more that truth reveals itself and the more we experience its inherent wisdom and compassion.

What we do not realize is that all that wisdom and compassion is emanating from the nature of reality itself, the reality to which the Buddha Awakened.  Continue reading We already have within ourselves the power to Awaken

Loshi
Lama Shenpen Teaching, Video Teaching

Video: Lama Shenpen Teaching on Buddha Nature

Lama Shenpen gave a teaching a few weeks ago from The Hermitage in North Wales, on Buddha Nature. Watch below or on our YouTube channel. Her next teaching will be given on Saturday 28th September. The teaching can be attended in person in North Wales or watched live online via Zoom. Full details about how to book or attend online are on the event page … Continue reading Video: Lama Shenpen Teaching on Buddha Nature

Loshi
Lama Shenpen Teaching, Video Teaching

Video: Lama Shenpen Interview on The Yogini Project

The Yogini Project have released a preview interview with Lama Shenpen, conducted a few years ago in Boudhanath, Nepal at Tekchokling nunnery. In this wonderful short talks Lama talks about when her teacher Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche introduced her to teachings on  Buddha Nature and how this helped to connect her to devotional practices such as praying: Continue reading Video: Lama Shenpen Interview on The Yogini Project

Awakened Heart Sangha