Aro04: Part 2 - Question and Answer Series 2

Interview with Nyima o-Zer Khandro and Ngak'chang Rinpoche, recorded in Alameda, California, in October 2010. An introduction to the subject of Tantra in Tibetan Buddhism, including symbolism, devotion, and the role of the teacher. (01:44) ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Aro04: Part 1 - Question and Answer Series 2

Interview with Nyima o-Zer Khandro and Ngak'chang Rinpoche, recorded in Alameda, California, in October 2010. A detailed discussion of Karma from the view of Vajrayana. (01:42) ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Aro03: Part 5 - Question and Answer Series 1

The final podcast of this series continues the discussion with karma, in particular with reference to the impulse towards anger, the life of Milarépa, and common misunderstandings of what is meant by karma within Buddhism. (36:43) ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Aro03: Part 4 - Question and Answer Series 1

In the first question in this podcast Tröma Rig’tsal asks for an explanation of Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s use of the term ‘self-existent morality’ and the role that ethics has in the life of a practitioner. Next, Tröma Rig’tsal asks why Ngak’chang Rinpoche writes that ‘... kindness is our strongest link to the non-dual state’. Karma, what it is and what it isn’t, is the final question that Ngak’chang Rinpoche answers. (32:37) ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Aro03: Part 3 - Question and Answer Series 1

This podcast opens with a question concerning Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s use of language within teachings, specifically Rinpoche’s preference to avoid using the term ‘ego’ when referring to the self. Next the discussion moves onto the pitfall of approaching the Buddhist teachings with the hope of attaining a spiritualised version of oneself, and the use of the expression ‘artificial buddhist personality’ by Ngak’chang Rinpoche. Tröma Rig’tsal’s next question refers to the need for a practitioner to accept themselves as they are as the basis for embarking upon a spiritual path. Following that Rinpoche is asked about the issue of unasked for advice being given within sanghas. (38:22) ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Aro03: Part 2 - Question and Answer Series 1

Tröma Rig’tsal opens this podcast with a question about truth, method, and the yanas. Ngak’chang Rinpoche answers this and then the topic moves on to a discussion of the relationship between happiness and Buddhist practice, in terms of the practitioner’s motivation. The next question relates to the idea of having a goal in Buddhist practice, and following that, the interview moves onto a clarification of the term ‘non-duality’. Lastly, this podcast discusses what is meant by ‘dualistic perception’, or as it’s also known, unenlightenment. (35:45) ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Aro03: Part 1 - Question and Answer Series 1

In the opening podcast of this interview series, Tröma Rig’tsal asks Ngak’chang Rinpoche about the ‘four noble truths’; truth and method; the concept of the yanas (or vehicles), and the relationship between psychotherapy and Buddhism in relation to taking Refuge. (52:56) ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Link correction

The link to "Part 2 - Compassion and the 9 Yanas" has been corrected. Thanks to all who let me know.

Part 9 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

This final podcast opens with Ngak’chang Rinpoche discussing ‘tralam-me’ and ends with an extended question-and-answer session covering many questions concerning romantic relationship. ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 8 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

This podcast opens with Ngak’chang Rinpoche continuing his presentation on the meaning of the title Khandro Pawo Nyi-da Mélong Gyüd. In this vein Rinpoche covers the process of khandro-pawo mirroring; falling in love from both the liberated and the neurotic perspective, and how this relates to each gender; sexuality without romance, and, the practice of threat and challenge.( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 7 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

This podcast opens with a discussion of the quality of compassion as understood within the Buddhist tradition, then, continuing with his presentation of the five elements Naljorpa Ögyen Dorje discusses the elements of air and space. Next, there is a reading from Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen’s commentary to the Khandro Pawo Nyi-da Mélong Gyüd – Entering the Heart of the Sun and Moon. The reading contains a description of the possible elemental interactions between romantic partners in relationship with each other according to both their liberated and distorted tendencies. For the remainder of the podcast Ngak’chang Rinpoche gives an explanation on the meaning of the title Khandro Pawo Nyi-da Mélong Gyüd.( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 6 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

This podcast contains a presentation from senior Naljorpa Ögyen Dorje on the ‘five elements’: earth; water; fire; air and space, primarily from the perspective of the Inner Tantras. ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 5 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

Ngak’chang Rinpoche begins this podcast with a discussion about ‘nyams’ in the manner in which they occur throughout the yanas, and within the experience of falling in love as the nyam of khandro-pawo reflection. Next, the discussion moves on to looking at the process of falling in, and out, of love, and how that relates to spiritual practice. ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 4 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

Ngak’chang Rinpoche moves on from the discussion of emptiness to that of ‘non-duality’. In reference to the Khandro Pawo teachings this includes a discussion of: emptiness and form as wisdom and compassion; method display and wisdom display; the manner in which these displays function in romantic attraction; the consequences of being both gendered, and, at the same time, a dualistic being, and finally, the means by which one’s outer display becomes distorted and what can be done to alleviate that process.( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 3 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

Ngakma Zér-mè continues her presentation of the ‘the four philosophical extremes’. Ngak’chang Rinpoche then discusses the practice of emptiness in everyday life and our perception of the world. This episode finishes with Ngak’chang Rinpoche discussing the concept of ‘the middle way’ and its relation to the four philosophical extremes. ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 2 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

Continuing to introduce the foundation for the Khandro-Pawo teachings, this episode contains a teaching on the principal of the ‘yanas’, or vehicles. This involves a discussion of the idea of ‘emptiness’ from both a practical and theoretical perspective; the Buddhist idea of ‘no-self’ and identity; attachment; what the ultimate object of renunciation is, and the process of referentiality. Ngakma Zer-me then gives a presentation on the ‘four philosophical extremes’: monism; dualism; nihilism and eternalism. ( www.arobuddhism.org )

Part 1 - Vajrayana teaching on Relationship

Ngak’chang Rinpoche begins by introducing the need for a lengthy foundation to be laid down before presenting the main body of Khandro-Pawo teachings. Rinpoche then discusses the impossibility of understanding material on non-duality from the point of view of a dualistic intellect; the problem of prioritising ‘concept-consciousness’ over the other sense-fields; the five certainties of Vajrayana teachings and also briefly introduces the notion of the artistic qualities of romantic attraction and falling in love.( www.arobuddhism.org )