Je Gampopa

[sherabpa]

There is a rupa of Gampopa on my shrine which I have had for years but just recently I started noticing it when I am meditating. The face of the image looks so peaceful, especially in the evening when the light reflects off it in a certain way.

It prompted me to return to Jewel Ornament and study this again, something I haven't done for over 10 years. When I was reading the chapter on suffering, it really struck me just how terrifying the Buddhist vision of samsara can be. Gampopa's description of the hells is one of the most uncompromising there is. It brought me back a bit to the reason why I practice dharma.

Anyway I just wanted to share this thought I have had lately, that Gampopa is so important in the Kagyu, and I wonder if anyone else was feeling this lately. Its like his blessings are everywhere. My main practice is Konchog Chindu and they say Jatson Nyingpo was an emanation of Gampopa, which is very amazing.

[Konchog1]

By Huseng

[uan]

By Huseng

[sherabpa]

I prefer Gampopa but each to her own

[Ösel]

Yes, I've been feeling the blessings of Gampopa everywhere lately. Recently I was on retreat in the mountains of Colorado, and tears of gratitude flowed when I thought of Gampopa for some reason. The example of his life is so inspiring-- I recommend reading his life story.

[sherabpa]

Yes that's exactly it. And in the past I have always been much more inspired by Marpa and Mila, and of course they are amazing, but Gampopa feels particularly inspiring these days.

[gregkavarnos]

Check out the biography of Rechungpa (Milarepas prodigal son) too. It is well worth loking into this, largely ignored, brilliant student of Milarepa. Milarepa likened Gampopa to the sun and Rechungpa to the moon, when referring to his two heart sons.

[Namgyal]

Check out the biography of Rechungpa (Milarepas prodigal son) too. It is well worth loking into this, largely ignored, brilliant student of Milarepa. Milarepa likened Gampopa to the sun and Rechungpa to the moon, when referring to his two heart sons.

The Rechung Kagyu lineage survives within the Nyingma.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changling_Rinpoche_XV
As for Samsara...

'All-Pervasive Suffering ' is the suffering inherant in the fact of being born with contaminated aggregates, which by their very nature are like a magnet attracting sickness, old age and death.' (Wangchuk Dorje)