On Aro gTér

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

Guru Yoga.

Better Business Bureau.

IMHO these are two interpretations of "lineage" that should not be conflated. The latter is a resume for prospective students who should be Calling The Lama From Afar.

The former is a far more radical idea which is unique to Vajrayana. It denotes that the nirmanakaya of the guru is truly plugged into the power grid of the universe.

This is why the core of the path of transformation is guru, not renunciation.

[lobster]

Rather than worrying about fashion, decided to do their meditation course . . .
Now on week 2, so far I have no fault with it. If they demand wearing bedsheets, saris or similar, then my sartorial attachments may be tested . . . dharma first, fancy dress optional . . .
http://aromeditation.org/

[Yudron]

Guru Yoga.

Better Business Bureau.

IMHO these are two interpretations of "lineage" that should not be conflated. The latter is a resume for prospective students who should be Calling The Lama From Afar.

The former is a far more radical idea which is unique to Vajrayana. It denotes that the nirmanakaya of the guru is truly plugged into the power grid of the universe.

This is why the core of the path of transformation is guru, not renunciation.

I don't know what you mean by "the latter is a resume for prospective students who should be Calling the Lama from Afar."

[byamspa]

Rather than worrying about fashion, decided to do their meditation course . . .
Now on week 2, so far I have no fault with it. If they demand wearing bedsheets, saris or similar, then my sartorial attachments may be tested . . . dharma first, fancy dress optional . . .
http://aromeditation.org/

LOL, good approach imo, in the vein of take what is useful and don't worry about the rest.

My sangha likes to dress up a bit too, but we're not near as fancy as the aro folks, they are definitely rockin' the colors and belts and pretty satin ribbons. I view it all as Spock would with one raised eyebrow, 'Fascinating'.

[Kunga]

The Aro sangha come out to Boudha on group pilgrimage from time to time and, I must say, they seem very normal, cheerful, kind and relaxed people. This is in contradistinction to many of the 'regular' dharma folk, belonging to some of the big lineages, who either seem to be hyper-pious, clutching their malas with adamantine claws, pursed lips and faraway eyes as they strut meaningfully around the stupa, avoiding the poor and other worldly distractions; or armchair types who have discussions in coffee houses about what empowerments they've received, what amazing spiritual experiences and teachers they have and what restricted texts they possess.

Give me an Aro person any day.

[gregkavarnos]

So, what you are saying, is that an organisation should be judged by the degree to which it's members conform to your personal list of positive personality attributes?

[lobster]

. . . well the good aro meditation advice continues . . .

Whatever happens in meditation—whether good or bad, ordinary or peculiar—simply experience it. Attempting to ascertain meaning is counter-productive. Do not judge thoughts, or the quality of meditation. Adopt this attitude: During meditation there are no profound or good thoughts. There are no unworthy or bad thoughts. There are no blissful or good meditation sessions. There are no boring, grumpy, miserable or bad meditation sessions. Allow good experiences to pass as they will. Allow bad experiences to persist as they will. Observe clearly the neutral experiences which you might prefer to ignore as uninteresting.

They are also informing me of classes, one to ones and no doubt will try selling books and fashion Accessories any day . . . I am thinking of something that hints at 'meditative exotica with a hint of carefree Zen' - perhaps in purple . . . or maybe I will sit this one out . . .

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

I don't know what you mean by "the latter is a resume for prospective students who should be Calling the Lama from Afar."

My apologies, I just saw your post now.

I meant that one of the functions of "lineage", in the sense of "better business bureau", is to assist the prospective practitioner in seeking the guru, learning about the guru, and verifying the guru's credentials.

[Yudron]

I don't know what you mean by "the latter is a resume for prospective students who should be Calling the Lama from Afar."

My apologies, I just saw your post now.

I meant that one of the functions of "lineage", in the sense of "better business bureau", is to assist the prospective practitioner in seeking the guru, learning about the guru, and verifying the guru's credentials.

Agreed.

In the Nyingma there is not really any central authority, so we are dependent on the stamp of approval of a lama for his/her student to teach. If the teacher is dead, we rely on other lineage lamas. In the case of a terma tradition, one is typically asked to start writing them down and propagating them by a great respected older lama. I don't know who that would be these days, perhaps Dodrupchen, Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche, Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche, or in the younger generation, Rabjam Rinpoche or Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. That kind of level.

We have plenty of terma traditions that have a good track record.

[ngodrup]

So, what you are saying, is that an organisation should be judged by the degree to which it's members conform to your personal list of positive personality attributes?

Well, you know, it wasn't only Jesus who is purported to have said:
"By their fruits you shall know them." it either works or it doesn't.

[byamspa]

[gregkavarnos]

Well, you know, it wasn't only Jesus who is purported to have said:
"By their fruits you shall know them." it either works or it doesn't.

What are you talking about? I know lot's of normal, cheerful, kind and relaxed people and they do not belong to Aro, so how can you possibly say that the personality traits of a couple of Aro members is a fruit of their practice? They may well have been normal, cheerful, kind and relaxed people BEFORE thay joined Aro. Can we keep the discussion intelligent and meaningful please?

[Gyalpo]

Hi Greg,

...blah, blah, blah...

All the best,
Alex.

Dear Alex,

If I wanted a topless woman to serve me beer I would just go to a strip club. At least the women there are being paid to show me their breasts and not just being jived with the (same old sexist) pseudo-spiritual b*llsh*t you just dished me up. What do you reckon the men were wearing at the aforementioned tsog?

It's like the Osho crowd: You want to have an orgy? Have an orgy! Why (try to) justify it by saying it is a (pseudo) spiritual trip?

So is that what we use Buddhism for? To justify our need to play "dress up" and perv on some "cleavage"?

Sad. Really f*ck*ng sad!

PS Sorry for the expletives, but it is the only way Iets me really express exactly how "down" this gets me.

Dear Greg,

my lama, Ven. Lopon Ogyan Tanzin Rinpoche, wa invited by some Aro group to give some Dudjom Tersar teachings. He reported, that they are very good practicioners, but they have to proof they lineage. He also mentioned this tsog with naked yogis/yoginis. He was impressed, that they are doing it as in old times. I have it from my personal conversation with him, no rumors. He also said, that Ngakpa Chogyam helped many tibetan teachers to establish, so we have to be respectfull towards him. Anyway, as for his lineage, he have to go to Tibet and find a proof...

All the best

Martin

[Yudron]

I think that is a very balanced perspective that your lama has, Martin, and similar from what I have heard from other Tibetan lamas. Good people, questionable lineage.

[Simon E.]

I think that is a very balanced perspective that your lama has, Martin, and similar from what I have heard from other Tibetan lamas. Good people, questionable lineage.

How many generations of " good people " does it take for the lineage to established ?

[byamspa]

I think that is a very balanced perspective that your lama has, Martin, and similar from what I have heard from other Tibetan lamas. Good people, questionable lineage.

How many generations of " good people " does it take for the lineage to established ?

Wrong question. What does a 'good lineage' mean and how is it established, verified and maintained would be a better question.

Lineage isn't a gaggle of folks, its a transmission of energy, traceable back to Guru Rinpoche himself.

[Simon E.]

Really ?

[byamspa]

Really ?

AFAIK. Transmission originates from Guru Rinpoche or Shakyamuni or some other Buddha, and is handed down from teacher to student. This is especially important for deity practice transmission.

[conebeckham]

Well....

If the Aro folks say their terma came from Guru Rinpoche, and was hidden as Gongter, to be "revealed" only when the time was right, who gets to decide whether that is "traceable back to Guru Rinpoche" himself, or not?

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

Apologies if I missed something- are they claiming to be tertons? I thought they just say they are teaching Yeshe Tsogyal's dzogchen. I may not be totally clear on what is and what is not a terma.