Southern Lam Rim

[ngodrup]

Connected with the biography of Pabonkhapa Rinpoche--
Southern tradition of Lam Rim is mentioned. I gather that
there's some controversy around it.

What exactly is it? How does it differ from "mainstream" Lam Rim?
I have the impression that it has something more to do with
oral than textual tradition. Who knows?

[Caz]

Connected with the biography of Pabonkhapa Rinpoche--
Southern tradition of Lam Rim is mentioned. I gather that
there's some controversy around it.

What exactly is it? How does it differ from "mainstream" Lam Rim?
I have the impression that it has something more to do with
oral than textual tradition. Who knows?

I dont think there is any real difference TBH in essence ive noticed some people can be very tetchy regarding stuff like this of course it is always good to varify where tradition has its roots and certainly Je Pabongkha was able to demonstrate the authenticity to His Holiness the 13th by pointing out the location of the books in his library and the very paragraphs that where in mention. Seeing as pretty much every single Gelugpa practitoner today has his or her roots through Je Pabongkha including the vast practises of Lamrim he taught id safely say that there is nothing off with the Lamrim he taught people.
Beyond this im not sure perhapes I shall ask some friends whom hve more scholarly knowledge of this.

[ngodrup]

Yes. I understand it is widely held today.
My curiosity is what is distinctive.
I think it may have something to do with
oral embellishments-- nice ways to enrich
one's practice, but not textual necessities.
I got that sense from a Geshe I know who
looks askance at things like incensing water
bowls before pouring water into them.

[ngodrup]

I have no interest in debate about Pabongkhapa Rinpoche himself.
Simply reading the bio raised question in my mind about the tradition
he represented. I know the controversy about the teaching was abated.
Apart from PR himself, what was it about his teaching-- if anything--
other than being unfamiliar. Was it merely the transmission line
that was distinct, or were some aspects of the teaching atypical?
That's my question.

[Tilopa]

I have no interest in debate about Pabongkhapa Rinpoche himself.
Simply reading the bio raised question in my mind about the tradition
he represented. I know the controversy about the teaching was abated.
Apart from PR himself, what was it about his teaching-- if anything--
other than being unfamiliar. Was it merely the transmission line
that was distinct, or were some aspects of the teaching atypical?
That's my question.

If you are referring to Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand it is one in which PR weaves together instructions from various lamrim texts and lineages. There's nothing necessarily unusual about that although it does reflect the vast learning and skill he possessed as a teacher. Otherwise I don't think any aspects of the teaching were atypical or controversial although I am by no means an expert.

[mudra]

Connected with the biography of Pabonkhapa Rinpoche--
Southern tradition of Lam Rim is mentioned. I gather that
there's some controversy around it.

What exactly is it? How does it differ from "mainstream" Lam Rim?
I have the impression that it has something more to do with
oral than textual tradition. Who knows?

Basically the Southern Lineage Lam Rim is a sutric practice, the visualisations also are adapted to Sutra without the prelimiaries associated with tantra. There are in fact two sublineages of the Southern Lineage, one with annotations from the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, and one the lineage of which was almost broken but has recently been transmitted according at the Dagpo Shedrup Ling monastery. I don't have my notes with me right now from that session but I can tell you more later.

M

[Mr. G]

OP has received the answer to this question. Locked.