the methodology of Sakya

[mzaur]

Hello,

I'm trying to learn more about the Sakya tradition as I just found that there's a center near me run by Lama Pema Wangdak, who I might be interested in meeting.

I've been studying Vajrayana for several years and took refuge 2 years ago. Since then I've tried practicing Dzogchen through Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, but I feel I really want a live connection with a teacher, so I am investing the centers around me. So far, I really like Mahamudra because it seems very similar to the view of Dzogchen but a more gradual approach, which makes me interested in Kagyu. I can't find much info about Sakya or Lamdre and its similarities/differences with Mahamudra/Dzogchen. Could someone familiar with both Mahamudra and the Sakya tradition share with me the differences? is Sakya a strictly tantric lineage with no 'direct' or 'essence' teachings?

Michael

[Malcolm]

Sakya is all about the two stages.

Hello,

I'm trying to learn more about the Sakya tradition as I just found that there's a center near me run by Lama Pema Wangdak, who I might be interested in meeting.

I've been studying Vajrayana for several years and took refuge 2 years ago. Since then I've tried practicing Dzogchen through Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, but I feel I really want a live connection with a teacher, so I am investing the centers around me. So far, I really like Mahamudra because it seems very similar to the view of Dzogchen but a more gradual approach, which makes me interested in Kagyu. I can't find much info about Sakya or Lamdre and its similarities/differences with Mahamudra/Dzogchen. Could someone familiar with both Mahamudra and the Sakya tradition share with me the differences? is Sakya a strictly tantric lineage with no 'direct' or 'essence' teachings?

Michael

[mzaur]

Are you referring to generation stage and completion stage?

[Malcolm]

Are you referring to generation stage and completion stage?

Yup.

[Mr. G]

Hello,

I'm trying to learn more about the Sakya tradition as I just found that there's a center near me run by Lama Pema Wangdak, who I might be interested in meeting.

I've been studying Vajrayana for several years and took refuge 2 years ago. Since then I've tried practicing Dzogchen through Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, but I feel I really want a live connection with a teacher, so I am investing the centers around me.

If you want a connection with a live teacher, Lama Pema is great.

[mzaur]

Thank you. Is there ngondro in Sakya? How does Sakya differ from the other Sarma lineages?

[Malcolm]

Thank you. Is there ngondro in Sakya? How does Sakya differ from the other Sarma lineages?

Yes, there is ngondro.

The teaching lineage from India is unique. Lamdre is based mainly on the teachings of the Hevajra Tantra and Virupa.

N

[narraboth]

glorious Sakya school is a special school, not only it has special Lamdre teaching, also it collected huge amount of Serma empowerment/teaching in its unbroken lineage, such as Gyude Kundu and Drubtab Kundu (thank to khyentse and lode wangpo).

A good thing for westerners is that the lineage holder(s) come to the west quite frequently (one of them actually live in the US), and they do speak english. So you have very reasonable chance to receive empowerment and teaching from the top lama of this school, and then study more from well-trained lama near where you live.