Renounced Catholicism

[Epistemes]

I'm too a student of Chogyal Namhkai Norbu and what you say is over simplistic and, in fact, pretty far from what he teaches.

What does he teach?

[Malcolm]

I'm too a student of Chogyal Namhkai Norbu and what you say is over simplistic and, in fact, pretty far from what he teaches.

What does he teach?

He is a teacher of Dzogchen. Very famous, has a number of books Crystal and the Way of Light being chief among then. He is one of my main teachers.

[alwayson]

I'm too a student of Chogyal Namhkai Norbu and what you say is over simplistic and, in fact, pretty far from what he teaches.

What does he teach?

No offense, but you have to start using Google.

[Epistemes]

I'm too a student of Chogyal Namhkai Norbu and what you say is over simplistic and, in fact, pretty far from what he teaches.

What does he teach?

I should have been more precise in my question. My fault. How can one person suggest a webcast and another suggest that this view is in error? From the angle, what does Mr. Norbu actually teach?

[alwayson]

Yes exactly what are the prerequisites for webcast transmission?

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

Here we go again.

[Malcolm]

Yes exactly what are the prerequisites for webcast transmission?

You sign on.

[alwayson]

Yes exactly what are the prerequisites for webcast transmission?

You sign on.

Simple enough then.

[Epistemes]

Here we go again.

I only ask not because I'm hankering to jump on board with Dzogchen - because I barely even understand what I'm doing now - but, if I were to choose to follow something like Dzogchen in the future, which member alwayson seems to think would be good for me now, there are no Dzogchen teachers near me and the idea intrigues me that any lama would allow his teachings to be learned through webcast.

[alwayson]

Well I just said, IF you wanted to become a Vajrayana practitioner, thats how you do it.

See below:

If he wants to become a Vajrayana practitioner all he needs is a webcast transmission from Namkhai Norbu.

[deepbluehum]

Here we go again.

I only ask not because I'm hankering to jump on board with Dzogchen - because I barely even understand what I'm doing now - but, if I were to choose to follow something like Dzogchen in the future, which member alwayson seems to think would be good for me now, there are no Dzogchen teachers near me and the idea intrigues me that any lama would allow his teachings to be learned through webcast.

It is a good idea to explore. I don't recommend committing to a path until you have a basic idea what it's about. There are life-altering consequences that go with taking someone as your teacher.

[alwayson]

Actually one of these days I need to become a Vajrayana practitioner myself by doing the webcast.

Whenever he does the webcast, I am always busy.

[booker]

Yes exactly what are the prerequisites for webcast transmission?

You sign on.

The webcast transmission AFAIK happens only three times in a year and one should meet a senior student to learn few things like mudras and songs. It's described on dzogchencommunity.uk for example.

[Epistemes]

It is a good idea to explore. I don't recommend committing to a path until you have a basic idea what it's about. There are life-altering consequences that go with taking someone as your teacher.

Exploring is what I do. I also rush into things - but not this time.

[Paul]

It is a good idea to explore. I don't recommend committing to a path until you have a basic idea what it's about. There are life-altering consequences that go with taking someone as your teacher.

Exploring is what I do. I also rush into things - but not this time.

His books, especially "The Crystal and the Way of Light", are well worth reading for an overview of vajrayana and especially dzogchen.

"As It Is" vols. 1 & 2 by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche are also very,very good.

[daelm]

Courageos act, that.

.... and pursue a dharma teacher.

no offense to your defection - good luck with it - this just reads really funny. i had a moment where i imagined dharma teachers everywhere suddenly getting all inexplicably nervous and looking around them.




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[daelm]

Here we go again.

I only ask not because I'm hankering to jump on board with Dzogchen - because I barely even understand what I'm doing now - but, if I were to choose to follow something like Dzogchen in the future, which member alwayson seems to think would be good for me now, there are no Dzogchen teachers near me and the idea intrigues me that any lama would allow his teachings to be learned through webcast.

http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=4052

[Kai]

Tonight I acknowledged to myself and to my partner that I am breaking away from Catholicism for good and am devoting myself strictly to learning and practicing the dharma.

Practice the ten virtuous actions while you are still considering your choice, you don't have to be a Buddhist to do them.

[DarwidHalim]

Tonight I acknowledged to myself and to my partner that I am breaking away from Catholicism for good and am devoting myself strictly to learning and practicing the dharma.

Why did you break away your Catholicism?

What are you searching in Buddhism?

[Epistemes]

If meditation has afforded me one thing, it's afforded me the luxury of allowing me to be honest with myself rather than go on putting up some scharade. The biggest scharade is trying to live life by some supramundane ethical consequence. It's not that I'm an unethical or immoral person by Western standards, but I lack self-control and I find more freedom in being myself than restraining thoughts or speech for fear of karma. As a Christian, I spit in the face of sin, and now I say karma come what may.

Buddhism isn't the path for me. It's not that I disagree with the philosophy or the ethic, but it seems like a superfluous path when I've quite simply made up my mind to rather remain attached to certain people, things and principles, knowing that my walk of suffering will be difficult, than to give these things up for a state of mental bliss. For me, selflessness isn't just a philosophical principle which you read about, talk about, or meditate on, but it's an ethic in an of itself that you live everyday. I've realized that I would rather do everything within my ability to make sure my partner is happy and enjoys life even if that goal may prove impossible. Of course, St. Francis of Assisi said, "Start by doing the impossible, then you'll do the impossible," or some variation on that ethic. While Chandrakirti's consequential argument ad absurdum may ultimately prove the nothingness of my partner, myself and the moments we've shared in pleasure and pain, such an absurd life brings me more joy than any Indian thesis ever could. I have no desire to achieve enlightenment, not in this life or any other. I choose ignorance, I choose emotions, I choose pain, I choose death - and may all my reincarnations have the wisdom to do the same whether human, fish, worm or parasite. Bring me round again, karma, so that I can once again taste fresh snapper, dance to Sinatra, sip straight bourbon, and fall in love again.

I've learned a lot about Buddhism, but it's not for me. I don't suspect anything is but the play of life.