Nyingma Refuge Tree

[sangyey]

I have a question about the Nyingma Refuge Tree visualization. From my understanding Buddha sits on the branch that faces out towards you and Guru Rinpoche sits on the top branch. Does the visualization then put Guru Rinpoche at a higher level then the Buddha on the tree?

[heart]

I have a question about the Nyingma Refuge Tree visualization. From my understanding Buddha sits on the branch that faces out towards you and Guru Rinpoche sits on the top branch. Does the visualization then put Guru Rinpoche at a higher level then the Buddha on the tree?

The refuge tree in the Nyingma is very dependent on the cycle of practices that one approach, there is no standard tree. In the trees I have seen the Buddhas (not only Shakymuni but headed by him) are on Guru Rinpoches left, the Bodhisattvas are on the right. More or less on the same level. But Guru Rinpoche is more prominent and central in the refuge tree. This is the same as in the Kagyu refuge trees were Dorje Chang have the prominent central place. This symbolize the central and prominent role the Guru have in Vajrayana practice.

/magnus

[ground]

Here is one type (bottom of page) including a link to the chart explaining the figures.

http://bodhicittasangha.org/lang-en/bud ... ma-lineage


Kind regards

[sangyey]

The refuge tree in the Nyingma is very dependent on the cycle of practices that one approach, there is no standard tree. In the trees I have seen the Buddhas (not only Shakymuni but headed by him) are on Guru Rinpoches left, the Bodhisattvas are on the right. More or less on the same level. But Guru Rinpoche is more prominent and central in the refuge tree. This is the same as in the Kagyu refuge trees were Dorje Chang have the prominent central place. This symbolize the central and prominent role the Guru have in Vajrayana practice.

Thank you Magnus. In Patrul Rinpoche's WOMPT the visualization was something like Guru Rinpoche on the central branch, 8 great Bodhisttva's on the right branch, Buddha's closest Shravaka disciples on the left, Dharma texts on the back branch, and Buddha Shakyamuni on the front branch. I wasn't sure as if Guru Rinpoche is on the central branch it would seem like it would have to be elevated over the front branch. I wasn't sure if this was the correct way to visualize this or if all the 5 branches are somewhat on an even plane.

Thank you TMimgyur for the link.

[MrDistracted]

Hi

If you are practicing the Longchen Nyingtik Ngondro, which WOMPT is specifically a commentary on, then the link TMingyur provided shows the correct visualisation for the Refuge tree.

If it's not, I've wasted a lot of my time....

[sangyey]

Okay, yeah. Just not sure if Guru Rinpoche depicted on the central branch is elevated over the front branch with Shakyamuni. I'm not sure how else you would be able to visualize Guru Rinpoche if both the central and front branches are level as it would seem that the front branch would obstruct the view of the central branch.

[catmoon]

Isn't it more important to have a vivid and stable visualization than to get the right Buddha on the right branch? Just the fact that there are different versions of the Refuge Tree seems pretty suggestive.

[dakini_boi]

Yes, I think to make the visualization work, if Shakyamuni is on the front branch, he would have to be lower in the visualization. I think I understand where you're going with this. . . you don't need to feel that you're being disrespectful by placing Shakyamuni lower in your visualization - all beings in the refuge tree are equally enlightened, equally sources of refuge. But for the space-bound deluded consciousness, we need to relate to enlightened "beings" through space and concepts, so the easiest way to visualize masses of Buddhas is somehow filling up space, which means that inevitably some will be higher or lower in reference to one another. But even the protectors at the bottom are fully enlightened sources of refuge.

[Adamantine]

Yes it's pretty much the same in the Dudjom Tersar refuge tree.. regarding the locations.. FYI according to pith instructions and if I recall correctly as it says in the ngondro commentary "A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar" you can just focus the visualization on Guru Rinpoche alone high in front of you as containing the essence of the whole refuge tree, of all enlightened sources of refuge, most importantly the root Guru/s. So if this is the case, it becomes clear that these sources of refuge are all inseparable from the Guru, taking the form of Guru Rinpoche, and so any sense of dualistic thought about preference of location or hierarchy is not so important. Of course, if you do the visualization in it's entirety try to follow the given locations, but don't get too caught in worrying about it!

[heart]

I wasn't sure if this was the correct way to visualize this or if all the 5 branches are somewhat on an even plane.

Visualize them on the same plane if it feels better. Everything in the refuge tree are supreme sources of refuge.

/magnus

[TenzinDorje]

Dudjom Tersar is quite simple. Excellent reference is Cascading Waterfall of Nectar, Thinley Norbu.

[Adamantine]

Dudjom Tersar is quite simple.

The Dudjom Tersar is inconceivably vast--

I am assuming what you meant is "the short Dudjom Tersar ngondro is quite simple".

Actually, the long or elaborate Dudjom Tersar ngondro is not so simple, but in either case the refuge tree is the same in both.

[TenzinDorje]

Yes. short Dudjom Tersar refuge tree. Referenced in "Cascading Waterfall of Nectar."

Dudjom Tersar is quite simple.

The Dudjom Tersar is inconceivably vast--

I am assuming what you meant is "the short Dudjom Tersar ngondro is quite simple".

Actually, the long or elaborate Dudjom Tersar ngondro is not so simple, but in either case the refuge tree is the same in both.

[Distorted]

I just searched this subject in curiosity when I saw the image on the internet as I was reading up on some other questions on my mind.



Is this depicting Samantrabhadra, Vajrasattva and Nirmanakaya Buddha Shakyamuni on a branch sticking out the farthest forward (Three Jewels?). Guru Rinpoche/Yab-Yum(?) and Mahakala behind the three buddha's mentioned earlier? If I am correct, what is this significance of the oldest buddhas in front and Guru Rinpoche/Yab-Yum in a bigger picture behind in the center? I am assuming that Mahakala is the sentinel of Buddhism?

I may have totally misread this photo and would like to know if anyone can tell me this paticular significance of this image of the Nyingma Refuge Tree.

Thank you,
- Distorted

[tomamundsen]

I just searched this subject in curiosity when I saw the image on the internet as I was reading up on some other questions on my mind.



Is this depicting Samantrabhadra, Vajrasattva and Nirmanakaya Buddha Shakyamuni on a branch sticking out the farthest forward (Three Jewels?). Guru Rinpoche/Yab-Yum(?) and Mahakala behind the three buddha's mentioned earlier? If I am correct, what is this significance of the oldest buddhas in front and Guru Rinpoche/Yab-Yum in a bigger picture behind in the center? I am assuming that Mahakala is the sentinel of Buddhism?

I may have totally misread this photo and would like to know if anyone can tell me this paticular significance of this image of the Nyingma Refuge Tree.

Thank you,
- Distorted

I can't see your image. Even when I go to the url http://bodhicittasangha.org/images/stor ... getree.png I don't see anything.

[conebeckham]

Not sure which one you think is Mahakala....the version of Mahakala represented here, from Longchen Nyingthik, is Gonpo Maning, and he is situated in the bottom room, second from your left (Guru Rinpoche's right)...between standing Tseringma on the far end and Rahula.

Perhaps you're mistaking a yidam figure as a "Mahakala?"

[conebeckham]

Here's Dudjom Tersar refuge tree:

[conebeckham]

Here's Palyul Refuge tree:

[Distorted]

Ok, Thank you

I am going to let this go for now. I am pretty confused, I am going to let this come in time.

[tomamundsen]

I just searched this subject in curiosity when I saw the image on the internet as I was reading up on some other questions on my mind.



Is this depicting Samantrabhadra, Vajrasattva and Nirmanakaya Buddha Shakyamuni on a branch sticking out the farthest forward (Three Jewels?). Guru Rinpoche/Yab-Yum(?) and Mahakala behind the three buddha's mentioned earlier? If I am correct, what is this significance of the oldest buddhas in front and Guru Rinpoche/Yab-Yum in a bigger picture behind in the center? I am assuming that Mahakala is the sentinel of Buddhism?

I may have totally misread this photo and would like to know if anyone can tell me this paticular significance of this image of the Nyingma Refuge Tree.

Thank you,
- Distorted

I can't see your image. Even when I go to the url http://bodhicittasangha.org/images/stor ... getree.png I don't see anything.

Seems like the site is back up.