Anyone been here before?

[Distorted]

Anyone here been to this place or have any input on this place? I am thinking of going here soon as I am still looking for a place to learn more outside of the internet and books.

Palpung Lungtok Choeling, the main seat of the 12th Tai Situpa in North America located in San José, California.

http://www.palpung.com/home.php

[Distorted]

I think what I am really asking is if Kagyu is so much different than Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. I am not so clear on why there is so many different schools. I am sure the place I posted above is great, though I have only been to a Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism establishment atleast I think so.

[PadmaVonSamba]

It is a good place.
.
..
...

[Konchog1]

I think what I am really asking is if Kagyu is so much different than Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. I am not so clear on why there is so many different schools. I am sure the place I posted above is great, though I have only been to a Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism establishment atleast I think so.

Different founders. More focus on Padmasambhava in Nyingma. Nyingmapa have Dzogchen, Kaygupa have Mahamudra. so on and so on. Ultimately, it's the same. Don't worry about it.

[Lingpupa]

Don't worry about it.

Quite. There are not a few lamas who have a foot in both camps.

[conebeckham]

Palpung Luntok Choling is a great place, I'm there a few times a year.


The reason there are different Tibetan lineages is because there were different transmissions (mainly from India)--different people travelled to India (or, in some cases, esp. the Nyingma, the Indians travelled to Tibet)-received transmissions, and then returned to Tibet and started their own centers, lineages, etc. Jamgon Kongtrul categorized all these into "8 chariots" --Nyingma, Kadam (and thus, Geluk), Sakya, Marpa Kagyu, Shangpa Kagyu, Shije/Chod, Urgyen Dorje Sumgyi Nyendrup, and the Jordruk(a lineage of practice based on Kalachakra Tantra, and being the foundation for Jonang lineage originally, I think....)

Over time, though, many of these transmissions spread and became intertwined, in a way--though they're kept seperate, for the most part, in practice, it's not uncommon for a given Lama to maintain practices, and to give teachings, from more than one of these "8 chariots."

[Distorted]

It is a good place.
.
..
...

Thanks.
.
..
...

I think what I am really asking is if Kagyu is so much different than Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. I am not so clear on why there is so many different schools. I am sure the place I posted above is great, though I have only been to a Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism establishment atleast I think so.

Different founders. More focus on Padmasambhava in Nyingma. Nyingmapa have Dzogchen, Kaygupa have Mahamudra. so on and so on. Ultimately, it's the same. Don't worry about it.

Excellent, I will have to read more on their history of these school's to feed my curiousity.

Don't worry about it.

Quite. There are not a few lamas who have a foot in both camps.

Is there intermingling between the camps ever?

Palpung Luntok Choling is a great place, I'm there a few times a year.


The reason there are different Tibetan lineages is because there were different transmissions (mainly from India)--different people travelled to India (or, in some cases, esp. the Nyingma, the Indians travelled to Tibet)-received transmissions, and then returned to Tibet and started their own centers, lineages, etc. Jamgon Kongtrul categorized all these into "8 chariots" --Nyingma, Kadam (and thus, Geluk), Sakya, Marpa Kagyu, Shangpa Kagyu, Shije/Chod, Urgyen Dorje Sumgyi Nyendrup, and the Jordruk(a lineage of practice based on Kalachakra Tantra, and being the foundation for Jonang lineage originally, I think....)

Over time, though, many of these transmissions spread and became intertwined, in a way--though they're kept seperate, for the most part, in practice, it's not uncommon for a given Lama to maintain practices, and to give teachings, from more than one of these "8 chariots."

This makes a lot of sense, I will have to spend a few minutes out of the day and read a bit of each one as it does spark my interest. I definitely would like a clear understanding and this has helped alot. Thank You Very Much!! These things I was a bit confused about when visiting the different places.

[skillful klesha]

Nyingma

Is there intermingling between the camps ever?

Kagyu

I know of one:
The 17th Drikungpa of Drikung Kagyu, Terton Gyalwang Rinchen Puntsok in the ninth month of 1538 discovered the terma known as the Gongpa Yangzab on dakini day the 25th.
Dzogchen became traditionally taught alongside Mahamudra in Drikung Kagyu after this corruption I mean blessing or neither or both or empty forms becoming skillfull means thanks to a master yeah thats it!

[Konchog1]

Is there intermingling between the camps ever?

Off the top of my head, Bardor Rinpoche is a Karma Kagyupa who's the reincarnation of a Nyingma lama. The Drikung also has been strongly influenced by the Nyingma as has been said. Many lamas have gurus from different sects. Some like Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro proclaim the equality of all sects and had mastered most of them (yes really), but keep them separate in teaching and practice.

[heart]

Is there intermingling between the camps ever?

A lot. The different schools are about upholding certain Dharma teachings, often the Dharma upheld is overlapping while the emphasis of a particular school is what is differing.

/magnus