Teachings of the Vajra Regent and Named Successor to Chögyam Trungpa with Ösel Tendzin

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Ösel Tendzin Rinpoche first studied with Swami Satchidananda. Later he met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and here he recounts their first encounter and what it means to be a Buddhist Kagyu lineage holder. The Kagyu lineage is called the “practicing lineage”. It is handed down from guru to the disciple. He describes his close contact with Trungpa Rinpoche, the guidance he received from his teacher, the importance of having a teacher, and relates the story of meeting the venerable Khyentse Rinpche. He explains how worry is not useful and how to extricate ourselves from it. He also talks about the concept of God and the idea of fear. He is asked to compare the Christian concept of “being saved” by Jesus to taking refuge in the Buddha. He also had some very interesting ideas how the impact of Buddhism could have an effect on the national defense system. (hosted by Michael Toms)

Bio

Ösel Tendzin (1943-1990) was a western Buddhist. He was Chögyam Trungpa's principal student. On August 22, 1976, Chögyam Trungpa empowered Ösel Tendzin as his Vajra Regent and first Western lineage holder in the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism. 

Ösel Tendzin's books include:

• Buddha in the Palm of Your Hand (Shambhala reissued1987)
• Like Water Poured Into Water: Selected Poems (Satdharma Press 2006)
• Space, Time and Energy (Satdharma Press 2000)
  

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• How someone born in New Jersey became the Dharma heir to Chogyam Trungpa
• What was his first encounter Chögyam Trungpa
• What does it mean to be a Dharma heir
• What does lineage mean
• Why worry is not useful
• Why the concept of “creating your own reality” is an ego trap
• What is the Buddhist point of view of self
• Is there something akin to God in Buddhism
• Who is the Buddha
• Who are the deities as depicted on Tibetan thangkas and what do they represent
• What is the concept of fear and the advice of how to deal with it
• What happens when we unnecessarily add complication to our thinking, therefore our lives
• What are the four aspects of Buddhism that include the Eightfold Path
• Why meditation is so important in our life
• What are the three jewels of Buddhism and what do they mean
• What are the two aspects of Dharma
• What, if any, are the parallels between “being saved by Jesus” and taking refuge in the Buddha
• Are there any persons alive today who are enlightened
• What is compassion
• What is the educational philosophy of the Naropa Institute
• How can Buddhist thought be helpful in public policy
• How the quality of cheerfulness of the Tibetan people has carried them through the difficulties of their culture being displaced
• What is the answer to turning away from drugs to escape our psychological pain

Host: Michael Toms                        Program date: 9/17/1981                        Program Number: 1653

Music Included

From Album: My Goal’s Beyond
Artist: John McLaughlin
Douglas DGL 69014
Track: Follow Your Heart

From Album: Further Adventures of
Artist: Bruce Cockburn
Island ILPS 9528
Track: Nanzen Ji

From Album: Piano Improvisations, Vol. 1
Artist: Chick Corea
(ECM 1014)
Track: Picture A from Where Are You Now?