About the Course
The establishment of appearances as deity by Rongzom pa Choki Zangpo. In this text, by using logics, all pure and impure appearances are established as appearances of pure deities. It says that all things of cyclic existences and nirvana are fully enlightened from the beginningless time and they are not enlightened through accomplishing the practice of paths.
What we consider as illusory appearances are themselves pure. Purity of appearance cannot be established somewhere apart from the illusory appearances. For instance, what the gods see as ambrosia is seen as puss by hungry ghost, as molten iron by hell beings and on the contrary, it is seen as deity by accomplished practitioners of vajrayana.
This 8 week course starts on Monday Jan.13, 2025, 4:00-5:00 PM PST
Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo
Rongzom Chökyi Zangpo, also known as Rongzom Mahapandita, is widely regarded as one of the two greatest exponents of the unique views and practices of the Nyingma school. Along with Longchenpa, he is known as an “Omniscient One.” This rare title connotes both breadth of knowledge and depth of realization. His innate intelligence was so great, in fact, that Rongzom himself once remarked, “Since there is no teaching that I did not study, my learning is not insignificant. Yet, as I never needed to review the teachings I received more than once, neither is it great.
Rongzom was a contemporary of Atisha, Marpa Lotsawa, and many others who were instrumental in establishing new Buddhist lineages in the land of snows. He wrote extensively on a broad range of topics and demonstrated an unparalleled mastery of the Buddha’s teachings. The Indian scholars he interpreted often commented on his universal knowledge, encouraging him to write his own treatises. He was also praised by some of the greatest masters of the Sarma traditions, such as Atisha and Marpa. Echoing their sentiments, the great Gö Lotsawa wrote: “In the snowy land of Tibet, Rongzom remains unequalled as a scholar.” The greatest testament to Rongzom’s accomplishments, however, is the lasting influence he has had on the great thinkers of the Nyingma school. Mipam, perhaps the greatest Nyingma thinker of recent times, modeled his views on those of Rongzom and Longchenpa, a debt that he acknowledges repeatedly in his writings. Rongzom’s thousand-year-old legacy continues to exert a powerful influence on spirituality in Tibet.
Lama Kinley
This text is a syllabus in the 8th year of the master’s degree in Ngagyur Nyingma Institute. I studied this text during my study in 2008 from Khenpo Nubri and it has been one of my favorite text since then.
Born in 1979, Lama Kinley received a modern secular education but always maintained an interest towards Buddha Dharma since his early teenage years and studied Buddhist scriptures from many masters prior to finally joining Dechenphodrang monastic school in Thimphu.
In 2000 went to Namdroling Monastery and relied upon His Holiness Penor Rinpoche who granted permit to enroll in monastery. Received Namchoe Nyondro and completed preliminaries in the same year. In 2001 admitted to Ngagyur Nyingma Institute (shedra) and completed nine years course in 2009.
While doing studies received Terzod, Nyingthik Yazhi and many empowerments and transmissions from His Holiness Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatsho Rinpoche, Penor Rinpoche, His Holiness Talung Tsetrul Rinpoche, His Holiness Yangthang Rinpoche, His Holiness Drodrupchen, His Holiness Sakya Thrizin and many other renowned scholars.
Practiced Namchoe Nyendro, Tsalung and Dzogchen and Yidam deity recitations.
After graduation from Ngagyur Nyingma Institute, Lama Kinley approached His Holiness Drubwang Rigzin Paldan( Lama Serpo) and received and Longchen Nyingthik cycle of Dzogchen, Tsalung, Nyendro, Phowa and other related instructions. Relied upon the lama until his parinirvana in 2012.
Lama Kinley retreated in Singye Dzong, Shukdrak in Bumthang, Dorangthang Gonpa for many years.
Lama Kinley was also Lama Michael’s Tsalung Trulkhor teacher at Namdroling Monastery, South India.