Happy Birthday Our Precious Guru
Members of the Tibetan, Nepalese, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities gathered at the Sydney Barom Kagyu Center to celebrate H.E. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche's birthday.
We offer our sincere prayers and wishes for Rinpoche's longevity and excellent health.
May his Dharma activities flourish throughout the ten directions and continue to benefit all sentient beings.
We wish you a most auspicious birthday, Rinpoche la
Barom Kagyu 2024 In Review
Heartfelt Birthday Wishes to Our Precious Guru
Barom Kagyu Aspiration Prayer
“Gurus, Yadams, Viras, Dakinis and Dharmapalas:
I pray that you consider me and cause the fulfillment of my aspirations.
Through the virtues of samsara and nirvana
Accumulated by me and others in the three times,
And the virtue of this aspiration,
May I and all others achieve Buddhahood.”
Following Precious Guru: H.E Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche to the Holy Lands of the Buddhas
On September 29, 2024, H.E. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche and his disciples embarked on a 21-day sacred pilgrimage to India and Nepal.
The dream-like journey will never be forgotten in the minds of His disciples.
They have been to sacred places where Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and countless enlightened beings have been present and bestowed blessings.
Those with great faith, devotion, and pure mind have experienced great blessings through their Guru without huge effort.
Teachings & Practices
Mahamudra Ngondro
Ngondro is extremely important in dharma practice.
When we are learning dharma, the most importance is generating bodhicitta mind. All of you come here to learn Ngondro and the purpose should not be just for yourselves. We are here learning Ngondro to bring benefits to all the sentient beings. All sentient beings are like our mother. You can observe your mother in this life. How much she cares of us, how much she loves us, how much she concentrates on us. You should think this way: I wish to take the mother sentient beings to the enlightenment. That’s the reason I practise four ordinary foundations and four extraordinary foundations.
Why do we need to generate bodhicitta mind? Because generating bodhicitta mind and without generating bodhicitta mind when we practise Dharma bringsdifferent result. I can give you an example: with bodhicitta mind, it is like lighting a candle in a dark room, the brightness can spread to the whole area. Without generating bodhicitta mind, it is like when you light up a candle covered by a cup, it only benefits a small area. Generating bodhicitta mind and without generating bodhicitta mind can make such difference. That’s the reason why generating bodhicitta mind is extremely important to whatever thing we do. When we do Dharma practice, when we do charity, whatever we do, if we can have bodhicitta mind, then everything is pure, everything is beneficial to ourselves and all sentient beings. So, with bodhicitta mind, you will start receiving the teaching of the four ordinary foundations.
Request for blessing from Guru
“I supplicate you, Precious Guru!
I call to you with longing, Kind Dharma Lord!
Unworthy as I am, I’ve no hope but you!
Grant your blessing that your mind and mine be inseparably mixed!”
Precious Teachings of H.E Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche's to the Barom Kagyu Disciples
“If you don’t apply the doctrines of the Buddha then even there are hundreds thousands of Teachers come around so no use. So therefore number of meeting Masters is not important - the number of applying what you have learned into the life is the most crucial and important.”
Weekly Practice Medicine Buddha
Saturday 09:00AM - 10:00AM
Rinpoche always advises to make strong prayers to Medicine Buddha for anyone who is dying, sick or injured.
The Latest Teaching
Latest teaching transcripts from H.E. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche
Benefit of Medicine Buddha Practice
Gampopa Four Dharma
-
Mahamudra Ngondro teaching
I am very happy to see many students here to receive Ngondro teaching because Ngondro is extremely important in dharma practice.
-
37 Practices of Bodhisattvas
Rinpoche had a long teachings in 2 months about the 37 Practices of Bodhisattvas
-
Sukhavati teaching
Rinpoche taught about four causes and two obscurations to Sukhavati
-
The twelve vows of The Medicine Buddha
I vow that my body shall shine as beams of brilliant light on this infinite…
-
Essential advice of Rinpoche
We just need to keep our genuine devotion to the Three Jewels…
-
Meditation
Ven.Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche
San Jose
-
Lama chenno
Namo Gurube. Prayers Calling the Lama from Afar are known to everyone. The key to invoking blessing is devotion motivated by repentance of old ways and renunciation of samsara. This devotion is not a mere repetition of empty words but it comes from the depth of our heart, from the marrow of our bones, and from the conviction that there is no Buddha apart from the Lama
The Barom Kagyu Lineage
Tibetan Buddhism
There are four major schools within the Tibetan Buddhism. Nyingma is the oldest of the four lineages. The others – Sakya, Kagyu and Geluk – emerged after the 11th century during what is called “the latter propagation” of Buddhism in Tibet.
Barom Kagyu is one of many sub-lineages within the Kagyu lineage. Founders of these schools or their teachers have had Indian mahasiddhas or panditas as their root gurus.
Tillipa (988 – 1069), who is more commonly known as “Tilopa”, is regarded as the founder of the Kagyupa lineage in India, because he was the first human teacher from whom Kagyu teachings can be traced. He received many instructions directly from Vajradhara and other deities through pure meditative visions. Prior to his becoming a mahasiddha, he used to make his living by crushing sesame seeds or other odd jobs as his name suggests.
Tilopa was succeeded by pandita Naropa. Naropa (1016 – 1100) became the most important Indian mahasiddha from whom Marpa (1012 – 1096) received the transmission of the Six Yogas and Mahamudra. Tilopa had already prophesied the importance of Marpa long before Naropa met Marpa. Being the first Tibetan teacher of the Kagyu lineage, Marpa first took Sanskrit lessons from Drogmi Lotsawa (992 – 1073/4) in Mugu-lung in Mangkhar region for several years but he left saying Drogmi’s fees were too expensive. However it was Drogmi’s influence which resolved Marpa to go to India. Marpa travelled in India three times and received the complete teachings of Mahamudra from Naropa and many others. Marpa, Drogmi and Ngok played a very important role in reviving the teachings of the Buddha in Tibet.
At the early stage of the formation of the Kagyupa lineage, it became known as “Marpa Kagyu” a name coined from Marpa’s own name. Another early Kagyu school was founded by Khyunpo Naljor Tshultrim Gompa (1002 – 1096) of Shang in Tsang region, who was a disciple of both Naropa and his sister, Niguma. This school was named “Shangpa Kagyu” as its founder came from Shang in Tsang province in central Tibet. It is worthwhile to note that these were the first two schools established in the Kagyupa lineage.
Marpa’s principal disciple was Milarepa (1052 – 1135). He is renowned as the great yogi of Tibet, and his incomparable perseverance in the practices he received from his teacher was, and still is a source of great inspiration especially for those fortunate enough to read his spontaneous songs. These are known as the “Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa” (Mila Gur-boom).
Milarepa (1052 – 1135)
Milarepa had many disciples but two of his most outstanding disciples created the shape of the Kagyupa tradition. Rechungpa Dorje Drak (1083 – 1161), founded “Rechung Kagyu” and Gampopa founded “Dakpo Kagyu”, named after the region where he came from. As a native of the Dakpo region and a celebrated physician, he is also known as Dakpo Lhaje, the physician from Dakpo. His full name is Dakpo Dawo Shon-nu (1079 – 1153). He is the author of the Jewel Ornament of Liberation, and was largely responsible for really establishing the development of the Kagyu lineage in Tibet, the land of snows. Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa are also known as the “Kagyu Gongma Nam-nga” – the Five Founding Masters of the Kagyupa lineage.
The aforementioned early Kagyu schools should not be confused with the schools that came later and became known as “the four great and eight lesser schools of the Kagyu tradition (Kagyu Cheshi Choong Gye)”. If we regard the four great and eight lesser schools as the only Kagyu schools, there is the danger of excluding Dakpo Kagyu.
The Four Major Kagyu Schools:
Barom Kagyu – Founded by Barom Darma Wangchuk (1100 – )
Phagdru Kagyu – Founded by Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110 – 1170)
Karma Kagyu – Founded by Dusum Khyenpa, Karmapa I (1110 – 1193)
Tshalpa Kagyu – Founded by Zhang Tsondru Drakpa (1123 – 1193)
The Eight Minor Kagyu Schools:
Drikung Kagyu – Founded by Kyopa Jigten Gampa (1143 – 1212)
Taglung Kagyu – Founded by Taglung Thangpa Tashi Palden (1142 – 1210)
Trophu Kagyu – Founded by Drogon Gyaltsha (1118 – 1195)
Lingre Kagyu – Founded by Lingre Pema Dorje (1128 – 1188)
Martsang Kagyu – Founded by Choje Marpa Dondrup ( )
Yelpa Kagyu – Founded by Yelpa Yeshe Tsek ( )
Yazang Kagyu – Founded by Zarawa Yeshe Senge (1169 – 1207)
Shugseb Kagyu – Founded by Nyephu Gyergom Chenpo
The four great Kagyu schools (Kagyu Che – Shir) were founded by the four main main disciples of Gampopa, however Dakpo Kagyu maintained its own successive abbots which were successively separate from the abbatial lineages of the twelve schools. Hence there exist the above mentioned schools which do not fall into the 12 schools.
The eight lesser Kagyu schools (Choong-Gye) were founded by the main disciples of Phagmo Drupa. Phagmo Drupa briefly ruled Tibet after overthrowing the Sakya rule. Phagmo Drupa studied 12 years with Sachen Kunga Nyingpo (1092 – 1158) and received Lamdre. He influenced the formation of the twelve sub-schools in that the Lamdre teachings of the Sakyapa were also included in the Gdams-ngag mdzod of the Kagyupa tradition.
Barom Darma Wangchug
Barom Dharma Wangchug (1127 – 1199) was born in the area called Gawa Yulna in Penyul. The forefathers in his clan of Dakarwa were one of the seven Tibetans who first took monastic vows and some ministers of the early Tibetan dharma kings. His father was Donba Jungne Lodro and his mother Jomo Lochungma. They had three sons, among whom he was the middle one, named Bumgyab.
At the age of seven, he took monastic ordination from the preceptor Bogawa Tarma and the instructor Wangchug Shonnu, receiving the name Dharma Wangchug. Thereafter, he studied the Kadampa teachings with the famous Trolungba Lodro Jungne (eleventh – twelfth century), the great disciple of Ngog Lotsawa (1059 – 1109), Geshe Botowa (1031? – 1105), and Geshe Jayulwa (1075 – 1138).
At the age of twenty, encouraged by a yogin and out of devotion for Gampopa that had already developed in him before through merely having heard this master’s name, he went to Gampopa’s seat. During a ceremony of the tenth day of the month, he saw Gampopa directly as Vajradhara and stayed with him as his untiring attendant for six years. He received the entire transmission of the Kagyu lineage and realisation dawned in him simultaneously without difficulty.
In particular, he trained in the practice of illusory body throughout day and night. Finally, in 1153, Gampopa told him to go to Barom and practice there, since it is a place blessed by many great masters, such as Marpa Lotsawa (1012 – 1097). However, Dharma Wangchug fervently requested Gampopa to allow him to stay with him until he would pass away. Gampopa said, “Barom, do so, if you please. Let’s stay together for another thirty-three days as father and son.” After these thirty-three days, Gampopa passed away. Although many, such as Gampopa’s nephew and disciple Gomtsul (1116 – 1169), advised him to stay at Gampo, he followed the words of Gampopa and went north to Barom.
From 1154 onward, he stayed in solitary retreat there at Dza Telu Rinchenbung for seven years. He mostly sustained himself through the power of his meditative concentration. During these years, he sang twenty-nine cycles of great dohas, such as his supplication to the Kagyu gurus. Thereafter, he travelled to Kham and was supported by the great official Yeshe Sal. He stayed in Gyotu Tragar for three years where he instructed numberless disciples, with many geshes gathering around him.
All in all, he went to Kham three times and founded the monasteries of Gotso and Lode. In 1176, he went on to Chipar Lhakang, where the sponsor Tartrawa offered him his sons, horses and so on. Dharma Wangchug placed his hands on the head of one of these young boys, who sat at the family’s nomad tent, and said, “I give you empowerment through OM AH HUM. You will become a siddhi who benefits sentient beings”. Later, the boy became his main disciple, Tishri Repa (1164 – 1236).
Eventually, he returned to Barom and built a temple and a monastery there at one side of Red Rock. He displayed innumerable signs of having attained siddhis and gave dharma advice to many students. He also had a meeting with the founder of the Dalung Kagyu School, Dalung Tangpa Dashi Bal (1142 – 1210), who had arrived on a river nearby.
In 1198, he met Jigden Sumgon (1143 – 1217), the founder of the Drikung School, as the latter was on his way to Namra. He received some instructions on bodhicitta and Mahamudra from Jigden Sumgon and, in return, payed perfect homage and service to him, such as offering his own disciples. Finally, at the age of seventy-two, he passed away by displaying many miraculous signs.
In general, Baromba Dharma Wangchug guided many disciples through unifying the Mahamudra of the basic nature and the Mahamudra of bliss-emptiness in sutra and tantra. In this way, he became the founder of the Barom Kagyu lineage, whose teachings were widely propagated (mainly by Tishri Repa), thus becoming one of the four greater Kagyu lineages. Among his many disciples, the foremost were “the four great sons” such as Dsetrom Wangchug Senge, “the four close ones” such as Traga Lhadon, and “the five sons who held his lineage” such as Tishri Repa. The latter eventually became the guru of the then Chinese emperor (“tishri” means imperial preceptor) and demonstrated many miraculous feats at the court.
He was followed – in both roles as the supreme head of the Barom lineage and the imperial guru – by Repa Garbo, who was even more accomplished than Tishri Repa. After him came Tsangsar Lume Dorje, who was enthroned by the then Central Tibetan king Chogyal Pagba as both the head of the Barom lineage and the local ruler of Tsangsar in the province of Nangchen in eastern Tibet. Both positions were continued by Jangchub Shonnu and his successors.
The Barom Kagyu Lineage continue to be headed from generation to many generations in transmission, and practice lineage to become enlightened.
Prayer Requests
Request for Blessing and Prayer at sacred Buddhist Centers of the 900-year-old Barom Kagyu lineage in California, Sydney, Vietnam, Malaysia and Nunnery in Kham (Tibet)
Blessing for Long Life with Good Health
H.E. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche and Lama will perform blessings of people to promote their long life and excellent health
Prayer for the Recently Deceased
In Tibetan Buddhism, death is an extremely important event. For 49 days after the departing of a person, the monks will pray daily for the deceased to experience a smooth journey through the Bardo and to achieve a rebirth in the high realms. The Phowa prayers are extremely powerful as they purify the deceased of their negative Karma. Prayers are dedicated to Dorje Sempa Buddha, Medicine Buddha and to Amitabha Buddha.
Visit Us
50B Woods Road, Sefton, NSW, 2162, Australia
Hours
Monday–Friday
8am–6pm
Phone
(612) 9786 5513