Year of the Wood Dragon (2151) 2024 - Important Dates

Message from Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche

Firstly, Rinpoche wishes to extend his best wishes to all students, supporters and friends for a very happy New Year 2024. May this New Year, the Tibetan year of the Wood Dragon 2151, bring to all of you a lot of joy and happiness.

In our daily practice and at our individual level, it is immensely important to have the right motivation and to always generating Bodhicitta Mind which is the wisdom and compassion to benefit all sentient beings. If we continuously and steadfastly practice in this manner, we can be absolutely sure to moving swiftly along the path to supreme enlightenment.

May this year 2024 experience fewer natural disasters such as earthquakes, droughts, floods and so forth.

  • May we all always enjoy excellent health.

  • May all his Dharma followers in all directions practice the Dharma diligently, bringing joy and happiness not just for oneself but for all other sentient beings.

  • May all your obstacles be dispelled and may you always encounter happiness.

Calendar and important practice days

In Buddhist traditions, certain days are considered especially auspicious for particular Dharma practices. These days can be recurrent either each (Tibetan) month or annually. The information below only serves as general guidelines to important practice dates but it is essential to obtain instructions from a fully qualified teacher.

1. Buddha's Days (recurring each Tibetan month): on these days, the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied 100 times

  • 8th Day - Medicine Buddha

  • 10th Day - Guru Rinpoche

  • 15th Day - Amitabha Buddha

  • 25th Day - Dakini

  • 30th Day - Shakyamuni Buddha

2. Eclipses: On days when Solar and Lunar eclipses fall, the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied by 10,000 times.

3. Major Buddhist Festivals (Duchen): for example, Saka Dawa Duchen, the 4th Tibetan month (from 20/05/2023 to 18/06/2023) is the most auspicious time for Dharma practice because the effects of positive actions are multiplied by Ten million times, and observance of the five basic precepts is strongly recommended. Killing of animals is not permitted and eating of black foods such as meat, is generally discouraged.

Past Events

23th – 24th Feb 2024

Milarepa and Marpa Lotsawa Anniversaries

Dear Dharma Friends,

Everyone is familiar with the special relationship between Milarepa and Marpa Lotsawa. However the upcoming anniversary will emphasize Guru devotion or Guru yoga as a testament to Milarepa’s unwavering dedication to his guru despite the numerous challenges and hardships Marpa put him through. The relationship between Milarepa and his guru is often cited as an example of the transformative power of guru devotion in the spiritual journey. It highlights the importance of trust, obedience and dedication to the guidance of a qualified spiritual teacher on the path to enlightenment.

The anniversary days of Mila and Marpa fall on the 23rd and 24th of February, respectively. Under the guidance and teachings of Ven. Sonam Rinpoche, we should draw inspiration from these masters to deepen our devotion towards our present guru, making it possible to attain enlightenment within our lifetime.

Rinpoche sometimes suggests that students read two books: Milarepa’s life story and the "100,000 Songs of Milarepa." These books are documented clearly and precisely, narrating his fabulous journey through samsara on the path to enlightenment. Thus, please join Ven. Sonam Rinpoche and other Lamas to celebrate the special event as scheduled below

Friday, 23th February 2024

  • 8.30am – 12.00am Milarepa Guru Yoga

  • 12:00pm – 02:00pm Lunch break

  • 02:00pm – 04:30pm Milarepa Guru Yoga and Tsok Offering

  • 04:30pm – 05:00pm Tea Break

  • 05:00pm – 06:30pm Mahakala puja

  • 06:30pm – 07:00pm Dinner Break

  • 07:00pm – 08:00pm Milarepa’s Aspiration prayer & Lamp Lighting Offering

Saturday, 24th February 2024

  • 8.30am – 12.00am Barom Kagyu linage Toha pray

  • 12:00pm – 02:00pm Lunch break

  • 02:00pm – 05:00pm Barompa Guru Yoga

May you join the anniversaries via a live stream on ZOOM

Zoom Id: 946 144 7283 Passcode: BK8888

Latest News

Latest news and activities from Barom Kagyu Centers

Losar Festival 2024

Losar is considered to be the most significant festival of the Buddhist Community in Tibet.  The festival marks the Tibetan New Year and is celebrated with great splendour and grandeur. The Tibetan Buddhists observe the festival to ward off evil spirit and welcome the arrival of the New Year filled with happiness and prosperity.

A 4 days celebration ceremony leading by our Spiritual Director, Venerable Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche was held in Sefton, Australia this year. The sessions began with the Wrathful Guru Rinpoche Prayer from 7th February 2024 through to the White Zhambala Blessing on Tibetan New Year Day, 10th February 2024.

Losar Festival is the time to banish negativity and welcome auspicious energy.  With Losar right around the corner, it is a perfect opportunity to purify your soul and welcoming in another year!

Happy Birthday Our Precious Guru

Many of Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s disciples from KL, US, Ha Noi and Saigon celebrated VEN. Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche’s birthday in Saigon.

May all Gurus of the glorious Dharma enjoy excellent health and longevity.

May the land be entirely filled with doctrine holders.

May the merit and virtue of the patrons of the Doctrine increase.

May the auspicious Doctrine continuously remain.

2023 Building Barom Kagyu SaiGon Dharma Center Update

We have done 90% of work on the center in 2023, slowly opening for practioners on weekends

Chodrak Nunnery in Tibet

Seven days Amitayus

Chodrak Monastery in Tibet

The 23rd Barom Kagyu World Peace Prayer Dhama Conference.

Barom Kagyu Chodrak Choe Khorling USA

Great 24 Stupas

Barom Kagyu 2023 In Review

The Latest Teaching

Latest teaching transcripts from 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…

  • Description goes here

    Essential advice of Rinpoche

    We just need to keep our genuine devotion to the Three Jewels…

  • Meditaion

    Ven.Sonam Tenzin Rinpoche

    San Jose

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:

  1. Barom Kagyu – Founded by Barom Darma Wangchuk (1100 – )

  2. Phagdru Kagyu – Founded by Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo (1110 – 1170)

  3. Karma Kagyu – Founded by Dusum Khyenpa, Karmapa I (1110 – 1193)

  4. Tshalpa Kagyu – Founded by Zhang Tsondru Drakpa (1123 – 1193)

The Eight Minor Kagyu Schools:

  1. Drikung Kagyu – Founded by Kyopa Jigten Gampa (1143 – 1212)

  2. Taglung Kagyu – Founded by Taglung Thangpa Tashi Palden (1142 – 1210)

  3. Trophu Kagyu – Founded by Drogon Gyaltsha (1118 – 1195)

  4. Lingre Kagyu – Founded by Lingre Pema Dorje (1128 – 1188)

  5. Martsang Kagyu – Founded by Choje Marpa Dondrup ( )

  6. Yelpa Kagyu – Founded by Yelpa Yeshe Tsek ( )

  7. Yazang Kagyu – Founded by Zarawa Yeshe Senge (1169 – 1207)

  8. 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

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.

 
 
 

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