In August 2008, Acharya Mahayogi Shridhar Rana Rinpoche's disciples received some really wonderful news that is of great importance and a matter for joy, celebration, and unlimited gratitude. We learned that our precious Guru Ratnashri's termas had started appearing around 14 years ago. They were validated by H.E. Karma Thinley Rinpoche since back then, and this process has continued throughout the 14 years as more and more termas have been discovered. read more

Marshland Flowers

Ratnashri's series articles published weekly in News Front. The articles clarify prevailing misconceptions on Buddhism and help general readers understand authentic Buddhism. The articles first appeared on 16-22 April 2007 issue. News Front is a weekly newspaper that is published every Monday. Read the articles published to date in full.  read more

An Emic Critique of Austine Waddell’s “Buddhism & Lamaism of Tibet” – a gross misrepresentation of the Vajrayana of Tibet

In this critique, I would like to make general Nepalese scholars aware that Austine Waddell’s “Buddhism & Lamaism of Tibet” cannot and should not be taken as an authoritative book on “Tibetan Buddhism”, the common appellation for what I call the Vajrayana of Tibet. Waddell’s book contains literally thousands of mistakes, wrong information, misinterpretations, and perhaps even purposeful distortions. We cannot consider the entire book in this critique but I shall take the preface and the first 75 pages, which will give a sufficient idea of the whole. read more

 Vajrayana Buddhism Vis-à-Vis Hindu Tantricism 

As both Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Tantra (also known as Vajrayana) are profound subjects and I am neither a Siddha nor a Pandit, I have great trepidation in writing about these topics. However, many writers have stated that both Tantras are basically the same, when in fact they are very different. Hindu Tantra is based on the Hindu Advaita – which means view of one form or the other. Vajrayana is based on Advaya or non-dual. This Buddhist tenet comes from the expositions of Nagarjuna and his followers (known as Madhyamika), and the Asanga/Vasubahndu (Chittamatra) group. Hence, to extricate Vajrayana from the wrong views surrounding its meaning, I feel compelled to write. read more

 

Sahayak Samathacharya Anupama Dahal launched her music album Paglaa Baadal on January 26, 2008. Click the link below to see the Namo Amitabhaya track video!! see pictures  read more

 

Check out the Events section for monthly Byoma Kusuma Events!

December 22, Kathmandu: This month's Devi's ganapuja was successfully organised at SM Ranjan Thapa's newly purchased house at Kapan. Many sangha members attended the program.

December 21, Kathmandu: Please click here for some sangha updates.

December 9, Kathmandu: The 17th Sakya Monlam, an annual aspiration prayer festival, was held in Lumbini from November 27 to December 6. H.H. Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya Rinpoche, H.E. Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, H.E. Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, H.E. Asanga Rinpoche, Venerable Shabdrung Rinpoche and many other Rinpoches presided over the ceremonies. Hundreds of monks and foreigners from around the globe also participated in the event. From Byoma Kusuma, Venerable Jetsunma and some of our sangha members attended the festival and offered mandala on the 4th of December. The festival concluded with H.H. Sakya Trizin Rinpoche compassionately bestowing a long life empowerment to all those present.

The Sakya Monlam is held every year to pray for the long life of all the holy Gurus of all the Buddhist traditions, for the survival and spread of the Dharma, and for world peace.

Sangha Update:
1) Sangha members attended the Guru Padmasambhava ganapuja for this month at the newly purchased house of sangha member Suresh Pokhrel at Jorpati.
2) Sahayak Dharmadhara Narayan sir has also purchased a piece of land beside his present residence at Hadigaon.
3) Sangha member Ranjan Thapa has also bought a house at Kapan.

November 23, Bishalnagar: Under the direct guidance and blessing of Ratnashri, another EFT seminar in Nepali was held for sangha members at Bishalnagar from November 23 to December 7. As in the previous seminars, the participants of the latest EFT seminar noted that the seminar was extremely helpful and enjoyable. Please read the feedback provided by some of the participants.

November 19, Boudha: Around 45 of our sangha members participated in the enthronement ceremony of Kyabje Yangsi Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche at the Pal Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery (Big White Monastery) at Boudha on Wednesday. Rinpoche is the reincarnation (Tulku) of late Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, a very great Dzogchen master and root Guru of precious Ratnashri. The enthronement day was special as it commemorated Bhagwan Shakyamuni Buddha's descent from Tushita Heaven, according to the Tibetan tradition. There was a clear blue sky and lots of participants, mostly monks, nuns and foreigners. Led by Venerable Jetsunma, the sangha members chanted Mangalastak (the eight auspiciousness prayer) and offered mandala chanting in Sanskrit to Kyabje Yangsi Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche on behalf of Ratnashri and the B.K. family. The program will continue till November 22.

November 13, Kathmandu: Sangha members are invited to participate in a 12-hour Arya Tara Puja on Saturday, November 15, at Sahayak Samathacharya Anupama Dahal's residence in New Baneshwor. Please feel free to participate anytime between 7 am to 7 pm. Kindly register your name beforehand if possible at the Byoma Kusuma office in Bishalnagar (4426863). The puja is being organised on the compassionate advice of H.E. Karma Thinley Rinpoche for the welfare of the sangha and all the sentient beings.

November 8, Bishalnagar: Sangha members successfully organised a 36-hour Monlam (aspiration prayers) starting 5 pm on November 6 at Bishalnagar. The program, participated by around 150 sangha members, consisted of chanting Bhadrachari prayer without a break. Several members stayed overnight to keep the chanting on throughout the night. Venerable Tulku Rinchen Rinpoche, founder and trustee of the nearby Snowland Ranag Light of the Education School, also graced the program with his presence on the first day. Many students from his school also participated. The Monlam was organised on the compassionate advice of H.E. Karma Thinley Rinpoche for the benefit of Nepal, Nepali sangha and all the sentient beings.

October 18, Washington DC: The Washington DC sangha held the 10 day EFT workshop with the guidance and blessings of Ratnashri. The workshop started on October 18th and went on to the 28th. All the participants felt that the process was worth coming in to after work and they felt very empowered. There were several very acute self-observations and identification of stuck places. Also some revealing dreams, and overall awareness of thoughts and reaction patterns. We did 3 days for anger. As the days went by, everyone was becoming visibily lighter and more relaxed. By the last session, everyone was screaming out the affirmations gleefully. Also there was a sense of bonding among the people in the group. Please read the feedback provided by some of the participants