Sep 04

An Analysis of the Original Split of Buddhism into Two Schools

Origins of Secret Mantra • Day Six  September 4th, 2025. For the teaching today, His Holiness Karmapa spoke about the position of the Korean scholar Lee Ja-Rang and gave a summary of the original split of Buddhism into two schools. Lee Ja-Rang’s Position First, His Holiness explained the work of... read more →
Sep 01
Aug 27

Saint or Sinner? Unravelling the Story of Mahādeva

Origins of Secret Mantra • Day Four  August 27th, 2025. On the fourth day, the Karmapa continued to speak about the bhikṣu Mahādeva. During the previous teaching Mahādeva was described according to the Sarvāstivāda, or the Vaibhāśika (Exposition) School. Their most famous text is The Great Exposition, or Mahāvibhāṣā, and... read more →
Aug 22
Aug 20

The Ten Impermissible Points: Comparing the Traditions

Origins of Secret Mantra • Day Two  20 August 2025 On the second day of the teachings, the Gyalwang Karmapa continued his exposition on the ten impermissible points with a comparison of the Pali Theravāda tradition and the Tibetan translation of the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, where it is found in Minor... read more →
Aug 18

The Ten Impermissible Points

Origins of Secret Mantra • Day One  18 August 2025 At the beginning of the first session of this year's Mar Ngok Summer Teachings, His Holiness the Karmapa reminded us of the various topics he had covered during previous teachings. This included early Buddhism at the time of the Buddha,... read more →
Apr 02

Fifty Verses on the Guru • Day Six

Exploring the Relationship Between the Authentic Student and the Authentic Guru 2 April 2025 After greeting everyone, the Karmapa began by explaining that these instructions on following a guru or spiritual friend applied to Buddhism in general and not just to Secret Mantra, though the word ‘guru’ might have specific... read more →