The Lineage Student has sufficient awareness and commitment to make lifetime commitments to the practice, teachings and lineage and enter into a
deeper level of spiritual relationship with Lama Palden. Note: There are lifetime commitments at other levels too (see Refuge Vows, Bodhisattva Vows, Tantric Vows). This level of practice both requires the willingness and gives one the ability spiritually to face one's psychological issues that previously were hidden and move towards full integration spiritually, psychologically and physically. Devotion, gratitude, love, compassion and wisdom are the fruits of practice. Students move towards and into realization of non-duality and the integration of this in one's stream of being. In addition to formal practice, songs of realization from the awakened masters of the lineages are studied and sung to enhance understanding and realization.
Vajrayana
Continued study and practice occurs to deepen understanding both experientially and intellectually. Creation and completion stage practice at this level focuses on complete transformation and liberation of body, speech and mind to awakened body, speech, and mind. Transformation of identity and apprehension of subtle consciousness occurs through the process of the primary yidams of the Shangpa Kagyu and Karma Kagyu. Mantra Mahamudra joins shunyata with manifestation of pure being. Practices fuel and enhance the process of the realization of the three kayas. Yidam, Six Yoga, and other advanced practices work with the transformation and awakening of the subtle body as well as with the mind. Students learn to turn all experience to the path, allowing the liberation of the eight worldly dharmas. Practice to actualize the four enlightened activities of pacifying, enriching, magnetizing and subduing follows yidam and is interwoven with the path. With devotion and sincerity, students move towards and into realization of true nature, the deathless state.
Mahamudra
Students continue to work with the stabilization of the integration of samatha and vipashyana. Hindrances and enhancements are studied and worked with in practice and in moment to moment daily life in training. Students work with the actualization of the Four Yogas of Mahamudra: One-Pointedness, Freedom From Elaboration, One Taste, and Nonmeditation.
Additional Study Topics include
Certainty
Confidence
8 Consciousnesses in relationship to Mahamudra
Buddha Families in relationship to Mahamudra
Connate Union
Practices
Mahamudra, Guru Yoga, Advanced Yidam practice, Six Arm Mahakala (Chagdrupa), Six Yogas of Sukhasiddhi and Niguma, Vajra Kilaya, the entirety of the Five Golden Dharmas of the Shangpa lineage are practiced— made one's own.
Lineage Student Reading List
Arya Maitreya, Jamgon Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye,
Khenpo Tsultrim. |
Buddha Nature: The Mahayana Uttaratantra Shastra with Commentary. |
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| Brunnhölzl, Karl. |
Straight From the Heart: Buddhist Pith Instructions. |
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| Harding, Sarah. |
Machik's Complete Explanation: Clarifying the Meaning of Chod. |
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| Namgyal, Dakpo Tashi. |
Clarifying the Natural State. |
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| Namgyal, Takpo Tashi. |
Mahamudra. The Quintessence of Mind and Meditation. |
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| Rinpoche, Kalu. |
Secret Buddhism: Vajrayana Practices. |
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| Rinpoche, Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso. |
Ascertaining Certainty About the View. |
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| Scott, Jim, trans. |
Maitreya's Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being. |
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Biography
| Dowman, Keith. |
The Divine Madman. |
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| Rinpoche, Khenchen Thrangu. |
The Life of Tilopa. |
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| Read songs of realization and biographies whenever possible. |
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To Read Gradually Over Time:
This is a series of books (many volumes in Tibetan) that is gradually being published by Snow Lion as the translations are complete. This translation project was the last project Khabje Kalu Rinpoche put together before his passing into Paranirvana:
Kongtrul, Jamgon. The Treasury of Knowledge.
Optional
Preece, Rob. The Psychology of Buddhist Tantra.
Commitments at the Lineage Student Level:
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Carrying on commitments of previous levels
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Full samaya bond with Lama Palden
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Practicing the Five Nails of Naropa:
- taking illness as enhancement
- using death as an aid
- taking mental afflictions as the path
- liberating signs and thoughts in their own place
- taking obstacles as siddhis (accomplishments)
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Practicing the Four Generosities Towards Sentient Beings:
- Giving of things/necessities—if sick give medicines, hungry, food, etc.
- Teaching the dharma if one is authorized, sharing the dharma, or keeping in mind all kinds of beings and reciting sutras and thinking that they receive the teachings in this way
- Giving of fearlessness or security— If in danger protect them
- Generosity of love: develop love for all beings & aspire to bring them to Enlightenment
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Empowerments taken as necessary for specific practices
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Self retreats as well as Sukhasiddhi group retreats
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Further Study of Lineage texts
Service Commitment
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Serve when authorized and requested as mentors, practice leaders, sangha and organizational leaders and the like; engage in continuing service to the teachers, the students, and all the elements of the Sukhasiddhi Mandala; meet other similar expectations and lama-requests as they are developed over time.
