Blue Sky, White Clouds

  Approximate script, with some variations and possible errors, of the podcast at podbean Refuge and Bodhicitta – and one simple tune. Hello dear listeners, and welcome indeed to another episode of the Double Dorje podcast. There can’t really be any doubt that saying that taking refuge is the gateway to Buddhism is a good metaphor. It’s not perhaps quite so cogent, but does nevertheless probably makes sense, to say that having come into the entrance hall, adopting the bodhisattvas’ vow and training to develop bodhicitta is the grand staircase leading up to the great rooms above. And although, as I keep saying, I’m not trying to give you a course in Buddhism, having just looked at the four revolting thoughts in the last episode, it does follow very naturally to look at the next step – taking refuge. In a moment, we’ll look at that, but first the quick “call to action” as it’s known. Do, please, take a moment on whatever cha...

  Approximate script of the podcast with some variations and possible errors: The Four Thoughts to Turn the Mind – or the Four Revolting Thoughts Something to think about Hello and a truly warm welcome to whoever has come to sit down in the Double Dorje virtual restaurant and listen. This podcast is not very old, but I have several times had occasion to mention the foundation or preliminary practices, the ngondro. When we speak of them, the thing that usually comes to mind is what we call the “special” preliminaries, including all those prostrations, refuge and bodhicitta prayers, purification mantras, mandala offerings, guru yoga and so forth – lots of colour, lots to enjoy! But today I think it’s time to look at the four “ordinary” or “common” preliminaries, since it’s only on the basis of those that these special preliminaries make any sense. So let’s take a quick look at these four, namely the precious human birth, impermanence and death, action and fruit, also just called...

 Approximate script for the podcast episode at  podbean The Guru Rinpoche Mantra Hello and welcome to all faithful listeners and to dippers-in. I feel that the last episode was a bit dull, focusing as it did an awful lot on the frankly mistaken things that people say, do, and think about tantric sex. So I hope that this week’s episode will be full of joy! We’re going to look at Guru Rinpoche’s mantra and some tunes that can be used to sing it. Firstly though, instead of leaving this appeal to the end, I’d like to start out by urging you to take a pause, have a look at the ways that you can like, share or subscribe to this podcast on whatever channel you are using to listen to it, to tell your friends and spread the word. Then come back to enjoy the episode. Would you do that? Thank you in advance! There can be no doubt that the famous “Mani”, the six-syllable Om Mani Peme Hung mantra of Chenrezi, embodiment of compassion, is the most popular mantra in Tibet and in Tibeta...