Thinley Norbu (1931–2011)

In this autobiographical narrative, Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche sets a magical scene as he describes his early years in "Snowland" (Tibet) as one of seven children of the renowned Nyingma master Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche. After touching on his youthful training and experiences, Rinpoche describes how he traveled and taught in many different nations and cities in the East and West. Shifting between poetic observations and earthy humor, he shares stories of worldly and spiritual events accompanied by incisive commentary and sublime prayers.… (meer)

Thinley Norbu addresses questions of interest to Western and Eastern students of Tibetan Buddhism, ranging from matters of everyday practice to esoteric philosophy.

Young practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism from Asian and Western cultures have similar questions and concerns, such as the conflicts between traditional values and the influence of modern materialism. In four thoughtful commentaries (described below), Thinley Norbu addresses contrasting cultural perspectives on topics ranging from everyday practice to esoteric Buddhist philosophy.

Gypsy Gossip: How should Westerners understand the rituals of Tibetan Buddhism, the teachings of karma and rebirth, monastic discipline, devotion to the guru, and the importance of keeping vows? Do Vajrayana practitioners need a consort? What is the Buddhist stand on male supremacy? These are just a few of the wide-ranging questions of Western students that are answered here by Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche in an atmosphere of spiritual friendship.

Buddhism in the West: In this never-before-published interview conducted by Melvin McLeod, editor of Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma magazines, Rinpoche gives an extensive commentary on how cultural differences have affected the adoption of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. For example, Western children are raised to develop a strong sense of selfhood instead of humility, to be preoccupied with materialistic ideas about what is apparent to the five senses, and to embrace eternalist religion. Because of misapplied ideals of egalitarianism and individual freedom, many Western Buddhists are skeptical of traditional doctrines like karma and rebirth, devotion to the guru, and the importance of lineage. Rinpoche explains that Buddhism can flourish in the West through a greater development of faith and belief.

A Message for Young Bhutanese: Rinpoche had a close personal connection with the kingdom of Bhutan. In this message he urges young Buddhists to preserve their spiritual heritage and carry its blessings onward amid the modern influences of materialism. He warns against introducing foreign nihilistic beliefs into Bhutan and creating sectarian conflicts between its indigenous lineages. These words of advice were written for an organization called the Young Bhutanese Buddhist Association.

An Introduction to Dharma Dance Offerings: The Dharma dances of Tibet, which manifest the enlightened activities of peaceful and wrathful deities, are contrasted with ordinary dancing that expresses the passions of material reality and lacks the positive influence of wisdom. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche was himself an accomplished practitioner and teacher of sacred dance. This commentary was written in connection with several teaching films directed by Rinpoche, in which Dharma dances are performed by some of his young students.… (meer)

Brief teachings, prayers, and liturgies by famous Tibetan Buddhist scholar-saints from medieval to modern times.

With the wish to inspire and motivate practitioners, Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche has translated a selection of wisdom teachings into direct and simple English that retains the power of the original writings and their emphasis on practice. The authors are five of the most sublime scholar-saints of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism: Kunkhyen Longchenpa, Kunkhyen Jigme Lingpa, Patrul Rinpoche, Mipham Rinpoche, and Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche. Their compositions include words of advice, poetic praises, concise daily prayers, and liturgies accompanied by instructions, written over a span of time from the medieval to the modern era. These precious teachings are intended to be the cause of faith, practice, and enlightenment.… (meer)

An esteemed teacher comments on the Seven-Line Prayer, a popular devotional prayer recited daily by practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.

Of all the heartfelt devotional prayers used as a support for Dharma practice, the Seven-Line Prayer is the most essential, often repeated many thousands of times by practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism. This concise prayer invokes the blessings of Padmasambhava, also called Guru Rinpoche (“Precious Teacher”) and known as the Buddha of our time. Guru Rinpoche brought the Dharma from India to Tibet in the eighth century and is the source of the Tibetan Dzogchen tradition, the Great Perfection teachings that awaken the enlightened nature of one’s own mind.

Although the prayer is short and simple, its different levels of meaning make this commentary a welcome study aid for practitioners. Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche provides an account of the historical origin of the prayer and the power of its blessings, and comments on its two levels of meaning: one, according to the common Mahayana teachings; the other, according to the uncommon Dzogchen realizations. He repudiates various mistaken interpretations and clarifies a number of important philosophical views and meditation methods. The book also includes the text of the Seven-Line Prayer in English and Tibetan.… (meer)