PBC AND TIBETAN BUDDHISM
ABOUT US
Padmasambhava Buddhist Center (PBC) spreads the teachings of Buddhism according to the most ancient Buddhist school of Tibet. The Center was established in New York in 1989 by two eminent Tibetan masters, Venerable Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Venerable Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, brother lamas who escaped Tibet in 1959. PBC has over 20 centers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Russia. (more on PBC)
OUR TEACHERS
The guidance of a lama is essential for matching one's needs with the appropriate practice. In that regard, we are extremely fortunate to have our two teachers, fondly known as the Khenpos., who are very accomplished in all phases of Tibetan practice and teaching. They first visited Tennessee in 1987, and now come to Nashville once or twice a year and also guide us with great compassion and wisdom from their monastery in the Catskills.
TIBETAN BUDDHISM
Tibetan Buddhism offers a vast landscape of techniques and teachings that can be used for spiritual growth. The rainbow of Tibetan meditation has many colors, some of which are similar to other Buddhist traditions. Distinct, however, is the method of Vajrayana, which employs visualization or wisdom and skillful means to connect us with our own original true nature-- vast, luminous, and rich with wisdom and compassion.
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THE BUDDHA
In his youth as a prince in Nepal 2500 years ago, the Buddha was afforded every luxury and gained mastery in virtually all sports and intellectual activities. He also was married to a lovely princess. However, when confronted by the harsh reality of old age, sickness, and death outside the protective palace, he vowed to find the way out of this universal suffering not for all beings. Thus he left his wife and the security of the palace and set upon his way. He was 29.
6 years of study and mastery of all the available traditions left him still short of the final goal, and so he set upon his own path. And so, under the famous Bodhi tree in India, cut through the final obstacles to complete liberation, no longer subject to karma or any emotional afflictions> He has since been known as the Buddha, or Awakened One.
When the Buddha peacefully passed away at the age of 80, he left behind many awakened students, a vast legion of followers, and most importantly, some 80,000 teachings to be shared with each future generation. Central to these lessons is the idea that all beings hold the future in their own hands, that true happiness can be reached through the service of others and devoted practice to literally change one's mind.
PADMASAMBHAVA
The Buddha prophesied many times that he would be reborn. This came true in the 9th century with the greatly auspicious birth of Guru Padmasambhava, or Lotus-Born. Guru Rinpoche, as he is also known, came to Tibet in 817 and founded the tradition we now all practice. The core heart practice on this great master connects us with our own enlightened mind; in doing so, it creates a link with our true nature, as well as with our long lineage. |
