Dharma Talks

Khenpo Drimed Dawa, President and teacher for Dharmakirti College in Tucson, AZ, gives monthly public dharma talks on basic concepts of Buddhism. Khenpo Drimed Dawa began practicing Buddhism in the late 1960s and Tibetan Buddhism in 1998. He is an ordained Ngakpa (lay practitioner) and in February 2009 was granted the title of Khenpo. This is a Tibetan Buddhist title given to highly accomplished practitioners and teachers comparable to a PhD in the United States.

Prajnaparamita.Although Prajnaparamita, the Mother of Wisdom, enters the tradition earlier than some of the figures in our earlier talks, she is especially important as a female personification of ultimate wisdom, a fitting end to this series on the sacred feminine.

Simhamukha.The Lion-Faced Dakini has a special role in Tibetan Buddhism as a teacher and protector of advanced practices. She is an emanation of Vajrayogini and key teacher of Padmasambhava, the second Buddha and largely credited with the spread of Buddhism in Tibet.

Machig Labdron.Machig was an historical figure who founded a lineage in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition with strong sacred feminine elements, even though the focus is on overcoming attachment and ego. This talk looks at the impact of this important historical figure.

Vajrayogini Vajrayogini manifests in several forms and is a key figure in the advanced practices of Highest Yoga Tantra, particularly the completion-stage practices. This talk examines the Vajrayogini tradition and role in contemporary practices.

Tantra. Tantra is largely understood in the West from popularized Hindu traditions. This talk looks at the history of tantra and how it was integrated into the monastic and lay traditions, especially the role and impact on the sacred feminine and sexual yogas in Tibetan Buddhism.

Yeshe Tsogyal
Yeshe Tsogyal was the consort of Padmasambhava, the Second Buddha and largely credited with the dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet. Yeshe Tsogyal is credited with writing down countless teachings of Padmasambhava so that they could benefit future generations. She played a very important role in the development of the sacred feminine in the tradition.

Dakini
Dakinis or Sky Dancers played an evolving role in the Tibetan tradition from dangerous to protective. This talk examines those roles and the impact on Tibetan Buddhism.

Tara
Tara is one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism. She is the female Buddha of Compassion. She has 21 different forms. Our Spiritual Director, Khenchen Lama Rinpoche, wrote a commentary on the 21 Taras that was published in China and very well received. We will examine the role of Tara in practice and implications for Buddhism in general.

Women in Tibetan Buddhism.
This talk is an introduction to the theme of these talks. It will explore the role of women in the early and later tradition, as well as the introduction of tantra into Buddhism and the female principle in Tibetan Buddhist doctrine.

Four Noble Truths
This was the first teaching given by the Buddha after his enlightenment and forms the core of all of the Buddhist teachings. These truths are: the truth of suffering, the truth of its cause, the truth of transcendence, and the truth of the path.

The Noble Eightfold Path
This is the “truth of the path” in the Four Noble Truths. These are divided into three categories: ethics, meditation, and wisdom. Buddhist views of each of these, divided into the eight means described by the Buddha, will be explained.

The Law of Karma
Karma means activity. The principle is often described in the West as “what goes around comes around” (actions and consequences), causes and conditions. The talk will also look at the relationship between karma and reincarnation, as well as the seeds of karma, consciousness, impermanence, and transcendence of karma from a Buddhist view.

Who Was the Buddha and Who Is He Now?
This talk presents the story of the historical Buddha, as well as the legendary story of the Buddha and the implications for Buddhism today.

Basic Meditation
This talk focuses on basic “shamata” meditation. This is the foundation of more advanced practices. Placing our attention on a specific object of focus, one achieves a single-pointed calm abiding. The talk will include the 9 stages of shamata, as well as practical applications for health and well being.
Basic Meditation Handout

Buddhist Deities and Meditation
Who are all these deities? These figures are used in the process of mind training in the Tibetan or Tantric Buddhist tradition. The talk will examine the variety of peaceful and wrathful forms, as well as the role of these meditations in the path to enlightenment.
Buddhist Diety and Meditation Handout