Tag Archive for Introduction to Sharp Weapon Wheel

The 5th and final part of the Introduction to Sharp Weapon Wheel , including the Foreword to the text by C.R Lama

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This recording is now available from the audio/video tab

As I edit these recordings I pay particular attention to different aspects of the wave-form – the amplitude, which indicates the variation in loudness…the clarity…the clicks, crackles, plosives and also the speed of delivery and length of spaces.
Knowing that the content is challenging enough in itself to engage with. . . I can modify all of these, or re-record words or phrases in an attempt to make it as clear, and ‘easy on the ear’, for you as possible.

This time, within the wave-form of the words with which James concludes his introduction to the text, I noticed (my mind construed from lines of different lengths) some particular patterns or shape-formations within the wave. For me, they evoked stupas resounding, and prayer-wheels resonating . . .
So I abstracted them, and turned them on their sides…adapting them, to better fit my projection and for this post! : )

The first is an image of the words ‘C.R. Lama opened the dazzling field of dharma to our world-weary eyes’
The words that come before that are ‘Giving everything… and asking for nothing except our own efforts on the path’. . .
The second image is of the words which follow that …’The kindness of the Guru can never be repaid!’

In this recording James explains how applying ourselves to these Mahayana teachings can help us to move to the ‘third stage of peaceful equanimity free of attraction and aversion’…and how this third stage may be ripened into full fruition…

Amaryllis flowering, recording completed, with infinite gratitude Saga Dawa 2024

Part 4 & Saga Dawa Düchen resounding ~ an invitation

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All compounded phenomena are unreliable and subject to change… garden ornament ‘buddhas’ are no exception !…but the absolute truth at the heart of the dharma teachings is uncompounded, satisfying and reliable in it’s unchanging nature…

The 84000 group is a non-profit organisation which translates the words of the Buddha.
They recently translated a very brief sutra, the Gold Sutra … and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche is including a one hour teaching on that, entitled ‘Pure Gold’, in a session (as part of a longer teaching on Sadhana Practice) starting at 5pm IST on 22nd May (12.30 UK, I think).
This will be followed by a short resounding…where all who would like to, can join from wherever they are to recite the sutra together, no registration is necessary
I’ve participated in this in the past and found it a lovely thing to do. If you’re interested you can read the sutra and find out more about their work, and about resoundings on their website… 84000: Translating the words of the Buddha.

Contributing to the celebrations, the fourth part of James ‘Introduction to Sharp Weapon Wheel’ is now published here, under Audio/Video. The fifth and final section is recorded and will be available very soon.

Also, in case you haven’t noticed, the Commentary to Repelling all troubles is now published here with James blessing…and links to the text etc.
In Mahayana practice, what we do for one …we do for all. So, as troubles abound, this is a wonderful practice to have …and to practice for one and all.

Macclesfield talk 14 Integrating openness and presence (audio only) includes the practice of Tong Len, another way to work with the suffering of the world which can be very physical as explained there, or more subtly using just the breath as explained in Part 4 of the Introduction to Sharp Weapon Wheel.

Many different groups are working to bring about benefit to the world, in different ways… and with these and other practises, without becoming biased and judgmental in reification, we can be actively supportive of their efforts… and the welfare of all beings without exception.

Part 3 of 5 of Mistaken Identities – the Introduction to Sharp Weapon wheel

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‘Appreciation of all’

The dharma-medicine which enables us to free ourselves from samsaric suffering does not taste good to the ego-self with its notions of ‘I’m special, central, know what’s what…know good from bad … this story-line is true my identity ‘


However if we take the medicine, applying ourselves to it and it to us… we shine a light onto the beliefs upon which its apparent existence is founded… and begin to examine these and put their apparently inherent validity into question.

That any activity enacted within the duality of relative reality is ‘karmic activity’ is rarely heard in our world… nor are the consequences understood …

Happily, as we engage with the course of treatment, egoic-identification is deflated by wisdom… and the inflammation and irritation arising from the karmic provocations of the ‘Sharp Weapon’ in the text, diminish.
As an ’empty wheel’ among other ’empty wheels’… absent the five poisons concomitant with karmic intentionality, activity is also free… illusory.

With depth and clarity James explains how the medicine offered in the text can help to open us to our non-dual presence.

This section of the introduction is now available under audio/video on the menu > Finding Freedom (2) bar or here…

Maybe you’ll get it in one reading/listening …but for me it took time, and many readings for it to begin to sink in!

Thanks to Jean for the photo …