Niguma (Dakini) ~ The Innate State ~ Vajrayana Buddhism
Oct 30, 2024
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Delve into the life of Niguma, a pivotal figure in Vajrayana Buddhism and a dakini from Kashmir. Learn about her profound teachings that are said to originate directly from Buddha Vajradhara. Discover how Niguma influenced great masters like Marpa Lotsawa, who sought her guidance. The podcast also examines the nature of mind and reality, emphasizing the illusory quality of thoughts. Enjoy insights into meditation practices that purify intentions and promote true awareness on the path to enlightenment.
Achieving enlightenment requires recognizing the illusion-like nature of thoughts and the importance of pure devotion in meditation.
Visualizing oneself as a deity and cultivating noble intentions can transform ordinary thoughts into a realization of the mind's innate state.
Deep dives
Understanding the Nature of Illusion and Enlightenment
Recognizing the illusion-like nature of our thoughts is essential for achieving enlightenment. When one meditates on these thoughts, they can dissolve into a state of pure devotion and awareness of the mind's true nature. The podcast emphasizes that our ordinary thoughts can be purified by visualizing ourselves as a deity and cultivating a noble intention to help others. This process leads to a realization of the innate state of our minds, which is viewed as the body of ultimate enlightenment.
The Liberation from Cyclic Existence
The discussion highlights how thoughts of anger and desire keep individuals trapped in the cycles of existence, likened to bubbles in the ocean that emerge and dissolve. By understanding and cutting through these thoughts to reveal their lack of intrinsic nature, one can disrupt this cycle. The essence of true meditation lies in resting undistracted in the boundless state of mind, acknowledging that all phenomena are manifestations of the mind itself. Ultimately, true realization brings spontaneous presence and fulfillment, transcending acceptance and rejection while providing a jewel-like essence of fulfillment.
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Exploring the Nature of Mind and Illusion in Enlightenment
Niguma is considered one of the most important and influential yoginis and Vajrayana teachers of the 10th or 11th century in India. Born in Kashmire, she was a dakini, and one of the two female founders of the Shangpa Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism, along with dakini Sukhasiddhi. Her birth name was Shrijnana (or Palgyi Yéshé in Tibetan).
From the perspective of the spiritual lineage, it is said that Niguma's spiritual realisation originates directly from the Buddha Vajradhara, rather than from any living human teachers.
The great meditation master and translator, Marpa Lotsawa received teachings from Niguma on at least two occasions. Marpa is said to have visited Niguma each time he traveled to India. Sources say that he sought out Niguma on the advice of Naropa, Niguma's brother.
The elusiveness of Niguma is typical of the lore of the dakini, the very embodiment of liminal spiritual experience.
Music: State Azure - Foundations 1
🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.