Old pictures of the 16th Karmapa

Here are a lot of old photos of the 16th Karmapa, many from the inauguration of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling in Boudha.

Self-Appeared image of Tara

During the last 35 years people around Pharping in the southern part of the Kathmandu Valley have noticed that an area of a cliff began to slowly bulge out. It began to look more and more like Tara, the female buddha. At the same time the form of Ganesh also appeared. The place is just below the Asura Cave, sacred to followers of Padmasambhava.
I have seen it many times over the years, and can attest that it has gradually become more distinct.

Thanks to Laila Wisti for the photo.

Well-wishes for tulku Urgyen Jigmey Rabsel Dawa

Om svasti
May the son of Gyurme Dorje, sublime reincarnation
Of Orgyen Chokyur Dechen Lingpa,
Who was a regent, eminent, of Lotus Mahaguru,
The single form of conqurors, most able, wise and kind,
May the triple secrets of Jigmey Rabsel Dawa remain firm,
So he learns, reflects and train until perfection
And becomes a propagator of teachings of the Conquoror.
Through the strength of Vajra Kumara, great and splendid,
May the vicious maras who may try to inflict harm
Be destroyed completely so the force of his activities
Flourish in their might and sway,
And may Amitayus, Mother Wishfulfilling Wheel,
Vijayi, and Vimalamitra as well,
Padma Vajra and his two dakinis,
With an endless deva ocean of immortal life,
Grant their blessings and abilities
So his life is never-waning
And forever remains firm.

--written by Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche before the Yangsi was born.

True Realization

To reveal, with reverence, the true realization: It is the wondrous state attained through Amida's perfect benefiting of others; it is the ultimate fruition of supreme nirvana. It arises from the Vow of necessary attainment of nirvana, also known as the Vow of realization of great nirvana.

When foolish beings possessed of blind passions, the multitudes caught in birth-and-death and defiled by evil karma, realize the mind an practice that Amida directs to them for their going forth, they immediately join the truly settled of the Mahayana. Because they dwell among the truly settled, they necessarily attain nirvana. To necessarily attain nirvana is [to attain] eternal bliss. Eternal bliss is ultimate tranquility. Tranquility is supreme nirvana. Supreme nirvana is uncreated dharma-body. Uncreated dharma-body is true reality. True reality is dharma-nature. Dharma-nature is suchness. Suchness is oneness. Amida Tathagata comes forth from suchness and manifests various bodies - fulfilled, accommodated, and transformed.

Kyogyoshinsho
ch. IV, v. 1

Shinran

Marpa

A decent little documentary on the life of Milarepa's guru Marpa the Translator, who was the founder of the Kagyu.