Mirror of Wisdom Video-Dudjom Rinpoche

At this very moment,
for the peoples and nations of the earth,

May not even the names of disease, famine, war,
and suffering be heard.

But rather, may pure conduct, merit, wealth,
and prosperity increase,

And may supreme good fortune and
sublime well-being always arise.

His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987), an incarnation of one of Guru Rinpoche's twenty-five original disciples, was one of the greatest Buddhist meditation masters, scholars, and poets of the twentieth century. In his previous lifetime His Holiness was a prolific author and a terton (treasure revealer), responsible for bringing forth many prayers unique for their potency and beauty, and particularly beneficial for our time. His reincarnation, born in 1991, has been formally recognized by H. H. the Dalai Lama. The power of his aspiration is such that his emanations benefit beings whenever circumstances are right.

DVDs

We offer a number of rare DVDS/videos of His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche that were filmed during his 1980 visit to America. The translator was Tulku Pema Wangyal. Due to the technology of the time, the quality of some of the videos does not meet today's standard. Nonetheless, we feel that it is most important to make this rare footage available.

The Black Crown Ceremony (#VDR1)

H.H. XVI Gyalwa Karmapa, H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, and Gyatrul Rinpoche together at the Bay Area Yeshe Nyingpo Center, July 14, 1980. His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche invited The Karmapa, accompanied by Jomgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, to his center in Oakland, CA. Spontaneously taped, this brief video is, essentially, a "home movie". It captures the Karmapa's arrival at the center, includes some footage of the lamas at lunch, and then has portions of the Black Crown Ceremony. Regretably, the entire ceremony was not captured due to constraints at the time; nonetheless, the blessing of this unique footage is powerful and immediate.

The Black Crown was first perceived by the Chinese emperor Tai Ming Chen Yung Lo, a student of the fifth Karmapa, in the year 1405. He could see the black field above the Karmapa's head. He ordered a replica made for the benefit of all. The Karmapa then created a ceremony in which he displays the Crown, while embodying the activity of Chenrezig.

Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa (1924-1981), first performed the Black Crown Ceremony at the age of ten. The Black Crown represents a pentagonal energy field above the Karmapa's head symbolizing wisdom and inspiration. It was originally offered to the Bodhisattva Chenrezig by a hundred thousand dakinis which they had woven from their hair. The Karmapas, emanations of Chenrezig, always have this energy field present above their head. It is said that the mere sight of the Black Crown can be enough to ensure liberation within one lifetime.

The Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony (#VDR2)
His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche confers the bodhisattva vows and gives a teaching on bodhichitta and the practice of the bodhisattvas. To conclude, he leads the assembly in the practice of the short Dudjom Tersar Ngöndro. Bay Area Yeshe Nyingpo, June 17, 1980.

The Empowerment of One Thousand Buddhas (#VDR3)
Oakland Auditorium. July 6, 1980.

Tara Empowerment (#VDR4)
Fort Mason, San Francisco, California. May 31, 1980.

Dzogchen Seminar (#VDR5)
His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche teaches on the view and practice. He gives meditation instruction, and then sits in meditation with the assembly. Bay Area Yeshe Nyingpo, July 5, 1980.

This teaching was recorded during a seminar His Holiness gave on the Dzogchen view, meditation and practice. Within the teaching, His Holiness gives detailed meditation instruction and you then sit with him. Pema Wangyal Rinpoche served as translator.

Though it is difficult to hear at times and the age of the video lends to ghostlike images at times (the technology was new and limited), the blessings are great. Receive teachings and meditation instruction from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche.

Death, Dying, and Meditation (#VDR6)
His Holiness gives a Padmasambhava empowerment and instruction on the phowa practice to be done at the time of death. This video also includes footage of Gyatrul Rinpoche and Chagdud Rinpoche. Eugene, Oregon, November 1980. This is a four tape series, each two hours in length.

The Fundamentals: An Explanation of the Nine Vehicles (#VDR7)
Orgyen Chö Dzong, Greenville, New York, Autumn 1980. This teaching was given in a retreat atmosphere, students received instructions and practiced techniques with His Holiness. This is a seven tapes series, each two hours in length.

Vajrasattva Empowerment (#VDR8)
His Holiness performs the preparatory puja for of the empowerment, chanting and playing the cymbals, accompanied by his son, Shenphen Dawa Rinpoche. His Holiness then gives the refuge vows, the Vajrasattva empowerment, and confers blessings. Scott Hall, San Anselmo, California, 1980.

Yeshe Tsogyal Puja (#VDR9)
His Holiness leads the Yeshe Tsogyal sadhana, and then gives a brief commentary. Greenville, New York, 1980.

Visit to Bay Area (#VDR10)
Autumn, 1984. This is, essentially, a “home movie.” There were no microphones used, so the sound quality is poor, and in some places, inaudible. His Holiness arrives with his family, and then blesses a long line of Western disciples (this was the last time H.H. performed such a public blessing in the U.S.). The tape concludes with His Holiness giving a brief long-life blessing at the Berkeley home of Professor Lin.

Practice Tersar Ngondro with His Holiness (#VDR11)
His Holiness leads the short Tersar Ngöndro (excerpted from The Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony). This video is edited specifically as a support for practice: practice the ngöndro with His Holiness!