RongzomFan

I don't see whats ambiguous about: "As I said elsewhere, for Dzogchen all you really need to understand is the five poisons, the five elements, body, voice and mind, as well as the eight examples of illusion. That is about the extent of "abidharma" and madhyamaka you need to understand. You do not even need to understand the five aggregates, etc." He is saying you don't have be a Abhidharma or Madhyamaka master. But there is a bare minimum you have to know. Do you even have transmission? I feel this conversation is pointless.

tantric systems are the pinnacle. especially female deities. This is true of all Dharma, including Buddhadharma.

Well in Mahayana, infinite aspiration to help infinite sentient beings makes the Sambhogakaya be infinite. Namdrol said this many times on Esangha, and I assume he knows what he is talking about.

I am interested. http://thetaobums.com/topic/27587-there-is-no-consciousness/page-2#entry416477 http://thetaobums.com/topic/27662-ekam-sat-the-nature-of-mind-in-dzogchen/#entry416898

Well of course beyond unfabricated presence, they are way different. I didn't mean to imply otherwise.

Yeah but is he dressed like a Brahmin?

I can cite Loppon Namdrol http://www.dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=8921&start=20#p111317

Or it can protect your practice from deviating.

Mental understanding is important

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB-4msQFkqw

I was making the point for general readers.

Karmapa can refer to 3 different people. The old one, and the two new ones.

In Vajrayana, recognizing the nature of the mind is only step 1. Of course you need more concepts, because Buddhahood is predicated on specific practices using the body. How would you know how to do those practices without concepts? You can research on your own that Buddhahood is predicated on understanding emptiness.

Are you suggesting that Advaita Vedanta is some sort of central teaching that I somehow missed on? And that every family is passing on Advaita Vedanta? Then how come it never comes up in Indian movies? I don't recall anyone saying "Hey this is all maya, and I'm really That." Spending a significant amount of time in India with various religious relatives, I don't recall anyone saying "Hey this is all maya, and I'm really That." How come Indian Buddhist texts talk about Mimamsaka, Naiyayika, Samkhya, Vaisesika, Vyakarana, Ajivika, Jaina, Lokayata, but not Vedanta? Is it because Vedanta is a late copy of Buddhism? The promotion of the Vedantization / homogenization of 'Hinduism' actually destroys the important teachings, which are the tantric traditions based on Samkhya.

As far as I'm aware only Buddhadharma leads to omniscient Buddhahood. My point is that I view generic Hinduism as a subset of Buddhadharma.

Well even I mastered jyotish at one point. I came to the same conclusions as professional astrologers. Its a pseudoscience anyone can learn. Keep in mind I'm not denigrating it because Buddhism of course uses the same astrology. And yes it can be accurate. ISKCON people are brainwashed. You might consider me brainwashed, however I do not view Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, Garab Dorje etc. as historical figures. On the other hand I believe Shiva, Parvati etc. are real. Thats hilarious. Keep making unfounded statements. I know about even obscure details for sthapana rituals for permanent idol installations in temples. Like I said I talk to Brahmin priests a lot.

OR the teachings and path of the Mahasiddhas (Vajrayana).

If you want to be an omniscient Buddha, yes. You need to atleast know the 8 examples of illusion.

What is Yogiraj's lineage and teachers? Never mind, there aren't any teachers or lineage

Yogiraj's biography. http://www.siddhanath.org/yogiraj/who-is-yogiraj Kumare's biography http://www.kumare.org/about/

You know something is wrong when you see white guy dressed like a Brahmin and officiating in a Hare Krishna temple.

They are confusing high philosophical systems, like Advaita Vedanta, with generic Hinduism. See my post above.

Hinduism is about doing pujas at home and pujas in temples. Also throw in some customs, festivals, jyotish and popular stories about the gods. 1. I have not met a Hindu even aware of Advaita Vedanta. 2. Advaita Vedanta never comes up at any mass gatherings. 3. I have never heard a lecture on Advaita Vedanta. 4. Advaita Vedanta is not taught in Hindu 'sunday' schools. 5. Working Brahmin priests do not bring up Advaita Vedanta when questioned on Hinduism. (I do lengthy interrogations of Brahmin priests, to further my knowledge). 6. Advaita Vedanta has never come up in any real life situation thus far. So adhering to Advaita Vedanta, which even traditionally is viewed as being close to Buddhism, is ironic. Respectively, it is ironic for Buddhists to be so afraid of Advaita Vedanta.

Well that is impressive even by Indian standards.

Are you really debating distinguishing rigpa and sems?