The Heart Sutra (Sanskrit Prajñāpāramitāhṛdaya or Chinese 心經 Xīnjīng) is one of the most popular and important texts for understanding the Buddha's view of reality, especially throughout East Asia, Tibet, and now the Western world. In 2016, the Gyalwang Karmapa traveled to New Delhi and gave an extensive teaching on the Heart Sutra at the request of disciples from around the world. This was the first time that the Karmapa had taught directly on a sutra as opposed to a commentary. These profound and very detailed teachings auspiciously began on India's Independence Day and lasted for several days, covering topics such as history, line-by-line explanations, meditations, and even sessions where the Prajñāpāramitā Sutra was written out on paper in a calligraphy style. A copy of the Heart Sutra written out by the Gyalwang Karmapa in calligraphy style. Today's podcast episode is the complete teachings on the Heart Sutra given by the Karmapa in New Delhi. At almost seven hours long, it is an inspiring and detailed look at how to truly understand this wonderful and essential text outlining the view of the Buddha for those on the Bodhisattva path. You can download the episode in iTunes or directly using the link below. Please ensure you are subscribed in iTunes to be notified of new episodes and releases.

Selected Talks on Buddhism and Meditation by the Karmapa

How to Understand the Heart Sutra (Podcast Episode #017)

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa has long spoken of the importance of environmental protection and regularly encourages Buddhist students and others to engage in activities that benefit the natural world. In today's podcast we go back to a short and powerful teaching by the Gyalwang Karmapa about the current climate emergency and how he has become involved through promoting a vegetarian diet, the protection of forests, and by encouraging all monasteries and nunneries to partake in various conservation measures. The Karmapa teaches us how environmental protection accords with the Buddhist principles of compassion, interdependence, and loving-kindness, and how we can use these meditations to strengthen our resolve and reduce human greed and desire. The episode is in Tibetan with an English translation.

Buddhism and Environmental Protection (Podcast Episode #016)

This very special episode comes from the Gyalwang Karmapa's recent trip to Canada where he participated in a dialogue between the three major traditions of the Buddha Dharma - the Theravada, Mahayana, and the Vajrayana. The topic was on how to transform disturbing emotions, and the discussion involved a 'question and answer' format, as well as a short teaching by the Karmapa himself on how meditation and Buddhist philosophy can be used to overcome difficult situations in life. This episode has English, Chinese and Tibetan translations. You can listen to the podcast episode below or subscribe in iTunes to be notified of future releases.    

Transforming Disturbing Emotions (Podcast Episode #015)

Today's episode comes from the Gyalwang Karmapa's maiden tour of Canada where he gave teachings all over the country. Many Canadian students had been waiting for years to hear him speak, and so it was a particularly special occasion. This teaching is on the subject of meditation and how we can use this Buddhist practice to find inner freedom and bring about a more happy and beneficial life. The Karmapa approached the topic from the point of view of his own personal experience, and a wonderful, practical and sometimes humorous occasion unfolded over the course of the hour. The talk is in Tibetan with an English translation and has been slightly edited for length and audio clarity. Download this episode // Subscribe in iTunes  

How to Find Freedom Through Meditation (Podcast Episode #014)

Today's podcast episode is a very special two-part teaching from the Gyalwang Karmapa on the famous text known as the 8 Verses of Mind Training by the the renowned historical master, Geshe Langri Tangpa. This particular text contains just eight verses on how we can live a meaningful life that is beneficial to both ourselves and others. For example, the Karmapa explains why we should consider other sentient beings as being more important than ourselves: “Why are sentient beings so valuable? Because in order to achieve awakening we need bodhicitta, and in order to generate bodhicitta we need compassion. And because compassion must be generated with respect to sentient beings, sentient beings are infinitely precious and necessary for our awakening.” This teaching contains many simple and practical tips for how to live a purposeful life, and how to deal with suffering and hardship in a way that transforms our being without weighing us down. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes.  

How to Train Your Mind Throughout the Day (Podcast Episode #013)

This week's podcast episode is a short teaching from the Gyalwang Karmapa on the relationship between Buddhism and science as well as a Q&A session on this and other topics. The recording took place on the Gyalwang Karmapa's previous visit to Switzerland where he gave teachings, empowerments and was able to visit many Tibetan communities. In it he discusses the importance of Buddhist and scientific investigation, and how these two different but related fields can benefit our own lives and society in general. In the Q&A portion of this episode His Holiness covers topics such as Tonglen meditation, how people from different religions can live in harmonious families, and many more. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes. Karmapa speaks in Tibetan with an English translator.

The Relationship Between Buddhism and Science (Podcast Episode #012)

Today's podcast episode comes from the Gyalwang Karmapa's first visit to Paris, France, and is a beautiful teaching on the Four Noble Truths. This was the very first teaching that the historical Buddha gave and as such it is essential to Buddhists of all traditions, and practitioners of every level. The Karmapa teaches on all of the Noble Truths and discusses how we can overcome different types of suffering. This episode is two sessions combined into one audio track and thus there is also two question and answer portions where students in the audience ask His Holiness about the refugee crisis in Europe, developing renunciation, and much more. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes. Karmapa speaks in Tibetan with and English translator.

The Four Noble Truths: How to Turn Suffering into Happiness (Podcast Episode #011)

Today we are happy to bring you the tenth episode in the new Podcast series containing selected talks and teachings by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. This special teaching took place in the USA and has Tibetan with an English translation. During this episode, the Gyalwang Karmapa discusses how to meditate on emptiness, and how such meditations can lead to the natural development of compassion. Emptiness opens us up to a new realm of possibility, gratitude, and freedom which can lead to greater compassionate action. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes.

How to Use Emptiness as a Means to Develop Compassion and Freedom (Podcast Episode #010)

Thursday the 14th of July, 2016, is a special day of Padmasambhava - one of the most important masters in history of Tibetan Buddhism. Also known as Guru Rinpoche, he is regularly referred to as 'the second Buddha' such is his importance to buddhists around the world. According to the Tibetan calendar, today is particularly important as it is the Monkey Year - one that only occurs every 12 years and is strongly associated with Guru Rinpoche. To celebrate this occasion we have created a special two-part podcast episode. First is a recording of the Gyalwang Karmapa chanting the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche. After that we bring you a teaching that His Holiness gave on the importance of the Seven Line Prayer and his own particular experience learning and reciting it. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes. Tibetan with English Translation. Painting of Guru Rinpoche by the Gyalwang Karmapa.

Gyalwang Karmapa Teaches on the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche (Podcast Episode #009)

Today's podcast episode is a special two hour event from the Karmapa's recent trip to Europe. In this wonderful teaching, the Gyalwang Karmapa discusses how to use meditation to develop inner peace and contentment in a modern, fast-paced world. In the second session (which starts at the 1 hour mark), the Karmapa goes on to discuss his own life experience as a child in Tibet and, after being recognized as the Karmapa, how he himself has used meditation in his own daily activities and life events. The session finishes with a wonderful Question and Answer session where the Karmapa touches on many important topics to do with Buddhist practice and modern life in general. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes. Tibetan with English Translation.

How to Use Meditation as a Source of Inner Peace (Podcast Episode #008)

This Sunday is Mother's Day in many countries around the world. In order to celebrate this occasion we have a very special teaching that the Karmapa gave in Berlin where he talks about his experiences with his mother and father in Tibet. During this wonderful talk His Holiness describes how his mother's kindness acted as an extremely important teacher for him growing up, and how this natural loving kindness is actually very important to cultivate as a Buddhist practitioner. He also touches on his decision to give up eating meat and how we can all train our minds by tapping into the compassion and kindness that arises quite naturally when we see sentient beings suffering. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes.

How to Cultivate Natural Loving Kindness (Podcast Episode #007)

Today we are happy to bring you the sixth episode in the new Podcast series containing selected talks and teachings by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. This episode is from the Karmapa's recent visit to the Root Institute in Bodhgaya. His Holiness has been visiting the center for years to give short teachings, but on this occasion decided to hold a question and answer session instead. Students asked His Holiness questions about practice, definitions of wisdom, and working with a teacher. It was a lovely event where the Karmapa shared some very practical advice with the students present. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes.

Q&A Session on the Environment, Wisdom and Finding a Teacher (Podcast Episode #006)

Today is the first day of 2016 and as such we are very happy to present you with a new Podcast episode where His Holiness gives a brief but powerful teaching on breathing (shamatha) meditation. This particular recording comes from a recent trip to Europe where His Holiness began talking about how dissatisfaction often creeps into our lives because we are so focused on outer forms of "happiness" and entertainment. These may seem like they bring happiness but actually just lead to more and more wants. His Holiness then spoke about how breathing meditation can serve to "bring us home" because it is very natural and resting by its nature. The simple act of breathing meditation can help us to realize the mind's amazing qualities. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes.

A Teaching on Using Breathing Meditation to Overcome Dissatisfaction (Podcast Episode #005)

Today we bring you the fourth episode in our new podcast series. This very special informal teaching from His Holiness the Karmapa took place at the Root Institute in 2013. The Karmapa received a question early in the session about Buddha Nature and then proceeded to give a short but vibrant talk on how to use everyday moments to meditate on the true nature of mind, sometimes speaking directly to the audience in English! This was a wonderful moment for everyone present, including His Holiness, who has made the trips to the Root Institute somewhat of an annual tradition. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes.

Gyalwang Karmapa Teaches on the Nature of Mind and Using Everyday Moments as Meditation (Podcast Episode #004)

Today we are delighted to bring you the third episode in our new Podcast series. This selected talk comes from the Karmapa's recent trip to the USA where he was invited to give a talk at the famous Princeton University. The topic was gender equality and His Holiness spoke at length about his own role in this cause, and about how we can all be more effective activists by using patience and compassion. This wonderful lecture is an inspiring reminder about how each individual can make a difference to larger causes. You can get the podcast here on iTunes or simply download the episode right here. Please make sure you subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new episodes.

Karmapa Discusses Gender Equality and Effective Activism (Podcast Episode #003)

The Gyalwang Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and a guide to millions of buddhists around the world. This podcast is dedicated to bringing you selected teachings and talks on buddhist philosophy, meditation, the environment, happiness and much more. Subscribe in iTunes to be notified of new releases.

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Selected Talks on Buddhism and Meditation by the Karmapa

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