Over two days, Lara Braitstein, a longtime Buddhist practitioner, disciple of Künzig Shamar Rinpoche and professor of Indian and Tibetan Buddhism at McGill University (Montreal Canada), invited her audience to discover the Adamantine Songs by the mahasiddha Saraha in an interactive and lively approach.
On the occasion of this first visit to the Dhagpo Kagyu Ling Institute, she clearly sparked the curiosity and enthusiasm of practitioners present.
Encouraged and guided by Künzig Shamar Rinpoche, Lara Braitsein was the first translator of these songs from Tibetan, on which no known commentary exists.
In short, these poetic songs are meditation instructions on Mahamudra, conveying how awakened beings experience reality, beyond intellect, in a state of awakened spontaneity.
Prof. Braitstein recounted Saraha’s life with lively anecdotes ; set out the main themes of the Adamantine Songs and explained key symbolic terms (Tib: brda) to unlock their meaning. She also encouraged participants to offer their own interpretations of several verses, and enthusiastically shared her insight into Saraha’s enduring relevance to all schools of Buddhism, and to the Kagyu lineage in particular.
Enjoy a look back at this stimulating weekend and listen to Lara Braitstein’s teaser ahead of her teachings as well as an extract from one of the Adamantine Songs.
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