Second Class held on Lady Niguma

We held our second and probably last zoom discussion on the biography of Lady Niguma by Sarah Harding. The students reading this book will continue with the homework for the text and we will consider whether or not to have more sessions on this work after I finish my retreat in September.

Our discussion focused on the significance and nature of Niguma’s “rainbow body” and how it compares to the “illusory body.” Other questions discussed included just who could perceive the sambhogakaya and how to define a dakini? We also discussed the relationship between Vajradhara (Dorje Chang) and Shakyamuni Buddha as discussed in this text and our understanding of it. It was of interest to note why Khyungpo Naljor went to India, where he found her, and how she greeted him. The book also described the attainments of Tangtong Gyalpo gained from practing the dharmas of Niguma.