Ep328: Foundations of Vajrayana - Dr Nida Chenagtsang

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of "Foundations of Vajrayana”.

Dr Nida discusses the foundations of tantric practice, shares the power of its intensive ngondro practices, and reveals how to face one’s emotions with Vajrayana methods.

Dr Nida also explains the nyingthig genre of heart drop teachings, differentiates true freedom from spiritual bypass, and shares an anecdote of a student who experienced a temporary awakening.

Dr Nida also probes me about the Buddhist doctrines of suffering and taking refuge, explains the difference between good and bad attachment, and reveals why Buddha Shakyamuni does not require respect.

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Video version:

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - New books
02:40 - About the ngondro book
03:49 - Dr Nida’s history of ngondro practice
05:18 - Yuthok’s Nyingthig
08:29 - The nyingthig genre of Tibetan spiritual texts
15:59 - 5th Dalai Lama’s mastery of Yuthok Nyingthig
17:52 - Tibetan medical and astrological training
20:09 - Jamgon Kongtrul’s Yuthok Nyingthig commentary
21:27 - Dr Nida’s experiences as a teacher
23:47 - The importance of asking questions
27:25 - When Buddhism makes people more stressed
29:43 - Extreme freedom and spiritual bypass
30:50 - 2 types of realisation
33:38 - Importance of ngondro
38:53 - Prostrations are a perfect yoga
42:04 - The teacher must connect with students
46:40 - Good attachment vs bad attachment
48:53 - 4 Noble Truths
49:35 - Making the ngondro personal to you
51:06 - Practice must begin where you are
53:54 - Making practice truly personal
58:45 - Buddhist gospel
59:53 - Spiritual bypass in Buddhism
01:00:22 - Anecdote about a temporary awakening
01:02:24 - Dr Nida probes Steve about taking refuge
01:06:09 - A new language of refuge
01:06:55 - Guru traumas
01:09:00 - You are a Buddha
01:10:42 - Final teaching of Dzogchen
01:12:09 - Buddha Shakymuni did not require respect
01:14:16 - Soothing emotional suffering
01:16:33 - Many methods of Vajrayana
01:17:25 - Facing your emotions

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Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang:
- guruviking.com/search?q=nida

To find out more about Dr Nida Chenagtsang, visit:
- facebook.com/DoctorNida
- skypressbooks.com

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James