Our Direct Lineage:
Surmang Kagyu Lineage
Our lineage is a unique combination of Tibetan and Soto Zen lineages which only could have arisen in the unique spiritual melting pot of 1970's America.
Our main lineage, of course, is Tibetan in origin coming from Trungpa Rinpoche's Kagyu and Nyingma lineage-- but the form and much of the path relies on the special connection he had in the United States with Suzuki Roshi. The practices of Soto Zen coming from Kobun Chino Roshi and Suzuki Roshi form the basis of our daily schedule of practice. From this discipline we access the view, practice and conduct of the Mahamudra and Dzogchen pith instructions.
Jamgon Kongtrul of Shechen Padma Trime
Khenpo Gangshar Wangpo
Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and The Vajra Regent Osel Tendzin
And the Soto Zen Lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and Kobun Chino Roshi
"You cannot have complete devotion without surrendering your heart. Otherwise, the whole thing becomes a business deal. As long as you have any understanding of wakefulness, any understanding of the sitting practice of meditation, you always carry your vajra master with you, wherever you go. You have the vajra master with you all along. That is why we talk about the mahamudra level of all-pervasive awareness. With such awareness, everything that goes on is the vajra master. So if your vajra master is far away, there is really no reason for sadness-- although some sadness can be useful, because it brings you back from arrogance.
As an example, I am far away from my master, Jamgon Kongtrul of Shechen, right now. He is not here. That situation seems to be very basic and ordinary. At the same time, that absence becomes presence all the time. I do not particularly miss my vajra master, but I long for him quite a lot. Actually, what I long for is to be able to introduce my students to him so that he could see how great they are doing. That is the only thing. I wish he were right here so that I could introduce my students to him, show him their faces, show him how their discipline is coming along, and let him know that everything is fine. I wish I could show him that. Apart from that, it seems to be very much the case that the presence of my teacher is right here, right now. Otherwise, I would not be teaching."
Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
"He's too lazy to fall asleep."
Vidyadhara
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche commenting on the Vajra Regent after he moved in to the Regent's house in Halifax, Nova Scotia.