Judith Simmer-Brown Buddhist Scholar

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Judith Is an Expert on Dakini's

Judith Simmer-Brown has been on the faculty of Naropa University for 27 years and is currently the Chair of the Religious Studies Department. She has a BA from Cornell College, a MA from Florida State University, a PhD from Walden University and is a PhD Candidate at Columbia University.

Of course, as a college professor you much publish or perish. So I will cover what Judith Simmer-Brown has published here in my lens. Also check out the video.

A Well-Known Figure in American Buddhism

Judith first studied with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche who founded Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado in the 70s. Then he hired Judith to teach. Later Judith became an acharya or senior teacher in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage. Currently, Judith Simmer-Brown Chairs the Religious Studies Department at Naropa.

A Pioneer in Interfaith Dialogue

Judith has a long history in creating dialogue between the faiths. She is on the board of the Society of Buddhist-Christian Studies and is also a member of the Lilly Buddhist-Christian Theological Encounter.

Faith, Family, Friends





Dakini's Warm Breath

The Fininine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism

In the spiritual journey of the meditator, the dakini symbolizes levels of personal realization: the sacredness of the body, both female and male; the profound meeting point of body and mind in meditation: The visionary realm of ritual practice; and the empty, spacious qualities of mind itself.

Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism

Amazon Price: $132.73 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Janice Willis says:
"This work breathes new life into an ancient mystery. It should supersede all previous explorations of the dakini principle."

Purchase an Amazon gift card here.

Read Dakini's Warm Breath on Your New Kindle Fire

Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi

Amazon Price: $199.00 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Way cheaper than the iPad

Here's a Pretty Dakini

One of my favorite quotes from Dakini's Warm Breath

"Dakinis are closely associated with sacramental feasts and the offering and receiving of food and drink. Offerings to dakinis, both worldly and wise, bring great blessings to tantric practice, and so these offerings are an intrinsic part of the twice-monthly cycle. The feast offering (ganacakra, tsok-khor) is an elaborate practice session in which the practitioners, through the ritual recitation, fully evoke the mandala of the yidam and renew the transmissions conferred by the guru, the lineage of enlightened teachers, and the deity whom they have previously bestowed in empowerment. In order to fully confirm this blessing, the practitioners present an excellent food offering in the form of a feast, to which the dakinis and their consorts are invited. The invitation appears risky, for dakinis can be dangerous and carry a menacing reputation like their forebears; but without their presence, the realization of the practice is beyond reach. The food itself is a sacrament that reminds the practitioners of the unsurpassable sacredness of all realms of perceptions (tag-nang). Performing the feast offering and partaking wholeheartedly invokes the dakini's blessings."

Try this for a thoughtful gift for your Buddhist loved one.

Yeshe Tsogyal Event at the Denver Shambala Center

Saturday 9am- 3:30pm with Acharya Judith Simmer- Brown

When Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche requested that our Shambhala Center in Denver install a representation of the Mother Principle, he commissioned the creation of a banner depicting Yeshe Tsogyal, who is considered the mother of Tibetan Buddhism. This event will formally install the banner in the Denver Shambhala Center with a celebration of the feminine in its outer, inner, and secret aspects in men and women. As a part of the simple ceremony, Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown will introduce the banner, its history and meaning, and its relevance for the Shambhala community.

Hope to see you there!

Another Delightful Quote from Dakini's Warm Breath

"Dakinis also frequently appear to the solitary meditator in remote settings such as retreat, another example of the luminal state in between life and death, sanity and insanity, confusion and wakefulness. Because the mind is open to its own wisdom on retreat, the retreatant is especially loved by dakinis. Milarepa spent the majority of his years in solitary retreat and was frequently visited by dakinis who offered him provisions, support, and protection. In response to questions about his retreats, Milarepa sang, 'abiding in this cave, alone, is the noblest service to the dakinis!' When the young Longchenpa began his practice, he became saddened and disillusioned with monastic corruption and sought
solitary retreat. After he had spent five months in a dark retreat in the Gyame Chikla Cave, a beautiful dakini appeared in a vision, foretelling his destiny as the transmitter of important cycles of Dzogchen teachings." - Dakini's Warm Breath : The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism / Judith Simmer-Brown

The Vajrayoginia Dakini Dance

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The Heart Sutra

Buddhist Wisdom: The Diamond Sutra and The Heart Sutra

Amazon Price: $7.25 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

The Diamond Sutra is said to cut "like a thunderbolt" (p. xxix), and the Heart Sutra is the "heart or essence of the Perfection of Wisdom" (p. xxi). They look deeply into "experience beyond the rigidity of concept," recognizing "the interdependence of all beings" (p. xix)and, at times, they will cause your head to reel as your mind does somersaults! Although Conze comments on these sutras phrase by phrase, he acknowledges his commentary is not intended to convey "the spiritual experience which a Sutra describes. These only reveal themselves to persistent meditation. A commentary must be content to explain words used" (p. 7). The realization of these teachings results in compassion (p. xix).

In her excellent Preface to this new edition of Conze's translation, Judith Simmer-Brown notes that "the wisdom of the Prajnaparamita sutras is mind expanding" (p. xv). I am not competent to comment on Conze's translation, and I do not presume to understand these sutras. However, I recommend this book for anyone interested in exploring the Buddhist concepts of emptiness and the absolute nature of reality, or for anyone interested in the pursuit of wisdom--"with the concern for the meaning of life, with its search for ends, purposes and values worthy of being pursued, with its desire to penetrate beyond the appearance of things to their true reality" (p. xxviiii).

Buddhism and Relationships

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A Beautiful Stained Glass Dakini

Mexico - Photo by Rosa Maria Méndez Duplan

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Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism by Judith Simmer-Brown

Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism by Judith Simmer-Brown

The primary emblem of the feminine in Tibetan Budd more...1 point

Pema Chodron: The Way of the Bodhisattva Mp3 set by Pema Chodron

Pema Chodron: The Way of the Bodhisattva Mp3 set by Pema Chodron

Pema Chodron's commentaries, chapter by chapter, on more...0 points

Another Divine Feminine Resource Worth Looking At

Kuan Yin: Accessing the Power of the Divine Feminine

Amazon Price: $4.52 (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

There are very few books on Kwan Yin out there, and this is an interesting new addition. Quite beautifully illustrated (it would make a lovely gift) it is really filled with practical meditations and tips on how to incorporate Kwan Yin into your own spiritual life - which makes it quite different from other books in English on the Bodhisattva. On the whole, probably well worth buying.

Review by Walter Mason

Divine Feminine Goddess Sculpture

Asian Goddess sculpture home yard oriental dance statue

Amazon Price: (as of 06/04/2012)Buy Now

Introduce the tranquility of Asian art to your home or garden with this goddess of mystery. Over two feet tall as she strikes one of the characteristic Bodhisattva poses, her serene countenance conveys inner peace. Cast in quality designer resin, our goddess boasts a richly burnished finish that replicates beautifully aged sandstone.

Place this graceful dakini in your own personal garden.

Dharma Flix

Check out the newly introduced DharmaFlix Video Wiki. DharmaFlix is a collaborative effort to list, review, rate, and provide clips of films with Buddhist Dharma content for the benefit of all.

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A Water Bell Fountain Makes a Lovely Gift

As the small bowls float around in the peaceful current they tap against each other or the side of the large bowl creating a lovely sound symphony!

Woodstock Bell Flower Fountain, Blue

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  • Dec 28, 2008 @ 9:41 am | delete
    Informative and inspirational--thanks! Added it to featured lenses in my Spiritual Leaders group
    http://www.squidoo.com/groups/Spiritual-Leaders
  • technocrone Oct 30, 2008 @ 1:47 pm | delete
    Great lens, on a subject close to my heart. Can't wait to read Daikini's Warm Breath. Are you familiar with Anne Klein's book, Meeting the Great Bliss Queen? It's a favorite of mine. FYI, Sandy Boucher has a book out on Kuan Yin. Thanks for creating this lens. *technocrone*

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