Celtic Buddhism Inspired by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche was Venerable Seonaidh Perks' root teacher. Seonaidh lived with him for seven years as his attendant, during which time they traveled extensively throughout the world. Out of this relationship of working and living together grew Celtic Buddhism.

Trungpa Rinpoche felt that a culture needed to deal with its own history, mythology and social structure in its relationship to Buddhism. He felt that these cultural aspects were difficult to ‘see' because of their transparency, and that through investigation one could come to understand his or her cultural biases and their illusory nature. In Seonaidh's travels with Trungpa, particularly in Ireland, they had many long discussions about the early nature-based Celtic religion and also the Celtic Christian Church. Before Rinpoche's death in 1987, he told Seonaidh that he should go out on his own and start a lineage.

The archetypal deities of ancient Europe still exist in many peoples' psyche or mind. Seonaidh believes that these energies are actually based on or emanate tremendous compassion which has become overlaid with habitual clingings and fixations. The stripping away of this neurotic sludge is the starting point of Celtic Buddhist practice. Therefore shamatha-vipashyana practice and tonglen serve as the foundation of Celtic Buddhism. Further practices at this time include Deity yoga and the cutting through practice of Chöd.

The Celtic Buddhist Lineage

Much of Celtic Buddhism is rooted in the Tibetan tradition in which Seonaidh was trained. In addition to Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Seonaidh considers both the 16th Karmapa and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as his teachers.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was a leading figure in the Nyingma tradition. He was one of the foremost meditation masters of the Mahayana, Mahamudra and Great Perfection traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism.

John was given the task of attendant to Khyentse during his visits to Boulder, Colorado.

The Karmapa is the head of the Kagyu lineage, to which Trungpa belonged. His embodiment of compassion was recognized by all who were fortunate enough to be in his presence.

John attended the seminary at which the 16th Karmapa taught. John also accompanied Trungpa on his overseas visits to the Karmapa at the time of his illness.

Present Day Celtic Buddhist Lineage Holders

The continuation of any Buddhist lineage depends on unbroken teacher to student transmission. Teachers choose qualified students as lineage holders and entrust them to teach the dharma and pass along the essence to the next generation. Each lineage holder will add their own unique aspect or flavor, but stay true to the View.

Margaret Junge was empowered in September of 2003. She engages in Hospice work and practices chöd.

William Burns was empowered in May 2004 as the Lineage Holder in the Stream of Celtic Mysticism of Celtic Buddhism. Bill is both a lifetime artist and meditation practioner. He has completed a painting of the Celtic Buddha and is presently working on a rendering of the Celtic Buddhist mandala.

Hugh Curran was born in Ireland and presently resides in Surry,Maine. He has been a Zen practioner since the mid-sixties and assisted Philip Kapleau at the Rochester Zen Center. Hugh presently teaches in the Peace Studies Program at the University of Maine and is an activist on homelessness and peace issues. He was empowered in September, 2004 on Caterpillar Hill overlooking the Penobscot Bay in Maine.

In December 2007 Thom and Sarah Kilts were empowered as a lineage holders by HH John Perks at the site of the Oracle Stone in Co. Donegal, Ireland.

Venerable Thom Kilts, M.A., B.C.C., A.C.P.E (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education) Supervisor is the Director of Spiritual Care at John Muir Medical Center in Concord, California where he trains professional Chaplains. He is currently the only A.C.P.E. Supervisor from the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. He has Irish roots from both sides of his family. Thom has a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Religious Studies and a Masters degree in Buddhist Studies. He has been empowered, endorsed and commissioned by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and the Dzogchen Community of North America, as well as by Tulku Thondup Rinpoche. He has also received blessings and empowerments from: H. H. the Dalai Lama, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Ponlop Rinpoche, Lama Surya Das and Ringu Tulku Rinpoche. Thom is also a multi-instrumentalist, and plays in a band with his partner, Sarah.

To learn more about board certified chaplains go to: www.professionalchaplains.org For information about Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.) visit: www.acpe.edu.

Sarah Kilts is a writer, poet and musician. Raised in a French-Canadian/Irish Catholic family in Northern Vermont, she discovered Buddhist teachings as a teenager, and has been engaged with the Buddha Dharma ever since. She has a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Writing, and has studied in Kenya, Uganda, India, Nepal and Tibet. Sarah has been a student of many teachers from different lineages within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She has received transmission in the Dzogchen Teachings of Chogyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. Her practices focus on integrating spirituality into the many aspects of her daily life. Sarah plays bass and sings in the band Diablo's Dust, with her partner Thom. To hear their music, visit: www.myspace.com/diablosdust