Celtic Buddhism

Introducing the Celtic Buddhist Lineage...

Prince Siddharta, shocked by Old Age, Sickness and Death (our transience), escaped them by awakening (enlightenment). He hesitated, but then decided to speak about his liberation, and his followers, calling him Buddha ("Awakened One"), later organized themselves into 'Buddhism'.

Buddhism always comes dressed in the pants of the culture it arrives from. If it is to be integrated into a new culture, though it take generations, it will likely be literally dis-robed either partially or wholly of its former attire, and re-clothed in the warp and woof of its new hosts. Its essence will however remain. Originating in the East, Buddhism has now for decades been gradually unearthing the archetypes buried in the soil of western minds. These archetypes are re-surfacing precisely through ancient Buddhist know-how. 

The Mother-Tantra lineage associated with the Great Asura Danu and her Children, which gave birth to both Buddhist Tantra and the Royal Irish Faery Race, originated near the Ural Mountains, the geographical boundary between Europe and Asia. The lineage divided and went two different ways, one east and one west. In the 1980's, the story of the Irish saint Columcille ('Dove of the Church') inspired perhaps the most influential lama of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in the 20th century, Chogyam Trungpa. He read it and recognized his own pre-Buddhist faith and its natural affinity with nature. H.H. Yeshe Perks founded Celtic Buddhism in 1989 and has carried Trungpa's vision up to the present day.

Let's remember that the Celts were not an ethnic group. They were/are a living culture. Anyone can be a Celt. And become "celticized", sharing values, art, trade, language, social customs etc. The Buddha’s message will either be weaved into an already existing Celtic/Christian culture or not. If so, it will naturally take on its own distinctive form. The Celts have long cherished their intimacy with nature and although “Celtic” is a generic term, its vibrant values, humour and music nonetheless resonate deeply within, like a song in the blood. It makes for an authentic and vibrant expression of the Buddhist message of peace.

"There is a subtle difference between doctrine, dogma, or commitment that is based purely on one's own longing for awakening ...and a doctrine based on defending oneself against somebody else's belief. We are not interested in putting down any other spiritual journeys taking place elsewhere in this universe. We concentrate on the journey we ourselves are taking."
- Chogyam Trungpa