Machig's Chod, Lineage and practice.

"As long as there is an ego, there are demons.
When there is no more ego, There are no more demons either!"
--Machig Labdrön

Extremely interested in Chod but I never got into it yet - seems like there are a lot of accoutrements and you have to locate special places, etc.

Hi Tashi,

It depends. For example, in Sakya we have the Kusali Tsok offering. That can be done anywhere, without the special accoutrements.

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What is the difference between Kusali Tsog and Chod?

I don't think there's any difference, really. Except that the Kusali Tsok offering is quiet and internal.

A little more info here

You'll actually need a separate lung specific to the practice for chod. Best if you get a wang for the chod cycle.

In Geluk tradition there are two lineages of Chod; the close lineage and the distant lineage.

The close lineage comes from visionary teachings given by Manjushri to Je Tsongkhapa, and is transmitted as part of the Ganden Oral Lineage, or Ensa Whispered Lineage, and is part of the Kadam Emanated Scripture.

The distant lineage comes from the Indian Mahasiddha Padampa Senge and Machig Labdron. (If anyone knows how this lineage was passed to Je Tsongkhapa, I would like to hear.)

The current or almost current Lineage Holders of the Ganden Chod have been the late Zong Rinpoche, and HE Khalkha Jetsun Dampa Rinpoche.