April, 2010 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

C-H-A-N-G-E

November 1, 2011April 24, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

An excerpt from a teaching called How Buddhists Think by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

When you hear unfamiliar Buddhist ideas, don’t get tightly wrapped up and constipated about them. You’ve been going in a different direction for lo, these many aeons. Just relax, be okay. You have that choice. You can hear the teachings. You can utilize them to the best of your ability. On the other hand, don’t let yourself get away with thoughts that block you from utilizing the teachings. Such thoughts will pop up for you.

You were brought up in a materialist society, and its imprint is on your mind. You may therefore have a tendency to think: “Well, that idea doesn’t sound right to me” or “That sounds foreign to me.” Don’t let yourself be stopped by tripping over your own brain.

When you embark on a spiritual path, you should expect to be challenged. You should expect that because you are on a path that necessitates change. Or else, you are choosing to remain as you are, an ordinary sentient being in cyclic existence, with all its pervasive suffering.

If you are considering the Buddhist Path, you are considering that which leads to Enlightenment. If your goal is supreme Realization, if you want to be free of the suffering of cyclic existence, then change you must. So get used to that word “change.” It’s going to be your best friend––at times. Allow yourself the fluidity and spaciousness you need.

To download the complete teaching, clickhereand scroll down to How Buddhists Think

COLD WEATHER MAKES LIFE DIFFICULT FOR QUAKE SURVIVORS

April 24, 2010 by anisonam

Article by Thubten Palzang:

Despite the arrival of some supplies in the affected area, cold weather with snow and sleet and freezing temperatures has made life difficult for quake survivors, many of whom remain without adequate shelter, water, or heat. As the cold weather moved in, three people, including a 4 year old girl and an elderly woman who had been kept alive by villagers who used bamboo poles to push rice and water to them, were rescued a week after the quake struck. The official death toll now tops 2,000 with over 12,000 injured.

Meanwhile, the monks who offered the initial aid to victims and rescued many people from collapsed buildings have been ordered out of quake zone and back to their monasteries by the Chinese government.

The United States made an initial aid offer, giving $100,000 to Chinese Red Cross via the USAID office in China.

Other aid organizations collecting donations to help victims of the quake and fund reconstruction:

UNICEF asking for donations to supply water, shelter, and medical supplies. They report 20 children remain buried in debris awaiting rescue. www.unicefusa.org or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

Doctors without Borders collecting donations to send a team to assess needs in area.

International Medical Corp is preparing to send a team from Indonesia.

Direct Relief helping One Heart and Amitabha Foundation with their relief efforts.

AmeriCares is sending response teams to organize medical supplies and other aid.

Machik, an organization that educates children and creates new work opportunities in Tibet, is also bringing relief supplies to the area.

Mercy Corps is on the ground in the earthquake zone and has set up a fund to help with recovery efforts.

Tibetan Village Project is onsite coordinating efforts of the various NGOs. They work to promote sustainable reconstruction and provide aid to affected schools.

Astrology

April 24, 2010 by Norma

4/24/2010 Saturday

Harmony exists between men and women, despite an outburst from someone. A powerful person changes today, accepts reality and is willing to move in a different direction. The anger came from the realization of the need for change. A volcano erupts, informing us of subterranean pressures that we were unaware of. After the explosion, a peaceful time comes and things are on a more stable footing all around. Lucky you if you miss the blast.

The daily astrology post affects everyone. Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently. Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth. There are many departments of life. Look to see where the dynamic affects you!

Speaking Of Love

November 1, 2011April 23, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

A teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo (via @ahkonlhamo)

Why do I speak of LOVE? Because I AM in love! With the sublime Bodhicitta- the truest, purest life beyond life LOVE. Fill the earth! Love.

My daughter is not adopted, she is cherished and LOVED! My dogs are not rescued, they are gifts. They rescue ME. Our flock is no burden. Our flock is a joy, a beauty, sentient beings that need love and teach us to FLY. We are filled with the JOY of helping others!

Happiness cannot be known by those who have no Bodhicitta in their hearts, no LOVE. May all be healed by sublime Love!!!

AID BEGINS TO ARRIVE IN DISASTER AREA

November 1, 2011April 23, 2010 by anisonam

Information compiled by Thubten Palzang:

WHILE OLD TENSIONS SURFACE

Some relief supplies have begun to arrive in the earthquake-stricken areas of Yushu County, Qinhai Province, China (Tibet). The first truck along with a group of volunteers from the Tibetan Village Project (TVP) arrived in Yushu on April 17. The TVP has set up a website for those wishing to donate to relief efforts, http://www.yushuearthquakeresponse.org/. The TVP is an NGO (non-governmental organization) working to promote sustainable development in Tibet while preserving their cultural heritage.

The home monastery of Thrangu Rinpoche in Tibet was devastated by the earthquake. The learning center collapsed, killing as many as 30 monks and students. Donations to assist the monastery rebuild can be made at the Himalayan Children’s Fund http://www.rinpoche.com/hcfindex.htm.

One side effect of the earthquake has been to further polarize the national identities of those affected. The Chinese are reporting 1,400 dead while Tibetan sources claim the total is closer to 10,000, and the Chinese are taking credit for the relief efforts while in fact much of the rescue work was done by Tibetan monks until the Chinese arrived several days later. Meanwhile the Dalai Lama has requested permission to visit the area. Tibetan inhabitants of the area, who far outnumber Han Chinese, have also request permission for him to visit. The Chinese government, however, is unlikely to grant such a request. The area around Kyegundo has been an epicenter for anti-Chinese activism since the Chinese army invaded Tibet in 1959. For further background on this volatile situation, go here.

Astrology

April 23, 2010 by Norma

4/23/2010 Friday

A woman will confuse you today, and a love relationship could leave you wondering what went wrong. Don’t worry. You are about to find a solution to a situation or relationship that has been puzzling you. The answer lies in a mystery, something more convoluted than you imagine. But you will enjoy working through what lies ahead. Darkness or nighttime is your friend in this puzzling situation. Courage! Move ahead and all goes well.

Our Nature Is Love

November 1, 2011April 22, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

A teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo (via @ahkonlhamo on Twitter)

The poison of HATE fouls the Beauty of LIFE.

The poison of HATE desecrates the pure nectar of Dharma.

The face of HATE is so ugly that it makes haters themselves UGLY.

The damage caused by HATE is equally damaging to the perpetrator as it is to the VICTIM!

The sickness of HATE only makes the Hater even SICKER.

To HATE is to murder one’s own heart and mind. Our nature is Bodhicitta…LOVE!

Hatred, greed, and ignorance are the three main root poisons. If hate isn’t destroyed in this human rebirth, then WHEN?

Earthquake Update-How To Help

April 22, 2010 by anisonam

Before and After Image of Jyekundo City

Article compiled by Thubten Palzang:

The severe earthquake that struck Yushu County in Northeast Kham (now China) on April 14, 2010, destroyed or severely damaged towns and monasteries in the area. Jyekundo Dondrubling Monastery, located in Jyekundo City near the epicenter, was severely damaged. At the time of the earthquake, 44 monks at the monastery who were in the midst of sojong (ordained confession practice) inside the monastery were killed. Monks at nearby Chekyeku Monastery, which is larger than Jyekundo, were also in the midst of sojong when the earthquake hit, but they were practicing on the veranda and were able to escape injury except for two young monks, not old enough to take full vows, who were inside the temple and were killed. In the city of Jyekundo itself, which has about 80,000 inhabitants, as of April 17 there were 1,484 reported dead, 417 missing, 1,394 severely injured, another 12,088 injured, and 80% of the residents are homeless. A school there collapsed during the earthquake killing all 115 students and teachers inside. The county hospital in Jyekundo was also destroyed.

The birthplace and monastery of Ayang Rinpoche, of the Amitabha Foundation and a good friend of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche (His Holiness performed the Kalachakra in Rochester for the Amitabha Foundation in 1970) is also located in Rima, the actual epicenter of the quake. A new clinic and boarding school sponsored by the Amitabha Foundation are also located in Rima. There are no reports yet on damage and casualties in Rima.

Yushu is located in the Northwest corner of Sichuan Province, several hundred miles northeast of the main Palyul monastery. The nearest Palyul branch monastery is Tarthang Monastery, home to Tarthang Tulku, about 211 miles to the west of Jyekundo. No reports of damage or injuries have been heard from there as yet.

The remoteness of the affected area has impeded aid reaching the victims. The airport as Jyekundo has reopened, allowing aid to be flown in. Much of what aid is available is coming from monastery stores in the area, particularly food and medical assistance.

As of today (April 21), the number of known dead is approaching 2,000. The International Campaign for Tibet is supporting earthquake relief efforts. Contributions can be made at https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6063/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=3457

Astrology

April 22, 2010 by Norma

4/22/2010 Thursday

Financial considerations dominate this day. You feel your wallet measures your worth. Do tend to your bills, but bear in mind that a financial solution is possible. An open door appears and beckons to you. Oddly, a pride issue could prevent you from taking advantage of a sincere offer. A longstanding relationship is soon to be blown into life again. Don’t fan the flame if you don’t want the fire. You are still required to balance the dull with the unexpected. Give both your fullest attention. Don’t cut anyone off. You will miss them later.

Astrology

April 21, 2010 by Norma

4/21/2010 Wednesday

Early in the day a breakthrough occurs! Good news! Hooray! Then change occurs and men and women are out of sync. This does not undo the breakthrough, fortunately. That is here to stay. Disagreements about finances and money matters can cloud the day. Pride issues come to the fore, and it’s important to respect and acknowledge the good others have done. If something has gone in a direction you don’t like, speak up but remember George Washington’s words “Wherein you reprove another be un-blamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precepts.”