January, 2011 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Statement About the Karmapa

December 16, 2011January 31, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I’d like to mention that many people are asking me the details of the issues with His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa. My answer – I don’t gossip or judge other lineages. Gossip is not my way. To gossip about another lineage is not what I’m about. It causes dissension and anger in the sangha, harms the Three Jewels and causes only bad result. Buddhists should reject gossip as wrong speech and ignorance.

I do know about the situation, but not one word of of gossip or slander about His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa or the Kagyu lineage will come from my mouth or activity, I have no secret or inside knowledge. Anyone asking should find those that gossip, not me. Any other lineage besides Palyul is not for me to pass judgment on, simply not my job. I have nothing but respect for the Kagyu lineage and His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa.

For all my students I advise not to gossip and pray we will all keep our own practice alive and well.

The First Karma Kuchen Rinpoche

January 31, 2011 by Holly

The Fourth Throne Holder

The First Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Karma Tashi
(1728 – 1791)

The first Karma Kuchen was born as Karma Tashi in the twelfth rabjung year of the Earth Monkey (1728) in the town of Ahchog in Do Kham. His birth was foretold in many prophecies. He was recognized as the incarnation of the condensed essence of many Great Vidyadharas of the past. Karma Tashi himself recalled he was a manifestation of Migyur Dorje. Other revelations acknowledged him as the body emanation of Kundrol Namgyal, the speech emanation of Kathog Drimed Shing Kyong and the mind emanation of Duddul Dorje.

He became the heart disciple of Drubwang Pedma Norbu and received all the transmission and practices of Mahamudra and Dzogchen from his root guru. He was enthroned by Drubwang Pema Norbu as the fourth Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage in the presence of the thirteenth Karmapa Duddul Dorje and the tenth Sharmpa Chodrup Gyatso. With a great vision to promote the Dharma to greater heights, he propagated strict doctrine among his disciples and established many retreat facilities within the grounds of the monastery.

Tsenltha Rabten, King of Gyarong, had been at war with China for thirteen years when Karma Tashi was invited to China. A Bonpo lama who served as the guru of King Rabten decided to use his power of black magic to unleash a massive shower of rocks upon the Chinese forces from the sky. Out of compassion for the safety of the Chinese troops, Karma Tashi offered special protection cords to the soldiers to protect them against the ill fortunes of war. As a result, not one single soldier who wore his protection cord was harmed and Tsenltha Rabten was defeated. It was an overwhelming victory for China and the Chinese Emperor Chan Lung, in a gesture of gratitude, appointed Karma Tashi as the State Guru of China.

Karma Tashi, also known as Chopal Zangpo, dissolved his mind into the pure realm of truth at the age of sixty-three. The bone relics he left behind were preserved within a bronze Stupa and placed inside the Chag-dra-khang temple of Palyul monastery.

Reference: Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies

Astrology

January 31, 2011 by Norma

1/31/2011 Monday

Friendship is in bloom, and a specific relationship or group is growing in energy and importance. Men are especially enthusiastic and ready to move with the times, and they will lead the effort if necessary. It’s a brand new day. Leaders are strong and willing to take charge. An entrenched energy or group must change or it will become obsolete, bypassed in the tide of new directions. Notice the areas where you feel complacent, satisfied, or unaware. That area may be your Achilles heel, ripe for change. Test yourself, and move out of your comfort zone. Lady Bird Johnson said, “The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” Wrap yourself up in something.

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!

Holy Rollin’ Jam

December 16, 2011January 30, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEMA SIDDHI
HUNG (repeated x 3)

See the world of phenomena
Understand what it means
Reflections of your mind appear
Like the nature of a dream

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEMA
SIDDHI HUNG (repeated)

Lama, only you know
To show us the way
This revolution of compassion
Will truly save the day

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEMA SIDDHI
HUNG (repeated)

I offer true devotion
‘Cuz that’s the way it starts
This Bodhicitta nectar
It nourishes my heart

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEMA SIDDHI
HUNG (repeated)

Astrology

January 30, 2011 by Norma

1/30/2011 Sunday

A worldly energy is at work today. Don’t spend your time in the house; being in the world is where the action is! You are able to inspire yourself in private, but use that energy to advance your cause, whatever it may be. You are pleased with yourself. Be careful that you don’t become so excited about your plans that your head is in the clouds and you’re tripping over the sidewalk. Artistic and creative pursuits are especially favored over the next three days, as is music, so create your project and keep working on it. At a certain point today, your cheery enthusiasm comes down to earth. Reality strikes in the form of some serious news, or perhaps you hear of someone with health or business problems. Pay attention. Be happy about happy issues and serious about serious issues. Friends and groups continue to be absolute powerhouses. Don’t stand in their way or you’ll get run over, but do support them. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to be an oyster!” Well said.

What IS Buddhahood?

December 16, 2011January 29, 2011 by Holly

Video teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

As a sentient being, it’s pretty hard to understand what Buddhahood is. Jetsunma addresses the questions of what Buddhahood is and what qualities the Dharma path has that allow you to reach that state of awareness.

Astrology

January 29, 2011 by Norma

1/29/2011 Saturday

Happy day! Someone loves you and they are in your corner. You are assured of a good reception wherever you go. Happiness, joy, and enthusiasm are here. People associated with universities and colleges, as well as spiritual folks, are in a really good mood. Spiritual leaders and public speakers are especially persuasive. Today you have particularly good taste, so go shopping. You’ll be glad you did later. Assertiveness is in the mix, but it works. A new leader or an inspiring voice is heard. It is the voice that encourages you to take action, so do it! Listen. A time of uncertainty or confusion has ended, and clarity is in the picture. Sivananda Saraswati said, “Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” Good advice.

The First Drubwang Pedma Norbu Rinpoche

January 28, 2011 by Holly

The Third Throneholder

The First Drubwang Pedma Norbu Rinpoche

(1679 – 1757)

The birth of the first Drubwang Pedma Norbu Rinpoche as an emanation of the great Pandit Vimalamitra and the Vidyadhara Terton Jatson Nyingpo was prophesied in Terton Jatson Nyingpo’s Ma-ning revelation. He was born in Chagril near the town of Ahchog in the eleventh rabjung year of the Earth Sheep (1679).

From his root guru Pema Lhundrub Gyatso, he received all the transmissions and practices belonging to the Palyul lineage. Due to his success in attaining accomplishment in all the teaching he received, he was given the title “Drubwang” which means the Powerful Lord of Accomplishment. When Drubwang Pedma Norbu performed the Lama Cham of Vajrakilaya from the Sakya tradition at the palace of Tenpa Tsering, the Dharma King of Dege, the audience was astonished to notice his feet did not appear to touch the ground. At the age of seventy-nine, the first Drubwang Pedma Norbu Rinpoche dissolved his mind into the pure sphere of truth. His body was reverently preserved inside a wooden stupa, which was assembled within the private chamber of his residence, and there he remained.

Courtesy of Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies

Astrology

January 28, 2011 by Norma

1/28/2011 Friday

A squeeze play has eased up, and optimism is rewarded. Teaching, learning, and all forms of higher education and religion are favored. Legal issues are well resolved, and group activity is moving forward. Try to stay at the center of the group or at least with friends. You are ready to “go it alone,” but take others along for the ride. There is enough energy and force in groups to power a rocket to the moon, so don’t be left out! Spend time conferring with others, meet with as many people as possible, and your wishes will be attained. Exercise helps, and someone can call from afar with good news. Science and technology are favorable and machines of all sorts are especially helpful.

The Second Throneholder

January 27, 2011 by Holly

The Second Throne Holder
Pedma Lhundrub Gyatso
(1660 – 1727)

Pedma Lhundrub Gyatso was born in the province of Do Kham in a place known as Seng-gang in the eleven rabjung year of the Iron Rat (1660). His birth was prophesied in Terton Duddul Lingpa’s Vajrakilaya Terma as the reincarnation of Sogpo Lhapal, one of the twenty-five disciples of Guru Rinpoche.

From the age of eight, Lhundrub Gyatso started receiving all the Nam Chö empowerments, transmissions and secret instructions from Vidyahara Migyur Dorje [who lived at Mugsang Monastery]. At age sixteen, he went to the Palyul Monastery to receive more profound instructions on personal attainment from his uncle, the Vidyadhara Kunzang Sherab. By the time he was twenty-five, he came into direct experience with the true nature of mind. Under the continued guidance of his uncle, Kunzang Sherab, who transmitted to him the Secret Oral Transmission lineage, Lhundrub Gyatso advanced his accomplishment with great enthusiastic perseverance. He took on the responsibility of transmitting the sutra and tantra at the Palyul Monastery after Kunzang Sherab dissolved his body into the pure realm of ultimate truth at the age of sixty-four. When Lhundrub Gyatso was fifty-four years old, he became the second Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage. Under his charge, propagation of Buddha’s Doctrine flourished in all directions.

At the age of sixty-eight, on the tenth day of Saga Dawa in the year of the Fire Sheep (1727), Pema Lhundrub Gyatso entered into a state of meditative equipoise. Then his body dissolved into the sphere of clear light while loud thunder reverberated and streaks of lightning lit up the sky. During his cremation, rainbows like treasure vases and wish-granting trees appeared in the sky and the images of deities could be seen clearly in the smoke. Many precious bone relics were found in the ashes.

Reference: Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies