January, 2011 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Trip to Maratika Cave

January 19, 2011 by Holly

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, recognized as an emanation of Princess Mandarava, talks about her experiences during a pilgrimage to Maratika Cave where Mandarava and Guru Padmasambava accomplished the Long Life Practice of Amitayus and consort.

Astrology

January 19, 2011 by Norma

1/19/2011 Wednesday

Wonderful day! You and someone else are mediated by a third person or situation, and the result is nothing less than fantastic! Listen to the soft voice that is encouraging and comes up with a solution where everyone’s needs are met. One side is looking for a solid structure while the other side is looking for emotional security. It’s a win/win situation! Afterwards, congratulate each side for being cooperative, and thank the mediator, who made it possible. Henry Ward Beecher said, “You never know till you try to reach them how accessible men are; but you must approach each man by the right door.” Someone knows what the right door is today.

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!

Dharma in a New Land

January 18, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Tonight I’d like to say a few words on the issue of how Buddhism moves west, and spreads throughout the world. Some things change; some naturally, remain the same. The Vajrayana monastics will change in that they must make and touch money, eat, often after dark, some are nurses which must tend and therefore touch. Some are doctors and must touch others. Sometimes they travel and cannot always sleep on a low bed as prescribed.

There is no doubt monastics that must not be rigid; particularly in that as Bodhisatvas, that vow always takes precedence. The reason is, that each level of Buddhism has its own vows. Theravadens focus on strict Vinaya rules to purify. Mahayana gives rise to the Great Bodhicitta, and tame their minds with renunciation and Compassion. In Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism all levels are combined into one Supreme view. The vows are kept on the outer, inner, and secret levels; quite profound and impossible to accomplish without a Supreme Guide.

Vajrayana encompasses all three levels and is hands down the more “mystical.” In the USA we take mystical as license. It is not. It does address flexibility according to capacity for view. A Bodhisattva will minister without much concern for monastic rules only if there is suffering to remedy, causing the necessity for a deeper view. In Vajrayana there is Tantra, generation of the Diety or Yiddam and attaining the qualities and view of the Yiddam. We generate Passive Yidam to grow, heal, and expand. We generate Wrathful Yidam to subdue, pacify, and overcome.

If everything remains the same as Tibet or India we would not succeed. Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was flexible that way; he understood Buddhism was moving out of Tibet. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche allowed monks to have TV, Soccer, games. That was unless they got distracted or worldly.

They make plays about our history. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was completely Orthodox and had never broken His vows on the three levels. But He had view, compassion, as well as common sense. He understood the times and His community. Palyul, my Lineage has always persisted because the combination of enlightened Wisdom, Compassion, and Awareness of this world. The Palyul Khenpos did not like these methods, as is the style of scholarly Khenpos, haha, the different perspective is normal and natural – wonderful, really.

But the Tulkus were somewhat different. They are the Treasures of Vajrayana, they alone have crossed the ocean of samsara and guided, successfully their disciples. They are the wisdom beings in flesh and usually each Tulku has their history with their own monastery. They have the clarity and wisdom.

When Lamas come to my Palyul temple they often weep for joy that so many are ordained here in this place. How we have numerous and Holy Stupas; we have gorgeous altars, thangkas, and a full library of texts. When His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was in India He managed to go back to Tibet and rescue ancient and extraordinary rare texts and kindly gave them to us. He himself made robes for the Ordained. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche brought them in privately to take vows, cut hair, and be formally dressed by Palyul Monks. Each felt HIS compassion, purity and wisdom. Some failed; most made it. Others were ordained at retreat in New York. Ngakpa vows are given.

We are told frequently, even by Kagyu Lamas, that the ordained here have amazing good qualities. Heart. I love and trust my monks and nuns so much more than I can possibly express. I respect their journey with my body, speech and mind. They are my family, my children. They are ALL named Thubten, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s ordination name. Palyul is exquisite in every way.

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche even approved my handwritten vows! I wrote them and when His Holiness saw, he giggled and said, “These are Refuge, Bodhisattva and Genyen vows.” He was the real deal, a living Buddha, and I worship the very ground where His feet were placed.

Each Lineage is unique and perfect in its way. Has a story just like this. Therefore it is never appropriate to criticize another Lineage. Mainly because you don’t know the Miracle that is it’s blood and bone, and never will. It is Karma! Therefor respect my Lineage, my Tsawei Lama and our Monks, Nuns and householders. I promise, if you have a Lineage I will respect and Honor yours, as I train my students to do. Will we now form a community of Dharma, wholesome, undivided? THIS IS MY PRAYER! Kye HO!

Astrology

January 18, 2011 by Norma

1/18/2011 Tuesday

The overarching theme of this specific time is of growth and expansion. Two important bodies are nudging you in the direction of expansion, and men are helpful in this work. You definitely feel that you have entered a different phase of your life, one unlike anything that has come before. Something brand new is coming, be ready for it! You will reminisce about the past a bit today, but beware of glamorizing a time or a situation that is gone. Take the lessons of the past, but don’t expect it to return, and don’t hold it in such high esteem that the present doesn’t measure up. After all, today will be the past tomorrow. Make today count. Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, “Light tomorrow with today.”

Tibetan Schools and Palyul

December 10, 2011January 17, 2011 by Holly

Tibetan Buddhism has four main traditions:

Nyingma “the Ancient Ones” This is the oldest, the original order founded by Padmasambhava andSantaraksita. Whereas other schools categorize their teachings into the three vehicles: The Foundation Vehicle, Mahayana and Vajrayana, the Nyingma tradition classifies them into nine vehicles, among the highest of which is known as Atiyoga or Dzogchen “Great Perfection”. Hidden treasures (terma) are of particular significance to this tradition.

Kagyu “Lineage of the (Buddha’s) Word” This is an oral tradition, which is very much concerned with the experiential dimension of meditation. Its most famous exponent was Milarepa, an 11th century mystic. It contains one major and one minor subsect. The first, the Dagpo Kagyu, encompasses those Kagyu schools that trace back to the Indian master Naropa via Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa, and consists of four major sub-sects: the Karma Kagyu, headed by a Karmapa, the Tsalpa Kagyu, the Barom Kagyu, and Pagtru Kagyu. There are a further eight minor sub-sects, all of which trace their root to Pagtru Kagyu and the most notable of which are the Drikung Kagyu and the Drukpa Kagyu. The once-obscure Shangpa Kagyu, which was famously represented by the 20th century teacher Kalu Rinpoche, traces its history back to the Indian master Naropa via Niguma, Sukhasiddhi and Kyungpo Neljor.

Sakya “Grey Earth” This school very much represents the scholarly tradition. Headed by the Sakya Trizin, this tradition was founded by Khon Konchog Gyalpo, a disciple of the great translator Drokmi Lotsawa and traces its lineage to the Indian master Virupa. A renowned exponent, Sakya Pandita 1182–1251CE was the great grandson of Khon Konchog Gyalpo.

Gelug “Way of Virtue” Originally a reformist movement, this tradition is particularly known for its emphasis on logic and debate. Its spiritual head is the Ganden Tripa and its temporal one the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is regarded as the embodiment of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Successive Dalai Lamas ruled Tibet from the mid-17th to mid-20th centuries. The order was founded in the 14th to 15th century byJe Tsongkhapa, renowned for both his scholasticism and his virtue.

Within these, Kunzang Palyul Choling is Nyingma

There are six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries:

Katok Monastery, in east Tibet, was founded during the twelfth century, and expanded in 1656.
Dorje Drak Monastery was founded in central Tibet, in 1659.
Mindroling Monastery, in central Tibet, was established in 1676.
Palyul Monastery, founded in east Tibet in 1665.
Dzogchen Monastery, in east Tibet, established in 1685.
Shechen Monastery founded in east Tibet, in 1735.

Within these monastic traditions, Kunzang Palyul Choling is Palyul.

Palyul Monastery — one of the Six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries. It was founded in either 1632 or 1665 by Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, a disciple of Terton Migyur Dorje, and Karma Chagmed. The monastery specializes in kama practices, the termas of Ratna Lingpa and Tulku Migyur Dorje (1645-67). The current head of Palyul Monastery is the Fifth Karma Kuchen.

The inspired masters who contributed to the teachings practiced within Palyul

To date, Palyul has had 12 throne-holders in its history. According to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, while Nyingma is generally practiced as a Ngagpa tradition, within Palyul it has never been true. The Lineage Holders of Palyul have always been fully-ordained.

Important “elder statesmen” of Palyul, contemporaries and close senior students of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, are:

It is because of these pure Lineage teachers that we continue to have a pure unbroken stream of wisdom to guide us today to reveal our own enlightenment.

Sources include Wikipedia, Rigpa Wiki, and most of all Pathgate.org, who gave us permission to use their thangka images and biographies

Astrology

January 17, 2011 by Norma

1/17/2011 Monday

Pay close attention to your partner or partners today as the case may be. During this time, the needs and wishes of others are of paramount importance. It could seem you’re doing a lot of this, but stick with it. You are building and stabilizing an important relationship, and your future depends on how well you understand the wishes of others. Perhaps you’ve made some assumptions that you didn’t check out; check them out now. Your partner’s wishes may have changed or evolved since you last spoke. Depend on up-to-date information. Communication is highlighted today. Double-check all information to avoid a misunderstanding. During the day your posture changes from an intellectual to an emotional one. All good.

I Wanna

January 16, 2011 by Holly

Lyrics by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

I wanna change
I wanna change
The world

I wanna stop the pain
And make the people sing

I wanna bring
I wanna bring
The end of war
And set the people free

I wanna see
I wanna see
The end of lies
And hear the truth
As open as the sky

Chorus:
OM BENZAR SATO SAMAYA
MA NU PA LA YA
BENZAR SATO TE NO PA
TISH TRA DRI DHO ME BHA WA
SUTO KHAYO ME BHAWA
SUPO KHAYO ME BHAWA
ANU RAKTO ME BHAWA
SARWA SIDDHIM ME PRA YATTSHA
SARWA KARMA SU TSA ME
TSITTAM SHRI YAM KU RU HUNG
HA HA HA HA HO
BHAGAWAN SARWA TATHAGATA
BENZAR MA ME MUNTSA
BENZAR BHA WA MA HA
SAMAYA SATO AH

In the View, I confess all commitments broken through mental activity. Knowing the View is the all-pervasive foundational Bodhicitta; realizing that the View exists in non-existence, and practicing meditation that is non-existent, realizing that activity is neither existent nor non-existent, the Bodhicitta is without expectation or disappointment. All root and auxiliary commitments, breaches and failure to uphold them, are unborn, ungenerated, and liberated in the indivisibilty of the object to confess and the confession itself.

OM BENZAR SATO HUNG

Chorus

©Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

Astrology

January 16, 2011 by Norma

1/16/2011 Sunday

A serious woman or an older person has some information for you. Listen carefully. Someone may give you important and realistic information. You’re bouncing around, jiggling your foot and having trouble sitting still. But listen; no matter how long it takes. You will be glad you did. Communication, driving, neighbors, and brothers and sisters are highlighted today. At the same time, a new energy that is focused and fixed has entered the scene. Machines are excellent; your car mechanic will be genuinely helpful. Have a rousing debate with friends, you’ll go away energized and encouraged. George M. Adams said, “Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul.” Ok.

Calling the Lama from Afar

January 15, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following prayer is from the Nam Cho Ngondro, The Great Perfection Buddha in the Palm of Hand

LAMA SANGYE RINPOCHE LA SÖL WA DEB SO

May realize that the Guru is the precious Buddha.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

EH LAMA KHYEN NO EH LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Lama, care for me. EH Lama, care for me.

EH PAL DEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Glorious root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

YE YE DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

YE YE Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA RANG KHYEN NO LAMA RANG KHYEN NO

Lama, you alone care for me. Lama, you alone care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

Astrology

January 15, 2011 by Norma

1/15/2011 Saturday

It seems you are spinning your wheels trying to get a business deal stabilized. Relax. At some point in the day things will change, and you either get what you want or else you no longer want it. You will turn into a chatterbox, or you’ll meet people who can’t wait to tell you everything. When this happens, you’ll know the tide has turned. This is a great day to call friends, go for a drive, read or hear important information. The mailman is your best friend today. Someone could walk by and give you the secret of the universe in an instant. Someone you over look can amaze you. Sir Henry Taylor said, “The world knows nothing of its greatest people.” Pay attention to everyone, great people are about.