February, 2011 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Me, You and Karma

February 7, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

An excerpt from a teaching called Perception and Karma by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, July 19, 1989

Every single kind of perception that we have, no matter what it is, is based on the false presupposition that self is inherently real. The belief in self as being inherently real, absolutely lays out that other is inherently real. Once that idea of self has been borne and is fixed, you must develop walls of ideation and conceptualization to surround it and maintain it. You must constantly separate other. In order to separate other, you must continue to determine how other and self interact. That’s the basic process. Having done that since time out of mind, you are involved in cause and effect relationships complete with lots of exaggeration. The residue and reality of that is experienced as karma.

Karma is nothing other than cause and effect. That’s all it is. It’s not somebody up there making check marks in a book. It’s simply cause and effect. It’s as simple to understand as a leaf falling from a tree. There are irrefutable laws of cause and effect.

The experience that we have is based on this karma, which has been based on a long-term relationship with cause and effect, which is based on the underlying belief in self-nature as being inherently real. Why then, hearing this, can’t we just stop? Why can’t we just stop reacting? Why can’t we just stop judging things? Why can’t we do this?

We can’t stop because we are no longer in a position where we are truly cognizant of the choice between self-nature being inherently real or not. It is now automatically so. It is now so rigid that survival has become a big deal. You believe that this is what you are. You must continue that continuum that you think is survival because you do not know that there is anything without the continuation of self-nature. It is so far buried, it is such a primal experience, it is so beneath reason, so much deeper than reason, due to the constant building up of cause and effect relationships, of karmic relationships and the constant exaggeration that has occurred since time out of mind, from the first perception that implied self.

Astrology

February 7, 2011 by Norma

2/7/2011 Monday

Solid progress is made today, and well thought out plans can hardly fail. Slow and steady wins the race. Something you have been working on for a long time is at last coming to fruition. Your inclination is to run around wildly, to expect to succeed everywhere, now that you are succeeding here. But life goes on. You must still look both ways as you cross the street, still brush your teeth, and still abide by traffic rules. An emotional disappointment can occur, but buck up; it’s transient. You have succeeded. Be at peace. Marcus Aurelius said, “He who lives in harmony with himself, lives in harmony with the universe.”

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!

Thank You for Your Support!

December 16, 2011February 6, 2011 by anisonam

This evening Jetsunma tweeted the following:

“Goodnight sweethearts, sweet dreams. Rumors of my demise on twitter are greatly fabricated as are rumors of my own blog being on its way down.”

The “staff” here at Tibetan Buddhist Altar (TBA) wanted to reassure our audience that readership is up, growing by 10% last month with over 6,500 visits in January alone. Jetsunma is teaching nearly every day live, in real time, on twitter, and we post those teachings here on TBA the same day. We are also working to edit more than 20 years of archived teachings, and offering teachings from other Lineage Lamas. There are “new” teachings offered here daily!

We are grateful for the support of all our readers, and for all the comments and questions. It is Jetsunma’s wish that this blog become a virtual Dharma community where people around the world can be provided with the resources they need, whether they wish to practice Buddhism or are simply seeking practical advice on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

Jetsunma is available to all, openly, on twitter, almost every day. She offers her insights, guidance and sense of humor, as well as engages in friendly discussions with people from all walks of life. On January 9th Jetsunma had 3,863 followers, and today she has 4,552, and continues to seek connections with new friends around the world.

Those who do follow her on twitter may be aware that she, like many public figures, also encounters some opposition, but we wanted to share these “stats” to let readers know, as she tweeted, reports of her demise are indeed fabricated.

She took this opportunity to share the following advice:

“This is an opportunity to learn to focus on this point in the time and space grid. I totally recommend living in the particular “probability” your body is floating in. Rest well, wake up shining! Love to you all!”

It is our sincere wish that all these efforts bring some benefit to those that come to share these blessings.

Astrology

February 6, 2011 by Norma

2/6/2011 Sunday

Ground zero day, something is happening and it’s good! Men are strong, handsome and friendly, women are magnetic and mysterious. Things are happening. You could feel overly emotional and ready to jump on your horse and ride off in all directions at once. Go for a walk, a run or a drive. A magnetic person can appear suddenly, giving you the answer to a long held question, or you yourself can suddenly “know” the answer to a mystery. Intuition is high and it is accurate. Do your absolute best to complete a project on this day. No slacking off. Sometimes the end of something is harder to take than the beginning. Andre Malraux said, “Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one’s better abilities or ideas, but the courage one has to bet on one’s ideas, to take a calculated risk – and to act.” Time to act.

Upholding the Dharma by Abandoning Gossip

February 5, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I am still being asked why I won’t comment on His Holiness the Karmapa’s situation given how Palyul and I were dragged through the filth of slander and lies. Given this was done as well to my Guru His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, you all know I’m sure, the answer, again, is I hold myself to higher standards. My Guru taught me better. I have no wish to see any Vajrayana Lineage sullied; no wish to harm the Buddha Dharma in any way. The Dharma is far too noble and needed in the world.

Every level, teaching, given to us by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is beyond reproach because it came from the Buddha’s mind and enlightened intention. For an ordinary person to “comment” (which shows the ignorance of their minds) would be slapstick funny if it weren’t so tragic to the Dharma. What intention is that? The intention to feel worthwhile by stepping on Lamas and Buddhism in general? No, not me. This gossip and self cherishing is to be abandoned. Those that want to know what I think will then truck their little behinds somewhere else and ask “that” Lama for opinion. And will shop around until they like what they hear, even if they have to go to the sewers to get it. They will of course find what they want. There will always be ego-maniacs that will prostitute themselves for attention, to make a mark in the world, even if it is fingerprinting with shit on the Dharma.

Not me. I am here to bring truth, purity, view, wisdom and kindness. Not cruelty. Not lies. Not slander. Yes, I feel that I am above it. This kind of darkness brings religious hatred and wars. I will do everything within my rightful authority to prevent this at the cost of my very life. I would never do to another what was done to me and mine. I will never sink so low. I believe in ethics, respect, dignity and character. I would never slime anyone else’s Guru, as I know that the “Words of My Perfect Teacher” are spoken for all. Just as yours may speak perfectly for you, I will not dirty my nature nor stain my pure Lineage or the perfection of my Guru by kicking dirt on someone else. It would only harm others, and I would then be a whore.

None of my students can gossip or they have broken their samaya with me and with Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Don’t do it. Don’t spoil the pristine quality of the Buddha’s; of Guru Rinpoche’s extraordinary and powerful gift to all beings.

OM BENZAR SATO HUNG!

Care for Your Mother Earth

February 5, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I hope we can all continue to pray for our planet, sorely needed. Earth is not just the dirt we walk, extract and build on. It lives, and is the only home we and other species have. To beat your Mother senseless and then expect her to get up and you’re your dinner- how would that work? Especially as it keeps happening. Eventually the Mother dies, or becomes too sick to function. We cannot allow that; the result is unthinkable. Love and pray for Earth. And go green!

OM MANI PEDME HUNG!

Try Me

February 5, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Try me, try me

If you need a friend

I will be there for you

Till the end, when you need me

Try me, try me

Let me show you

How deep it can be with love

You can count on me

To stay by your side

Through thick and thin

Try me, try me, try me

What you need

Is easy to see

You seem lonely like me

Maybe ready to see

If you need a friend, some love

Oh, won’t you please try me

(Repeats)

Astrology

February 5, 2011 by Norma

2/5/2011 Saturday

Try not to over-do it tonight. This is an exciting time, and something solid is steadily growing. Action and opportunity are everywhere, and you could get overly excited. Try to think long term. Big picture thinking that aims for the future is right on the money. The image of building something, whether an organization, a business, or a building, is present. One step at a time, the structure is being built and it’s nearly finished. Hang in there, and stay on course. You are in the mood to escape, to get away, so give yourself a break. Do your job, and then take some time off. Don’t take time off before the job is done, and don’t fail to reward yourself once it’s done. This is a nice night to relax, go to a movie, and take it easy. Friends are wonderful.

Fight Might with Right: Video Teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

December 16, 2011February 4, 2011 by anisonam

Fight Might With Right: Video Teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Astrology

February 4, 2011 by Norma

2/4/2011 Friday

Dream day. Pay attention to what happened in your sleep last night. You may have received a message about an old love or concern. Someone may need your help. You grow serious. As you move forward, don’t forget the people who were there for you when you needed them. They are part of the group too, although perhaps their contribution is different from yours. See yourself as part of a family or a team where everyone is an integral part and every person has a place. We see photos of disasters, people fleeing with babies or elderly parents on their backs. Nobody is left behind. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you will never know how soon it will be too late.” This is today’s message.