November, 2011 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

21 Homages to Tara: Verse 13 Commentary Khenpo Tenzin Norgay

November 5, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Thupten Shedrub Gyatso, who was a Tulku in one of the Palyul Monasteries, wrote this commentary. His present incarnation, Rago Chogtrul currently lives in Tibet.

Translation by Khenpo Tenzin Norgey ~ Spring, 2004,
Palyul Retreat Center, Mc Donough, NY USA ~Wood Monkey Year 2131

Homage to you, who dwells amidst garlands
Blazing like the fire at the end of an eon.
With your right leg outstretched and left leg drawn in
Your joyful turning destroys enemy forces.

The thirteenth homage is to Drapung Jomma,^Tibthe “Tara Who Averts War”. She averts wars and obstacles, and leads beings to victory in the war with form and formless enemies. She is red in color and dwells amidst garlands of wisdom fire swirling like the fire at the end of an eon. Her right leg is stretched out and left leg is drawn in. Sparks of fire fly from the prongs of the vajra she brandishes, subduing all harmful enemies. She comforts them by gathering them under the vajra-tent that protects them from their own evil. With every skillful means[i], she turns the wheel of dharma, according to the disposition of the beings to be tamed. She makes them content and joyous, and subdues the malefic forces of the two obscurations. The inner meaning is that this indicates the realization that “exhausts all phenomena”. Just as the fire at the end of the eon consumes the world, when the primordial wisdom swirls in dharmadhatu, the outer earth and stones, the inner animate body, and the secret conceptions are also exhausted. So the foes of the two obscurations[ii] are subjugated, and the joy of the great tranquility of the core of inner clarity of primordial wisdom[iii]that does not dwell in the extremes of samsara and nirvana is experienced.

[i] skillful means ~ The Mahayana practice of adapting the doctrine to the capacities of one’s audience.

[ii] two obscurations ~ There are two types of obscurations: those preventing liberation from the cycle of samsaric suffering, called afflictive obscurations, and those preventing omniscience, called the obscurations to the objects of knowledge.

[iii] primordial wisdom ~The wisdom that has realized the primordial nature of all phenomena.

Astrology

November 5, 2011 by Norma

Happy day! You feel absolutely joyous, and your mind is expansive and quick. Use this good energy to communicate with others and notice the positive result. Men and women are in harmony today, so spend time with people of the opposite sex. Men are handsome devils and women are delicate maidens. Romance is in bloom! Travel is excellent. Act on a hunch today and you won’t be sorry. Still, someone is insistent on their pride being fed. Hmmm. You’ll know it’s you if you make a statement and nobody answers. People have just about had it with the proud one: be sure it’s not you! Now s/he’s being ignored. Financial matters are developing nicely. Go buy something for someone. Medicines work and if you’re sick you’ll recover. Shakespeare said “All’s well that ends well.” Ok!

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!

We The People

November 4, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is a series of tweets from Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo offered in support of the #Occupy movements:

For those who bring compassion to the people OM MANI PEDME HUNG! May you abide in the comfort of love.

For those who may die or are being hurt from the struggle. OM AMI DEWA HRI. You will be crowned as a protector of “we the people.”

For those who break through ignorance with the sword of wisdom. OM AH RA PA TSA NA DHI – You are the bringers of the way for “we the people.”

For all who hunger for the clear light of Primordial Nature and safety – Long Life for all OM TARE TUTARE TURE PUNYE PUSHTIM AH YOU PUSHTIM KURU YE SOHA. You may save us all!

For you who treasure truth and pray for the liberation of “we the people” – OM AH HUNG VAJRA GURU PEMA NORBU SIDDHI HUNG- I treasure you, the beautiful.

For those who wish to serve the people and feed the poor – OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA – May you have, and share, every gift in every form. I love you.

May “we the people” gather, talk, march, pray, be together as one to birth a new world of virtue and compassion for all.

I believe. I believe in you.

Thank you all for your good efforts.

Peace. Occupy Earth!

Love is the Medicine: Quotes from Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

November 4, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

No true Dharma Master behaves with rage, hate, ranting, self- importance. These are signs of mental instability, a character flaw. Never follow such a one as that.

One should rest with a peaceful and loving mind. Even wrathful emanating Buddhas manifest solely out of the wish to liberate beings.

Respect kindly all religions that teach loving kindness, and have no respect for envy and jealousy. Never follow hate.

No being incapable of controlling their own mind or developing ethics and a loving character can ever be a Master. First we must have accomplishment.

If we develop a good heart we will progress to true compassion, and awaken Bodhicitta. This is the way of the Buddha’s method.

The way of loving kindness is what is to be accepted. Love! The benefit is clear. Rage, hate are the way of chaos and darkness – to be rejected.

In short: if one has nothing of value to say, only that which is impure defilement, avoid them. They are masters of the dark. Of no use.

Always walk in peace and beauty; in grace and love, speak only truth and you will be blessed. Where we are, let there be light.

Hate is the last refuge of the ignorant. Love is the medicine. Compassion is the gift of the awakened ones.

Occupy With Prayer

November 4, 2011 by anisonam

occupy-oakland640 — Occupy Oakland the night of Wednesday, October 26th. j_sight/yfrog

At the request of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, KPC will hold a prayer accumulation weekend (November 5th and 6th) dedicated to Peaceful Occupation, and to those who have been harmed by force and brutality, that we the people might live in peace. She is calling it “Occupy With Prayer.” This will take place at KPC in Maryland, at the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, Arizona or right here online!

Everyone is welcome. Buddhists and non-buddhists alike are encouraged to come pray, join the group practices and meditation, and circumambulate the stupas to make wishing prayers and offerings. Please join us on twitter if you are not near the temple or Stupa! Follow @JALpalyul

Schedule

Saturday:

10am: Recitation of the Prajnaparamita 108 times – for a copy of the prayer to recite click here
Shower of Blessings practice and tsog (food offering ceremony) will follow the Prajnaparamita recitation and a meal break. For a copy of the Shower of Blessings you can click here or you can recite the Seven Line Prayer
Evening: Vajrakilaya – after the tsog we will do Vajrakilaya for the evening. Note: this puja requires empowerment in order to participate. Those without the empowerment can accumulate the Seven Line Prayer during this time.

Sunday:

The same schedule will be repeated on Sunday.

Astrology

November 4, 2011 by Norma

You wake up so happy it’s almost a crime. Ok! Be buoyant, and be careful to restrain your high spirits when you speak with someone who is in difficulty or suffering. A troubling situation that requires tact is present, and if you remember to be generous it will resolve well. The issue involves finances and anything you can give is greatly appreciated. Knowing that others care enough to help gives heart to someone who has lost hope. A small gesture generates an enormous payoff today. Stay alert for the opportunity to help, and don’t judge the needy one. Cicero said “In nothing do humans approach so nearly to the gods as doing good to others.”

Self Conceit

November 3, 2011 by anisonam

The following is an excerpt from “Dakini Teachings: A Collection of Padmasambhava’s Advice to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal”

“Self Conceit:

Master Padma said: These so-called Dharma practitioners have great
ambition in their arrogance and self conceit.

The lady asked: What does that mean?

The master said: Some have self conceit regarding themselves as possessing knowledge in learning and teaching.
Some have self conceit regarding themselves as pious and practicing the Dharma.
Some have self conceit regarding themselves as meditators who live in the solitude of mountain dwellings.
Some have self conceit regarding themselves as powerful and as having great abilities.
Some yearn like a carnivorous animal smelling blood seeing wealth or a desirable object.
When seeing something that is undesirable or harmful, they run away like a wild yak set free.
They are fascinated by their own virtues as when they behold the eye of a peacock feather.
They envy the virtues of others like a watchdog guarding property.
In any case, these conceited Dharma practitioners are their own archenemy. I feel pity for such ignorant people who are in the grasp
of Mara.”

21 Homages to Tara: Verse 12 Commentary Khenpo Tenzin Norgay

November 3, 2011November 3, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Thupten Shedrub Gyatso, who was a Tulku in one of the Palyul Monasteries, wrote this commentary. His present incarnation, Rago Chogtrul currently lives in Tibet. Translation by Khenpo Tenzin Norgey ~ Spring, 2004, Palyul Retreat Center, Mc Donough, NY USA ~Wood Monkey Year 2131

Homage to you, whose diadem is a crescent moon,
All your adornments dazzle brightly.
Excellent perpetual light shines
From Amitabha at your topknot.

The twelfth homage is to Tara, Tashi Dongyed Dolma,^Tibthe “One Who Bestows Auspiciousness” who brings timely rain, helps with childbirth, and makes places auspicious. This golden Tara sits on blue lotus and holds an auspicious knot. From the rays of her crescent moon diadem, showers of nectar fall, improving crops and vegetation. Clear and brilliant white light radiates from all of her precious jewels and silken attire. Amitabha, the lord of her Buddha family sits on her black hair knot. From him too, boundless unceasing compassionate rays shine for the benefit of sentient beings. These rays bring a shower of auspicious signs and articles. They cleanse the poisonous bad omens of animate and inanimate existence, causing all beings and their environments to enjoy perfect, glorious, auspiciousness. The ultimate meaning of the first line is ‘direct perception,’ the second line means the ‘enhancing experience’ and the last two of the lines mean ‘the completion stage of the expansion of primordial wisdom and kayas of the fourth empowerment[i],’(Word).

[i] empowerment ~ A ritual transfer of power, an initiation. The authorization to hear, study and practice the teachings of the Vajrayana. This takes place in a ceremony that may be extremely elaborate or utterly simple, conducted by a Vajra master.

Astrology

November 3, 2011 by Norma

Meet with friends or groups today and a solid relationship can be formed. Diplomacy is favored if both sides are willing to be realistic about what each brings to the table. Pride is still lurking about as a possible deal breaker. Frustrating! Disputes all hang on pride. Recognize if you are part of the pattern. Engage in self reflection and make sure you aren’t blocking things out of a desire for ego recognition. Beware of the tendency to blame others. A boomerang situation is present where something you say to another could bounce back and stick onto you! Will Durant said “To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves.” On a different front, an utterly joyous situation is developing and a new venture is a winner. Just change the direction of your gaze and you’ll see it.

The Gift

November 2, 2011November 2, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

A peaceful mind is a precious jewel, more precious than any gem in the world. It is because jewels cannot make you happier for long, and they can be lost, stolen, or broken. That is not the case with a peaceful mind.

If one trains the mind in calm abiding, subdues greed, trains in Bodhicitta, gains view of the condition of samsara, and discovers its impermanence, then understanding will come. There is no gift, no wealth, no treasure like a peaceful, loving mind. Nothing worldly is worth striving for except the opportunity to serve others. If we do that, our dominating ego quiets, the endless craving, the endless hatred, the boundless confusion of pride, and neediness for attention, all gradually and gently disappear like an early morning mist. It does take effort, yet the mist will vanish and reveal the glory and beauty of our true face, the natural, unborn, yet completely fulfilled Primordial Ground of our nature – the Buddha nature. It is so present, so fresh, so now, yet seems totally out of reach. That is why we must study method. No good result can possibly come from poor conduct, and wild acting out with an unstable mind cannot bring satisfaction, love, peace, joy or character.

Here the nation is falling apart, losing freedom due to fear and negative intention. Our planet is being raped and poisoned by those who think, pridefully, that it is their right to do so. We are being crushed under the weight of our own twisted confusion. What we still don’t understand is that the main battle is within. If we wake up in time, as is the case with Occupy Wall Street, we must also understand that what we are doing in our head is also important. If altruism is not the basis, hate will rule. If kindness is not there, the result will be more of the same. If greed wins, we will have nothing.

So train well in spirit and heart-mind long before the time comes when we will see this new, brave world convulse itself into birth. This way we will actually contribute to a better world, rather than build a shiny new floor over the same old hate and societal insanity. We cannot afford this. Mama Earth cannot afford this. The bliss and joy of true accomplishment and awakened view is so immediate and beautiful in a new, pristine way. We have Buddha in the palm of our hand! The gift.