April, 2013 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Astrology

April 30, 2013 by Norma

A pleasant person appears bringing kindness, understanding and good will. This is a godsend that lightens a troubling time. Have fun chatting and joking with your well-wisher. Good news comes from a direction that hasn’t been helpful. This is so surprising that you must struggle to maintain composure. Do not yell. “But you’re the one that caused all the problems!” even though you want to. Emotional control is a must today, and luckily you have it. Zen question: “What do you say if your most vexing adversary offers the solution to your problem?” Answer: “Thank you.” This is quite the day for diverse matters, so hold onto your hat!

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!

Astrology

April 29, 2013 by Norma

You are still smarting from a hurt to the ego but relax, it’s over. Something just obstructed your progress, but if you take what you have learned into consideration you will handle this situation better in the future. There’s your side and the other side. Be very aware that the other side has less flexibility than you do and will react badly if questioned. An appeal to authority resolves an issue that you can’t. Who holds the power in this situation? This is the person you should talk to, not your best friend who agrees with everything you say. Samuel Lover said, “Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise.” An experience of insight brings an awareness of hidden forces that are coming to light. Sound serious? It is! Still the conversation continues unabated, an old love re-appears and people are willing to help each other.

Miraculous Blessings: Ven. Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche

April 28, 2013 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is a story submitted by a student of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, John Pelletier expressing his experience with Ven. Yangthang Tulku Rinpoche on Thursday April 25th:

I want to share with you something very special that happened this past Thursday morning. As Rinpoche was getting ready to leave for New York, he spontaneously asked to visit our stupas, both the Enlightenment Stupa in the parking lot and the various stupas in the peace park.

As many of you already know, we have had numerous obstacles keeping full access to the stupas on the land across the street due to various seemingly external causes, such as floods and storms taking out bridges and making roads impassable.

We have had difficulty maintaining the stupas, and, as a matter of fact, we all know that we had allowed many to just fall into disrepair. Even after a great effort this past summer, some of the repairs have come to a standstill, again, because of seemingly external causes like the weather or lack of personnel.

Needless to say, this is distressing not only to Jetsunma, but to any being with the clarity to see reality as it is – anyone who can see the true internal reflection of what the external obstacle really is.

I didn’t witness the visit to the Enlightenment Stupa, but something very magical happened at the Migyur Dorje Stupa that is worth sharing. It’s hard to explain in words the profundity of what happened there Thursday morning, so I’ll just say what happened so you can contemplate this remarkable blessing that Rinpoche’s visit brought to us.

Rinpoche performed a blessing ceremony at the Migyur Dorje Stupa that included many prayers and mandala offerings, represented by the throwing of blessed rice in the traditional manner we have seen many times before, and circumabulations. Jetsunma later told us that he was praying to purify and apologize for the negativity caused by allowing the stupas, and the land in general, to have arrived at such a state.

The whole ceremony was very impromptu yet incredibly graceful and beautiful. At the end, to seal the blessing, a khatag was thrown into the air. I have never seen anything quite like this before in my life and this is the part, truly, that I wanted to share with everyone.

I would imagine that if you or I threw a khatag into the air at the Stupa, it may just kind of look like it was being thrown and ultimately land somewhere pretty low, maybe where the level where offerings are generally made. This wasn’t the case here at all.

What we saw was the khatag literally unfurling and taking flight through the air, waving as if it had wings, approaching and landing perfectly on the harmika, the square structure that rests under the spire. It was as if the Stupa itself had bent over to receive the khatag from Rinpoche.

As it landed, the air was still and everyone, including Rinpoche and his entourage, audibly gasped and rejoiced. This was indeed an uncommon event even for those who have seen this type of thing many times, again and again. My heart is filled with joy and my eyes filled with tears to relate the rarity of this type of purity in the world.

May we never forget the Buddhafield this land truly is and the inconceivably rare blessings it holds. May we do nothing but share and uphold this gift from our precious Guru, Jetsunma, and may we achieve the result of understanding the nature of the precious jewels we have in our midst. May we never let this blessing be forgotten. May none of these efforts be wasted.

The Guru

April 28, 2013 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is respectfully quoted from “Reborn in the West” by Vicki Mackenzie. This section begins with Jetsunma discussing the role of the guru:

She went on to talk a little about the place of the guru in Buddhism. ‘The guru is an emanation of enlightened compassion, and that compassion is like a hook or a piece of Velcro,’ she explained, slipping into her hallmark mode of putting Eastern concepts into Western terminology. ‘Now Velcro has to have a corresponding piece, otherwise it won’t connect–which means that at some time in the past you have already had a relationship with the guru. It is not as though the teacher will know your name, or something like that. But the power, the intention of compassion and loving kindness sets up a vibration, almost like a sound, and students begin responding to that vibration. And the student will be called.

‘That sound is so subtle, yet so powerful, that it changes the student’s life–like that,’ she said, clicking her fingers. At this point I realized she was talking about herself as ‘guru’ too. ‘And it can sustain that change. It can change the world. That sound is the greatest, most gossamer force there is–bodhicitta, the force of compassion. That’s the sound that is being vibrationally cloaked to suit the student’s mind,’ she explained.

At Washington Airport, however, Jetsunma had no idea that the small, rotund man who was making her weep was her guru; that was to come. Instead she was contemplating how to get him back home and what to give him for lunch. He eventually scrambled into her old car and was driven back to Poolesville, where the group fed him hot dogs and potato crisps on the back porch. For an auspicious meeting it was, like Jetsunma herself, highly irregular.

‘We didn’t know what to do with him,’ she confided. ‘We had a barbecue going and were sitting down next to him, being friendly and chatty. I had no idea one doesn’t do this. Be he seemed really happy to be with us and said he wanted to meet all my students and ask them questions. I was amazed. He added that we could ask him questions too. Now that I could understand,’ continued Jetsunma.

All week long Penor Rinpoche interviewed all of Jetsunma’s students in great depth, probing to find out exactly what she had been teaching them. When eventually Jetsunma herself managed to get some time with Penor Rinpoche, she acknowledged him as the teacher and confessed her ‘sin’ of teaching without any real qualifications.

‘Forgive me, but I did not feel I could sit and do nothing,’ she said. ‘But the authority under which I’ve been teaching is twofold. First of all, I look around me and see there is suffering, and I have to do something. The other is that I’ve tried my own practices and I know that they work. But I don’t really know why these teachings come to my mind. Can you please tell me where it comes from?

Penor Rinpoche looked her straight in the eye and broke the news–at least, part of it. ‘In the past you were a great bodhisattva, a person who works throughout all time to liberate sentient beings. You have attained your practice to the degree that in every future lifetime you will not forget it. You will always know it, it will always come back to you. It is in your mind and will not be forgotten.’ He gave her no name, no clue as to what kind of bodhisattva she had been. He just advised her to keep on doing precisely what she was doing, in the way she was doing it, and confirmed that her teachings were exactly what her students needed. That was all. It seemed that no great demands were to be made of her–until he dropped the bombshell.

‘He told me I had to buy a centre, a real temple, that I shouldn’t be afraid. He said I was going to see several different places but I had to buy the one with the white pillars in the front. “You’re going to think you can’t afford it,” he said–and oh, we can’t!–“but you will find a way. Have faith, it will be all right. Eventually,” he added, “you will have places all over the world.” The last part of the prophecy is still to come about.

Astrology

April 28, 2013 by Norma

Everything costs more than you thought it would! Definitely ask if there are additional charges for anything you buy or agree to today. There are. If you are the one who tacks on extra costs, be aware that this is unwelcome and you may hear things you’d rather not hear. Women and children are especially light hearted and enthusiastic, and their attitude brightens the scene. Laughter, jokes, happiness and love are in the picture. George Eliot said, “Affection is the broadest basis of good in life.” Relax and enjoy conversations, short trips, messages and reading. The news is fun, and everyone wants to know what the word on the street is. Communicate! Get on the information highway – that’s where the good energy is today.

From the Ship to Liberation: Refuge Verses

April 27, 2013 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is respectfully quoted from “The Great Perfection Buddha in the Palm of the Hand” from the Nam Chö Treasures by Migyur Dorje:

NAMO DU SUM GYUN CHED MED PAR DRO DÖN DZED
To those beings who accomplish the purpose of others, without interruption in the Three Times,

MI CHOG TSEN PAI RAB GYEN TRINLEY TER
A treasure of miraculous activity, supremely adorned with the major and minor marks,

SANGYE NAM LA CHAG TSAL KYAB SU CHI
To all the Buddhas, I prostrate and go for Refuge.

SHI WA CHAG DRAL CHIR MI DOG PAI LAM
To the peaceful Path of no reversal, which is separate from desire,

GYUD LUNG MEN NGAG DRUB TSOG NYON MONG DRAL
Free from delusion is the path of Tantras, Transmissions, Secret Oral Instructions and Accomplishment Practices

DAM PAI CHÖ LA CHAG TSAL KYAB SU CHI
To the sacred Dharma, I prostrate and go for Refuge.

TSOG SHING MA NOR LAM NAI NYON MONG DRAL
Free from delusion is the unmistaken field of Refuge of Beings who remain on the stages of the Path.

SANGYE TEN DZIN PHAR CHIN DRUG LHA NEI
To the holders of the Buddha’s Doctrine, who maintain the practice of the Six Perfections,

GE DUN NAM LA CHAG TSAL KYAB SU CHI
To the entire Sangha, I prostrate and go for Refuge.

GYAL KUN NGO WO KYIL KHOR KUN GYI TSO
To the essential nature of all the Buddhas and the head of all Mandalas,

YID SHIN DRIN CHEN DREN PAI NGÜDRUB BEB
Whose wish-fulfilling great kindness is the source of all spiritual attainment.

LAMA NAM LA CHAG TSAL KYAB SU CHI
To all my Lamas, I prostate and go for Refuge.

CHÖ KUI TSAL LEI DRO DON SHI TRU TSOG
As the display of the Dharmakaya, the peaceful and wrathful Deities, arise to accomplish the purpose of Beings.

THUG JEI NGANG NEINGÜDRUB KUN TSOL WAI
From whose loving kindness, all spiritual attainments are received.

YIDAM LHA LA CHAG TSAL KYAB SU CHI
To the Meditational Deities, I prostrate and go for Refuge.

DAG PA DEI TSOL DAM TSIG CHEN GYI NYEN
To the source of pure bliss, the friends of Samaya upholders,

LEG NEI TONG DZIN DRUB PAI DROG DZED MA
Bringing good fortune and befriending those who accomplish the understanding of Emptiness.

KHA DRO DAM CHEN TSOG LA KYAB SU CHI
To the Dakinis and Oath Protectors, I prostate and go for Refuge.

YE NEI TONG NYID TRO DRAL DÜ MA CHEI
Primordially, the nature of Emptiness is unaltered and uncompounded,

KA DAG OD SAL LONG YANG RANG SHIN LA
As the natural great expanse of the originally pure clear light,

DZIN MED RANG SAL JEN PAR KYAB SU CHI
In this ungrasped, naked self-clarity, I go for Refuge.

LHUNDRUB RANG SHIN YESHE NGA DEN OD
The natural, spontaneously accomplished light of the five Primordial Wisdoms,

YING RIG THIG LE RIG PA LU GU GYUD
Is the indivisibility of the Sphere of Truth and Pure Awarness appearing as a light chain of pure-awarness molecules.

RANG SAL DU DRAL MED PAR KYAB SU CHI
In this undiminishing self-clarity, I go for Refuge.

MA GAG RANG SAL DE CHEN THUG JEI LHA
To the compassionate Deity of great bliss and unceasing self-clarity,

RANG SHIN OD KYI DRO WAI MUN SEL WA
Whose natural light clarifies Beings from the darkness of delusion,

SHAR DROL THOG THA MED PAR KYAB SU CHI
In the nature which is liberated the moment it arises, and unblocked by limitation, I go for Refuge.

REFUGE VERSES:

LAMA LA KYAB SU CHIO
I take Refuge in the Lamas

SANGYE LA KYAB SU CHIO
I take Refuge in the Buddha

CHÖ LA KYAB SU CHIO
I take Refuge in the Dharma

GEDUN LA KYAB SU CHIO
I take Refuge in the Sangha

(Accumulate the Refuge Verses)

Astrology

April 27, 2013 by Norma

An ego gets squished today, hopefully not yours. Any assertion that you have done a good job will be cancelled by an opposite force that disagrees. So don’t make any assertions! In fact, point out what others have done and you will avoid trouble. Be polite to everyone you meet. Confusion can lead to wrong directions or misunderstandings. As the day progresses, a get-together is electrifying. Socialize with your group of choice and wonderful ideas bedazzle your mind. Exciting new prospects appear everywhere. Samuel Butler said, “Inspiration always steals on a person unexpectedly.” It’s the perfect follow up to an earlier disappointment. One door closes and another, better one opens today. The only way to miss the boat is to stay in. Go out!

Astrology

April 26, 2013 by Norma

The best energy today lies in artistic or healing activities. Music is important and it’s a good time to care for those who are suffering. A calm, compassionate response to the things and people you meet brings good results. The image is of a person smiling at a passer-by who is encouraged and changes for the better as a result of that smile. Kindness is everything today. Be especially sensitive to those you meet, an unexpected opportunity is present! Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read.” A two sided financial situation continues, where one side brings in money and the other side expects a cut. This is discouraging, and it seems the more you earn the more you must pay. An inheritance or legacy requires your attention, and matters of death are in the picture. You’d rather not think of this, but you must. Constant chatter continues, pretty much like background music in an elevator. It’s fine but irrelevant.

Astrology

April 25, 2013 by Norma

A dream or thought that comes as you awaken points you in the right direction. Take the soft road today as opposed to the hard road. H. J. Brown said, “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins – not through strength but by perseverance.” Flow around difficult situations and opposing forces and things will go well. It seems groups are willing to risk everything to block entrenched power. Be careful and watchful as you go through your day. Look both ways before crossing the street, and don’t be oblivious to your surroundings. An unwelcome presence is here, and it is powerful. Explosions and power outages are possible. Be vigilant, and the day has pleasant possibilities. Happiness lies in appreciating what you have rather than lamenting what you don’t have.

The Seven Line Prayer

April 24, 2013 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

First, before a teaching or practice, we always establish motivation. In Mahayana or Vajrayana – the Liberation of all beings from suffering.

Today we discuss the immutable Seven Line Prayer. In Nyingma, this is the King of Prayers. In fact, it is a complete Puja in itself.    Within are contained Refuge, Bodhicitta, making offerings, request for blessing and samaya. The prayer has three levels of meaning.

The three levels are Outer, Inner, and Secret. The Secret level should not be taught until an aspirant has accumulated 300,000 repetitions!

The first, outer level of meaning is as it seems. This is a Prayer to Guru Padmasambava, second emanation of Buddha, who brought Dharma to Tibet. His Birth and Death were not ordinary. He was born on the pollen heart of a Lotus, appearing as an eight year old, a golden Sublime Child. His body had ALL the major and minor marks of Buddhahood. He was born stainless, fully awake, and realized. This is described in the Prayer.

In describing this way, Devotion is generated purely. He is surrounded by a retinue of Dakinis. Dakinis are female aspects of Buddha. Dakinis are varied. Some are Primordial Wisdom. There are Vajra Dakinis and Offering Dakinis. Dakinis are “Sky-Dancers” and are the activity aspect of the Buddhas. So the meaning is Guru Padmasambava has accomplished all activities, qualities, and wisdom of all the Buddhas. This is acknowledged in the prayer.

Next is the Samaya-commitment to follow and to practice. Then the request for the Guru to bless us. In Vajrayana that Blessing means everything, as it ripens and deepens one’s consciousness, without which we remain ordinary, unfulfilled.    The inner meaning is that we are connecting with and awakening to our OWN Enlightened Nature. Through devotion your mind mixes with the Guru’s like milk with water, and they become inseparable; same taste and essence.

We are taught that to recite this prayer brings Enlightenment within seven lifetimes. To accomplish this prayer can bring enlightenment within one life. Accomplishing is 300,000 times or more. E MA HO! One not only awakens, but also accomplishes Buddha’s activities, qualities, and blessings. (Remember? Dakinis).

As I’ve said the secret level cannot be taught at this stage, not on twitter! A very broad explanation is that the sacred syllables purify psychic winds, channels, and fluids. All of which are invisible to the unawakened mind. This is the very means to Enlightenment! One should have wind (lung) transmission, which I cannot confer here, so you may commit to seek out Lung Transmission from a qualified Nyingma Lama. So here we go.

HUNG – ORGYEN YUL GYI NUB JANG TSAM
On the northwest border of the country of Urgyen

PEDMA GESAR DONG PO LA
In the pollen heart of a lotus

YA TSEN CHOG GI NGODRUP NYE
Marvelous in the perfection of your attainment

PEDMA JUNG NE ZHE SU DRAG
You are known as Lotus Born

KOR DU KHANDRO MANG PO KOR
And are surrounded by your circle of Dakinis

KYED KYI JE SU DAG DRUP KYI
Following you I will practice

JIN GYI LOB CHIR SHEG SU SOL
I pray you, come and confer your Blessings.

GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!
(Not translatable. Sacred words)

That is the prayer and translation. You can accumulate prayer like Mantra, Counting on a Mala (prayer beads) AND should repeat this prayer three times before any other practice, such as the Amitaba recitation from yesterday.

After reciting, the Guru melts into light and pours into the crown chakra, accomplishing the great blessing. May all beings benefit!

And as always, one considers Guru Padmasambava as inseparable in essence from one’s own Root Guru. This then is inseparable from your mind.

One more thing, the condensed essence of the Seven Line Prayer is the Vajra Guru Mantra. OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDME SIDDHI HUNG!

May my mistakes in transmission be fully purified by OM BENZAR SATO HUNG!

I have so far accumulated over a Million. My goal is 5 million, but I’m a slacker! LOL! I love to chant this prayer, my favorite.

Here is a recording of me chanting the prayer at three different speeds to facilitate progress. I ask new students to accumulate 10,000 repetitions. Easy!

Jetsunma chanting slowly-for beginners

Jetsunma chanting the prayer a little faster

Jetsunma chanting the prayer rapidly