Month: August 2016

Understanding the Nightmare – by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche

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The following is an excerpt from a teaching by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche on “Meditation” reprinted with permission from Palyul Ling International:

And there are many, many beings that don’t know much about Buddha or Enlightenment or the Dharma teachings or liberation. They really don’t have any idea of such things. Even with all the explanations we could find in these Dharma teachings, and even though so many lamas and other qualified teachers give these teachings, still one might think that these teachings are just myths. And so you can’t truly accept them or believe in the absolute reality.

Everything is based on what is called the Law of Karma which is the actions that we do, the causes and conditions we create ourselves. Furthermore there is a Law of Karma which is known as the Collective Karma, the actions, causes and conditions we create together. There is no way we can change ourselves other than understanding Karma. Moreover, when one cannot understand all these deeper things, then one thinks that these things do not really exist.

When the lamas and the many other qualified teachers¹ teach on the sufferings of Samsara, of course it is not really nice to hear and then one feels like, “I don´t want to hear these kinds of teachings.” Certain people when lama gives these teachings on suffering even say, “I’m not interested to listen about the sufferings of Samsara. This lama doesn’t seem like he can give out good teachings!” These people prefer to just express their own ideas.

However, when taught by a qualified lama, it is indeed the Dharma, the truth. These teachings about the nature of Samsara and the reality of the faults of Samsara have been taught by all the Enlightened Beings such as Shakyamuni Buddha. The Enlightened Beings, the Buddhas, all gave these teachings because if we could just understand the nature of Samsara, we could then move on to the actual practices through which we could purify our obscurations. We could have the ultimate realization through which we achieve peace and happiness, and through that we could manifest ourselves to benefit all other sentient beings in Samsara. For that purpose Buddha gave all these teachings. It is not that Buddha wanted to be famous and so gave these teachings, nor was the Buddha showing off his skills in teaching, nor was he explaining things to us so that we would become frightened. These teachings are mainly about how all sentient beings can believe and act to attain complete Enlightenment, to liberate themselves from the sufferings of Samsara. So you see, Buddha gave these teachings with great compassion.

Take the example of a having a nightmare. Within such dreams, no matter what you do, you still cannot escape the scary feeling of a nightmare until you wake up. At the same moment, someone who is awake and watching beside the bed, can see that you are having a dream. We can understand something of the nature of Samsara from this dream example. While we are in Samsara experiencing all different kinds of sufferings, it is exactly like somebody who is having a nightmare.

Astrology for 8/26/2016

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8/26/2016 Friday by Norma

A brilliant idea is a winner; take prompt action but don’t become so enthusiastic that you ignore your surroundings. Driving and communication remain problematic. Traffic’s an issue, blocked streets and confusing signs cause trouble. Advice is wrong, and people talk so long the point is lost entirely. Tommy Smothers said, “When you don’t know what you’re talking about, it’s hard to know when you’re finished.” Still, this is a wonderful day for work, health, good will and high expectations. Happiness is everywhere if you remain silent, but nobody will.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

Prayer to the Root Guru

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Padmasambhava

The following prayer is from the Nam Chö Ngondro by Tertön Migyur Dorje:

Alas

Glorious condensed essence of the miraculous activity of the Buddhas of all directions and times,

Great Lotus Guru (Padmasambhava) of loving kindness,

Myself and those like me who are without a protector and tormented by suffering,

Look upon us with your loving compassion and grant us your blessings!

In this time of extreme degeneration of this aeon, when demonic forces, corruption, incurable disease and perverted prayers are increasing,

During this terrifying time of armies and weapons in the four directions, grant us the breath to breathe fearlessly, like a vajra.

Impure sentient being’s hearts are confused and their intellects distorted. So as not to follow our ingrained habitual instincts, tame us in whatever skill means are necessary by actually arising in the Rupakaya.

Lead us upon the path to the realm of Great Bliss.

Concerning myself and all others on the path to Awakening, by pacifying our obstacles and non-conducive circumstances and greatly increasing our life span and endowments,

May our vital airs and mind be controlled to realize the common and supreme spiritual attainments.

May we never be separate from our root Lama!

…repeat this prayer with intense fervent devotion (until one’s tears uncontrollably well up from within) after which repeat the essence prayer, the Vajra Guru mantra OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG.

Astrology for 8/25/2016

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8/25/2016 Thursday by Norma

This is the perfect day to place a large piece of tape over your mouth and save yourself a world of trouble; speak up,and you’ll have to eat your words. Remain silent, offer a great big blimpey smile to everything you hear and see, and life is beautiful. Shakespeare said, “The fool doth think he’s wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” The news is irritating and driving’s a mess with a chance of getting lost. Apart from that, it’s a lovely day. Work progresses apace, cheerful progress is possible and love is in the air. Improvements in health, work habits and small matters embellish the day. Cut your food into tiny pieces before eating; it’s fun and prevents problems related to talking while eating.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

The Beginning

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images

The Beginning

I am Love,

I pour myself out

on the waters…

And the Earth.

Over time and space

I pour, I am,

never ending.

I encompass all

unto Myself.

I am pregnant with

Creation.

I penetrate all.

I am fulfilled…

Love.

I am Light.

The Light of the One…

Of the All.

Radiant, life-giving,

I am…

To BE.

I declare my Self

In all things

And it is so.

I find my Self

in Creation

and bear my Self

forth

triumphant!

And all is perfect

because I am.

Light.

I am Spirit.

I am the song and the

Breath

of the Infinite.

The sound and essence

of the most subtle

One.

I bring to you your birthright

on silent, soaring

wings.

Behold, I come quickly.

Look within.

I am here.

I speak to you,

from deep within you.

And now you hear me.

You let me heal you.

You let me radiate from you

You let me claim you as

My own.

Let us make a pact,

You, who I am.

To know our oneness.

To renounce duality.

To know only Truth.

For I speak to you

Even as you call

To Me.

“Awaken… Awaken…

This is the beginning.”

 

© Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

Astrology for 8/24/2016

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8/24/2016 Wednesday by Norma

Make that sweet deal today, you can! Aristotle said, “Well begun is half done.” Run right out and buy what you need. Use spare time to browse toothpaste, shaving products, shoe inserts and every brand of shampoo, conditioner and allergy medication. You’ll be surprised and pleased with what you find. Engage in meaningful conversation, speak your truth and tidy up as you go. Sidestep aggressive or demanding people and the day goes well.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

Putting Out the Fire: Turning the Mind Towards Dharma by HH Penor Rinpoche

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The following is an excerpt from a teaching given by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche at Kunzang Palyul Choling on Bodhicitta:

We start first with the special method that will turn one’s mind towards the Dharma.  In that method, we have to understand that wherever we are born in the world, in this universe, there will not be much happiness.  There is hot and cold suffering in the hell realms, and the hungry ghosts have the suffering of hunger and thirst.  The animals have the suffering of killing each other.  The human beings have a short lifespan, and within that short life, there is a lot of suffering.  Even those god beings in the god realms have a very good life there, but because of their carelessness, they are just spending and wasting their lives with happiness.  The sentient beings in this world have their own sufferings.  It is important, the Buddha said, for you to understand that wherever you are born, there is no happiness.  There is suffering.

When you understand that, then in order to remove the suffering, you need to have diligence to remove the suffering, like the diligence you do when your hair is burning, when your dress is burning.  During that time, you will put all your efforts toward removing the fire.  Similarly, once we have understood the suffering of samsara, of the world, then we have to really put some kind of diligence toward removing the suffering of samsara. Then if our hair is on fire and our dress is on fire, then we will not really remain peaceful.  We will definitely do something.  So, similarly, once we understand the suffering nature of samsara, we will not waste our time.

 

Astrology for 8/23/2016

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8/23/2016 Tuesday by Norma

Ah, stability and feelings of contentment, you’re here at last! Use this peaceful day to balance your accounts, tend to banking matters, make a carefully thought out purchase, plow happily through mounds of work. Six planets are in earth signs, meaning if you can’t eat it, sit on it or spend it you’re not interested! Material matters are favored and simplicity rules. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said, “There’s a ball. There’s a hoop. You put the ball through the hoop. That’s success.” The only way to go wrong today is to complicate matters, using abstract or ideological thinking to put the ball through the hoop.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

A Variety of Stupas

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An excerpt from a teaching called Cosmology of a Stupa by Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche

Stupas can be roughly divided into two categories – Theravada or Hinayana stupas, and stupas in the Mahayana tradition.  There are further subdivisions of those stupas, with different shapes and designs.

In the Hinayana tradition, there are stupas that are roughly in the shape of the Buddha’s body, some in the shape of his robes, some in the shape of his alms or begging bowl, and some in the shape of his throne or in the shape of a staff.  There are different renditions.

BurmeseStupa

In the Mahayana tradition, there are eight principle stupas.  At the time after the Buddha was cremated, his relics were divided into eight piles and given to eight different great kings who made stupas for those relics.  According to the great teacher, Nagarjuna, there are eight principle stupas that perform eight different functions.

These eight principle stupas in the Mahayana tradition commemorate the great deeds of the Buddha’s life, from the time when he was born till his passing into nirvana.  For example, there is a stupa that commemorates his birth, that moment just after his birth when he took seven steps in the four directions.  Each time he took a step, a lotus flower blossomed under his foot. And so, there is a stupa that commemorates the birth of the Buddha.

stupa-types-1stupa-types-2

There is a stupa that commemorates the fact that the Buddha studied a whole variety of topics in his youth and mastered them all.  There is another stupa called the auspicious many-gated stupa.  The Tashi Gomang stupa celebrates the fact that the Buddha descended back down from Tushita Pure Land, where he was teaching his mother.

In the Vajrayana tradition, the tantric vehicle, there are specific stupas that accomplish particular purposes.  For example, there are the four main types of stupas for pacification.  Some are to magnetize.  Some are to increase, increase prosperity and merit, and others are for more wrathful activities. There are different shapes that the stupa can adopt, but the fundamental meaning is the same – stupas represent the enlightened body, speech and mind of the Buddha.  The stupa primarily represents the enlightened mind of the Buddha.

Astrology for 8/22/2016

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8/22/2016 Monday by Norma

An unexpected person, event or mood appears this morning, followed by a significant agreement or understanding with a powerful person. Be respectful of everyone; as the day passes those seeking acclaim roll up their sleeves and get to work, a complete change from what came before. Marianne
Mountain said, “Forever to travel is our destiny,” and change is a form of travel that you must accommodate now. A new steadiness is in play, and cheerful conversation, jokes, repartee-all are par for the course, join in. If you’ve got a joke up your sleeve, a rabbit in your hat, today’s
your day to shine. Endless stories that put people to sleep are on the menu too, all good!

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message reflects your life today!

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