January, 2017 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Respecting the Three Jewels

January 26, 2017 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is an excerpt from a teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo called “Keeping Heart Samaya”

When we examine the student’s responsibility in the teacher/student relationship, we have to think like this: First of all, according to the teaching, the lama, as the spiritual teacher or spiritual master, is the condensed essence of the external and most familiar objects of refuge–the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. So, regarding the student’s samaya or commitment to the teacher, there are three aspects of commitment.

As the lama is the condensed essence of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, the first commitment is to honor and uphold the Buddha’s teachings. That is to say that if we are practicing the Buddhadharma, we should never disrespect the Buddhist prayers and the Buddhist text. We love and respect them as the Buddha’s own speech, the Buddha’s own speech emanation. We should never throw them around or put them under our seats or step on them or treat them as though they were any like other object in samsara, like a rag or something. We should never treat any objects that are representative of the objects of refuge like that, such as statues, Dharma texts, and images of the Buddhas.

It’s not that Buddhists have a superficial, external, worship of images. It is not like that. This rule or practice is meant to develop discrimination in the student’s mind so that the student can discriminate between what is precious and extraordinary and what is ordinary. Ordinary things are things that arise in samsara and result in samsara, even things that we need, like enough water to live on. Water is in the world, you can get it from the world and it results in the satisfaction of worldly thirst. Water is not the same as Dharma. Dharma arises from the mind of enlightenment, results in enlightenment and is not ordinary. Water will support my life temporarily, so it is impermanent. If I drink a glass of water and then don’t drink any more, I will last four or five days. But even though it may be necessary for me to drink that water in order to stay alive long enough to read the Buddha’s teaching, I won’t forget the teaching because it is extraordinary and does not arise from samsara.

This commitment not only supports my life temporarily and in this moment, but it also provides a path or a method by which I can accomplish Dharma, by which I can enter into the door of liberation and be free. This is a miracle. This is a treasure that doesn’t only last one life or one moment or four days. Life after life after life this treasure lasts,. So these things are held up as extraordinary. Part of the student’s commitment to the student/teacher relationship is to honor this external object of refuge–the Buddha image, to honor the Buddha’s presence in the world, to propagate the teaching, to hold it up and protect it.

Astrology for 1/26/2017

January 26, 2017 by Norma

1/26/2017 Thursday by Norma

A surprise comes early in the day, and something that seemed solid is toppled. A fence, your favorite tree? Fear not- something better replaces what came down. This is a terrible time to “express yourself” to someone, to recount your most tragic feeling of victimization or to declare your secret love. Ridicule or derision is possible. Oscar Wilde’s cynical statement, “One must have a heart of stone to read of the death of Little Nell without laughing,” sums up the mood. What’s good? Medical interventions are excellent, business prospers and a situation that seemed unmanageable is brought under control.

Supplication to Mandarava

January 25, 2017 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From: The Lives and Liberation of Princess Mandarava

“Dissolving in the expanse of space

like a rainbow, without remains,

She departed to the

Akanishta Paradise of Pamavyuha.

She transformed into the embodiment

of the supreme consort,

The secret primordial wisdom dakini.

To the feet of Mandarava, I supplicate!

Together with nine hundred

pure awareness holder disciples,

After dissolving into a rainbow body,

she manifested herself once again

for the benefit of others.

Mandarava emanated unceasingly,

manifesting herself as a dakini to tame

the minds of beings in

every essential way.

To the feet of Mandarava I supplicate!”

— Guru Padmasambava

Astrology for 1/25/2017

January 25, 2017 by Norma

1/25/2017 Wednesday by Norma

Head back to your normal routine today for stability, and notice the inspired thinking that prevails as you come up with a new plan for action. This is a great day to make five, ten or twenty year plans for your future, and be sure to put safety and security first. If an emergency strikes, follow the rules for the situation immediately. A disappointment looms in the next day or so as a result of holding too strictly to your belief system. Flexibility is crucial. Change one part of your plan and success is possible, give nothing and disappointment ensues. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.” What’s good? Friends, groups, conversations, and partnership.

This Very Moment

January 24, 2017 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

To begin to develop Aspirational Bodhicitta is to understand the faults of cyclic existence, to understand the cessation of cyclic existence, to understand something of the nature of awakening or at least to understand that that is the cessation of suffering; and then to begin to develop from these foundational thoughts a caring and concern for all parent sentient beings. Aspirational Bodhicitta can take the form of just thinking as you ordinarily think. In the same way that you think of what will I have for dinner tonight, or in the same way that you think of what you would like to wear, or the ordinary things that we think of that concern ourselves. in that same ordinary way, without any kind of high-falutin’ dogma, you can begin now to develop a sense of the need and plight of sentient beings. And you can begin to speak what is in your heart, because it is in there somewhere in the natural state—the hope that all sentient beings will be free of suffering.

Each of you has a seed potential of that hope. You could not approach a truly spiritual path; you could not approach the Buddha’s teaching. You would have no karma to hear anything of the Buddha’s teaching if you did not have the hope that all sentient beings would be free of suffering. Because in order to be involved in these auspicious conditions, in order to hear the Buddha’s teaching, in order to have the opportunity to practice and the inclination to do so, in order to even begin the idea of moving onto a path that leads to supreme enlightenment, you must have accumulated an enormous amount of virtuous karma in the past and to accumulate an enormous amount of virtuous karma, there had to be kindness. So you should not be afraid thinking that you have no compassion.

Some people tell me they have no compassion. That is completely erroneous. That is impossible. But you must begin to dust off that jewel. You must begin to consider these foundational teachings, and to begin in whatever way you are comfortable with, to amplify and systematically develop Bodhichitta, the Aspirational Bodhicitta. You can begin to make wishing prayers for other sentient beings. One of the reasons why we built the Stupa that we built outside was to have a place here in this area that would have the fortunate quality of being able to enhance our prayers. Because of the cosmology of the Stupa—the way in which it is built, the empowerment that goes into actually consecrating it, and the wonderful relics that are present in it—because of the blessings of the prayer, the blessings of the mantra, because of all of these things, the Stupa actually has the ability, with faith, to amplify our prayers. We are taught to circumambulate in a clockwise direction making wishing prayers for all sentient beings. You can begin to do that. You can begin to make wishing prayers on your own, at any time. You can just think wishing prayers as you walk about. You can begin right now to developAspirational Bodhicitta in the same way that you develop muscle. You have the muscle fiber. You only need to strengthen it through use. That discipline is essential.

An excerpt from a teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo called “Bodhicitta”

Astrology for 1/24/2017

January 24, 2017 by Norma

1/24/2017 Tuesday by Norma

An irritation will pass quickly today provided you behave in a reasonable manner. Leaders are not at their best and are advised to remain in seclusion, considering their next move. Stridency combines with feelings of victimization to create a sense of dismay and sadness. The solution lies in group activity, in joining up with others who agree with you, and in a sense of camaraderie. Benjamin Disraeli said, “Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for truth.” What’s good today? Continuing your normal routine, engaging in business as usual, medical interventions, and a powerful sense of belonging with a group that shares your values.

Astrology for 1/23/2017

January 23, 2017 by Norma

1/23/2017 Monday by Norma

The urge to tell others what to think is overwhelming for everyone, and that’s the problem. Consider writing out your views and saving them for the appropriate time: when someone is listening. Don’t mistake silence for agreement when expressing your views, people are simply avoiding trouble. Count your blessings today and you’ll see things with a more benign eye. William Shenstone said, “The proper means of increasing the love we bear our native country is to reside some time in a foreign one.” A sudden opportunity appears that has no bearing on what’s concerning you now. Be willing to look in a different direction, to come out of your current fixation enough to notice and act on it. You’ll be glad you did!

The Power of Ngondro

January 22, 2017 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is respectfully quoted from “Natural Liberation” by Padmasambhava:

OM VARJASATTVA SAMAYAM ANUPĀLAYA VAJRASATTVA TVENOPATISTHA DRDHO ME BHAVA SUTOSYO ME BHAVA SUPOSYO ME BHAVA ANURAKTO ME BHAVA SARVA SIDDHIM ME PRAYACCHA SARVA KARMASU CA ME CITTAM ŚRĪYAM KURU HŪM HA HA HA HA HOH BHAGAVAN SARVATATHĀGATA VAJRA MĀ ME MUŃCA VAJRA BHAVA MAHĀSAMAYA SATTVA ĀH

This is an extremely important practice. It’s dealt with quite concisely here, but more more elaborate instruction can be found in other teachings on the preliminary practices. This practice is of very tangible benefit. There are other teachings on Atiyoga and so forth that we may consider more esoteric or advanced, but it’s questionable how deeply benefited we can be by those and how much we can truly enter into experience of the Great Perfection. Here, though, is something of practical benefit. If you are familiar with this practice, it’s good to share it with others who may be beginners. By such a practice as this, the two types of obscurations can be purified. Once all of your obscurations have been completely purified, you are a buddha; and that means you have realized the Great Perfection.

Due to ignorance, delusion and stupidity,
I have transgressed my samayas, and they have degenerated.
O spiritual mentor, protector, protect me!
Glorious Lord Vajradhara,
Merciful being of great compassion,
Lord of the world, protect us!
Please cleanse and purify the whole mass
Of sins, obscurations, faults, downfalls, and taints.
By this virtue, may I now
Swiftly actualize Vajrasattva
And quickly bring every sentient being
Without exception to that state.
O Vajrasattva, may we become exactly
Like your form, with your retinue, life span, pure realm,
And with your supreme , excellent signs.

OFFERING THE MANDALA

Once you have begun purifying the two types of obscurations, there is the task of accumulating the two collections of merit and of knowledge for one’s own benefit and the benefit of others. The welfare of others is accomplished in the realization of the Rūpakāya, or form embodiment, of the Buddha; and it is toward accomplishing that end that one offers the mandala.

OM VAJRA BHŪMI ĀH HUM
The basis becomes the powerful golden ground.
OM VAJRA REKHE ĀH HŪM
On the periphery is a surrounding jeweled iron fence.
In the center is the supreme king of mountains,
Majestic in its composition from the five kinds of precious substances.
Lovely in shape, beautiful, and delightful to behold,
Seven golden mountains are surrounded by seven concentric seas.
In the east is the continent Videha, in the south, Jambudvipa,
The west is adorned by Godàniya,
And in the north is the great Uttarakuru;
With the eight sub-continents of Deha and Videha,
Cāmara and Aparacāmara,
Śāthā and Uttaramantrina,
Kurava and Kaurava,
The sun, moon, Rāhu and kālāgni,
And this bounty of wealth and enjoyments of gods and humans
I offer to the precious spiritual mentor and his retinue.
Out of compassion, please accept this for the sake of the world.

Astrology for 1/22/2017

January 22, 2017 by Norma

1/22/207 Sunday by Norma

Share information with your leader or group and then wait two or three days before taking action. Timing is everything now: it’s possible to do the right thing at the wrong time and fail. Argh! An immediate issue is that everyone thinks they are right and nobody wants to be barked at, so avoid ideological discussions. Dale Carnegie said, “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” Friendliness and compassion work where stridency fails. Put yourself in others’ position and you’ll make friends today, and possibly change minds. This is a great day for sensitivity, healing, artistry, everything to do with water and marine matters. If you’re pushing hard, push softer.

The First and Only Constructed Wetlands In Maryland

January 21, 2017 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Did you know that since 1988, KPC has processed all of its wastewater (5 million gallons!) through a groundbreaking Constructed Wetlands Project, the first of its kind in the Chesapeake Bay estuary? Built by the monks and nuns and members themselves, we haven’t used a drop of chemicals, nor released an ounce of sewage in over 25 years.

Wow.

We are very proud of our commitment to environmental responsibility and the example we set and the experience we bring to the community, as evidenced by this little-known environmental victory.

The system has run successfully for over 25 years and now it needs some maintenance. Solids have built up that need to be removed, and invasive plant species are crowding out the aquatic plants we’ve planted and maintained to clarify the wastewater before release. It’s going to be costly ($33,000) and it needs to be done before the frost hits, so there is an urgency.

We have launched a campaign on Indiegogo, called Get your s**t together: Brown Is The New Green, to raise money for the maintenance. The success of the campaign relies on spreading the word about this innovative and environmentally responsible project to the widest possible audience. Please follow the link. Read the message. And then pass it on to everyone you ever knew. Like it, share it, forward it, tweet it, blog it, text it, post it, stand on the corner and hand out leaflets. However you can, spread the word. That is how we will succeed.

Thank you for your help with this very important project.

John Darrin on behalf of KPC