Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

How to Deal With Hate

January 25, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I’ve been asked by a young follower what to do about anger and hate. First, forgive yourself, as you are a young lady, and growing up is in truth a time of wild emotions, a time of exploring them. Hormones fly around, and we are not so able to control either one. However, start now to learn about emotions.

Even if someone is mean to you think about this: all sentient beings wish to be happy. Even if they act out, they are trying to make themselves happy by being negative. They don’t understand how to be happy so they try abusive behavior to feel powerful.

Now think about this: All beings want to be happy but they are mostly suffering with a few bright spots here and there. When people suffer they often strike out at others. But really, they are unhappy and insecure. Perhaps their parents didn’t teach them courtesy and ethics. Maybe something awful has happened to them and they take it out on others. But always they are insecure, and maybe jealous of you. Even adults can act out violently when they are insecure and jealous. So the first step is to understand they are suffering, want to be happy, and don’t know how.

It never helps to be nasty back. It is bad for you and them, and makes things worse. Instead, apply an antidote. If they say cruel things, pray for them to be happy (and leave you alone!) Don’t take their hate personally. They are very unhappy and need help. You must be as kind as possible even when they are horrible.

Remember they are basically the same as you. You also want to be happy and bravely asked how! You are moving forward and they are stuck in hate still. So think, “I am so blessed to know what to do.” Then think, “the haters do not know what to do.”

When you understand that, you can have some compassion for them. You can see you have grown up quite a bit by praying for your enemies. They have not come as far as you on the path, so you have compassion. You are developing the virtue of human kindness by tolerating with understanding why they do as they do. So it is important not to react to hate. Let it be as it is. You aren’t doing the hating anymore.

Whatever happens is their problem not yours. When they hurt you, let it run off you like water off a duck’s back. Be the good, mature, kind young lady like you know you can be! In the end it doesn’t matter what they do, it matters what you do! Your job now is to build compassion and character as you grow. If you do, you will naturally draw to yourself good friends, and people of quality!

You are seeing the face of suffering, and their opinions are worthless. Suffering drives them. Let loving kindness drive you to happiness!

Renunciation and Compassion

January 23, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Two years before the parinirvana, Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, my Guru told me he was no longer useful to sentient beings, that he would go. Shocked to my core I begged “please Holiness, we need you. We are not ready. Palyul is not ready; and you are our Father.” The heart sons came, and I know they must have begged also. To a living Buddha like His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, there is no reason to live if not liberating beings.

Actually I feel the same way. When I know my work is done, my usefulness is over, I too will want to go, and return swiftly to benefit sentient beings again. So it is with the way of the Bodhisattva. There is no attachment to the world per se. The world is beautiful, but also temporary, filled with cruelty and selfishness. Unkind. So it is like a costume party gone very wrong. There is no point in staying. The music stops, the balloons deflate, the food turns, there is nothing left, nothing but the dancing dead, dreaming. Renunciation is seeing this clearly and losing affection for the narcotic quality of samsara. Just that – seeing through the hallucination.

When the view is understood we recognize the empty nature of all phenomena, and of all beings. Each being, while lost in this dream, has within them the seed of Buddhahood. We have the seed, but have not awakened. So it is still a seed. When anyone tells you we are inherently awakened, they are deluded or fooling themselves. We have the seed but it is dormant. We have to grow it, ripen and mature it. When you see a worm on the ground, can you point at it and say “awaken! Now! Do it! It’s simple! No effort, all magic!” No, and you will look like a lunatic as well. The worm is, however equal in nature to every Buddha. The difference? The worm is still asleep, ignorant. No recognition. No ripening. No method no path. Someday, the worm in a different form will meet someone who has a connection to Dharma and will lead the way. Then Wormie will find the Guru and the path; method. And hopefully at that time will be in a form with a full array of faculties and the inclination to practice. There is no instant “Aha!” in recognition. In Dharma it is step by step, practice and accomplishment. For now, we must pray for them – the wormies. We must have the kindness to help them on their way…

We spend so much time in pride and arrogance pretending to be Guru or convincing others we are so accomplished. How does that help? It doesn’t. We need to awaken, feed the hungry, benefit beings. Then we have the power and heart to lay down the ego trip, stop explaining how enlightened and great we are, and show the great concern of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for all beings of all shapes, colors, species – all. It is this great compassion, this awakened Bodhicitta that is the difference between wormies and Buddhas. Secretly there is no difference. It is the outer relative reality that is different. But wormie is still a worm; and we the elders of his great “cosmic” family. They are our children, brothers, sisters. Just as we walk the path we must do so by bringing every being with us.

Stand By Me

January 23, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Lyrics by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

If you could stay my friend
Until samsara ends
There would be time to spend
Loving all beings
Loving all sentient beings

If you could live this life
With all its war and strife
Living a sacred life
Stand by me

Chorus:
But I’m just a simple fool
I’m not that good at social rules
What would I know ‘bout what to do
I’ve got crazy appetites
For love and truth and all that’s right
Sometimes I just wanna see
Some light in your eyes

If you could start right now
You’d gather strength somehow
We could turn hate around
If you stand by me

If you could take advice
Let your heart voice thrive
It could be paradise
When you stand by me

Chorus:
And if the truth be told
This story’s very old
Your karma still unfolds
As you stand by me

Can You Find the Treasure?

January 21, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Today I received a gift- a metal detector. I wanted one because I’m interested particularly in meteorites. And old things. I know- geek!

I am feeling better, but not quite enough to go hunting for treasure yet. I think of the treasure we all embody, the seed of Buddhahood. Some of us don’t know to search. Some know, but don’t try. Some see a bit of view and fake that they know more. Some find the treasure.

The point being that in this “precious human rebirth” we can find the treasure. The human rebirth, as Lord Buddha taught, has the correct measure of the awareness in this realm.

Animals have such fear; their minds consumed with it, and they are less developed in the brain. Their flesh used for food, skin for leather, etc, they are victims.

The hungry ghost realm contains those filled with grasping, desire. They cannot be satisfied, therefore they cannot awaken.

Hell beings are locked in their own misery and drama. Every suffering is intense, so there is no space in the mind to awaken, or to be free of obsession.

Other realms: the god and goddess realms for jealous beings. Constant warring and competition prevent calm abiding. No space to awaken.

There are also Long Life gods and goddesses who are beautiful, replete with bliss and satisfaction. They have no reason to attain Buddhahood until their karma is exhausted. By then it is too late. There is no merit left, having carelessly spent it all, they fall to the lower realms. How sad!

Lord Buddha taught this human rebirth is the precious one. Because we have our array of faculties remarkably complete; and space in our lives and minds, humans alone can abandon samsara as we alone are capable and, hopefully, inclined to utilize the exquisite path, the method the Buddha set for us. Extraordinary! When I see the wasting of this life with gossip, endless intellectualization of what is fundamentally simple (with faith and kindness,) endless bragging and ego centered living I want to cry. To see this wasted. And the arrogance to think awakening can be accomplished by affirmation and wishes.

I know that is not the way. And I pray we can awaken from this sick narcotic dream. We can, you know. But it takes an enormous commitment; great selfless commitment. I am afraid to tell you and ashamed, too, as I am Buddhist. But those out there now, other than Vajra Masters, Throneholders, are selling you pie. Pie is good. Sweet and tasty. You get that sugar (ego) high. But I tell you as I would my own children, born from my womb and heart; this ego quenching nonsense is to be avoided like steaming, stinking, stupid shit. It is not what you think. In a cakebox, still I tell you it is not pie. It is not food. And it is not your friend.

Princess Mandarava Emanation of Primoridal Wisdom

January 20, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Everyone on twitter seems so excited about the Shorty awards. LOL! Does it make us better Buddhists? Typists? Or do we, as the name implies, just get SHORTER? Haha. I am 5’7″ and very happy being kinda tall. I don’t even know what the categories are. Except I’ve been nominated for Buddhism. It would be nice if there were awards for kindness, eithics, making a better world, you know – all that “sissy” stuff. That is the bottom line for me. That sappy stuff that really helps. Buddhism is, after all, a non-theistic system of ethics on many levels. To see Buddhism in USA these days, you would never know it. There should be a kinder, more ethical feel. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying my best to love without conditions like the sun does, in all directions, no prejudice, no concepts, just shine and pour!

Tonight I will quote from Guru Padmasambava, Rinpoche. This is from “The Lives and Liberation of Mandarava”

“Dissolving in the expanse of space like a rainbow, without remains,

She departed to the Akanishta Paradise of Pamavynha.

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 disciples,

after dissolving into a rainbow body, she manifested herself 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 Rinpoche

This wonderful writing by Guru Padma was offered to me at the 20th anniversary of Ordination at the Rinchen Terzod. Also a dedication was offered; ” By our own impartial service to others may all beings attain Buddhahood together.” This is beautiful! This was how His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche taught, this is how I teach, this what my community has learned. And it is beautiful! EH MA HO!

Dharma in a New Land

January 18, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Tonight I’d like to say a few words on the issue of how Buddhism moves west, and spreads throughout the world. Some things change; some naturally, remain the same. The Vajrayana monastics will change in that they must make and touch money, eat, often after dark, some are nurses which must tend and therefore touch. Some are doctors and must touch others. Sometimes they travel and cannot always sleep on a low bed as prescribed.

There is no doubt monastics that must not be rigid; particularly in that as Bodhisatvas, that vow always takes precedence. The reason is, that each level of Buddhism has its own vows. Theravadens focus on strict Vinaya rules to purify. Mahayana gives rise to the Great Bodhicitta, and tame their minds with renunciation and Compassion. In Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism all levels are combined into one Supreme view. The vows are kept on the outer, inner, and secret levels; quite profound and impossible to accomplish without a Supreme Guide.

Vajrayana encompasses all three levels and is hands down the more “mystical.” In the USA we take mystical as license. It is not. It does address flexibility according to capacity for view. A Bodhisattva will minister without much concern for monastic rules only if there is suffering to remedy, causing the necessity for a deeper view. In Vajrayana there is Tantra, generation of the Diety or Yiddam and attaining the qualities and view of the Yiddam. We generate Passive Yidam to grow, heal, and expand. We generate Wrathful Yidam to subdue, pacify, and overcome.

If everything remains the same as Tibet or India we would not succeed. Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was flexible that way; he understood Buddhism was moving out of Tibet. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche allowed monks to have TV, Soccer, games. That was unless they got distracted or worldly.

They make plays about our history. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was completely Orthodox and had never broken His vows on the three levels. But He had view, compassion, as well as common sense. He understood the times and His community. Palyul, my Lineage has always persisted because the combination of enlightened Wisdom, Compassion, and Awareness of this world. The Palyul Khenpos did not like these methods, as is the style of scholarly Khenpos, haha, the different perspective is normal and natural – wonderful, really.

But the Tulkus were somewhat different. They are the Treasures of Vajrayana, they alone have crossed the ocean of samsara and guided, successfully their disciples. They are the wisdom beings in flesh and usually each Tulku has their history with their own monastery. They have the clarity and wisdom.

When Lamas come to my Palyul temple they often weep for joy that so many are ordained here in this place. How we have numerous and Holy Stupas; we have gorgeous altars, thangkas, and a full library of texts. When His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was in India He managed to go back to Tibet and rescue ancient and extraordinary rare texts and kindly gave them to us. He himself made robes for the Ordained. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche brought them in privately to take vows, cut hair, and be formally dressed by Palyul Monks. Each felt HIS compassion, purity and wisdom. Some failed; most made it. Others were ordained at retreat in New York. Ngakpa vows are given.

We are told frequently, even by Kagyu Lamas, that the ordained here have amazing good qualities. Heart. I love and trust my monks and nuns so much more than I can possibly express. I respect their journey with my body, speech and mind. They are my family, my children. They are ALL named Thubten, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s ordination name. Palyul is exquisite in every way.

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche even approved my handwritten vows! I wrote them and when His Holiness saw, he giggled and said, “These are Refuge, Bodhisattva and Genyen vows.” He was the real deal, a living Buddha, and I worship the very ground where His feet were placed.

Each Lineage is unique and perfect in its way. Has a story just like this. Therefore it is never appropriate to criticize another Lineage. Mainly because you don’t know the Miracle that is it’s blood and bone, and never will. It is Karma! Therefor respect my Lineage, my Tsawei Lama and our Monks, Nuns and householders. I promise, if you have a Lineage I will respect and Honor yours, as I train my students to do. Will we now form a community of Dharma, wholesome, undivided? THIS IS MY PRAYER! Kye HO!

Calling the Lama from Afar

January 15, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following prayer is from the Nam Cho Ngondro, The Great Perfection Buddha in the Palm of Hand

LAMA SANGYE RINPOCHE LA SÖL WA DEB SO

May realize that the Guru is the precious Buddha.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

EH LAMA KHYEN NO EH LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Lama, care for me. EH Lama, care for me.

EH PAL DEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Glorious root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

YE YE DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

YE YE Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA RANG KHYEN NO LAMA RANG KHYEN NO

Lama, you alone care for me. Lama, you alone care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

Pith Advice – Learning to Discern

January 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

If someone tells you they are never wrong it usually means they usually are.

If someone tells you this is exactly how they meant things to turn out it usually means they are clueless about a lot!

If we boast a lot about our dharma practice we should remember the best practice is alone, and silent.

If a practitioner tells you their mind is completely pure, and says they abide in emptiness and light, ask them kindly to turn down the volume!

If a Dharma practitioner does nothing to benefit all sentient beings they are walking on one leg. Dharma is Wisdom and Compassion!

Put your energy into gathering not the goods of the world. Gather the gifts of Wisdom, Compassion and virtue. Only these have value.

If someone harms you and you become afraid, work with it. If you allow the fear you have allowed the suffering: they win!

We are equal in need, equal in nature, equal in love and loss. Therefore we should learn to have empathy and kindness.

We are equal in fault, equal in sorrow, equal in longing and sickness, and death. Therefore we should have empathy, and LOVE.

The great being atones for the suffering of others no matter the cause. A middling being atones for their own. A lesser being accepts no burden.

A great being cares for all beings equally. A middling being cares for family and friends, mostly. A lesser one cares for no one but self.

Paradox: a great being does not differentiate between high and low, having view. A middling being sorts out those differences. A small being uses all this to get what they want.

A lesser being walks the earth. A middling being examines the world. A great being takes wing and flies! The sky is for dancing.

Here in this land we must learn to empathize, to care, to love, to minister to each other, to feed, to heal; and most of all to fly!

Here on Earth we must learn and study our equality. To be without prejudice, to know each other’s suffering, to cherish culture and be color blind in spirit!

May the dirt on their feet be the crown on my head; may their suffering be only mine. May I wipe their eyes, and fill their hearts with LOVE.

To Whom It May Concern

January 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Lyrics by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Hello my friend, you got your best face on

And I see what you sayin,’ and why you been gone

Oh, I know all the reasons, it’s the same old song

You see I met a lot of people, since I was born

And you can always tell a good man, by what he has done

You say you’re outstanding in your field, I see you standing alone

Don’t take it personal, I’m just tellin’ what I see

And I’m trying to do my Dharma, ‘cause I wanna be free

But if you cause a gal to suffer, the result is what you see

Think about it Honey, what have you done for me

When it comes down to giving, all I have is free

I guess you had your own agenda, and your own misery

Let me tell you one thing, that I know to be true

Every single pain you cause, will come right back to you

It’s time to be a stand up man, and pay your own dues

Don’t take it personal, I’m just tellin’ what I see

Trying to do my Dharma, ‘cause I wanna be free

But if you cause a gal to suffer, the result is what you see

Waking From the Dream

January 12, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Today I was sent a very good question and would like to answer it here. The question concerned the Buddhist ideal of “awakening”. The writer wonders: “if this is a dream, and we try to wake up, what is there to awaken to?”

So here we think of the Buddha’s statement when asked if he was a man, or a god, a saint, what was he? He replied, very simply “I am awake”. To awaken is to realize the empty, dreamlike quality of all phenomena perceived with our ordinary five senses. This ordinary perception actually arises from our own minds, and is due to perceptual habit. Even scientists find that once we have seen an object with our eyes, the brain files it away. When we “see” it again we actually fill in, once we “decide” what it is, almost all the detail is from memory. We may, in fact, never see the same object twice. Once we identify we fill in the actual “seeing” with our own habitual thinking.

Now try this. Scientists also recognize that all solid appearance is mostly empty space. The chair, the floor- all empty space, as atoms and molecules etc are mostly space with nuclei and other micro bits. So why don’t we fall through? Because we also are mostly space, atoms, molecules… What holds it together on an ordinary level is electromagnetic fields of energy.

On a deeper view, we are dreaming. It is our own habitual tendency and view that supports this. Once we see we react. Once we react we have formed preconceived notions. That is mostly what we see – from deeply ingrained habit.

Now suppose we could liberate our minds from such notions, and “see” deeper – beyond notion and our superficial senses – beyond any contrivance. What would we find? Try to imagine turning one’s eyes inside out and backwards. And turn all our senses within, what would happen? First our senses would change so radically they would no longer see the solid appearance of phenomena. We would “see” that all phenomena arises from our own mindstream, which is “colored” with our own karma. By the way, that is why two people can see the same event and track it very differently. Drives cops crazy!

So our very lives are a dreamlike, trance like appearance, and that is the shallow appearance. The deeper view, what the Buddha called awake is the inner view of the emptiness of all appearances of self-nature. We view our mind stream, our primordial spacious empty nature and abandon the dream of solid appearance. This cannot be done by self-will. Only self will appear – the dream.

We dedicate our intention to building the capacity for this pure view through step by step, stage by stage practice and study. No “AHA!” here! It is not an intellectual process! Eventually we practice Dzog Chen, at the Togyal and Trekchod level. This is the practice that “turns our eyes inside” to see the true face of our primordial wisdom nature; the very ground of being from which all phenomena arise. That is awakening! No words can describe that profound nature very well, because it must be known through direct experience. No books, no words can teach what mixing one’s mind and view with the Holy Ones, the Buddhas and Boddhisattvas, the Gurus who before us have already accomplished, and shown us the sublime “way!”

This tweeching is dedicated to JOYCE, who wrote to me.