Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Don’t Remain Trapped by Habitual Tendency

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From http://www.polyvore.com/best_2009/collection?id=41015

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Looking forward to Khenpo Tenzin Norgay’s visit and teaching. I admire and like him so much! He is not into politics and is pure. He seems to have no ego issues and is not one to climb on other’s backs. He is very kind, much Bodhicitta, respectful, never rude. I don’t like rudeness at all. I never have. And if I myself am rude (mostly accidental) I really take myself to task, examine my view. It is best to do that quickly before habit sets in. Anyway, why waste one’s time yammering if one has nothing useful to say? Shut the old pie-hole and practice kindness, and do no harm.

There are so many versions of Dharma now. We have tasters, who sample and take only what they like to heart. Thus they make up their own religion. There are those who talk day and night about how enlightened they are, thus demonstrating they are ordinary. Then the ones who collect Dharma as one collects stuff. Mainly to strut and fluff up their resume, showing they have a very shallow understanding of the point of Dharma.

And there are those who in a sociopathic way like to destroy; people, lineages, Sangha, method and result. No reason, other than they enjoy the power and the drama, the calamity, the pain – it makes one feel potent, important. Sad to say they will have an awful bardo and rebirth experience. One then continues wandering through the realms and suffering of samsara endlessly, as crazed as a bee in a jar.

Why smash your head on the jar over and over again? Better to work the path with character, purity, kind intention devoid of pride and anger. Then there will be actual progress, and depth.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Letting Go of Ego

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

One’s ignorance really runs the show. When one acts like they will never face the karma they have made, they do not know what the Buddha taught. In fact they do not understand the Guru’s teaching on good motivation, and taking care of one’s own poisons, living the life of a true Buddhist by giving rise to Bodhicitta, and preparing for death. If it were me and I were dying, I would be in final retreat, not puffing up ego.

I am weary of lies but my skin is thicker. I wonder if it will ever stop, and allow me to do my work, my spiritual vocation. I’ll keep plugging, and I have the confidence of His Holiness Karma Kuchen, as I enjoyed with His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, and will be content as a Palyul Lineageholder to uphold my Lineage and her people, as well as dharma. So I will teach and learn. I am reminded that when you are up to your neck in alligators, it is hard to remember you came to drain the swamp.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Guru – Condensed Essence of the Path

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo (@jalpalyul) on November 21, 2010

In Tibetan Vajrayana one absolutely needs a Guru. It is the Guru that ripens and turns the mind. One cannot learn Tantra from books.  If the mind is not matured, purified through empowerment, there is no chance for ultimate benefit. Empowerment empowers the student to practice. Without these blessings one’s understanding of Dharma is shallow and there is not much faith. Not much benefit.

Without a Guru, one can talk Dharma only in a shallow way, and the result is merely intellectual.  There is no view. If you practice without a qualified Guru you will do exactly as you want, and end up with exactly what you have – obscured mind.

In Empowerment the student connects with a Lineage of ripening, unbroken from the source. If the ripening has no past, it has no future

The Guru in Vajrayana is the main source of refuge, as Guru is the condensed essence of the Three Precious Jewels.  The three jewels are Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (spiritual community). The Lama represents all three.  All are needed.

To hang out and simply discuss Dharma, to endlessly pontificate from no source is useless. The mind becomes hard, and ego grows. This is not to say that one should not read and study; this is essential. Still, the Guru is the actual guide, and again, if enlightenment is the goal, Guru is the source.  The Tulku system is based on that. It is based on an unbroken Lineage of accomplishment beginning with the source of the cycle being taught.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo and Empowerment

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In late October of 2010, after repeated requests by many devoted students, Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo agreed to begin formal training in offering empowerments, or wangs.  In so doing, Jetsunma is offering an incalculable blessing to Western students. She has said in her teachings that she was born in Brooklyn, as a woman, for a particular purpose – to display to Western students, especially female students, that enlightenment is possible for all, that it transcends culture and gender, that it is not the exclusive product of some exotic foreign culture.

Jetsunma, born Alyce Zeoli, was the first Western Woman to be recognized as a Tulku, or incarnate Lama, and formally enthroned. His Holiness Pedma Norbu Rinpoche, the 11th Throneholder of Palyul, and at that time the Supreme Head of all Nyingmapa, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and Dzongnang Rinpoche all agreed that Alyce Zeoli was indeed the reincarnation of Genyenma Akhon Lhamo, the sister of Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, the First Throneholder of the Palyul lineage. In 1988, during the first bestowal of the Rinchen Terzod in the West, she was enthroned as a Lineage Holder of  Palyul by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche.

During her enthronement ceremony His Holiness made the following statement:

What is her responsibility at this point, as a tulku, is that she is responsible for propagating the Dharma and for being of benefit to sentient beings, and she has no other responsibility but that. See video of the Enthronement Ceremony here

By enthroning Jetsunma as a Lineage Holder, His Holiness Pedma Norbu Rinpoche was declaring that students could have total confidence in her qualifications. In the following excerpt from Great Perfection Buddha in the Palm of the Hand, Gyaltrul Rinpoche describes the significance of this title:

Otherwise, any lama whose name appears in any of Guru Rinpoche’s prophecies, who is a designated lineage or terma holder, or who is the owner of a dharma transmission, can be relied upon straight away. Such a lama is a supreme lama to receive dzogchen transmissions from. – Great Perfection Buddha in the Palm of the Hand, page 44, Yeshe Melong Publications, 1992

In 2005 His Holiness referred to his recognition of Jetsunma at his New York Retreat:

Jetsunma, a long time ago, I met with her, I examined her for a while, and found her to be the incarnation of Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab’s sister known as Ahkon Lhamo….Jetsunma is a good and perfect teacher. I don’t think that she is deceiving anybody. Among Jetsunma’s students there are a whole bunch of monks and nuns and all of them are disciplined by her. What other woman in America could do that? There is nobody else. She is good and special.   See video of His Holiness’s comments here.

 

At the time of her recognition and enthronement, Jetsunma had not received any formal training in Buddhism. She has, since that time, received extensive empowerments, lungs and teachings both in India and at her center, Kunzang Palyul Choling (KPC) in Maryland, from many Great Masters.

She also had an opportunity to receive the entire transmission for the Rinchen Terdzod directly from His Holiness, all of the empowerments, all of the pith essential pointing out instructions and commentaries that are found in that precious terma treasury, and she received it in a way that an elderly lama would receive it, an elderly Tibetan lama.  And so she had this opportunity to completely internalize all of those blessings, which is very extraordinary. His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok See video of this commentary here

Jetsunma has therefore gathered all the necessary requirements to offer empowerment, the wangs, the lungs, the pith instructions, she has accumulated millions of mantras and accomplished the practices, has been recognized and enthroned as a Lineage Holder and carries the blessings of her teachers.

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, born in a “barbarian” land (according to the Buddhist teachings a “barbarian land” is one where the Dharma does not exist,) as a woman, growing up without the supports of the tradition, without formal training, yet through the profound accomplishments of her past lives was able to give rise to the Dharma from her own mind, to the point where her teacher, His Holiness Pedma Norbu Rinpoche, traveled across oceans and continents to find her and establish the Palyul Lineage in that same, once barbarian land.

Having overcome the lack of formal training in the traditions of her Lineage through diligent practice and study, Jetsunma is now, in response to the devotion of her students, undertaking a new level of training.

Jetsunma had her students send a letter to the current Throneholder of Palyul, His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche informing him of their request for Jetsunma to begin offering wangs and her intention to begin training. Word was received today that His Holiness Karma Kuchen was surprised by this communication, replying it was “unusual for him to be told.”  He was surprised we felt the need to inform him. At enthronement the Tulku is given all the blessings of the Lineage, at that time the Tulku may upon training, immediately give empowerment.

When visiting KPC on his last visit to the US, His Holiness Karma Kuchen referred to His Holiness Pedma Norbu Rinpoche’s recognition in the following way:

As you all know how this center started, the late His Holiness Tulku Pedma Norbu Rinpoche, a Palyul Throneholder and Tulku, with the intention to spread the Buddha Dharma and especially the Secret Mantrayana Teaching, he recognized Jetsunma as the incarnation of Ahkon Lhamo, who was the sister of Rigzin Kunzang Sherab, the founder of the Palyul Lineage. See video of this commentary  here

Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo is continuing to fulfill the wishes of her root teacher by undertaking this new training. May those with faith in the profound Buddha Dharma rejoice!

May any merit or virtue generated by this account be devoted to the swift liberation of every suffering being, and to the long life, strong health and enduring happiness of Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo.

I confess any faults or errors in this account are purely my own, through the limitations of my poor view and ordinary understanding.

Thubten Sonam Dolma

 

Advice from the Heart

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

It is very important, before one’s death, that we pay back as much karmic debt as possible. And pay forward all gifts. OM AH MI DEWA HRI

When one’s self becomes more important than one’s practice, one has failed. Stop. Go back and do it right. OM BENZAR SATO HUNG

We seem to act as if there were no such thing as cause and effect. That we will never grow old. Or never die. What dream is this?

There is no fear in death if one has prepared well. Wither it comes fast or slow we must prepare. We should die as meditators.

We act as if someone else were responsible for purifying our inner poisons, or purifying our mind streams. It is for ourselves alone to do.

No one can grant us happiness from the outside. Happiness is a habit to be cultivated.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Pearls of Wisdom

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I’ve found if there is bitter enmity that all suffer. The best thing to do is just walk away, agree to disagree.

For one’s physical and emotional health abandon conflict. If the other parties do not follow suit protect oneself. And walk away.

The best way to have happiness that is stable is to spend your life in Compassionate activity, helping others with no thought of reward.

Prayer every day is absolutely essential for mental relaxation. As is meditation, contemplation, making offerings.

Suffering in part is due to dualistic perception. In the view all is the Celestial Mandala of the yidam. Separation makes hope and fear.

All material things are illusory, impermanent. We cannot even take even one grain of rice at death. Put your practice as your true wealth.

Gratitude is the bread and water for one’s spirit! One must try to see the good in all. Or one’s spirit grows dark.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Navigating Kaliyuga

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Talk about disappointing. I hear a “monk” stole the robes and ritual items from a monk I know. This is a Buddhist? Has he even heard of Vinaya? Vinaya is the code of conduct for the Ordained at all levels. It was laid down by Lord Buddha Himself. To steal another monk’s robes is heinous! My conclusion is this was a thug dressed as a monk, a rogue monk who thinks he is somehow superior to Vinaya, or a mentally ill person. Perhaps this Monk was uneducated. Though in order to wear robes one must learn the Vinaya or cannot observe the conduct. All this is troubling,

And a sign of how confused Spirituality is now. How totally off the mark – fake teachers everywhere, giving confusion rather than wisdom.

This is truly the time of Kaliyuga – dark. True Dharma is not easy to find. The teaching is that eventually Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will not be able to return because there is not enough merit. So this evening I hope to tweech on merit: why, what how, and how one goes about gathering it

So please stay tuned for tonight’s tweeching, assuming all goes well. See you there!

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Dharma in the West

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo (@jalpalyul)

We must reach for a planet with no violence and no hate. We must learn to respect.  We are the western Tibetan Buddhist community. If we cannot display love and compassion, tolerance and understanding, who will?

From the first time the Buddha sat, he taught not to harm others.  The first turning of the dharma wheel – purify. Do no harm. The second turning – the Bodhicitta, both relative and ultimate.  The third turning of the dharma wheel – establish view – emptiness of phenomena, the nature of mind.

At any moment on earth there are always 80 great Mahasiddhas. Always pray and make offerings to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

In Mahayana the two “eyes” of method are relative bodhicitta and ultimate bodhicitta. Both are necessary and essential. One is like giving what is essentially built from samsara. The other, ultimate, arises from Buddhanature. If you could feed poor folks and care for them for the rest of their lives; if you were that rich; it would still be relative and ordinary, although fabulous! To attain supreme enlightenment and return to teach others how to exit samsara, that is the ultimate bodhicitta and the ultimate enlightenment. To return until all are liberated, this is the ultimate aspiration and result!

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Let Me Go

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I live a life where I am speaking
And I’m trying SO HARD to speak the truth
Every day they say I’m lying
Oh no oh no LET ME GO

Oh sista I see you trying
But they will never let you show your light
Every day we see you dying
Oh no oh no LET ME GO

(Chorus)
Let me go into the fire
Let me dance into the Light
I am here, my Love my Father
Let me come to Your Sight

Wisdom Well that I carry
You my sisters bear as well
All the scars we have married
Oh no oh no LET ME GO

Wasted time and sullied promise
Will we ever push on through?
Sometimes don’t know why I bother
Oh no Oh no LET ME GO

Chorus (again)

Half the world is screaming War and
Half the world cries out for Peace
Don’t you dream of worlds of gentle wisdom?
Oh, oh no, LET ME GO.

Let me go to fields of ripening jewels
Let me go to where I can  be me
Let me see the light’s Mandala
Brother, Sister, LET IT BE

I was born in wisdom fire
Must return so I can breathe free
I am here, but can you find me
Oh no oh no let me BE!

Oh no no no Let me go.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Preparing for Death

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It seems really hard to believe this year is nearly over. Is impermanence moving faster these days? Must be. My pack and I are aging.

It is so strange. Of course we all know about impermanence intellectually but “getting it” is different. We see ourselves and others changing, but somehow remain convinced we and all else remain stable. Once my mother looked in the mirror and said “how did this happen to me?”

It is unfortunate that we have been protected from the reality of death. It is real, and part of life. Lord Buddha taught about the three human sufferings – old age, sickness and death. I’m at two out of three-LOL! No one escapes these things – which is why I keep harping on preparation for death.

What you do with your life should always go with an eye on our next rebirth. Great Lamas often leave amazing signs as to how to find their next incarnation. When His Holiness the Dalai Lama muses that he might be female next time LISTEN to him, he is a Living Buddha, Himself preparing.

Given this, it behooves us ordinary folk to make a MIGHTY effort. Before death, a Vajrayana Practioner should recite a BUM, or a MILLION recitations of Buddha Amitaba’s mantra OM AH MI DEWA HRI.  I have aspired to recite the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Rinpoche. I am bumping up on my million.

His Eminence Gyaltrul Rinpoche told me way back; when I got past 300,000 recitations I should come for the most profound essence of the prayer and Guru Yoga. I did.

The teaching was not long, but Rinpoche leaned in close and deeply with his eyes and told me absolute VIEW. What IS and is empty – the Guru’s face. To me it was a teaching not of words alone. It was a subtle but POWERFUL teaching by indication. But I “got” it and was satisfied.

That night he put me in HIS bed, and HE slept in the top altar room. I felt held by Guru Rinpoche once more. I know I never walk alone. Such a gift!

Different schools of Buddhism in Vajrayana have different emphasis and sometimes method. All are good. Some say one should emphasize accumulating the three Roots of accomplishment. The three roots are Lama, Yiddam, and Dakini.

In some methods it’s step by step. His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche taught like that, step by step. He said if one dives into Dzogchen without preliminaries it is like throwing a seed on stone. The mind is too hard and the precious seed cannot grow.

It is, if one has practiced well and deeply, TOTALLY evident when a pretender speaks intellectually about Dzogchen from a superficial understanding. It is the experience that is the juice inside the hard shell of the coconut. No intellectual teachings or understanding will suffice. So when Lamas give Dzogchen to new students or those of lesser qualities it is harmful. Those students may think they know but they do NOT know.

In the movie “AVATAR” the Mother Shaman says “It is hard to fill a cup that is already full”. And so it is with Dharma. To practice Dharma well and properly, to prepare for rebirth, one must empty the cup of EGO. Especially pride, and then it is possible to drink the Nectar; and be fully satisfied, ready to go to Amitaba’s pureland; or Padmasambava’s Copper Mountain; this is according to Qualities and Accomplishment, and FAITH. I would not recommend entering the Bardo without the Shield of Faith.

EMAHO!

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!

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