Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

The First Object of Refuge

May 17, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is an excerpt from a teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo called “Essence of Devotion”

Although the Buddha that we remember as Siddhartha, Gautama Buddha, Shakyamuni is not present in his physical body as we understand it right now, we look at the Lama as the embodiment of the qualities, intentions, compassion and activity of the Buddha in the world. Our Lamas, those reincarnate Lamas who are recognized as reincarnate Lamas, are considered to be the Nirmanakaya form of the Buddha. They are the Buddha in the world. So we look at the Lama as being the embodiment of the Buddha. We look at the Lama as being the embodiment of the Dharma because, if we were to try to study Dharma on our own, even though all the books in our bookstore are written with the commentary of a qualified Lama, when you read those books you must also have first of all the teachings from the guru that deepen and ripen the mind ..Empowerment, lung, commentary teaching, the taking of vows, those teachings that deepen and ripen the mind, can only be given by the Lama, only be given by the Lama, and you must have them. You must have your mind ripened. A mind that is not ripe may delude itself into feeling spiritual and may even be able to speak spiritually. However, if it is not ripe, it cannot fulfill itself. So we should consider like that.

The Lama is considered to be the path. The Dharma is given to us by the Lama. The Lama connects us with the Dharma. The Lama ripens us in the Dharma. The Lama is the Dharma in that sense. The Lama is also the Sangha because without the Lama there would be no Sangha. It is the Lama’s qualities and compassionate activities that sound the note that eventually calls the Sangha. When one of the Sangha has come to practice in some way, there is a personal and private circumstance that has called them, has pulled them in some secret inner way, particular and unique only to them, and their response is like a bell tolling somewhere deep in their minds—very unique, very individual, very present. That is the gathering of the Sangha and it is done through the influence and compassionate activity of the Lama. So the Lama is the first object of refuge, and the supreme object of refuge on the Vajrayana path. That is our view.

Prayers and Healing

May 7, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

More of my healing lanai, and it feels like heaven! Prayer flags are so inspiring.

Here is the beginning of a crystal garden.

The crystals and flags are wonderful. When wind blows prayers are whispered.

This time of evening the birds sing loudly

The Amethyst and citrine are powerful:

Living the Sacred Life

May 7, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

An excerpt from a teaching called Intimacy with the Path by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

What if it were possible to live in such a sacred way that instead of thinking of ourselves as separate human beings who want to go there and get that, we were able to see everything in the world around us as the same as us, a display of an underlying primordial natural state. What if we could see that all things are the display of a fundamentally empty and yet full primordial nature, not separate from Buddhahood? Supposing that, instead of clinging to what we see and putting ourselves in the posture of acceptance or rejection, like or dislike, or hope and fear—the hope that it will work out well and someone will love you, or the fear that it won’t and no one will. Instead of approaching life with that kind of idea, which wears us out and does us in, supposing we could live a truly sacred life?

Supposing when we see a tree, a person, something beautiful or not so beautiful, supposing we were in a quiet way simply to know that this too is a display of the Buddha nature. Supposing that when we see something that delights our eyes, we would think of it in a more sacred way as something that can be offered to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for the sake of sentient beings, rather than clinging and grasping.

Supposing everything could be offered. Supposing that every experience that happened to us could be offered, whether we liked it or didn’t like it. Supposing we could develop a sense of everything being sacred, precious, having its own weight and depth and taste, and that each experience on its essential level can be offered.

Supposing that we grew in the awareness that every single thing that occurs, and every single thing that we see, feel, touch and taste within the context of our life is inseparable from this fundamental spiritual reality that is both our beginning, our ground or basis, our ultimate goal and result. Supposing we could really practice deeply in that way.

Once you get past the point of being an effort, once you really begin to awaken to the interconnectedness and sacredness of everything, then within the mind there becomes a kind of simplicity that is the result of such thoughts. When you’re really in the posture of making offerings for the sake of sentient beings, there is no sense planning on how you’re going to get everything. Once the joy of that begins to catch hold, of seeing everything not as a materialistic, external, or attainable thing, but more as a display of everything you long for, then you begin to move into the understanding that it’s not the display itself that you want, but the underlying joyful, spiritual reality that is in fact the essence we all long for.

In every major religion in the world, there is something about approaching it with the eyes of a child. Every religion has a different way of explaining that, but there is a simplicity and naturalness that if one can engage in that on their spiritual path, it is sustaining, joyful, and natural. It gives us the means by which we will not separate ourselves from the path – having times when we feel that we are very spiritual, and times when we feel that we have other things to do.

If we begin to practice the path in that way, it is much simpler. It is simply our life. It is so inseparable that, in the same way that you cannot stop breathing and continue to move and have your being, neither could you even consider not having one’s spiritual path be the most integral, most core, most central, nourishing and profound element within your life. And so you become empowered.

Living in Prayer

May 6, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Last night we made a special room, a healing prayer room with tons of prayer flags:

The room will be finished but able to open completely in good weather- it’s called a Lanai. So peaceful!

It’s like living in a prayer…

Or floating in a dream with every pore awake and laughing, yet at peace.

Surround yourself with prayer flags someday and see for yourself. When the prayer flags blow you are blessed and happy.

The Students Call

May 5, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Wasn’t feeling well last evening, so students lined the driveway reciting 7-Line Prayer:

Here’s another photo of students calling:

Despite the pain in my back, couldn’t resist the student’s call. Here they are lining the driveway waiting:

Though I couldn’t get out of the car, was able to offer blessings. Here offered blessings to one of the youngest sangha members:

Here are students receiving the Blessings:

Photos courtesy of Ted Kurkowski.

Why Criticize Others?

April 28, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

If one disagrees with another tweeter, why be ugly and bitter? Just stop reading their stream. Problem solved.

To obsess about people you don’t know and couldn’t care less about your stuff shows mental illness. Such bitterness shows jealousy and a dark heart.

Better to become a more advanced being. Warm- hearted. Generous.

Photo of the Day: His Holiness Penor Rinpoche Visits Garuda Aviary

April 24, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche visits the Garuda Aviary with Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo and Lama Lobsang in June of 2002:

Freedom from Fear

April 20, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

The need for power is born of fear.
The need for hateful speech is born of fear.
There is no good reason for hate.
The reason for arrogance is fear. There is no other reason and it makes fear worse.
Mean speech is ugly and unseemly and also born of fear. It is hurtful to the receiver and deadly to the sender.
Look at your twitter stream. If hateful and full of judgment and making fun at the expense of others, hard life lessons are at your door.
Desire for another’s goods or life is due to fear that you will never accomplish anything meaningful. Only obsession results.
It is possible to have a singularly beautiful life with simply wishing everything good for everyone else- sincerely.
Try to see the Buddha, or Christ in all beings. Then feed and care for them the best you can.
I teach you even if you think meanly about me. Why? Because I love you. I love you. I want you to be happy and well.

Change for the Benefit of Others

April 17, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Well, moving again is dreadful. But photos and thangkas are hung! Looks like a temple in itself, very uplifting. We’re getting there!

I look forward to being settled and put away. Happy to be at KPC but very cramped. But whatever benefits is lovely. My Religion!

I’m fortunate to have been gifted many gorgeous thangkas, sacred images, statues, etc. I give many to KPC but also save many for gifts.

If, we develop a good heart we will progress to true compassion, and awaken Bodhicitta. This is the way of the Buddha’s method. For those kind to me, I hope they are treated well.

I will get photos made and tweeted.

OM MANI PEDME HUNG

Challenges of Dharma in the West

April 13, 2012 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

In Tibet I feel the people raised as Buddhist are far more sophisticated then we are. Even ordinary people are raised with compassion and taught the sense of cause and result, the truth of gathering merit, virtue /non-virtue and such.

We in the west have to deal with the concept that our opinions are more relevant, and never have the opportunity of the peace of monastic life and Lama’s guidance and wisdom. Buddhism has to operate with nickel and dime methods. That doesn’t happen when there are generous supporters who give for the merit. In the west we are fairly ignorant and lacking in the faith it takes to perform Guru Yoga, the very heartbeat of Vajrayana successfully. And while we have the freedom to practice, we don’t have the background for wisdom.

Rather than take method seriously, we just doubt and try to make ourselves arrogantly higher than the Lama, and even the Dzogchen Masters. This is a root downfall, and will have a very poor result. The mind and body will suffer in this and future lives. And it will seem as though all is lost, with the reason unknown.