Teachers

Approach the Well of Blessings with Pure Intention

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I think it is quite difficult to have a deeply beloved family member constantly angry. First I wonder if there is a physiological reason. Then I try to look through their eyes, try to reason out why. Is it me? Is it stress? Is it dietary? Is it spiritual? Or is it just time? Sometimes people resist the time to change out of fear. Or grief. Who really wants another year gone? Kids ready to drive, I guess.

The rest of us know, and sometimes refuse to accept that change is imminent whether we like it or not. Change is scary for most folks. At any rate we make ourselves miserable by resisting change. And impermanence is the only constant. Worse, we make those around us miserable also.

When I grew up there was so much rage that I remain stained by the burn. I have avoided angry people since the last time I trusted one. It ends up badly every time. So if someone close becomes enraged I tend to hide emotionally. Not the best solution, no one learns anything. But often confrontation, even peaceful cannot help long term. The angry one must commit to puzzling out what is amiss. Exercise can help, time off can too. Reassuring the hurting one that you will help if they will help themselves. But no one can carry another’s rage. It is not helpful. No one heals.

Personally, I have a lovely house, and from experience I have learned I will never again walk on eggshells to make someone happy or at least “shut up.” I’m not good at this but I must hold my ground and boundaries. I have little experience in this. I was too weak as a child and fell too hard in love as an adult to protect myself. No more. I know now through three years of pain that I am entitled to make myself a wholesome life. I will not accept abuse from anyone again. What if it is family? Ex’s not counted – how to cope? Day by day, hour by hour, week by week I must stand my ground. I am not saying I will retaliate. Simply this: “no more.” I am a good person and I expect to be treated kindly. If I were to die today I know I have made the world better already. Given the chance I will continue. So respect me.

If anyone can say the same I do respect them. No, not the BS artist. Really better. Nevertheless, I won’t tolerate rage and disrespect any form in my home or anywhere near. Enough already. I guess I’ve finally grown up! And learned enough to take care of myself emotionally.

When and if you come to my well for pure water, do so with a clean bucket and a kind and respectful heart. Or you simply will not drink from this fountain of blessings. I don’t decide. You do, through the strength of pure intention, and as always, love.

Blessings!

OM MANI PEDME HUNG!

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

The Caretaker Vow

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This was composed and witnessed by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo on August 31, 1986:

We the Caretakers of the Earth, dedicate ourselves to the liberation and salvation of all sentient beings.

We vow to work for the liberation of planet earth from the clutches of suffering, poverty, famine and death.  We vow to return in whatever form necessary, under whatever necessary conditions, so that all earth creatures can be liberated from the ravages of cyclic existence.

We vow to work for world peace.  We vow to work for the raising of all the nations of earth into a state of union and ultimately into the blessed state of supreme wisdom, the wisdom that is beyond all description.

We vow to work toward a great Universal Quickening of mind and heart, leading all beings to a state of clarity, a state in which Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, is enthroned within all hearts and within the planetary heart.

We vow to offer as food and drink to all sentient beings the clear, sweet Dharma so that they may feast and be satisfied at last.  We offer our bodies, our speech, and our minds to be filled like bowls with Dharma that in our joy we will spill over into the waiting hearts of all our brethren.  May their suffering cease forever.

To all the blessed Tathagatas, to all the root Lamas, to all the Sangha, to all the caretakers, grant us the strength to continue, the clarity to overcome self-cherishing, the determination to return forever until we are the last, and finally, the grace to find our way home.

May the Dharma take root in the West, on the Earth, and in the hearts of all sentient beings.  So be it.

The merit of the dedication of these vows and of the building of this place of practice is offered

To our root Lamas:

His Holiness Padma Norbu Rinpoche, Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche

To our spiritual friends:

Ven. Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche,

Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche,

And to His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche

And to all parent sentient beings who have gifted us with fire in our hearts and Light on our way.

I take refuge in the Lama.

I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dharma.

I take refuge in the Sangha

With all beings equal to space.

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

FOUR GREAT FESTIVAL DAYS

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There are four Great Festival Days throughout the year that celebrate different significant aspects of the life of the Buddha.  On these days, positive or negative actions are multiplied by 10 Million times.

CHOTRUL DUCHEN:  Display of Miraculous Activities

15TH day of the first month of the New Year

On the first fifteen days of the New Year, the Buddha displayed a different miracle each day in order to increase the merit and aid in the devotion of future disciples.

In India at that time, the Buddha was being challenged by the various philosophical schools of the day in a contest of miraculous powers.  For fifteen days, the Buddha displayed a miracle and completely defeated his opponents.  His students were inspired by this display and it increased their faith and devotion.

SAGA DAWA DUCHEN:  The Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana

Of the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni

15th day of the fourth month (full moom)

This day marks the day when the Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodhgaya at age 35.  It also marks his Parinirvana at age 81.  Both of these events happened on the same day, the full moon of the fourth lunar month.  The birth of the Buddha happened on the 7th day and is also celebrated on this holiday.

In general, the entire fourth month is regarded as important.  In the words of the Buddha:

Individuals who are involved in practice of Dharma should make a strong effort to do extra practice during this particular month.  During this month, any wholesome or virtuous action that we do brings benefits of one million times.

CHOKHOR DUCHEN:  The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma

4th day of the sixth lunar month

For seven weeks after Lord Buddha Shakyamuni attained Enlightenment, he did give any teachings.  After being encouraged to teach by Indra and Brahma, he turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time at Saranath, by teaching the “Four Noble Truths.”

LHA BAB DUCHEN:  The Descent from Tushita Heaven

22nd day of the ninth lunar month

Lord Buddha’s mother was reborn in Indra’s Heaven.  To repay her kindness and to liberate his mother as well as to benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months in the realm of the gods giving teachings.  This holiday represents Buddha’s descent from Tushita’s heaven.  Also, traditionally in the monasteries this is regarded as a good time to begin renovations.

A Call to All Dharma Warriors and Spiritual People

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Dear Friends, I believe our prayers are bearing fruit. Please keep it up! It seems this nuclear catastrophe is slowing down (not going away!) – which is auspicious. Requests and offerings are being sent to Namdroling by KPC, and Pujas will be done at the great Drupchen. Many compassionate people are joining together, embracing the Earth in prayer. Thank you for this kindness!

Earth is our noble Mother, and our only home. Brother Sun, sister Moon, pray for our Mother! All Sentient beings, all with Divine nature, come together in a great roar of prayer and love as one. Let us step up and take this evolutionary step and heal our planet!

OM MANI PEDME HUNG!

Let us join en force at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm eastern time every day together and change the world! A call to dharma warriors and people of all faiths!

OM AH MI DEWA HRI!

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/2010/06/21-homages-to-tara-pdf-download/

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/amitaba/

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

Song to Tara

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A Prayer by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

Clear Mind, Holy Mind

The arguments we have used against you

Are like dust…

Against You?

You, who flow silently… eternally

In the well of our hearts.

Have we robed you in filthy rags

Hatred… greed… ignorance?

You have remained steadfast,

Unchanging.

Today we lift you up

To the lips and hearts of

Beings without number

And are feasted forever.

Precious mind unchanging

Clear mind eternal.

The promise we have searched for

Is enthroned within our hearts.

Clear light, holy light

Stainless, precious heart.

Here in this clear place

We are robed in sweet scent

And victorious forever.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Come Together and Pray for the Earth!

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Dear Friends, I want to ask- beg, really, for all to stop the busy work and pray in whatever fashion you are familiar with. The situation in Japan is spiraling out of control. Please pray for Japan and stay informed! Pray for the Earth as well, as this will affect our planet.

It is time, without self concern or ego to join hands, join hearts, minds, and spirit and encircle the Earth with love and protection. We are spiritual beings, all we see is a hologram projected by our “mind.” If we determine we have faith it is time to use it. Without holding back, without prejudice, please join together: Christians, Jews, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Pagan, Sufi, Shinto, indigenous. Let our differences go and join together as never before.

The ground, water, sky, wind is filling with poison. We have the power to transform this poison. Love and compassion are stronger; our very spiritual nature has the power to transform. It must be done purely and without any negativity. If you pray to God, Allah, the Buddhas, Krishna, no matter, it is love and compassion that matters. We must empower ourselves to be “divine” in whatever way we can. It is within us to create the antidote to this.

If our seas are poisoned, our blood will be. If our wind is toxic our breath will be too. If our Earth is poison all our bodies will be as well. We cannot afford to take a vacation from guardianship of this planet. No one will save us but us. It is time to awaken. This is our Mother Earth and we are her children. We cannot fail. Awaken to spirit, to love, to compassion and to responsibility. This is what it is to be human. Human children of our Mother and we must honor her.

Pray for the Earth. Pray for Japan. Pray for human kind.

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!

OM MANI PEDME HUNG!

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA!

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/2010/06/21-homages-to-tara-pdf-download/

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/amitaba/

Embracing the Living Mother Earth

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I really want to watch this uberemergency in Japan. I have to know, and truly feel we should pay attention! It is our planet, our Mother. We must hold her in our collective arms and hearts so she can heal. This is possible only if we all work together. Our Earth- her winds are our breath, her water our blood, her ground our skin, her mountains and rocks our bones – she is heart of our hearts, flesh of our flesh, the Mother, our protectoress, now she cries out for help and we must not let her come to harm. We are inseparable from her, she from us.

Human kind must learn this lesson at last- you simply cannot shit where you eat. Hear her call! Wake up! There is so little time.

Prayers recommended for Japan and the Earth:

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/2010/06/21-homages-to-tara-pdf-download/

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/amitaba/


Please Pray for Japan

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From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

The fact is I am devastated by so much death and destruction, fearing as well for the release of nuclear material. The last two shakes were huge. They have reissued Tsunami warnings. Geologists now wondering if this mother earthquake was only a pre-shock!! This clearly demonstrates, in Japan, the fragile preciousness of this life, and just how impermanent it is. I wish more folks would pay attention.

As we see this disaster in Japan will we notice and apply this to our own lives? Will we finally see that all is impermanent? Will we learn to care about our planet and our fellow human beings? And to be proactive about these issues? Will we wait until the nuclear cloud poisons our own shores? I pray we will wake up and participate in the healing of our precious and only planet and all her inhabitants before it is too late. If you have a Stupa near you please make offerings, prayers, circumambulations, mantra. If you have any place to pray please pray for Japan.

Earlier Jetsunma recommended the following prayers for Japan and for the earth:

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/2011/01/21-homages-to-tara/

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/amitaba/

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo.  All rights reserved

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