Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Confronting Ignorance

January 9, 2012May 2, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Hello Twitterverse. I’m back, sadly unable to do much retreat, had a double root canal with a major abscess. Hurt bad, as did treatment. And I have two more, maybe three. Two more abscessed teeth. I hate pain pills with a purple passion but I had to get hammered with them. Now still sore, but only mind blowingly so when I hit it while talking. Nice. So I’ll type.

Problem is I let it go for way too long. Not good. If I could cut out the last three-ish years of my life I would. I couldn’t accomplish anything and it just wasn’t worth the pain to keep going. I so wish I could cut out the abscess in my emotions like we can with teeth.

Right now I see, for one thing, that our Mother planet is in deep trouble. Very few bother to learn what the issues are. And don’t care. It breaks my heart to see it. I search for caring people and can’t find them, even in my Sangha. Why do people find ignorance so appealing? Does it make you blond? (Woo-hoo) will we be moving to another planet? I hadn’t heard. Do we think angels will fix it? More likely than us, I guess.

You see, a culture of commerce needs you to be stupid so you will believe them. They depend on your self-absorption. And you kindly oblige. Nuclear Japan will not stop. You didn’t see Osama bin Laden got deep sixed. Did you see it? Did you hear? And tell me, how can big gigantic “Buddhists” go out to eat and “nosh” with starvation in their own communities? How have we become so selfish? Our rescues have little funding and no one will raise money for them. Our Stupas so precious to us all? Yeah, so we can’t manage to pay off the land they are on. I feel mangled. Did I do any good? Will any benefit last?

The crap we chase after is embarrassing. Chin tuck anyone? Could’ve fed a lot of hungry with that. I’m not a judge or jury. I’m just sad and so disappointed. I really tried. And we just don’t care. I am so sorry for us. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for and we just don’t care. I love this planet. And her people. But for the life of me I do not understand. Why do the rich do nothing? Why are the ignorant so willing to be that way? Why do we play “bliss ninny” thinking mellow is sweet like jello? And there is always room for that crap. Sweet and fake!

Will we save this planet? Naw. Will we go out for lunch, brunch, and dinner? Sure, why not, right? We are entitled to enjoy, right? Bullshit! At least “Micky D” is cheap. Leave some change for the homeless, will ya? Enjoy your dinner…

Astrology

May 2, 2011 by Norma

Push for all you are worth to accomplish your objective. Work hard, and be happy. Inventiveness, happiness, intelligence, good fortune and energy are in the mix today! All forward action is favored. Don’t sit back or you will be left behind. Whatever your abilities, get cracking! People have different abilities, but everyone can do something. Someone who is in tune with a leader or with a member of the old guard can achieve a solution to a problem. Long distance travel and communication is favored. Reach out, go beyond yourself today. Think big and you can’t fail. It’s important to expand now. Beware of forces telling you to contract or to play it safe. Dress up today, and put your best foot forward. Work hard and do your best. Margaret Thatcher said “Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s when you’ve had everything to do, and you’ve done it.” Do it!

The daily astrology post affects everyone. Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently. Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth. There are many departments of life. Look to see where the dynamic affects you!

Astrology

May 1, 2011 by Norma

Happy day, joyous day! A burst of emotional generosity and energy enables you to move forward happily. People like you, and people are willing to forgive and forget. Begin anew in all your relationships. Be willing to see others in a different light, and watch closed doors open. A component of raw physical strength and goodwill is here. Superhuman feats can be accomplished, like the person lifting a car off someone. Do it, rise to the occasion, whatever it may be. Call your mother, spend time with loved ones. Express yourself! Dance, sing, laugh, be flashy! Ask for help and give it. Generosity rules the day today. Winston Churchill said “I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns.” Be colorful!

Astrology

April 30, 2011 by Norma

A hurt comes today. Someone rebuffs your good will. It’s possible that someone is being disagreeable on purpose, or perhaps the person isn’t aware of the impact of discouraging words. Speak up! Good fortune comes through good action. Love is in the air! Emotional buoyancy suggests that a problem is well-resolved. “All’s well that ends well” as Shakespeare said. If a difficulty has ended well, for heaven’s sake don’t revive it and start a new problem. No backward glances. The pull of the past can be strong, and old grievances can beckon. Learn the wisdom of your past but stay in the present. Benjamin Franklin said “After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser.”

Astrology

April 29, 2011 by Norma

Something throws you off kilter early in the day. A misunderstanding or a bit of confusion is present, or else you oversleep. Later on, a stroke of brilliant luck arises both in finances and in love. Look for the open door and go in! It’s almost impossible to miss this opportunity, and the only requirement is that you act quickly. If you start asking questions or become indecisive, the opportunity bogs down and may be lost. Pay special attention to hunches and to your imagination.
Forward action is exciting, and you are enthusiastic about the future. Happiness is in the air. Benjamin Franklin said “Happiness is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.” Keep your eyes open for the little advantages as well as the big ones.

Astrology

April 28, 2011 by Norma

This is an especially important day to consolidate your position. Stabilize what has been accomplished. The times favor forward motion, but be sure to secure your catch before you chase something new: tie it down, give it a place. Be sure it doesn’t escape or wander off as you rush away in pursuit of something else. If you’ve caught a fish, put it in a barrel. If you’ve made a deal, be sure all the papers are signed. Tend to the boring parts as well as the exciting parts today. Be as interested in finishing the job as you were in starting the job. G.K. Chesterton said “There is no such thing on earth as an uninteresting subject; the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person.” An emotional connection is very satisfying.

Astrology

April 27, 2011 by Norma

Still feeling hurt? Don’t look back. Go shopping for someone who really appreciates being remembered. Even if it’s just a card, the thought is what counts. Visit a sick person, and remember those less fortunate than you. Music is a strong influence, and you are touched by sentimentality. Still, five planets are passing through the sign of “go for it!” If you aren’t going for it, you are missing the boat. This is the time to begin a new venture, not the time to mourn the past. If you’ve recently gone through difficult times, it is important to let go of that experience. Don’t spend time reviewing or reworking your difficulties. You must make the choice to move ahead. Broken relationship or friendship? If you’ve done your best, move on. Business problems? Ditto! The time to regret your losses is over. Epictetus said “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Meaning and Purpose of the 8 Auspicious Offering Bowls

January 9, 2012April 26, 2011 by anisonam

The following was prepared by Ani Lucia Latimer:

At the time of the Buddha in ancient India, it was the custom of the day for devoted Buddhist households to make offerings to the Buddha and his monks and nuns as they traveled. Typically they would be offered clean water for drinking and bathing, flowers, incense, light or a lamp, perfume or fragrance and music. These offerings eventually became known as the 8 Auspicious Offerings and symbolize the coming forth of the Buddha’s precious teachings into the world. These same offerings are still used today on Tibetan Buddhist altars as a way to express gratitude and respect for the Buddha.

Typically on a Tibetan Buddhist Altar there are seven offering bowls and one light. They are arranged on the altar in a straight line close together. The distance between each bowl is about the width of a grain of rice. The water bowls are filled left to right and filled full but not overflowing. The water is poured evenly and steadily with smooth, regular movement. If the offering is poured in the correct way then it is said that beneficial outcome occurs and obscurations are dispelled. The closing of the altar is done in reverse, from right to left.

Deeper symbolic meaning and purpose has arisen for these offerings that correspond to a significant Buddhist prayer called the Seven Limb Puja or Prayer. Below is a list of the traditional offerings and what they represent.

First Offering Bowl: WATER for drinking “ARGHAM”

Pure, clean water offered to the Buddha for drinking and to cleanse the mouth or face. “The purity of the water has 8 qualities: crystal clarity, coolness, sweetness, lightness, softness, freedom from impurities. It is soothing to the stomach and makes the throat clear and free”. This offering symbolizes the auspicious results of all virtuous causes and conditions. In the Seven Limb Puja, it represents Homage & Prostration.

Second Offering Bowl: WATER for bathing “PADHYAM”

Pure, clean water offered for bathing our object of Refuge, the Buddha, and our precious Teacher. Typically the water was offered to bathe the feet and the water was scented with sandalwood or other sweet scent. This offering symbolizes purification of our negative karma and obscurations. In the Seven Limb Puja, it represents Offering.

Third Offering Bowl: FLOWERS “PUSHPE”

This offering represents all the various types of beautiful flowers in the entire universe that can be offered, as well as medicinal flowers, fruits and grains. It symbolizes the beauty and flowering of Enlightenment and signifies the opening of one’s heart. In the Seven Limb Puja, the flower represents Confession.

Fourth Offering Bowl: INCENSE “DHUPE”

Incense makes an offering of beautiful smell to the Buddha and symbolizes morality, ethics and discipline which are the basic causes and conditions from which pure enlightened qualities are cultivated. In the Seven Limb Puja, incense represents Rejoicing in all the virtue in the world both ordinary and extraordinary.

Fifth Offering Bowl: LIGHT “ALOKHE”

This offering comes in the form of light that includes all natural light such as the sun, moon and stars, as well as all types of man-made forms of light such as lamps and candles. The light symbolizes the dispelling of all darkness of the mind, all ignorance. Ignorance here means being ignorant or unaware of one’s true inherent Buddha Nature. Light is offered to the eyes of all the Enlightened ones who see with pristine clarity. In the Seven Limb Puja, light represents Requesting the Buddhas to always offer Dharma teaching.

Sixth Offering Bowl: PERFUME “GENDHE”

This offering represents all beautiful fragrance or perfume that one can smell or put on the body. Perfume is offered to the Buddha’s mind and symbolizes the perseverance and joyful effort that is the heart of Enlightenment. Without perseverance all the other enlightened qualities could not arise in the mind. In the Seven Limb Puja, perfume represents Beseeching the Buddhas to remain in the world.

Seventh Offering Bowl: CELESTIAL FOOD “NEVIDHYA”

Excellent, delicious food of all kinds and various tastes is offered to the Three Jewels. This offering symbolizes the clear and stable mind of Samadhi, or meditative absorption. In the Seven Limb Puja, food represents Dedication of all merit for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Eighth Offering Bowl: MUSIC “SHABTA”

Musical instruments such as cymbals, bells, lutes, and string instruments that create beautiful sound is offered to the ears of the Buddha. Sound symbolizes the Buddha’s Wisdom nature and the extraordinary Compassion that arises naturally from the Wisdom mind.

References:

The Stanzas of Offering Water from the Pure Vision, An Ocean of Blessings by Dudjom Rinpoche

The Significance of the Eight Offerings from a talk given by Khenpo Karthar in May, 1993 at Kunzang Palyul Choling

Astrology

April 26, 2011 by Norma

A friendly gesture comes from someone who cares for you. It’s time to strengthen your ties to family, friends, groups and those who share your views. Generosity is especially prevalent today. Be careful in how you speak and respond to others. The potential for emotional distress or wounding is here. Be especially kind to young, enthusiastic or artless people who express warmth to you. Just because affection doesn’t fit your picture, there’s no reason to shoot it down. If you’ve done this, double back and apologize. Recognize good will for what it is. Break a heart today, and it’s your turn to be hurt tomorrow. James Michener said “An age is called Dark, not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.” Recognize the light that comes your way. On another note, a consensus is growing on how to resolve an authority issue. An excellent resolution is near.

What Will You Do?

January 9, 2012April 25, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a twitter conversation between Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo and two other twitter users:

Questioner: My heart is with the future. These are not the end times but times of a new beginning.

Jetsunma: Good, but there is transformation going on. If you can’t see the shadow of that (Japan!) How will you help? Many suffer now! The Earth suffers. Will you make passionate statements from your chair? Or face it and help others? For us to survive, and Earth too, we must join hands and hearts. What will you do? Must be part of the solution, or if not, you are part of the problem. Dead in da head! Use the heart! Oops, looks like I just got unfollowed. Nobody wants to hear we must do something. No one wants to change.

Peeps: People should be inspired to help initiate change, but resentment is mostly the reaction I see…

Jetsunma: It’s true. And so sad! We need all of us!