Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Astrology

February 4, 2011 by Norma

2/4/2011 Friday

Dream day. Pay attention to what happened in your sleep last night. You may have received a message about an old love or concern. Someone may need your help. You grow serious. As you move forward, don’t forget the people who were there for you when you needed them. They are part of the group too, although perhaps their contribution is different from yours. See yourself as part of a family or a team where everyone is an integral part and every person has a place. We see photos of disasters, people fleeing with babies or elderly parents on their backs. Nobody is left behind. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you will never know how soon it will be too late.” This is today’s message.

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!

Building Bridges

February 3, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I would like to mention my students calling me this or that holy title. I am used to Jetsunma, have had that for several lifetimes. But I am not puffed up. And not interested in “moving up.” I am also not looking for approval, or ego “hits.”

I love “love” though. I want to speak as western people do. That is my way and why I was born in Brooklyn and recognized at 38 years old. I’m supposed to be familiar, and western. That is why I am here, to make a bridge. True, many dharma people do think the intellectual approach is the only way. I feel if the essence, the nectar of Dharma, can be explained in any way, it is a great and noble thing. So many, like parrots, can say all kinds of foreign and unnecessary words, but it is like spitting out candy. No value when coming from an ordinary mind.

If one does not feel happy with my way that is ok. I still love you and respect your way. Please allow me that same grace in the name of Bodhicitta, as I will with you. There are many appetites. We can feed them all if we can forget the BS, join hands and leave the world better for having loved and cared for each other and all sentient beings. Shall we try? Can we do this? Accept each other? Yes, we can.

Astrology

February 3, 2011 by Norma

2/3/2011 Thursday

Love at first sight is in the air. Be careful, it won’t last. However, a major force for group energy is happening, and people are working together for the common good. Surprising people are willing to set aside their grievances and pull together, and be part of the team. If you’ve been a holdout for whatever reason, join up! Four planets in the sign of groups and friendship are powerful, and they all are in good aspect to the planet of stability. If you join with others in a common effort, you can’t fail! If you stand aside and criticize, if you try to go it alone, that is another story. Kahlil Gibran said, “Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking.” Have faith, stand up and be counted.

Supplication to Kyabje His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche

February 2, 2013February 2, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

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

I wait for you. I sing for you. I place butter lamps for you! But you have not come. Guru within my heart, you are my very breath. Bless me! Come quickly so this agony will be over. Rent my flesh and bones but let me be with you. No matter petty pains. I cry out for ultimate relief – return! Return I beg you Tsawei Lama, only you bring life like the sun, moon, earth. You are my only love, dear treasure, return to me!

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA NORBU SIDDHI HUNG Return! Make your presence known!

May I know you before you arrive by the scent of your blessings. May I hurry to wash Your feet. May I provide precious oils and scented pure water by which your attendants might comfort your skin. May you drink deeply of primordial waters. And be offered celestial food. May you rest in a bed of flowers and lotus petals, be enchanted with bliss, and every imaginable jewel. May you be filled as I will never be, and always awakened as only you can. Guru above the crown of my head remain within the lotus throne of my heart.

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!

Astrology

February 2, 2011 by Norma

2/2/2011 Wednesday

This is an excellent day for groups, friends and new beginnings. Machines, technology and things from space are just wonderful. We live in the space age, and here it is! Get wired up, be part of the communication network. Inventions and forward-looking activities are the name of the game. Artistic endeavors are favored, and a serious partnership is in the process of being formed. What you arrange during this time will be long lasting. New inventions are your best friend. If you’re tired of learning about “new fangled things” have a young person teach you what you need to know. The future is here, in this moment. Be present for it, stay in step with it. Graham Greene said, “There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.” The door is opening for everyone, not just children.

Pray for the Earth

February 1, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

In fifteen hours North-west Queensland will have a category five hurricane make landfall. No one alive today, I hear, has ever seen that. We also hear this monster is growing. For the people of Australia I pray: may this be pacified. KPC will do Vajra Kilaya Tsog as it comes in.

Our planet has been harmed so badly by our mindlessness and selfishness that it no longer has the capacity to absorb our callousness. Huge storms brewing here too and it will only get worse unless we all collectively wake up and do something. All we do is talk. We need action. The suits won’t listen unless they get paid. But this is our planet – so far, the only one. And we are making it a sewer of neglect.

We must link our prayer together in such a way as to heal and raise the very molecules we stand on to a higher vibration. We are all inherently Buddha so we must fulfill our dedication to benefiting sentient beings by being caretakers of the earth. All our filth and trash is killing our mother, “earth” and it reflects the shallow non virtue we all share. Our planet reflects our minds, and it was once pure and undefiled, like our nature. Then as non-virtue increased so did the filth we laid on our planet. Our indigenous people know this, and have spoken. They are still connected with our mother. We have left her. Raped her. Dishonored her. And in so doing we are destroying ourselves, because our particles come from earth and sun. Our physical parents, mom and dad are the outer. Our inner natures are the earth and her consort, the sun. Our secret nature is the face and essence of the primordial consorts, Samantabhadra and Samantabhadri. That is our nature!

Therefore we cannot allow our precious planet to be destroyed! People on the other side of the world are not “other” people. We are the same nature! They are us! Pray!

Astrology

February 1, 2011 by Norma

2/1/2011 Tuesday

Excellent connections happen today. A spacious, loving and fearless energy urges you forward. If someone speaks of serious concerns, listen carefully and respect the experience of the speaker. Wisdom appears from a deep and ancient source. Pay attention. The overarching theme of the times is action and forward motion. People who have benefited from inaction and lack of forward motion will complain that things were fine as they were. Sympathize with those nostalgic for the past, but don’t be one of them. We love the past most when we have stopped moving forward. Theodore White said, “To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.” Be a hero.

Statement About the Karmapa

December 16, 2011January 31, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I’d like to mention that many people are asking me the details of the issues with His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa. My answer – I don’t gossip or judge other lineages. Gossip is not my way. To gossip about another lineage is not what I’m about. It causes dissension and anger in the sangha, harms the Three Jewels and causes only bad result. Buddhists should reject gossip as wrong speech and ignorance.

I do know about the situation, but not one word of of gossip or slander about His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa or the Kagyu lineage will come from my mouth or activity, I have no secret or inside knowledge. Anyone asking should find those that gossip, not me. Any other lineage besides Palyul is not for me to pass judgment on, simply not my job. I have nothing but respect for the Kagyu lineage and His Holiness the 17^th Karmapa.

For all my students I advise not to gossip and pray we will all keep our own practice alive and well.

The First Karma Kuchen Rinpoche

January 31, 2011 by Holly

The Fourth Throne Holder

The First Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Karma Tashi
(1728 – 1791)

The first Karma Kuchen was born as Karma Tashi in the twelfth rabjung year of the Earth Monkey (1728) in the town of Ahchog in Do Kham. His birth was foretold in many prophecies. He was recognized as the incarnation of the condensed essence of many Great Vidyadharas of the past. Karma Tashi himself recalled he was a manifestation of Migyur Dorje. Other revelations acknowledged him as the body emanation of Kundrol Namgyal, the speech emanation of Kathog Drimed Shing Kyong and the mind emanation of Duddul Dorje.

He became the heart disciple of Drubwang Pedma Norbu and received all the transmission and practices of Mahamudra and Dzogchen from his root guru. He was enthroned by Drubwang Pema Norbu as the fourth Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage in the presence of the thirteenth Karmapa Duddul Dorje and the tenth Sharmpa Chodrup Gyatso. With a great vision to promote the Dharma to greater heights, he propagated strict doctrine among his disciples and established many retreat facilities within the grounds of the monastery.

Tsenltha Rabten, King of Gyarong, had been at war with China for thirteen years when Karma Tashi was invited to China. A Bonpo lama who served as the guru of King Rabten decided to use his power of black magic to unleash a massive shower of rocks upon the Chinese forces from the sky. Out of compassion for the safety of the Chinese troops, Karma Tashi offered special protection cords to the soldiers to protect them against the ill fortunes of war. As a result, not one single soldier who wore his protection cord was harmed and Tsenltha Rabten was defeated. It was an overwhelming victory for China and the Chinese Emperor Chan Lung, in a gesture of gratitude, appointed Karma Tashi as the State Guru of China.

Karma Tashi, also known as Chopal Zangpo, dissolved his mind into the pure realm of truth at the age of sixty-three. The bone relics he left behind were preserved within a bronze Stupa and placed inside the Chag-dra-khang temple of Palyul monastery.

Reference: Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies

Astrology

January 31, 2011 by Norma

1/31/2011 Monday

Friendship is in bloom, and a specific relationship or group is growing in energy and importance. Men are especially enthusiastic and ready to move with the times, and they will lead the effort if necessary. It’s a brand new day. Leaders are strong and willing to take charge. An entrenched energy or group must change or it will become obsolete, bypassed in the tide of new directions. Notice the areas where you feel complacent, satisfied, or unaware. That area may be your Achilles heel, ripe for change. Test yourself, and move out of your comfort zone. Lady Bird Johnson said, “The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” Wrap yourself up in something.