Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Astrology

January 18, 2011 by Norma

1/18/2011 Tuesday

The overarching theme of this specific time is of growth and expansion. Two important bodies are nudging you in the direction of expansion, and men are helpful in this work. You definitely feel that you have entered a different phase of your life, one unlike anything that has come before. Something brand new is coming, be ready for it! You will reminisce about the past a bit today, but beware of glamorizing a time or a situation that is gone. Take the lessons of the past, but don’t expect it to return, and don’t hold it in such high esteem that the present doesn’t measure up. After all, today will be the past tomorrow. Make today count. Elizabeth Barrett Browning said, “Light tomorrow with today.”

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!

Tibetan Schools and Palyul

December 10, 2011January 17, 2011 by Holly

Tibetan Buddhism has four main traditions:

Nyingma “the Ancient Ones” This is the oldest, the original order founded by Padmasambhava andSantaraksita. Whereas other schools categorize their teachings into the three vehicles: The Foundation Vehicle, Mahayana and Vajrayana, the Nyingma tradition classifies them into nine vehicles, among the highest of which is known as Atiyoga or Dzogchen “Great Perfection”. Hidden treasures (terma) are of particular significance to this tradition.

Kagyu “Lineage of the (Buddha’s) Word” This is an oral tradition, which is very much concerned with the experiential dimension of meditation. Its most famous exponent was Milarepa, an 11th century mystic. It contains one major and one minor subsect. The first, the Dagpo Kagyu, encompasses those Kagyu schools that trace back to the Indian master Naropa via Marpa, Milarepa and Gampopa, and consists of four major sub-sects: the Karma Kagyu, headed by a Karmapa, the Tsalpa Kagyu, the Barom Kagyu, and Pagtru Kagyu. There are a further eight minor sub-sects, all of which trace their root to Pagtru Kagyu and the most notable of which are the Drikung Kagyu and the Drukpa Kagyu. The once-obscure Shangpa Kagyu, which was famously represented by the 20th century teacher Kalu Rinpoche, traces its history back to the Indian master Naropa via Niguma, Sukhasiddhi and Kyungpo Neljor.

Sakya “Grey Earth” This school very much represents the scholarly tradition. Headed by the Sakya Trizin, this tradition was founded by Khon Konchog Gyalpo, a disciple of the great translator Drokmi Lotsawa and traces its lineage to the Indian master Virupa. A renowned exponent, Sakya Pandita 1182–1251CE was the great grandson of Khon Konchog Gyalpo.

Gelug “Way of Virtue” Originally a reformist movement, this tradition is particularly known for its emphasis on logic and debate. Its spiritual head is the Ganden Tripa and its temporal one the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is regarded as the embodiment of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Successive Dalai Lamas ruled Tibet from the mid-17th to mid-20th centuries. The order was founded in the 14th to 15th century byJe Tsongkhapa, renowned for both his scholasticism and his virtue.

Within these, Kunzang Palyul Choling is Nyingma

There are six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries:

Katok Monastery, in east Tibet, was founded during the twelfth century, and expanded in 1656.
Dorje Drak Monastery was founded in central Tibet, in 1659.
Mindroling Monastery, in central Tibet, was established in 1676.
Palyul Monastery, founded in east Tibet in 1665.
Dzogchen Monastery, in east Tibet, established in 1685.
Shechen Monastery founded in east Tibet, in 1735.

Within these monastic traditions, Kunzang Palyul Choling is Palyul.

Palyul Monastery — one of the Six “Mother” Nyingma Monasteries. It was founded in either 1632 or 1665 by Rigdzin Kunzang Sherab, a disciple of Terton Migyur Dorje, and Karma Chagmed. The monastery specializes in kama practices, the termas of Ratna Lingpa and Tulku Migyur Dorje (1645-67). The current head of Palyul Monastery is the Fifth Karma Kuchen.

The inspired masters who contributed to the teachings practiced within Palyul

To date, Palyul has had 12 throne-holders in its history. According to His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, while Nyingma is generally practiced as a Ngagpa tradition, within Palyul it has never been true. The Lineage Holders of Palyul have always been fully-ordained.

Important “elder statesmen” of Palyul, contemporaries and close senior students of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, are:

It is because of these pure Lineage teachers that we continue to have a pure unbroken stream of wisdom to guide us today to reveal our own enlightenment.

Sources include Wikipedia, Rigpa Wiki, and most of all Pathgate.org, who gave us permission to use their thangka images and biographies

Astrology

January 17, 2011 by Norma

1/17/2011 Monday

Pay close attention to your partner or partners today as the case may be. During this time, the needs and wishes of others are of paramount importance. It could seem you’re doing a lot of this, but stick with it. You are building and stabilizing an important relationship, and your future depends on how well you understand the wishes of others. Perhaps you’ve made some assumptions that you didn’t check out; check them out now. Your partner’s wishes may have changed or evolved since you last spoke. Depend on up-to-date information. Communication is highlighted today. Double-check all information to avoid a misunderstanding. During the day your posture changes from an intellectual to an emotional one. All good.

I Wanna

January 16, 2011 by Holly

Lyrics by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

I wanna change
I wanna change
The world

I wanna stop the pain
And make the people sing

I wanna bring
I wanna bring
The end of war
And set the people free

I wanna see
I wanna see
The end of lies
And hear the truth
As open as the sky

Chorus:
OM BENZAR SATO SAMAYA
MA NU PA LA YA
BENZAR SATO TE NO PA
TISH TRA DRI DHO ME BHA WA
SUTO KHAYO ME BHAWA
SUPO KHAYO ME BHAWA
ANU RAKTO ME BHAWA
SARWA SIDDHIM ME PRA YATTSHA
SARWA KARMA SU TSA ME
TSITTAM SHRI YAM KU RU HUNG
HA HA HA HA HO
BHAGAWAN SARWA TATHAGATA
BENZAR MA ME MUNTSA
BENZAR BHA WA MA HA
SAMAYA SATO AH

In the View, I confess all commitments broken through mental activity. Knowing the View is the all-pervasive foundational Bodhicitta; realizing that the View exists in non-existence, and practicing meditation that is non-existent, realizing that activity is neither existent nor non-existent, the Bodhicitta is without expectation or disappointment. All root and auxiliary commitments, breaches and failure to uphold them, are unborn, ungenerated, and liberated in the indivisibilty of the object to confess and the confession itself.

OM BENZAR SATO HUNG

Chorus

©Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

Astrology

January 16, 2011 by Norma

1/16/2011 Sunday

A serious woman or an older person has some information for you. Listen carefully. Someone may give you important and realistic information. You’re bouncing around, jiggling your foot and having trouble sitting still. But listen; no matter how long it takes. You will be glad you did. Communication, driving, neighbors, and brothers and sisters are highlighted today. At the same time, a new energy that is focused and fixed has entered the scene. Machines are excellent; your car mechanic will be genuinely helpful. Have a rousing debate with friends, you’ll go away energized and encouraged. George M. Adams said, “Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul.” Ok.

Calling the Lama from Afar

January 15, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following prayer is from the Nam Cho Ngondro, The Great Perfection Buddha in the Palm of Hand

LAMA SANGYE RINPOCHE LA SÖL WA DEB SO

May realize that the Guru is the precious Buddha.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

EH LAMA KHYEN NO EH LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Lama, care for me. EH Lama, care for me.

EH PAL DEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Glorious root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

YE YE DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

YE YE Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA RANG KHYEN NO LAMA RANG KHYEN NO

Lama, you alone care for me. Lama, you alone care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

Astrology

January 15, 2011 by Norma

1/15/2011 Saturday

It seems you are spinning your wheels trying to get a business deal stabilized. Relax. At some point in the day things will change, and you either get what you want or else you no longer want it. You will turn into a chatterbox, or you’ll meet people who can’t wait to tell you everything. When this happens, you’ll know the tide has turned. This is a great day to call friends, go for a drive, read or hear important information. The mailman is your best friend today. Someone could walk by and give you the secret of the universe in an instant. Someone you over look can amaze you. Sir Henry Taylor said, “The world knows nothing of its greatest people.” Pay attention to everyone, great people are about.

Astrology

January 14, 2011 by Norma

1/14/2011 Friday

Smooth sailing today. Purchases are excellent. You will keep what you buy today for a long time, so go shopping. Your judgment and taste are excellent. Ask for a raise, look for a job. Business goes well. In one direction lies opportunity, and at the same time, something wonderful drops into your lap from a different direction. No problem, and no need to choose. Take what comes. Give everybody a great big blimpey smile, and say thank you! You can have it all! Longfellow said, “The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.” It’s raining good things. Let it rain.

Pith Advice – Learning to Discern

January 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

If someone tells you they are never wrong it usually means they usually are.

If someone tells you this is exactly how they meant things to turn out it usually means they are clueless about a lot!

If we boast a lot about our dharma practice we should remember the best practice is alone, and silent.

If a practitioner tells you their mind is completely pure, and says they abide in emptiness and light, ask them kindly to turn down the volume!

If a Dharma practitioner does nothing to benefit all sentient beings they are walking on one leg. Dharma is Wisdom and Compassion!

Put your energy into gathering not the goods of the world. Gather the gifts of Wisdom, Compassion and virtue. Only these have value.

If someone harms you and you become afraid, work with it. If you allow the fear you have allowed the suffering: they win!

We are equal in need, equal in nature, equal in love and loss. Therefore we should learn to have empathy and kindness.

We are equal in fault, equal in sorrow, equal in longing and sickness, and death. Therefore we should have empathy, and LOVE.

The great being atones for the suffering of others no matter the cause. A middling being atones for their own. A lesser being accepts no burden.

A great being cares for all beings equally. A middling being cares for family and friends, mostly. A lesser one cares for no one but self.

Paradox: a great being does not differentiate between high and low, having view. A middling being sorts out those differences. A small being uses all this to get what they want.

A lesser being walks the earth. A middling being examines the world. A great being takes wing and flies! The sky is for dancing.

Here in this land we must learn to empathize, to care, to love, to minister to each other, to feed, to heal; and most of all to fly!

Here on Earth we must learn and study our equality. To be without prejudice, to know each other’s suffering, to cherish culture and be color blind in spirit!

May the dirt on their feet be the crown on my head; may their suffering be only mine. May I wipe their eyes, and fill their hearts with LOVE.

To Whom It May Concern

January 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Lyrics by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Hello my friend, you got your best face on

And I see what you sayin,’ and why you been gone

Oh, I know all the reasons, it’s the same old song

You see I met a lot of people, since I was born

And you can always tell a good man, by what he has done

You say you’re outstanding in your field, I see you standing alone

Don’t take it personal, I’m just tellin’ what I see

And I’m trying to do my Dharma, ‘cause I wanna be free

But if you cause a gal to suffer, the result is what you see

Think about it Honey, what have you done for me

When it comes down to giving, all I have is free

I guess you had your own agenda, and your own misery

Let me tell you one thing, that I know to be true

Every single pain you cause, will come right back to you

It’s time to be a stand up man, and pay your own dues

Don’t take it personal, I’m just tellin’ what I see

Trying to do my Dharma, ‘cause I wanna be free

But if you cause a gal to suffer, the result is what you see