Tibetan Buddhist Altar

The Life, Death, and Liberation of Ani Palchen

September 5, 2011January 8, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Thank you one and all for having prayer and recitation with us. While we are grieving dear Ani’s loss, the comfort of your presence is strong.

We are greatly sorry to lose her. But hers was a noble life, with merit, Bodhicitta and unbroken Samaya. We honor her.

Venerable Ani Palchen was a woman of faith and virtue. She never had a mean word to say. She made people feel welcome and loved.

I loved her. We all did. Do. While our hearts are heavy we rejoice that her Sangha, her Lineage, her family, and her Guru were there.

Not all will die a noble, auspicious death free of suffering. Not all will instantly be reborn in Dewachen. Not all are so loved.

She will be cremated in full robes, adorned with incense and flowers. The pure smoke will please the Buddhas, as did she.

Many have failed their ordination. Have lost their path. Not Venerable Ani, who honored Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as well as her Tsawei Lama.

Therefore she did not die an ordinary death, as promised. And now remains in the Pureland Dewachen.

We pray for her swift rebirth; that she find Dharma quickly in that life. And lead others to liberation. I myself will look for her.

In Honor of Her Noble Life

September 5, 2011January 8, 2010 by anisonam

Thubten Palchen 9/13/1929 – 2:30am 1/8/2010

The last poem Palchen wrote:

Golden warmth
Crimson heart

Within my chalice

I lie wrapped in

Guru and consort

My home

Within my bodyhome

Impermanent

No ground but love

by Thubten Palchen

A subtle and successful day is underway. You can have a meaningful conversation or negotiation that stabilizes a situation that has been fluid or uncertain. The answer to a mystery can appear, and that which was hidden is revealed. Deep issues are resolved. Don’t waste your time with superficialities. The choice between “Shall I successfully reorganize my business affairs, or shall I watch a TV game show?” is easy to answer. Previously discordant forces have turned harmonious. Pool your money together with others to maximize your spending power. Don’t waste this important day. Roll up your sleeves and get to work! Romance beckons later in the day.

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!

Prayer for Thubten Palchen

September 5, 2011January 7, 2010 by anisonam

Ani Palchen needs our prayers. Jetsunma wrote the following prayer for Ani Palchen. Instructions were, “Please alternate the Seven Line Prayer with this prayer.”

To All the Root and Lineage Lamas,
And to none other than the Primordial Lama His Holiness Penor Rinpoche,
Kye Ho!
We bow down to your precious Lotus Feet
And to the fount of your endless wisdom.
We bow down to your Great Compassion
And offer the Celestial Mandala
Along with every perfect adornment.

We beg for the life of our vajra sister, Thupten Palchen,
Here she is, fighting for her life,
And we beg that you uphold her life,
And allow her to recover without suffering or fear.
If this is not possible, may she pass easily
And be reborn in Dewachen immediately.
This good Ani has served Palyul for many years
And we beg for the gift of her life and liberation.
Making countless prostrations from all your monks and nuns,
And including Jetsunma herself,
Please grant us this blessing
And may it benefit all sentient beings.

Astrology

January 7, 2010 by Norma

1/7/2010 Thursday

Early in the day you could wrap up a difficult situation that began yesterday. Adjustments are required on both sides, but you have a zing, a spring in your step, that moves you along in a cheery manner. You’ll feel a bump as you realize something you hoped for isn’t going to happen. But the day turns magical as it progresses. New opportunities arise, and a new optimism is in the air. Someone could offer you a relationship you have always wanted. Go ahead and take it. Happiness, artistic creativity, inspiration and joy wrap up the day. Well done.

Astrology

January 6, 2010 by Norma

1/6/2010 Wednesday

A serious or discouraging matter arises that must be dealt with. Something is not working as expected and may need to be reconfigured or scrapped. Perhaps you must deal with an unhappy person, an older person, or sad family or group matters. An expression of acceptance and love is called for. Contact someone who loves you to get your dose of security, and do your best to express the love you feel for others, no matter how busy you are or how inconvenient it seems. Emotional needs clash with doing the job, but you can handle both in a successful manner.

Astrology

January 5, 2010 by Norma

1/5/2010 Tuesday

Diplomatic, kind speech is highlighted today. How you say something makes the difference between success and “try again.” What are words? They are symbols of something deeper. Words expressed in a kind tone deliver a more effective message than words that feel angry or demanding. Work is well completed today. A surprise expectation or request from outside must be accommodated, but nothing is lost in the process. Remember you are wrapping up things from the past. Groups and friends, as always these days, are inspiring and supportive.

Feeding Wildlife in the Winter

September 5, 2011January 4, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

I thought I’d share some of my #wildlife endeavors. First a healthier suet recipe, guaranteed to help little birdies make it through cold.

Melt a jar of peanut butter and a tub of lard together, mix thoroughly, add rolled oats, cornmeal and birdseed until desired. Can add

Leftover nuts, cereals like Cheerios, a little sugar, and pack it into pound size tubs, freeze till hard. Unmold using hot water

And store blocks of suet in freezer. I offer it in a fly-thru feeder type. It will draw cold hungry ones from all around.

I also provide squirrel food blocks on the ground, sold in stores. They get corn and peanut butter too.

For the deer I provide planted forage, corn and apples. And fresh salt mineral blocks each season.

The best seeds for little birds in winter is Black Oil Sunflower seed, for the oil. For finches, Nyger seed.

If you can maintain an unfrozen water source, please do. Many birds die for lack of drinkable water in winter. I have a running stream.

Your larger birds, starlings, crows, etc will, oddly enough, eat small bite dog kibble, cheap brand w/GRAIN as main ingredient.

Isn’t good for your dog, they aren’t engineered for it. But larger birds are and they like the extra fat and protein in the winter.

My son made me the perfect bird feeder. He found an old disker or harrow, up-ended it and tied it to a tree. Viola! 6-level fly-thru feeder!

You can be creative with bird feeders and housing. I’ve been collecting and using all kinds of homemade stuff! Really fun.

Around here we have all kinds of oddball houses and feeders as well as bought stuff. Birds nest in almost anything with the right hole.

I hope you all enjoy helping the critters as much as I do. And there are many choices to help with. Love to hear some of your ideas!

Astrology

January 4, 2010 by Norma

1/4/10 Monday

Now we are talking! Things fall into place. You know what your job is and you do it very well. Work done today is successfully accomplished. The boss is pleased and is careful to give credit where credit is due. Health problems can be successfully identified and resolved today. If you’ve been wondering how to make something work, you find the way today. Hidden things are discovered or unearthed. Men, people in authority and ideas are beneficial and loving. Worker bees are in sync. This is a “whistle while you work” day.

Using Twitter as a Bonfire of Loving Kindness

September 5, 2011January 3, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of Tweets posted on Twitter:

Today, having made a shout out for prayer for my son, I was blessed to have so many pray and offer kind words.

It has really gotten me thinking what a glorious tool for good Twitter can be. For myself, I’ve had my eyes opened by this.

I have seen people use it for negativity and nastiness. Such a waste when the world community is so ready to love + support!

Or even just mindlessly for selfish purpose alone. But SO many are ready to jump right in and love. I reached out, U were there!

Just to see that made my heart soar! When I told my son Twitterverse was praying for him- he broke down and cried.

I wonder if we all realize how much prayer and kindness mean at times of need or suffering. So much. Even a RT for prayer IS prayer!

What a wonderful age this is and what an amazing gathering of good tweeple! I read so many who’s message is like nectar!

So sweet and nourishing! And I think how amazing, this bonding of little lights to make a bonfire of loving kindness.

Please join with me in this great flame, and let’s use this tool to benefit others and make this world a gentler place!

I don’t think we should accept meanness, hatred or hurtfulness here. I personally feel this tool is too good to waste.

Instead it can be used to facilitate the spiritual and emotional growth for this magnificent human Family and this jewel of a Planet!

I pledge to do my part, and I know so many of you will! And I say. “AMEN” to that! EMAHO!

OM MANI PEDME HUNG