Dharma | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Blessings from Palyul Retreat Center

July 22, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

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

I just finished my afternoon practice and all is well. I am enjoying this time (‘cept the heat) and it feels healing. My mind is clarifying. Again, I feel stronger. The disturbance of the last three plus years is dissipating like smoke in the sky, and I’m grateful for the blessing and rest.

The Palyul family here looks happy with the practice and Dharma activity. People who are busy with Dharma generally are relaxed and joyful. This place is so precious, one of the many gifts given to us by Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, as we need retreat to deepen.

In ordinary life we become comfortable and complacent, forgetting that we must continually make progress until full awakening, until Buddahood. We must not become dull or self-satisfied, forgetting the Tsawei Lama, and puffing up with pride. Constant practice helps. A good practitioner is always the humblest of all, never bragging about themselves, just simply and quietly attending to the Liberation and Salvation of all sentient beings. That, after all is the point, of course as samsara is filled with suffering. That is why we dedicate all merit to others, and never do harm.

Sometimes a Lama gives a wrathful display, and that is to cut through obstacles. This is a blessing. Or to protect others from some sort of downfall. But it is always done in compassion and in the spirit of Bodhicitta. To be of benefit.

Tomorrow is Vajrasattva Empowerment, and Sunday is Nyingthik Yumka, which I hope to attend. What excellent good fortune! I have not seen the students here for some time, and those I have seen are continually increasing their good qualities. How wonderful to see this testament to Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s amazing work. His footprint in this world is peerless, really. We should never forget, always enthroning the precious Guru on the Lotus Throne within our hearts. Now we have here His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, carrying on our Tsawei Lama’s good works. We are the most fortunate of beings! May His life be long and free of any obstacles until all beings are liberated! EMAHO!

Bodhicitta and Generating the Deity

June 20, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo in response to some comments from one of her students:

Gonpo: To say one “generates” this or that — deity or Bodhichitta – is a type of that materialism. Kind of like, “wow, look at me!” Our great Vajrayana teachers like Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo help is cut through such materialism. Help us cut ego, relax mind, do nothing maybe! I don’t know, but my understanding from Jetsunma is that the Bodhichitta, our Buddhanature isn’t where the work needs to happen. Our habits are.

Jetsunma: Your statement Gonpo, bears a little comment. “Yidam generation stage” is indeed Vajrayana. In the generation stage one generates the qualities of the yidam, mixing one’s mind so as to gain the mind aspect. One generates the handheld implements and their meaning to gain the qualities and activities of the Deity. Say your generation stage is Bodhisattva Manjushri. The implements are meant to be generated with a deep understanding of their meaning. Like Manjushri’s sword of wisdom is seen to cut through ignorance. The text he holds is a symbol of wisdom, purity of mind. All yidams are practiced like that. Now say you are practicing a yidam in yab/yum posture. What are you practicing there? The union of compassion and method! Or also called “wisdom and display” which also means one must accomplish the meaning and the concerned activities as your own very display in samsara.

All yidams, deities are the very door to liberation, and that is the great blessing power they offer. They are not ordinary, they emanate from primordial awareness, the profound Buddha Nature. Why is this? In their great compassion their sole concern is to liberate beings from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. Therefore, if one generates any yidam their first and primary concern should be the same. To benefit and liberate all motherly beings from suffering.

OM MANI PEDME HUNG!

OM AH RAPATSANA DHI!

Re-Connecting

April 24, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

A few days ago I mentioned a new wind I felt coming. Well, today, metaphorically, it kinda blew the house down! In a good way. Sometimes one needs that. I do. We get too burdened, tired, weak, and often because we are out of balance, stagnant. Stress can also do that.

So it is good to shake things up a bit and see things with new eyes and a refreshed heart. Not in the sense of a vacation, but a deepening. As in re-connecting with one’s higher power, Buddha nature, “all-that-is,” each of us have a guiding spirit nature. Also to re-connect with Earth while recognizing again the “Primordial Ground of Being” we all share.

The whole world is out of balance, mostly because we are that way. We have forgotten who and what we are and we have forgotten all living things, as well as our Mother Earth. So I have been calling out for all sentient beings to awaken. And I am calling to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for help and healing. Finally, I am getting some knowing help is on the way, and change on its heels.

Since Wednesday is Dakini day I will do some retreat although I have appointments I must keep, I will spend as much time in prayer and meditation and chant as much as I possibly can. Wednesday is the perfect day to start, Sunday stop. But after that I will be focused on Dharma more than usual. It is time to put one’s body, speech and mind in order and open one’s heart to “the Way,” and to all creation. Anyone wishing to retreat at that same time will be helped and helpful. There is power in the prayers of those with pure intention especially when we all join together. I’ve been so happy to see so many join with us in Prayer at 7:00pm. Now let’s ramp it up a notch and rock the world with respect and love! You are invited! Please join!

Pride and Ego: Dangers on the Path

March 10, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

All karma is the culmination of various activities. Therefore sentient beings possess various types of karma. Whosoever believes that one’s actions do not produce specific causes and results maintains a nihilistic, atheistic view. At the moment of death rebirth will be taken in the lowest hell realm. Such a view is self-destructive and detrimental to others. ~ The Great Perfection: Buddha in the Palm of the Hand – Nam Cho Ngondro

In this view, one is unable to discern what to accept or what to reject, which is a necessity in practicing the path purely and with comprehension.

It is never possible for the maturation of karma to be deceptive. Whatever negative karma one accumulates does not ripen instantaneously like being pierced by a weapon. When the time of death arrives one’s negative karma will produce the result of whatever was caused. ~ The Great Perfection: Buddha in the Palm of the Hand – Nam Cho Ngondro

What is amazing in these times is that no one believes in cause and result. Not really. Even some Dharma students don’t grasp it. We all continue to revolve in the cycle of birth and death, yet do not ask why we cannot be free from this endless wandering. We think, I suppose, that enlightenment is instant, a piece of cake. And therefore one is no longer susceptible to these irrefutable laws. One is above it all. So it is the ego and pride that defeat one’s efforts. One simply does not have the power to walk the path of Dharma as it is.

Having failed that, then one makes up one’s own path and cannot see that there is a difference. Therefore, without the proper path one fails to attain, and lives under the delusion that one has already attained. This is the method for the destruction of the Dharma. And this is the destruction of purity and method. This will end the potency of the method eventually.

Do not abandon wholesome, pure Dharma! If one abandons pure Dharma, one will harm oneself, and be of no benefit whatsoever.

Start with Kindness: Cultivating Faith

December 16, 2011March 2, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

When we see His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings, I cannot help seeing how His Holiness loves all, respects all religions and faith, and gently insists our true responsibility and work is kindness, tolerance, loving spirit, ethics, compassion, etc. His Holiness also states that dogma is less important. Oddly, although I so love lineage for its unbroken method, I also teach exactly that. What I am truly adamant about is Bodhicitta, or compassion.

I am sad to see there are so many in every in every faith that don’t appreciate the value of starting the path with kindness. I’ve found if there is no compassion, no Bodhicitta, there is no progress to make. It is pride that stops us, allows us to claim progress when there clearly is none. Progress is indicated by change and developing good qualities. Yet we see blustering haters with huge egos insist their way is the only way, and having graced the praying world with their sermons for 30 years! 40! Sat at the feet of Who-ha and Ding-dong and found the religion they can live with. It suits their agenda. I can only imagine how much ego and pride it takes to do that. In faith, no one should ever have an agenda. What, you want to wear gold lame’ and your choice of the women or men? Or wear robes and be as ordinary as you please. Or dress like a farmer and insist that is your claim to correct view. Is this the “Kabuki Theatre” of faith? We show our progress by demonstrating our loving qualities and truthful method. Claiming you are the real deal while being the judge, jury and executioner does not qualify. That is hatred and ignorance. Opinions are only opinions and should never be considered truth. We must never rigidly adhere to that, particularly when there is no kindness and love.

I feel, for instance for Waylon at Elephant Journal and a former blogger. Here is a war that is so petty it would be funny if not true. $1.00 – a dollar- to keep the journal afloat. The ex-blogger takes up wars and takes this one as a cause. Like Waylon is not supposed to pay bills and keep it going. Ridiculous. Small minds love small things, my mom said. She was actually quite correct. What do you sleep in? Your own poo-poo? The leakage of your neurotic notions? Why not gain a good heart and healthy mind and altruism to benefit all sentient beings?

See, faith and love are not about you. You don’t own truth. And you are not entitled to spew your false view or nastiness all over others. We can see, if you do, how flawed your practice must be. No good results! Yet here the grand proselytizer continues to offer others their lack of wisdom – while whining and strutting. We call this the “king baby” syndrome. Baby needs his milk, and must be coddled. Oh, don’t argue. “King baby” is ruthless as he feels he is a “king” above all. In my heart it seems to me that when I bow it is to the Three Precious Jewels, my Root Lama, Lord Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava. Not to needy ordinary people with way too much to say, and no love to back it up. I will not bend my knee to judgment and hate. I do not honor the needs of “king baby.” He is ordinary and he is a useless fool. All about actual pride in the pain inflicted. But he doesn’t matter. You do! You have the Buddha seed, and still have the time to grow it well. How can I help? All my life is about helping. Tell me what I can do to guide your path.

Finding a New Well Within

February 24, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Things are splendid these days. And I am thrilled to be able to say so at last! We have endured some terrible times, to put it mildly. But now the light at the end of this tunnel is clearly visible.

Have any of you gone through horrible stuff that seems unending? It is hard to stay centered, hard to not be afraid, it is debilitating, ruins your health, etc. When the end can be seen it feels like liberation from chains and shackles being removed, although it really takes time to heal. I thought when some relief came I’d bounce right back. Not so. Takes time passing, medical help, counseling, learning to see yourself as whole, good, worthy, etc. I’m working on this, and I want to reach out to all and tell you if you are violated and attacked, your person or vocation, it will end. Nothing is permanent! You will recover! You can get help, emotional support, medical support, legal help, and you should nurture yourself, give yourself the love and self-respect you have lost. It is still in there somewhere, I believe.

As for myself I don’t feel I will ever the same. I will be well, but a different but it will have to be a new well. After so much hate and abuse it is not possible to be your “old self” again. It is damaged. So a new inner person must emerge. Again, it is still oneself. But changed. I feel, for me it will make me stronger. Must deal with bitterness, grief, rage, self hatred, feelings of betrayal, of being violated. That done we are free again to craft a good, wholesome, valuable life. One of benefit.

I want it all back, and will do all it takes to be well and real in every way! Thanks for listening!

This Precious Opportunity – What Causes Are You Creating?

February 17, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Sometimes I surf twitter to see what’s up, who is where and what is going on. It is really interesting to find new friends, people with similar interests or those with news.

There is one thing I have noticed and is fairly common. Here I see people who are amazingly rude or cruel, abusive. Then after that they turn around and whine about how people are mean to them. There seems to be no awareness of cause and effect. No thinking in full equations, or understanding “if this then that.”

Then, of course there are so many who “get it” but don’t live it and swear therefore that compassion and simple kindness is not helpful to them. It reminds me of people who practice Dharma and re-work the methods Buddha taught, and then cry when Dharma does not “work” for them. Or they remain unchanged, their minds hard as stone. I often wish to reach out and help them understand or show them how to apply method correctly. It doesn’t work though – most that practice like that have so much pride they cannot hear. So much ego-cherishing they don’t want to transform one bit. Yet they suffer due to their habit and qualities.

You see, if one is kind and generous, compassionate toward others, develops empathy, is humble – that will work if practiced long and well. Then the same kinds of good people are attracted to the kind practitioner. On the other hand if one has the habit of self-serving meanness with the intention to harm and hurt others you can bet your life that karma will play out in an exacting way. One will draw the same kind of people, mean spirited and self- serving. That is why people remain, then, unhappy with what they end up with in life. If one is harmful to others the karma ripens in the next life rather than this one; it is almost impossible to recognize the truth when someone is cruel to you. You earned it. Maybe this life, maybe in a future life it will appear with no warning or apparent reason. So it is necessary to practice Dharma correctly and to purify the defilements of mind, heart, and body. If not done there is no result, no true recognition of awakening as opposed to dream walking within one’s own mindstream, or karmic bubble, if you like. Still an ordinary sentient being caught in the net of Samsara.

Some think developing Bodhicitta is for beginners. Ridiculous and ignorant. Some think purifying inner poisons is only for those “less evolved” just Dharma nobodys – so beneath your “highness!” Could not be more wrong than that. It is a trap to avoid completely.

Compassion, or Bodhicitta, and Wisdom, or recognition and view are the two legs upon which Dharma stand. If one does not accomplish both there will be no precious awakening any time soon. These are the hallmarks of success in Dharma; this is recognition. This is what Buddha taught. And the Buddhas are those who have crossed the ocean of Samsara, and went to that other shore. At that time they return for our sake. EH MA HO!

You must work the path, as we never know when the opportunity will be taken away. Soon I’ll be offering Phowa for a young man who just died of a heart attack at age 20. 20 yrs old. So take this life, turn it around, practice Buddha Dharma well! It is your precious life, and the brass ring, the gold ring is the awakening. You have been given the teaching. Work out your Liberation for all our sakes!

Valentine’s Day Message: Not “Be Mine” – but “Be Yourself”

February 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Tomorrow is that day, Valentine. Most people think about romance. I will be having a “Happy Loner’s Day” instead. At this point in my life this is exactly as I want it.

This time of year lovely things do happen, weddings, engagements, romantic beginnings – roses and chocolate and the diamonds! Rings! Jewels! The funny thing is how these lovely heartfelt gifts have such a high price tag. It is the expectation part. The jewelry and gifts often are meant to brand your partner as yours. You wear the same rings, therefore – commitment. I believe in family and commitment in relationships – but not the branding kind.

I think it pays to contemplate this whole “romance” thing. Romance is fun. It is hormonal. We are wired to connect to the genes. Studies show compatible genetics are often paired or attracted to each other. It can be very compelling. In general, however, that compelling part doesn’t last. So more important than the ring is the friendship. Often when there is great passion it is difficult when it naturally ages into comfortable love. Maybe we forgot the friendship part. Or forgot to think what you both will do as friends when the bedroom is actually a place to sleep.

To honor a new, (or aging) love think about your partner with empathy and compassion. Try hard not to judge. Try not to make your lover over into your “creature” or creation. Learn about them rather than demanding from them. We are people, on this relative level. Not toys, or objects to complete someone’s world. Many lovers do not talk about goals; like will we have kids? Will we give them a faith that we can join? Will we support each other if the relationship changes? What about money? Will we help each other get ahead? And the signs, do we read them? Is my love selfish? Am I? What secret motivation does the partner have? What are mine? In other words, there is more to it than rings and roses. There are ever-deepening layers in which love lives, and in which it can grow.

As we celebrate the day for Lovers, remember love is not a toy. It is a path to travel with great respect joy, and compassion. And if you end up raising your family with your best friend, like two comfy old slippers, you are blessed. You two have grabbed the brass ring in love. Respect, love, understanding, that is the prize. Please consider this when you “Put a ring on it.” Look your love in the eye and promise a life of caring and a life of love. Happy Valentine’s Day to all. You know those candy hearts? NEW MESSAGE: not “Be mine.” “Be yourself.” LOVE.

Upholding the Dharma by Abandoning Gossip

February 5, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I am still being asked why I won’t comment on His Holiness the Karmapa’s situation given how Palyul and I were dragged through the filth of slander and lies. Given this was done as well to my Guru His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche, you all know I’m sure, the answer, again, is I hold myself to higher standards. My Guru taught me better. I have no wish to see any Vajrayana Lineage sullied; no wish to harm the Buddha Dharma in any way. The Dharma is far too noble and needed in the world.

Every level, teaching, given to us by the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas is beyond reproach because it came from the Buddha’s mind and enlightened intention. For an ordinary person to “comment” (which shows the ignorance of their minds) would be slapstick funny if it weren’t so tragic to the Dharma. What intention is that? The intention to feel worthwhile by stepping on Lamas and Buddhism in general? No, not me. This gossip and self cherishing is to be abandoned. Those that want to know what I think will then truck their little behinds somewhere else and ask “that” Lama for opinion. And will shop around until they like what they hear, even if they have to go to the sewers to get it. They will of course find what they want. There will always be ego-maniacs that will prostitute themselves for attention, to make a mark in the world, even if it is fingerprinting with shit on the Dharma.

Not me. I am here to bring truth, purity, view, wisdom and kindness. Not cruelty. Not lies. Not slander. Yes, I feel that I am above it. This kind of darkness brings religious hatred and wars. I will do everything within my rightful authority to prevent this at the cost of my very life. I would never do to another what was done to me and mine. I will never sink so low. I believe in ethics, respect, dignity and character. I would never slime anyone else’s Guru, as I know that the “Words of My Perfect Teacher” are spoken for all. Just as yours may speak perfectly for you, I will not dirty my nature nor stain my pure Lineage or the perfection of my Guru by kicking dirt on someone else. It would only harm others, and I would then be a whore.

None of my students can gossip or they have broken their samaya with me and with Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Don’t do it. Don’t spoil the pristine quality of the Buddha’s; of Guru Rinpoche’s extraordinary and powerful gift to all beings.

OM BENZAR SATO HUNG!

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.