A sacred space for everyone
The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
If weary, sick or sad, come to the KPC Stupas and rest and pray. Leave an offering to say “I was here!”.
Stupas are meant to heal suffering, bring peace, balance, strengthen one’s path. Come see for yourself.
I wish I had funds to build Stupas all along the Pacific Rim. They would heal, balance, purify the Earth.
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo All rights reserved
From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo originally tweeted on April 21, 2011:
For the last two to three days I’ve felt a change in the wind. As some of you know I have taken time off to heal. In these last days I realize I have not worked so hard at it. But I’ve been reading about people who have had similar challenges and have broken through into better balance. And they seem happy and engaged. The stories of how their lives are remind me so much of my own, and their beginnings seem to be like mine. I feel very inspired by these courageous Tribal people, yet I also feel guilty, and disappointed in myself. I see that I have been waiting for something, someone to heal and re-inspire me, unconsciously. For this I am ashamed, for I myself have allowed my mind to fall into a disempowered state. The last three to four years have been devastating and I’ve let myself down by letting them take my confidence, courage, hope. I see that I have begun to feel that I cannot help others, have no strength to do so. I have allowed fear to rule my life. And I’ve been keeping this to myself, just waiting for the cure. How ridiculous! There is healing all around. But I did not reach for it, I just let others decide if I was worth anything or not. For some reason my mind is like a mirror, I absorb what others tell/show me about myself. When with my Lineage and teacher I feel good. But around gossip and hurt, negativity, being put down constantly by ordinary view – it just knocks me to the ground.
I have, as you know, also been greatly concerned with the condition of our Earth Mother, and the rampant poisoning of her precious body. So I call out night and day for her relief from suffering, and for all her children. But have not done one thing to help myself. Therefore I’ve let not only myself, but all creation down. I am deeply ashamed. I am working now to see what can be done for me.
Since my guru Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche found and recognized me, and well before, I saw how much people were suffering, mostly spiritually. So even as a teenager I tried to help others. And others were drawn naturally to come to me. After the recognition I understood why and took off with my feet already running. That was, sadly late in life, I was a mother, etc, so I could not just run off to India, although I did go to be taught, and many teachers have come to teach me Buddha Dharma. I never learned how to nurture myself. So when others knock me down I have a hard time getting back up. Maybe because of my ugly childhood, but I only blame myself.
I worry about others, and must help in my intended way. I am seeing that we are connected to Earth and it matters very much that we take care of ourselves and each other. We think the Japanese radiation is ruining Earth or maybe pollution, so many things are happening. But here is the truth: we live in and on the Earth, our Mother and the Earth also lives within us! As do the Sun, Moon, Stars, all elements! We live within each other, and are one human family. So how can Japan’s problems happen? War? Pollution? Because we feel separate from it all and each other. We even become separated from our own minds and hearts. A shame we were taught badly by teachers with nothing but ordinary view, but we have. Thus we must seek connection, wisdom and truth. I’m going to use what I have been given, and seek more. I must lead myself out of this sorrow, and keep on learning and growing. Oh, true, I’ve built the Temple, a bunch of powerful Stupas, taught a lot. But I’m not dead yet, so I cannot let fear rule. It is compassion, responsibility, connection I must go to, to pacify this hard time. How? I don’t know yet. But there is a change in the wind, I feel it, hear it, smell it and feel I can trust it. Come with me, we all need to learn, search, pray, and love. Because a new wind is coming. And I feel it. Kye HO!
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SO HA!
OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. All rights reserved
The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
Greetings all from Poolesville Md where it is steamy and humid. All is well at KPC we are getting ready to make repairs and maintain Stupas. We will of course go to Palyul Retreat but there is fund raising and prep to do. And land clearing, taming the beast across the Temple.
Seems we are happiest working together as a family. Anyone wishing to give or help should watch here for how to get together.
We are busy these days and there is plenty to do. Members need to keep informed and responsible, and helping new people. Any Buddhist wanna dance?
Many miracles happen by the Stupa, healing, help with prosperity, we have many stories and testimonials as well.
To live long and well one must have merit. A good way to make some is by giving and helping with building and repair, and practicing near the Stupa.
I went to the Stupa yesterday and saw the need for repair and upkeep. I made offerings, and today I feel better than I have. My body craves rest and my Gurus demand it, so I’m working on resting. (Joke, haha) and saw “Avatar” again, and remembered that we are doing the same to this planet (see director’s cut) and we need Stupas more than ever. Worldwide.
We need help with our Sedona Stupa too. Always.
Stupas are curative for the land and balancing as well. They will help.
Stand up!
See also: The Benefits of Building and Sponsoring a Stupa
Incalculable Benefit of Stupas by Lama Zopa
Blessings of a Stupa by Tulku Sang Ngag Rinpoche
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo All rights reserved.
The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
I just watched some program on TV about sociopathic criminals and killers. Fascinating stuff. They do not know their crimes are wrong.
The killers, particularly, do not have empathy, thinking they are entitled to murder. They identify all people to be “less” than them. And their victim’s pain is pleasure to them, sometimes even erotic. They fixate, and cannot disengage unless there is a new victim. They may obsess over the victim until their “personality” totally unravels and they cannot control their rage.
Some have awful childhoods, though not all. There is a genetic component. They also cannot cope with feelings inside them. It is all directed outward, toward certain types, race, religion, or the world at large. Facts don’t influence them, they construct their own.
Fascinating how different they are from the norm of society. Really interesting stuff, the interviewer was a retired FBI special agent. She was impressive, knew how to manage the prisoner to avoid agitation and was skillful.
I’m still scratching my head, because many who also have had childhood trauma manage to work it out. They do not abuse others but they do suffer. But they do the inner “work” and grow to care for others. That’s how they fix it. They work it until they can make a medicine, an antidote. They flush the hate and live with compassion and love.
© copyright Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo All rights reserved.
The following is an excerpt from a translation by Sarah Harding:
Short homage to Buddha Men’a:
CHOM DEN DEY
I bow before
DE ZHIN SHEK PA
The Vanquisher, Tathagata
DRA CHOM PAR
Conqueror of enemies,
YANG DAG PAR
Completely pure and
DZOK PAY SANGYE
Perfect Buddha
MEN GYI LA
Menla,
BHE DUR YA
King of Lapis Lazuli
ÖD KYI GYAL PO LA
Radiance
CHAG TSAL LO
MI GYUR LHUN PO KU YI TRA SHI SHOG
YEN LAK DRUG CHU SUNG GI TRA SHI SHOG
THA DEY DRAL MED THUK KYI TRA SHI SHOG
GYAL WEI KU SUNG THUK KYI TRA SHI SHOG
NE DIR NYIN MO DE LEK TSEN DE LEK
NYIN TSHEN TAG TU DE LEK PA
KÖN CHOK SUM GYI TRA SHI SHOK
TON PA JIG TEN KHAM SU JÖN PA DANG
TEN DZIN BU LOB GEDÜN THÜN PA YI
TEN PA YÜN RING NEY PEY TRA SHI SHOG
Medicine Buddha Technique
1. Be relaxed and comfortable. Do the muscle relaxing technique.
2. Check for five emotions that will cause distractions:
3. Decide what you want to accomplish, for yourself and for all sentient beings:
4. Construct the type of Medicine Buddha you need, the Buddha you need, the Buddha holding a plant in the right hand and a bowl of nectar in the left. For physical problems, the plant symbolizes curative medicine, the bowl preventative medicine. For psychological or spiritual issues, they represent wisdom and compassion, respectively.
5. Visualize the Doctor, holding the symbols, four feet in front of you.
6. Visualize the problem: ask permission to activate the practice.
7. The Medicine Buddha receives healing power (white light) from all trained sentient beings. Rays of light beam from the Medicine Buddha’s heart to the crown of your head. Breathe in white light and breathe out the problem, three times.
8. When you are cleansed, gain confidence in your own healing ability; reduce your dependence on an external deity. You will feel a sense of accomplishment independent of an external deity; hold that feeling as long as possible. Recite the mantra:
TAYATHA OM BEKAZHAI
BEKAZHAI MAHA BEKAZHAI RADZA SAMUGHATAI SOHA
From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
Happy Mother’s day to all motherly sentient beings! Here in Barnesville it is a beautiful day for Moms to enjoy, and I’m also praying for Mother Earth, in my mind I wrap silken brocade around Her and hold Her deeply in my heart in love and healing. I wish I could gift Her with a planetary awakening to Her nature and Her preciousness! Perhaps the time is coming. Keep praying!
So Happy Mother’s Day to all!
OM MANI PEDME HUNG!
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. All rights reserved
From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
I am beginning to see that in order to heal from three years of trauma, it is necessary to forgive oneself for allowing it. For being gullible, a total “chump” if you will. I can now see I am angry at myself for not seeing through the game from the first. I see the best in people, to a fault, I think. I just never expect people to be evil and cruel. Or, conversely, do sense wrongdoers but think I deserve to hurt. Once I see it all and forgive me, I can forgive them, I am still working hard on that.
I actually find forgiving the hurters easier than forgiving myself! But without nurturing and forgiving myself, forgiving others will be shallow and weak. I don’t want that. When we (my peeps) and I walk away I pray it will be clean, loving, compassionate, and strong, knowing a disaster has been corrected. Motivation is everything; and I know it is, has been, and always will be pure, to protect Dharma, Palyul, virtue and in general all sentient beings from harm.
So as I study the situation it is very hard. Hard truth to face. Nothing requires more strength than confronting one’s own weaknesses. Nothing is dumber than to blame the hurters without taking into account all sides and factors. I always said about this event that I can forgive but never forget. Not good enough! My wish is to bring this into my practice so thoroughly that I can forgive and forget. To feel innocent again, renewed and confident. I know I will never be the same. Never, too much damage. But maybe I will like and trust this newly empowered “me” I intend to give rise to. And maybe I’ll be older, wiser, etc. I think it is possible for all of us. I hope whatever has happened and will happen here will be of benefit to all who are hurt and alone. I’m on my way now, and others, I hope will follow, and heal.
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. All rights reserved
From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
I have always ground my teeth since childhood. Called Bruxism, especially at night. Last three years it has been out of control even with medicine. I use a night guard, and got caps. Now caps are chipping and abscessing.
Last few years have been unbearable stress, had a threatening stalker, causing so much pain and fear. Now I’ll have to find a way to fix them all. My psychological and physical health are profoundly wrecked as well. And when I feel a wreck the people around feel they are suffering as I normally look after them. Tough here right now.
I want to look after my health so I can go on with my vocation. But I feel like I’m climbing a steep mountain from the very bottom. I haven’t seen a proper doctor for three to four years. The stalker had me too fearful to do anything and I feel awful about it. My students have watched their “Alpha Leader” go down, and so have I seen my own weakness. I’m working to get it all back, and at least I can get to appointments without fear. So if this treatment takes a long time, so be it. Payback for my dumb old fear. At least I’m on track! I am going to beat this thing, and I am so grateful for the courage returning, and the opportunity. Just wish it hadn’t taken so long.
And I wish authorities would take such life destroying stalking behavior seriously, much quicker. Now we wait until lives are ruined.
I pray for all women who are harmed because they are women who have succeeded in life.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA!
OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!
Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. All rights reserved