Why do people lie, and what is the result? People lie because they are insecure, and their intention is at best to buoy themselves up or to pull others down. Often they feel they are unsuccessful, or haven’t had enough love, praise, etc. They feel the only way to break through is to break others down. In the end no one wins, least of all the liar. The liar gets the bad karma, the victim just gets hurt. What’s the point? There is no use.

Once a liar starts the lie, there is small chance that they will be able to turn it around. When one’s life, then becomes a web of lies it will occur not only now in this life, but the habit remains until it is purified. The work will remain to do until it is complete. Lies are wrong speech, meant to do harm and benefit only oneself. A liar can never be trusted until they purify.

Of course the bottom line is intention and compassion. If one lies continually there is no compassion. The intention is to harm others and distort or destroy truth. Lies can be debilitating. One develops a habit they cannot break and it eventually destroys them, ruins life after life and all wholesome happiness. A liar does not have Bodhicitta. They cannot attain enlightenment until the very habit is cleaned up.

The saddest thing about lying is that one eventually believes their own con, and then lifelong confusion results, a broken personality that lives in their own glass house, locked in a sea of relentless sickness. The more they lie the sicker they get. All to boost ego!!!

The jail house of their own making is all-pervasive. There is no love, no freedom, no comfort or happiness because the liar has only lied. That terrible weight will be theirs to bear alone. But there are no winners. That is because a seed rotten to the core cannot grow good fruit. And because we are all one in nature, everyone gets hurt. What a ridiculous way to live this short life. How senseless to live in one’s own lies. Like a baby condemned to live in its filthy diaper, no hope for change, and the pain never ends. So unnecessary when we have such great capacity! I choose love, life, a wholesome mind, pure speech, forgiveness and peace! And I wish you all the same.

Liars lie – let it go!

©Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo

Chime Tsog Thig

November 26, 2011December 18, 2010 by Holly

Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava — Guru Rinpoche and Consort Mandarava

Seven Line Prayer

HUNG – ORGYEN YUL GYI NUB JANG TSAM

On the northwest border of the country of Urgyen

PEDMA GESAR DONG PO LA

In the pollen heart of a lotus

YA TSEN CHOG GI NGODRUP NYE

Marvelous in the perfection of your attainment

PEDMA JUNG NE ZHE SU DRAG

You are known as Lotus Born

KOR DU KHANDRO MANG PO KOR

And are surrounded by your circle of Dakinis

KYED KYI JE SU DAG DRUP KYI

Following you I will practice

JIN GYI LOB CHIR SHEG SU SOL

I pray you, come and confer your Blessings.

GURU PEDMA SIDDHI HUNG!

(Not translatable. Sacred words)

Chime Tsog Thig Mantra

OM AH HUNG BENZAR GURU PEMA AYURJÑANA SIDDHI HUNG HRI

OM AMARANI DZIWEN TAYE SWAHA

The Chime Tsog Thig is a long-life practice of Amitayus and consort, Chendali, revealed by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche. This is the practice accomplished in Maratika cave by Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava. Mandarava was the first of five main consorts of Padmasambhava, Guru Rinpoche. Said to be an emanation of White Tara, she was born a Princess in the 8^th century in Northern India. At age 16, she and Padmasambhava together practiced in union in the cave of Maratika, fully realizing the longevity practices of Amitayus that had been hidden there as termas. The realization that came from this practice changed the course of spiritual history – making it possible to break the cycle of death & rebirth while in a human body. That practice, revealed by H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche, is known as “Chime Sog Thig.”

Tsawei Lama 2

November 26, 2011December 17, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Jetsunma greeting His Holiness Karma Kuchen

It’s raining now, but I can see
That soon the sun will be with me.
It’s pouring now, but I can tell
That soon the bliss will come, as well.

That kiss of sunlight, a warming spell
Reminds me that when darkness fell
It seemed I’d lost you for a while
But then the gift- your blessing smile.

I knew that it would take some time
That soon the glory that is your Mind
Will come again, and in a while
You will come as a precious child.

Oh, lead me swiftly to that day
When I can close my eyes and pray
When I will know in that secret way
He has come! He is here! The great display!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Unwind Obsessive Behavior

November 26, 2011December 15, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

If you can do nothing else, at least be kind and tolerant. You can do that. There is no excuse for being rude. Often, people are rude and hateful on twitter. I have pondered this for a while. I think it is that people hide behind computers, saying rude and terrible, hurting things because they cannot be seen. Even with skype, not the same. It is a kind of cowardice as one does not have to look their victim in the eye. To tweet, we may not be able to recognize them as human. Even if there are conversations, still we hide behind computer screens. This is both bad and good. We can use this format to connect and give info. Or it can be used to harm and hurt others. Why is that a pleasure to some? This hurting thing? Rage and obsession I think – he lack of ability to turn around and move on – fixation that one has no control over.

Now, I disagree. OCD can be treated with medicine and therapy. Another technique is Buddhist. The trick is to disassemble the whole thing. Of one is obsessed with a person, see them differently. Say, those lovely green eyes. Put them in your visualization in a glass of water. Their hair? How about the Christmas tree? What else do you like? Teeth? OK put them on a shelf. And those “special” parts? Oh, maybe the sink disposal. Then look at the mess and ask “where is this person? Glass? Shelf?” And which is the part I am obsessed with?”. As you can see, obsession is about conceptual proliferation. Common elements assembled by habit. And seen as real and solid. It isn’t about the object of obsession at all. It is habitual tendency. IF we recognize that we can change it with this technique.

We get obsessed with so many things! Cars, homes, mates, and also hearing oneself talk in a way that seems intelligent. Obsessed with sports (not as bad! Ha!) Clothing, anything. I am quite nearly obsessed with saving dogs. So we must ask: is this obsession reasonable? Wholesome? Does it contribute to society? Our planet? If not, if it goes contrary to the rules of society, let it go! What’s the point? There is absolutely no benefit. Stick with the good stuff- respect, kindness, health, spiritual growth. This is useful!

Now some people need medication and therapy to manage this, and something profound to fill their hearts and minds. Many times OCD is the substitute for something.

I feel it is good to stop demonizing psychiatric care. Be brave and honest. Get the medicine and treatment you need to be happy. And please do try and practice Dharma – Buddhism, face the illness and win! You can do this. You too can be happy! Just don’t fake it. And declare yourself superior to others. That is part of the illness. Delusion. You CAN overcome. Try compassion, love and respect, and you will be happy!

Refuge & Bodhisattva Vows

December 11, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Refuge Vow (Repeat 3 x)

I take refuge in the Lama,

I take refuge in the Buddha,

I take refuge in the Dharma,

I take refuge in the Sangha.

Bodhisattva Vow (Repeat 3 x)

I dedicate myself to the liberation and salvation of all sentient beings. I offer my body, speech, and mind in order to accomplish the purpose of all sentient beings. I will return in whatever form necessary, under extraordinary circumstances to end suffering. Let me be born in times unpredictable, in places unknown, until all sentient beings are liberated from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Taking no thought for my comfort or safety, precious Lama (Buddha), make of me a pure and perfect instrument by which the end of suffering and death in all forms might be realized. Let me achieve perfect enlightenment for the sake of all beings. And then, by my hand and heart alone, may all beings achieve full enlightenment and perfect liberation.

How to Make an Altar

December 6, 2010 by Holly

Learn how to make your own Buddhist altar. Special thanks to Ananda Robie for the production of this video.

Prayer to Be Reborn in Dewachen

December 4, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

The following is a musical offering by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Click on the link below to download the prayer

Prayer to Be Reborn in Dewachen

OM AH MI DHE WA HRI

CHOM DEN DE DE ZHIN SHEG PA DRA CHOM PA YANG DAG PAR

DZOG PA’I SANGYE GÖN PO ÖD PAG TU MED PA

LA CHAG TSHAL LO CHÖD DO KYAB SU CHI-O (Repeated)

To the Bhagavan, Tathagata, Arhat, Perfectly Completed Buddha, Protector of Infinite Light, I prostrate, offer, and go for refuge.

OM AH MI DHE WA HRI (Repeated)

My CrackBerry & Suffering!

November 26, 2011November 29, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

An excerpt from a teaching called the Eightfold Path by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

In the Four Noble truths, the Lord Buddha taught that all sentient beings are suffering. Even if there is temporary happiness, there is suffering in samsara and that the origin of suffering is attachment or desire.

I thought I would tell you about my Blackberry as an example of this. There is nothing inherent in this box that means suffering. There are wires and buttons, and a SIM chip in it. It even lights up and does funny things. The things I can do with this are just amazing. So there’s really no unhappiness with this, right? Wrong. I have become a Crackberry addict. Hi. My name is Jetsunma, and I’m an addict. From the first moment I got it; it’s been a joy and a horror at the same time. The joyful part is you could practically control the world from it or at least try to. The less than joyful part about it is that it will try to control you. And you cannot get a minute’s peace if you are carrying around your little computer, because emails are constantly coming. So it’s a mixed blessing, and I knew that desire had struck me.

It’s such a great Buddhist lesson because like I said, this gizmo’s great. There’s nothing wrong with it. It should not cause suffering. But I have these nightmares. I’ve actually had nightmares that I lost my Blackberry. And because of that I couldn’t call anybody, and I was somewhere where I didn’t know where I was, and I couldn’t call anybody to come get me, because once you have a Blackberry, you don’t remember any phone numbers. Everything’s on speed dial. That was my first dream.

My second dream was in a terrible situation. I couldn’t find my two dogs – my two heart children – Jada and Ewok. I couldn’t find them, and there was nobody around to help me look for them. And I’m thinking, “I’ve got to call for some help. I’ve got to call for some help.” Guess what? It was busted. So, there I was grieving about my dogs, and dying about my CrackBerry!

This is a perfect display of what the Buddha taught. The Buddha taught that it is attachment and desire that bring us suffering. Now, before I had this thing, I didn’t desire it. But once I got it, I’m all over it. I tell you, I’m an addict, and I’m going to do the steps. Because of attachment, I have fear that I’ll lose this thing. And I’m watching my mind do this. It is so absolutely essential to watch your mind when it plays those games and does those trips to you. It is so educational and so awe inspiring, because although obviously the Buddha wouldn’t have known about a BlackBerry, he knows the condition of my mind due to attachment and desire. I love the stuff this thing does. I can get weather from three different sources. I’m a real weather wonk. I can read news on my BlackBerry. But here I am with this very cool thing that is now causing me suffering.

Now it’s a silly example because most of us suffer from things a whole lot worse than losing a CrackBerry. I call it CrackBerry because that’s what it is. People suffer from more horrible things but it is a good example to show you that even something that’s a gift becomes a terrible burden when there’s too much attachment and too much desire. This is a silly example because I can put this thing down. In fact, I can throw it in a lake, and then it’s over. The suffering is ended. I can control that, but so many people have things that are happening in their lives that they have no control over, or at least they feel that they don’t. It seems as though things are happening from the outside. And because of what happens to us and because of what we are given and what we are programmed with, we develop these very strong attachments. If it’s to a person, it’s obvious. If it’s to a car, it’s obvious. If it’s to a BlackBerry, it’s obvious. If it’s to a house, it’s obvious. You know what the deal is there. But most of the time our desire is so mixed and so churning, that we can hardly see or hardly track our mind well enough to know what exactly is going on. And so as the Buddha taught, we tend to think that we are suffering because of circumstance when in fact we are suffering because of desire.

I invite you as we study the Four Noble truths and the Eightfold Path to begin to research your own mind. Begin to see, and watch yourself. Watch the way you perceive. Watch the way you think. Begin to learn from your own mind. You may be surprised. We don’t realize how attached and filled with desire we are even when we are trying to practice renunciation. And it takes examining the mind.

For instance, I could have said, “Well, this is a necessary evil. I have to have it because of my job, which I do. And I could blame it on outward circumstances, and say, “Oh poor me. I have to have this because of my job.” I could go round and round about it, but the truth of the matter is that it’s my own attachment. I was fine without it and I’ll be fine after it. It’s the attachment, it’s our reaction that sucks us in and makes us habituate.

I just wanted to mention that as part of the Four Noble Truths, to give an example of how the arising of suffering is the same as the arising of desire and attachment. That’s really what causes our suffering. Our own reaction. The good news about that is that we have some power. We have some control.

It’s hard to control your desire when knives are coming at you. But for the most part, that is not what people are suffering from. They are not suffering from knives coming at them. They are not suffering from something that’s so profound and so reactive and so immediate that they have no time even to even things out.

We have a marvelous capacity to watch our own minds, and this is unique to humanity. In none of the other six realms of cyclic existence, except for the human realm and only under certain karmic conditions, is there the capacity to watch one’s own mind and to practice and awaken, and to accumulate merit most of all. There is simply no way in any of the other realms. And that’s why being a human is a precious rebirth, and worth more than you could ever assemble in a hundred lifetimes in terms of material goods, because of what is capable, what is possible here by following the Eightfold Path and using our minds to sever the sickness and narcotic of desire and attachment.

Thanksgiving Message

November 25, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo (@jalpalyul) on November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! Whatever your life is like, let’s take this time together in gratitude for all the blessings we have. Even if this year has been difficult, still let’s leave trouble at the front door and celebrate the good with family and friends!

Thanksgiving really isn’t about food. It is about learning to live together in community and kindness, to respect one another, and share bounty. I pray we all feel connected in unity and love, and come to realize we are one essence, non-dual, always.