May whoever harms my body and life
Have a long life, with no illnesss or enemies,
And having overcome all obstacles on the path,
Swiftly attain the Dharmakaya, free of birth and death.
If this illusory body, which I cling to as mine, is sick: let it be sick!
This sickness enables me to exhaust
the bad karma I have accumulated in the past,
And the spiritual deeds I can then perform
Help me purify the two kinds of veils.
If I am in good health, I am happy,
Because when my body and mind are well
I can enhance my spiritual practice,
And give real meaning to human existence
By turning my body, speech and mind to virtue.
If I am poor, I am happy,
Because I've no wealth to protect,
And I know that all feuds and animosity
Sprout from the seeds of greed and attachment.
If I am rich, I am happy,
Because with my wealth I can do more positive actions,
and both temporal and ultimate happiness
are the result of meritorious deeds.
If I die soon, that's excellent,
Because , assisted by some good potential,
I am confident that
I shall enter the unmistaken path
Before any obstacle can intervene.
If I live long, I am happy,
Because without parting from the warm beneficial
rain of spiritual instructions
I can over a long time, fully ripen
The crop of inner experiences.
Therefore whatever happens, I shall be happy.
Gyalse Ngulchu Thogme.
May 31, 2009
May 30, 2009
Science of mind. How does the enlightened mind exist?
When we talk of the luminosity, clarity and awareness as being innate qualities of mind and at the same time stating that these are dependently originated, one should understand that the mind's qualities are not consciously created or deliberately constructed but rather are given aspects of mind.
The meaning that they are dependently originated is that they are not static, not permanent but they are processes in the sense that from one instance to another, they change.
They are momentary in the sense that the earlier moment gives rise to the later moment. They are in dynamic process.
At the same time there is mentioned in some texts of these innate qualities of mind: not produced by causes and conditions.
Here we must bear in mind what is meant by this.
Because the innate qualities of mind are not a product of circumstantial conditions, they are in that sense not produced, in that sense not products!
But if we look at it from another point of view because they are processes they are momentarily changing.
They are composed of various instances and from this point of view, they can be viewed as dependently originated and view as products of causes and conditions.
We must bear in mind what is the meaning of certain terms used in particular context:
-Sometimes permanence is defined in terms of never ending continuum.
In this sense these innate qualities of mind can be said to be permanent as in terms of their continuum they are beginningless and endless.
-From another point of view as they are processes they are composed of instances they can not be taken as permanent entities but rather impermanent and transitory.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The meaning that they are dependently originated is that they are not static, not permanent but they are processes in the sense that from one instance to another, they change.
They are momentary in the sense that the earlier moment gives rise to the later moment. They are in dynamic process.
At the same time there is mentioned in some texts of these innate qualities of mind: not produced by causes and conditions.
Here we must bear in mind what is meant by this.
Because the innate qualities of mind are not a product of circumstantial conditions, they are in that sense not produced, in that sense not products!
But if we look at it from another point of view because they are processes they are momentarily changing.
They are composed of various instances and from this point of view, they can be viewed as dependently originated and view as products of causes and conditions.
We must bear in mind what is the meaning of certain terms used in particular context:
-Sometimes permanence is defined in terms of never ending continuum.
In this sense these innate qualities of mind can be said to be permanent as in terms of their continuum they are beginningless and endless.
-From another point of view as they are processes they are composed of instances they can not be taken as permanent entities but rather impermanent and transitory.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
making the cat happy, makes me happy.
If I clap my hands, sudden, sharp.
lots of petting, love, stroking and holding.
Attention!
ommanipadmehung spoken!
then create focus for the cat.
Then, simple happiness for my self and that cat.
as it runs off, to its feed bowl.
Connection is made, happy connection, fear is gone, no matter how simple or small.
Om mani padme hung
A happy cat, future life happier.
A nasty cat, future life nastier.
be careful, mindful.
even from small things.
Sherab
If I clap my hands, sudden, sharp.
lots of petting, love, stroking and holding.
Attention!
ommanipadmehung spoken!
then create focus for the cat.
Then, simple happiness for my self and that cat.
as it runs off, to its feed bowl.
Connection is made, happy connection, fear is gone, no matter how simple or small.
Om mani padme hung
A happy cat, future life happier.
A nasty cat, future life nastier.
be careful, mindful.
even from small things.
Sherab
May 28, 2009
Massive pig slaughter in Egypt
As far as I know, the order to kill 300,000 pigs in Egypt as a preventative measure to stop the spread of the swine flu, is still being carried out. There are still no reported cases of the pandemic in the country. A Youtube video came out earlier this month showing pigs being slaughtered in horrendous ways, and the video caused a great outrage. The gruesome footage shows pigs being beaten with iron bars, piglets stabbed, and animals being kicked alive into bulldozer buckets. I extend much metta to the animals, and I'm providing a link to sign a petition to stop this madness.
Dedication Prayer
I think this dedication prayer is lovely. I think it would be appropriate after the completion of any sadhana or even a wholesome deed.
By this virtue may I soon
reach a Guru-Buddha-state,
and lead each and every being
to that state of Buddhahood.May the precious Bodhicitta
not yet born, arise and grow
may that born have no decline
but increase forever more.In all my rebirths may I never be separated from perfect spiritual masters
and enjoy the magnificent Dharma.
Completing all qualities of the stages and paths,
May I quickly achieve the state of Vajradhara.May anyone who merely sees or hears,
remembers, touches or talks to me,
be instantly freed from all sufferings
and abide in happiness forever.It is only from the kindness of my Guru
that I have met the peerless teachings of the Buddha.
Thus, I dedicate all merit so that all sentient beings in the future
may be guided by kind and holy Gurus.Until cyclic existence ends,
may the beneficial teachings not be blown away by the wind of superstitions.
May the entire world be filled
with people who have undersdtood and found firm faith in the true teachings.Day and night, may I pass the time
thinking and examining by what means
these teachings can spread
in the minds of myself and others.May all sentient beings - who have all been my mother and father - be completely happy,
and may the lower realms be forever empty.
May all the prayers of the bodhisattvas, wherever they live,
be immediately fulfilled.May the glorious gurus live long,
and may all beings throughout limitless space have happiness.
By purifying our defilements and accumulating positive potential,
may I and all others be inspired to attain Buddhahood quickly.May I never develop, even a moment,
wrong views towards the deeds of my glorious Gurus.
With respect and devotion, by seeing whatever actions they do as pure,
may the guru's inspiration flow into my mind.In whatever way you appear, O glorious Guru,
whatever your retinue, ifespan and pure-land,
whatever your name, most noble and holy,
may I and all others attain only these.In order to follow the excellent examples
set by the wisdom of the bodhisattva Manjushri
and the always sublime Samantabhadra,
I dedicate all virtues to their peerless ideals.All conquerors of the three times
have praised this peerless dedication as sublime.
Therefore, I also surrender all roots of my activities
to the sublime goals of a bodhisattva.
Namo Amitabha
Praise To Amitabha Buddha
The Amitabha Buddha's body is the colour gold.
The splendour of his brilliant light is beyond mind.
The light of his brows illuminates a hundred worlds.
His eyes are pure brilliant light, limitless like the oceans.
In Amitabha's realm of infinite light, all beings are transformed
And Enlightened into countless Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.
His Forty Eight Vows ensure our liberation
In Nine Lotus Stages we reach the ultimate shore of Enlightenment.
Homage to the Buddha of the Pure Land,
Compassionate Amitabha Buddha.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
The Amitabha Buddha's body is the colour gold.
The splendour of his brilliant light is beyond mind.
The light of his brows illuminates a hundred worlds.
His eyes are pure brilliant light, limitless like the oceans.
In Amitabha's realm of infinite light, all beings are transformed
And Enlightened into countless Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.
His Forty Eight Vows ensure our liberation
In Nine Lotus Stages we reach the ultimate shore of Enlightenment.
Homage to the Buddha of the Pure Land,
Compassionate Amitabha Buddha.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
The Dharma is Alive
Sometimes I find that interactions with people remind me that the dharma is a living, breathing entity. I received a remarkably kind message from a dhamma practitioner for whom I have admiration. The words not only described my mind-situation perfectly, but incorporated a show of tremendous compassion and teachings of the Tathagata.
It's people like this who keep the dharma alive. When someone makes the decision to help another with no personal gain in mind, when they hear the cry of suffering and feel compelled to respond, that is living dharma.
"Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely acts for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition expresses the activity of Chenrezig."--Bokar Rinpoche
It's people like this who keep the dharma alive. When someone makes the decision to help another with no personal gain in mind, when they hear the cry of suffering and feel compelled to respond, that is living dharma.
"Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely acts for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition expresses the activity of Chenrezig."--Bokar Rinpoche
Body, speech and mind.
Padampa Sangye:
To apply yourself with body, speech and mind to the sacred teachings, is the best you can do.
Through the unfailing process of cause and effect, our acts, our words and our thoughts determine the happiness or the suffering that we will experience. The choice is clear.
To focus on teaching of a compassionated master, will realize that wordly distractions and preoccupations are holding you prisoner in samsara. And a great joy and a wish to free yourself will fill your being.
A sutra says: The body is the boat that can lead you to the shore of liberations.
The body is the stone that can make you sink into the abysses of samsara.
The body is the servant of vice of virtue.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche:
Just as a pure crystal refracts the color of whatever it is placed on, your acts become negative or positive according to your intention. Therefore direct your acts, words and thoughts towards the Dharma.
To apply yourself with body, speech and mind to the sacred teachings, is the best you can do.
Through the unfailing process of cause and effect, our acts, our words and our thoughts determine the happiness or the suffering that we will experience. The choice is clear.
To focus on teaching of a compassionated master, will realize that wordly distractions and preoccupations are holding you prisoner in samsara. And a great joy and a wish to free yourself will fill your being.
A sutra says: The body is the boat that can lead you to the shore of liberations.
The body is the stone that can make you sink into the abysses of samsara.
The body is the servant of vice of virtue.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche:
Just as a pure crystal refracts the color of whatever it is placed on, your acts become negative or positive according to your intention. Therefore direct your acts, words and thoughts towards the Dharma.
Self Deception
We cannot escape the three worlds by clever self deception,
but by leaving things just as they are,
uncontrived and relaxed,
neither samsara nor nirvana can hold us.
Longchen Rabjampa
Treasury of Natural Perfection.
but by leaving things just as they are,
uncontrived and relaxed,
neither samsara nor nirvana can hold us.
Longchen Rabjampa
Treasury of Natural Perfection.
May 27, 2009
The Heart Sutra
| Heart Sutra Prajna-paramita Sutra The Heart of Wisdom This is what I once heard at the time the Blessed One was seated on Vulture’s Peak in Rajagriha with a huge congregation of the exalted community of Bhikshus and Bodhisattvas. At that time the Blessed One was dwelling in the meditation called “Profound Vision.” At that time, also, the great Bodhisattva, the heroic being, Arya Avalokiteshvara, while reviewing the profound characteristics of the Prajña-paramita reviewed also the natural voidness of the five aggregates. Then the elder Shariputra, moved by the power of the Buddha, addressed Arya Avalokiteshvara with these words: “How should a son or a daughter of a good family who wishes to perform the profound practice of the Prajña-paramita train themselves?” The Great Being, the Bodhisattva Arya Avalokiteshvara replied this to Sharadvatiputra, “Shariputra! That son or daughter of a good family who wishes to perform the profound practice of the Prajña-paramita should first rightly see that all the aggregates, by their very nature, are void. Form is void. Voidness is form. Voidness is not other than form nor is form other than voidness. So, too, all feelings, perceptions, impulses, and consciousness are void. Shariputra! In the same way all dharmas are empty, devoid of characteristics, unborn, unstopped, unsullied, unpurified, undecreased, and unfilled. Therefore, Shariputra, in voidness there is no form, no feeling, no perception, no impulses, no consciousness, no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no form, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no dharmas. There is no element of eye, and so on through the element of mind and the element of mental consciousness. There is no ignorance, no elimination of ignorance; no death and decay and no elimination of death and decay. There is no pain, no origin, no cessation, no path; no wisdom, no attainment, no non-attainment. Shariputra, because nothing is really obtained, all Bodhisattvas who have no fear rely on and dwell in Prajña-paramita, for they have no mental obscurations. They are perfectly liberated and have gone completely beyond deception. Relying on Prajña-paramita, all the Buddhas of the three times are completely enlightened to that unsurpassable, pure, and perfect enlightenment. Therefore the mantra of Prajña-paramita, the mantra of great awareness, the unsurpassable mantra, the mantra that equalizes all unequal things, and the mantra that fully allays all pains, should because it is not false, be known as truth. The mantra of Prajña-paramita is spoken thus: TADYATHA: GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SVAHA! Shariputra! In this way great Bodhisattvas, heroic beings should train in the profound Prajña-paramita.” Then the Blessed One arose from that meditation called “Profound Vision” and spoke to the great Bodhisattva, the heroic being Arya Avalokiteshvara: “Well said, Noble Son, well said! It is just so. One should practice Prajña-paramita as you have taught and all the Tathagatas will rejoice.” When the Blessed One had spoken thus, the elder Sharadvatiputra and the Bodhisattva, the great being, Arya Avalokiteshvara, together with all that assembly of gods, as well as humans, demi-gods and gandharvas joyfully praised the words of the Blessed One. |
Advice Revealing How Our Faults Become Clear by Nyala Pema Duddul
Namo guru!
I prostrate to the accomplished vidyadhara guru—
Bless me so that my mind’s five poisons are brought onto the path!
Whether the darkness of delusion has been eliminated
Is clear whenever we lie down to sleep at night.
Whether the flames of anger have been extinguished
Is clear whenever we’re struck by words of abuse.
Whether the mountain of arrogance has been levelled
Is clear whenever we’re honoured by those of lesser learning.
Whether the lake of desire has dried up and disappeared
Is clear whenever we spend time with a beautiful girl.
Whether the tornado of envy has been brought to an end
Is clear whenever our rivals gain the upper hand.
Whether the tight knot of stinginess has been loosened
Is clear whenever we gain some material wealth.
Whether the flower of discipline has blossomed
Is clear whenever we’re in the midst of common folk.
Whether we have donned the armour of patience
Is clear whenever adversity strikes all of a sudden.
Whether the steed of diligence has developed to its finest
Is clear whenever we set about accomplishing some virtuous deed.
Whether the fortress of meditation has been secured
Is clear whenever serious illness befalls us.
And whether the sword of wisdom has been sharpened
Is clear whenever the destructive emotions arise and unfold.
This teaching on how our faults become clear,
Was composed by the old beggar called Duddul,
In response to requests from many students.
Through the merit of this may all beings become entirely devoid of faults!
I prostrate to the accomplished vidyadhara guru—
Bless me so that my mind’s five poisons are brought onto the path!
Whether the darkness of delusion has been eliminated
Is clear whenever we lie down to sleep at night.
Whether the flames of anger have been extinguished
Is clear whenever we’re struck by words of abuse.
Whether the mountain of arrogance has been levelled
Is clear whenever we’re honoured by those of lesser learning.
Whether the lake of desire has dried up and disappeared
Is clear whenever we spend time with a beautiful girl.
Whether the tornado of envy has been brought to an end
Is clear whenever our rivals gain the upper hand.
Whether the tight knot of stinginess has been loosened
Is clear whenever we gain some material wealth.
Whether the flower of discipline has blossomed
Is clear whenever we’re in the midst of common folk.
Whether we have donned the armour of patience
Is clear whenever adversity strikes all of a sudden.
Whether the steed of diligence has developed to its finest
Is clear whenever we set about accomplishing some virtuous deed.
Whether the fortress of meditation has been secured
Is clear whenever serious illness befalls us.
And whether the sword of wisdom has been sharpened
Is clear whenever the destructive emotions arise and unfold.
This teaching on how our faults become clear,
Was composed by the old beggar called Duddul,
In response to requests from many students.
Through the merit of this may all beings become entirely devoid of faults!
May 26, 2009
Present Perfect
I find that it’s very easy for me to get caught up in ruminating about the past, feeling regrets, etc. I ran across this passage and thought I would share it.
"Present Perfect"
Recognizing that past turmoil and future rhapsodies are projections of our mind prevents us from getting stuck in them. Just as the face in the mirror is not a real face, the objects of our memories and daydreams are likewise unreal. They are not happening now; they are simply mental images flickering in the mind.
Reflecting on the value of our precious human life also minimizes our habit of ruminDaating. Our wondrous potential becomes clear, and the rarity and value of the present opportunity shines forth. Who wants to ruminate about the past and future when we can do so much good and progress spiritually in the present.
–Thubten Chodron, from Taming the Mind (Snow Lion)
Hello World
Hello world!
We are a group of four, coming from a web forum called The Buddhist Lounge. After about six months of running the site we reached the conclusion that we no longer wanted to maintain a public forum. Instead, we’ve chosen to get together to create a group blog. We are all Buddhists in the Vajrayana tradition, making our way along the path.
I’m Ngawang, and I’ll let Sherab, Dorje, and Muni introduce themselves.
May this blog be a haven for the triple gem to flourish!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Complete acceptance.
>> May 31, 2009
May whoever harms my body and life
Have a long life, with no illnesss or enemies,
And having overcome all obstacles on the path,
Swiftly attain the Dharmakaya, free of birth and death.
If this illusory body, which I cling to as mine, is sick: let it be sick!
This sickness enables me to exhaust
the bad karma I have accumulated in the past,
And the spiritual deeds I can then perform
Help me purify the two kinds of veils.
If I am in good health, I am happy,
Because when my body and mind are well
I can enhance my spiritual practice,
And give real meaning to human existence
By turning my body, speech and mind to virtue.
If I am poor, I am happy,
Because I've no wealth to protect,
And I know that all feuds and animosity
Sprout from the seeds of greed and attachment.
If I am rich, I am happy,
Because with my wealth I can do more positive actions,
and both temporal and ultimate happiness
are the result of meritorious deeds.
If I die soon, that's excellent,
Because , assisted by some good potential,
I am confident that
I shall enter the unmistaken path
Before any obstacle can intervene.
If I live long, I am happy,
Because without parting from the warm beneficial
rain of spiritual instructions
I can over a long time, fully ripen
The crop of inner experiences.
Therefore whatever happens, I shall be happy.
Gyalse Ngulchu Thogme.
Science of mind. How does the enlightened mind exist?
>> May 30, 2009
When we talk of the luminosity, clarity and awareness as being innate qualities of mind and at the same time stating that these are dependently originated, one should understand that the mind's qualities are not consciously created or deliberately constructed but rather are given aspects of mind.
The meaning that they are dependently originated is that they are not static, not permanent but they are processes in the sense that from one instance to another, they change.
They are momentary in the sense that the earlier moment gives rise to the later moment. They are in dynamic process.
At the same time there is mentioned in some texts of these innate qualities of mind: not produced by causes and conditions.
Here we must bear in mind what is meant by this.
Because the innate qualities of mind are not a product of circumstantial conditions, they are in that sense not produced, in that sense not products!
But if we look at it from another point of view because they are processes they are momentarily changing.
They are composed of various instances and from this point of view, they can be viewed as dependently originated and view as products of causes and conditions.
We must bear in mind what is the meaning of certain terms used in particular context:
-Sometimes permanence is defined in terms of never ending continuum.
In this sense these innate qualities of mind can be said to be permanent as in terms of their continuum they are beginningless and endless.
-From another point of view as they are processes they are composed of instances they can not be taken as permanent entities but rather impermanent and transitory.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
making the cat happy, makes me happy.
If I clap my hands, sudden, sharp.
lots of petting, love, stroking and holding.
Attention!
ommanipadmehung spoken!
then create focus for the cat.
Then, simple happiness for my self and that cat.
as it runs off, to its feed bowl.
Connection is made, happy connection, fear is gone, no matter how simple or small.
Om mani padme hung
A happy cat, future life happier.
A nasty cat, future life nastier.
be careful, mindful.
even from small things.
Sherab
Massive pig slaughter in Egypt
>> May 28, 2009
As far as I know, the order to kill 300,000 pigs in Egypt as a preventative measure to stop the spread of the swine flu, is still being carried out. There are still no reported cases of the pandemic in the country. A Youtube video came out earlier this month showing pigs being slaughtered in horrendous ways, and the video caused a great outrage. The gruesome footage shows pigs being beaten with iron bars, piglets stabbed, and animals being kicked alive into bulldozer buckets. I extend much metta to the animals, and I'm providing a link to sign a petition to stop this madness.
Read more...Dedication Prayer
I think this dedication prayer is lovely. I think it would be appropriate after the completion of any sadhana or even a wholesome deed.
By this virtue may I soonRead more...
reach a Guru-Buddha-state,
and lead each and every being
to that state of Buddhahood.May the precious Bodhicitta
not yet born, arise and grow
may that born have no decline
but increase forever more.In all my rebirths may I never be separated from perfect spiritual masters
and enjoy the magnificent Dharma.
Completing all qualities of the stages and paths,
May I quickly achieve the state of Vajradhara.May anyone who merely sees or hears,
remembers, touches or talks to me,
be instantly freed from all sufferings
and abide in happiness forever.It is only from the kindness of my Guru
that I have met the peerless teachings of the Buddha.
Thus, I dedicate all merit so that all sentient beings in the future
may be guided by kind and holy Gurus.Until cyclic existence ends,
may the beneficial teachings not be blown away by the wind of superstitions.
May the entire world be filled
with people who have undersdtood and found firm faith in the true teachings.Day and night, may I pass the time
thinking and examining by what means
these teachings can spread
in the minds of myself and others.May all sentient beings - who have all been my mother and father - be completely happy,
and may the lower realms be forever empty.
May all the prayers of the bodhisattvas, wherever they live,
be immediately fulfilled.May the glorious gurus live long,
and may all beings throughout limitless space have happiness.
By purifying our defilements and accumulating positive potential,
may I and all others be inspired to attain Buddhahood quickly.May I never develop, even a moment,
wrong views towards the deeds of my glorious Gurus.
With respect and devotion, by seeing whatever actions they do as pure,
may the guru's inspiration flow into my mind.In whatever way you appear, O glorious Guru,
whatever your retinue, ifespan and pure-land,
whatever your name, most noble and holy,
may I and all others attain only these.In order to follow the excellent examples
set by the wisdom of the bodhisattva Manjushri
and the always sublime Samantabhadra,
I dedicate all virtues to their peerless ideals.All conquerors of the three times
have praised this peerless dedication as sublime.
Therefore, I also surrender all roots of my activities
to the sublime goals of a bodhisattva.
Namo Amitabha
Praise To Amitabha Buddha
The Amitabha Buddha's body is the colour gold.
The splendour of his brilliant light is beyond mind.
The light of his brows illuminates a hundred worlds.
His eyes are pure brilliant light, limitless like the oceans.
In Amitabha's realm of infinite light, all beings are transformed
And Enlightened into countless Bodhisattvas and Buddhas.
His Forty Eight Vows ensure our liberation
In Nine Lotus Stages we reach the ultimate shore of Enlightenment.
Homage to the Buddha of the Pure Land,
Compassionate Amitabha Buddha.
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
The Dharma is Alive
Sometimes I find that interactions with people remind me that the dharma is a living, breathing entity. I received a remarkably kind message from a dhamma practitioner for whom I have admiration. The words not only described my mind-situation perfectly, but incorporated a show of tremendous compassion and teachings of the Tathagata.
It's people like this who keep the dharma alive. When someone makes the decision to help another with no personal gain in mind, when they hear the cry of suffering and feel compelled to respond, that is living dharma.
"Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who deeply and sincerely acts for the benefit of others without concern for fame, profit, social position, or recognition expresses the activity of Chenrezig."--Bokar Rinpoche
Body, speech and mind.
Padampa Sangye:
To apply yourself with body, speech and mind to the sacred teachings, is the best you can do.
Through the unfailing process of cause and effect, our acts, our words and our thoughts determine the happiness or the suffering that we will experience. The choice is clear.
To focus on teaching of a compassionated master, will realize that wordly distractions and preoccupations are holding you prisoner in samsara. And a great joy and a wish to free yourself will fill your being.
A sutra says: The body is the boat that can lead you to the shore of liberations.
The body is the stone that can make you sink into the abysses of samsara.
The body is the servant of vice of virtue.
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche:
Just as a pure crystal refracts the color of whatever it is placed on, your acts become negative or positive according to your intention. Therefore direct your acts, words and thoughts towards the Dharma.
Self Deception
We cannot escape the three worlds by clever self deception,
but by leaving things just as they are,
uncontrived and relaxed,
neither samsara nor nirvana can hold us.
Longchen Rabjampa
Treasury of Natural Perfection.
The Heart Sutra
>> May 27, 2009
| Heart Sutra Prajna-paramita Sutra The Heart of Wisdom This is what I once heard at the time the Blessed One was seated on Vulture’s Peak in Rajagriha with a huge congregation of the exalted community of Bhikshus and Bodhisattvas. At that time the Blessed One was dwelling in the meditation called “Profound Vision.” At that time, also, the great Bodhisattva, the heroic being, Arya Avalokiteshvara, while reviewing the profound characteristics of the Prajña-paramita reviewed also the natural voidness of the five aggregates. Then the elder Shariputra, moved by the power of the Buddha, addressed Arya Avalokiteshvara with these words: “How should a son or a daughter of a good family who wishes to perform the profound practice of the Prajña-paramita train themselves?” The Great Being, the Bodhisattva Arya Avalokiteshvara replied this to Sharadvatiputra, “Shariputra! That son or daughter of a good family who wishes to perform the profound practice of the Prajña-paramita should first rightly see that all the aggregates, by their very nature, are void. Form is void. Voidness is form. Voidness is not other than form nor is form other than voidness. So, too, all feelings, perceptions, impulses, and consciousness are void. Shariputra! In the same way all dharmas are empty, devoid of characteristics, unborn, unstopped, unsullied, unpurified, undecreased, and unfilled. Therefore, Shariputra, in voidness there is no form, no feeling, no perception, no impulses, no consciousness, no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind; no form, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no dharmas. There is no element of eye, and so on through the element of mind and the element of mental consciousness. There is no ignorance, no elimination of ignorance; no death and decay and no elimination of death and decay. There is no pain, no origin, no cessation, no path; no wisdom, no attainment, no non-attainment. Shariputra, because nothing is really obtained, all Bodhisattvas who have no fear rely on and dwell in Prajña-paramita, for they have no mental obscurations. They are perfectly liberated and have gone completely beyond deception. Relying on Prajña-paramita, all the Buddhas of the three times are completely enlightened to that unsurpassable, pure, and perfect enlightenment. Therefore the mantra of Prajña-paramita, the mantra of great awareness, the unsurpassable mantra, the mantra that equalizes all unequal things, and the mantra that fully allays all pains, should because it is not false, be known as truth. The mantra of Prajña-paramita is spoken thus: TADYATHA: GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SVAHA! Shariputra! In this way great Bodhisattvas, heroic beings should train in the profound Prajña-paramita.” Then the Blessed One arose from that meditation called “Profound Vision” and spoke to the great Bodhisattva, the heroic being Arya Avalokiteshvara: “Well said, Noble Son, well said! It is just so. One should practice Prajña-paramita as you have taught and all the Tathagatas will rejoice.” When the Blessed One had spoken thus, the elder Sharadvatiputra and the Bodhisattva, the great being, Arya Avalokiteshvara, together with all that assembly of gods, as well as humans, demi-gods and gandharvas joyfully praised the words of the Blessed One. |
Advice Revealing How Our Faults Become Clear by Nyala Pema Duddul
Namo guru!
I prostrate to the accomplished vidyadhara guru—
Bless me so that my mind’s five poisons are brought onto the path!
Whether the darkness of delusion has been eliminated
Is clear whenever we lie down to sleep at night.
Whether the flames of anger have been extinguished
Is clear whenever we’re struck by words of abuse.
Whether the mountain of arrogance has been levelled
Is clear whenever we’re honoured by those of lesser learning.
Whether the lake of desire has dried up and disappeared
Is clear whenever we spend time with a beautiful girl.
Whether the tornado of envy has been brought to an end
Is clear whenever our rivals gain the upper hand.
Whether the tight knot of stinginess has been loosened
Is clear whenever we gain some material wealth.
Whether the flower of discipline has blossomed
Is clear whenever we’re in the midst of common folk.
Whether we have donned the armour of patience
Is clear whenever adversity strikes all of a sudden.
Whether the steed of diligence has developed to its finest
Is clear whenever we set about accomplishing some virtuous deed.
Whether the fortress of meditation has been secured
Is clear whenever serious illness befalls us.
And whether the sword of wisdom has been sharpened
Is clear whenever the destructive emotions arise and unfold.
This teaching on how our faults become clear,
Was composed by the old beggar called Duddul,
In response to requests from many students.
Through the merit of this may all beings become entirely devoid of faults!
Present Perfect
>> May 26, 2009
I find that it’s very easy for me to get caught up in ruminating about the past, feeling regrets, etc. I ran across this passage and thought I would share it.
"Present Perfect"
Recognizing that past turmoil and future rhapsodies are projections of our mind prevents us from getting stuck in them. Just as the face in the mirror is not a real face, the objects of our memories and daydreams are likewise unreal. They are not happening now; they are simply mental images flickering in the mind.
Reflecting on the value of our precious human life also minimizes our habit of ruminDaating. Our wondrous potential becomes clear, and the rarity and value of the present opportunity shines forth. Who wants to ruminate about the past and future when we can do so much good and progress spiritually in the present.
–Thubten Chodron, from Taming the Mind (Snow Lion)
Hello World
Hello world!
We are a group of four, coming from a web forum called The Buddhist Lounge. After about six months of running the site we reached the conclusion that we no longer wanted to maintain a public forum. Instead, we’ve chosen to get together to create a group blog. We are all Buddhists in the Vajrayana tradition, making our way along the path.
I’m Ngawang, and I’ll let Sherab, Dorje, and Muni introduce themselves.
May this blog be a haven for the triple gem to flourish!
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