Reflection on Lay Buddhist Communities (1)

In a nutshell, the current research trend of academic scholoarly publishing is Collaboration, across states, countries even continents and among multi-disciplinary researchers. This morning, after my Buddhist prayers, this thought arised. I scribbled onto my four foundation practice record books.
In reflection, it seems to me that the globalized trend in scholarly publishing has its relational implication to lay Buddhist communities and organizations in this country, even this region - cooperation and collaboration. Otherwise, the lay Buddhist communities may tend to be segmented, even unconsciously driving towards sectarianism.

Irrespective of one's personal major practice is Theravad, Mahayana or Vajrayana Schools, spiritual collaboration among lay Buddhist communities and organizations springs from open heartedness, humanity, loving-kindess, compassion and altruistic joy.  Imagine an organic collaboration has evolved from essence and quintessence of the Buddha's teachings, the Dharma is representative in differing forms for diverse psychological human beings, it is transforming the facets of the Dharma into amazing shining lights across time, beaming into space and embracing lay Buddhists in engage societies, dharma learnings & practising.

for reflection:

"People are not logical. They are psychological - Anonymous"

Tashi Delek

Bodhisattva Vajrasattva Practice

Since experiencing the Buddha-Dharma teaching since 1981 from first learning the Traditional School (Theravada), Mahaya School, and in 1994 my initial connection to personal first Vajrayana Teacher, Bob Rickner in Norman, Oklahoma, USA, who then connected us to Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche.
The introduction of Bodhisattva Vajrasattva practice was initially given by Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche in his skillful way of introducing the practice by teaching us at Dzogchen Samten Chokling Centre (old house) in 2009 in Buddhist Chanting, compiled for us in a small booklet, one of them is Vajrasattva 100-syllable Mantra (the wording could be found on page 38, A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection / H.E. Kunde Rinpoche; Translated by Geshe Lhakdor and Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam. Or, readers may also see the videos from YouTube, some videos do have wordings.  One of the vidoes below-cited was chanted by Mingyur Rinpoche) and Vajrasattva Mantra (Om Vajra Sattva Hum).

In 2011, Kunde Rinpoche had compassionately revised the Vajrasattva visualization meditation method to lay people like us who have taken The Three Refuges but have not done or completed the four or five fundamental practice (四/五伽行). Despite the teachings on Bodhisattva Vajrasattva of the great compassionate motivation to purify sentient beings Karma, It is logical to assume that if one did not purify one's past karma, the obscurations made one's practice (much?) more difficult and challenges of hindrances in the spiritual roadmap.  Personally, i found the practice very interesting and i believed had 'blessed' and miraculously 'shielded' me from unexpected 'accidents', twice in a highway road and the recent fall from a student chair at my work place!

Below are some video chanting of Vajrasattva 100-syllable Mantra (assessed 22 May 2012)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amOr409mqM8&feature=colike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7jvXfHd9u8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgYsymJ13J8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB5aWHmo09s&feature=colike [Mingyur Rinpoche]

Vajrasattva Mantra (accessed 23 May 2012)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB5aWHmo09s&feature=colike

The below site has 5 short videos are related to the Vajrasattva Visualization Practice [in Chinese] 
http://mybuddha.blog125.fc2.com/tb.php/18-680630cb

(they were also found in YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhU3j8gcLmo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uBfGKVNvU8&feature=colike)

May the merits of practising of Bodhisattva Vajrasattva 100 Syllabus, Mantra and visualization meditation be dedicated to all sentient beings who are our mothers in beginningless space and time...

Tashi delek
Note: updated & amended for clarity on 23 May 2012

Metta (Loving-Kindness)

Today is a day ahead of Mother's Day (Sunday, 13 May 2012). As a tribute to my present life late mother (& late Father as well in one touch) & mothers in past lives, i am reflecting on the Teachings of the Buddha (Dharma) on Loving-Kindness (Metta Sutta).
Last week on 6 May 2012, Khenpo Kunga Tashi in our one-day Eight Precept Retreat at Dzogchen Samten Chokling Centre) had delivered Dharma teachings in between sessions.  He touched on why it is essential for us to strive in Bodhicitta Path - All Sentient Beings in beginingless time had been our mothers in our cycles of births and deaths (Samsaric existence). He narrated two moving stories in the Vajrayana tradition that depicted how human beings are related to other beings in present life, but unable to recall our past lives of our connectedness to other sentient beings. (apology, the battery of my audio recorder ran out when the interesting Dharma talk was given at that time, thus to avoid mistakes in details, the stories based on my limited memory may missed accuracy in details).
On the Wesak Day (2566 B.E.), i was informed an auspicious news - the Buddhist Stupa which i have been thinking (aspire) to construct at Horthang Tashi Monastery to commemorate my present life late parents & ancestors etc. is under the planning of constructing four Buddhist Stupas at that Horthang Tashi Monastery to made it a total of eight Stupas in a row at that monastery. Two of the Stupas were jointly contributed by the Friends of Dzogchen Samten Chokling Centre, one intended by a Singaporean senior and the one supposed to commemorate (late) Lopon Pema Dechen (Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche & Kunde Rinpoche's grandfather), both Rinpoches had allowed me to be inclusive in this spirtual blessings intention compassionately.  My heartfelt touched & gratitude of Khenpo and Tulku's unconventional approach & naturally cutting-through worldly attachment of restriction - in my long chant of OM MANI PADME HUM during the one-day retreat, many moments i recalled my late mum's loving-kindness towards her children and neighbourhood, & friends in the community - i was moved to tears, such is the heart of a Mother! - May the merits of the Chenrenzig Mantra chanting be dedicated to all mothers in present & past lives!

Today, suddenly i recalled a famous monk, Ven. Khantipalo who was one of the pioneers in bringing the Dharma to Australia.  Though he had disrobed and led a lay life (and re-enter?), his contributions to connecting English speaking people to walk the Buddha-Dharma path remained historical footprint in Buddhism and its development in English-speaking countries.  The Venerable had translated Karaniya Metta Sutta (The Discourse on Loving-Kindness).  I am sharing based on thoughts of loving-kindness towards his good deeds in Dharma works: 
http://www.leighb.com/mettasut.htm
The process of search had connected me to a Metta Meditation site well organized in related topics of Metta (Loving-Kindness). Thanks to the information organized by Leigh Brasington (Sadhu!)
http://www.leighb.com/metta.htm (accessed: 12 May 2012)

..."Just as a mother at the risk of life
Loves and protects her child, her only child,
So one should cultivate this boundless love
To all that live in the whole universe..." - Metta Sutta (v.5)

Wishing all mothers: "A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY".  May mothers who have been sicked and unhealthy be blessed by the Guru, The Buddha, The Dharma & The Sangha towards wellness in body & mind...

Sadhu! _()_
Tashi Delek吉祥如意

Wesak Day - Virtuous Thoughts & Actions

This year Wesak Day, Friends at Dzogchen Samten Chokling Centre & all kind gentlemen & gentlewomen are given the golden opportunity to practise one of the preliminary of Six Perfections cultivation - Generosity towards the construction of the building (Library) at Dzogchen Monastery, India. This project is another courageous undertaking, a symbol of altruistic joy by Kunde Rinpoche & Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche towards this important monastery, Ningmapa Tradition. It is more than marathon run challenge - it is the work touching the Mind & Hearts of People...- Library is a symbol of the house of Wisdom & the acts of help & assistance in the process symbolize human kindness & compassion.

The photographs of this construction process and progress could be viewed at Facebook site of Kunde Rinpoche (as at 24 April 2012): -
http://www.facebook.com/Tulku-Konde/   (edited 12 May 2012)

Below are some snapshots of the Floor Plans for the preview of kind supporters of this project:

[Images retrived from Tulku's Facebook site. Retrieved: 12 May 2012]

[DZOGCHEN MONASTERY, INDIA - photograph provided by Kunde Rinpoche]

May the Merits Gained in this act of Generosity be dedicated to All Sentient Beings.
May the Teachings of Great Perfection (Dzogchen) spread throughout the world and bring Humanity, Peace & Harmony to Mankind.

Tashi Delek 吉祥如意

Wishing You - A Happy & Blessed Wesak Day

Wishing You & All Loved Ones:
A Happy & Blessed Wesak Day
On 5 May 2012 (2556 B.E.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesak (accessed 5 May 2012)
May the Date of Prince Siddhartha's Birth, Attainment of Perfectly Self-Enlightenment One, the Buddha under the Bodhi Tree (historically known as Gautama Buddha) & with Great Compassion turning the Dharma Wheels for 45 years until His passing away, entering to Parinirvana which fell on the same date but different years be continuous inspiration to practise good, to avoid evil, to purify our mind...(revised 12 May 2012)

[photographed by sonam yeshi at Dzogchen Samten Chokling Centre] 

(Sakyamuni Mantra Chant: TEYATHA OM MUNI MUNI, MAHA MUNI YE SOHA)

May the Good Deeds accummulated in this Blessed Day be Dedicated to All Sentient Beings, May our Mothers of Present life & Past lives be Happy & Peaceful.


Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!!!
阿弥陀佛!!!
Tashi Delek 吉祥如意

Dedication to all Mothers in the world (Mother's Day, 2012)

Mother's Day is around the corner in about 2 weeks - Sun. 13 May 2012.  Reflecting on the teaching of the motivation of Bodhicitta in Buddhist teachings - May All Mothers in the world be loving, happy, gentle and wise.

The below image was a recap from a mini tangkha given by (the late) Lopon Pema Dechen to sonam yeshi in 2010, the grandfather of Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche & Kunde Rinpoche. The gift has been an emanation of the gentleness of the Bodhisattva. The voice recording (short version) was done on 17 December 2011 in the opening ceremonyof a Buddhist Centre, blessings by Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche, Rajah Lama & Jigme Norbu. Interested readers may dub the chanting for free distribution, not for commercial purposes. Any intention for personal profit gain needs to get permission from sonam yeshi, email: sonamyeshi09@gmail.com.

TARA MANTRA:

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA

http://youtu.be/p0I797FQywY

May the Gentleness & Compassion of the Mothers made the Earth & World a Peaceful Globe

Dedication: This short video clip is dedicated to (the late) Lopon Pema Dechen, May His Gentleness, Patience, Love & Compassion inspired all to practice the Path of Loving Kindness & Compassion. 

[Photographed provided by Kunde Rinpoche, 2010. Lopon Pema Dechen - May Lama entered Nirvana]

Happy Wesak (Visakha) Day on 5 May 2012 - May the Birth, Enlightenment & Parinirvana Day of Sakyamuni Buddha inspiring All Sentient Beings:-

 To Avoid Evil, To Practice Good, To Purify the Mind - This is the Teachings of  the Buddha! - TEYATHA OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI SAKYAMUNI SOHA or TEYATHA OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNI YE SOHA . Homage to Him, The Blessed One, The Perfectly Self-Enlightened One...

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA
Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu
阿弥陀佛

Tashi Delek 吉祥如意

A discussion on happiness (3)

Personally, i have been contemplating on the meaning of happiness to myself, there were a few occassions i felt the feeling of joy:
a) Dealing with my own anger
This is probably the most difficult taboo i am facing this 'self' - anger, or afflictive emotion. 
After I have taken the refuge to the Three Jewels, the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha in 1981, even i have learnt culativation of loving kindness meditation - but many times i was not successful! I tried to apply many antidotes provided in the Buddha-Dharma teachings, when anger arises - watching this...a little controlled, but inside felt uneasy...Reflect on: Do not be carried away by thoughts... still difficult to be a human being.... (:)-D
Past months to recently, i managed 2 occassions of difficult situations - after that, i felt happy! - i concluded the greatest happiness to self is: managing to learn a little bit of 'The Buddha's Silence'!

b) Dealing with my wondering mind
Before i learnt the Buddha's teachings and meditation in 1982, my mind was full of greed, hatred and delusion.  While i started learning meditation, i found my mind was worst than those animals jumping from trees to trees. Even after i learnt the methods of Breath Meditation, Loving Kindness Meditation, Tonglen (but still not sure of how to do it 'effectively' - my confession) - my mind is still full of thoughts in days and nights.  Once in a while, i have calmed down the wondering mind after Buddhist Puja and Meditation - that was more than happiness!

c) Dealing with my urge to sleep
i am still not sure how to deal with my slothiness in my mental cultivation path...- acknowledging this shortcoming is happy feeling but may be lack of wisdom - i pressumed.

and... in some strange moments for me - happiness was those encounters moved my heart till tears flowing without thoughts and reasons.
Recently, i encounter this simple, calm & happy and wise picture (thanks to the first Rinpoche or Lama who shared this):

 Tokden Lama Lodoe Gyatso

Source: picture shared by Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.108792372588933.10532.100003745127581&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=307362995996972&set=a.147089188691021.32079.100001698227554&type=1&theater

That night, i understand why Kunde Rinpoche had gone to Nepal in 2009 and got an artist to express his mental impressions for a picture being drawn.
May the fragance of our Root Lama's Great Perfection teachings benefit countless human beings and sentient beings!