A Reflection

'where' is this Great Teacher, Patrul Rinpoche? does this Master reincarnated in this century? i was curious as many attained Masters did with great compassion had recorded in Tibetan Buddhism history. The translated text (English) recommended by my first Tibetan Rinpoche i met in the USA in 1995, H.E. Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche, the author was Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Padmakara Translation Group, 1994). Mainly, the spiritual respect from anyone who studied Vajrayana Tradition whether beginner or any stage is undoubtedly a quintessential text for any interested learner. When i asked, i was informed that H.E. Patrul Rinpoche is a senior, living in Tibet, only speaks Tibetan, highly respected and profound in Dharma teachings (without any text required) in Tibet monasteries (such passionate humble rebirth to homeland of the Snow Mountain of a Bodhisattva!). The Internet enabled my curiosity to stretch to unknown sites. I understand Kyabje Pema Kelsang Rinpoche is a true well-known practitioner, not Internet savvy. Today, accidentally, i found they are some others named 'Pema Kalsang' or 'Kelsang Pema', or Pema Kelsang" posted in the Internet sites (i found one 'quarrelsome' site having those similar words in name, another site claiming such and such the only True Buddha, very amusing :)-D. - i only recognized Sakyamuni Buddha (Gautama Buddha, born in human body: 563 B.C.E.) attained Buddhahood historically, spiritually and humanely who showed the path to Enlightenment for countless students who learned and practised the universal Truths he expounded. Reading the books on the Life of the Buddha never in any sentence mentioned the Buddha 'quarrelsome style' with anyone, or using framing words such as 'hyprocracy', the amusing news is this person with similar name (only) travelled somewhere to demonstrate for the visiting/arrival of a Noble person, minimally still his fellow men...etc. etc... may be politically motivated, i could only think this is the only possible reason, otherwise why wasting precious time and limited lifespan doing such activities, wearing sacred clothes, and demo outside a foreign university who was accepting a visit form an internationally renown and humble Noble Peace Prize laurette? an ironical reflection of the opposite of peace? Reading such news could be 'stressful' but amusing, :)-D) - i hardly find time to complete 500 prostration and Three Jewels Chanting in the past 10 months! may be even have to stop blogging in weekends or late evenings... YES, i found from this resourceful site : rigpawiki.org which hosted related site dedicated to Patrul Rinpoche's teaching. It is interesting RIGPA SHEDRA MP3 Library had a reminder for users on learning from listening to recordings is not a substitute for oral transmission (attending classess or receiving instruction directly from Teacher). I think this reminder is applicable to the using the internet resources for learning Dharma teachings on the Web. http://www.rigpawiki.org/ http://www.lotsawahouse.org/patrul/index.htm let me go back to 'serious' learning - read research articles or go to continue my prostration from the no 450 ...:)-) Post amended on March 13, 2011

The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry

After posting some Internet resources on Buddhist Dharma Teachings (many more good resources still residing in the Web like undiscover virutal lay jewels), i was a little 'amazed' by how the Internet also serve as effective propaganda/forum spaces for "intellectual gossips" as i was browsing through wikis (wikipedia.org), ask.com. It is contended that the internet is a 'free space' without editorial review, gatekeeper thus having the question of reliability of sources frequently cautioned by professionals.
Among my concern of the juicy gossips in virtual spaces is the posting on news/forum discussion of issues highlighted by the media of some full-time dharma practitioners, especially those involved sensitive human chastity (precepts) for renounced practitioners, masters of different traditions - even though this is also happening to other universal religions (organized religion?). Readers without the foundations teachings of the the Dharma (the Buddha's Teachings) may be confused, even shy away by such sarcecrows. Personally i like to read parables, stories, fables etc. Often we forgot these famous little fables, Jataka stories, Zen stories etc. having deep meanings for human thoughts. Among them, particularly i like: The Elephant and Four Blind men, New clothes of the King (国王的新衣) etc. have much truth on human behavior. But the Greatest Teacher who is living more than 2,500 years has reminded us the importance of human mind to investigate before justifying between many opposites of human concepts - The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry (The Kalama Sutra). i found this website that saved me typing again the text (Please copy the address & paste to browser. Thanks Sidney, Sadhu):
The Kalama Sutta (Sutra)
http://web.singnet.com.sin/~sidneys/kalama.htm
Other sites which have its explanations:
http://www,what-buddha-taught.net/Books5/Bhikkhu_Buddhadasa_Help_The_Kalama_Sutta_Help.htm
(souce : http://www.suanmokkh.org )
The Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka (which is a good reference site for scholarly works on traditional dharma teachings):
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/soma/wheel008.html

Many sites have posted commentary/explanation of this piece of famous teaching which is a unique teaching of the Dharma, especially after it becomes an 'ism' - cause more confusion (? D:) from human endless judgements....

Discussion on Happiness

As i was writing and reading many hyperlinks of websites of Buddhist organizations, i came across this creative piece of expression in a blog - personally i find this a flair of humor, creative thoughts in wording (contrary to my 'serious' learning); this blog site meter indicates its attraction with many intellectual discussions on topics of human behaviors. It is good piece to refresh my dull mind (copy and paste this link site to browser):
http://whoistheabsurbman.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-makes-us-happy.html
from this blog site:
http://whoistheabsurbman.blogspot.com/

cheers...:)-D:

The Mind Training in Eight Verses / Langri Thangpa

This text was given to us in 2002 by one of my Spiritual Friend, Teacher and Master, H.E. Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche. Finally i uploaded to the Page specially dedicated to this simple but profound great Teacher (see Special Pages).

(Excerpt from Editions Padmakara, France)

The Mind Training in Eight Verses

by Langri Thangpa

Later, i search Google and found this site posted a slightly different translation, see also:

http://www.kandro.net/practice_8verses.htm

Buddhism - Free Distribution Materials

This is the websites to request for printed copies of Buddhism books for free distribution, publisher located in Penang, Malaysia. please read the notice on conditions for shipping and return, privacy etc. at the bottom of left hand corner at the Inward Path site:
http://www.inwardpath.org/

The publisher's blog:-
House of Inward Journey
http://inwardpathpublisher.blogspot/

Amitabha Buddhist Society of USA
http://www.amtb-usa.org/eindex.htm
The Pure Land Learning Centre in English and Chinese (Books/AV)
http://www.amtb-usa.org/eadd-1.htm

Digital contents (2) - Dharma Teachings

i) These resourceful sites repositing Dharma teachings by H.E. Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, in Chinese and English versions for choice of languages:
Chinese language site:-
悉达多本愿佛学会 (宗萨钦哲仁波切）
http://siddharthasintent.org/chinese
English language site:-
Siddhartha's Intent : A Buddhist organization under the direction of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
http://siddharthasintent.org/

Those special sites holding inspiring thoughts and teachings of H.E. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, also AVs materials for free download.
Related site, meaningful forums, observation of contemparary news related to the Sangha, Buddhist Communities:
Theme of the site : Right Understanding <正见>.
http://almostbuddhist.com/

Digital contents - Dharma teachings (Buddhism)

Undoubtedly, the internet has changed tremendously the way we learn and sharing of resources with web technologies.
Today this new friend takes the trouble to come and informed me that he found the book i gave him very interesting, and he tried to use the internet seeking explanation of the contents/terms he doesn't understand. I had mentioned the buddhanet to him before, but it has been long i last visited this site. Hence i did and find this very important initiative of Buddhist e-Library project:
- Buddhanet (Buddha Dharma Education Association Inc., Australia)
http://www.buddhanet.net/
http://www.buddhistelibrary.org/

A tribute to this great meditation Teacher/Master, Ven. Ajahn Chah from Wat Pa Pong, Thailand. His skillful means approach to Dharma teachings inspired and touched many hearts and minds with loving-kindness, compassion, wisdom.
- The Teachings of Ven. Ajahn Chah
http://www.ajahnchah.org/

also his well known disciple, Ven. Ajahn Sumedho, another great Teacher/Master:
http://www.forestsangha.org/
http://www.amaravati.org/

- Buddhanet (Taiwan) - this site need registration to participate/sharing in life forum, in Chinese language/Mandarin. There are hyperlinks to other similar sites of e-resources recommended by e-friends.
http://www.buddhanet.tw/

- Reading online (Dharma Realm Buddhst Association, Ven. Master Hsuan Hua's books/teachings)
http://www.drbachinese.org/online_reading/index.htm

- Below site is also rich in e-resources:
The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundtion (Taiwan)
http://www.budaedu.org/

- E-books / AV collections:
[Wisdom-Compassion Buddha Net] 慈悲法网
http://wwwzhibeifw.com/ebookdl1.htm
Related site:
http://www.larong-chuling.com/pages/category5.htm
Audio site 慧音系列 [AV Wiscom Series]:
http://www.larong-chuling.com/pages/category6.htm



stay tune...

Chinese Dharma reading

I heard of this great Tibetan Master from my teacher, H.E. Kunde Rinpoche a couple times in conversations, but i didn't make any effort to look for His publications. Today, intended to help a new friend to look for dharma teaching in WWW, i found these sites (after listening to one of the dvds of H.E. Tsultim Lodu on Heart Sutra given by Kunde Rinpoche), those reading dharma in Chinese language may be interested to read online:
(copy the link sites to your web browser)
http://ishare.iask.sina.com.cn/f/4669629.html

堪布慈诚罗珠仁波切：正见:慧灯之光

related sites of the dharma teaching online by Zhi Bei Fa Wang (Net of Wisdom-Compassion):
http://www.zhibeifw.com/book/zhihailh/main.htm

i found these links of learning resources in the same site:
(mainpage: zhibeifw.com)
http://www.zhibeifw.com/book/htm
http://www.zhibeifw.com/book/cclz.htm
http://www.zhibeifw.com/ebookdl1.htm

other related sites (go to download centre):
http://www.xianmifw.com/book

Also i added these great Teacher/Master blog into my bloglist (rejoice...):
索达吉堪布
http://blog.sina.com.cn/suodj

堪布慈诚罗珠仁波切
http://blog.sina.com.cn/cichengluozhu


This is the link of series of Dharma teachings (i have not checked if the audio could be downloaded)
慈诚罗珠堪布佛法开示视频集
http://www.tudou.com/playlist/id/7395046/

i am sharing these sites, it looks intellectual learning. Personally, the laying of knowledge foundation of Buddhist Dharma teaching has helpled much in my personal mental /spiritual development. Interestingly, in the introduction of this Heart Sutra series of teaching, the Venerable Khenpo mentioned two categories of Wisdom : one that arising from realization of true nature of mind as non-self (emptiness) 【空性般若多罗密多】and Wisdom arising from knowledge 【文字般若多罗密多】.

If this sharing of knowledge sites' on Dharma teachings benefitted you, i am thankful and gradeful to my teacher, H.E. Kunde Rinpoche. It reflects the traditional Buddhist community spirit: great Teachers/Masters admire or recommend one another, having immense/unmeasurable altruistic joy to the attainment/knowledge of each other.

****
personal contempalation as a student learning the dharma: knowledge on the principles of the Buddha's teachings of 'The Four Noble Truth', 'The Six Perfections", 'The Noble Eightfold Path' etc. - help to keep our mind check in meritorous acts such as : generosity, charity, helpfulness - are we doing it with altruistic joy/genuinely for the benefits of all beings/as a form for basic support for full-time practioners/Teacher , or are we 'expecting' extraordinary returns with minimal monetary gift/helps, miracle happens with clouded intentions... :)- i better read again what the Perfectly Enlightened One said about 'Right Thoughts', 'Right Action'...
As i was contemplating on my written words of my mind's reflection, i was thinking to-fro of modern economics which emphasized on returns of 'investment' in tangible forms. i guess we are very influenced by what we give 'expected'/'need'/'may need'/'intend' for some kind of positive returns. As i was hesitating on this interpretation of 'giving' and 'generosity' in layperson's perspective, i found this interesting article:
http://www.folou.com/viewthread.php?tid=118817

****
Listening to this great Teacher speaking on the teaching of Heart Sutra, the narrative meanings effortlessly flows in explaining the teachings like nature's clear stream, even though Mandarin is not His first language/mother toungue . (this is the first time i listen to this dvd given to me a year ago, i am convinced even without meeting/seeing in person what Kunda Rinpoche described of them having ten & thousands students in their monastery in Tibet - even though some numbers might have been re-located due to some human beings' own insecurity reason), 'Emptiness‘ 空性 is spiritually special scripture. In His first lecture in the 'Heart Sutra', H.E.Tsultim Lodu mentioned it is the special dharma teaching in spiritual practice that transcend other spiritual tradition/religion...

cheers in reading...
i need to start writing my paper, it is 12 a.m. time...
&&&

Sept. 29, 2010
i found this information site (Chinese) from the hyperlink of another blog:
http://www.edupro.org/

This portal site consists of Buddhist Dharma Teachings of major traditions (in Chinese), this portal also hosting syllabus oragnized systematically by chapters (including some syallabus texts from Malaysia).
Personally, i found teachings by the Ven. H.E. Sou Taji Khenpo, a well-know Teacher/Master, you may search by name in the portal:
http://read.goodweb.cn/

Wisdom-Compassion Net (Chinese) 慈悲法网

This impressive Chinese language website as reflected in the name:
http://www.zhibeifw.com/index.htm 慈悲法网

H.E. Kunde Rinpoche mentioned to me in a few personal Q&A i had with my teacher - this great Buddhist Master/Teacher, HH Jigme Punchok (法王晋美彭措), His Holiness has many students, and their wisdom-compassion works/activities have gained respect and recognition in the Buddhist communities.
Below are HH students' blogs, one of these blog appeals to me the nostalgic passion towards the great compassion of trying to preserve this seems 'fading'of thousand years of culture . It is a beautiful and artistic blog to read:
http://blog.sina.com.cn/sdjzwh

the other personal blog of this highly learned, humble, devoted Khenpo (PhD) Rinpoche, Sotaji Rinpoche 索达吉勘布 is as enlightening:
http://blog.sina.com.cn/suodj

Among other well-known students of His Holiness is this learned, intelligent, devoted Dharma Teacher, another Khenpo Rinpoche - H.E. Tsultim Lodu Rinpoche (慈诚罗珠仁坡切）

http://blog.sina.com.cn/cichengluozhu

Profile picture

Last March 21, 2009 when i first witnessed appearing and disappearing of a beautiful rainbow in Kuala Kangsar, and 16 June 2009 encountering the magical (awesome) appearance of clear, beautiful full rainbow across the Himalaya range while travelling on the rocky road driven up Tamolujin, Namo Buddho at Nepal - this beautiful nature enlightening my heart and mind, and linked an unexpounded affinity to these glimpses - emanition of cosmic energy.
One of the beautiful pictures i had photography within less than 1 minute appearance of Raibow at Nepal in June 16, 2009 are removed from my profile pic mainly it may be meant/reserved for publication in progress manuscript.
Temporarily, i replaced a picture photograph by my Teacher, H.E. Kunde Rinpoche on 16 March 2010. Three days after Kunde Rinpoche and Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoches happened to be around and performed Buddhist Chanting for my late mom, Mdm Tan Siew Lean in an anniversary memorial service. It was 5 days before both Rinpoches performed the Shitro Empowerment (One-Hundred Peaceful and Wrathful Deities Empowerment), 21-22 March 2010.
I find this picture energizing and special - especially the clouds around the rainbow, looks like a standing statue in white? Om Mani Padme Hum...
It looks like that rainbow yet not the same in nature - beautiful yet impermanence.

Tashi Delek