Email from a friend - A reflection

Lately, when i received an email from a friend:"...FYI, one of my sis is diagnosed with Sarcoidosis now. She is taking Prednisone and ..."
In later communication， i was informed she is  reading 地藏王經Di Zang Wang Jing[地藏菩薩本願經] for her sister.
At that juncture, I have no idea at all what it is, thus i google the word 'Sarcoidosis' at the search engine. i am moved of her loved towards her sister, besides medical care, she provide spiritual supports.


In refelction, over these 2 years, friends and people i know either shared in emails or in person about how someone closely related to them diagnosed with certain serious physical sickness or sudden death, and how it had affected their lives. Among these diseases: cancers, heart attack, stroke......
Historically and in the Buddhist Sutra, The Buddha spoke of The Four Noble Truth. The First Noble Truth is the Truth of Suffering in cyclic existence...But we probably have to keep reminding that the Buddha had also expounded The Cause, The Cessation of Suffering ane The Path leading to Cessation of Suffering, realistically, as remedies to the phenomenon of cyclic existence - a reflection...

In our prayers, May she recover soon..
OM MANI PADME HUM

(to share, i found some websites link of this Sutra, [in Chinese])
http://book.bfnn.org/books/0016.htm
http://www.dizang.org/xj/dzj.htm
http://buddha.goodweb.cn/music/musictxt/dizang.asp [MP3]

May the merits of reciting the Sutra be shared with all Sentient Beings...
但愿一切众生离苦得乐
阿弥陀佛！

Preserving Sacred Pilgrimage Sites - a Novel effort

New website added under favourite category, heart-touching beautiful photographs in this site, initiated by a heartful researcher cum author, Matteo Pistono
Preseving Sacred Pilgrimage Sites and Traditions
http://nekorpa.org/

There is one beautiful picture of Kirti Monaster, surrounding by green mountains in the below link, must view... but need to check when this picture was photographed? i am just wondering is this serene greenery scene & environment being preserved as seen visually in this picture?
source:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/111028/tibet-china-buddhist-monks-self-immolations-kirti-monastery (view:18 Feb. 2012)
Though it was an archiac news, that was an article for all concerned to reflect with human heart...

May All Beings be Well and Happy,
May All Beings be Compassionate
Above all,
May the Precious Sangha Jewel
be Respected and Protected
Like One's own Precious Life
With Utmost Human Dignity!

OM MANI PADME HUM

Practice of Exchange - A Live Lesson

12 January 2012, BodhGaya.

These were the last pieces of pictures i had photographed in the Maha Bodhi Temple, BodhGaya, India on 11 January 2012 evening, after spending some time at the area of the Bodhi Tree where the Buddha attained Englightenment, later queing up for more than an hour (?) to enter the Pagoda temple to the main shrine.
This was the only piece of warm outfit, worn-out sweater which was wearing by my Dzogchen Teacher/Master during the Kalachakra from 31Dec2011 - 10January2012 in BodhGaya. I found out that it was bought in the year of Nyingma Monlam (2007?) when the weather was cold. I asked why was the Teacher still wearing this warm clothing when it was already worn-out? He answered it could still fit his size and trashing it is a waste.

Paradoxically, having living in the mundane world, people around are projecting the 'corperate image' of wearing 'neat clothing' (if not gorgeous fashions) and fashonable shoes; a relative commented in nemerous occassions that the clothes we were wearing & the bag we were carrying to the office reflected the 'image' of an exercutive level staff.

My teacher, Kunde Rinpoche helped to sent off an aging mom & niece of a friend, Ani Tsering on 12 January 2012 at 6.00A.M. When he was in the bus station, he met one of his Friends from Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, Tashi Rinpoche (not that Rinpoche in Malaysia of the same name). His friend exchanged his new jacket - bought during the Kalachakra festival, he said though he was wearing it during these days, but it was new, if Kunde Rinpoche would not mind. He suggested that as a Rinpoche, wearing the worn-out clothing might be 'looking-down' by the lay people who are used to 'judge' external material measurement. Thus he exchanged and taken away the worn-out jacket and wearing it himself (as the weather was rather cold at that time).  After i heard of this exchanged of clothing episode, i was moved by the compassion of Tashi Rinpoche, Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery. 
Though below were the last pictures i had captured of this worn-out clothing, wearing by Kunde Rinpoche, it was a live lesson of two Rinpoches showing of heartful concerns and love towards one another. 

On the contrary, when i reflected how other practitioners i know had requested financial assistance from Kunde Rinpoche for various occasions and reasons, he had given without reservation despite my reminder that funds were meant for his first English translation publication, he said it could be delayed. i was rather disappointed when the time he needed hands to help, those benefitted from his kindness did not come forward or even asked of it, even though this person was around (and could not be contacted via mobile phone!). There were others even to the extend of expecting him to attend to their aging relative, a 11-year old child etc, when Kunde Rinpoche was supposed to enter the main shrine, sitting on the seat with his name already tagged. He said sitting outside in open air was the same!  More than that, this family left those bought raw materials food for him to carry back to the camp who was staying nearby his camp after the Puja in different days. That time, i felt that compassion is a perfect word but rather very much much easier to say than to practise for us.  After these days during the Kalachakra, i felt myself have not been practising well - i did not have the wisdom & skillful means to handle these types of occassions well, and  i felt i did not serve the Teacher skillfully, and find these mundane happenings within the 'spiritual' settings unacceptable, though the Teacher had not declined those 'unacceptable demands'.

Nevertheless, I thought these were special pictures i had photographed to share with his Friends - the nature of mind is beyond my naked eyes!!!

[Kunde Rinpoche, 11 January 2012, BodhGaya, India. Photographed by sonam yeshi. All rights reserved]

When i asked him what did it mean in his book :" ...have developed the four primordial wisdoms of joy (joy, supreme joy, extraordinary joy and innate joy" (p. 40, 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).  He gestured as below, i captured the picture, it speaks more than words:

[Kunde Rinpoche, 11 January 2012, BodhGaya, India. Photographed by sonam yeshi. All rights reserved]

Happy New Year
Tashi Delek

Live Lessons from my Spiritual Friend (5)

October 11-14

We travelled by train from Aurangabad to New Delhi, the journey, plus changing another train in between, we probably spent about 24 hours to reach the destination. In between, the train stopped at a destination, up to now, i vividly remember this boy who came in front of me with some food (one piece of bread and some biscuits) holding with one hand, the other hand streching towards me as other local people seemingly 'immune' to this scene. He looked very skinny, and hungry.  i asked Ani if i could give the 2 pieces of breads, she nodded, and i gave him with the plastic covering it as originally packed.  At that time, Kunde Rinpoche left to the train station, walking around. Later he came back and asked if we could give this pack of food to someone, he said there was a boy eating hungrily with 2 pieces of bread in the station area, thus we passed the pack of food which was supposed to be dinner to one of us through the window to Tulku.  Later he came back and said there were 2 Hindu monks bringing rice and curry for those people sitting at the station, and praising their kindness...

For the next few days, we spent in the Tibetan community.  We travel to the town a couple of times for various reasons. If the journey was within a few Kilometer, Tulku would ride with the cyclist - He cheekily playing with them such as pulling their bicycle when they tried to move etc.. and they would laugh together - I was seeing simple joy in their faces, and i felt their happiness being connected. Initially, i asked Tulku why did he choose to ride bicycle and i thought riding the mini motorcar was safer and looks less dangerous - the answer was the same - save money, no waste. If we have travel further which could only ride by mini motorcar, I had to catch up my Spiritual Friend who was walking and walking along the road until a driver agreed to the normal charge of the journey.

After i returned from the trip, as i contemplating on the experience of the joyful moments Kunde Rinpoche had with the cyclist who ride us, i felt moved by His compassion - my Spiritual Friend was making connection with simple folks in the streets! - i regretted for my worldly judgement of kept suggesting it was safer to travel by motor engine vehicle! I felt that we complaint too much within a comfortable life provided with all basic needs, unnecessary needs...etc...etc....

Live Lessons from my Spiritual Friend (4)

October 6-11, 2011

On Oct.6, 2011 evening, we travelled by a public bus from Dharamsala to New Delhi.  We missed the bus, together with a Tibetan lady & her daughter.  We asked the bus ticket counter at different timing on the arrival of the bus which we had booked tickets 2 hours ago and awaiting since then.  At the end, we had to hire a cab (taxi) to chase after the bus! Personally, i had fear riding on vehicle which driver speed - i described it as like 'Ferrari style'.  The driver put a price tag of rs500 to 'chase' the bus, four of us seated. During his 'crazy' drive of speeding and weaving with other vehicles, i was grumbling inside the car, Tulku had apologized a few times after he knew the bus was gone without any information for this incident. i was behaving like a fearful person as the driver was speeding, including narrating a car accident i heard of a colleague and his husband colliding into a tree at night, only the driver survived! - I even forgot my favourite Guru Rinpoche Mantra chant! Later i was surprised three other passengers, including Tulku were such calm during the 'horror' ride! At the end, the driver managed to stop the bus, exceeding the venue he expected to meet it, thus demanding extra cash of rs50. We paid and ride the bus for about 12 hours! Now writing in retrospection, i believe myself have some kind of deep psychological fear over car accidents as i had experienced 2 serious car accidents. Strangely after returning from this trip, the fearful feeling driving among reckless drivers on the road seems have been 'disminishing' or does not arouse panic emotion unnecessarily! Thank you very much to Tulku's compassion throughout that 'dangerous' ride!

The next 5 days, Tulku, Ani Tsering and myself travelled to Ellora, Ajanta caves at Aurangabad. We spent about 3 hours at Ellora. i apologize for not having a decent camera with me, after i knew the camera given by Tulku's friend was spoilt recently. i believe any reader interested in these historical caves could search the internet and retrieves loaded information and images travellers had posted. Buddhist Caves of Ellora dated back to 500-700A.D. we enjoy the natural hillside panoramic views surrounding the caves, but salluting to the master pieces of Buddhist scuptures that remained, erected after many centuries, surviving from human destructions!!!!! - personally, i see the vital importance of preservation and conservation of human culture, artistic creation, and history, irrespective of one's creed, race and system of beliefs in what we termed 'Human Civilization'. Below is a photograph to share:

[Water Fall between the Buddhist Caves at Ellora, caves 1 -12, southern series. Image photographed by sonam yeshi, all rights reserved, 2011]

The next day we are supposed to travel to Ajanta Caves. That night i had a dream of yeye, the grandpa of Tulku. The next day morning i thought i had made wishes in my Buddhist prayers and puja that this respected, compassionate Lama would return to human realm for his Bodhisattva vow. Interestingly, in the morning before we depart to Ajanta Cave, Tulku shared that he dreamt of yeye - (late) Lopon Pema Dechen and received message from one of his Dharma Protectors last night!  it was indeed auspicious coincidence!  Tulku and Ani had thought to do a short Buddhist Puja at one of the Temple Hall in Ajanta before we travelled. We did manage to do a Puja, venerating to the historical Buddha Sakyamuni images, artistics stone carvings etc.  - happily experiencing the historical spiritual caves and beautiful architectures... We met a group of university students from India, they were Architecture studies and English studies undergraduates, leading by 2 lecturers. They enthusiastically requesting Tulku (and kindly invited us also) to have pictures taken in groups with them. Not to disappoint readers here, below is a picture photograph at one of the caves:

[a Buddhist Cave in Ajanta. Image photographed by sonam yeshi, all rights reserved, 2011]

Live Lessons from my Spiritual Friend (2)

October 4, 2011
This day from 0900hr-1200hr was a special session, with compassion, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was giving an empowerment of the Avoloketesvara (Boddhisattva of Compassion). HH explained this teaching's transmission was experienced in a solitary retreat during the life of the 5th Dalai Lama. Briefly HH was giving this oral transmission to the participants, the basis of this visualization meditation was based on the Nyingma tradition (the earliest tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism).  During the instruction, based on the translation in Chinese, i followed it, and i found the method narrated had much similarity to what my Spiritual Friend, Kunde Rinpoche had taught us the Vajrasattva visualization on two occassions during the launch of his first English publication, A Garland of Flowers: Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection, mainly the object of visualization is Avoloketesvara, the was slight variation almost at the end.  After the session, i found it energizing, and refreshing. In fact, having this opportunity to meditate among the practitioners from different parts of the globe is a blessing itself, even though it was less than an hour practice.
A Lama, a friend of Tulku, to be more specific, hails from the same monastery, Horthang Tashi Monastery but currently studying at Sakya monastery college in India, was requested by Tulku to take care of me (Thanks much to Tulku's being such considerate of this student's unfamiliar with the environment throughout this journey).  Tulku had gone to the administrative office, i understand he was trying very hard if he could request for a private audience with HH (on my behalf).  Later, he apologized unable to make arrangement via the Temple 's receptionist whom (with my presence) referred him here and there (from security office, religious dept ect.).  I sincerely felt that this humble Spiritual Friend was doing more than extra miles for his student. When his efforts yielded no results, and Tulku apologized more than 3 times, again i expressed that the experiences of being among the participants for these days had given me much contentment spiritually.  I have seen HH during his teaching sessions, though it was not directly in private capacity.  Even the viewing of HH leaving the Temple Hall twice were symbolic of meeting a great Spiritual Friend.  I believe there were too many participants trying to take this opportunity to do the same, as evident when we were at the reception office. Being able to travel and attending this special teaching days (though not fully with my own short of awareness and mindfullness for 2 days) - i felt it was indeed a lifetime blessings!
Thank you very much, my Spiritual Friend - for your kind concerns and caring for your students' spiritual diverse exposure to different traditions within Vajrayana School.
May the merits of the 4-day teachings with a finale of Avaloketesvara Empowerment by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama benefit all Sentient Beings, above, below and across...

May all beings be well and happy...
Tashi Delek

Live Lessons from my Spiritual Friend (1)

These series are memoirs of my trip to India from Sept 30 - October 15, 2011. It is written in retrospective manner as personnaly i am a lazy person to write dairies while travelling.  After considering this trip's some interesting experiences for self-reflections and life lessons learned, in certain way, it may shift my perceptions of many conceptual phenomena; and may these live lessons from my Spiritual Friend, Kunde Rinpoche transforms my spiritual quest for human enlightenment!

Motivation of the trip: My Spiritual Friend, Kunde Rinpoche suggested to me to make an effort to meet His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in this lifetime. One day in September he called to inform there would be a 4-day teachings scheduled at Dharamsala.  I thought this would be a golden opportunity to listen to His Holiness, and it was also time to take breaks from work, study ('coldstoraged' for nearly 7-8 months!), and the Buddhist Centre i am committed - to refresh my clouded mind...
[Symbols in text reference: HH -  His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tulku: Kunde Rinpoche - my Spiritual Friend; Ani: a renounced woman; Parenthesis:bracket ( ) - personal comments/reflection; " " -  conversation may not be the exact words rather than the meaning]

Sept. 30 - Oct. 3, 2011 - I arrived at the Indira Ghandi International Airport, Delhi, it was late night.  A budget mortel was booked on my behalf at the Tibetan community as Tulku as usual emphasize the joy of moderation in living, and being thrifty in person (Tulku used the term 'saved money', 'no waste' et.c).
The next day we went for lunch in a small restaurant, I passed the food bill and money for Tulku to help me make payment at the cashier counter as i was a little caution of the unfamiliar environment.  Tulku just received the money changed after payment without scrunity of the correctness (as usual) of the cashier.  I was a little curious why the woman almost like rushing towards the counter as we tried to pay to a male worker who was at the counter rightly. After stepped out from the restaurant, i suggested to count the changed cash -  and we found it had short changed by rs20! I suggested to Tulku we may go back for correction, Tulku said 'never mind' as we had left the counter, and suddenly he recalled:"Oh, last time a lady short change my cash of rs20 after food, now i know it was the same person!". He laughed, and that made me laugh at this experience! That evening we travelled by bus to Dharamsala.  When Tulku picked up the 2 bus tickets from a travel agency's shop which he used to book travelling transportation, it was rs600 per ticket instead of rs400 told to him earlier.  The bus has a small fan near to the seats - but it was malfunctioning! Later Tulku called his friend Ani who is related to one lady in that travel agency for confirmation of the price. After some rings here and there, he said that he was told the price was higher because the bus's condition was good! i tended to be judgemental in lay life, but this time i had no comments (as i have not checked on this before). 

Thus the jouney took about 12 hours from Delhi. When we arrived at Dharamsala, it was about 2 Oct 2011, 0700hrs local time.  I was informed the Teachings sheduled for Oct 1- 4, 2011 based on the request of one thousand Taiwanese. Thus we quickly readied to the Temple. When we reached the vanue, then we knew that we need two pieces of photos for ID card in this event. We were brought to a specific shop, but the man who knew how to use photoshop software had left.  Thus Tulku had to assist the lady boss for his FOC service (and he had to pay for his photos, no complimentary?). As we were waiting for our instant photos to be ready, i chat with 2 ladies from Russia, one of them shortly shared that she was doing a research on Tibet in her university, and after this they would be going to Himalaya (foot), and she said no idea yet of 'how to'. Thus i gave her the name of Nepal Dzogchen Monastery to request help from a Lama we know - who may be able to assist her for a reliable tour guide.  As usual, all instant photos were more expensive! Then we needed to photocopy our travel documents (visa, passport) to the organizer. As we were doing all this chores, there was another Westerner who commented to that Russian student that the teachings were in Tibetan.  She replied we needed to bring our own radio for translation of other languages (English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese). Then the woman shook her head and left!
For lay people, we had to go through some basic security check, and no mobile phone was allowed. At the venue, we found that all the space near to the Buddha Shrine where HH seated were fully occupied. As Tulku tried to look for seats that could view HH, we were 'lucky' as one Lama greeted Tulku and he assisted us to make some space to 'squeeze-in', and i thanked all the Lama(s), Ani(s) and lay people around the area for this convenience made for us (adjusting their seating postures and space etc). After seated, i almost 'struggling' to tune my Sony brand recorder's radio FM (i had not tried to read the manual for this gadget as i didnt need such function before this). An Ani (France) assisted me! i must be very ignorant, my short of tech-savvy - Steeve Jobs (the late) might laugh at my lack of this simple i-sense! what more to be innovator?
- i chose to listen to the English translation in one ear (my other side ear was listening to the translator in Chinese) to find the language understanding capacity for me (i thought i was not familiar much with Buddhist terminology in Chinese).  I almost like fallen asleep as i was listening, may be due to physical and mental tireness from the journey and my 'pressed' of time to complete as much works as possible in the office before leaving. Tulku tried to alert me, but i found my urge for sleeps 'horned' me (as usual). Then it was lunch time, rice and one dish of potatoes in soup were provided - everyone around seems eating happily like a big family in this Buddhist Community - estimated about 7K-10K participants? - i was impressed by this simplicity which was like more than a 'big fest' time!
The Dharma talk ended around 4pm, the audiences incidental wispers almost undisturbing and unheard of throughout the hours! - it was more than awesome?
When we left the Temple, i felt happy though much of the words i didn't seems to register in my mind excepts 'Heart Sutra', 'Emptiness', 'Nagajuna'...
Lesson learned: to meet a Spiritual Master is inconceivable, being physically presence itself was a happy feeling to be with the Buddhist Community. I felt blessed, even though the spectacles i was wearing was meant for computer work in the office that did not give me a perfect vision of His Holiness's physical senses (eyes, ears, nose) - after all i was experiencing his humanity, boundless energy and mental alertness throughout the Teachings... - i deeply felt it is worth a lifetime experience!

Tashi Delek