Media & Information Literary in Vajrayana Buddhism - are we competent?

Lately i received some information of dharma activities, especially Buddhist Puja going on or to be held soon after i joined a Vajrayana_Penang  yahoogroup mailing list.

One of the info sheet i read linked to a site (probably created in Taiwan, using Traditional Chinese Character).  While i was taking a (long) break & reading that in my univ. student computer lab, i got quite taken aback when i read the claimed of the Teacher was the re-incarnation of Avalokitesvara etc...! if i were to offend anyone, after thinking for nearly a week, i think it is better i wrote some information on this upon seeking verification from Kunde Rinpoche who studied in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, Tibet for nearly a decade. Also i noticed this Teacher has 2 Buddhist centres in Malaysia adopted the word 'Samye'. i was a little confused as i visited the most historical & sacred Samye Monastery in Tibet before.  Then i called my Vajrayana Master/Teacher, Kunde Rinpoche to ask & verify a few questions in my mind.This allow readers' evaluation of those information which had been broadcast in the public domain such as yahoogroup and poster displaying locally.  (These Q&A have been rewording for clarity, bracket wordings meant for personal note)

These were some questions asked & with answers for sharing:

Q1) Tulku la, do you know this Teacher, in the circulated information & website he was a student  of H.H. Pema Kalsang from Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery Tibet?

Answered:  (Tulku la) - he knew this person studying Khenpoship in Dzogchen Shriseng Moastery.  When he was  about 16 years old in that Monastery, this Teacher had just completed the study & left to his own monastery.

ii) - when i tried to verify that the puja text of this Teacher was a student of H.H. Pema Kalsang Rinpoche, Tulku la answered H.H. have many students in Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery, Tibet as HH has been the Kyabje (Teacher?) in the Monastery.

iii) - Further, Tulku la complimented he is a Khenpo, thus has completed the required study as a Rinpoche.

2) when i asked of the re-incarnation claim & emanation of Avalokitesvara in that linked website, Tulku la just said people can claim anything they like, but to live to that emanation, able to benefits people's well beings & sentient beings are essentials; as any (self-claims) of spiritual attainment is just a matter of time the Buddhist community who practice the right path would be wise to know.

3) Can we simply use the word 'Samye' for popularity?

- As the Samye Monastery, historically it was Guru Rinpoche's Monastery. Thus, so far there is no Main Spiritual Abbot in the Monastery as no practitioner is competent to claim for oneself as Guru Rinpoche spiritual attainment yet. (it may be normal to use for reason only the user knows, but this highly respected  historically 'Samye' is sacred in Tibet.)

After the discusssion, we agreed that worldly publicity may be important to attract the crowd to contribute or participate in any Dharma activities, but it has to be done with discreet ethically and fairly. (Skillful Means does not meant NOT grounded in ethics - even academic research "Grounded Theory" emphasized its validity is grounded in data... - my personal grouses).

Today, i received the poster again from the Vajrayana_yahoogroup. I observed that the word "Dzogchen Monastery" has been used in that poster.  One time in a chat, Khenpo Kunga Tashi Rinpoche commented that Sogyal Rinpoche (author of "The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying" once said that his brother, H.H.the 7th Dzogchen Rinpoche was (has been) too compassionate (on the worldly misrepresentation of Dzogchen Monastery & even spiritual hierarchy representation).

Personally, I think to be fair, should anyone or practitioner using Dzogchen Monastery’s  name in their publicity material locally should generously donate (all) the (net) proceeds of the Dharma Puja conducted channel to Dzogchen Monastery (Tibet or India) for the benefits of the Lamas education & training needs (then the merits are virtueous? - "geramnya"). Otherwise, it is just misleading and in information literacy's jargoon word -  misrepresentation" for the general public who is not familiar with Vajrayana Tradition, or find it too troublesome seeking any verification (may be even  do not know where to verify). But unfortunately, our public media literacy and information literacy levels need many efforts to continuously raising this awareness.  Furthermore, the School of Vajrayana Buddhism here is still rather young & growing compared to the other two well established Buddhist traditions - Theravada & Mahayana Schools.

May We be Wise while trying to Practicing Good

Tashi  Delek

Revised from the original post at Vajrayana Buddhism & facebook timeline - Geram/KH Yeoh on 1 August 2012.

Vajrayana Last Rites Rituals - An Experience

Last Friday, i drove Kunde Rinpoche & a Lama to visit a long time friend's house as her mother had departed on last Thursday, aged 90+3 (may be this is the chinese way of calculating age for the departed).  She called to say that she informed me the news because i had visited her late mom with Kunde Rinpoche 2 years ago when she had a colon surgery.  Having personal affinity with her mum, i had to put aside my lag behind study due to personal commitment in assisting in the coming two Buddhist Puja that would assist in the funding for the new Library of Dzogchen Monastery India.

After a tele-conversation with this Buddhist friend, i requested Kunde Rinpoche last Thursday late night if he could help to perform some last rites rituals to assist this friend's family, though they have a local lay Buddhist group to do Amitabha chantings in the evening. Rinpoche la asked me would they be offering a burned animal (like some Chinese families he had seen) and commented 'no killing' involved is the best merits.  My friend commented her late mum had mentioned merits of the Buddhist full-time practitioners are not comparable, and confirmed the ritual ceremony would be only vegetarian.

When we arrived that state which is about 250KM away, it was about 5.30P.M. As the lay Buddhist Amitabha group would be doing the evening chant from 8pm-9.30pm(?), Kunde Rinpoche la humbly adjusted to their needs. We waited till that chanting session completed. Rinpoche la & Lama performed a Buddhist Prayers (my little knowledge only know Vajrasattva 100-Syllable & Mantra)& Smoke Puja (烟供), later Kunde Rinpoche performed a short 'Phowa'. That family also requested him to bless one of the daughters who has been sick & not well (i did not follow to see his blessing for that daughter).

The next day morning, Rinpoche initiated a 100-Buddha ritual after a long series of Blessing Chantings (some Chantings i could recognized with my little experience in Vajrayana Prayers), including Three Refuges, Bodhicitta, Chenrezig, Amitabha Puja & Mantra Chants etc.  We were impressed that Rinpoche could innovatively just drew the Vajrayana Prayer Plate with a lotus, put a picture of the deceased on top of the lotus before the Prayer started .

After the Prayer, another long-time friend who started practising Vajrayana Buddhism in 1997 (?) presented an offering to Rinpoche la & Lama. Her kindness & generosity reminded us of the impotance of making connection with whatever little offering to the recognized Buddhist Practitioners.

That evening after the lay Buddhist Amitabha chanting, Kunde Rinpoche performed Guru Rinpoche's Empowerment to the deceased & the living siblings & relatives. Before the ceremony started, i suggested to make connection with Kunde Rinpoche & the Lama with a minimal offering. They did, for the sake of the highest love and respect to their beloved mum though i was informed that for some of the children, this is the first time they prostrated to Buddhist full-time practitioners.  I was very moved by their kindness & heartful towards their late mum.  Rinpoche la also explained liberated from the Six Realms of Existence entering the Amitabha Pure Land does not meant attainment of Buddhahood, thus we continue to do Buddhist Prayers for this reason.  I was happy to see that daughter was recovered to join this prayer session and later one.

The next day, we were rejoicing to see sign of liberation at the head of the deceased!  With rejoice, Kunde Rinpoche la & Lama performed the Buddhist Prayers with Transference of Merits long text, also blessing the to-be-used porcelain cremation urn upon request. Later Rinpoche la informed me he did the Gelukpa tradition Transference of Merits chant as the Lama is familiar with this instead of the Nyingma Transference of Merits text.  I saluted Rinpoche la's understanding & compassion to make a connection as the Lama who came with him was trained in Sera Buddhist College of Gelukpa tradition.  May be the full-time Vajrayana Practitioners are much open in performing any recognized traditions' rituals with the right conditions.

As Rinpoche la had well-planned to do the necessary prayers for three days, we departed on Sunday, leaving the cremation ceremony for the arranged organization to perform it on Monday. 

It was indeed a special experience for me and i believe the Buddhist rituals ceremony bring psychological well beings for the departed living family members. On the way back while driving, i was contemplating on the local Buddhist Chinese who had spent enormously for the deceased relative, sometimes may be lack of information or knowledge and even could be due to inherited superstition?

May the Merits generated from these 3 days extensive Buddhist Prayers be transferred to All Sentient Beings For Liberation & Peace...Amitofo. 南无阿弥陀佛
OM AH ME DEWA SHER (108x).......

Mind your language - perceptions of conceptual words

I met someone interested in Buddhism about a month ago. Twice i visited her organic shop, it happened my Teacher, Kunde Rinpoche was arround. In the seconde time, she asked me how i communicate with this Buddhist Teacher who spoke limited simple, sometimes unclear (or inaccurate) pronunciation Mandarin (Chinese).  I told her for the first 3 years, when he visited here, mostly i was driving him here and there, taking care of some of his basic needs.  I have learned much from observing his actions, how he response calmly towards adversities and rude behavors of common people, even Buddhists.  I chatted and asked him many questions as we travelled in my 12-year old automobile. Listening to his lived stories and life experiences are real and practical lessons for me in so called life long learning journey.


Mind your Language - Lived Stories (1)

One of their young Lama who left the monastery in Tibet and studying in Dzogchen Monastery India.  When he was in the monastery, one day one devotee from Australia gave him a sum of cash support for his living.  He did not speak English at all that time. He called one of the Lama who speaks Tibetan to ask how to say 'Thank You Very Much'.  That Lama cheekingly told him 'I Love You'.  He memorized the phrase and went to the kind friend to express the phrase 'I Love You'.  That lady was in her middle age felt so affectionate and held his hands warmly and said 'Thank you, Thank you', showing an expression of very touched by his words. Later he then learned the meaning of this phrase, but luckily it brought much joy to the donor at that moment with perfect cultural meaning in showing affection among people!

Mind your Language - Lived Stories (2)

Last year after published his first translated book in English*, Kunde Rinpoche taught me how to practise Vajrasattva visualization.  He gave a simplied version first and advised to practise progressively as per Dzogchen practice, guided in his Great Perfection book. Almost towards the end of the practice, Kunde  Rinpoche used a term (in Mandarin) '无二无别' (non-duality). He read as 'wu err wu bie'
At that time, i didn't understand the meaning of the terminology yet.  Instead I gave the feedback may be it was better not to use the term to the beginners who do not read much dharma books yet when he was going to guide this practice later in the book launch at Dzogchen Samten Chokling Malaysia .

Lately we had a brief session of Vajrasattva practice (briefly to revise his pronunciation after back to India for nearly a year), after the session, curiously i asked him why he did not used the same term '无二无别' (non-duality) for this session in instructions? He reminded me that i had feedbacked not to use this term as it was not well-pronounced!!!

At that moment, i did not know to laugh or to cry for my own ignorance! - I apologized

Today, i spent more than a hour reading Buddhist teachings online.  I read one very interesting article by Khenpo Cicheng Lodo [my own translations: Praising the Dharma Realm: an abridge translation (?)]. Retrieved: 14 July 2012.
http://www.huidengzhiguang.com//c/2012-03-06/1212.shtml

When i read some of the terms used in explaining Nyingma, and the 'state' of Great Perfection mind training, Ah-huh! - Now i know i was then making the wrong suggestion.  I salute my Teacher's humanity! It also reflect my intellectual 'arrogance'!
Tashi Delek!

* 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 [ ISBN: 978-967-10552-0-5]

An E-Book for Sharing - Dzogchen Practice (by Lodoe Gyatso)

posted by sonam yeshi

This is the weblink given by Kunde Rinpoche that has a free E-book on Dzogchen Practice which was written by his Root Lama, Lodoe Gyatso. [in Tibetan]. (Retrieved from: Dzogchen Monastery, Tibet, http://dzogchen.cn, 8 July 2012):

http://dzogchen.cn/blo_gros_rgya_mtsho_i_gsung__bum_A_2011_edition.pdf

This is a photograph of Lodoe Gyatso & his student Pema Kalsang Rinpoche for sharing:

Lodoe Gyatso & Pema Kalsang Rinpoche

Homage to Lode Gyatso, the Lineage holder of Great Perfection after Jigme Yonten Gonpo (Kunde Rinpoche, p. 68, 2011). _(*)_

May the Merits be Transferred to all Sentient Beings. May the Teachings of Great Perfection (Dzogchen) brings countless Sentient Beings to Enlightenment.

Reference: H.E. Kunde Rinpoche; Translated by Geshe Lhakdor & Dr Chok Tenzin Monlam. (2011). A Garland of Flowers : Questions and Answers on the Highly Secret Clear Light Great Perfection. ISBN: 9789671055205

Life lessons learned from my Spiritual Friend (1)

Lately, my Spiritual Friend, Kunde Rinpoche la arrived with a young Lama friend.  Personally, i prefer learning practical dharma from Buddhist Spiritual Friends via their presence in persons.  Though i also find reading dharma teachings websites, blogs, microblogs, youtube, real-time webcast could be very helpful and inspiring.

The recent lessons learned when i was trying to serve Kunde Rinpoche la:
a) A childhood story shared:
One day i was trying to serve fruits after a meal.  I gave good bananas just bought from the coldstorage store. He laughed after he had taken. He said that when he was a little boy, one day he went to a nearby town and he saw 2 chinese ladies eating bananas. At that time, this was the first time he saw the fruits people eating without knowing the name :)-D. Thus he might had been looking on with curiosity while these ladies were eating. Then both ladies threw the banana skins towards him and hit his face, they laughed and left. Rinpoche narrated in such childlike, while i was hearing, i did not know to laugh or to cry.
I asked what did he do with that? He said that he did not react, he cleaned his face. Later, he went home and narrated to his mum, his mum explained and later bought him the fruits - bananas.

In our modern culture, i would perceived the ladies who did that was like 'bullying' a child, even arrogant! Later i contemplated on this childhood story, Kunde Rinpoche la had shown me a lived lesson - there is no advantage to react to afflictive emotions shown by others towards us.
Having said that, as a lay person with little Buddhist practice, at this point, i think if i meet such arrogant act, i will pick up the ramnants and threw back! :)- Then i guess my spiritual friend may still gently and tell me that i am fierce! In reflection, i have much to practise watching my own emotion and anger then :)_-D.
Having seen my own mind after the story, the next whole week i practice the four foundations contemplation daily till today - perseverance, perseverance, patience, patience...

2) The magic of A Gift Box
After i returned from Kalachakra in January this year, one day i bought a 'proper' cold jacket for my Spiritual Friend  (after witnessing he treasured the 'worn-out' jacket which other practitioners had reminded him of the perceptions of others towards him. But eventually, a kind Rinpoche exchanged his jacket with him before he left to Dzogchen Shriseng Monastery after the festival).
I kept the new jacket in a square big plastic box which i have been using it to keep gifts for full-time Buddhist practitioners thus far. When i took out that box and presented the gift to Kunde Rinpoche la, he gently reminded me that i should not have bought that for him, and saved  the spendings for my study.
Then Kunde Rinpoche narrated to me that his grandfather (Yeye), Lopon Pema Dechen had such a gift box. His grandpa had not lost any temper thus far (till he passed away). When he was a child, sometimes he was curious and may refused adults instructions. If he cried or 'showed stubborness' in following adult's instructions, Yeye would birng him to his magic box - open his Gift Box to ask him to choose whatever he likes.  He would then choose something (a toy) and happily play with it.  Later, when he had done with it, Yeye would put it back inside the magic box! - Thus anger from adults was saved from this child's playfulness.
That day, after i heard this heartful story of Yeye, i posted this timeless photo i had with him in 2011 at my facebook to share with my Buddhist friends. Here i would like to share with readers who have affinity of this picture of a saintly grandfather that i encountered with altruisctic joys, which was such overwhelming till made my tears flowing down for quite a while without knowing any reason - but truly timeless encounter...This encouter might have changed my life...

[Lopon Pema Dechen (late) 2011]

May Lopon Pema Dechen gained Enlightenment! May His Kindness, Wisdom, Compassion and Patience be the Inspirations to all who had met him in this lifetime striving in practising good.

May all Sentient Beings be Well, Happy and Peaceful.

Tashi Delek 扎西得勒



Reflection on Lay Buddhist Communities (2)

Q1: Is my religion better than yours?

Last month a friend who shared that he met a group of Korean ladies who confronted him in a food stall to 'preach' to him. He said he didn't want to make them felt bad thus he listened to their 'preaching' for a while and gently dissuaded them to leave his table.  I thought he was nice to do that, in my honest opinion, youth are energetic and simpler in critical thinking. In my younger days, i might be even more naive than this group in my enthusiasm in learning some basic teachings of world religions.  Somehow, i have greater affinity with Buddhist teachings, but appreciate universal truths expounded in world religions and sound philosophical thoughts and good cultures.

Q2: Is my teacher (master/guru) better than yours?

Last month, one young Lama travelled with Kunde Rinpoche to this region. This Lama follows Gelukpa school.  We served him, contributed to his basic needs etc. like any other Lamas happened to come here with Tulku or Khenpo.  I happened to receive them at the airport, later we by-passed a Buddhist Centre and we stopped to pay homage to the Three Jewels. One of the young men came out and greeted us when we entered the Centre. It happened a small group of lay Buddhists of the Centre's members  were having a practice program going on.  We paid homage to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. We looked around, there is a Zopa Rinpoche's photo in significant size displaying on a portable display stand at the side of the main shrine.  i had a short chat with one lady (who happened to study in the same univ. of different program) and then gave a small token for their up-coming puja in a designated box, and later we left - admiring the well-established learning place.  Kunde Rinpoche praised to us that Zopa Rinpoche is a very good and generous Master. In my curiosity, i asked a question, Kunde Rinpoche explained to me that in Vajrayana tradition, the Guru is very significant.
I got to know that one of my good friends whom i know affiliated to this Centre is now the president of this centre.  In retrospection, many years ago, she had kindly invited me to the other branch centre at another side of this city.  Somehow, my affinity was not strong to make a connection. We are good friends, had been learning traditional Buddhist teachings together for many years.  Though our spiritual path have taken a different approach within a same tradition, I have high regards and respect in her practise of compassion and socially engaged activities based on Universal principles of kindness and compassion.

Later in self contemplation, I appreciated Acho Rinpoche's and his students open-heartedness in receiving all guests of different Buddhist schools and traditions.  He has shown kindness and dignity in upholding the Sangha Spirit even though he was recognized as the third incarnation of Horthang Tashi Monastery Retreat Centre Abbot, by Kunde Rinpoche, and confirmed by H.H. Dzogchen Rinpoche and H.H. Sakya Trizin.

Contemplating thus, i thought as a lay buddhist person, i need to remind myself not to forget to fold palms as a symbol of greetings to other fellow practitioners.  Otherwise, the practice of prostration to the Buddhist shrine does not train me a little of less 'self' and no less than ritual symbolic interaction in sociological lens.

Tashi delek 吉祥如意

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