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Astrology

7/31/2010     Saturday

You wake up happy and with a plan!  You were thinking in your sleep, and the result is good.  Talk things over with your inner circle, and with the boss, and you will feel stable.  Energetic action, initiating new activity and moving forward stabilize the situation.  Money or good luck come from activity, so [...]

The Heart of Experience is the Guru

The Heart of Experience is the Guru

An excerpt from the Mindfulness workshop given by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo in 1999

For many of you, I know that when we first started this temple it was family style, and you thought of yourselves as children, and I thought of myself as your mother in many ways, and there was a spiritual family dynamic.  We [...]

Astrology

7/30/2010     Friday

Take it easy early today and enjoy the lull because a storm is about to hit.  Choppy seas ahead!  Things loll along and then suddenly all heliotrope breaks loose! Hold your ground.  Keep your head.  Careful analysis that leads to action is good.  You will be tempted to react strongly if a mistake has [...]

The Eight Auspicious Symbols

The Eight Auspicious Symbols represent the Eight Qualities of the Buddha.  Here is a brief explanation of how each quality is symbolized.

Excellent Lotus Flower:

The purity of the Buddha’s mind

Golden Wheel of the Dharma

The Buddha’s unending activity of training beings in the path of liberation

Great Victory Banner

The Buddha having conquered all negativity and limitations

Inexhaustible Treasure Vase

The [...]

Ten Virtues and Ten Non-Virtues

The following is from the From the Nam Cho Ngondro, The Great Perfection – Buddha in the Palm of the Hand

“From attachment, hatred and delusion, non-virtuous karma is generated.  All suffering arises from non-virtuous karma.”

Ten Non-Virtues

Killing
Stealing
Sexual Misconduct
Lying
Harsh words
Slander
Gossip
Coveting
Cruelty
Wrong View

Ten Virtues

Renounce killing; protect the lives of others
Renounce taking what is not given
Practice generosity
Give up sexual misconduct; practice [...]

Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows

Refuge

I take refuge in the Lama.

I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dharma.

I take refuge in the Sangha.

The Bodhisattva Vow

I dedicate myself to the liberation and salvation of all sentient beings.  I offer my body, speech, and mind in order to accomplish the purpose of all sentient beings.  I will return in [...]