January, 2011 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Understanding Cause and Effect

January 4, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

I’m not an astrologer, but noticed that lately we have seen some strong transiting planetary aspects. Today was Jupiter conjuncts Uranus, two powerful, relatively slow planets lined up together, and also both trine Venus. It actually is a good time to begin new projects, and new ideas blossom, new phases entered and risks taken. The land lays different. Change experienced in such a profound way is disconcerting and awe inspiring as well as frightening.

It is good to remember that Buddha taught all things are impermanent, and that was one constant we all experience; change. We are all born, and then die. In between are endless uncountable changes in our body, speech & mind. In fact that is one of the terrifying faults of samsara, the tide that relentlessly pulls us toward the end of the journey.

The character and results of this trip all depend on our karma and habitual tendency. If we were warriors, the habit of thoughtlessly hurting others remains. If we were thieves, the habit of feeling entitled to steal from others remains. If we were healers, the habit and knack for it may remain. If we were teachers, the habit of educating remains, etc. The character one builds will color our future lives. Our qualities can be carried forward and built on in every life. Likewise if the habits and qualities are meager and poor one can cycle down through lower rebirths for what seems like an eternity. Not one sesame seed’s worth of material wealth can be taken with you.

So we should balance our material needs with the richer, deeper wealth of spirit. We can leave material goods to our children. They should be comfortable. But if you are collecting lots of money and lovely stuff I hope you will give much to the poor. Give some money and stuff away. That is the only way to be sure you will be comfortable and provided for in a future life! Funny how that works, no?

An example: since I began my work I have never lived in a shabby or poor home. Whether mine or not; I am blessed with a safe, comfy, lovely home always. Is it because I am rich? Oh, far from it! But I always spend a good portion of time making nice homes for birdies, finding nice homes for dogs and cats, keeping my land natural for the beautiful wildlife. I am never without food for me and mine because I spend $300 on animal food every month. It is my joy! I wish it was more! Bird houses, bird food, deer food- I love doing this, have since childhood. With this money I could buy a new snazzy car! But my car is nine years old, runs well and looks just fine. I would rather feed wildlife. I love them; they are Buddha, every one. When I serve them I serve the Guru, the Buddha in all. At KPC we feed wild animals, rescue “anipals,” the poor and homeless, we will always be safe, fed and warm if we continue.

We know we will not live forever. We know we want to be happy and content in this and all lives. But most beings simply do not know how to create the causes. We deny cause and effect. We do not think in full equations. We are scrambled in our thinking because we do not understand our future is caused by our own thoughts and actions.

I know rich people who will be poor in the future due to selfishness. I know an amazing woman who is a good Buddhist nun and was a warrior in past lives. Though she has reformed (pun) she has a hole in her heart where her spear entered the heart of another in an ancient, meaningless war.

We do not see that what we do matters, and why and how, even more. We do not see that we dwell in our own mindstream. All phenomena is essentially empty of self nature, but it doesn’t seem like it and we forget the dream like quality of samsara, think it solid and act like we are not spiritual beings at all and there was nothing but this life, this need, this want, this desire and then we are lost. Please, wake up to your nature. Practice, contemplate and act as though everything depends upon your awakening! Because you are the one, and it does in fact depend on you and me.

OM MANI PEDME HUNG!

OM AH MI DEWA HRI!

Astrology

January 4, 2011 by Norma

1/4/2010 Tuesday

Eclipse day. Capricorn is highlighted from today through May. Expect changes in your life, as well as changes with governmental organizations and authority figures. A time of great energy and productivity begins, and an emotional home-based time ends. You are ready to move out into the world! A change in partners may occur, but you have strength and motivation on your side. Indecision plays a role. Make your plans; lower your head and charge! If you change your mind mid-charge, no good comes from this. Keep going. The wind is at your back, and you have strong support. Sure, there will be problems, but you can overcome them if you keep going. John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death – and saddling up anyway.” Saddle up!

The daily astrology post affects everyone. Because individual charts vary, the circumstances outlined in the post will affect people differently. Some will feel this energy in the personal arena, some in finances, some with children or family, some in work and so forth. There are many departments of life. Look to see where the dynamic affects you!

Astrology

January 3, 2011 by Norma

1/3/2011 Monday

You meet a secret today, and you can feel you’re in over your head. Winston Churchill said, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” It could seem as though a hellish situation is present. Do not stop or stay still, keep going and you will come out the other end. This could involve a mental process, a dream, or a physical situation. Keep your wits and keep going. Love, good humor and attraction continue to play a powerful role in your life. Inspired investing, purchasing and spending can happen today. If you have a good creative idea, go for it! All creative pursuits are favored as are all medical cures. Something can be invented that is a major improvement, and at the exact same time you could say something that makes you feel like a raving fool. Be philosophical. Tomorrow is another day.

Roar Against Suffering

January 2, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I do not understand cruelty, such as the murder of wonderful loving pets simply because no effort is put into adoption. It drives me nuts! Even people who have “anipals” and know what they truly are often care only about their own. I understand it is a learning curve to care for all beings. But the complacency is a sickness. Complacency is a death sentence for those weaker than us. It is a display of self cherishing.

We simply cannot put others before ourselves. I see it in my own Sangha. An innate selfishness that is evidently very difficult to overcome. We tend to use Dharma activity to boost our self-cherishing to a set of rules that start with “I can’t. Love to help but can’t” the great excuse. Anyone can convince themselves that they “can’t” because it is inconvenient to care for others. As Buddhists we have our armfuls of books, texts, big words we memorize, an intellectual materialistic grasping. But what is in the heart is what is truly important. We spout Buddhism and its exotic phrases. But the heart is as cold as ice. No Bodhicitta, concern for others, no love; we sit on our cushions and pretend we are great enlightened beings. But what kindness do we ever show suffering beings?

“I can’t” – our great gift to the world. This is the heart of what must change as it comes to the west. We don’t need regurgitated words! My parrot does that! What is needed is Dharma taken to the streets to bring benefit in this life. This moment. This opportunity. This is all ordinary reality, yes. But this is where beings are hungry! Beaten and abused! Alone with no hope! Lost in addiction! Cold and homeless… How can we do the intellectual ivory tower thing when so many sentient beings have Nothing? Simple, we ignore them, watch sitcoms and reality TV and forget. Live in our heads while we let our hearts and compassion to wither away until we die. I say, since we are here, and not someplace else, here is where we must help.

There are two main kinds of kindness; ordinary, of the world, which can be contrived from ordinary things. This is a necessity, to heal pain such as feeding and clothing the poor. Then we must practice deeply in Dharma so that we may teach them to help their own suffering. The difference is like giving a loaf of bread to a hungry person. Good, thank you. The more ultimate second view is to teach how to grow grain and how to make bread. Both are necessary – ordinary and extraordinary kindness.

We spend way too much time in our heads hanging out with talk and no time paying forward the kindness we ourselves may have known. We could all decide now to make the planet and her people better, stronger and freer of suffering. If we can stop puffing up our egos long enough, it is possible to live a life of service and joy. All beings, whether human or animal or any life-form, deserve our respect, our concern, our help and our love.

So open the door of the heart and let the fountain flow. ROAR AGAINST SUFFERING! What do we wait for? To be reborn with a better deal? This is the moment! These are the lives we must bring benefit to! Start NOW! There is no other time but the present moment of manifestation! Jump in! We need you.

Delusion

December 8, 2011January 2, 2011 by Holly

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An excerpt from a teaching called How Buddhists Think by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

According to the Buddha, all that you perceive through your five senses, all your feelings, all the thoughts you take pride in, are based on delusion. Essentially, this experience, this game, this scam, is a puff ball. In fixation, we do not have the spacious, luminous view of our Primordial Wisdom Nature as it is.

Due to the distinction we make between subject and object, we react to every phenomenon we perceive with attraction, repulsion, or neutrality. And even neutrality is part of the continuum and leads to additional fixation, which leads to additional desire.

Even as you watch me drink a glass of water, you may experience a tiny bit of wanting water, and thus an infinitesimal amount of suffering. You may talk yourself out of this wanting, but then right away you want something else. A minute cause-and-effect relationship has begun, and it remains part of you.

Such fleeting desires, no matter how small, distract us from an awareness of our Primordial Wisdom Nature. The mind remains enmeshed, fixated on this subject-object experience.

Astrology

January 2, 2011 by Norma

1/2/2011 Sunday

Think before you speak today, and that will be so difficult! You are inspired to speak out, to be heard! You know you can convince others, and you will, but not in the way you imagine. This is a good day to write your thoughts and perhaps read them to a friend before airing them in public. Luckily, people are forgiving, and a kind, loving energy is present. Forgiveness is a mode for the day. Seeing the past with kindness and compassion frees you and others. Be quite careful about driving near water or in the rain. A situation involving water, clouds or fog could cause trouble. Things can be lost, or a wrong turn taken. Pay attention later in the day. Try to be home before dark or at least travel on well lit streets. Trust your intuition, and all is well.

Astrology

January 1, 2011 by Norma

1/1/2011 Saturday

Happy New Year! Optimism is in the air today. You have long distance vision, and you’re looking to the future for what will come. Think big, and make far-reaching plans today. If you haven’t done so yet, make resolutions for the year today. Bill Copeland said, “The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never scoring.” Set goals for yourself. This powerful year gives you a real shot at scoring, but you must know where to aim. That’s what goals are, a place to aim. Call people you care for, engage in enjoyable and relaxing activities. Welcome the New Year with open arms.