March, 2011 | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Astrology

March 22, 2011 by Norma

3/22/2011 Tuesday

An energy that is almost electric in nature is buzzing in the environment. Machines and activity permeate everything. You may feel a bit nostalgic for the slow paced recent past, but don’t waste your time looking back. All your awareness must be focused on the present. New beginnings are here, and the old is gone, gone, gone! Life has turned on a dime, and it’s heading in a different direction. If you were anticipating something new, you’ll love it. If you were happy with the way things were, you’re in for an adjustment. Buckminster Fuller said, “I look for what needs to be done. After all, that’s how the universe designs itself.” Look for what needs to be done, do it, and you will be in tune with the times.

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!

Approach the Well of Blessings with Pure Intention

March 21, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

I think it is quite difficult to have a deeply beloved family member constantly angry. First I wonder if there is a physiological reason. Then I try to look through their eyes, try to reason out why. Is it me? Is it stress? Is it dietary? Is it spiritual? Or is it just time? Sometimes people resist the time to change out of fear. Or grief. Who really wants another year gone? Kids ready to drive, I guess.

The rest of us know, and sometimes refuse to accept that change is imminent whether we like it or not. Change is scary for most folks. At any rate we make ourselves miserable by resisting change. And impermanence is the only constant. Worse, we make those around us miserable also.

When I grew up there was so much rage that I remain stained by the burn. I have avoided angry people since the last time I trusted one. It ends up badly every time. So if someone close becomes enraged I tend to hide emotionally. Not the best solution, no one learns anything. But often confrontation, even peaceful cannot help long term. The angry one must commit to puzzling out what is amiss. Exercise can help, time off can too. Reassuring the hurting one that you will help if they will help themselves. But no one can carry another’s rage. It is not helpful. No one heals.

Personally, I have a lovely house, and from experience I have learned I will never again walk on eggshells to make someone happy or at least “shut up.” I’m not good at this but I must hold my ground and boundaries. I have little experience in this. I was too weak as a child and fell too hard in love as an adult to protect myself. No more. I know now through three years of pain that I am entitled to make myself a wholesome life. I will not accept abuse from anyone again. What if it is family? Ex’s not counted – how to cope? Day by day, hour by hour, week by week I must stand my ground. I am not saying I will retaliate. Simply this: “no more.” I am a good person and I expect to be treated kindly. If I were to die today I know I have made the world better already. Given the chance I will continue. So respect me.

If anyone can say the same I do respect them. No, not the BS artist. Really better. Nevertheless, I won’t tolerate rage and disrespect any form in my home or anywhere near. Enough already. I guess I’ve finally grown up! And learned enough to take care of myself emotionally.

When and if you come to my well for pure water, do so with a clean bucket and a kind and respectful heart. Or you simply will not drink from this fountain of blessings. I don’t decide. You do, through the strength of pure intention, and as always, love.

Blessings!

OM MANI PEDME HUNG!

Dance of Emptiness Part 5

December 16, 2011March 21, 2011 by Holly

A video teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Astrology

March 21, 2011 by Norma

3/21/2011 Monday

Wow! Power Play! Strength, energy and sudden action are here. A force that has been waiting in the background suddenly comes forward! Someone seemed so passive that you didn’t realize a plan was in place. Someone was waiting and gathering strength. You are free to move forward with your plan, at last! Four strong planets in the sign of action promise excitement and a great beginning! Go cat go! At the same time, a powerful and pleasing diplomatic energy is present, and it’s possible to sell an attractive point of view. People are ready to agree at last. Theodore Roosevelt’s dictum, “Speak softly and carry a big stick” is the name of the game today. Both sides recognize each other’s strength, and both sides are willing to compromise. Nobody wants trouble when they witness the other side’s power. If this pertains to your personal life, for heaven’s sake, make peace!

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!

CHOTRUL DUCHEN – MIRACLES OF THE BUDDHA

December 16, 2011March 20, 2011 by anisonam

Post submitted by Thubten Rinchen Palzang from Sedona, Arizona:

ChotrulDuchen, the major Buddhist holiday which commemorates the 15 days of miracles performed by the Buddha to arouse devotion in his followers, dawned sunny with bright blue skies in Sedona. At the Amitabha Stupa, members of the Sedona sangha gathered to begin their day-long practice. It is said that all virtue (and non-virtue) is multiplied 10 million times on such a day. It is a good day to practice.

As the practice began, a hawk swooped low past the stupa. Later, as practitioners circumambulated the stupa, an eagle soared high overhead, making clockwise loops around the stupa. These were considered by those present to be auspicious signs.

As the day progressed, the sky clouded over, the wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and more and more people kept showing up at the stupa. At 3:00 pm those who gathered began the Shower of Blessings, a devotional practice dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Some forty people were present, many of whom had read about the event in the local paper, The Red Rock News. Most had never done a Buddhist practice before, but they were drawn by the opportunity to say prayers for Japan as well as their own spiritual yearning.

In the dedications that preceded the practice, a number of people revealed that they had some close connection with Japan and the Japanese people and had come to pray for them especially. Special prayers from Chatral Rinpoche, one of the Nyingma school’s most highly respected lamas, were done, prayers which were especially chosen for the situation in Japan and the imminent nuclear danger there. The tsog food offering was abundant, and the mood serious. Many circumambulations of the stupa were completed. Following the practice, the mood shifted to one of celebration as the food offering was enjoyed.

May devotion arise in all sentient beings, and may all come to know the blessings of Lord Buddha!

Plea for Prayers from Japanese Monk

March 20, 2011 by anisonam

We received this plea from a monk in Japan:

Please forward~ A Japanese Monk Sent this Prayer Request The damage of earthquake in Japan is devastating. Unable to cool down the reactor we are facing a possibility of nuclear … explosion. Please join our prayer. Feel free to forward this prayer request to anyone. It would be great if more people can pray. Here is a translation of a message/oracle from the Ise Shrine in Japan: After the sunset we need strong power of prayer. Please let me deliver the message as many as possible. We can stop this earthquake with our prayer but right now the nuclear plant is in danger. Please everyone heal the suffering, sadness, anger, worry about nuclear plants. Please do not think that this accident will bring justice. Please care for each other. The energy toward conflict and fight is also fueling the things happening right now. Please stop the conflict and stop the fight and change the worrying voice to the power of prayer. Please pray that as many as people can be saved. We will be O.K. If our heart start connecting with each other the earth will be healed. There are the sound/vibration that can release the karma of earth. Anyone who can make prayer sound, anyone who can do reiki, anyone who can do long distance healing please direct your energy to the center of Japan . The exact location is above the Hachiro gata, Akita Prefecture . If you can sing, please sing. Humming is fine too. Let the earth listen to the sound. Please send gratitude to the earth. If the mother earth wakes up the everything will stop. The word Song/Sing writes in Japanese Kanji that small possibilities support a big lack. Please send your prayer to the earth to wake up the spirit. I will be in meditation after the sunset. I will pray for the light shining the sky even in the darkness. Please everyone be safe. Thank you for supporting my heart at this very difficult time. Gratitude for the life. Fuma

The following prayers have been suggested by Jetsunma:

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/2010/06/21-homages-to-tara-pdf-download/

https://www.tibetanbuddhistaltar.org/amitaba/

The Caretaker Vow

December 16, 2011March 20, 2011 by anisonam

This was composed and witnessed by Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo on August 31, 1986:

We the Caretakers of the Earth, dedicate ourselves to the liberation and salvation of all sentient beings.

We vow to work for the liberation of planet earth from the clutches of suffering, poverty, famine and death. We vow to return in whatever form necessary, under whatever necessary conditions, so that all earth creatures can be liberated from the ravages of cyclic existence.

We vow to work for world peace. We vow to work for the raising of all the nations of earth into a state of union and ultimately into the blessed state of supreme wisdom, the wisdom that is beyond all description.

We vow to work toward a great Universal Quickening of mind and heart, leading all beings to a state of clarity, a state in which Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion, is enthroned within all hearts and within the planetary heart.

We vow to offer as food and drink to all sentient beings the clear, sweet Dharma so that they may feast and be satisfied at last. We offer our bodies, our speech, and our minds to be filled like bowls with Dharma that in our joy we will spill over into the waiting hearts of all our brethren. May their suffering cease forever.

To all the blessed Tathagatas, to all the root Lamas, to all the Sangha, to all the caretakers, grant us the strength to continue, the clarity to overcome self-cherishing, the determination to return forever until we are the last, and finally, the grace to find our way home.

May the Dharma take root in the West, on the Earth, and in the hearts of all sentient beings. So be it.

The merit of the dedication of these vows and of the building of this place of practice is offered

To our root Lamas:

His Holiness Padma Norbu Rinpoche, Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche

To our spiritual friends:

Ven. Khenpo Palden Sherab Rinpoche,

Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche,

And to His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche

And to all parent sentient beings who have gifted us with fire in our hearts and Light on our way.

I take refuge in the Lama.

I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dharma.

I take refuge in the Sangha

With all beings equal to space.

Astrology

March 20, 2011 by Norma

3/20/2011 Sunday

Opposing sides face each other. You must deal with an adversary in some way. Both sides must gain something, there’s no such thing as a winner and a loser in this instance. One side is happy, enthusiastic, assertive, and the other side is more rigid and tied to the past and formality. Balance is crucial, and during the course of the day you could be playing both parts at different times. St. John Ervine said, “Every man should periodically be compelled to listen to opinions which are infuriating to him. To hear nothing but what is pleasing is to make a pillow of the mind.” A sad or difficult situation is winding down, for better or for worse, and something new is coming. Therefore your best bet is to spend today tying up loose ends. Friends are loving; give yourself a treat and spend time with one.

FOUR GREAT FESTIVAL DAYS

March 19, 2011 by Holly

There are four Great Festival Days throughout the year that celebrate different significant aspects of the life of the Buddha. On these days, positive or negative actions are multiplied by 10 Million times.

CHOTRUL DUCHEN: Display of Miraculous Activities

15^TH day of the first month of the New Year

On the first fifteen days of the New Year, the Buddha displayed a different miracle each day in order to increase the merit and aid in the devotion of future disciples.

In India at that time, the Buddha was being challenged by the various philosophical schools of the day in a contest of miraculous powers. For fifteen days, the Buddha displayed a miracle and completely defeated his opponents. His students were inspired by this display and it increased their faith and devotion.

SAGA DAWA DUCHEN: The Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana

Of the Lord Buddha Shakyamuni

15^th day of the fourth month (full moom)

This day marks the day when the Buddha attained Enlightenment at Bodhgaya at age 35. It also marks his Parinirvana at age 81. Both of these events happened on the same day, the full moon of the fourth lunar month. The birth of the Buddha happened on the 7^th day and is also celebrated on this holiday.

In general, the entire fourth month is regarded as important. In the words of the Buddha:

Individuals who are involved in practice of Dharma should make a strong effort to do extra practice during this particular month. During this month, any wholesome or virtuous action that we do brings benefits of one million times.

CHOKHOR DUCHEN: The First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma

4^th day of the sixth lunar month

For seven weeks after Lord Buddha Shakyamuni attained Enlightenment, he did give any teachings. After being encouraged to teach by Indra and Brahma, he turned the Wheel of Dharma for the first time at Saranath, by teaching the “Four Noble Truths.”

LHA BAB DUCHEN: The Descent from Tushita Heaven

22^nd day of the ninth lunar month

Lord Buddha’s mother was reborn in Indra’s Heaven. To repay her kindness and to liberate his mother as well as to benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months in the realm of the gods giving teachings. This holiday represents Buddha’s descent from Tushita’s heaven. Also, traditionally in the monasteries this is regarded as a good time to begin renovations.

Astrology

March 19, 2011 by Norma

3/19/2011 Saturday

Men and women are out of sync today, and you may even disagree with yourself! Don’t be like Alice in Wonderland who scolded herself so harshly she almost cried! You have one last chance to rectify a situation, so don’t give up. If you receive criticism, consider things carefully. Is it true, even partially? What is the goal of the critic – to help or to harm you? Friendly criticism can point out flaws you haven’t noticed. Be humble. But do remember that Franklin P. Jones said, “Honest criticism is hard to take, especially when it comes from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger.” On another front, friends are wonderful, and life is brisk and energetic. Get out there and enjoy things!