The following is a YouTube video extracted from a teaching given by Khenpo Tenzin Norgay today at Kunzang Palyul Choling:
See KPC’s website for more information and how you can HELP!
Month: March 2013
Astrology
Mojo! You’ve got it, and so does everyone else! The tide is turning, and things that seemed impossible are beginning to happen. Doors you didn’t know existed are opening, but you must apply effort. The time for sitting, hoping and wishing is over. Now is the time for action! Smile as you go through the day. The talk has finally come together into a workable plan. Dress your best, and present your case well. Everyone calls texts and emails and the news is good. Brothers, sisters and neighbors are favorable. If you have been unwell, get off the couch. Your cure has arrived. If you’ve been waiting for things to happen, stop waiting and get moving. Samuel Butler said, “Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes along.” Play!
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
Action is the name of the game. If you aren’t doing something, make way for those who are! Champions appear and confidence is present after a long period of self-searching. The time for navel-gazing is over. Now the things you talk about are happening. Women are beautiful and children are happy. Men and women are in sync. Most activities are successful, with one exception. Avoid dark places, underground places and things you don’t understand. Nothing good happens there. Be outside as much as possible, that’s where the benefit is. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “We are wiser than we know.”
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!
The View to Be Realized: from “The Treasury of Knowledge” by Jamgön Kongtrul
The following is respectfully quoted from “The Treasury of Knowledge: Book Six Part Three” by Jamgön Kongtrul:
The View to Be Realized [iv]
The view is primarily the realization of the absence of self of persons.
The view for shrāvakas is primarily the realization that a self of persons (pudgalātman, gang zag gi bdag) does not exist. The self of persons imputed by tirthika practitioners to be permanent, single, clean, a creator, or independent does not exist. The mind that takes such a self of persons to exist is confused, because it is mind [perceiving] something that is not there, like someone taking a striped rope to be a snake.
The aggregates are not the self of a person, because they are impermanent, multiple and unclean. They are also not a creator because they are under the power of other things. There is also no self of a person apart from the aggregates, because “person” (gang zag) is [only] used to refer to the continuity of aggregates , which are filled with (gang) and degenerated by (zag pa) causal karma and mental afflictions. This accords with the statement in the Treasury [of Abidharma]:
No self exists–there are just aggregates.
[No self of persons exists apart from the aggregates,] because the mind that apprehends a self of persons comes into being when it observes the mere continuity of aggregates.
In this root verse the term “primarily” is used for the following reason. Texts such as the Sûtra teach that the shrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas do not realize the absence of a self-entity of phenomena (dharmanairāmya, chos kyi bdag med). Their view is that shrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas do not directly comprehend [the nonexistence of a self-entity of phenomena] through meditation. On on the other hand, some [texts] explain that shrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas do realize both [absences of self-entity]. Their view is that the attentiveness [developed] during study, reflection, and familiarization assists shrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas in abandoning the mental afflictions experienced in the three realms.
Consequently, some Tibetan scholars say that the view of Nāgarjuna and his sone [Āryadeva] is that shrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas realize the absence of a self-entity of phenomena, and the view of Asańga and his brother [Vasubandhu] is that shrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas do not realize this. These scholars maintain that they [i.e. Nāgarjuna and Āryadeva] assert that shrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas realize both absences of self-entity.
The Result to Be Attained [v]
Nirvāna is a nonarising, unconditioned phenomenon.
Vaibhāshikas assert that it is an implicative negation and Sautrāntikas that it is a nonimplicative negation.
[Nirvāna] with remainder [is divided into] eighty-nine conditioned and unconditioned [results], or into four results; [nirvāna] without remainder is the severing of continuity.
Four On a Log: Children’s Video Jataka Tale
The following is a video Jataka Tale prepared by her students at the request of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:
Astrology
An old love beckons, and time spent in reverie is sweet. Relax and give yourself a peaceful moment early in the day. You need diversion from the breakneck speed of life right now. Once you catch your breath, charge! A magnetic energy is so strong that it rolls over everything, including entrenched powers. Normally the “old guard” is stronger than upstarts, but now the upstarts outnumber the old. Challengers succeed, provided they know what they want. Social media, the press and information sources engender enthusiasm for the cause. Use them! A leader appears, one who is magnetic, strong and appealing. “If a man look sharply and attentively, he will see fortune; for though she be blind, yet she is not invisible.” Act decisively, progress is here!
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
Energy! You have it, and so does everybody else. Three planets are in Aries and everyone’s like a racehorse champing at the bit. You want to run! Use the wisdom coming from women, children or family members to know the direction of your charge. A powerful force is supporting you, behind the scenes. You have the backing of others, but you must do the work! The urge to “pass the buck” is strong. “Why doesn’t the powerful force do the job, instead of me?” Well, the force is doing its job and you must do yours. Samuel Johnson said, “Great works are performed not by strength but perseverance.” A brusque energy may cause hurt feelings, but be happy. Things are happening! Love is surprisingly enjoyable, and the healing arts make everything better.
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
Indecision and ongoing chat bring confusion early in the day. The more you talk, the more uncertain you are about everything! What is causing all the talk? Well, it’s fun, more fun than actually addressing the problem, which isn’t fun. Avoid illogical “solutions” that draw energy away from what’s most important. (“I’m sick, so I’ll look for a job”). What works: settling down, determining what needs fixing and addressing each issue in order of priority? Start with your most serious concern and when that is solved, tackle #2. You’ll succeed and be happy with what you’ve done. Now that Mercury is looking ahead you are no longer trapped in old issues. Later in the day family or emotional matters appear. Someone you take for granted has flown the coop! Acknowledge what this person means to you and s/he may return. Wilma Rudolph said, “No matter what accomplishments you make in life, somebody helps you.” Be grateful to those who help you.
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!
Guru Yoga: From “Excellent Path to Enlightenment” by H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
The following is respectfully quoted from “Excellent Path to Enlightenment” by His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche:
In the so-called preliminary or foundation practice, the most extraordinary section is Guru Yoga, or “union with the Guru’s nature.” It is through this practice that primordial wisdom can arise instantly in one’s being.
Guru Yoga is the way to pray to an authentic teacher and express our deep and unchanging devotion. Through devotion, our minds and the Guru’s mind become one. Why is this practice necessary? Because there is not a single Buddha in the past, present, or future who has achieved or will achieve enlightenment without relying on a spiritual teacher. Whichever of the nine vehicles of the Buddhist teachings we practice, we have to rely on a spiritual teacher, receive his or her teaching and practice according to his or her instructions. There is no other way.
Even if we have met a teacher and received his instructions, however, we will never be able to receive his blessings if we do not have fervent devotion and complete confidence in him and his teachings. And without his blessings we will not progress along the path. First of all, therefore, we need to generate devotion.
Devotion rarely comes spontaneously in the beginning. We have to generate and nurture it. First, for example, when we hear about the teacher and his life, we think about his marvelous enlightened qualities. Then, when we meet him, we see that those qualities are authentic, and our confidence and faith grow stronger and stronger. Our prayers become more and more profound, and his blessings begin to penetrate us more and more deeply.
All accomplishments are due to the Guru’s blessings. We are not referring here to minor accomplishments like obtaining good health, long life, or wealth, but to the supreme realization of the Guru’s enlightened nature, which is none other than our own Buddha-nature.
THE VISUALIZATION
As an aid to generating devotion, the text contains the following verse:
Before me in the sky, in an expanse of rainbow light,
Is my root teacher, Pema Thötrengtsal,
Surrounded by the ocean of Knowledge Holders of the three transmissions.
He is the union of all objects of refuge.
Astrology
Talk! You and everyone are absolutely full of chat and ideas, all unrealistic. The more you talk, the farther away from the solution you are. All talk and no actual work undercut success. Stop. Do make friendly overtures to people you like, and spend time dreaming or imagining things. Be aware of what scenes pop into your head, they point in the favorable direction. Go slowly. Things are healing up. If you’ve been sick, you are recovering at last. Be aware of where you feel happiest, that is what is curing you in every way. Medicine and art are excellent today. Creativity is high, as long as you aren’t talking too much. But you will talk too much. Walter Kaufmann said, “Words signify people’s refusal to accept the world as it is.”
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!