Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo | Tibetan Buddhist Altar

Princess Mandarava Emanation of Primoridal Wisdom

January 20, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Everyone on twitter seems so excited about the Shorty awards. LOL! Does it make us better Buddhists? Typists? Or do we, as the name implies, just get SHORTER? Haha. I am 5’7″ and very happy being kinda tall. I don’t even know what the categories are. Except I’ve been nominated for Buddhism. It would be nice if there were awards for kindness, eithics, making a better world, you know – all that “sissy” stuff. That is the bottom line for me. That sappy stuff that really helps. Buddhism is, after all, a non-theistic system of ethics on many levels. To see Buddhism in USA these days, you would never know it. There should be a kinder, more ethical feel. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying my best to love without conditions like the sun does, in all directions, no prejudice, no concepts, just shine and pour!

Tonight I will quote from Guru Padmasambava, Rinpoche. This is from “The Lives and Liberation of Mandarava”

“Dissolving in the expanse of space like a rainbow, without remains,

She departed to the Akanishta Paradise of Pamavynha.

She transformed into the embodiment of the Supreme Consort, the secret Primordial Wisdom Dakini.

To the feet of Mandarava I supplicate!

Together with nine hundred pure awareness disciples,

after dissolving into a rainbow body, she manifested herself again for the benefit of others.

Mandarava emanated unceasingly, manifesting herself as a dakini to tame the minds of beings in every essential way.

To the feet of Mandarava, I supplicate!” Guru Padmasambava Rinpoche

This wonderful writing by Guru Padma was offered to me at the 20th anniversary of Ordination at the Rinchen Terzod. Also a dedication was offered; ” By our own impartial service to others may all beings attain Buddhahood together.” This is beautiful! This was how His Holiness Kyabje Penor Rinpoche taught, this is how I teach, this what my community has learned. And it is beautiful! EH MA HO!

Dharma in a New Land

January 18, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Tonight I’d like to say a few words on the issue of how Buddhism moves west, and spreads throughout the world. Some things change; some naturally, remain the same. The Vajrayana monastics will change in that they must make and touch money, eat, often after dark, some are nurses which must tend and therefore touch. Some are doctors and must touch others. Sometimes they travel and cannot always sleep on a low bed as prescribed.

There is no doubt monastics that must not be rigid; particularly in that as Bodhisatvas, that vow always takes precedence. The reason is, that each level of Buddhism has its own vows. Theravadens focus on strict Vinaya rules to purify. Mahayana gives rise to the Great Bodhicitta, and tame their minds with renunciation and Compassion. In Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism all levels are combined into one Supreme view. The vows are kept on the outer, inner, and secret levels; quite profound and impossible to accomplish without a Supreme Guide.

Vajrayana encompasses all three levels and is hands down the more “mystical.” In the USA we take mystical as license. It is not. It does address flexibility according to capacity for view. A Bodhisattva will minister without much concern for monastic rules only if there is suffering to remedy, causing the necessity for a deeper view. In Vajrayana there is Tantra, generation of the Diety or Yiddam and attaining the qualities and view of the Yiddam. We generate Passive Yidam to grow, heal, and expand. We generate Wrathful Yidam to subdue, pacify, and overcome.

If everything remains the same as Tibet or India we would not succeed. Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was flexible that way; he understood Buddhism was moving out of Tibet. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche allowed monks to have TV, Soccer, games. That was unless they got distracted or worldly.

They make plays about our history. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was completely Orthodox and had never broken His vows on the three levels. But He had view, compassion, as well as common sense. He understood the times and His community. Palyul, my Lineage has always persisted because the combination of enlightened Wisdom, Compassion, and Awareness of this world. The Palyul Khenpos did not like these methods, as is the style of scholarly Khenpos, haha, the different perspective is normal and natural – wonderful, really.

But the Tulkus were somewhat different. They are the Treasures of Vajrayana, they alone have crossed the ocean of samsara and guided, successfully their disciples. They are the wisdom beings in flesh and usually each Tulku has their history with their own monastery. They have the clarity and wisdom.

When Lamas come to my Palyul temple they often weep for joy that so many are ordained here in this place. How we have numerous and Holy Stupas; we have gorgeous altars, thangkas, and a full library of texts. When His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was in India He managed to go back to Tibet and rescue ancient and extraordinary rare texts and kindly gave them to us. He himself made robes for the Ordained. His Holiness Penor Rinpoche brought them in privately to take vows, cut hair, and be formally dressed by Palyul Monks. Each felt HIS compassion, purity and wisdom. Some failed; most made it. Others were ordained at retreat in New York. Ngakpa vows are given.

We are told frequently, even by Kagyu Lamas, that the ordained here have amazing good qualities. Heart. I love and trust my monks and nuns so much more than I can possibly express. I respect their journey with my body, speech and mind. They are my family, my children. They are ALL named Thubten, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s ordination name. Palyul is exquisite in every way.

His Holiness Penor Rinpoche even approved my handwritten vows! I wrote them and when His Holiness saw, he giggled and said, “These are Refuge, Bodhisattva and Genyen vows.” He was the real deal, a living Buddha, and I worship the very ground where His feet were placed.

Each Lineage is unique and perfect in its way. Has a story just like this. Therefore it is never appropriate to criticize another Lineage. Mainly because you don’t know the Miracle that is it’s blood and bone, and never will. It is Karma! Therefor respect my Lineage, my Tsawei Lama and our Monks, Nuns and householders. I promise, if you have a Lineage I will respect and Honor yours, as I train my students to do. Will we now form a community of Dharma, wholesome, undivided? THIS IS MY PRAYER! Kye HO!

Calling the Lama from Afar

January 15, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

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

LAMA SANGYE RINPOCHE LA SÖL WA DEB SO

May realize that the Guru is the precious Buddha.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

EH LAMA KHYEN NO EH LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Lama, care for me. EH Lama, care for me.

EH PAL DEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

EH Glorious root guru, care for me.

LAMA KHYEN NO LAMA KHYEN NO

Lama, care for me. Lama, care for me.

YE YE DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

YE YE Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

LAMA RANG KHYEN NO LAMA RANG KHYEN NO

Lama, you alone care for me. Lama, you alone care for me.

DRIN CHEN TSA WA’I LAMA KHYEN NO

Supremely kind root guru, care for me.

Pith Advice – Learning to Discern

January 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

If someone tells you they are never wrong it usually means they usually are.

If someone tells you this is exactly how they meant things to turn out it usually means they are clueless about a lot!

If we boast a lot about our dharma practice we should remember the best practice is alone, and silent.

If a practitioner tells you their mind is completely pure, and says they abide in emptiness and light, ask them kindly to turn down the volume!

If a Dharma practitioner does nothing to benefit all sentient beings they are walking on one leg. Dharma is Wisdom and Compassion!

Put your energy into gathering not the goods of the world. Gather the gifts of Wisdom, Compassion and virtue. Only these have value.

If someone harms you and you become afraid, work with it. If you allow the fear you have allowed the suffering: they win!

We are equal in need, equal in nature, equal in love and loss. Therefore we should learn to have empathy and kindness.

We are equal in fault, equal in sorrow, equal in longing and sickness, and death. Therefore we should have empathy, and LOVE.

The great being atones for the suffering of others no matter the cause. A middling being atones for their own. A lesser being accepts no burden.

A great being cares for all beings equally. A middling being cares for family and friends, mostly. A lesser one cares for no one but self.

Paradox: a great being does not differentiate between high and low, having view. A middling being sorts out those differences. A small being uses all this to get what they want.

A lesser being walks the earth. A middling being examines the world. A great being takes wing and flies! The sky is for dancing.

Here in this land we must learn to empathize, to care, to love, to minister to each other, to feed, to heal; and most of all to fly!

Here on Earth we must learn and study our equality. To be without prejudice, to know each other’s suffering, to cherish culture and be color blind in spirit!

May the dirt on their feet be the crown on my head; may their suffering be only mine. May I wipe their eyes, and fill their hearts with LOVE.

To Whom It May Concern

January 13, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Lyrics by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Hello my friend, you got your best face on

And I see what you sayin,’ and why you been gone

Oh, I know all the reasons, it’s the same old song

You see I met a lot of people, since I was born

And you can always tell a good man, by what he has done

You say you’re outstanding in your field, I see you standing alone

Don’t take it personal, I’m just tellin’ what I see

And I’m trying to do my Dharma, ‘cause I wanna be free

But if you cause a gal to suffer, the result is what you see

Think about it Honey, what have you done for me

When it comes down to giving, all I have is free

I guess you had your own agenda, and your own misery

Let me tell you one thing, that I know to be true

Every single pain you cause, will come right back to you

It’s time to be a stand up man, and pay your own dues

Don’t take it personal, I’m just tellin’ what I see

Trying to do my Dharma, ‘cause I wanna be free

But if you cause a gal to suffer, the result is what you see

©Jetsunma Ahkön Lhamo 2007

Waking From the Dream

January 12, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Today I was sent a very good question and would like to answer it here. The question concerned the Buddhist ideal of “awakening”. The writer wonders: “if this is a dream, and we try to wake up, what is there to awaken to?”

So here we think of the Buddha’s statement when asked if he was a man, or a god, a saint, what was he? He replied, very simply “I am awake”. To awaken is to realize the empty, dreamlike quality of all phenomena perceived with our ordinary five senses. This ordinary perception actually arises from our own minds, and is due to perceptual habit. Even scientists find that once we have seen an object with our eyes, the brain files it away. When we “see” it again we actually fill in, once we “decide” what it is, almost all the detail is from memory. We may, in fact, never see the same object twice. Once we identify we fill in the actual “seeing” with our own habitual thinking.

Now try this. Scientists also recognize that all solid appearance is mostly empty space. The chair, the floor- all empty space, as atoms and molecules etc are mostly space with nuclei and other micro bits. So why don’t we fall through? Because we also are mostly space, atoms, molecules… What holds it together on an ordinary level is electromagnetic fields of energy.

On a deeper view, we are dreaming. It is our own habitual tendency and view that supports this. Once we see we react. Once we react we have formed preconceived notions. That is mostly what we see – from deeply ingrained habit.

Now suppose we could liberate our minds from such notions, and “see” deeper – beyond notion and our superficial senses – beyond any contrivance. What would we find? Try to imagine turning one’s eyes inside out and backwards. And turn all our senses within, what would happen? First our senses would change so radically they would no longer see the solid appearance of phenomena. We would “see” that all phenomena arises from our own mindstream, which is “colored” with our own karma. By the way, that is why two people can see the same event and track it very differently. Drives cops crazy!

So our very lives are a dreamlike, trance like appearance, and that is the shallow appearance. The deeper view, what the Buddha called awake is the inner view of the emptiness of all appearances of self-nature. We view our mind stream, our primordial spacious empty nature and abandon the dream of solid appearance. This cannot be done by self-will. Only self will appear – the dream.

We dedicate our intention to building the capacity for this pure view through step by step, stage by stage practice and study. No “AHA!” here! It is not an intellectual process! Eventually we practice Dzog Chen, at the Togyal and Trekchod level. This is the practice that “turns our eyes inside” to see the true face of our primordial wisdom nature; the very ground of being from which all phenomena arise. That is awakening! No words can describe that profound nature very well, because it must be known through direct experience. No books, no words can teach what mixing one’s mind and view with the Holy Ones, the Buddhas and Boddhisattvas, the Gurus who before us have already accomplished, and shown us the sublime “way!”

This tweeching is dedicated to JOYCE, who wrote to me.

Can We Take the “Fighting” Part Out?

January 11, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Been thinking about the last few days, feeling grief for the terrible divide in our nation. There are some of us fighting for status quo, and some of us fighting for change and progress. How can we take the fighting part out of it? Of course we will disagree! People do.

But the fighting? The hating? Is this necessary? For myself, I hate confrontation; but I realize “energetic” discussion is necessary. Why does it have to come to physical violence, shootings? Does anyone really want this? If we do we are a sick and dying nation. We must strive to be healthy and balanced. It is a fact that intelligent and wholesome people will disagree. Nothing will ever be solved by hate.

And now, we are dealing with climate change and petty wars. There will be short resources, water, and frightening change. How will we make it through if we are this negative at such an early stage? People of faith attack each other – haters, hurters, everyone out for themselves. Why? What is the point? Hate has no point to make. Hate is not intelligent in that it only leads down. It does not support life, happiness or health. It is suppressing rather than uplifting. It blocks the way, rather than showing the way. It is not the method of accomplishment.

Intelligent people do not need to war. We have ideas, hopes, fears we can all express. This is the one thing about being online that really harms us. We sit behind our computers and act in ways we would never act in public. We would be ashamed. Online we think we are invisible and that our non virtue doesn’t count. We think like that about our own thoughts too. But what we don’t realize is that every thought and action brings their appropriate result. Always, karma is exacting as the Buddha taught. If we are blind to that truth we are ignorant; and suffering from hatred and ignorance both, we will always be asleep to our true nature. And we will not attain happiness and bliss.

Relying on the Guru in Degenerate Times

January 7, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

My life is a bridge between the East and the West. My intention is to keep the best of both worlds to function as one, without interference.

Yesterday, and today as well I feel exhausted and sick. I think it is the hate and vitriol, the harassment, constantly. Stress is a killer, so I rely on my practice, the kindness of my Sangha, friends and family for strength. With my practice and prayer I feel His Holiness Penor Rinpoche close to me, in the great expanse of the Dharmadhatu. He is my comfort, my treasure, my life! No one can understand unless they accomplish the Guru Yoga. Without Guru Yoga it is hard to attain realization in these degenerate times. Here we mix our mind with that of the Guru.

So we rely on the Guru in that fashion. Guru Yoga is not about “liking,” or any other personality concept. We rely on the Guru for every facet of awakening, from blessings to teachings to empowerment to guidance, all of it – which is a gift, as those without a Guru tend to run amuck.

Likewise, those who rely on an ordinary person with nice words become lost and damaged. We see a lot of that these days as was predicted by Guru Padmasambava – tough times with strange signs and false teachers with false teachings. I’d say the huge animal die offs are a sign.

In short I’ll say this. It’s time and beyond to find a pure teacher with pure Dharma and Practice, meditate, contemplate. Do the Dharma now!

Fly Little Bird

January 7, 2011 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Lyrics by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

Fly, fly, fly little bird

Try to speak the truth that you’ve heard

Spread your wings over this dark land

Be the unusual, a loving man

You don’t have to prove yourself to me

Just learn to love and set it free

Can you remember things that I taught you?

I always taught you to be honest and true

I always loved to see the light in your eyes

And hate to see your heart so cold and dry

You get your happiness from standing on stage

To make people clap, that’s how you pray

I see another way, if you wanna know

I set my heart on the things that make me grow

I keep commitments and I keep em’ right

I will not follow into your dark night

Don’t care for fame or fortune, not like you

Care more for truth and light so that’s what I do

I don’t really wanna bring you down

And there’s enough blame to go around

My heart’s been broken, as you see

Just tryin’ to get those blues out of me

Looking forward to a brighter day

Sure do hope you’ll find your way

Fly, fly, fly little bird

Try to speak the truth you’ve heard

Spread your wings over this dark land

Be the unusual, a loving man

You don’t have to prove yourself to me

Just learn to love and set it free

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!