Tibetan Buddhist Altar

The following is an excerpt from a teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo called “Perception”

So, if you are conscious, does that lead you to the assumption that self-nature is real? Yes, it does. Of course it leads you to the assumption that self-nature is real. What are you doing here if you don’t think self-nature is real? I mean, be real. Why are you sitting here listening to this teaching so that you can attain realization in order to benefit beings? The whole thing is built on the assumption of self being real. I mean, you go to work every day. Would you go to work if self wasn’t real? It doesn’t make any sense at all, does it? Would you go through what you go through if self wasn’t real?

So, self is real. Where we get into trouble is when we try to find self. If you go through the process that I have described, and if you really do it diligently, if you follow that process and follow it faithfully, you will become extremely confused because then you will not know who is being confused. It will be clear to you, very clear to you, that self is not to be found.

Well, what do you do with this, I mean, really? What you’re supposed to do with this is meditate because if you try to do this with your brain, first of all, you’ll be crazy within a week. It simply won’t work. You can come to some conclusions. One thing about the Buddha’s teaching is that the philosophy is extremely appealing to the intellect. A lot of what the Buddha taught was made for very intellectual people. It was made to be sifted through and reasoned out intellectually. The Buddha’s instructions were that we should not practice anything that’s not reasonable to us and intelligent, so you must reason it out for yourself. There are even some arguments that are used about reincarnation. One can sum it up by saying that to have only one lifetime that continues into infinity is about as logical as postulating a stick with one end. It’s not logical. It does not seem as though it could be possible, or it does not seem as though it could be realistic.

So when it comes to this kind of philosophy that we’ve been learning about, one should really think on these things. Let’s say that we contemplate a little bit on this, and we come up with the dilemma that our experience is very real. I am having an experience, there’s no denying it and yet, when I come to find self, I cannot find it.

So, we might, because we’re Westerners, and because this is a habitual tendency of Westerners, and also because we are confused and deluded and sentient beings, we might want to get into this meaty kind of inner dialogue with ourselves. We might want to say to ourselves, “If I can’t find self and yet I am clearly feeling and touching and tasting and smelling and I clearly am conscious, what is happening here?”

Now if I listen to the Buddha’s teachings, and I say to myself, “Well, the Buddha teaches us that this is all a function of the assumption that self is real. Everything that I perceive seems extremely real to me, and yet it is a function, just like my fingers are a function of my body. In that same regard and with that same directness, these experiences that I’m having are actually the extensions of perception that I’m having, and the perceptions themselves are actually a function of the assumption of self. Yet, I can’t find the self, and the Buddha said, in fact, my nature is empty of self.” We might get into the trap of trying to figure out who made the assumption.

Don’t you love that question? You would love to hear the answer. What if I told you that if you paid me two hundred dollars apiece I would tell you the answer to that question. You might do it! But actually, the Buddha did not teach, really, the answer to that question. The Buddha recommended that we don’t waste our time concentrating on our ability to compute and understand some occurrence that, perhaps or perhaps not, happened in time out of mind. He recommended that we do not waste our time with philosophical questions. And the reason why we should not waste our time with such philosophical questions is that they do not lead to enlightenment, or in fact, to growth of any kind.

To have these questions answered and to be satisfied with them, one plays with them in the intellect. One uses them as toys. They’re interesting baubles to juggle. Every moment that you juggle these interesting baubles, you increase your awareness of consciousness, you increase the awareness of intellect, you deepen the self-cherishing, the clinging to self-nature as being inherently real.

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. All rights reserved

A video of the Compassionate Activities of His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche with permission from Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies, and special thanks to Lama Dondrup Dorje

From a series of tweets on October 20, 2010 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

A few precious words taught by Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.

The great master Buddha gave three main sermons to lead sentient beings onto the Path of Liberation from the suffering of samsara. Because beings have different levels of mind and interest, Buddha has given the teachings in nine Yanas or paths. These nine paths can be divided into the paths of Hinayana and Mahayana. Mahayana includes both Sutrayana, which emphasizes the practice of Bodhicitta and the six perfections, and Vajrayana, which utilized the techniques of deity meditation and skillful means of attaining Enlightenment.

The first eight Yanas are steps to the last and highest Yana called Atiyoga in Sanskrit. Ati means the best, top or essence. Yoga refers to the practitioner. Dzogchen, the practice of Atiyoga leads the practitioner directly to Enlightenment.

The Namcho (Space Treasure) Dzogchen preliminary practice is called “Buddha in the Palm of Your Hand.” By accomplishing this practice one can realize the nature of mind. An important and necessary foundation for higher Dzogchen practice, the preliminary practice consists of several steps.

Refuge or entering the gate of the three precious Jewels; Bodhicitta, the practice of the six perfections and the generation of the aspiration to realize Enlightenment; offering the Mandala, the accumulation of merit through skillful means; Vajrasattva, the purification of obscurations through Wisdom; and Guru Yoga, receiving the blessing through which one can attain Enlightenment in a single lifetime.

All components are necessary, as the Lama provides the maturation of the mind or there is little result. This Cycle of Revelation was revealed by Terton Migyur Dorje, who received it from Arya Avelokiteshvara and Guru Rinpoche.

This was from Kyabje Penor Rinpoche. With great longing, I bow down.

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

In science we have learned that objects, indeed, people are mostly space. We have atoms and molecules, and between them is empty space. So it is the case as Buddhism states. The primordial ground of being is the self-originating empty luminous state – space.

All appearances are due to the five senses, which are the five grasping skandas. We perceive by these senses all phenomena. The senses are themselves empty of self-nature.

So what is real? That empty, luminous uncompromised ground nature, and even THAT is empty if it is attached to conceptualization. It is natural vibrational attraction, magnetism so subtle that holds “view” together. We can also say that habitual tendencies, KARMA, cause and effect that rules view and condition; phenomenal display. In short we see what we are and according to habit from birth AND before. A cat is a born predator. A rabbit is born prey. Thus it is taught that every thought and action are important as they create every future, and result.

If we intentionally direct our minds toward harm, we ourselves will see the result. Cause and result. If not in this life, then soon. We are dancing in vibrationally-tuned luminosity. Every cause has result. And this is the Karma we bring into our future lives.

Try hard, indeed, accomplish virtue and view. And steer clear of harming others and causing suffering. This is what Lord Buddha taught. Eh Ma Ho.

In the end we will ALL suffer if we harm others. If we cultivate virtue (not just for show) we can benefit beings and know true bliss! Om Ah Hung Benzar Guru Pema Siddhi Hung

© Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

If you have ever walked into the Prayer Room at Kunzang Palyul Choling, you cannot have helped but notice the large collection of crystals. And perhaps you have wondered, “Why do they have all of these crystals? Is this typical of Buddhism? What is their purpose?”

The Mineral Kingdom on a Mission:

The world is filled with uncountable minerals – crystals, ores, and gems. Not only are they beautiful to behold, but they actually serve a vital function of maintaining the vibratory structure of the universe. Originally brought into manifestation by rays of tone and color and vibration originating from the Primordial State of Awareness (the Absolute), they assure true communication and transmission of divine energies. Crystals function to transmit peace, love, absolute oneness, absolute awakened consciousness. They help to remind human kind of our own true nature, which is not unlike the clearest crystal and not unlike the most beautiful and radiant gems.

Each mineral or family of minerals has a specific attunement with different aspects of the Primordial Wisdom State that is the nature of all things. If they were not present on our planet, many divine qualities would be lost to our memory. But no mineral creates energy of its own. They are transmitters, attuned to the cosmos. They tend to refract universal energies into specific qualities. If it seems that a crystal creates energy, it is because it has touched the Infinite and speaks of it, as though it had heard a song and continues to sing.

It is with this understanding that the crystals at KPC are utilized and upheld. Walking through the Temple you will see magnificent specimens of all types: clear and smokey quartz, rose quartz, amethyst, citrine, tourmaline, apophyllite, elestials, and so on. Each type of mineral has a specific attunement to the Primordial State of Awareness, and together they work to absorb and amplify prayer energy and the presence of this primordial awareness (Buddhanature or God-consciousness) into the world. Since 1985 KPC has maintained a 24-hour-a-day Prayer Vigil for the planet and all beings and the crystals are considered a vital part of our efforts.

How Do Crystals Fit Into Tibetan Buddhism?

While KPC is distinctive among Buddhist Centers in the number and unique use of crystals, they are indeed utilized within the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. In Tibetan Buddhist empowerment, the Lama will confer a special ‘nature of mind” transmission, wherein he holds up and students gaze upon a perfectly clear quartz crystal, symbolic of our Primordial Wisdom Nature. Prayer beads (or malas) are also often made of semi-precious stones, from quartz to lapis lazuli, to amethyst. The mala is blessed and empowered by one’s teacher, and serves as an aid to one’s spiritual practice.

Crystals, whether individual stones or prayer beads, in conjunction with a tried and true spiritual path can act as catalysts – bringing forth and ripening latent karmic potentials within your mind. They may facilitate meditation and the breaking up of basic delusion. But ultimately no mineral can give you anything that you don’t already possess. They are supports to the spiritual path, not objects of refuge themselves. On the path to enlightenment we have to find a way to catalyze the things that are most helpful to us, and that’s what crystals do. That’s what they will do for a practitioner. They should be an aid in our remembering – a support to realizing our true nature.

Something Truly Special

KPC’s crystals were chosen for their unique energies and strategically placed in order to facilitate the anchoring and transmission of prayer energy into the world. Our spiritual director, Jetsunma worked to merge the energy of the crystals with one another and with the compassionate Buddha Nature. Through twenty five years of continuous, unbroken prayer, the crystals have supported the mission of KPC and Jetsunma’s vision to bring benefit to countless sentient beings.