Tibetan Buddhist Altar

The Logic of the Buddha’s Teaching: Examine It For Yourself

January 26, 2016 by anisonam

The following is an excerpt from a teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo called “Keeping Heart Samaya”

The Buddha has taught us some main points. These main points necessarily pervade all other levels of Buddhist doctrine or Buddhist philosophy or Buddhist teaching. They are the foundational thoughts that you have to use to think through the logic of the Buddhadharma. Without these fundamental thoughts, nothing that we accomplish in Dharma will make any sense or have any real weight. We are encouraged as Dharma students not to have some kind of blind faith based on no recognition of cause and effect relationships, but instead to have a faith that is based, yes, on heart, but also on logic, on reasonableness.

Lord Buddha himself taught that you should examine the teachings. If, having learned these foundational thoughts, they do not seem reasonable to you, if it doesn’t seem thoughtful and reasonable and intelligent to continue on in the way the Buddha has prescribed, then you shouldn’t do it.

The Buddha has taught that the Dharma should be logical and reasonable. And the way that the Buddha laid it out, it is. It is. For myself (some of you know my story), I was not born in the Tibetan monastery. I was found here, in America. I was born in Brooklyn of half-Jewish, half-Italian heritage, a little Catholic, a little lox and bagels. When my teacher found me, I was 38 years old, so I was already established in whatever habits I had, probably most of them bad. We have a lot of bad habits by the time we are 38, don’t we? By the time I found my teacher, I was quite established in a certain way, but I have found that in that meeting with my teacher a certain communication about the Buddha’s teaching has come to me that is logical and reasonable. There is a certain way to follow through the teaching that even appeals to a hard-headed, Brooklyn-born, half-Jewish, half-Italian gal like me. Now, I am a very practical person, a very practical person. So when I view the Buddha’s teachings, I want to know that they make sense to me. I want to know that they are reasonable. I, myself, would have difficulty following something that did not seem reasonable to me in some way.

Taking into account that sentient beings cannot actually gather all the necessary data by which to evaluate this logical Buddhist teaching, we have to rely to some degree – to a large degree actually – on the Buddha’s perception. For instance, all sentient beings do not have the capacity to actually evaluate samsara or the wheel of death and rebirth, conditioned life, realistically. In the same way, if we had no TV cameras and no satellite communication, none of our modern tools, we wouldn’t know for sure, let’s say, that there are people in China. We could hear about it. We could even hear Chinese people in America tell us that it exists, but for ourselves, unless we had gone there, we would never know. Not really, not for sure. But today we have TV and news reporters and newspaper pictures and satellites that broadcast information, and we can see China with our own eyes, even though it is on the other side of the world. So in a way, the Buddha acts like that for us.

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Astrology for 1/26/2016

January 26, 2016 by Norma

1/26/2016 Tuesday by Norma

It’s “all systems go” today in your activities. If you aren’t thinking hard and pressing forward, you’re wasting the best energy of the day. Secrets matters come to light, and every type of excavation is successful. Drilling for oil in your backyard? A gusher could ensue! Sudden discoveries are possible and generally favorable. Happy exchanges with women and children are likely, and a hard working person is solving problems at the speed of light. Believe any criticism you receive. A Spanish proverb says, “If one person calls you a jackass, ignore it. If two people call you a jackass, ignore it. If three people call you a jackass, buy a bridle.” Sharp comments aside, it’s a happy and productive day.

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see where this message affects your life!

Khenpo Tenzin Norgay on Dharma in Degenerating Times – YouTube Video

January 25, 2016 by anisonam

The following video was filmed live at Kunzang Palyul Choling in Maryland. Khenpo Tenzin Norgay offers advice on the challenges of practicing Dharma during the degenerating times:

Astrology for 1/25/2016

January 25, 2016 by Norma

1/25/2016 Monday by Norma

People and things from other places are working on your behalf, and good results are in the wings. Patience is an issue, yours and other people’s. If someone is upset, consider that patience has run
out and offer a snack or cup of coffee. A change of scenery is the best remedy today: take a drive, a walk or anything to move your mind away from preoccupation. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. said, “If you mean to keep as well as possible, the less you think about your worries the better.” Spend time with friends, work on your diet, try a new style that updates your look. At some point during the day a turnaround occurs, and after this happens you’re heading forward again. At last!

The astrology post affects everyone differently, based on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message applies to your life!

What Makes Buddhism Different?

January 24, 2016 by anisonam

An excerpt from a teaching called “The Importance of Shakyamuni”

Without the teachings of Lord Buddha, there would be no perfect path by which to achieve supreme enlightenment. There have been and still are paths on this planet by which one can move forward spiritually. There are many ways in which one can accumulate merit. There are many ways in which it is possible to make some kind of spiritual progress. But the kind of spiritual progress that produces supreme enlightenment is quite different.

Lord Buddha said that all beings are suffering, and he didn’t say that to be negative. He said that because he looked around and saw that even those beings that were most happy, most beautiful, and most productive would still get old, sicken, and ultimately die. Each being of the six realms of cyclic existence ultimately gets old, gets sick, and dies.

That is why Lord Buddha said that there is no comfort and no happiness in cyclic existence. He wasn’t denying the possibility of achieving some sort of momentary happiness or fleeting joy. Everyone knows we feel really good when we can eat a piece of chocolate cake or watch our favorite TV program or go swimming or have some friendly conversation or something like that. But the kind of joy that Buddha wished for all sentient beings was long lasting, one that ultimately did not betray us. The kind of joy that is available in cyclic existence has a beginning and therefore an end.

When Lord Buddha saw that, he wished in his great kindness and great compassion to present a way by which we could overcome cyclic existence, not merely make progress. That really is the difference between the teachings of Lord Buddha and other spiritual teachings. The teachings of Lord Buddha have one goal and one goal only: supreme realization – ultimate liberation from samsaric existence and the final overcoming of the mind of duality that produces the conditions of samsara. This is the path that Lord Buddha created.

Astrology for 1/24/2016

January 24, 2016 by Norma

1/24/2016 Sunday by Norma

An irritating moment is followed by two good events today, so be patient. Sunny, confident and courteous behavior is appropriate and draws the thing you’ve wished for. A leader sends a message or shows up in person, and women are especially helpful. Lama Surya Das said, “When we say Yes to life, meeting whatever befalls us with authentic presence, we grow happier, deeper, wiser, more loving and caring.” Do your best to avoid obsessive thinking today. Mercury is travelling with Pluto, the planet of obsession, bringing nightmares and fearful thinking. Darkness is the problem. Turn on the light and it’s gone! What’s good today? Harnessing the spirit to fight fear, knowing that you have the strength to overcome your worries, and a benevolent ally who is willing and able to lend a hand!

The astrology post affects everyone differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see where this message appears in your life.

Astrology for 1/23/2016

January 23, 2016 by Norma

1/23/2016 Saturday by Norma

A wonderful boss or authority figure is in the picture, and an old love is satisfying. Thank those who stood by you through thick and thin, the quiet ones who expect no notice or reward. You are still involved in handling past issues, and this is one of them. D.H.Lawrence said, “One doesn’t know, till one is a bit at odds with the world, how much one’s friends who believe in one, mean to one.” Domestic matters are highlighted until this evening, when you must dress your best as you may find yourself in the public eye. If you are called on to support someone, do a great job. It’s time to pay back favors.

The astrology post affects each person differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see where this message impacts your life.

Our Guide in Difficult Times

January 22, 2016 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

From a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Ngundro, or preliminary practice consists of several parts:

Refuge, or entering the gate of protection of the “three precious ones” – the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Bodhicitta, the practice of the six perfections and the generation of the aspiration to realize Enlightenment.
The offering of the Mandala, the accumulation of merit through skill.
Vajrasattva, the purification of obscurations through wisdom.
And Guru Yoga, receiving the blessings through which one can attain enlightenment in a single lifetime.

Nothing is more precious than this. Even a cache of jewels, a palatial home, a beautiful and healthy body, nothing is more precious than Guru Yoga, the means to awaken. I have always been taught this: that in these deteriorating times Guru Yoga is the swiftest and most powerful method as it is so easy to be distracted, make mistakes, forget to be mindful. Our Spiritual Guide is the method to keep our path as straight as an arrow and as powerful as the mightiest sword. One should always keep samaya with the Tsawei Lama, even at the cost of one’s very life. If one cannot do even that, even after the precious Dharma has been offered, there is absolutely no way to accomplish the path.

One should remain within their Lineage as well, as there is the certainty of receiving pure unstained empowerment. If we cannot do even that, we are in delusion and ignorance. The fruit of Enlightenment will not come to your mouth. Body, speech and mind, the three doors will be corrupted. Speech will be ordinary, and without any benefit or virtue.

This teaching is a combination of Kyabje His His Penor Rinpoche and my humble self. Forgive me, Guru Padma for any mistakes, and for my presumption. Lama Kyen No! To the lotus feet of the Guru I make extensive offerings! Happy Losar to all! Kye HO!

Astrology for 1/22/2016

January 22, 2016 by Norma

1/22/2016 Friday by Norma

Behave properly in public and treat authority figures with respect today. Avoid the temptation to disagree with policies that you can’t control. Are you outraged by traffic laws or parking rules? Fine, nevertheless you must obey them or you will pay the price. An emotional energy is present that encourages irrational behavior: stifle yourself and avoid trouble. Ashleigh Brilliant said, “Crazy people have rights too, but not the right to be treated as if they’re not crazy.” The best energy of the day involves creativity, food, handling old problems and avoiding obsessive thinking. Deal with what’s directly in front of you, enjoy the beauty of the world, and you’ll be happy. A friend pledges loyalty to you. Hooray!

The astrology post affects each person differently, depending on individual horoscopes. Look to see how this message impacts your life!

Break Free

January 21, 2016 by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

An excerpt from a teaching called Bodhicitta by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo

One thing I like about all of you is your great compassion. You really want to help people. I’ve always loved that about you. There are some of you that are less interested than others, but everyone here really wants to help all sentient beings. But you know what? You can’t help anyone until you yourself are free of cyclic existence, because what you have there is the blind leading the blind. While you have hatred, greed and ignorance in your mind stream, you cannot help anyone. You can generate the deity all day long. You can help little old ladies cross the street all you want. You can make them bliss out and have a beautiful experience and sing songs and play music, and rub their backs and wiggle their toes and everything, but you can’t help them, because you may give them a short experience of happiness, and sometimes that’s worse because you can give them hope where there is no hope. The only hope is to break the cycle of cyclic existence and to be free of it. Sometimes the worst thing you can do for people is to give them a lot of blissful experiences, because sometimes it causes them to be satisfied and complacent and they don’t try to grow spiritually. Sometimes it can inspire them. But very often it can do the opposite.

The most profoundly beautiful thing about you is that you really want to help people. You really do. Then doesn’t it seem logical, that you would therefore take complete responsibility for your realization? If you can help somebody by achieving liberation in such a way that you can consciously reincarnate and come back in a form to teach others to achieve liberation, wouldn’t it seem rational that you would take profound responsibility for that and say, “I will do anything. So I am going to eradicate this grasping from my mind. I’m going to practice so hard and so sincerely.” And still I see people mouthing prayers. How do you do that? Still I see you trying to have a powerful experience. How can you do that? So what if you have a powerful experience? If you are going to be reborn as a cow, what’s the big deal? Is that what you want?

You have to have courage. You have to say, “I’m finished. I’m finished with all this junk that betrays me, with all of this stuff that ends up to be a bauble and nothing more with all this distraction that I’m wasting my life on. I’ve got 20 or 30 or 40 years to live. Am I going to waste it on this kind of distraction?” Just think about that. Then what will you do? You’ll have to realize the faults of cyclic existence. You’ll have to realize how impermanent it is. You’ll have to realize how fraught with pitfalls it is. You’ll have to realize how completely unconscious you are. You are tossed about. You have no control over where you are going to be born in the next incarnation. You have no control over any of that stuff until you seriously practice Dharma in such a way that you are able to break free of dualistic mind and therefore break free of the prison of samara. That’s what it takes. It’s the only thing you can do.