Astrology

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Abrupt action causes hurt feelings today.  Go back and apologize if you’re the culprit.  Something’s pushing you or others to act precipitately, and there’s a danger of running into a road block if you’re going too fast.  Charming speech and kind intentions are extremely important now. Diplomacy and a clear signal that you don’t mean to cause harm can smooth over potentially troublesome situations.  Every sort of communication is favored: email, fax, text, telephone, talk. Ignore dreams, talking in your sleep or communications from those who are not in their right minds.  You could be mis-led.  If someone promises something out of this world, you’d be out of your senses to believe them.  Adlai Stevenson said, “Flattery is all right if you don’t inhale.” Don’t get conned in the midst of all the excitement.

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!

Blessings of a Stupa

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An excerpt from the teaching “Cosmology of a Stupa” given by Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche

Swayambhu

You might wonder, “Is this tradition of erecting stupas something that stems from the historical Buddha Shakyamuni?”  If you really investigate it, you will find that actually, there were stupas that appeared prior to Buddha Shakyamuni.  During the time of the third Buddha, Dipankara, there were numerous stupas erected.

There is a long history of stupa making in this world.  For example, there is a very famous stupa in the Kathmandu Valley at Svayambhu.  Svayambhu means the “Spontaneously Self-Arisen” stupa.  During the time of the second Buddha, Marme-dze, that stupa was said to have dwelled in the sky on the top of the mountain.  It was floating in space.  And then during the time of the third Buddha, Dipankara, the stupa went below ground.  And then during the fourth Buddha, Shakyamuni, the most recent Buddha, this stupa emerged so that half of it was out of the ground and half of it was still in the ground.

This stupa in Svayambhu is truly a miraculous stupa.  It is famed as being an amazing stupa.  In the sixth Nepalese month, which would be the fourth western month, there is a great celebration on the full moon.  After that, you can actually see a reflection of the stupa in the sky. Whether you are Buddhist or non-Buddhist, everyone can witness the appearance of this stupa in the sky.

Stupas were also created during the lifetime of Shakyamuni Buddha.  In fact, the very text for consecrating stupas came from words spoken directly by the Buddha.  It is known as the “Sutra of the Twofold Purity.”  Of the various teachings that that Buddha gave, some of them came directly out of his topknot.  Others emanated.  And some were spoken orally.  This is one of those teachings that was an oral transmission, and is considered to be a very sacred practice for consecrating land.

This teaching on how to consecrate land is called the “Twofold Purity Practice” because one of the two recipients of the teaching was a child of the gods known as Vimala Ratna, and the other was a human known as Sakya Chandra.

Here is the background of this Brahmin, Sakya Chandra.  Initially he was a great practitioner of the Tirtika tradition who held a bit of animosity towards the Buddhists.  One day this Brahmin received a prediction from a deity saying that in seven days his life would come to an end.  This really perturbed him and he set about looking for some way to protect himself from that fate – some kind of method or practice.  But he couldn’t find any.

He started to run out of options.  His search led him to consider going to the Buddha.  He reflected on that.  He wondered if he should do that or not, because prior to that time, he had been so antagonistic towards the Buddha.  He had been an enemy of the Buddhist teachings.  He was at a crossroads, wondering what to do.  But then he thought, “Well, Buddhists are compassionate and maybe they will take pity on me, and I can get some advice on how to get out of this predicament.”

He decided that he would go to see the Buddha, and so he went off to the Jetavana Grove where the Buddha was teaching a group of people.  When he got close, he saw that there were lots of people attending the teaching.  He felt very self-conscious.  He was thinking, “Gosh, I was an archenemy of the Buddha’s teachings.  Now I am walking right into the center of this enormous audience of people while the teaching is going on.  I can’t do that.”  He lost his courage and scurried off behind a wall and started crying about his fate.  The Buddha finished teaching, and said, “Over there is a wall and behind that wall there is a person who is very upset.  Bring him to me.”

The Buddha said to this fellow, “You have something to tell me.  What is it?  The clock is ticking.”  And this guy says, “Well, in seven days I am predicted to pass away.  Is this actually true that I am going to pass away in seven days?  Is there anything that I can do?”

The Buddha said, “Yes, in fact, it is true.  But it gets worse.  After you pass away, you are going to take on numerous bad rebirths and finally, you are going to plummet into the lowest hell realm.”

Sakya Chandra was already freaked out about dying, and now in addition, he had to worry about all those negative rebirths.  He was so completely overwhelmed that he passed out.

Finally when Sakya Chandra revived, the Buddha said, “Actually, there is something that you can do about this situation.  There is a method that you can employ to counteract this whole thing.  You don’t have to actually experience this.  You just need to employ this method.”

The Brahmin was so elated to hear this news, that there was something that he could actually do to counteract his circumstance.   The Buddha then said to him, “Near here there is a stupa from a previous Buddha.  This stupa is dilapidated and run down.  What you should do is restore that stupa.”  And so the Buddha gave him instructions on how to do that, how to draw the mandalas, what scriptures to write, how to put in the life wood, which is the axial wood that goes into the center of the stupa, how to insert it, and what to write and carve on it.

Then the Buddha declared that not only would his life span be restored, but also he would close the door to the lower realms and eventually reach the higher realms of Akanishta Pure Land, the highest Pure Land, where he would achieve incredible qualities of enlightenment.  The Brahmin, Sakya Chandra, went straight away and started to repair the stupa.  He didn’t even go home.  He went straight there and started the work.

Along with that teaching, the Buddha gave another called the Complete Elucidation on How to Accomplish Everything, as well as the Wheel that Fulfills All of One’s Wishes or Desires.  There is a long ceremony and mantra associated with that,.  It is a practice that one can perform in order to do that.  The Buddha declared that the erecting of a stupa had numerous qualities.  It was an efficacious means whereby one could accumulate a massive store of merit and wisdom.

The Buddha said that the individual who erects a stupa is blessed by all the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas.  That person receives the blessings of the enlightened ones.  If one creates a stupa that is a reliquary for ringsel (Ringsel are indestructible sacred relic pills that appear from the ashes of enlightened beings), then all the bodhisattvas bless that person.  One will have the good fortune of seeing the face of the enlightened ones.  One will be an object of homage of all the gods, such as Brahma and Vishnu and Indra.   All these enlightened beings  – the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas – and also the mundane gods will commit themselves to protecting you because you have really enhanced the benefit of those who are on the path to enlightenment.

The image of the Swayambhunath Stupa above came from the Rigpa Shedra Wiki

Astrology

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Ready, set, go!!!!!  You are off and running today.  Woe to anyone who gets in your way.  Energy, you’ve got it!  A sudden inspiration sets you off, and you’ll run straight into…an obstacle.  A brick wall, or a coalition isn’t happy with you.  Stop immediately if you start hearing objections.  The most heartfelt wish today is to DO SOMETHING NOW.  Hold off. Write down your ideas.  Words and thoughts speak louder and more effectively than action today and they meet less opposition. Do your best to remember that a partnership is forming successfully, one that is based on consensus.  You’ve acted on your own for so long that it will take time to get the knack of working as part of a team.  But remember that the team is growing in strength and will ultimately succeed.  Be patient.  Speak kind words to everyone you meet.  You can hear some real compliments, and they are true.  Albert Camus said “You are forgiven for your happiness and your successes only if you generously consent to share them.”

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!

Auspicious Signs at Sedona Stupa

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The following was submitted by Wib Middleton, a member of the KPC sangha in Sedona:

Yesterday during a two-hour Shower of Blessings tsog at the Amitabha Stupa a gentle and very brief rain fell twice during the practice.
Then a wonderful thing happened at the end of the practice.

A visitor had come and was circumambulating the Stupa and as we were preparing to leave she had stopped and was looking intently to the East. Following her gaze we saw a rainbow. What was unusual was at the base of the rainbow it looked like the rain and the rainbow had mingled and rainbow light mixed with rain was being blown by the wind and had expanded beyond the boundaries of the rainbow above.

We took it as an auspicious sign!

Astrology

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Use all the sensitivity at your command today.  Someone is in a difficult situation and needs your help.  Be a friend; listen and offer encouragement.  You probably can’t do anything to help but you can offer yourself.  “I’m there for you” can be exactly what others need, even if they never ask for a thing.  Sentimentality is prevalent, and   long stories about the past can be part of the scene.  Listen.  If you are the one who is reminiscing, remember to honor the person with you in the moment.  A shockingly bad or misguided idea pops up.  Ignore it, it won’t work.  What’s good?  Go for a walk, get some exercise, call friends and listen to the news.  Try not to get stuck in sentimentality.  Richard Armour said, “It’s all right to hold a conversation, but you should let go of it now and then.”

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

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You feel a little tired and tender today, as though you used up all your chutzpah yesterday.  Pull in and relax.  A good period of rest and relaxation, a bit of TV watching or fantasy reading is what’s needed to recharge your batteries. Inspiration comes from relaxation and emotional security today.  A hunch or feeling is extremely productive.  Try not to talk too much, it’ll irritate you.  In fact, someone is feeling so chatty that they don’t know when to quit.  Earphones?  Take a nap!  A partnership is steadily growing and a love relationship will blossom in time.  Rest.  Seneca said, “We never know how pleasant it is to ask for nothing.”

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 Merit of Stupa Building

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Amitabha Stupa in Sedona

Amitabha Stupa in Sedona

An excerpt from the teaching, “Cosmology of a Stupa” given by Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche on the occasion of the consecration of the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona, Arizona

This tradition of building stupas was passed down in India and finally reached Tibet.  It was brought to Tibet by the very first Buddhist master to arrive there, Shantarakshita.  He was a very great abbot who was the first to teach the Dharma in Tibet.  At that time, all of the rituals and all the ceremonies related to building a stupa were translated and established by Shantarakshita.  This was prior to the arrival of Guru Rinpoche.

Shakyamuni Buddha taught King Tsaldyor about the incredible benefits that one could derive from both erecting a stupa.  There is also a discussion by the Buddha on the benefits of circumambulating a stupa, going around a stupa in order to accumulate merit.

It is said that when building a stupa, if you simply offer a handful of sand and place it in the mortar, that handful of sand is equivalent to offering many thousands of ounces of gold to the enlightened ones.  It is equivalent in merit.  If you labor at making a stupa, whether for work or play even if you are just sitting there drawing a rendition of the stupa, you make a connection with it.  There is contact made and by virtue of having contact, you are connecting with enlightenment, so you receive a blessing.  You accumulate merit.

There is a story that illustrates this.  In one of the Buddha’s previous lifetimes there were these seven bugs that lived on a leaf of a tree that was beside a lake.  And in the middle of that lake there was a stupa. One day, that leaf just broke off the tree, floated down to the water and then was blown around the stupa a few times, and then finally the bugs drowned.  But because they went around the stupa a few times, they received a blessing.  Traditionally it is said that the seed of liberation was planted in their mind stream.  And because there was that seed present, it had to ripen and eventually after a few lifetimes, all those bugs awakened to enlightenment by virtue of the fact that they accumulated that merit.

By seeing a stupa or hearing about a stupa, remembering it, visualizing it, whatever the case may be, any kind of connection will imbue you with a blessing, will connect you to enlightenment.  Whether a bug, a human, or an animal without a body just floating through space, any being that comes in contact with a stupa will be blessed and gain merit.

A stupa can be considered an outward symbol that the Buddha’s teachings endure.  The stupa is a representation of the Buddha.  Even now, the original Buddha’s stupa is still there in Bodh Gaya in Behart, north central India.  And it is an object of homage for countless people.  Every year, hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of pilgrims visit there to pay respects and to offer prostrations.  A stupa, as a symbol that represents the Buddha, is treated as such.  Numerous monks and nuns go there to receive ordination, blessings and so on.  There are people from Thailand and Hong Kong and Japan, and from all over the world who go there to see that stupa and receive the blessings.

In the past, there have been many stories of relics appearing from these stupas.  As mentioned earlier, there is that phenomenon known as ringsel, the small relic pills, which would spontaneously be emitted from the stupa.  Sometimes it even rained from the sky in the vicinity of the stupas, such as the stupas in Boudnath and Svayambhu.  There are numerous stories.  But these days it is not happening as frequently as it used to in the past.  This might be because of the change in the times.  Due to corruption or degeneration, it is not as frequent as it used to be.

stupas2

I really enjoy working with stupas, creating them, helping in their construction.  So far, in the States, I have helped with 13 stupas, and all together more than 20 stupas.  The reason why is because stupas are really such great phenomena.  If you are building a temple or something like that, then it is kind of a mixed bag.  There is administration.  You have to manage things.  It is a great thing to do, but it can be complicated, because you are involved with people and all sorts of things can happen.  Whereas with a stupa, right from the word go, everything is very virtuous.  It is simple.  A stupa is expressly made for virtue, so that people can pay homage, so that they can accumulate merit and receive a blessing.

It is a very simple and very straightforward matter.  Right from the onset, it is all about virtue.  In the interim it is about virtue and at the end, it’s all about virtue.  With other things, you have to manage the money, the people, and the upkeep.  With a temple you never know where it is going, but with a stupa, it is straightforward and clear cut.

In their final testaments to the people of Tibet, Guru Rinpoche and Shantarakshita said that the problems of cyclic existence could be remedied through the medium of a stupa, because there are so many different types of stupas that address different problems.  For example, when things really degenerate, and we find ourselves now at the time known as the five types of degeneracy.  For times of conflict, there is a type of stupa that works as a counteragent to conflict by creating harmony.  There are stupas that remedy diseases, plagues, famines, and poverty.

There are a wide variety of stupas to address all the different problems that we have in this world.  For example, if a country is suffering from intense poverty, then you would erect a Dzambala palace stupa, which is similar to the palace of Dzambala itself; and because of the law of interdependence, we have created the auspicious interdependent coincidence for poverty to be alleviated and to create wealth.  This is how these stupas actually function – through the law of interdependence.

There are all kinds of stupas that work with different situations.  There is the stupa that represents the enlightened body, speech and mind.  For beings who wish to achieve complete awakening, who aim for realization of absolute truth and liberation, then one of those types of stupas would be created and homage paid to it.

It is in light of the fact that there are so many virtues, so many great qualities connected with the stupas that when I heard that the sangha here had made so many stupas before and wished to make some more, that I was completely overjoyed.  I really rejoice in this kind of activity.  It is my favorite thing to do.  It is the thing I feel the most enthusiasm towards.  Out of all the different things that I can do, I love creating stupas and helping with their construction.

Actually, last year, I thought that I would change the way I do things and concentrate on my work in Montana, and not go around too much.  But when I heard that there was a stupa to be made, I couldn’t help myself.  I feel that whenever it is related to a stupa, I am always available.  I want to commit myself to helping develop this stupa.  I feel very strongly about it.  I am full of enthusiasm.  I have made this commitment now.

All of you who are engaged in the work of erecting the stupa, please remain in your commitment to that.  Don’t deviate from your commitment.  And also, all of your work should be imbued with love and compassion for all beings.  It should be motivated by that precious bodhicitta.  That is really of primary importance.  Then the merit and wisdom will be beyond measure.

Whether you are working to build the stupa or made an offering or whether you simply rejoice in such good activity and the presence of a stupa like that, if you are motivated by compassion and love, and if compassion completely infuses your whole being and you make aspiration prayers that all beings benefit by the presence of having a stupa there, then the merit and the blessing can’t be measured.  That is very important.  Our lives are very short.   We could pass away at any time.  But the stupa is something that really endures.  So, it is incredibly meaningful to relate to the stupa.  It is something that remains present in this world.  It could be hundreds of years, thousands of years; it could be a very long time.  All during that time, beings are receiving blessings, and merit is accumulated.  One’s aspiration prayers are constantly being fulfilled.  It is enduring, ongoing phenomena.  The effect of it is immense and the implications are incredible.

If you want to multiply your virtue endlessly, connect with a stupa.  I am completely rejoicing and thank everybody who is involved with that.

Please Help Save the Sedona Stupa

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The following is from a series of tweets by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo:

Please pray for and give to the Stupa project, info and links here. We may not make the deadline and the Stupa will be lost. Can t even think of it.

Instead Sedona will build condos! Palyul will not help, I have always been alone running on nothing. Still, it seems there are few heroes. Palyul has never been generous, not since Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche passed. Yet they are wealthy.

The Sedona Stupa iss meant to benefit sentient beings and stabilize the land mass there. Yet no one stands up. How awful to lose this gem!

I have no where to turn to but you. Will you be the hero? Who puts the money where the mouth is? Who will stand up for sentient beings? This land should be passed to Kyabje His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s new incarnation to carry on. No one else.

Imagine the great Stupa fenced in by cheap commerce. Lost to greed. I am poor, have sold everything for the Stupa, even lost my house. Still no Tulku has stood up for this. Not one. I have run on a shoestring all these years with no help. Ever. Tulkus rarely share, sadly. And I am feeling I cannot go on if we lose this Stupa. It is like killing a Buddha. And it’s all on us. We have only a few days. Please, I beg, do not let this tragedy happen.

 For information on how you can help: http://www.tara.org/amitabha-sacred-land-campaign/

Copyright © Jetsunma Ahkon Norbu Lhamo.  All rights reserved

 

Astrology

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A perfect, solid consensus happens.  Everyone is realistic and justice prevails.  A decision comes and it is fair to everyone involved.  A partnership is growing steadily and attracting attention.  Two parties can accomplish something that hasn’t worked for a single person. A group has been needed.  Individual upstarts continue to get shot down but those folks are learning to join with others.  A new power is growing. Speeches, talks and written matter must be delivered in a dignified and serious way.  If you have something to say, dress well and express yourself in a respectful way.  People are watching, and your words will go farther than you imagine.  You could write or say something and find yourself quoted in the news!  Personal magnetism is high.  Andre Malraux said, “Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is the courage that one has to bet on one’s ideas, to take a calculated risk – and to act.”

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

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Two points of view pop up.  One side is emotional and the other is intellectual.  Agree to disagree, don’t make an issue out of it.  The true task of the day involves meeting others and forming coalitions, and it involves listening to everyone’s opinions.  A person with all the answers probably is right but it’s still crucial to respect others.  A diplomatic consensus is being formed, and everyone must be heard.  As with all diplomacy, it’s most important to expound at length on the favorable qualities of all parties.  If you just want to point out faults, go back to “diplomacy 101.”  Tell others why they make good partners.  Sitting Bull said, “Each man is good in his sight.  It is not necessary for eagles to be crows.”  Be truthful and generous in your evaluation of others.

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!

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