April is Alcohol Awareness Month…
…and I think I’m going to get into the habit of posting the below clip every year.
For more information, visit http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/aprilalcohol/.
Rev. Danny Fisher
Just a Buddhist Minister Trying to Benefit Beings
April 7, 2010
A Gift of Dharma for 4.7.10
Today’s quote is from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, the great Dzogchen master and author who has spent much of his life establishing seats of the International Dzogchen Community around the world. This is it:
Realization or illumination is not something we construct or build. If we consider realization as something we build then it becomes something made up of aggregates or something impermanent. If we create something within time and through action, we can never get beyond time. In our real condition the base is beyond time, beyond consideration, explanation, beyond everything. That is why at the end of his life Buddha Shakyamuni explained everything as emptiness with the teaching of the Prajnaparamita. Even at the end of his life he said there was no wisdom, no path, and no realization. Why did he negate all these things? We always enter into concepts. If we say “wisdom” then we have a concept and if we remain in this concept, we have a problem. Realization must be beyond all this.
April 7, 2010
NEWS: A Statement from His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Regarding the Cancellation of This Summer’s Proposed European Tour
As many readers probably know by now, the proposed European tour of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, was not approved by the Indian government and will therefore not proceed. (In my recent conversation with Tyler Dewar for Shambhala Sun Space, we discussed the complicated politics at play here, and I would refer you to that post for more information.)
His Holiness today issued a statement in response. It is in full below:
I know that the Co-ordinator of Karmapa in Europe 2010, has already notified everyone that my proposed visit has had to be cancelled for reasons beyond my control. I was very much looking forward to meeting with my European students, visiting your dharma centres, giving teachings, and having the opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into the great variety of European life and culture.
I was wholeheartedly preparing for this visit so you will understand that I too was sad and disappointed when I learned that I would not be able to come this time. However, I hope that this is merely a temporary setback and that I will definitely be able to visit Europe in the near future.
It remains for me to express my gratitude to Ringu Tulku and all of you in the different countries and dharma centres who have worked so hard to prepare for the visit. Please be assured that your work has not been in vain or wasted. By these efforts, you have planted a powerful seed and when it reaches fruition my intention to come to Europe will be fulfilled.
Meanwhile, my aspiration and vision remain firm. I am determined to follow in the footsteps of the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, renewing connections with long-standing students and forging a closer relationship with all my European friends, past, present and future.
17th Gyalwang Karmapa,
Ogyen Trinley Dorje,
Gyuto Tantric University,
Himachal Pradesh,
India
7th April, 2010
April 7, 2010
A Cool Video about the Buddhist Community at Duke
I had a lovely experience last year with the Buddhist Community at Duke University, which I blogged about here. In addition, my pal and fellow Buddhist minister Sumi Loundon Kim (whom I blogged about yesterday) recently became their chaplain. So, naturally, I was delighted to see this…
