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Rev. Danny Fisher
Just a Buddhist Minister Trying to Benefit Beings
Month: November, 2010
November 30, 2010
A Gift of Dharma for 11.30.10
Today’s quote is from the Third Jamgön Kongtrul, Karma Lodrö Chökyi Senge (1954-1992), who “became one of the foremost holders of the Kagyu Lineage, and wore the mantle of regency with humility and great dignity” following the death of His Holiness the Sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa in 1981. He was involved in the search for the 17th Karmapa when he was tragically killed in car accident in 1992. This is it:
The difference between the practice in Tibet and here [in the West] is that the Dharma has been in Tibet for several hundred years, and, as such, is firmly rooted in the mind of every Tibetan. Everyone has become very familiar with the Dharma from the moment they were born, and, having been brought up with Buddhism and the Dharma, they have a full understanding of whatever practice is applied to them. In addition, they have a complete trust in the practice, because of their familiarity with it. They have learned the very idea of practice or Dharma. And the difference is that here in the West the Dharma is very new and not cultivated in the minds of those who are interested, and a strong trust has not been developed.
So it seems that the most important approach for the Western student is first to develop an understanding or view of the teaching. They need to develop an understanding of Buddhism before being given a meditation practice. And again, by virtue of this understanding—what is called the “view” aspect of Buddhism—one learns to approach the Dharma, not as a Tibetan culture, but rather as a practice which can be applied to one’s regular life. Then many other methods and approaches to meditation can be added.
November 29, 2010
A Gift of Dharma for 11.29.10
Today’s quote is yet another from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whom I first quoted and wrote a short biography for in this post. This is it — Snow Lion Publications’ Dalai Lama Quote of the Week from many weeks back:
It is very important before receiving any Dharma teaching to set a proper motivation, or reaffirm and enhance that motivation if we already basically have it. This is important not only for those who are listening to a spiritual discourse, but also for the person delivering it. If a discourse or explanation is given with an attitude of pride, competitiveness or jealousy, it will not do as a Dharma teaching. A Buddhist teaching must be given with the sincere wish to benefit all beings by means of it.
Likewise, the listeners to a Buddhist teaching must have a proper motivation, always thinking, “What new point can I learn from this that will help me be of more benefit to others?” If we sit here with the notion to learn something about mahamudra so that we can make a display of ourselves and proudly talk to others about mahamudra so that they will consider us an erudite, spiritual person, we have a completely wrong motivation.
November 29, 2010
Long-Life Activities for the Three Rinpoches During the 28th Kagyu Monlam
This via the website of the Kagyu Monlam Chenmo (by way of MahaSangha News):
Special Announcement: Long-Life Activities for the Three Rinpoches During the 28th Kagyu Monlam
At this historical juncture, when the practice lineage of Kampo Nenang (the Karma Kamstang) has fallen into a lamentable state in terms of study and practice due to local, historical and personnel conditions, it is an inconceivable and inexpressible amassing of kindness that beings with the power to accomplish their aspirations as holders of the teachings have determined that they themselves will bear the great burden of bringing about the welfare of beings and of the Buddhadharma, and, like a seasonal rain falling at just the right time, remain in the world as sources of refuge, as bodhisattvas in human form showing the infallible path to wretched disciples.This is especially so in the case of Kyabje Thrangu Rinpoche, Vajra Master Tenga Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso, who, due to the exemplary lives they have led, have each reached an advanced age and still remain for the sake of the Buddhadharma and sentient beings. With the aim of praising the greatness of their lives and qualities, exhorting them to continuously turn the wheel of Dharma, and completely fulfilling their greatly compassionate wishes, on the morning of December 22nd, the eighth day of the Twenty-Eighth Kagyu Monlam in Bodhgaya, the vast gathering of sangha headed by the Gyalwang Karmapa and his heart disciples will perform the practice of Prostrations and Offering to the Sixteen Elders and offer the three Rinpoches a special long-life puja that combines sutra and tantra. His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa will further bestow upon each of them a certificate of encomium.
His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa has issued the following instructions:
All those connected to the three Rinpoches all over the world, from east to west—including monasteries, Dharma centers and disciples who have relationships of Dharma and of samaya—are requested to participate on that day December 22nd, 2010 at 6:00-8:30 am (India time) from wherever they may be, however near or far, by performing the Prostrations and Offering to the Sixteen Elders while supplicating with intense longing. Those who are unable to do so are asked to recite the short or long dharani mantra of Amitayus for long life, engage in Vajrasattva recitation to remove any stains to their samaya, and to perform the Padmasambhava supplication to remove obstacles. In addition, with wholesome devotion, they should accumulate recitations of the prayers that already exist for the long life of the three Rinpoches, as well as the long-life prayers that have been specially composed for the occasion this year by the heart disciples who are lords of refuge.We thus ask you all to take this to heart.
Kagyu Monlam Organizing Committee
November 8, 2010The relevant practice texts and prayers may be downloaded at the following links:
Prostrations and Offering to the Sixteen Elders
Long-Life Prayers
Supplication Clearing the Path of Obstacles
The ceremonies will be webcast live and may be viewed at this site:
http://www.kagyumonlam.tv/
November 29, 2010
U2 and Jay-Z Honor Aung San Suu Kyi
This via the great Rod Meade Sperry, our pal and Shambhala Sun Space editor, at The Worst Horse:
