Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Song to a Rock Demoness -Milarepa
River, ripples, and waves, these three,
When emerging, arise from the ocean itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the ocean itself.
Habitual thinking, love, and possessiveness, these three,
When arising, arise from the alaya consciousness itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the alaya consciousness itself.
Self-awareness, self-illumination, self-liberation, these three,
When arising, arise from the mind itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the mind itself.
The unborn, unceasing, and unexpressed, these three,
When emerging, arise from the nature of being itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the nature of being itself.
The visions of demons, clinging to demons, and thoughts of demons,
When arising, arise from the Yogin himself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the Yogin himself.
Since demons are the phantoms of the mind,
If it is not understood by the Yogin that they are empty appearances,
And even if he thinks they are real, meditation is confused.
But the root of the delusion is in his own mind.
By observation of the nature of manifestations,
He realizes the identity of manifestation and void,
And by understanding, he knows that the two are not different.
Meditation and not meditation are not two but one,
The cause of all errors is to look upon the two things as different.
From the ultimate point of view, there is no view.
If you make comparison between the nature of the mind
And the nature of the heavens,
Then the true nature of being itself is penetrated.
See, now, that you look into the true meaning which is beyond thought.
Arrange to enter into undisturbed meditation.
And be mindful of the Unceasing Intuitive Sensation!
Jetsun Milarepa , 1052-1135 was one of one of Tibet's most famous yogis and poets, a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of Tibetan Buddhism.
The facts of his life as they are popularly known come from the biography written by one of his chief disciples Rechung.
Born in the village of Kya, Ngatsa in Tibet to a prosperous family he was named Mila Thöpaga (Thos-pa-dga), which means "A joy to hear". But when his father died Milarepa's uncle and aunt took all the family's wealth. At his mother's request Milarepa left home and studied sorcery. While his Aunt and Uncle were having a party to celebrate the impending marriage of their son, he took his revenge by causing the house they were in to collapse, killing 35 people, although the Uncle and Aunt are supposed to have survived. The villagers were angry and set off to look for Milarepa, but his mother got word to him, and he sent a hailstorm to destroy their crops.
Milarepa knowing that his revenge was wrong set out to find a teacher and was led to Marpa the translator. Marpa proved a hard task master, and before he would teach him. He had Milarepa build and then demolish three houses in turn. When Marpa still refused to teach Milarepa he went to Marpa's wife, who took pity on him. She forged a letter of introduction to another teacher, Lama Ngogdun Chudor, under whose tutelage he began to practise meditation. However when he was making no progress, he confessed the forgery and Ngogdun Chudor said that it was vain to hope for spiritual growth without the guru's approval. Milarepa returned to Marpa, and after practicing very diligently for twelve years Milarepa attained the state of vajradhara (complete enlightenment). He is said to be the first to achieve this state within one lifetime. He then became known as Milarepa, which means the "Mila, the cotton clad one" (the suffix "repa" is given to many tantric yogis since they wear white robes) At the age of forty-five, he started to practice at Drakar Taso (White Rock Horse Tooth) cave, as well as becoming a wandering teacher.
Milarepa is famous for many of his songs and poems, in which he expresses the profundity of his realization of the dharma with extraordinary clarity and beauty. He also had many disciples, which include Rechung Dorje Drakpa (Ras-chung Rdo-rje Grags-pa)), Gampopa (Sgam-po-pa) or Dhakpo Lhaje. It was Gampopa who became his spiritual successor who continued his lineage and became one of the main lineage masters in Milarepa's tradition. The Hundred thousand songs of Milarepa is an important spiritual scripture for Tibetan Buddhism.
When emerging, arise from the ocean itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the ocean itself.
Habitual thinking, love, and possessiveness, these three,
When arising, arise from the alaya consciousness itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the alaya consciousness itself.
Self-awareness, self-illumination, self-liberation, these three,
When arising, arise from the mind itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the mind itself.
The unborn, unceasing, and unexpressed, these three,
When emerging, arise from the nature of being itself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the nature of being itself.
The visions of demons, clinging to demons, and thoughts of demons,
When arising, arise from the Yogin himself.
When disappearing, they disappear into the Yogin himself.
Since demons are the phantoms of the mind,
If it is not understood by the Yogin that they are empty appearances,
And even if he thinks they are real, meditation is confused.
But the root of the delusion is in his own mind.
By observation of the nature of manifestations,
He realizes the identity of manifestation and void,
And by understanding, he knows that the two are not different.
Meditation and not meditation are not two but one,
The cause of all errors is to look upon the two things as different.
From the ultimate point of view, there is no view.
If you make comparison between the nature of the mind
And the nature of the heavens,
Then the true nature of being itself is penetrated.
See, now, that you look into the true meaning which is beyond thought.
Arrange to enter into undisturbed meditation.
And be mindful of the Unceasing Intuitive Sensation!
Jetsun Milarepa , 1052-1135 was one of one of Tibet's most famous yogis and poets, a student of Marpa Lotsawa, and a major figure in the history of Tibetan Buddhism.
The facts of his life as they are popularly known come from the biography written by one of his chief disciples Rechung.
Born in the village of Kya, Ngatsa in Tibet to a prosperous family he was named Mila Thöpaga (Thos-pa-dga), which means "A joy to hear". But when his father died Milarepa's uncle and aunt took all the family's wealth. At his mother's request Milarepa left home and studied sorcery. While his Aunt and Uncle were having a party to celebrate the impending marriage of their son, he took his revenge by causing the house they were in to collapse, killing 35 people, although the Uncle and Aunt are supposed to have survived. The villagers were angry and set off to look for Milarepa, but his mother got word to him, and he sent a hailstorm to destroy their crops.
Milarepa knowing that his revenge was wrong set out to find a teacher and was led to Marpa the translator. Marpa proved a hard task master, and before he would teach him. He had Milarepa build and then demolish three houses in turn. When Marpa still refused to teach Milarepa he went to Marpa's wife, who took pity on him. She forged a letter of introduction to another teacher, Lama Ngogdun Chudor, under whose tutelage he began to practise meditation. However when he was making no progress, he confessed the forgery and Ngogdun Chudor said that it was vain to hope for spiritual growth without the guru's approval. Milarepa returned to Marpa, and after practicing very diligently for twelve years Milarepa attained the state of vajradhara (complete enlightenment). He is said to be the first to achieve this state within one lifetime. He then became known as Milarepa, which means the "Mila, the cotton clad one" (the suffix "repa" is given to many tantric yogis since they wear white robes) At the age of forty-five, he started to practice at Drakar Taso (White Rock Horse Tooth) cave, as well as becoming a wandering teacher.
Milarepa is famous for many of his songs and poems, in which he expresses the profundity of his realization of the dharma with extraordinary clarity and beauty. He also had many disciples, which include Rechung Dorje Drakpa (Ras-chung Rdo-rje Grags-pa)), Gampopa (Sgam-po-pa) or Dhakpo Lhaje. It was Gampopa who became his spiritual successor who continued his lineage and became one of the main lineage masters in Milarepa's tradition. The Hundred thousand songs of Milarepa is an important spiritual scripture for Tibetan Buddhism.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Dharma Talk and Discussion: Karma
Thursday, May 28, 7:00 PM
For better or worse, Karma is now part of the English language. This teaching is a great opportunity to get the real picture of this principle...or is it a law? It's always a fascinating topic that raises many intriguing questions such as: how does it work, how does it affect us and others, is it set and immutable, how can effects go from one life to another, and many more.
Set the date aside, it's for certain this will be a great presentation and discussion. In accordance with our 2009 cycle, both May and June fourth Thursday's will be devoted to this topic.
Note, If you missed them, the last two sessions on Happiness were excellent talks and discussions that everyone felt were really valuable. I'm sure that experience will continue with this intriguing topic.
Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away.
This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 12th & Wilson. The full address is 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Dharma Talk and discussion: Happiness
Thursday, April 23, 2009
This Thursday will be the follow-up session to last month's topic which was "Happiness." Last month Geshe gave us a definition of Happiness and related this contemporary definition to concepts in classical Buddhism. We also had a very good discussion of what people usually think happiness means. This month's session is a follow-up in which the discussion of Happiness will continue and we will delve more deeply into it. It will be part presentation by Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim, and part discussion.
Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away. (If you paid for the last Thursday teaching, this is a continuation of that, so there is no need to pay again.)
This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502
This Thursday will be the follow-up session to last month's topic which was "Happiness." Last month Geshe gave us a definition of Happiness and related this contemporary definition to concepts in classical Buddhism. We also had a very good discussion of what people usually think happiness means. This month's session is a follow-up in which the discussion of Happiness will continue and we will delve more deeply into it. It will be part presentation by Geshe Jamyang Tsultrim, and part discussion.
Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away. (If you paid for the last Thursday teaching, this is a continuation of that, so there is no need to pay again.)
This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A favorite dedication prayer
Precept Dedication Prayer
by Shantideva,
by Shantideva,
revised by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
May no living creature suffer, commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled, with a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms, and the deaf hear sounds.
May the blind see forms, and the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing, the hungry find food.
May the naked find clothing, the hungry find food.
May the thirsty find water, and delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth, those weak with sorrow find joy.
May the poor find wealth, those weak with sorrow find joy.
May the forlorn find hope, constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains and bountiful harvests.
May there be timely rains and bountiful harvests.
May all medicines be effective and wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill quickly be freed from their ailments.
May all who are sick and ill quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world, may they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid and those bound be freed.
May the frightened cease to be afraid and those bound be freed.
May the powerless find power, and may people think of benefiting each other.
May all beings everywhere, plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy by virtue of my merits.
May all beings everywhere, plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy by virtue of my merits.
**************************************************************************************
When I remember to start my day with this dedication prayer
the day seems to be much less stressful.
I am more mindful of how fortunate I really am
and how small all my "big" troubles really are.
When my day does get crazy full of stress,
this prayer helps lower that stress to a more manageable level,
and for me that is very beneficial. ljc
Friday, March 20, 2009
Dharma Talk: Developing and Cultivating Spiritual Aspiration
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009
The third talk will cover the topic of developing and cultivating spiritual aspiration
It's based on the second and third chapters of our text "Clarifying the Sage's Intent"
The two chapter titles are explanatory:
Producing the Aspiration to Engage in Buddha's Teachings, and
Generating the Great Enlightenment Thought
The first two talks addressed the potential we all have for spiritual development. This third talk now progress to the next stage which is how to develop that potential. As the titles suggest, it starts with the thought, or aspiration to develop spiritually. This months teaching will illuminate how to cultivate and nourish that spiritual aspiration and how to then actually generate the key elements for firmly establishing and maintaining it.
Whether you heard first talks or not, you can still benefit greatly from hearing this teaching. Especially since Geshe Jamyang always makes these topics fresh, relevant and accessible.
Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away.
This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 12th & Wilson. The full address is 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502
The third talk will cover the topic of developing and cultivating spiritual aspiration
It's based on the second and third chapters of our text "Clarifying the Sage's Intent"
The two chapter titles are explanatory:
Producing the Aspiration to Engage in Buddha's Teachings, and
Generating the Great Enlightenment Thought
The first two talks addressed the potential we all have for spiritual development. This third talk now progress to the next stage which is how to develop that potential. As the titles suggest, it starts with the thought, or aspiration to develop spiritually. This months teaching will illuminate how to cultivate and nourish that spiritual aspiration and how to then actually generate the key elements for firmly establishing and maintaining it.
Whether you heard first talks or not, you can still benefit greatly from hearing this teaching. Especially since Geshe Jamyang always makes these topics fresh, relevant and accessible.
Suggested Donation: $15.00, no one will be turned away.
This event will take place at our normal Thursday night location, the Lien Hoa Temple at 12th & Wilson. The full address is 1211 Wilson St. NE, Olympia WA, 98502
Monthly Practice Schedule
First & Second Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting and discussion with Geshe Jamyang, Geshe’s schedule permitting.
Third Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting, and student led dharma talks.
Fourth Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Dharma teachings by Geshe Jamyang including discussions, no meditation in most cases.
Fifth Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting, and student led dharma talks.
Every Saturday - 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Usual Saturday: Chenrezig Meditation: developing the mind of compassion. Sat closest to full moon: Green Tara meditation: compassion in action.
The Location for these practices is currently the Lien Hoa Temple on 12th and Wilson, 1211 Wilson St. NE, Oylmpia WA 98506
Silent meditation, chanting and discussion with Geshe Jamyang, Geshe’s schedule permitting.
Third Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting, and student led dharma talks.
Fourth Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Dharma teachings by Geshe Jamyang including discussions, no meditation in most cases.
Fifth Thursdays 7 - 8:30 PM
Silent meditation, chanting, and student led dharma talks.
Every Saturday - 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Usual Saturday: Chenrezig Meditation: developing the mind of compassion. Sat closest to full moon: Green Tara meditation: compassion in action.
The Location for these practices is currently the Lien Hoa Temple on 12th and Wilson, 1211 Wilson St. NE, Oylmpia WA 98506
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