MINDSPACE

THE DALAI LAMA INTERVIEWED

Summer 2007, the Dalai Lama visited Madison, Wisconsin and answered questions after his lecture.  A charming, very human side of His Holiness is revealed here.

ROBERT THURMAN ON THE THREE KINDS OF WISDOM

For those of you who aren't familiar with Robert Thurman's work--aside from fathering Uma--he's one of the most distinguished Tibetanists in the world.  He's retired from Columbia, but has remained a major force in the field of Tibetan studies and human spirituality in general.  I've never had the pleasure of meeting the man, but I feel as though I know him in one sense because of the books he's written--some of which are personal in nature, and most all of which are personally compelling.  Most recently, I've discovered his Podcasts, which are now on my iPod and accompany me wherever I go. 

I can't recommend them highly enough.  As our meditation and study groups (the one that meets on Sunday and the one that meets on Wednesday) have been addressing some of the traditional Tibetan philosophical texts, I thought it might be helpful to listen to Thurman on the subject of the three kinds of wisdom.  Click here, and scroll down to podcast # 58.  It's an MP3 file so you can download it and listen to it in several ways.  You can spend the next several weeks going through these podcasts, and you won't be disappointed.

The video podcasts are equally good, but they address a specific text ("The Holy Teachings of Vimalakirti"), which I have recently read and found very helpful, and which I can recommend as well.  The visual dimension of Thurman's teaching I find engaging too--watch one of the video podcasts, and I think you'll agree.

RETREAT AT WATTLE HOLLOW IN OCTOBER

Geshe Dorjee and Lama Mepham will lead a retreat at Wattle Hollow, October 24-26, 2008.  The retreat will focus on guided meditation the first day, with small-group and individual instruction, and on the Tara, long-life initiation the second day.  Lama Mepham, of the Kagyu lineage, is new to the Fayetteville area and has completed two 3-year, 3-month retreats while in Tibet.  He is a recognized master of meditation.  Geshe Dorjee holds the highest degree offered by a Buddhist monastic university and is a an authority on all aspects of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice.  Together, they present an authoritative source of knowledge regarding Tibetan Buddhism and meditation, and the weekend at Wattle Hollow offers a wonderful opportunity for beginners and more experienced practitioners alike.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO TOOK REFUGE

On Saturday, August 16, thirteen of Geshe la's students formally took the refuge vows that signal a new relationship with the Dharma:   Kate, Cheryl, Christy, Karen, Kim, Georgia, Anna, Michael, Cheryl, Jesse, Marcia, Juba, and Arden.  Our good wishes go out to them, with hopes for the future that they will all prosper on their paths and make steady progress in the journey of realization.  We have been blessed to have Geshe la, Rinzin la, and now Mepham la among us, and I believe that these blessing flowered on Saturday within each of you.  It has been a great pleasure getting to know you, and I look forward to working with you in the future. 

Before Geshe la arrived, northwest Arkansas was home to a thriving Buddhist community, and his presence here has strengthened and added diversity to that community.  Thanks to all of you who have supported these and other Buddhist communities over the years; this little corner of the state has indeed proven unusually receptive to the Dharma.

COME CELEBRATE BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY, ENLIGHTENMENT AND PARANIRVANA

Northwest Arkansas Buddhists will celebrate Vesak 2008 with a potluck picnic beginning at 3:30 pm (dinner starts around 5:30 pm) on Sunday, May 18 at Agri Park in Fayetteville. All area Buddhists and all those interested in Buddhist theory and practice are cordially invited to attend.
Sometimes informally called “Buddha’s birthday,” Vesak celebrates the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and passing (Paranirvana) of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni. An official state holiday in many Buddhist countries, Vesak is also known as Vaisakha, Buddha Jayanti, and Saga Dawa. The exact date of Vesak varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different traditions. For many of those traditions, Vesak falls on May 20 in 2008.
Please bring food and drink, plates, cups, and utensils to share with those attending, as well as lawn chairs, games, etc. Local practice groups are invited to bring information about their group’s practice and activities to share with others. Those who wish may bring offerings of fruit, flowers, incense, or candles to be placed on the altar.
The event will feature a period of silent meditation, and perhaps a Dharma talk or two. At the close of the event, Ven. Geshe Thupten Dorjee will offer to those interested the Eight Precepts Vow, to be honored for the 24-hour period beginning at sunrise on Tuesday May 20. Participants who take the vow undertake to abstain from: taking life (both human and nonhuman); taking what is not given (stealing); all sexual activity; telling lies; using intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness; eating at the wrong time (the right time is eating once, after sunrise, before noon); singing, dancing, playing music, attending entertainment performances, wearing perfume, and using cosmetics and garlands; and using luxurious places for sitting or sleeping.
Located on Garland Avenue north of the University of Arkansas and Deane Street, Agri Park features a covered pavilion; in the event of rain, the event will proceed as planned.

ANAM THUBTEN RINPOCHE TEACHES AT ST. PAUL'S

Anam Thubten Rinpoche gave an extraordinary teaching on Monday, April 21 at St. Paul's.  Thanks to all of you who turned out for Rinpoche's teaching.  He had a wonderful time and would like to return to do a weekend retreat. Thanks also to St. Paul's for hosting the event, and to Veronica Pucci for the wonderful photographs, which you can view at Dharma Eyes.  There is a possibility that we will have a visit from another Lama in late May or early June; I'll keep you posted. 

ANAM THUBTEN RINPOCHE TO SPEAK IN FAYETTEVILLE

WHAT:  Dharma Talk

WHEN:  Monday, April 21, 7:00 P.M.

WHERE:  St. Paul's Episcoal Church, 224 N. East St., Fayetteville  AR  72701 (442-7373).  For directions, click here.

Fayetteville residents have an extraordinary opportunity to hear one of the most talented and perceptive teachers currently active in the United States today. 

Anam Thubten Rinpoche was born in Tibet and entered into Buddhist training in the Nyingma tradition at young age.  Among his teachers, he had a special affinity toward a very inspiring Dharma teacher named Lama Tsurlo, who became his main mentor.  Lama Tsurlo's kindness and wisdom gave him the firm base to advance in his dharma practice, and still serves as a source of inspiration in his ever-unfolding love of true Dharma, as well as his work as a teacher.  Anam Thubten was recognized as the reincarnation of Anam Lama, when he was quite young.

Rinpoche will give a general dharma talk on the nature and availability of spiritual truth.  More specific descriptions of his teachings often narrow the scope of his message--you simply have to hear him to appreciate the full dimensions of his capacious mind, his generosity, and his compassion. 

Simply put--this is a talk that is not to be missed.  All are welcome, and a $10 donation for adults and $5 for students are suggested to help defray the costs of travel.  No one, of course, will be turned away.

It is traditional inTibetan culture for students, after the teaching, to line up for a blessing from the teacher.  This is entirely optional, of course.  But if you would like a personal blessing from Rinpoche, it is easy to do.  You simple bow, and present him with a kata, or white scarf, draped over your hands, which he will take, bless, and place around your neck.  If you have a kata you may bring it.  If not, we will have several for you to share with others.  It is also traditional that you present the teacher with your donation in a white envelope at this time.  We will have white envelopes available for you to use as well.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, 21 February, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 7:00 p.m.

SPECIAL NOTE:  RINPOCHE WILL ALSO BE LEADING A RETREAT IN LITTLE ROCK, APRIL 18-20.  CONTACT KAREN WISDOM FOR MORE INFORMATION (501-681-2895).

NEW ARTICLE IN THE TRAVELER FEATURING GESHE DORJEE

Have a look at the following article in The Traveler, which came out today, on Geshe and his life and teaching mission at the University and the community of Fayetteville.  Thanks to Pam Acosta who did a wonderful job both on the research and the writing.  We also had a successful lecture & vigil last night for the Tibetans in Tibet.  I'll post on that later, but thanks to all who attended.

TCIA'S FIRST ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

The Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas held its first organizational meeting on March 12, 2008, at the Pat and Willard Walker Meeting Room at the Fayetteville Public Library.  Over thirty people attended.  By the end of March, Geshe la and the officers will appoint a Board and convene its first meeting soon thereafter.  Everyone who attended shared with us helpful ideas for our future growth, and we are looking forward to working with everyone as we begin to formalize our plans.  James Owenby, our secretary, has provided minutes of the meeting, and they can be viewed on this site under "TCIA Minutes" and under the same heading at TIBETSPACE.

THE DALAI LAMA ON BUDDHISM IN AMERICA

Have a look at the 8:00 minute video below.  His Holiness last summer gave a talk in Carmel, New York, and during the talk he addressed some very important issues regarding the practice and development of our spirituality as Americans.  He also had some very simple and wise comments regarding our goals and aims.