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.

AUGUST 30: DAY OF FASTING & REMEMBRANCE

With the Olympics over, and China's human rights violations escalating in Tibet as the IOC stood placidly by, the Tibetan Solidarity Committee has called for a 12-hour fast to begin on the morning of August 30.  Recently, His Holiness agreed to participate in the fast, as Buddhist centers and other human rights groups around around the world have signed on to this significant action against human rights violations. 

While fasting is an ancient spiritual practice, we often forget the motivation that lies behind it.  Traditionally, fasting has been undertaken to develop mindfulness, a quality central to all religions, but one especially revered by Buddhists.  Regarding fasting, Thich Nhat Hahn has written that

society makes it difficult for us to be awake.  I am sure that you know this, but you keep forgetting:  Forty thousand children in the Third World die every day of hunger, forty thousand of them.  We know, but we keep forgetting because the society in which we live makes us forgetful.  That is why we need some exercise for mindfulness, for awareness.  A number of Buddhists practice this--they refrain from eating a few times a week in order to be in communion with the Third World.

The recommendation for Saturday is to fast according to your own capacities and abilities.  Some will take neither food nor water, some will take only juice, some will only avoid meat, but all who undertake the fast are asked to remember those who have suffered from human rights abuses at the hands of oppressive governments.

Fasting is an important step in our recognition of human deprivation because it extends that recognition beyond the conceptual level--we all "know" there is human suffering--and into the physical level, bringing our bodies into dialogue with the stultifying facts concerning human violence that crowd our minds.  Our response, then, is more roundly human, and our mindfulness sharpened just a bit.

The recommendation for August 30 is to recite as many times as possible the “Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Guru Prayers, Dhen-pai Nga-dra, Dhen-stik Mon-lam (Prayer of Truth), Prayer of 21 Taras, Six-syllable Mani” mantra and invocation prayers of deities Palden Lhamo and Nechung.

In addition to these recommendations--which come from the Tibetan Solidarity Committee--I would suggest that all of us read the Fourteen Precepts of Engaged Buddhism.  Formulated by Vietnamese monk, Thich Nhat Hahn, they remind us of the social implications of non-violence, and how these principles refine the lives of those who adopt them.

August 30, then, is an opportunity for all of us to exercise our practice just a bit, and maybe even expand its boundaries for a few hours, as we make a concerted effort to situate our own lives within the larger community of suffering and oppression.

Accordingly, for those of you in the Fayetteville area, we will meet at Geshe la's house at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning when Geshe la and Mepham will lead us in prayers very briefly, as we make a special commitment to avoid the ten non-virtues for the 12-hour period (or here for another discussion of the 10 non-virtues).  We will then go about our day accordingly, attempting to maintain mindfulness and awareness regarding the suffering of both Tibetans and Chinese.  At 8:00 p.m., we will break our fast with thankfulness and gratitude for the many blessings we have received, dedicating them all to the prosperity and enlightenment of all sentient beings.

If you cannot be at Geshe la's house, you can pledge to avoid these non-virtues by yourself, in front of your altar or any place that is quiet and sacred to you.  Throughout the day, recall your commitment and chant Om Mane Peme Hum as many times as you can, always thinking of the spirit of Chenrezig that lives within all sentient beings.

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).