Gentle Voice October 2012
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October 2012 In This Issue
Editor's welcome
Lama Zopa = How to Practice Dharma
Hello everyone, I hope the gathering gloom of the autumn is just a fleeting, temporary phenomenon for you. As ever there is lots going on With thanks to wildmind.org at Jamyang and I hope you enjoy reading about it all here. It would be great to get your feedback so please either email us at admin@jamyang.co.uk or leave a comment on our facebook page. I've included two great texts here, one is an extract from Lama Zopa's latest book and the other is an extract from a beautiful Pali sutra. Do make time to read these in amongst the news and views we also include.
This month at Jamyang Dharma Bites - The Potthapada Sutra Geshe Tashi's column The Director's Column Korean Buddhist Art Evening Lama Zopa at Sera Je The Jamyang Cafe - an interview with Ali Waldegrave Book Review: Cha Dao (Making Tea) Poetry Corner Invisibility And Now for Something Completely Different Amy Miller leads a pilgrimage Resident Teacher required at Tushita About FPMT Your Thoughts for Gentle Voice
Quick Links Jamyang Website
Peace and Love, John
Current Programme Talking Buddhism The Foundation Study Course The Lamrim Chenmo Study Course FPMT
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Lama Zopa's New Book - How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas You may have read Mike's enthusiastic endorsement of Lama Zopa's new book which he sent out recently. The book is titled "How to Practice Dharma: Teachings on the Eight Worldly Dharmas" It is a compilation of many talks given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, edited here by Gordon McDougall. (Yes that Gordon McDougall who used to be SPC at Jamyang many years ago.) If you didn't read Mike's email he said, "You just have to buy Lama Zopa in July 2012 yourselves a copy of the latest book by Lama Zopa Rinpoche called "How to Practice Dharma: teachings on the eight worldly dharmas". It is the latest in the FPMT lineage series and retails around the ÂŁ10 mark. It is just extraordinary. So practical, so true. The kind of book that helps you recognise and laugh at your nonsense and gives you the resolve and techniques to stop being such a twit/ nelly/ nincompoop, so often." So having whetted your appetite we reproduce another extract from the book ------The Nature of SamsaraThe Cow on the Precipice The great pandit Chandragomin uses a very effective example to explain the nature of worldly beings who work only for this life. A cow sees a small bunch of grass growing near a precipice and runs to it thinking that if she can eat it she will be happy. Because of attachment to that grass, she tries to reach it and falls over into the precipice, killing herself. Her attachment brings her suffering instead of the happiness she expected. Chandragomin says that a worldly being seeking only happiness in this life is just like the cow. He is so attached to pleasure, he runs to it without seeing the danger, and he falls down and dies. This example is incredible. When we are solely seeking the happiness of this life, when we are attached to only that, whatever action we do only becomes nonvirtue. Like the cow falling over the precipice while attempting to achieve the happiness of the bunch of grass, we are totally cheated by attachment. Even though we are looking for happiness, the result of our action is only rebirth in the lower realms. Lama Atisha, the bodhisattva and embodiment of Chenrezig, the compassionate buddha, was invited from India to reestablish Buddhadharma in Tibet. While there, DromtĂśnpa offered service to this great meditator and was his translator. Once he asked Atisha, "What is the result of actions done with ignorance, anger and attachment? And of actions not done with ignorance, anger and attachment?" Lama Atisha answered:
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Actions done with ignorance, anger and attachment bring rebirth in the lower realms as a suffering transmigratory being. Greed causes rebirth in the preta 2 realm, hatred causes rebirth in the hell realm, ignorance causes rebirth in the animal realm, and so forth. Actions done with an attitude not possessed by the three poisonous minds bring the result of rebirth as a happy transmigratory being. To understand Lama Atisha's answer, look at human beings who have no understanding of Dharma at all, no faith in refuge or karma. Simply think back to the people from your own city or town. Day and night they think of nothing more than this life. They are concerned about nothing more than the happiness of the next few years, or even a few months. They keep themselves constantly busy with this motive of worldly concern. It is easy to see that this is all nonvirtue. Lama Atisha explains that the result of all activities of body, speech and mind done with an attitude of worldly concern result in rebirth in the lower realms as a suffering transmigratory being. Because there is no understanding of karma and also no faith in refuge, such people have no opportunity to purify the obscurations and negative karma accumulated in the past, and no opportunity to practice holy Dharma. We can see this very clearly in the example above of the cow wishing to get the grass at the edge of the precipice. The result is that she falls down the precipice. Like this, the result of all work done for the happiness of this life, since the method is nonvirtue, is to fall down into the lower realms. Even if worldly people are shown the teachings on karma and refuge, or given purification methods such as Vajrasattva 3, they cannot understand or accept them. Therefore, they have no opportunity to practice Dharma. If we have met the holy Dharma we should feel so fortunate. Even though we might still create negative karma, we have the opportunity to purify it. With an understanding of karma and refuge, we have the opportunity to practice Dharma, and so we know there is a solution. This is Dharma wisdom; it gives us the opportunity to practice so that we can accomplish our wish for happiness. One of Atisha's followers, the great meditator and Kadampa master Sharawa, states that all negative actions arise from the thought of the eight worldly dharmas. As long as this is not renounced but remains in the mind, all suffering will arise. He makes it clear that it doesn't matter who we are, all the problems of our life are caused by the thought of the eight worldly dharmas. This is as true for someone on a spiritual path trying practice Dharma as it is for someone who doesn't follow any religion. If we don't renounce the thought of the eight worldly dharmas we will always experience so many problems and be unable to develop our mind. Whatever problems we experience-from not sleeping to thoughts of suicide-arise from attachment. This is simple Buddhist psychology, clearly showing both the source of all our problems and of all our happiness. This psychology of the mind is so logical, and it can make our mind peaceful by understanding how all our problems are rooted in the mind. If we thoroughly investigate we will see that every problem we have ever faced, and every problem that everybody has ever experienced, comes from this thought clinging to the happiness of this life, this desire for temporal pleasures. We will see this clearly if we remember the problems we've had recently, last
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year, the year before that and so on, back as far as we can remember, analyzing the cause of those problems. If we honestly investigate we won't be able to see any problems that weren't caused by the thought of the worldly dharmas. We can take our investigation beyond our own problems to the problems that others face-our family and friends, the people we work with and so on-checking whether their problems also stem from the thought of the eight worldly dharmas. In doing so we can become so much more aware of the very nature of mind. (See the meditations on this in chapter 6.) The thought of the eight worldly dharmas also blocks us from receiving happiness in future lives and ultimate happiness, nirvana, or enlightenment.
THIS MONTH AND NEXT AT JAMYANG CLASSES AND EVENTS IN OCTOBER and NOVEMBER AT JAMYANG Look out for changes to this programme if the planned visit of Jangste Choje Rinpoche goes ahead (see Geshe Tashi's column) CLASSES and RETREATS with GESHE TASHI Saturday 13 - 14 October 10am - 5pm Registered Students Only FBT Module: Four Noble Truths Saturday 20 - Sunday 21 October 8am - 5pm Vajrasattva Practice Weekend Tuesday evening 7:30 2, 30 October Mind Training and Shamata Wednesday evenings 7:30 3, 31 October, weekly Dharma talks see website for details Thursday evenings 1, 8, 15, 22 November 7:30 Buddha Nature RETREATS and WEEKEND TEACHINGS and PRACTICE Weekend 3 - 4 November 10am -5pm with Geshe Graham Woodhouse Debate Workshop
WEEK DAY EVENINGS Mondays weekly from 1 October 7:30pm Buddhist Meditation: Shamata (Calm Abiding) Tuesdays weekly from 2nd October 6:15 -7pm except 6 and 13 November Medicine Buddha Puja 10, 24 October, 9 November at 6pm Lama Choepa Thursdays weekly from 4th October 6.15 - 7.15pm Silent Meditation Thursday 11 October 7:30 with David Ford Meditation for Beginners Tuesday 13, 20, 27 November, 4 December 7:30 Verses from the Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life Wednesday 14, 21, 28 November, 5 December 7:30 The Bodhisattva Attitude
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5th - 9th November daily 10am -5pm Guhyasamaja Retreat restricted to initiates only (check website for details) 12th - 16th November daily 10am -5pm Kalachakra Retreat restricted to initiates only (check website for details) Weekend 17 -18 November 10am -5pm with Chitra Ramgoolam Full Embodied Living PRACTICE GROUPS Insight Meditation Practice Group 6, 27 October, 10 November 10.30-12.30pm open to all Kalachakra Group meets 6 October 2 -5:30pm for initiates only Guhyasamaja Group meets 7 October, 10am for initiates only
WEEK DAY DAYTIME Tuesdays weekly from 2nd October except 6 and 13 November 4pm set up for puja at 4.30pm Tara Puja COMMUNITY 27 September AM for 8 weeks Mindfulness Based Stress reduction (MBSR) Booking required 27 September PM for 8 weeks Mindfulness Based Stress reduction (MBSR) Booking required Monday evenings Chi Kung and Tai Chi Taught by William Walker. For more information and to book call William (follow the link above)
Vajrayogini group meets 7 October 2 - 5:30pm for initiates only
Tuesday evenings Yoga Taught by Judy Watchman For more information and to book call Judy (follow the link above)
SPECIAL EVENTS
COMING UP SOON
Thursday 4 October at 7:30pm Korean Art Evening with Matthew Jackson
Lama Tsongkhapa Celebration 8th December evening only
Tuesday 6 November 8am - 5pm Descent from Tushita Day Please book for all weekend classes other than practice groups by calling the office on 02078208787 or email admin@jamyang.co.uk
Andy Weber Art weekend 7 -9 December Nyung Nay Practice 20 -23 December Community Day 16 December PM only
You can drop in to all evening classes unless we state otherwise.
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Dharma Bites: An extract from the Potthapada Sutra This sutra forms part of the pali cannon. It is not that well known but Ayya Khema wrote a commentary on the sutra which is available from Wisdom Books under the title "Who is my Self?" The sutra is unusual in tackling questions on the nature of self. Here we print the first part of the sutra before these questions are covered. Hope you don't find that too frustrating! ----------------------
Buddha statue in Sukhothai, Thailand
The Potthapada Sutta Thus I have heard. Once the Lord was staying at Savatthi, in Jeta's Grove, in Anathapindika's Park. At that time the wanderer Potthapada was at the debating hall near Tinduka tree, in the single-halled park of Queen Mallika, with a large crowd of about three hundred wanderers. Then the Lord, rising early, took his robe and bowl and went to Savatthi for alms. But it occurred to him: "It is too early to go to Savatthi for alms. Suppose I were to go to the debating chamber to see the wanderer Potthapada?" And he did so. There Potthapada was sitting with his crowd of wanderers, all shouting and making a great commotion, indulging in various kinds of unedifying conversation. But Potthapada saw the Lord coming from a distance, and so he called his followers to order, saying: "Be quiet, gentlemen, don't make a noise gentlemen! That ascetic Gotama is coming, and he likes quiet and speaks in praise of quiet. If he sees that this company is quiet, he will most likely want to come and visit us." At this the wanders fell silent. Then the Lord came to Potthapada who said: "Come,reverend Lord, welcome, reverend Lord! At last the reverend Lord has gone out of his way to come here. Be seated, Lord, a seat is prepared." The Lord sat down on the prepared seat and Potthapada took a low stool and sat down to one side. The Lord said: "Potthapada, what were you all talking about? What conversation have I interrupted?" Potthapada replied: "Lord, never mind the conversation we were having just now, it will not be difficult for the Lord to hear about that later. "In the past few days, Lord, the discussion among the ascetics and brahmins of various schools, sitting together and meeting in the debating hall, has concerned the higher extinction of consciousness, and how this takes place. Some said: 'One's perceptions arise and cease without cause or condition.
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When they arise, one is conscious, when they cease, then one is unconscious.' "That is how they explained it. But somebody else said: 'No, that is not how it is. Perceptions are a person's self, which comes and goes. When it comes, one is conscious, when it goes, one is unconscious.' "Another said: 'That is not how it is. There are ascetics and brahmins of great powers, of great influence. They draw down consciousness into a man and withdraw it. When they draw it down into him , he is conscious; when they withdraw it, he is unconscious.' "And another said: 'No that is not how it is . There are deities of great pwers, of great influence. They draw down consciousness into a man and withdraw it. When they draw it down into him , he is conscious; when they withdraw it, he is unconscious.' "It was in this connection that I thought of the Lord: 'Ah, surely, the Blessed Lord, the Well-farer, he is supremely skilled about these matters! The Blessed Lord well understands the higher extinction of consciousness.' " What then Lord is this higher extinction of consciousness?" "In this matter, Potthapada, those ascetics and brahmins who say one's perceptions arise and cease without cause or condition are totally wrong. "Why is that? One's perceptions arise and cease owing to a cause and conditions. Some perceptions arise through training, and some pass away through training. What is this training?" The Lord said. "Potthapada, a Tathagata arises in this world, an arahant fully developed Buddha, endowed with wisdom and conduct, well-farer, knower of the worlds, incomparable Trainer of men to be tamed, Teacher of gods and humans, enlightened and blessed. "He having realised it by his own super-knowledge, proclaims this world with its devas, maras, and brahmas, its princes and people. He preaches the Dharma which is lovely in the beginning, lovely in the middle, lovely in its ending, in the spirit and in the letter and displays the fully-perfected and purified holy life. "A disciple goes forth and practices the moralities, he dwells refraining from taking life, without stick or sword, scrupulous, compassionate, trembling for the welfare of all living beings. He dwells refraining from taking what is not given, living purely, accepting what is given, awaiting what is given, without stealing. Abandoning unchastity, he lives far from it, aloof of the village practice of sex. "He dwells refraining from false speech, a truth-speaker, one to be relied on, trustworthy, dependable, not a deceiver of the world. Abandoning malicious speech, he does not repeat there what he has heard here to the detriment of these, or repeat there what he has heard here to the detriment of those. Thus he is a reconciler of those at variance and an encourager of those at one, rejoicing in peace, loving it, delighting in it, one who speaks up for peace. Abandoning harsh speech, he refrains from it. He speaks whatever is blameless, pleasing to the ear, agreeable, reaching the heart, urbane, pleasing and attractive to the multitude. Abandoning idle chatter, he speaks at the right time, what is correct and to the point, of Dhamma and discipline. He is a speaker whose words are treasured, seasonable, reasoned, well-defined and connected with the goal.
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"That monk who is perfected in morality sees no danger from any side owing to his being restrained by morality. Just as a duly-anointed Khattiya King, having conquered his enemies, by that very fact sees no danger from any side, so the monk, on account of his morality, sees no danger anywhere. He experiences in himself the blameless bliss that comes from maintaining this noble morality. "Here a monk, on seeing a visible object with the eye, does not grasp at its major signs or secondary characteristics. Because greed and sorrow, evil unskilled states, would overwhelm him if he dwelt leaving this eye faculty unguarded, so he practices guarding it, he protects the eye faculty, develops restraint of the eye faculty. "On hearing a sound with the ear...... On smelling an odour with the nose ....... On tasting a flavour with the tongue ...... On feeling an object with the body ....... On thinking a thought with the mind ...... "He experiences within himself the blameless bliss that comes from maintaining this noble guarding of the faculties. In this way a monk is a guardian of the sense doors. "And how is a monk accomplished in mindfulness and clear awareness? Here a monk acts with clear awareness in going back and forth, in looking ahead or behind him, in bending and stretching, in wearing his outer and inner robe and carrying his bowl, in eating, drinking, chewing and swallowing, in evacuating and urinating, in walking, standing, sitting, lying down, in waking, in speaking and in keeping silent he acts with clear awareness. In this way, a monk is accomplished in mindfulness and clear awareness. "And how is a monk contented? Here, a monk is satisfied with a robe to protect his body, with alms to satisfy his stomach, and having accepted a sufficient amount, he goes on his way. Just as a bird with wings flies hither and thither, burdened by nothing but its wings, so he is satisfied. "Abandoning worldly desires, he dwells with a mind freed from worldly desires, and his mind is purified of them. "Abandoning ill-will and hatred he dwells with a mind freed from ill-will and hatred and by compassionate love for the welfare of all living beings, his mind is purified of ill-will and hatred. "Abandoning sloth and torpor he dwells with a mind freed from sloth and torpor perceiving light, mindful and clearly aware, his mind is purified of sloth and torpor. "Abandoning worry and agitation he dwells with a mind freed from worry and agitation and with an inwardly calmed mind his heart is purified of worry and agitation.
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"Abandoning doubt, he dwells with doubt left behind, without uncertainty as to what things are wholesome, his mind is purified of doubt. "And when he knows that these five hindrances have left him, gladness arises in him, from gladness comes delight, from the delight in his mind his body is tranquilised, he enters and remains in the first jhana, which is with thinking and pondering. "And with this delight and joy born of detachment, he so suffuses, drenches, fills and irradiates his body that there is no spot in his entire body that is untouched by this delight and joy born of detachment. "Having reached the first jhana, he remains in it and whatever sensations of lust that he previously had disappear. At that time there is present a true but subtle perception of delight and happiness and he becomes one who is conscious of this delight and happiness. In this way some perceptions arise through training, and some pass away through training. And this is the training," said the Lord. --------------------------The text goes on to describe the way the higher states of mind (jhanas) are achieved through successive abandonments of the lower states of mind and then enters into a debate on the nature of the personal self. Well worth a full read! If you want us to include more extracts next month you will have to let us know. ** If you would like to contribute to this series please write to John care of Erika at admin@jamyang.co.uk
Geshe Tashi's column Hello Everyone, I hope you are all well. I was very pleased to see so many people have booked for the FBT campus course. It is very good that so many people are interested in learning about the Buddha Dharma and sharing their understanding with each other. As you know you can book for just a single module if you wish. So if the current module is full maybe you can think of booking for the next one. I am not sure if I will be running any more FBT campus courses at Jamyang so do make the most of this opportunity. It was good to see so many families at the last Family Dharma Day. We are still working on the format of these days and I would like to encourage everyone, not just families with children to attend in future. I am hoping these
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days become a focus for the Jamyang community. I am very happy that several Jamyang students will be travelling to South India to receive teachings and transmissions on the Lamrim from His Holiness the Dalai Lama this November. I am also very pleased to be going myself as this is a rare opportunity to receive these teachings on a huge range of texts, 18 in total. I am also hoping that we manage to get a visa for the visit of Jangtse Choje Rinpoche soon. Do make time to meet one of the great amazing teachers of Tibet if he comes. He is very old now and I do not know how much longer he will continue to travel. ed: The provisional dates for the visit of the Jangtse Choje Rinpoche are 19 - 27 October. You may know him by his previous title Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Tenzin
Director's Column Hi, Following a somewhat baptismal experience on my first day with a leaking pipe it has been a wonderful month in the Director's chair. There is such a bright and positive energy here at the moment. Mike Murray has done an amazing job holding both the Spiritual Programme Coordinator and Director roles over the last year. His enthusiasm, intelligence, dedication and good humour are remarkable. We all owe him a huge debt of gratitude for what he has done and is continuing to do for Jamyang. It is a real pleasure to take over as Director and find everything in such good order and so well organised. To have had the benefit of Mike's advice and help on the hand-over has been a real bonus - I am very lucky indeed and much look forward to working together with him and everyone else on the excellent team of very hard working staff and volunteers here to deliver Jamyang's offering for its students and the wider community. The Cafe has now been successfully launched in its own right as a Community Interest Company. It had a very busy first month in August and did particularly well during the Olympics and the Tashilhunpo monks sand mandala residency here. The Jamyang autumn programme of teachings and meditation is now well underway. In the wider world, late October and early November will see Kyabje lama Zopa Rinpoche give oral transmissions of the practice texts concerned with the Nyingmapa form of Hyagriva which protects Sera Jey Monastery at Drati Khangtsen. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give transmissions of 18 important Lam Rim texts in Ganden and Mundgod this December. Geshi Tashi will attend the event and a number of Jamyang London students will attend too. Geshe Tashi's family in India are very kindly arranging accommodation for some of those going. We are taking advantage of our students going there to send further invitations
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to please visit us to Kyabje lama Zopa Rinpoche, Dagri Rinpoche, Jhado Rinpoche and Rangjung Naljorma Khadrola. The provisional dates for the visit of the Jangtse Choje Rinpoche remain 19 to 27 October and we very much wish that the visa process will have a positive outcome enabling Rinpoche's very welcome return to teach at Jamyang. This weekend sees Mike and I in Bath representing Jamyang at the FPMT UK meeting and I look forward to making some real progress with the building improvements and helping the development of the Cafe and our community projects over the coming winter months. Roy
Korean Buddhist Art evening Korean Buddhist Art evening at Jamyang with Matthew Jackson Thursday 4 October at 7.30pm Join us for a fascinating introduction to one of the least well known Buddhist cultures of Asia. Matthew will show a series of short films on DVD introducing us to highlights of Korean Buddhist culture and ending with a short intro the ultra modern hi tech culture of South Korea. Korea has been responsible for the production of some of the most stunning examples of Mahayana Buddhist Art and given that the Peninsula has suffered invasion, oppression and war for so much of its recent history, sometimes it seems amazing that anything has survived at all. For Tibetan Buddhists what is fascinating is the parallels with the visualisatiions we use in pujas and sadhanas. If you have ever wondered in the Medicine Buddha puja what ponds whose bottoms are covered with gold, silver and pearl dust (sorry, 'dust' is a really bad translation term here) have a look at the way tiny spheres of gold were produced for the gold relic house shown in one of the films and imagine marble lined pools of crystal clear water with elaborate flights of steps going down in on all four sides and the bottoms covered with tiny spheres or pellets of gold or silver or whole pearls. Imagine the beauty of those pools and the delightful shimmer and play of light, the brightness and lightness of the water in light. That is what we are offering to the Medicine Buddha team every Tuesday.
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Another gem you will get introduced to is one of the large bodhisattva paintings produced in the Koryo period (c 14th century). Some of these are technically very clever and some are just exquisitely beautiful in their refined elegance. You get a sense that it was not only Tibetans who were producing large scale paintings of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for display on special occasions. These large bodhisattva paintings are things that simply do not come across well in printed images. The film gives a much better sense, but you just know that the originals must be absolutely stunning. Yes Buddhism is about meditation and study and turning the mind around. But it is also about beauty, uplift and inspiration and these artistic jewels from Buddhist Korea deliver that by the bucket load. Rejoice and offer. For more information please visit the Jamyang webpage with its obligatory Mike Murray typos (ie time should be 7.30pm not &.30pm) and unfinished sentences (methinks culture has dropped off the end of the text) and download the flyer.
Lama Zopa gives Oral Transmissions at Sera Je Monastery A correction to last month's article where we stated that Lama Zopa would be giving initiations. He won't, it is an oral transmission. Most Secret Hayagriva Oral Transmissions at Sera Je Monastery with Lama Zopa Rinpoche 27 October - 2 November, 2012 Drati Khangtsen, Sera Je Monastery, India
Cafe Update - An Interview with Ali Waldegrave It was a hectic day in the Jamyang cafe when our intrepid reporter, Q, managed to obtain a precious interview with the beloved manager...... Q. Ali, so tell us what has been happening in the cafe. Ali. Well it's been very hectic recently and we've all been working extremely long hours, but that's great, that's just how we like it. Q. The cafe is now a separate company. How is that going? Ali. Fortunately we had so much help in setting it up and all the volunteers have been great. Ali stoops down to take a tray of delicious roast potatoes out of the oven. It really is a bad time I have picked for this interview. She spoons generous helpings of potatoes onto plates already groaning under the weight of of what
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can only be called the excellently unique and very tasty cuisine she has produced. Q. Why has the cafe become a separate company? She looks up serving spoon in hand Ali. Well I really want to be totally clear that we are only separate because of advice from the Jamyang auditors - It's to do with the charitable status of Jamyang. We are only separate on paper. In our very being Jamyang and the cafe are like the left and right ventricles of the same heart. We are one heart and we will continue to serve everyone for the benefit of Jamyang and the community. I hope all the Jamyang students understand this and help us by following the new ways we have had to come up with. We still love you all! Q. You seem to have a lot of work on just now. I can see about forty people in the building you are going to feed. How do you do it? Ali. Its all thanks to our wonderful volunteers. We really couldn't function without them. Over the last few months we've had so much help. I'll mention a few names but that's just a sample of the helpers. There's Llaria, Tricia and Alex, Bruce, Gian Luca, Venerable Honu, Sue-Ann Powers and probably a few more. Oh and the ever lovely Mike Murray who helps with the washing up in the afternoons when we're too busy. A huge thanks to all of them! Q. Do you have big plans for the future? Ali is serving the most delicious looking chocolate dessert onto forty plates. I hope some is left over for me, otherwise I will be licking the spoon! Ali. Yes, we have lots of plans! We're currently doing the catering for Grand Designs (the TV programme) who are filming next door. More importantly look out for more special events: jam making workshops, our ever popular bread making workshops, social evenings, and lots more. It's just finding the time to fit every thing in. Q. Grand Designs? Ali. They're filming at the Water Tower next to the cinema museum and have done some filming in here. I suppose because all these building were part of a grand Victorian plan for the area. The programme goes out on the 10th October so look out for it. Q. That's fantastic and many thanks for talking to me. At this point I held out an empty bowl that was quickly filled with the said delicious chocolate dessert. Mmmmm - the perks of being a reporter...... From our raving reporter: Q
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Book Review: Cha Dao by Solala Towler Cha Dao is a book which is a meditation on making a cup of tea.You may be aware that Geshe Tashi has a taste for Green Tea so if you're gobsmacked of what to speak about as you're sat near to him and feel insecure to plunge into discussing the subject of emptiness and the difference between Sautrantrika and Vaibhashika then tea is a multi-cultural topic. Cha Dao by Chi Gong teacher Solala Towler is about the art of drinking tea; this is not the quick brew tea bag needing none for the pot and loaded with flavours and dyes; or even the evocative words of the boys selling their wares with "Garam Chai"; which constantly keeps you awake on an Indian night train. Tea comes in many flavours. It is said that Britain won the last big war on Naffi Tea brewed for the soldiers as they sang "Ma I miss your apple pie". But that was all a storm in a teacup. Cha, chai and tea all arose from the same root word. It's china's first important export and don't be afraid of the word Dao or as in some translations, Tao. Here we have a book about making a cup of tea; if you desire to research into the area of the debate in the Tang dynasty when Buddhists became embroiled in philosophical debate try reading "Laughing at Dao" by Livia Kohn Professor Emerita Religion and East Asian Studies Boston University; just to set the changing of the debate around the attempts to re-write history by political systems. The book "Cha Dao" is a cultural clear stream of words uttered a long time ago in the Tang Dynasty around the time that Guru Rinpoche put the bowl into play in nearby Tibet and The Buddha Dharma flourished north of the Himalayas. In ways this book is related to Jamyang's Monday classes on Samantha and concentration. Its about bring the awareness back to watching the tea leaves open slowly as the boiling water seeps into the fibre and expands letting the flavour permeate your bowl or cup. As you swallow the life giving essence, if you become aware of the scent arising from the brew, so much the better. This book can be compared to Guy Claxton's "Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind: Why Intelligence Increases When You Think Less". This is a book about applying vipasana meditation and slowing down the mind which can accommodate a work load which tends to cause the mind to rush and causes stress. It isn't the famous Book of Tea by Japanese writer Okakura Kakuzo (1906) which is more about ritual of the Zen. Also it isn't "The Dispute Between Tea and Chang" by Bon-drong-pa translated by Dr Alexander Fedotov a strange book of Tibetan folk tales in which the dakini of tea disputes that tea is more important to keep practitioners awake than chang. The chang dakini, (chang is a Tibetan alcoholic drink), and the tea dakini point out that alcohol is necessary in a Tsog offering. It is still in publication by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Neither Tea nor Chang win because they both are acting from an ego based
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assumption. So switch the kettle on - it should be the only thing that seems to boil fast. Slow down and watch the tea leaves unfurl as the clarity of the liquid mixes with the clarity of your mind swept clear of crazy mixed up thoughts and display the clear light mind. Offer the tea to the Buddhas and Lamas and enjoy. But Geshe Tashi does admit that he uses a Tea Ball Infuser. There is an oft repeated story about Lama Zopa Rinpoche going on a short haul flight in the USA where he was given light refreshments on take-off. Because it was a short haul flight an assistant came and told him that they were about to land and she must take away his plate. Rinpoche smiled at her and told her it was alright because all he wished for was to offer the food to the gurus and Buddhas. Or as the Zen master Rikyu wrote about the way of tea "The Way Of tea is nothing but this First you boil the water, And then make the tea Then you drink it" Om Ah Hum enjoy the experience Dave Benn
Poetry Corner LET'S NOT BLOW IT Public Service Annoucement By Homer Groening (1967) There are millions of years in the past There are millions of years ahead of us And here we are Right in the middle Then there's space There are miles and miles of space in all directions And here we are Right in the middle This is a big deal Being in the middle of time and space It sort of makes your eyes water We'd never find this moment again In a million years This is our world Let's not blow it by Homer Groening
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Invisibility No we're not referring to Harry Potter and cloaks. Have you ever wondered if the concepts of emptiness translate into the Western world's way of thinking? Well here is a link to a very interesting talk that may answer that question for you. John Lloyd: An animated tour of the invisible
And Now for Something Completely Different For connoisseurs of Tibetan history and the bizarre here is an article that first appeared on the BBC website Ancient statue discovered by Nazis is made from meteorite By Matt McGrath, Science reporter, BBC World Service An ancient Buddhist statue that was recovered by a Nazi expedition in the 1930s was originally carved from a highly valuable meteorite. Researchers say the 1,000-year-old object with a swastika on its stomach is made from a rare form of iron with a high content of nickel. They believe it is part of the Chinga meteorite, which crashed about 15,000 years ago. The findings appear in the Journal,Meteoritics and Planetary Science. The 24cm (9-inch) tall statue is 10kg (22lb) and is called the Iron Man. Origins unknown The story of this priceless object owes more perhaps to an Indiana Jones film script than sober scientific research. It was discovered in Tibet in 1938 by German scientist Ernst Schafer. His expedition was supported by the Nazis, in particular by Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS. Himmler was said to believe the Aryan race originated in Tibet and was keen to recover objects from the area. Brought back to Germany, the statue became part of a private collection and disappeared from view until 2007. A new owner then sought scientific advice on the origins. He turned to Dr Elmar Buchner from the University of Stuttgart. "I was absolutely sure it was a meteorite when I saw it first, even at 10 metres" said Dr Buchner. He said that the clue was in small, thumb like impressions caused by the melting of the surface. Further analysis showed that it was a rare ataxite class, a type of meteorite not often found on Earth. "It is rich in nickel, it is rich in cobalt. Less than 0.1% of all meteorites and less than 1% of iron meteorites are ataxites, so it is the rarest type of meteorites you can find."
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Meteorites have been seen as a sign of divine activity across many cultures since the dawn of time. Knives and jewellery were made from iron meteorites by ancient Inuit. But tracing their exact origins is often extremely difficult. The German and Austrian scientists who worked on the Iron Man with Dr Buchner were surprised to be able to trace the statue to a specific event in meteorite history. Absolutely priceless The researchers believe it was carved from a piece of the Chinga meteorite that fell in the border region of eastern Siberia and Mongolia about 15,000 years ago. The debris from the crash was only discovered in 1913 by gold prospectors, but the individual fragment from which the statue was carved was collected many centuries before. "We were quite astonished by the results," said Dr Buchner. "OK, it's a meteorite but what amazed me was that we could also say it was from Chinga, that we could find the provenance, that was really astonishing for me." The statue is believed to portray the god Vaisravana. The researchers think it belongs to the pre-Buddhist Bon culture that existed in Asia about 1,000 years ago. "If we are right that it was made in the Bon culture in the 11th Century, it is absolutely priceless and absolutely unique worldwide," observed Dr Buchner. Neither the person who carved it or the Nazis had any idea it was made from such a rare substance, he said. In keeping with the Hollywood element in the story, Dr Buchner said the statue had a certain aura. "It is extremely impressive, it was formerly almost completely gilded - there is a great mystery represented by it."
Amy Miller leads Pilgrimage to India and Nepal Venerable Amy Miller frequently teaches at Jamyang so you may well have come across her. We are pleased to help her advertise this pilgimage. ---------------------Milarepa Center & Himalayan High Treks Are Pleased To Announce: A Dharma Journeys Pilgrimage To India & Nepal January 28 - February 13, 2013 With Venerable Amy Miller Visit the sacred Buddhist sites in India: Sravasti, Kushinagar, Nalanda, Vulture's Peak, Bodhgaya and Sarnath. In Nepal: Boudhanath, Swayambunath, Parping and Lumbini. Daily practices and teachings. Includes short retreats atRoot Institute in Bodhgaya, India and Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Land cost from US$3350 plus air to Varanasi, India and returning back home from Kathmandu, Nepal. It's a profound spiritual journey you will long remember!
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Leader for 2013 Dharma Journeys India: Ven. Amy Miller. Ven. Amy Miller first encountered Tibetan Buddhism in 1987 at Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Since then, she has spent a great deal of time engaged in meditation retreats, study, teaching, and Buddhist center management throughout the world. She has also traveled extensively as a pilgrimage leader for the Institute of Noetic Science and our own Dharma Journeys (formerly Chasing Buddha). Prior to this, Ven. Amy completed a solitary seven-month retreat at California's Vajrapani Institute, which she directed from 1995-2004. Ven. Amy was ordained as a Buddhist nun in June 2000 by the great Tibetan master, Ven. Choden Rinpoche, and has been teaching extensively since 1992. Her teaching style emphasizes a practical approach integrating Buddhist philosophy into everyday life. Ven. Amy is the co-author of Buddhism in a Nutshell (a publication of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition - FPMT), and a contributor to FPMT's online course, Living in the Path. She is currently the director of Milarepa Center, a beautiful retreat center in northern Vermont.
Resident Teacher opportunity at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala, India Starting February 2013 for ideally 2 years. Tushita is a thriving Dharma center beautifully located in the forested hills above McLeod Ganj, India - the seat in exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and many accomplished practitioners. Tushita has a very unique spiritual heritage, with Ling Rinpoche, Trijang Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, Lama Zopa Rinpoche and many other great lamas having lived and taught and teaching here. The present Ling Rinpoche said that Tushita is very precious: "It has become like a pilgrimage place with all the gurus and great lamas. When you go there, there's a special feeling, in Lama's room and in the whole area. So it should be preserved." Tushita Meditation Centre primarily offers very popular 10-day Introduction to Buddhism courses (similar to the Discovering Buddhism "Presenting the Path" module) to enthusiastic tourists who have little or no previous experience with Buddhism.We also host a wide range of intermediate-level courses (similar to the other Discovering Buddhism or Basic Program modules) for tourists who wish to continue their studies beyond an introductory course and the growing ex-pat Dharma community. Tushita also offers four to six tantric group retreats every year. Along with Kopan Monastery, Tushita Meditation Centre provides a great service to FPMT centers around the world, as many of the students who attend Tushita's courses go on to study and offer service at their local FPMT center after they leave India. We are seeking a Resident Teacher who will mainly teach courses and lead retreats at Tushita ten months per year (February-November), starting in Feb 2013 for ideally 2 years. The ideal candidate will路 be a student of Lama Zopa Rinpoche be an FPMT Foundational or In-Depth Buddhism registered teacher OR have completed Discovering Buddhism or a higher FPMT program and
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be ready to apply to become an FPMT registered teacher For more detailed information about the resident teacher position at Tushita please contact Tenzin Kunphen (SPC) at spc@tushita.info
FPMT Jamyang is affiliated with FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) and is one of more than 150 centers and projects worldwide. FPMT is based on the Gelugpa tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa of Tibet as taught by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe and spiritual director, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. If you would like to receive FPMT's monthly newsletters please subscribe here.
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