Somehow, this image reminded me of what Tibet would feel like as a free place, with freedom of speech and religion, sort of floating up into the blue like a sky flower.
Do you know why His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama calls for peace? He understands cause and effect. When you can recall your last 13 lifetimes it will change your perspective too. That alone would give one a broad view.
The foolish attempt at control continues in Tibet, and it's just painful, in the face of the world's honor of H.H. the Dalai Lama.
You may ask - why don't the Tibetans still in Tibet just leave their ancient homeland, leave their farms and houses, and friends? They can not do so under fear of death. This fall far fewer Tibetans snuck across their southern borders to nations such as Nepal. There is real fear ... and as we now see with the deaths in Lhasa it is justified.
Why don't the Tibetans come here? Why when they do come here posing as non-resident workers at factories why do they 'defect' en masse? The US does not recognize them as refugees, and therefore they can not obtain passports or visas in most cases except illegally, purchasing phony documents in the 3rd world; it is easy but expensive.
China is trying to paint her face like an old lady to appear young, or in this case from brutal ruler to a forward thinking host of the Olympics. It appears the effort has backfired.
From the Tibetans living in Nepal, and foreign business people on my last trip there in Oct-Nov, if you travel just 30 KM outside of the Olympic Games area, you will find extreme poverty exists and is easy to see. One Tibetan refugee, a woman whose husband works as a trader, told me "In the Himalayan borders the soldiers shoot first, never ask questions."
What is less obvious is how China's invasion of Tibet has colored my life for good and bad. 29 years of studying the extraordinary lamas' revered methods, seeing our world through their eyes, a long term patient global view, within a completely universal framework. They love ruthlessly.
But I lucked out because the Chinese invaded Tibet. I benefited because China was power hungry. I am better off because of the highly placed Tibetans who landed here.
Among other things I was warned not to discuss religion - one lama told me that Americans have freedom of religion, but we don't believe in freedom of religion.
Long live HH The Dalai Lama, and anyone else who is a member of his "clique" hen hen he. I am completely in awe of him, I humbly and respectly bow as an American with a million billion visualized unique bodies to him.
How I made this image= a couple of weeks I've been waiting for my software to arrive. So I made this, in stages as I learned another graphics package. Easy when you take an evil mad scientist approach to learning graphics tools. They almost always have something hidden.
Tibetan freedom can not be eradicated, it is not possible.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Goes Great, Washington State Stands Up For Tibet
Lama City - Seattle - Washington State, West Coast USA
Yes, it's the event of a lifetime, 5 days with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as he hangs out with the lighthearted and lively Seeds of Compassion Seattle entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, and spiritual contributors all, who were smart enough and compassionate to receive the Dalai Lama's message with open arms.
Why shouldn't we all recognize when any religion produces a living saint? Who cares what religion it is?
When a profound and peaceful religion is uprooted violently and yet thrives in the greater environment, it is convincing evidence that it is something we need right now. There are reasons why when Tibetan issues come up that we need to pay attention.
Anything which makes HH the Dalai Lama cry is worth our immediate and long term attention to remedy. It takes a lot to shake him. What made this become so serious of a rift on China's side? What can we actually do to fix this - to flip it over? Could we promise the Chinese government that if they make Tibet the Zone of Peace we will all ? What ? ... What do they really want? Can we help the Chinese just speak with His Holiness face to face, meet him? Shake his hand? Certainly the world giving him so many awards must have some effect on someone?
There is not one person who after meeting His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama would have any remaining questions why he is the Dalai Lama.
There is a reason why Lady Bush becomes all puffy eyed and touched when she hangs out with him, or when the obviously tough cored Governor of Washington Chris Gregoire had the same exact misty eyed response. These highly placed women leaders are responding from their hearts.
So those on the outside without looking in, I challenge you to listen to the Seeds of Compassion with His Holiness The Dalai Lama's, Anne Curry's, and Dave Matthews' discussion.
For those who either attended that session or watched it on TV or streaming live over the Internet you will recall His Holiness the Dalai Lama bumping fists with musician Dave Matthews. Right there and then His Holiness was transmitting peace to Dave and teaching him -- Right in front of all.
Dave Matthews is a very bold, talented, risk taking, lucky person, don't you think? Hanging out on a stage with the Dalai Lama and getting public instruction, a direct transmission. Wow, I don't have that kind of spiritual courage - of course - he was in the hands of the world's best.
The Dalai Lama, our Dalai Lama of our age and our place, received so many standing ovations and became so fond and familiar with his audience, well even he didn't want it to go to his head. Still it must have been tremendously comforting and consoling to have so many supporters of all kinds of religious affiliations, and many, many secular groups step forth to stand up for His Holiness, thus the population of the State of Washington is standing up for Tibet.
-Sherab Wongmo
Greenwood, Seattle, Washington
Image Source p2squared on Flickr, Creative Commons License
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pknitty/2415818590/
Yes, it's the event of a lifetime, 5 days with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as he hangs out with the lighthearted and lively Seeds of Compassion Seattle entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, and spiritual contributors all, who were smart enough and compassionate to receive the Dalai Lama's message with open arms.
Why shouldn't we all recognize when any religion produces a living saint? Who cares what religion it is?
When a profound and peaceful religion is uprooted violently and yet thrives in the greater environment, it is convincing evidence that it is something we need right now. There are reasons why when Tibetan issues come up that we need to pay attention.
Anything which makes HH the Dalai Lama cry is worth our immediate and long term attention to remedy. It takes a lot to shake him. What made this become so serious of a rift on China's side? What can we actually do to fix this - to flip it over? Could we promise the Chinese government that if they make Tibet the Zone of Peace we will all ? What ? ... What do they really want? Can we help the Chinese just speak with His Holiness face to face, meet him? Shake his hand? Certainly the world giving him so many awards must have some effect on someone?
There is not one person who after meeting His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama would have any remaining questions why he is the Dalai Lama.
There is a reason why Lady Bush becomes all puffy eyed and touched when she hangs out with him, or when the obviously tough cored Governor of Washington Chris Gregoire had the same exact misty eyed response. These highly placed women leaders are responding from their hearts.
So those on the outside without looking in, I challenge you to listen to the Seeds of Compassion with His Holiness The Dalai Lama's, Anne Curry's, and Dave Matthews' discussion.
For those who either attended that session or watched it on TV or streaming live over the Internet you will recall His Holiness the Dalai Lama bumping fists with musician Dave Matthews. Right there and then His Holiness was transmitting peace to Dave and teaching him -- Right in front of all.
Dave Matthews is a very bold, talented, risk taking, lucky person, don't you think? Hanging out on a stage with the Dalai Lama and getting public instruction, a direct transmission. Wow, I don't have that kind of spiritual courage - of course - he was in the hands of the world's best.
The Dalai Lama, our Dalai Lama of our age and our place, received so many standing ovations and became so fond and familiar with his audience, well even he didn't want it to go to his head. Still it must have been tremendously comforting and consoling to have so many supporters of all kinds of religious affiliations, and many, many secular groups step forth to stand up for His Holiness, thus the population of the State of Washington is standing up for Tibet.
-Sherab Wongmo
Greenwood, Seattle, Washington
Image Source p2squared on Flickr, Creative Commons License
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pknitty/2415818590/
Labels:
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Sunday, April 13, 2008
How to be of Value:
Stare into a bucket of water until your reflection appears
Then gently pour the reflection out onto the ground
Soon it will evaporate
And become a cloud
Then it will rain
And you will be part of the great cycle of refreshment
and growth
by Michael Leunig
http://www.artloft.com.au/Michael_Leunig/
Then gently pour the reflection out onto the ground
Soon it will evaporate
And become a cloud
Then it will rain
And you will be part of the great cycle of refreshment
and growth
by Michael Leunig
http://www.artloft.com.au/Michael_Leunig/
gate gate
the story
the carp had a long standing agreement with a turtle
the turtle who holds the world on his back
said, one day after a successful game of chance
craps, maybe, or poker after dinner
with a cigar i digress,
he said
oh Sariputra, the world honored one, says
enlightenment comes many ways
in a flash
like the schriven phoenix
zazen
realized simply
stumbled over in the dark even
like an award
if you, my friend fish, he said to the carp
should jump over the gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi soha
you will become a dragon.
after many attempts much focus and pure prayer from the heart
the little fish jumped over the gate gate in the heart sutra
what happened then said all the little boys and girls
and creatures listening
the carp was a carp no more
the carp was a dragon
and you know what else said the turtle
tayata om ...
and that is the end of this story.
-Sherab Wongmo
Photo Rob Ireton, Creative Commons license, http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoisakana/291995799/
Labels:
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emptiness,
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story,
TAYATHA OM GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SOHA,
turtle
Martyrium of the Obdurate Heretic, sustained by perplexity and paradox
I would very much like it if you would write a book entitled "Sainthood for Dummies"
My friend responded -
I think "dummies" is a little tepid... I like something pointed, like pinhead, blunt, like bonehead, or common, like dumbass, ala Stone Cold Steve Austin and Beavis and Butthead... suggested titles: paradox for pinheads, bhumis for boneheads, diagrams for dumbasses,
I need to study the life of the mahasiddha, Nirgunapa, the Enlightened Moron... searching..
http://www.yoniversum.nl/dakini/mahasid2.html
http://www.yoniversum.nl/dakini/mahasid1.html
http://www.keithdowman.net/books/bme.htm#VIRUPA
guess I have to buy the book.. but I found this about paramitas, siddhas, bhumis. etc
http://www.khandro.net/about_numbers.htm
*10 Bhumis to Buddhahood.
Two sutras which discuss the bhumis: Dasabhumi (Sutra of Ten Bhumis) and Samadhi-nirmochana (Explaining Profound Secrets.)
Chandrakirti, in the Bodhisattva-Avatara Shastra explains:
0. The Foundation: Beings in samsara [the 6 realms] having generated the aspiration to climb the Bodhisattva Bhumis by practicing the 6 paramitas.
Now we proceed through 3 stages on the Path of Accumulation and 3 more stages on the Path of Unification:
1. "The Joyous": Having tasted shunyata [emptiness], we are joyous. Here, the main practice is to perfect the Generosity Paramita. You might be born as a King in the Human Realm and have lots of chances to practice generosity! Now on the Path of Seeing, we can start the Path of Meditation.
2. "The Stainless": At this bhumi, the main practice is the perfection of Shila [discipline of vows] because of which you are free of anxiety and the 3 Poisons [negative tendencies, obscurations]. You might be born as a chakravartin(King bearing the noble marks of an emperor, like Siddartha Gautama Shakya), whose power and enjoyment are challenged by the practice of discipline and precept-keeping.
3. "The Luminous": Here, we try to perfect Patience or equanimity. This is the source of the luminosity. You might be born as Indra, King of gods, who is called Shakra, -- opposer of the Ashuras.
4. "The Radiant": After the 3rd Bhumi, the Nirmanakaya aspect of Buddhahood has been perfected. But there are two more Kayas, therefore, the Paramita to perfect here is that of Exertion. This activity in the service of virtue creates a radiance of wisdom which burns away false conceptions. Here, you might be reborn as Shyama, a deity in the "Continuous Peaceful Realm").
5. "The Unconquerable": Driven by exertion, you perfect
dhyana [meditation] and other skillful means in preparation for the helping of all sentient beings. The word unconquerable refers to both the difficulty of achieving the state of dhyani and the state of the being having now achieved this goal. Now it is possible to be born as a god in the Tushita Heavens where you can observe the Six Realms and the interplay of dharmas.
6. "The Manifest": The intense practice of dhyana and other skills enables you to be reborn as a God-king who can manifest miraculous activity. The Paramita of Prajna is to be perfected.
7. "The Gone-Afar": Having perfected the Six Paramitas, we now possess both wisdom and skill. This is a plateau below which you will not fall, but there is still room for effort.
In the 10 Paramita system, the perfection is that of Skillful Means needed to overcome Mara who provides opportunities for others to act in opposition.
It is said that once the 7th Bhumi is attained, the Buddhas prophesy concerning your achieving Buddhahood, and will indicate your Buddha-Name and circumstances.
In a former life, Lord Shakyamuni received this prophecy after having presented 4 golden flowers to the Buddha of that aeon .
8. "The Immovable": At the Eighth Bhumi, you can enter Nirvana at the snap of a finger; so Tathagatas come and click you out of it, reminding you of your aspiration and the work still ahead. But they cannot force you to remain, therefore the virtue is that of firmness of Aspiration.
You might be reborn as Brahma, Lord of the Universe.
9. "The Good-Wisdom": Almost ready for Buddhabood, you practice the acquisition of the Ten Powers and Six Supernatural Powers. You might also be reborn as Brahma.
10. "The Dharma-Cloud": All the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas rejoice in your elation at having attained Buddhahood completely. Primordial awareness [dhyani/jnana] clears away whatever subtle defilements and tendencies might still be retained. You, like Lord Maitreya in the Tushita Heavens, await your turn. This is also the beginning of the Path of Non-Meditation.
- Show quoted text -
On May 22, 2007, at 12:51 PM, I wrote:
Ambiguity for Dummies
preparatory reading for the less advanced classical education reference -
"Sainthood for Dummies"
-Sherab Wongmo
My friend responded -
I think "dummies" is a little tepid... I like something pointed, like pinhead, blunt, like bonehead, or common, like dumbass, ala Stone Cold Steve Austin and Beavis and Butthead... suggested titles: paradox for pinheads, bhumis for boneheads, diagrams for dumbasses,
I need to study the life of the mahasiddha, Nirgunapa, the Enlightened Moron... searching..
http://www.yoniversum.nl/dakini/mahasid2.html
http://www.yoniversum.nl/dakini/mahasid1.html
http://www.keithdowman.net/books/bme.htm#VIRUPA
guess I have to buy the book.. but I found this about paramitas, siddhas, bhumis. etc
http://www.khandro.net/about_numbers.htm
*10 Bhumis to Buddhahood.
Two sutras which discuss the bhumis: Dasabhumi (Sutra of Ten Bhumis) and Samadhi-nirmochana (Explaining Profound Secrets.)
Chandrakirti, in the Bodhisattva-Avatara Shastra explains:
0. The Foundation: Beings in samsara [the 6 realms] having generated the aspiration to climb the Bodhisattva Bhumis by practicing the 6 paramitas.
Now we proceed through 3 stages on the Path of Accumulation and 3 more stages on the Path of Unification:
1. "The Joyous": Having tasted shunyata [emptiness], we are joyous. Here, the main practice is to perfect the Generosity Paramita. You might be born as a King in the Human Realm and have lots of chances to practice generosity! Now on the Path of Seeing, we can start the Path of Meditation.
2. "The Stainless": At this bhumi, the main practice is the perfection of Shila [discipline of vows] because of which you are free of anxiety and the 3 Poisons [negative tendencies, obscurations]. You might be born as a chakravartin(King bearing the noble marks of an emperor, like Siddartha Gautama Shakya), whose power and enjoyment are challenged by the practice of discipline and precept-keeping.
3. "The Luminous": Here, we try to perfect Patience or equanimity. This is the source of the luminosity. You might be born as Indra, King of gods, who is called Shakra, -- opposer of the Ashuras.
4. "The Radiant": After the 3rd Bhumi, the Nirmanakaya aspect of Buddhahood has been perfected. But there are two more Kayas, therefore, the Paramita to perfect here is that of Exertion. This activity in the service of virtue creates a radiance of wisdom which burns away false conceptions. Here, you might be reborn as Shyama, a deity in the "Continuous Peaceful Realm").
5. "The Unconquerable": Driven by exertion, you perfect
dhyana [meditation] and other skillful means in preparation for the helping of all sentient beings. The word unconquerable refers to both the difficulty of achieving the state of dhyani and the state of the being having now achieved this goal. Now it is possible to be born as a god in the Tushita Heavens where you can observe the Six Realms and the interplay of dharmas.
6. "The Manifest": The intense practice of dhyana and other skills enables you to be reborn as a God-king who can manifest miraculous activity. The Paramita of Prajna is to be perfected.
7. "The Gone-Afar": Having perfected the Six Paramitas, we now possess both wisdom and skill. This is a plateau below which you will not fall, but there is still room for effort.
In the 10 Paramita system, the perfection is that of Skillful Means needed to overcome Mara who provides opportunities for others to act in opposition.
It is said that once the 7th Bhumi is attained, the Buddhas prophesy concerning your achieving Buddhahood, and will indicate your Buddha-Name and circumstances.
In a former life, Lord Shakyamuni received this prophecy after having presented 4 golden flowers to the Buddha of that aeon .
8. "The Immovable": At the Eighth Bhumi, you can enter Nirvana at the snap of a finger; so Tathagatas come and click you out of it, reminding you of your aspiration and the work still ahead. But they cannot force you to remain, therefore the virtue is that of firmness of Aspiration.
You might be reborn as Brahma, Lord of the Universe.
9. "The Good-Wisdom": Almost ready for Buddhabood, you practice the acquisition of the Ten Powers and Six Supernatural Powers. You might also be reborn as Brahma.
10. "The Dharma-Cloud": All the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas rejoice in your elation at having attained Buddhahood completely. Primordial awareness [dhyani/jnana] clears away whatever subtle defilements and tendencies might still be retained. You, like Lord Maitreya in the Tushita Heavens, await your turn. This is also the beginning of the Path of Non-Meditation.
- Show quoted text -
On May 22, 2007, at 12:51 PM, I wrote:
Ambiguity for Dummies
preparatory reading for the less advanced classical education reference -
"Sainthood for Dummies"
-Sherab Wongmo
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