Life in Samsara

Shambhala Sun - Buddhism in the Spin Zone (May 2010)

2010-03-24T04:35:00.001-07:00

Shambhala Sun - Buddhism in the Spin Zone (May 2010)

Posted using ShareThis

佛門網站 Buddhist Door - Bodhi Journal - March 2009 Issue 11

2010-02-28T06:38:00.001-08:00

佛門網站 Buddhist Door - Bodhi Journal - March 2009 Issue 11

Posted using ShareThis

National MS Society - Walk Event:

2010-02-15T05:07:00.001-08:00

I am walking in the MS Walk in Palm Desert, Ca, if you can make a small donation to help a good cause, please follow the link below. thank you

National MS Society - Walk Event:

Posted using ShareThis

Geshe-la Quote

2009-12-08T04:16:00.000-08:00

"We must realize that all the suffering we experience comes from the delusions in our mind. In order to cut through these delusions, we need the weapon of wisdom perceiving emptiness."-Geshe Gyeltsen

2009-12-06T05:47:00.000-08:00

Om Mani Padme Hum

One of the icy paths leading to the ceremony site.

Return Visit

2009-12-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my wife and I made a return visit to Geshela's ceremony site atop of the Palm Springs Tramway. It had been almost six months since the ceremony. December weather was in full affect, it had snowed the weekend before. The hike was more difficult with paths filled with ice and snow, not to mention it all looks different in the snow. After a couple of wrong turns, we finally made it to the site. It was as beautiful as ever, just as I remembered it. The snow added to the beauty. The only thing left of the prayers flags were strings on a branch. All the prayers must have been received :) We wrote "Om Mani Padme Hum" in the snow and headed back before in got dark.

The Return to the Ceremony Site

2009-12-04T04:28:00.000-08:00

I am eagerly awaiting my return to the mountains this Saturday. My honey and I will hike to the ceremony site of Geshela. After 5 months I wonder if the prayer flags are still there.
After the hike we will enjoy a romantic dinner overlooking the valley. I can't wait.

Happiness

2009-12-02T16:10:00.000-08:00

"The person who dies with the most toys wins." I am sure that you have seen the bumper sticker, it makes me wonder, what that person won, and if they did die happy. Attachment to "stuff" is not the key to happiness.

2009-06-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Tenzin Dorjee with Ven. Geshe Norbu

Breaktime!

Our group starting out to the ceremony site.

Mountaintop Ceremony

2009-06-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

"A large number of Ven. Geshe Gyeltsen's students fulfilled one of H.E. Kabje Lati Rinpoche's instructions by having a special ceremony for Geshela on top of a high mountain. Sixty or more of Geshela's students met at the top of the Aerial Tramway in the San Jacinto mountains that overlook Palm Springs around noon on Saturday, June 20. From there we hiked as a group along beautiful trails through the forest and found a spectacular site that overlooked the valley far below and was quite secluded. Here we all, with the leadership of the Shartse monks, recited several texts and did mantras. At a critical point of the ceremony a strong gust of wind howled through the pines that seemed to carry a blessing from Geshela over us and out into the open sky. Everyone who participated in this sacred event felt that it had been an extraordinary experience. Following this, Tibetan prayer flags were strung in an auspicious spot. Hopefully, these flags will be waving out blessings as a marker of this newly made sacred site for many years to come. "

Story from the Thubten Dhargye Ling website, http://www.tdling.com/

New Tattoo

2009-06-29T14:07:00.001-07:00

After a lot of thought, I finally got my first tattoo. I wanted to choose something symbolic and with meaning to me. My choice was the Dharmacakra, or Wheel of Dharma. The Dharmacakra is one the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. The overall shape is a circle representing the perfection of the dharma. It has eight spokes, representing the noble eightfold path. The rim that holds the spokes refers to mindfulness, which holds everything together. Finally the hub stands for discipline. I had it tattooed on my forearm where I can see it for a constant reminder.

The Three Faults of a Vessel

2009-05-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

As spring semester classes are coming to an end, I am reminded of one of Geshla’s teachings: “The Three Faults of a Vessel.” It was taught in reference to Buddhist teachings, but it can be applied to anything we learn.
First is the upturned vessel, this vessel is upside down and nothing can be poured into it. This occurs when we are distracted and we are not listening with full attention. You are hearing the words, but you are not listening to what is said. Sometimes we let our arrogance get the best of us; we attend a class on a subject we know and assume that there is nothing more we can learn. Our mind wanders and we miss out on some important facts. There is always something that can be learned.
Next is the dirty vessel, it contaminates anything that is poured into in. This is in relation to a person who has impure motivations. For example, someone who wants to achieve a certain status with their wisdom or they use what they learned with bad intent. Knowledge shouldn’t be used to build ego, but rather to develop an altruistic intention to benefit others.
Finally is the leaky vessel, it has a hole in it and will not hold any liquid. This is when you have listened, but do not retain any knowledge. When you are beginning to learn something for the first time, this can be very discouraging, but always remember that the more effort you make, the easier it will get. You will not always be a beginner.

A Quote

2009-05-20T04:10:00.000-07:00

My Grandfather of mindfulness must watch constantly after this spoiled child of deluded mind to save him from disaster.

-Jetsun Milarepa

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is coming to Long Beach

2009-05-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Geden Shoeling Tibetan Manjushri Buddhist Centeris pleased to host His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Long Beach Convention Center on Sept. 25-26, 2009.

For information http://www.gedenshoeling.comli.com/dalai_lama_tickets.html