Ah! Dharma reflections based on the words of Anyen Rinpoche

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Archive for category Benefitting Others

Medicine Buddha Monlam

Jun 2

Posted by Anyen Rinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Global Community, medicine buddha, Personal Transformation, Teachings | 2 Comments

We are so thrilled to be hosting the second annual Medicine Buddha Monlam this weekend in Denver!  For all of you who aren’t able to join us, we’ll be practicing from 7:30 am to 6 pm during the day, and then again in the evenings.  We’ll be meeting Saturday, Sunday and Monday.   Feel free to join in from where ever you are!   And we hope many more of you will be able to join us in person next year!

Here’s an offering for each of you…Medicine Buddha wallpaper for your computer!

http://www.fpmt-osel.org/gallery/medicine.htm

May all beings benefit!

Allison

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For the Benefit of Others

May 26

Posted by Anyen Rinpoche in 4 Mind Turnings, Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Personal Transformation, Teachings | 4 Comments

One of the quintessential truths of the Vajrayana path is whatever we do for the benefit of others also indirectly benefits ourselves.  This teaching is called “accomplishing the two benefits.”  Thus, it is through reaching out to others and doing our best to help them through pain, suffering and difficulty–or even on occasions of happiness–that we also find happiness.  Despite the focus on individualism we have in Western culture, I think it is still most people’s experience emotionally that this is true.

Practices such as Medicine Buddha (which we are planning to practice intensively at the Medicine Buddha Monlam starting June 4 in Drnver) have us focus on and pray to alleviate all of the myriad sufferings in the world.  Additionally practices such as Tonglen instruct us to aspire to take on those experiences of suffering ourselves.  It is amazing how mentally and emotionally content we feel when we spend time focusing on the troubles of others and praying for their dissolution.

Western culture has a wonderful focus on actual service to benefit others, through the offering of our own time, money and effort.  Buddhist culture has an additional focus on cultivating bodhichitta and compassion, that we might one day be able to directly take on the sufferings of others so that they may not have to experience pain and hardship.  As practitioners, we are most benefitted by taking up both these kinds of activity–actual work as well as aspiration that is other-focused.

How are you working to train in both of these types of activity in your own life? We’d love to hear from you!

We will be excited to have Anyen Rinpoche back in Colorado for the Medicine Buddha Monlam the weekend after next.  Hope to see you all there!

Allison

www.anyenrinpoche.com

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Bodhichitta in Action

May 17

Posted by Anyen Rinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Global Community, Teachings | 8 Comments

Sometimes we don’t feel like reaching out to other people…sometimes all we want to do is stay at home with the door shut!  There are so many aspects of our modern lives that make it difficult to reach out to others.  Or maybe I should say, that make it easier for us not to reach out to others.   I’m sure you can add to my list–but text messaging and internet shopping are huge ones.  Add video games onto that.  And how about  telecommuniting…?  Which I also love, by the way.  There are just so many ways to stay inside of ourselves and not venture out into the realm of humanity.

We are actually constructing a world where, one day, we may not ever have to interact with another human being.  What would that be like?   Or perhaps you think my view is too extreme.  We are simply making choices to limit who we interact with.

Is modern technology enhancing our lives?  Yes, obviously.  No one could say that technology is a negative thing in and of itself.  But what are we losing as a result of constructing a world that enables us all to be introverts?

One thing is for sure.   In our modern world, we lose many chances to practice bodhichitta in action.  We have fewer chances to brighten someone’s day by giving them a smile, a kind word, or a hand.  We also lose the chance to practice patience, to deal with difficulties face to face, and to become better at human relationships.  We lose chances to become more skillful at intimacy and friendship.

Personally, I love to shop on the internet.  I love those websites where I can compare every gadget that is similar to the one I want, literally hundreds of choices at my finger tips.  But in light of this, I’m also glad I have Dharma.   Dharma is the perfect compliment to modern technology.  It keeps us grounded, human and in relationship to others.  It reminds us that the difficult situations are worth engaging in, and that it enriches us to give our time and energy to others.  This weekend at our sangha garage sale, we all enjoyed the hard work–and doing that hard work together.  I heard people comment on it more than once.  That made the event successful!  Thanks to everyone who pitched in, and especially Ananda, who pitched in the most.

One more plug for the Monlam–register now!

http://www.anyenrinpoche.com/menla.html

How have you put Bodhichitta into action today?

Allison

www.anyenrinpoche.com

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Honoring Our Mothers, All Sentient Beings

May 8

Posted by Anyen Rinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Teachings | 1 Comment

Courtesy of Yontan…!

Mother’s Day

The mahayana teachings enjoin us to treat all beings with the same kindness accorded our own mother – she who laboured so greatly to brings us into this precious human birth and who sustained our fragile body through years of self-sacrifice – in order to undermine the self-grasping that fetters us to samsara and to cultivate the treasure of bodhicitta that leads to enlightenment. How beautiful that the very selfless service that brings us into this world of suffering and nurtures us to life, is the very model with which we can ourselves give birth to and nourish that which will free us from being born!

Bodhisattvas beget buddhas; suffering begets bodhisattvas; appearance begets suffering, confusion begets appearance. Praise be to confusion, the timeless seed of awakening, ceaselessly spawning the bodhi tribe of enemies, trampling the Victor into non-birth. May the guru – the true and solitary mother of my own babymind – enjoy the aroma of ranting flowers blown on defiled wind this auspicious spring day.

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Longchen Rabjam

May 3

Posted by AnyenRinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Mindfulness, Personal Transformation | 8 Comments

First of all, Happy Birthday, Rinpoche!  May your life be long and free of obstacles, and your dharma activity continually increase!

This weekend, many of us were lucky to hear Anyen Rinpoche’s commentary on a text by Longchen Rabjam called “30 Piece of Heart Advice” in Santa Fe.  This short text, Rinpoche told us, contains Longchenpa’s vision for the path of the Secret Mantrayana.  Indeed, we had the opportunity to discuss almost every aspect of the path as we heard commentary on the thirty verses.  There are some nice translations of these verses here:

http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Teachings_on_Longchenpa%27s_Advice_from_the_Heart

Longchenpa is one of the greatest yogis in the history of Tantric Buddhism.  The incredible hardship he undertook to attain realization in one lifetime, and the vast realization that he expressed in his texts and vajra songs stand out as marvelous gems for us to admire and aspire to.  Longchenpa’s relationship to his spiritual teacher, Lama Kumarantza, is also an example of giving oneself wholly to the teacher.  How marvelous to hear commentary on his teachings!   Here’s some more about Longchenpa’s life and vast Dharma activity:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longchenpa

One particularly interesting conversation that came up during the talks was around a piece of advice in which Longchenpa told us to avoid intimacy and hostility, and to relate to all beings impartially through our speech and actions.  One student in attendance, Louise, asked Rinpoche how we are to make sense of such advice, when our culture places such importance on intimacy.

Rinpoche’s answer wss that intimacy in Western Culture (as opposed to the Buddhist idea) is often ego-driven; it is us wanting something from another person because we do not know how to deal with our own minds or our own emotions.   In other words, intimacy can be a utilitarian expression.  Rinpoche said that whenever we attempt to use a relationship for our own purpose or to get something for ourselves, we complicate the relationship, and this results in conflicts between ourselves and our loved ones.

From the Buddhist point of view ( here, embodied by Longchenpa’s words), impartiality (in other words, seeing all beings as equal)  enables us to achieve authentic intimacy.  When we engage in the relationship without trying to get something for ourselves, relationships are more simple and easy.  With the ego out of the way, we have more insight into what to say or not say to a particular person.  We know when to move closer and when to back away.  Anyen Rinpoche also said to develop intimacy in a Buddhist way, we should discern who is a proper person to attempt intimacy with, and examine our words before we speak to another.   We should share our hearts and minds in situations in situations where our words won’t harm or cause pain to another.  We should speak directly to those whom we trust and have built a deep relationship, who will understand and respect our words.    Following these ideas, Rinpoche said, we will achieve harmony in our closer as well as our distant relationships.

Monlam plans are going well…hope to see some of you there!

Allison

www.anyenrinpoche.com

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Medicine Buddha Monlam

Apr 27

Posted by AnyenRinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Teachings | 1 Comment

I am so excited to be in the midst of planning the second annual Medicine Buddha Monlam (prayer gathering) in Denver, Colorado, June 4-7.  The year has gone by quickly…I forgot how much there is to do to prepare for such a large event!

Medicine Buddha is a unique practice not only because it is one of the four most powerful practices that can be done for the benefit of others during the “degenerate” (otherwise known as the present) time, but also, because  it can be done by any practitioner regardless of experience.  All that is required is a genuine aspiration of love and compassion in the heart; this is the basis of the whole weekend of practice.  I would describe the essence of the Monlam as a time when practitioners of all faiths and backgrounds can come together and recite the Medicine Buddha sadhana composed by the great Nyingma master Ju Mipham, and focus our common intention of love, healing and peace on beings who are suffering throughout the world.  Although Monlams exist in India and Nepal (and traditionally, in Tibet), we are able to attend and support the tradition of a Monlam in America by joining this gathering!

Here’s an article published by Snow Lion on the Medicine Buddha Monlam:

http://www.snowlionpub.com/pages/N89_11.html

Last year, I think all the practitioners who attended had an amazing experience.  There was a feeling among the group that we could truly “move mountains,” that our prayers had transcended mere aspiration and were directly beneficial to others.   It is rare that we have the chance to feel our own prayers amplified so much–but having the energy of all the others in the group as a support was enough to cause a small seed of faith to sprout in even the most doubtful of beings.

This year, we hope that even more people will join us in Denver for the event.   We are able to coordinate housing for most people–last year, no one had to stay in a hotel as our local sangha hosted all the out of town visitors.  And, also, if you live in Denver and are able to host someone, please let us know.

More information is available here, as well as the link for registration:

http://www.anyenrinpoche.com/menla.html

We’re looking forward to seeing lots of you at the Monlam this summer.  And feel free to let others know about it–the more people we gather together, the more healing energy we will generate and build as a group!

Allison

www.anyenrinpoche.com

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Translation of the Dharma

Apr 23

Posted by AnyenRinpoche in Benefitting Others, Tibet, Writing | 4 Comments

Thanks Chris, for suggesting we take a look at the Buddhist Literary Heritage site!    For those of you who are struggling with classical Tibetan translation, here are some amazing statistics:

Less than 5% of the Tibetan texts (known as the Kangyur and Tengyur) have been translated into modern languages, and only 15% of the classical Chinese texts into Western languages.

http://www.buddhistliteraryheritage.org/

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Enlightened Activity

Apr 19

Posted by AnyenRinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Personal Transformation, Teachings | 7 Comments

This weekend found us in Ottawa, listening to lovely and profound (not to mention practical) teachings on the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva.  Thanks to David and Nadine, who took so much time to plan the weekend and also host us…as well as Mel and Kelly, who did lots of cooking, Howie, who took us for a walk (in case you are wondering, he’s a Chocolate Lab just like precious Khampa Dorje), and David’s sons, who joined us for music and songs at night.  Ottawa is a wonderful place to visit, full of kind people who often tell stories about bears.

One highlight (of many): we were delighted by the story of Anyen Rinpoche crawling into a wolf den as a child of seven or eight and coaxing out a cub, who then became his pet until the neighbors complained that it was eating the livestock…

I have reflected at length on enlightened activity, mostly through Rinpoche’s years of teachings and giving commentary on Entering the Way of a Bodhisattva.  Still, it is amazing how much you learn from hearing a talk that you think you already *knew* (maybe “think” being the operative word there).  The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva start in the very beginning, with taking the 3 Jewels as refuge, contemplating on impermanence, and generating Bodhichitta…then move into taking up everyday action as an expression of relative bodhichitta by cutting through attachment, hope and fear towards individuals and the outer world…and then moves to ultimate bodhichitta, or cutting through the mind’s grasping completely.

We spent only 3 days on this text, while Rinpoche said that he had spent a full 100 days on it.  As a daily practice, he suggested that we work with one stanza at a time, reflecting on that stanza for a few days and attempting to work with it in daily life as well as on the cushion.    This seems like great advice that could be used not only for this text, but any text if we want to start our own home retreat!

I hope this inspires everyone to keep working on daily practice in an ever-deepening way!

Allison

www.anyenrinpoche.com

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Disappointment

Apr 12

Posted by AnyenRinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Personal Transformation, Teachings, Tibet | 12 Comments

How many times in our lives have we tasted the bitter flavor of disappointment?  Disappointment steals the wind from the sails of even the most optimistic and driven among us.  We feel heavy and weighed down, as though we can’t breathe.  And we experience true humility when we recognize, for painful moment (that sometimes seems to drag on forever) that we are not capable of controlling a situation and turning it towards our favor.

In Buddhist words, we have been caught in the net of hope and fear.  Like a tar baby, the more we struggle, the messier things get.

Anyen Rinpoche offers inspiring words and stories to do with disappointment.  The one I remember most clearly has to  do with his (and my) Root Lama, Kyabje Tsara Dharmakirti Rinpoche.

http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/Tsara_Khenchen_Chokyi_Drakpa

Khenchen Tsara Dharmakirti Rinpoche spent part of his life in prison.  During that time, one of his arms was broken and was never set properly.  It hung down, useless, on one side of his body.   This is just one example of  the extraordinary amount of suffering that was experienced in the jail. In other words, this must have been an excruciating experience of disappointment for all of the prisoners–it was a complete and total loss of freedom.

Later in his life,  Khenchen spoke of that time,  saying, “In this situation, you could really see who was a true practitioner and who was just pretending.  The true practitioners continued on just as they always did, they practiced diligently as if they were in retreat in a solitary hermitage.”  Other practitioners, though, were crushed by that formidable force of disappointment and hardship.

How do we cope with disappointment? I”m sure everyonge knows the unhealthy ways that we Americans tend to use–alcohol, drugs, relationships, food…the list can go on and on.  We use anything we can to avoid or  get rid of the feeling.

Rinpoche’s thoughts:

Reflecting on the truth of suffering is a powerful ally in this situation–simply reflect on the fact that many beings in the world are experiencing the same kind of suffering as you.  Rinpoche also suggests we reflect on impermanence, and gain confidence that this difficulty will pass.

I myself choose Guru Yoga, my favorite practice in any and every situation.  Over the years, I have found that focusing on my devotion in the Lama and Padmasambhava can be just the right medicine to bring me back into balance.

Allison

www.anyenrinpoche.com

PS Thanks to all of you who are now using the Khamdroling toolbar!!!

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Dedication

Apr 5

Posted by AnyenRinpoche in Anyen Rinpoche Biography, Benefitting Others, Bodhichitta, Mindfulness, Momentary Buddhahood, Personal Transformation, Uncategorized | 15 Comments

Dedication has its own meaning in the context of the Dharma, but it is nicely complimented by a second more colloquial meaning of dedication in the English language.  For practitioners, dedication refers to dedication of merit…in other words, dedicating any good we accomplish or any virtuous activity or motivation, to the benefit of others.  In the English language, dedication has a religious meaning (that of setting something aside for a sacred purpose), but it also has a second meaning of “committing onself to a particular thought or action.”   This is a lovely addition to our normal use of the word, it reminds us of the commitment it takes to develop spiritually and, especially, to walk the bodhisattva path.

I’m reminded of the act of dedicating because we finished another year of shedra teachings yesterday.  Our marvelous sangha has nearly completed a fairly detailed study of Ju Mipham’s Beacon of Certainty.  For those not familiar with this text, Anyen Rinpoche describes it as “the bridge between the sutra and tantra, which makes the view of Atiyoga Dzogchen accessible and meaningful.”  At the end of yesterday’s talk, Rinpoche reminded us to dedicate any merit we had attained through our practice and study this year to for the benefit of all beings.  Although most of us normally do this after each session of practice, how wonderful it is to do this together as a group and focus our energy outward on others, when we are normally focusing so hard on inner development.

Wisdom Publications has published one commentary on Beacon of Certainty that you may like to review.  The extremely lucid commentary we have been studying (favored by most Tibetan scholars) was written by the great master Khenpo Kunpal and has not yet been published widely in English.

http://www.wisdompubs.org/pages/display.lasso?-KeyValue=103&-Token.Action=&image=1

How do we remember to practice dedication in our daily lives?  Rinpoche and all the great masters tell us that this is something we should do when we complete each session of practice (it is generally said that we follow three principles: starting with the generation of Bodhichitta, reflecting on impermanence, emptiness or the perfectly pure view in the middle, and dedicating the merit to seal the practice at the end).   But shouldn’t dedication also be an engaged action as well?  Of course it should be, but isn’t it one of the aspects of Dharma that is easily neglected?  I’d love to hear your thoughts about dedication…

In Momentary Buddhahood, Anyen Rinpoche spent over a hundred pages discussing how we can use mindfulness to bring any virtuous action to the level of engaged manifestation, and how this same mindfulness would lead us to direct experience of and realization of the Dharmakaya through moments of the experience of Buddhahood (hence the title Momentary Buddhahood).   So I guess the real question is, how do we train in mindfulness so that we remember to dedicate all that we do for the benefit of sentient beings?

(here’s a link to Momentary Buddhahood…)

http://www.wisdompubs.org/pages/display.lasso?-KeyValue=33086&-Token.Action=&image=1

When we do remember to dedicate the merit, it causes us to experience joy and meaning in our conventional lives, such that we almost forget we were aspiring to give away what we “have” to others…

Allison

www.anyenrinpoche.com

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