tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174682272024-03-05T16:25:42.499-07:00Almost DzogchenAlmost Dzogchen is designed to provide a Western Vajrayana Buddhist practicitioner view on what is happening out in my world.
In no way should my views be considered those of someone who knows what I am talking about or should you consider me to know much about Dzogchen, Vajrayana Buddhism, or Buddhism at all. I am just slowly plodding along the path to Enlightenment.Dorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-2893149485449354002010-11-18T21:55:00.003-07:002010-11-18T22:07:23.033-07:00Every Day!So it has been awhile since I have written on this blog. Time to get back working!<br />While I have away, I have been spending more time in practice.<br /><br />So after some time of being away, Here is the most important message to write! <br /><br />Whatever is your practice...do it everyday. Do not stop! It is only with daily repetition that what we have learned become part of who we are and what can be. You can read lots of books, attend innumerable teachings, take all the empowerments/initiations, but you will not accomplish anything in this life without putting it into daily practice.<br /><br />Learn one practice and do it everyday for 40 days.....then check and see what results have come.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-3427303010256552472008-12-01T23:14:00.002-07:002008-12-02T00:47:34.579-07:00Supercharging Your MeritSupercharging Your Merit<br /><br />Here are three great ways to “Super-Charge” positive merit . this is what to do to give even greater power and force to your positive actions, words, and thinking:<br /><br />1. Energize your intention beforehand – just as no real intention weakens the merit, increasing the power of your intention multiples the power<br /><br />2. Repeat frequently – It is said that repeating a given behavior (whether it is a thought, statements, or an action) will reinforce and strengthen it power and force.<br /><br />3. Dedicate the merit – It is said that merit not dedicated is easily lost but that merit which is dedicated is disburse and remains forever. <br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-73691186840068495562008-02-07T16:59:00.000-07:002008-02-07T17:00:57.909-07:00Happy LosarHappy Losar:<br /><br />http://tseringschool.org/losar/index.html<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-64394980342191243632008-01-22T10:23:00.000-07:002008-01-22T10:24:25.546-07:00Butter in MilkThe awakened mind is present.<br />Like butter in milk<br />It cannot be found.<br />Churn the mind with meditative comtemplation.<br /><br /><br />Raw milk contains butter. However, if you look for it, you will not find it there. Once you churn the milk, the butter will settle to the bottom of the container. <br /><br />Similarly, within us is an awakened and enlightened mind. However deeply you search, you will not find it. With the process of meditation, the enlightened mind solidifies and materializes. <br /><br />If you want butter, churn raw milk.<br /><br />If you want an enlightened mind, meditate.Dorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-55955157141660608712008-01-21T16:37:00.000-07:002008-01-21T16:52:18.328-07:00State Sponsored KillingAs a practicitioner of Buddhism, I vow to avoid killing. This not only applies to humans but also animals, insects, and all sentient beings (that which has a thinking mind). Since the the greater discussion of the promise is the not subject of this writing, I only want to emphasize that I realize that I cannot avoid all killing. For example, just mowing my lawn surely is killing some bugs within my yard. The purpose of a “promise” to avoid an action is done with the best effort possible given the circumstances. Just let this one sit for now. <br /><br />The purpose of this writing is to bring up the matter of State sponsored killings – otherwise known as the death penalty. I had just come across a mention of a man who had been sentenced to death in Arkansas and been held in prison for over 12 years. The reference mentioned that the man had subsequently become Buddhist (Zen) .<br /><br />Despite letters and requests from many people including a Zen Buddhist Roshi, the governor of Arkansas, a former Baptist priest, had not only refused to stop the killing but rather moved the date up some 6 weeks. <br /><br />So I thought to myself! “Wow I wonder if this is the same guy who is now running for president of the United States under the Republican ticket, Mike Huckabee.”<br /><br />Yup! Its him. Here is a wonderful write up on the whole situation as it played out for Jusan Fudo Sifu Frankie Parker as documented by his spiritual advisor Rev. Ven. Kobutsu Malone. (Incidently, I spent some time with Rev. Malone some years back while attending a Buddhism In America conference. He is doing amazing work with prisoners especially at Sing Sing in New York.)<br /><br />http://www.engaged-zen.org/articles/Kobutsu-Death_Row_Practice.html<br /><br />The ability of a person to condemn someone to death amazes me. It especially amazes me that someone who has allegedly been trained in teachings of Jesus Christ could ever find this acceptable. Here we have someone who was ordained as a priest – the Baptist Church. What is wrong with this picture, eh? <br /><br />Now he is running for President. His strongest supporters call themselves Christians. I guess I am just confused where Jesus condoned killing. Upon looking up some information on the New Testament, I could find no support for such. (If you want some references which seem to indicate Jesus’ recorded statements, try Matthew 5:21-22, Matthew 5:39-39) <br /><br />Clearly there are many references to the authority to kill in the Old Testament. I personally think that Christians would do well to dispose of the Old Testament and stick with the teachings of their guide, Jesus. <br /><br />In the mean time, I think that ones official ordination within a church surely does not mean that they understand a spiritual life. I am far from a priest of a Christian church and even I know that someone with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ would never support killing. (By the way, Huckabee still supports State Sponsored killing saying that it is a necessary part of our criminal justice system).Dorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-69697467244161634762007-12-07T15:30:00.000-07:002007-12-07T15:32:10.011-07:00Spending our SavingsThis morning I was sent an article from the Christian Science Monitor (csmonitor.com – China Cracks Down on NGO, December 6, 2007 ) about Chinese crack down on NGOs (nongovernment organizations)within China. This article along with a related article uncovered the manipulative approach of Chinese officials in dealing with these NGO.<br /><br />The first point was that China began aggressively shutting down many NGOs within the country most notably this summer. It appears that they are concerned about them getting out of the control of the government and concerned about them providing information contrary to how China wants to world to view them. (So much for the truth, eh?) Anyway, it appears that China is preparing for the Olympics and has decided that controlling information and appearance is of greater benefit than trying to really resolve their problems. Let us pretend that the problems do not exist and then they will go away, right?<br /><br />So where do we fit into this? Here is what I see. In the United States, we are receiving a great economic benefit from letting China do what they want. China continues to buy lots of national debt securities and thereby finance our country’s overspending. We continue to buy billions of dollars of goods made in China to support our never ending desire for more and more goods. A big screen tv is not good enough so we go buy a new flat screen tv. Now it needs to be HD ready. <br /><br />I feel as if we, as a society, are generally willing to overlook China’s mistreatment of their citizens and abuse of their environment so long as we receive a benefit from them. We tend to overlook their grossly unjust and inhumane activities, which are being done in order to feed our spending and acquisition addictions.<br /><br />From a Buddhist view, we in the United States especially received this wonderful and advantageous life as the result of good actions in past lives. Sounds great, huh? However, here is the kicker. We are spending our karma savings. We are doing little or nothing as a society to reinvest in the account. It is easy to see that we can soon deplete the good karma savings account and end up with a negative balance. <br /><br />Not participating in the depletion of the karmic savings and always doing good in order to increase our positive karmic savings accounts has great benefits for this life and especially for future lives. <br /><br />Next time you walk into the store to purchase, consider if your purchases are depleting your karmic savings or adding to it. If the product you buy are unneeded and produced by inhumane systems, you are in fact supporting their actions. I would contend that you are depleting your account. If your purchase supports sustainable communities and living, you are likely contributing to the overall well-being of people. As a result, your purchase would be actually adding to your karmic savings account. <br /><br />And if in doubt, just say “No thanks!”<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, <br /><br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-79456153588569965372007-10-19T00:14:00.000-06:002007-10-19T00:15:53.653-06:00Does God ExistLast Sunday, I attended a ‘debate’ between a Western philosopher and Christian minister entitled “Does God Exist? A Debate” held at the Salt Lake Downtown Library.<br /><br />I was amazed at the attendance. The turnout for a Sunday afternoon event in Downtown SLC was rather impressive. There were die-hard atheist. There were christians. there were Mormons (mind you I am not trying to separate members of Church of Latter Day Saints from Christians but here in SL we do see a separation of the members so I mention them separately). <br /><br />the Debate was a “debate.” I am not sure that this is my choice of dialogue to work through a matter. My problem with the set up is likely a personal one. I attended in order to listen to and understand the alternative points of View to better understand each side’s View. Unfortunately, I think that the set up of a debate is arranged for each side to compete to Win. This does not allow each side to best explain their View. It is set up to best try to win. <br /><br />Despite the flaws in the arrangement (at least from my perspective). I did enjoy and learn from the presentation. <br /><br />Towards the end of the debate, there was an opportunity to ask questions from the audience. Mind you, most of the members of the audience who asked questions were more interested in telling the panel their opinion. Their questions were mostly secondary to expounding their opinion. <br /><br />The second to the last question was probably the best question. “ Which one of you is likely to give in to the others side in the end?” <br /><br />The Christian minister “ I cannot ever stop my faith. I pray that my friend on the other side comes to know God.” There is no changing him here.<br /><br />The philosopher “I know that reason is on my side. I will never believe and think that my colleague will someday realize that his belief is not true.” Again, there is not breaking here, as well. <br /><br />I think that this summarized the entire debate. Either one believes or one does not believe.<br /><br />So I asked the last question of the afternoon. My question had two parts.<br /><br />“Let us assume that God does not exist. Is there anything wrong about a community or society constructing such a God for the purpose of providing guidance to it members.”<br /><br />Part two, “Let us assume that God does exist. Is there anything wrong with someone living a moral and ethical life without believing and worshiping him?”<br /><br />First the philosopher answered saying that he found nothing inherently bad about creating a God for a good cause. In fact, in his opinion, that is exactly what societies’ throughout the world have in fact done. He did not respond to the second part of the question. <br /><br />The Christian minister responded saying that making up a God would be very dangerous because they would be living a lie. As far as not believing in God where God exists, it is one one of the God’s primary demands that we worship and honor him. This would be a big problem.<br /><br />My View: If God exists, he or she does not need my worship. Being all powerful and all knowing, God would not ‘need’ anything from me. If God does does not exist, then creating God for the purpose of providing a tool for people to live their lives would not seem to be inherently bad. It is only when different beliefs conflict and fight as to who is right that the problems would surface.Dorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-71221919569955399482007-09-27T16:38:00.000-06:002007-09-27T17:33:19.980-06:00Letter From Chatral Rinpoche<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrQZ8TsNH-asrL2Bbv559EiyLq08Q1l45yNQPhuU4MZOkhCZ81x27b9bP4ljT_cTw48dqL8M-xozV5lUutfXnBdE7u75TxaM7DHkX_jtKwSUItZRJXFksmEB4bBk_1vgDpJU8/s1600-h/Chatral+Rinpoche+letter.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrQZ8TsNH-asrL2Bbv559EiyLq08Q1l45yNQPhuU4MZOkhCZ81x27b9bP4ljT_cTw48dqL8M-xozV5lUutfXnBdE7u75TxaM7DHkX_jtKwSUItZRJXFksmEB4bBk_1vgDpJU8/s400/Chatral+Rinpoche+letter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115030994210207506" /></a><br />I just received the letter from Lama Osel in Brazil. He asked me to please post this important message from Chatral Rinpoche to students of Vajrayana Buddhism as well as teachers and organizers of centers. This was also published in the Taiwanese newspaper “China Times,” on Sunday April 22, 2007 on page A1.<br /><br />It appears that there are many abusing their alleged connection to Chatral Rinpoche in order to attract power, money, and influence. They are claiming to have a “special connection” which they then misuse and abuse. (I am not surprised!) This letter was written and published in Taiwan, for primarily the Taiwanese community. However, I find it appropriate for this Declaration to the West as well. Second, while Chatral Rinpoche has not spoken of those abusing and misusing the names of other great masters, the Declaration can be applied to them as well. <br /><br />The letter is attached as it was translated into English. For the benefit of anyone who wants to read, I have rewritten (with minor corrections in the translation) below for easy reading:<br /><br /><br />Declaration<br /><br />a) I wish to say a few important guidelines with regard to misuse of my humble name by different Buddhist monks, yogis, and lamas – those who are either visiting Taiwan or [have] settled down in southeast Asia in different countries despite of my repeated appeal to everyone. It is a matter of big surprise for me that several Buddhist Lamas whom I have never even met in my lifetime nor never given them any teachings, are also using my humble name continuously for their personal monetary benefit which is an extreme matter of shame and a big fraud. Wearing monk’s robes, cheating, and misleading lay people are a serious crime and breaks all Buddha’s principal Vows. [You are] sowing serious [negative] Karma for yourself and at the same time ruining Buddhism. I feel sorry for such gross negative activities by [these] Buddhist lamas, khenpos, yogis, and monks residing abroad. I strongly object to those who are using my name directly or indirectly by any means.<br /><br />My constant guidelines and advice to all persons [whether he is a] reincarnated lama, yogi, khenpo or ordinary monk, with whom I happen to meet from day to day, are always same and are [stated] below:<br /><br />1. If you are a serious Buddhist student and Dzogpa Chenpo (Dzogchen) practicitioners, one should spend your life in retreat with minimum comfort and giving up all luxuries of attachment. <br />2. Do not waste your time in touring all foreign countries including Taiwan – [this] is fruitless.<br />3. Do not beg for donations [using] different excuses such as construction of a big monastery, stupa, zangdokpalri, or bumtsog; big offerings; or setting up a new Buddhist center.<br />4. Do not sell out Dzogpz Chenpo under different pretext for your own personal benefit.<br />5. Always be humble and do not try to expose yourself in front of others even though you may have [some] knowledge [of] Buddhism.<br />6. Do not cheat others in the name of Dzogchpa Chenpo by giving initiations or teachings which you have never received from a legitimate high lama or Guru and [have] not done practice by yourself.<br />7. Finally, I myself never have [even the]slightest desire to visit any foreign country nor have I any specific reason [to do so].<br /><br />b. In the past, I have experienced several occasions, that despite my unwillingness and objection, reincarnate lamas, yogis, khenpos and monks who have come to see me are taking photographs with me by force under different pretexts. Due to electronic supremacy, people are coming with different types of electronic equipment so as to record my voice or photograph me, which are not easy to detect by people of my age.<br /><br />c. Hence, I [hereby] notify all the Buddhist followers all over the world, do not, I repeat, do not believe the person who is possessing such photographs or are making false claims that he or she is my student in the past or present. Please do not believe [them] on just showing a photograph, video, [or others items with me]. Therefore, I, the undersigned with full consent, reject such types of false claims made by different Buddhist centers, monasteries, institutes, reincarnate lamas, khenpos, yogis, and ordinary monks henceforth.<br /><br />In conclusion, once again, I sincerely appeal to all Buddhist followers all over the world and Buddhist Centers including the people who are taking interest in Buddhism religion; kindly take note of my above cited humble declaration and suggestions. After seeing this article in newspapers, I hope [that] everyone would clearly understand me and my personal opinion hereafter.<br /><br />Dated April 19, 2007<br /><br /> Thanking you,<br /><br /> Declaration by Chatral Sangay Dorje <br /><br /><br />We are constantly faced with false teachers and false practicitioners here and throughout the world. You have a teacher? Check his authority and lineage closely. there are many fakes out there. It seems that we in the United States are willing to follow just about anyone if we like what they are saying - as if this means what they are saying must be true. It also plays well with the all too many self-help experts who make up all kind of stuff and then find amny who openly follow them. It is almost like, if you make it up and it sounds good, you can sell it! I guess those who follow get what they deserve.<br /><br />I take Chatral Rinpoche’s advice to heart and remind myself to focus on my daily practice with no expectation of fame, fortune, praise, or recognition.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, <br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-11783845522050615242007-09-25T17:22:00.000-06:002007-09-25T17:23:28.714-06:00Protests In Myanmar (Burma)Anyone who has read the news or check international activities on the web has surely become aware of the amazing peaceful protest taking place in Myanmar (Burma) over the last week. See for example Herald Tribune (http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/24/news/myanmar.php) or <br />Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/burma/story/0,,2176613,00.html).<br /><br />I pray for the safety of all the people of this country and for the removal of this despicable military government. It has taken the efforts of tens of thousands of Buddhist monks peacefully protesting to raise the attention of the world to this country’s terrible regime.<br /><br />Of interesting note is the acts of the Buddhist monks leading the protest with no more than begging bowls in hand and chants of love and compassion in their hearts. Even the military can be brought down with love and compassion outpouring from such thousands.<br /><br />I read one article likening their methods to Matin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandhi. Actually, world press, this is Buddhist practices in action. We as Buddhist learn that we should stand up against injustice but should refrain from harming another person in doing so. <br /><br />May the ways of peaceful and nonviolent resistance prevail. <br /><br />Please say prayers of support and protection to these peaceful warriors.<br /><br />(there is an interesting sideline to this matter related to China and its support (again) of a despicable regime….but you can look up that matter for yourself if you chose.)<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-69331255095583538242007-09-19T12:03:00.000-06:002007-09-19T12:23:33.511-06:00Focusing on What is Truly ImportantAs I mentioned in my previous posting, last month was wonderful with having great teachers staying with me. It is what they do and how they act that is the greatest teaching for me.<br /><br />Lama Osel would get up every morning and practice for hours before doing anything else for the day. While I never asked him this, I get the feeling that once the daily practice is complete for the day, whatever else happens that day is just “extra.”<br /><br />What do I mean by this “extra?” Our practice and meditation is what provides the fuel for not only this day but also our future (including future lives but we won’t get into this here). Fully fueled up every morning gives us the opportunity to the most good for that day and plants the seeds for even greater things in the future.<br /><br />One morning, after we had both completed our practices, we were sitting there just talking. As I look around to the representations and photographs of great teachers in my meditation room, I realized that every one of these masters had been GREAT PRACTICITIONERS. No matter what ever they had done in their lives, their example as practicitioners always stood out. <br /><br />This was the common thread passing through each and every one of them. Biographies of these teachers always recount the importance of their time in practice – every single day. <br />First and foremost, each one was a practicitioner who put their practices first!<br /><br />While I have always tried to practice every day, I do not feel that I put the emphasis on its daily importance. As the result of Lama Osel’s example and the realization that great masters are always daily practicitioners first, I have adjust each day to put my practice as the only Must Do Today item. I promise to never miss a day of practice. Nothing else could ever be as important. <br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-85941589610728271042007-09-18T18:25:00.000-06:002007-09-18T19:13:29.587-06:00Misunderstandings and Objections to BuddhismThis last month was one of those great times where I had the opportunity to spend time with great Tibetan Buddhist teachers. Khenpo Choga Rinpoche (Dzogchen Monastery) spent a week here and Lama Osel (Shechen Monastery) had stayed the previous two weeks here. I feel completely blessed and fortunate. I feel that no matter how long I study and train in Buddhism, I will never reach a tenth of their wisdom and depth of their practice….however, I will keep trying.<br /><br />Khenpo Choga Rinpoche posed a very interesting question while he was here. He asked “What are the major obstacles and misunderstanding of Buddhism here in the West?” I started to write down them and share them with him. However, I thought it might be helpful to put them down here. If there is anyone out there who would like to add to this list please write. <br /><br />While I definitely know very little about the wisdom and essence of Buddhism, I feel somewhat comfortable with responding to all of the following items. I would like to keep this writing short so I am not going to go into detail explanations here. Maybe in the future, I will.<br /><br />First, here is my list of objections/problems I hear from Westerners:<br /><br />- No God<br />- It’s a foreign religion (Asian and Indian based)<br />- Its confusing<br />- Bad examples: False teachers and false practicitioners<br /><br />Second, here is my list of matters related to Buddhism which are misunderstood in the West:<br /><br />- No self: you are saying that I do not exist?<br />- Rebirth/reincarnation and past lives <br />- Nonattachment (really misunderstood even by lots of Western Buddhist!)<br />- Loving All beings<br />- Deities within Tibetan Buddhism<br />- Prostrations<br />- The importance of a teacher<br />- Nonviolence/ not harming others no matter what<br />- Attention to death and dying<br />- Attention to suffering in our lives<br /><br />If you have anything to add, let me know. Also, if anyone reads this and would like a explanation of any of these, let me know. It’s a great way for me to know what to add in the future.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-91154971040834496152007-09-18T00:21:00.000-06:002007-09-18T00:23:33.003-06:00The Devil Inside UsOn a recent “This American Life” episode ( www.thislife.org), an Iraq veteran faces the demon of Iraqi Muslims that remains with him long after returning to the United States. <br /><br />He so openly discusses his anxiety and wishes to harm even innocent Muslims that he sees on his college campus. So what does he do? He joins the Muslim Student Association and becomes one of the biggest supporters in the association. His thinking, it appears, did not seem to change overnight. It took some time for his entrenched thinking patterns to be replaced with a new view of the Muslims. <br /><br />First, I would like to comment that this was an amazing story of what one person did in order to change his thinking when he realized that the old pattern was deluded. He took action to change his thinking. Mind you, it does not sound like this was easy, especially due to the high level of anxiety within him. Sam Slaven should be on national speaking circuit. <br /><br />Second, the entire episode of was about the “devil” inside us, which cause us to do things (or not do things). Even if we are able to rationally consider the best action or think before we speak, we regularly follow the devil inside us. <br /><br />We have a very simple explanation for this. The patterns have been learned from past actions, words, and thoughts. Every time we repeat it, we are reinforcing the negative pattern and in fact create additional seeds for it to be repeated more in the future. <br /><br />In the 37-Practices of a Bodhisattva, verses 20 and 21, remind us this effect whether it is associated to aversion (anger, hatred, disgust, etc) or desire (lust, craving, greed):<br /><br /> Verse 20<br /><br />If anger that dwells in our heart lies neglected, and, turning instead to our external foes,<br />we try to destroy them and even kill thousands, then thousands of others will plague us still more.<br />So seeing this action is not the solution, let us muster the forces of mercy and love.<br />Turn inwards and tame the wild flow of our mind-stream -- the Sons of the Buddhas all practice this way<br /><br />Verse 21<br /><br />Indulging in objects our senses run after and drinking salt water are one and the same:<br />the more we partake, for our own satisfaction, the more our desire and thirst for them grow.<br />Then, when we conceive a compulsive attraction towards whatever object our senses desire, abandon it quickly without hesitation -- the Sons of the Buddhas all practice this way. <br /><br />Third, there is a very unfortunate result of conflicts such as what is now taking place in Iraq. The American soldiers, it seems, feel anger and anxiety at the site of a Muslim and likely any Iraqi. Likewise, I am sure that the Iraqis feel anger and anxiety at the sight of an American soldier and likely any Westerner. So how can you ever expect them to let go of these habitual patterns of arising emotions? Its not like we can enroll every Iraqi into the Western Students Association and its not like we can enroll every American soldier into a Muslim Student Association for each one of them to correct their wrong thinking.<br /><br />I don’t have the answer for this one. I do now realize that there is no peaceful resolution to this conflict based on the views and emotions currently arising in thinking of both sides. <br /><br />I sure wish that our leaders had studied Verse 20 before embarking on the act of annihilating Iraq. We are now stuck with results. Now what?Dorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-6491719607403371132007-08-05T12:18:00.000-06:002007-08-05T12:54:34.755-06:00ForbearanceAs part of the traditional methods of forbearing anger, I wanted to write down three approaches from Mahamudra Sutra. Until I fully purify negative imprints, I am certain that negative and difficult situations will arise.<br /><br />It is good for me to remind myself of these methods as well as other interim steps to keep me in check. When we will know that we no longer need these techniques? When there are no longer problem situations and difficult people coming up in your life. <br /><br />So here are the three methods:<br /><br />1 Withstand – Remember that getting angry hurts you and can be the circumstance to result in others suffering and anger.<br />2 Realize It is All Empty –Realize that everything is empty of inherit existence and depend on causes and condition. Bottomline, there is actually nothing and no one independently there, its all coming from you! As I have been taught, this one is the most difficult but the most complete. It is very difficult to get angry no less remain angry at something which we realize does not truly exist.<br />3 Realize Everything that is happening to us is the result of our past actions. <br /><br /><br />For number 1, I am reminded of my teacher Khenpo Choga Rinpoche likening getting angry to jumping off the roof of a 2-story house. What would happen if you were to jump or fall off the rood of a 2-story house?<br /><br />If you fall off such a roof, you are likely to get hurt. Right?<br /><br />So likewise, when you get angry, you definitely hurt yourself. So don’t jump! Further even if someone is trying to “help” you go off the roof, you must resist! Likewise, if someone or something is trying to “help” you to get angry; resist – Just like what you would do if they were trying to help you off the roof.<br /><br />For number 2, I am not sure that you can get there intellectually. The times where I have been able to see the world in this way, it was not intellectual. It was experiential. <br /><br />For number 3, it is good to consider this when we have time to contemplate a situation or someone's actions against us. Even though I cannot recall what I ever did to create the circumstance for the problem to surface for me, it is often helpful to know that it is definitely me that sowed the seeds that are now sprouting – weeds and all. <br /><br />Oh! One reminder that somehow seems appropriate to add here. We can change the past (or at least our view of the past which changes the past). We can change the future by our thoughts, words, and actions right now. <br /><br />However, we cannot change the present! We are stuck with what is happening right now. No matter how much we might want things to be different, we cannot change the present. So deal with it as compassionately as one can. Your future depends on it! Promise!<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, <br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-83127059605457928662007-07-03T17:32:00.000-06:002007-07-03T17:33:13.686-06:00Destroying BuddhismIf you haven’t read yet, then you can now know that our kind Chinese friends in Tibet, at the Samye Monastery have forcibly destroyed a 30-foot gold and copper statue of Guru Rinpoche. <br />According to the official report, the statue violated some kind of “new rule” put in place this year by the Chinese. One report says that it is about about erecting statues must have a permit. Other sources say it is about religious items put in place by people that are not registered members of the facility. <br />Either way, it’s just a bunch of bullshit created by the occupying forces. As I see it, this recent action is directly related to the fact that China has miscalculated the results of their own actions of opening up Tibet to all of the Chinese. <br />When you have an autocratic government, you face the result of rule sometimes called “The rule of unforeseen consequences.” <br />Like when they invaded Tibet, the Chinese indirectly spread Vajrayana Buddhism throughout the world. It is like trying to get rid of a puddle of water by throwing a huge stone in. You might get rid of some of the water in the puddle but the water splashes all over the place. Vajrayana Masters are now found throughout the world disseminating Buddhism in every continent.<br />Now, China has decided to turn Lhasa into China’s Disneyland. What they did not anticipate is the millions of the visitors would go back home with more than pretty pictures and souvenirs. They have become interested in the Buddha-Dharma.<br />“Oh shit?” the Communist party thinks. “Now what are we going to do?”<br />Too late guys. The cat is out. The end of the Communist party is likely within the next 20 years. Some outside force will not destroy China’s Communism. It will be destroyed from within China. And watch out when it happens! <br /><br />Now lets step back to the destruction of this great statue – which incidentally was constructed with money from two very wealthy Chinese families (not Tibetan). You see the Chinese are scared about all of this! <br /><br />You might think that it would be appropriate to get angry but read below first:<br /><br />I think that it was Nargajuna who said that: <br />Even if they destroy Buddhist texts, sacred objects, or statues; these are only just representations of the Buddhism.<br />However, if you allow yourself to get angry or upset – namely allow any such action to destroy your peace of mind, then it is you that have destroyed to true Buddha. You have destroyed the Buddha-Dharma. <br /><br />So even when someone harms such sacred items, we must pray for them. For those of us that have a Christian background, I think we have another version of this “God, forgive them for they know not what they have done. “<br /><br />Sound familiar? <br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, <br /><br />Geoff <br /><br />Oh by the way if you want to read about the events at Samye, here are two links:<br /><br /> http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=46,4291,0,0,1,0<br /><br />http://www.savetibet.org/news/newsitem.php?id=1144Dorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-45759415788509428572007-06-07T17:36:00.000-06:002007-06-07T17:56:24.758-06:00Dealing with Irritating PeopleThe following has been slightly modified from a letter I wrote a friend who was having difficulty with a family member who was irritating my friend. My friend asked me for advice about how best to handle the situation. Here is what I wrote them:<br /><br />I recently took a 30-hour training on the Patience chapter of “The Way of a Bodhisattva” by Shantideva (Chapter 6). Once I started studying these teachings, irritating people and situations began to DISAPPEAR! And now have almost completely disappeared. I have outlined and highlighted some of the verses which are of particular importance when faced with apparent irritating people.<br /><br />I ask you to just remember this:<br /><br />There is no evil as great as anger. There is no practice as beneficial as Patience (from the second verse). Every time someone becomes irritating to you or gets jealous or angry at you, see it as an opportunity to be Patience. Then quietly thank them for providing you this wonderful opportunity to be Patience. This will change your life!! Almost overnight!<br /><br />This can be a radical change in your view of “irritating” people. It is best to hear oral transmissions and explanations. I suggest that you seek out such transmission from an authentic and lineage holding teracher. <br /><br />If you have time read the highlighted sections and commentary below. You can absolutely work with other’s anger and jealousy if you want. You will not only benefit you but also the other person and all sentient beings. <br /><br />The practice of Patience is Transformative. Beyond belief when you start doing it full time. <br /><br />By the way, thank you for providing me the opportunity to really look deep into this chapter. I had to spend time looking for the right parts and then write a short explanation. I definitely benefited from the task. <br /><br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br /><br />Geoff<br /><br />The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva<br />Chapter 6 Patience<br />Verses 98 – 107<br /><br /><br />"98. Praise and so on distract me and remove my disillusionment with the cycle of existence. They stir up jealousy toward gifted people, and anger at their success."<br /><br />When we are praised, we begin to feel that this life of ours is not so bad. As a result of this, we stop working towards our own awakening. it is with our disgust with this temporary life (of samsara) that we step on the path to awaken for the benefit of all beings. <br /><br />Second, when we are praised, we actually become addicted to the praise and addicted to wanting more of what others have (jealousy and envy).<br /><br />"99. Therefore, are those conspiring to destroy my reputation and so forth not protecting me from falling into hell?"<br /><br />It is true that we should see those that torment us as truly our protectors. They are protecting us from living our life in ways that would eventually lead us into harmful future lives such as in one of the Hell Realms. <br /><br />"100. The bondage of acquisition and honor is unfitting for me who seeks liberation. How can I hate those who are freeing me from bondage?"<br /><br />If you seek liberation from this samsaric existence, if you seek to truly be of the greatest assistance to all beings, then you must become a Buddha! Fully Awaken! In order to become a Buddha, you must train in loving all beings and finally see all beings as truly Buddhas. When you begin to see all as Buddhas, then you are getting close. <br /><br />"101. How can I hate those who, as if due to the Buddha’s blessing, block the gate as I seek to enter suffering?<br /><br />"102. It is wrong to feel anger toward someone, thinking that person impedes my merit. As there is no austerity equal to patience, shall I not abide in that?"<br /><br />It is the result of practicing patience that we open up to world of awakening. If you become angry, you harm yourself, you destroy aeons of merit, you get closer to living in hell. Patience “closes” the door to hell. <br /><br />"103. If on account of my own fault I do not practice patience here, then I myself have created an obstacle when grounds for merit have been presented."<br /><br />If you do not practice patience, you are losing the opportunity to gain great merit. You have been presented with the great opportunity to practice patience. Do not become your own obstacle when the opportunity presents itself. If you become upset or angry, you are contributing to more unhappiness in your world. I will promise that the world will become even worse for you the more you are unhappy.<br /> <br />"104. If one thing does not exist without another, and does exist when the other is present, then that other thing is its cause. How can that be called a hindrance?"<br /><br />This one is really difficult as it relates to the highest view of karma - cause and effect. Reflecting on this: look to the TRUE cause of your anger. Second, Look to the cause of your patience which is a great merit. <br /><br />First we consider the first part. If your sister, for example, is the CAUSE of your unhappiness, then EVERYTIME you and others see her, then they MUST become angry or unhappy. If it does not happen everytime THEN THEY (your sister in this case) CANNOT be the cause of unhappiness. <br /><br />So what is the cause? What is always there when you are unhappy or angry?<br />It is you! You are the cause of your unhappiness and anger! it is not coming from the other person. It is coming from you. If it was coming from them, then it would ALWAYS happen. And likewise, if they were gone, you would never be angry or unhappy. <br /><br />The final sentence is looking back to previous verses talking about. They are giving you with the opportunity to practice Patience. You cannot ever practice patience without an irritating person in your life. <br /><br />Bottomline: An irritating person is the CAUSE of your Patience. They are the cause of Patience which is the greatest Practice to awaken. <br /><br />Let this one settle in. It is really hard for me to understand - no less to explain because it is so foreign for us to see an irritating person as being the cause of something good for us.<br /><br />"105. For a beggar is not a hindrance to generosity at the time of alms giving; and when a person who bestows an ordination arrives, he is not called a hindrance to the ordination."<br /><br />So this will help understand the previous verse. A beggar is the cause of our generosity, yes? If no one ever needed anything, we would never have an opportunity to be generous. <br />Giving to people who have no needs is sort of worthless.<br /><br />Likewise, a master who give vows to someone, is not looked upon as a hinderance to ordination. These are two examples of other situations where the person who is the cause of a good action are more easily seen as the cause.<br /> <br />It is very difficult to seek irritating people as a benefit to us. It can help to see that they are no different from a ordination master (who gives you initiations) or from a beggar (for generosity). <br /><br />As a Bodhisattva, we are always looking for opportunities to practice: Whether it be generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation or wisdom. they all provide the soil for our awakening and the fertilizer for our merit.<br /> <br />"106. Beggars are easy to meet in the world, but harm doers are difficult to find, for when I do no wrong no one will wrong me."<br /><br />Continuing the example, Shantideva notes that beggars are plentiful. However, those that are irritating become rare. Become rare? Yes! As the teachings on this chapter point out, as you become more patient with those around us, as you reduce finding situations which cause you to suffer and become angry back, YOU will find that irritating people will disappear from your life. <br /><br />It will become increasingly more difficult to find irritating people and situations. <br />Can this really happen? I am here to tell you that it truly works. <br /><br />"107. Therefore, since my adversary assists me in my Bodhisattva way of life, I should long for him/her like a treasure discovered in the house and acquired without effort."<br /><br />This is the most radical part of this section of verses! Why? Because if you really can see that an irritating person is the CAUSE of your patience, you will find that those people are to be worshipped.Dorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-60060362140292272302007-05-16T22:55:00.000-06:002007-05-17T23:35:55.204-06:00A Daily Practice for Anyone Who Wants One!My daughter is working this summer at a local and wonderful bakery here in Salt Lake. I went over there tonight to see her and have something to eat (by the way – the food at the Avenues Bakery is great!). <br /><br />So anyway, I walk in and come across a fellow Buddhist practicitioner who had previously asked me for a suggested a basic daily practice. Since we had not ever gotten together for me to provide her with a practice, we decided that now was a great time put it together. The great part, for me, is that I did not have advance warning to think about the perfect daily basic practice. I pulled it together right from the heart! <br /><br />So I just started to write out a daily practice. Maybe it is my deluded thinking - which is very likely if you know me – However, I am still really happy with what I wrote down while my soup awaited me. <br /><br />It might be worthless but I decided to put it down here for my own future benefit. I am getting older and at some point, I am likely to loose my memory. So as long as the blog remains on the web, I can look it up and remind myself of what I need to do. Assuming that I can find it on the web.<br /><br />So here it is:<br /><br />1) Get on your Seat – find a time every day to sit down – same time every day is the best and it’s a great way to get some discipline. Set a place in to sit everyday. Start with maybe just 15 minutes – you can extend this as time goes by but the most important thing is to do it every single day. Got it? Don’t do 2 hours one day and then nothing for the next week. Such inconsistency will accomplish nothing. <br /><br />2) Settle your Body, quite your words, and relax your thinking (your mind, if you prefer) – After sitting down, it is time to rest into your time to practice. I lik to start with my feet and move up my body. Go from your feet to your ankles to calves, to your knees. Eventually you get to your head where I work on each sensual intake separately. My mouth, my nose, my face, my ears, my eyes, the forehead, my crown chakra. If I am lucky, I come out of this practice calm and ready to go into deeper practice. <br /><br />3) Purify your channels – I did not put this one down tonight because sitting in the restaurant was not the best place to teach someone how to do the 9-Wind Cleansing. But if you know what this is, do it at this time. It is the process to cleanse out negative energies of hatred/anger/aversion (the first three), the negative energies of desire/greed/attachment (the second three), and the negative energies of ignorance/delusion/wrong thinking (the final three). They are stored in your left channel, right channel, and central channel respectively (reverse the first two for women – it’s a mirror image).<br /><br />4) Shamata – Meditate using your breath as the focus of your thinking. I like Khenpo Choga Rinpoche’s suggestion to do three (3) sets of seven for a total of 21. This is to train our mind in one-pointed focus and attention. Many texts or teachers say that if your mind wanders, you are suppose to start over. However, I feel that if we were really honest with this “rule,” we would never get through all 21 breaths. So don’t be too hard on your self. Just do the best that you can. With time, it seems that there is improvement. Maybe I will be able to get all 21 done without distraction before I die. By the way, the reason we work on this is because it helps with all of the rest of the practice. The better we have trained our mind to focus, the greater the power and force our practice will have.<br /><br />5) Take Refuge in your Teachers/Guides – Whoever you regard as your teacher or teachers, place them in front of you. Visualization seem strange but it is amazingly powerful. I think that you should put whomever you regard as your teacher/guide/advisor. In fact, I load up every single teacher that I have or have had in front in front of me. There is no reason to leave any of them out. Jesus, Ghandhi, Buddha, our living teachers, our grand parents, put them all there. If they can help me, I don’t want to leave them out. For a Buddhist, we take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, The teachers are the Buddha. They are the messengers of the path to awakening (the Dharma). There are others that are traveling the same path (the Sangha).<br /><br />6) Offering to your Teacher - Visualize wonderful and magnificant things of beauty and offer these to your teachers. We do this to practice the generosity of giving all to them. We are training to realize that there is nothing in this world as sacred and great as the teachings to reach full awakening. Everything we have, everything that we would like to have, see, or hold can never compare with the sacredness and importance of the teachings. We therefore, offer all that we can imagine to our teachers.<br /><br />7) Purify your Mind/thinking. Recall a situation over the last say 24 hours that you regret which might be an action, something that you said, or simply something that you thought – This is the purification practice but taken to a very personal level. Rather than dealing with it on a conceptual level we are bringing it right down to the real thing: Something that you really did, said, or thought.<br />a. Confess it in front of your teachers and guides including deities if you practice with such practices.<br />b. Regret it. <br />c. Promise not to do this again for a set period of time. If you can only commit for a few hours, then do this. If you are prepared to do forever, that is even better but mean it!<br />d. Commit to do something, anything, that you feel is appropriate to make amends – Its your confession, create your own amends. Maybe it is simply to give a homeless person 50 cents. Maybe you should let someone cut in front of you on the freeway and you are happy to let them in. You have to decide what you should do. (By the way, after you have completed the task let go go of your regret! You are done with it. Let it be over!)<br /><br />8) Rejoice in your good deeds. Recall a good action, words, or thought over the last 24 hours – take your pick and hopefully you can find something. <br />a. Rejoice in whatever you have recalled<br />b. Dedicate the merit of this to all sentient beings, don’t keep it for only yourself.<br /><br />9) Consider those that are suffering. Think of someone you know who is suffering right now or a group of people that are suffering – this is the arousal of the mind of Bodhicitta if you want the formal term for this part of the practice.<br />a. Wish that they be free from suffering (this is compassion)<br />b. Wish that they be happy (this is love/loving-kindness)<br />c. Wish that they never be separated from the unchangeable and indestructible happiness/bliss (this is Joy)<br />d. Wish that that they remain forever in equanimity beyond hope and fear (this is equanimity). <br /><br />10) Ask your teachers to remain with you for the day – This is where you can place your teachers in your heart (heart chakra). They can stay and guide you throughout the day. Anytime you need their assistance, they are there to help.<br /><br />11) Spreading the light of love and compassion - Once your teachers have been safely place in you heart chakra, we can then visualize waves of light coming from our heart chakra. The rainbow of lights are in the colors of blue, green, red, yellow, and white (representing the 5 Buddha families, their attributes, and wisdoms), the rays of light pass through the world spreading love, compassion, and enlightened prayers to all beings. With some practice, such visualizations become more and more a reality that you are truly sending waves out to the entire world and all beings.<br /><br /><br />12) Rejoice in whatever merit you have accumulated through today’s practice – You can increase this bundle by rejoicing all the merit created by all sentient beings and accumulated by all enlightened beings in the past, present, and future. Load up the pile of merit.<br /><br />13) Give the Merit away for the swift awakening (aka the Enlightenment) of all sentient beings – If you keep all this merit for yourself, you will lose it in a single moment of anger, greed, pride, envy, or ignorance. So give it away and then it will never be lost. This is for certain.<br /><br />14) Close your practice and Smile – Keep your piece of your mind. When you mess up: reflect on the error, regret, forgive yourself, and get back to being that wonderful and amazing person that you are. <br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, <br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-90256347060976602942007-05-16T07:30:00.000-06:002007-05-16T03:20:18.245-06:00Masters Consider AngerFor this posting, I am mostly going to quote some of my most favorite words and lessons on anger from great Masters whom I regard as my teachers along my path to hopefully and eventually awaken. I have a long long way to go so I need to repeat often. I hope that eventually all of this really sinks in and become part of my wisdom.<br /><br />Patrul Rinpoche ( 1808-1887) in “The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones - The Practice of View, Meditation, and Action – A Discourse Virtuous in the Beginning, Middle, and End” (no. 35) writes (Padmakara Translation Group):<br /><br /> Overcome your enemy, hatred, with the weapon of love;<br />Protect your family, the beings of the six realms, with the skillful means of compassion;<br />Harvest from the field of devotion the crop of experience and realization.<br />Consumating your life’s work, recite the six-syllable mantra (Om Mani Padme Hung).<br /><br />Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) composed a commentary on this great work, writing:<br /><br />It is said that there is no greater evil than hatred and no greater virtue than patience. While a single moment of anger destroys countless aeons of merit and leads to unmitigated suffering in the hell realms, patience toward those who harm you and the sincere wish to bring them happiness will bring you swiftly onto the path taken by all the Buddhas.<br /><br />There is no better way to deal with enemies than to feel great love for them, realizing that in former lives they have been your loving parents….<br /><br />The great Indian Master Shantideva (8th century) wrote an entire chapter in the Bodhicharyavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) on Patience (Chapter 6). The entire chapter is really about eliminating anger through the application of patience. However, I won’t type out the entire Chapter here. You can go buy a great copy of this text from numerous sources. I have taken the following verses from the translation of the Padmakara Translation Group:<br /><br /> [6:3] Those tormented by the pain of anger<br /> will never know tranquility of mind –<br /> Strangers they will be to every pleasure;<br /> Sleep departs them, they can never rest.<br /><br />Here as elsewhere in the chapter, we are reminded that it is the person who is angry who shall surely suffer.<br /><br /> [6:39] If those who are like wanton children<br /> Are by nature prone to injure others,<br /> What point is there in being angry – <br /> [For this is] like resenting fire for its heat?<br /><br /> [6:40] And if their faults are fleeting and contingent,<br /> If living beings are by nature wholesome,<br /> It’s likewise senseless to resent them –<br /> [Might] as well be angry at the sky for having clouds?<br /><br />I love these lines. Verse 39 says to me that if the person is evil at their core, then how can we be angry for them being who they are. Verse 40 says to me that if a person is good but had a fault that is only temporary, it would be senseless to resent them, as well. <br /><br />And my all-time favorite verse of the entire Bodhicharyavatara:<br /><br /> [6:41] Although indeed it is the stick that hurts me,<br /> I am angry at the one [who is holding it], striking me,<br /> But he is driven and impelled by anger –<br /> So it is his wrath I should resent [and not the person].<br /><br />For me this always reminds me that I should not get angry at the person for whatever they have done to harm me. Rather I should resent the negative emotion that has engulfed their thinking. In this case the verse refers to his wrath (anger) but it could just as easily been his greed, envy, pride, or ignorance. Being angry at the person is just not getting to the source of the problem.<br /><br />This whole chapter is worth memorizing. In fact the whole text by Shantideva is worthy to put to memory, contemplation, and reflection. My wonderful and gracious teacher Khenpo Choga Rinpoche has begun preparing a comprehensive commentary. You can obtain the introduction and first five chapters here. <br /><br />Next, I offer Verse 20 from the equally powerful and great writing from the magnificent Gyalse Togme (1295-1369) know in English as “37-Practices of a Bodhisattva. The translation I am using here is that of Dr. C.T. Dorji from Bhutan. I like this translation because it seems to be the most authentic direct translation of the Tibetan:<br /><br /> If anger that dwells in our hearts lies neglected<br /> And, turning instead to our external foes,<br /> We try to destroy them and even kill thousands,<br /> Then thousands of others will plague us still more.<br /> So seeing this action is not the solution,<br /> Let us muster the forces of mercy and love.<br /> Turn inwards and tame the wild flow of our thinking –<br /> The Sons of the Buddhas all practice this way.<br /><br />Destroying our external foes – even killing them – will never solve the anger within. Rather it is the negative emotion within us that is the true enemy to be eliminated. <br /><br />I pray that I and all beings can someday turn our focus on these internal enemies and stop looking to the external foes as if they were the cause of our pain and suffering. <br /><br />Finally, I would like to recount one of my favorite teachings on anger from my teacher, Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche:<br /><br />[Khenpo-la] If you were standing on a balcony and someone told you to jump, would you do it? Why not? What would you do if they tried to ‘help’ you off the balcony? <br /><br />[Response] I wouldn’t jump. I would not jump because I would surely be hurt. Even if someone tried to help me off the balcony, I would resist, in order to avoiding harming myself.<br /><br />[Khenpo-la] Anger will surely harm you just like falling from the balcony. This, I promise you! So likewise, if someone tries to make you angry, no matter what, you should do everything you can to avoid the anger. Exactly like you would to use all of your mite to avoid going over the balcony.<br /><br />May you avoid falling off the balconies whether by choice or with the assistance of others.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, <br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-64638102343627384472007-05-15T23:27:00.000-06:002007-05-16T03:40:21.946-06:00More Thoughts on AngerTonight I just went over to a good friend’s house. This friend is feeling upset about an unfortunate breakup. This friend is Buddhist. However, despite being Buddhist, my friend told me that it was actually beneficial to feel angry. It was GOOD for them to feel upset. <br /><br />What? <br /><br />Where had this come from and where did they learn this? My friend told me that they are quite certain that the Dali Lama gets angry - like, at the Chinese! <br /><br />What?<br /><br />I still contend that the Dali Lama does not feel anger towards the Chinese. <br /><br />So I came home thinking about this support of Anger…again! At least for me, our Western thinking continues to think that there is some benefit and value to anger. I am confident in saying that there is no good from anger. None. Nada! <br /><br />However, people just look at me like I am crazy. This thinking is contagious. It is so entrenched in our society and education system that I realize I do not have the ability to even persuade a single person that they just might be mistaken. <br /><br />I would like sign out of this angry society. I will be happy to retreat into my isolated meditation cave and let everyone, at least for the time being, get angry and hate each other. I am not interested in joining in. <br /><br />After I have hopefully come to some level of stability to not be affect by such anger, I promise to come out and try to help. But right now, I see lots of people that are thinking that it is good to get angry. <br /><br />My next writing, which I am separating in order to avoid having a paper too long will talk on the Masters words on Anger. For those that might doubt that the “Anger is Good” Club is correct and might be looking for some support against anger, you might enjoy reading it. <br /><br />However, if you are part of the Anger is Good Club (the AGC), I might suggest that you don’t bother to read the writing entitled Masters Consider Anger. I do not want to try to convince that you might be mistaken. <br /><br />I am not sure that joining AGC is a good idea. I know that I am trying to get me off their recruitment list.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-77351255934087690392007-05-12T10:20:00.000-06:002007-05-12T10:48:34.711-06:00Remembering to SitEveryday seems to go by so quickly. It is very easy to have the whole day pass by without taking the time to sit and reflect. However, my teachers and all great masters repeatedly remind us that there are not results without meditation. <br /><br />There are lots of good reasons to make meditation part of each day. Do you want to have peace and happiness for yourself? Do you want to be of aid to others? Do you want a calm and content thinking? Then sit every day! <br /><br />How about downsides? Can you think of any? So far I have only heard of one. It takes some time. Any more? Look deeply. I bet you cannot find another. <br /><br />There are some items of advice that I have adopted to assist me. First, I regard meditation/sitting the most important thing that I do every day. I have placed it number 1 priority. Second, I follow the advice to set the time of day to sit. I have a set time. Further, I have a set place. This is when I take my seat and meditate. If for some reason, I cannot sit at this place and at that time, I will think of it often until I am able to sit. <br /><br />Hearing teachings plants the seeds of our awakening.<br /><br />Contemplating these teachings (a form of meditation of its own) provides the nourishment for the seeds of enlightenment to sprout.<br /><br />Sitting in calm meditation provides the nourishment for the awakened mind to blossom. <br /><br />I find the greatest obstacle to continuing my sitting practice are those times when repeated sitting seems to be having no effect. Sometimes I go for weeks without any noticeable results. It is easy to start wondering if I am just wasting my time. At these times, it is only my discipline to keep sitting that keeps me showing up. Then in one instant, in one sitting, I can gain a glimpse of the other side. I like to think that I am experiencing a bit of what it would be like to be total free of the delusions of samsara ( the world that has been fabricated by my grasping and confused thinking). Maybe this too is just deluded thinking. However, these small glimpses and the small breakthroughs provide the inspiration to keep returning to my seat and to my practice. <br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings, <br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-16336119390712470452007-04-30T23:38:00.000-06:002007-05-09T15:36:24.979-06:00Building a Community for BuddhistsI just read a wonderful statement on Buddhism that I think all us western practicitioners should consider. The comments were written in the article entitled “Forum: Diversity and Divisions in American Buddhism,” in the winter 2006 Issue of “Buddhadharma,” (page 55-56). <br /><br />Writing on behalf of the magazine, the moderator writes:<br /><br />“Traditionally, churches have provided a much broader array of services and methods of observance for people than many American Buddhist groups, which see themselves as meditation centers aimed at personal practice. Traditional churches, including many in the Buddhist world, offer rituals and rites of passage such as weddings and funerals; religious practices that range from silent reflection to singing, chanting, and movements; social events; and pastoral care, such as caring for the sick, elderly, and those in crisis. Have some Buddhists rejected religiosity and cultural practices to such an extent that they have cut themselves off from the fuller role that spirituality can play in people’s lives?”<br /><br />I think this is a very important matter. It has caused me to consider what we do here in Salt Lake City at Dzogchen Samye Ling. After a long discussion with one of the other members of our Sangha, we have decided to start building a community that is found within more ‘traditional’ church organizations. <br /><br />I think that there are many benefits to such activities including building a sense of belonging, helping members and others out in the community, and providing the ‘refuge of sangha’ as is part of the formal taking refuge.<br /><br />I think it is time to starting building the community of sangha members and get out of the 100% ‘on my own program.’ <br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-13839614814279056122007-04-27T18:36:00.000-06:002007-04-27T18:38:20.016-06:00Additional Thoughts on Buddhism in the WestIn “The Monk and the Philosopher” by Matthieu Ricard and Jean-François Revel, Matthieu Ricard states in the last chapter:<br /><br />"It is no good expecting that Buddhism in the West will be practiced as it was in the East, and the lifestyle of monks and hermits in particular is unlikely to become as widespread here as it is in many Buddhist countries. Nevertheless, Buddhism seems to be able to provide the means necessary to instill in all of us a degree of inner peace. It is not a question of creating a Western form of Buddhism, reduced to an insipid ‘lite’ version by numerous concessions to everyone’s wants, but of using Buddhism’s fundamental truths in such a way that the potential for perfection we all have within us can be actualized."<br /><br />I definitely cannot say it better myself.<br /><br />I want to add to this a list of daily items that are necessary to make any progress along the path as a Buddhist practicitioners (courtesy of Lama Marut):<br /><br />- Have a Daily meditation practice<br />- Check your ethics regularly each day<br />- Help someone at least once a day<br />- Study some spiritual text daily<br />- Get some kind of exercise to keep ones juices flowing<br /><br />Sounds like a good start for Western Buddhism.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-86046566458389320822007-04-26T09:57:00.000-06:002007-04-26T11:14:58.971-06:00A Test to Our PracticeSo here is the test. If you are practicing and working to purify your stream of thinking, I am going to guess that you have hit this hurdle. If you have not hit it, watch out because it is likely coming your way soon!<br /><br />When we begin to have a better understanding of Karma, cause and effect, we start to understand that IF I DO NOT WANT TO SUFFER, I CANNOT EVER BE THE BASIS FOR OTHERS TO SUFFER. So if you do not like people being upset, mad, or angry at us THEN we cannot ever get mad, upset, or angry at others. <br /><br />This is nothing unique to Buddhism, mind you. It is really just the law behind “you reap what you sow.” <br /><br />So the day comes. We start off thinking “Today I will be only be compassion – only doing that which helps others not to suffer. I will refrain from getting mad, upset, or angry with anyone. Afterall getting upset at others will harm me and is the basis for them to suffer.”<br /><br />So you start off the day. Getting on the freeway, a driver doesn’t let you in. “Hmm! Okay I won’t get upset. I will only wish them to not suffer and be happy. I won’t get upset.” So far so good! <br /><br />Then we get to the office. For some reason this day, everyone seems to have arrived early! I have to park in the back 40. On top of that it looks like it just might rain and I did not bring an umbrella. It is not going to be fun running to my car in the rain for my lunch appointment! But hey, no problem I am just going to wish everyone not to suffer right?<br /><br />Stepping into the office. It seems that everyone I am coming in contact with has decided that today is the day to complain to Geoff! At some point, usually after the third or fourth enconter, I begin to lose my “faith” in this whole compassion thing. <br /><br />I started off the day with only good thoughts of compassion to all beings. I did not get upset at the drivers on the freeway. I did not get upset that I had to park a mile away from the office. I did not get upset at the first few who were totally rude in the office. <br /><br />However, there is a point where none of seems to be working. I accepted compassion. I accepted karma. I applied the methods during the first part of the day and all that I ‘got’ in return was the wrath from everyone I came into contact with. <br /><br />Its very easy to consider that none of this works. In the current situation, it might even look like my compassion only sent me lots of grief! <br /><br />This is the moment of the test! What is coming your way, is not based on the actions from just this morning. You have been building up stuff for lifetimes. One morning of being nice is not going to instantaneously result in everyone being your best friends. Trust me on this. <br /><br />The test is to maintain faith in the law of Karma. (In fact the difficult situations you are now facing are really testimony to the law of Karma but this is next to impossible to consider at this moment). The test is a challenge. Can you still remain compassionate when the fourth rude person enters your space?<br /><br />I have recently had a situation like this come up. The difference is that it was coming over many weeks. There have definitely been times when I have wondered “what the hell is going on here. I started feeling that it was time to stop being all this good stuff and start telling people what I really was feeling!”<br /><br />Then all of a sudden, I realized that this was the whole point! I had not truly applied compassion to my thinking. I was acting with compassion. I was refraining from saying negative things. However, I was definitely thinking without compassionate. Wow! I wasn’t there yet!<br /><br />The second part to remember is that there is a ‘thermal lag’ to the whole thing. Thermal lag is the term used (or at least the term I use) to explain how the sun is at its hottest right at noon but it is usually around 3pm that the day it the hottest. There is a delay. Its not instantaneous. <br /><br />Recently, I was having coffee with a friend who has been likewise struggling with some issues in life. Despite trying everything he could to set things right, all that seemed to be coming up was more problems! <br /><br />As I looked around, I saw planters which had recently been weeded. New small plants had been put in the planter where last week there were just weeds. Additionally, wild flower seeds had been put in the middle. <br /><br />Now when I come back in a week or two, we all hope to see the small plants flourishing and see the beginning of a nice wild flower area. But it is very likely that we will see lots of new weeds coming back. Some of the small plants are likely to be withered even maybe dead. If the gardener was to take a short-term view on the whole thing, he is likely to conclude “Its hopeless. I removed all the weeds. Planted these nice plants and put in wild flowers. All I am getting is more weeds! I give up!”<br /><br />However, anyone who has ever worked in a garden knows that you have not removed all future weeds just by removing the weed that were present on one weekend. The seeds of new weeds were already present in the soil. Further, there are also new seeds being blown in from the surroundings. <br /><br />The immediate results of new weeds is not the result of the recent weeding. They were already there. If one wants a clean beautiful planter, one must continually attend to it. New weeds must be removed, ideally early on before they really take root and start producing more seeds. <br /><br />In the mean time the results of our plantings will be begin to come forth. It just does not happen overnight overnight. (or in one morning of being kind). <br /><br />I write this to remind myself. When shit happens, I sometimes just need to remind myself that I still need to do only good. Good only creates good! Bad will surely create bad! There just might be a thermal lag!<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-1002197041468094322007-04-19T00:05:00.000-06:002007-04-19T00:08:33.119-06:00Looking For Love in all the Wrong PlacesI have been listening to some wonderful teachings from Lama Sumati Marut recently. Google him if you want. He is marvelous at presenting essential Buddha-Dharma teachings in ways that resonate with my Western deluded mind. <br /><br />He has distilled the ways that we in the West try to find happiness. He has categorized them into 5 categories:<br /><br />1) Money and things<br />2) A Job<br />3) Relationships<br />4) Entertainment (including all that stuff from use of drugs to tv and sex)<br />5) Physical appearance<br /><br />Each one of these, are going to fail as providing lasting happiness. They can provide temporary satisfaction but will ultimately result as the source of suffering if we try to rely on them for happiness. <br /><br />Each are impermanent and consequently subject to constant change. <br /><br />Each one in their own way are more or less our unspoken sources of “Refuge” that we try to take shelter. <br /><br />So where should we go for refuge? <br /><br />Oh by the way, once you remove your expectations, we can have everything that we need including lots of everything if that really works for. No one is saying that one must be poor, jobless, without friends, bored, and fat to awaken!<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-1172173354275308352007-02-22T11:12:00.000-07:002007-02-22T12:57:20.796-07:00Buddhism in America: An Overlooked ConsiderationWatch out for the wrath of hate! How will we respond?<br /><br />I recently listened to a public radio program on religious intolerance in the United States. The springboard for conversation was a new book focusing on the attack of homosexuals by fundamental Christian groups and most notably the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas – the authors of the “God Hates America (http://www.godhatesamerica.com/index.html) and its other ‘Hate’ sites.<br /><br />Clearly, I could talk to the perversion of Christian teachings and the Bible (would anybody really think that the Old Testament is a guide to how one should live their life?). I could talk about the Buddhist teachings on negative thinking such as hate (negative thinking – including hate – 100% causes our suffering and is the condition of others suffering). <br /><br />However, I want to point out a warning to us Buddhist Practicitioners here in the United States. Right now, we are off the radar screen of fundamentalist hate groups. As Buddhism grows within the United States, we are going to find more and more attention directed towards our practices and us! As Practicitioners, our actions and behavior will be increasingly scrutinized. Every Practicitioners actions will be looked at as a statement to the merits or the condemnation of Buddhism! <br /><br />One of the points made during the public radio discussion of hate groups is their need to create a “bad seed” which can then be looked upon by groups. The “bad seed” is then alleged to be the reason why things are not going well. In the community, in the country, and in the whole world! As Buddhism grows in the United States, we can easily become target of their wrath. <br /><br />We can become the new poster child for the “God Fearing” crowd. For now, I think we fall way behind, gays, illegal immigrants, and Muslims as the boogieman that is out to destroy these community’s view of the world. <br /><br />How will we respond? Can we remain in equanimity and filled with love and compassion toward all beings – including those with so much hate directed towards us? <br /><br />I can see that I must quickly train and purify my negative thinking now. It is in this way that I can help all sentient beings as well as hopefully becoming an example of Buddhism in action. All of our actions will be judged. Every one of us will be held to standards almost impossible to be met. <br /><br />I feel that noting examples of good action is helpful for me to recall. One such amazing example is that of the Amish Community in Pennsylvania following the killing of 5 Amish children on October 2, 2006. The Amish community reached out to the killer’s family and even attended his funeral. While this was not done to spread good message about Mennonites, it definitely did so. Their actions speak louder than any printed text. We all grew a little more respect for this peaceful and compassionate community.<br /><br />There are numerous examples including the forgiveness of Chris Williams here in Salt Lake City whose car was hit by a 17-year old boy who under the influence of alcohol. Chris Williams’ pregnant wife and two of their children were killed the evening of Friday February 9, 2006 in the accident. As a committed member of the LDS faith, he is exemplary in his thoughts and actions. Three days after the tragic accident and less than 24 hours after his release from the hospital, Chris is forgiving the 17-year old! Wow! I could only hope to be so compassionate. I aspire to be as forgiving. In fact, the future of Buddhism in America will depend on us practicitioners to do such. <br /><br />As more scrutiny is placed on Buddhist Practicitioners, it will be up to us to weather the storm and act with love and compassion to all sentient beings – even those that will hate us, even those that will harm us, and even those that beat us.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17468227.post-1170968116117698192007-02-08T13:28:00.000-07:002007-02-08T14:11:00.783-07:00The Four Immeasurables as AntidotesCompassion - I want all sentient beings to free from suffering and negative thinking.<br />Love - I want all sentient beings to have happiness and positive thinking.<br />Joy - I want all sentient beings to never be separated from the sublime joy, beyond delusion and illusion<br />Equanimity - I want all sentient being to live in equanimity, beyond fear and hope. <br /><br />Most of us practicitioners know this prayer or a variation of it. It is commonly called the Bodhicitta Prayer bringing forth the Four Immeasurable powers of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity.<br /><br />As my teachers have taught me, they are called the Four Immeasurables because they are inexhaustible within our thinking. Namely, when one holds these wishes in our thinking, our capability to generate them grows exponentially. There is an inexhaustible well of good and positive wishes that can grow to ultimately fill every thinking moment. This is way of a Bodhisattva. <br /><br />I just came across a discussion that reminded me of the Four Immeasurables as antidotes to negative thinking/emotions. So here they are:<br /><br />Desire/Attachment – the antidote to wanting something, to wanting to hold on to something, can be Love. Whatever is the object of our desire and attachment, we offer to all sentient beings with the wish they all sentient beings can be happy.<br /><br />Anger/Hatred – the antidote to wanting to avoid something or pushing something away from us can be Compassion. Whatever is unpleasant and anger provoking we take on for all sentient beings with the wish that they be free from suffering.<br /><br />Jealousy/Envy – The antidote to feeling envious of others success and good fortune can be wish for Joy. Whatever good fortune others have, we wish that their happiness remain unending and continue. We rejoice in all sentient beings good fortune and happiness.<br /><br />Pride – the antidote to feeling superior and prideful compared to others is equanimity. We see that all sentient beings have the Awakened Nature naturally present within their hearts and their entire being. We regard all sentient beings as naturally Buddhas within and serve all with love, compassion, and wish for joy with no exception.<br /><br />Many Dharma Blessings,<br /><br />GeoffDorje Geoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01528240134883158472noreply@blogger.com