Monday, October 26, 2015

The Living Journal - The Secred Vajra


During the Buddha's time, Vajrayana Buddhism was not publicly known or practice. The teachings  and instructions were privately taught to a select group of individuals in indefinite places. Approximately 800 years after Buddha's passing, a great lotus born master Guru Rinpoche, who is regards as the second Buddha in Vajrayana, Atisha, Nagajuna and Asanga, widely propagated these teachings.

Today, these practice are widely practice and the tradition or lineages remains very much alive and intact in Tibet. Unlike Tibet, the other part of world has been introduced to the Vajrayana practices in an amazing, fabulous and impressive manners.

As a results of teachings and practices being given by unverified teachers that has given rise of a fair share of Cultism and Sectarianism. Many new students have a misconception of the practice. To them, it is something very 'exotic', 'advance' or 'superior' and related to magic, supernatural power and mysticism. Some students have actually approached many Rinpoches seeking for mystical experiences.
Actually Vajrayana is nothing like before, the Vajrayana teachings were taught by the Buddha himself, to liberate us, just like the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. And thus, like the Theravada and Mahayana, it teaches us to liberate and not miracles and magic tricks. It is true that if we practice we will develop many qualities. But these are called "qualities" similar to the Buddha's qualities and not magic. Magic is the art of illusion, its not real, on the other hand, Buddha 's qualities are genuine.  
To follow the Vajrayana, we must practice the Theravada and Mahayana traditions. These paths are all interrelated and complement each other and should not be viewed as being advanced or independent to each other. Vajrayana itself having the indestructible practices of the three Yanas, Its not a different sect or cult of a new religion.

The classic example, We need a foundation, four pillars and a roof to build a house. 
Vajrayana is known as the secret practice or tantrayana, because of the the more secretive the practitioners is about his practice, the better his achievement. In the modern age, the  internet, the social medias, you noticed there are many people try to outsmart or to defeat oneself intentionally or unintentionally by overly elaborate intrigue to have publicized the secret teachings. 
Some of the example of the secrets tantric that one is required empowerment and Guru guidance that have publicized including the details of :-  

[1] The powerful sacred mantras of wrathful protectors.
[2] The mudras engagement in a ritual meditation, especially is to generate forces that invoke a particular Buddha or deity.
[3] The illustration of the technique of visualization.
[4] The practice of channels and chakras. 
[5] The deity in a Yab-Yum union consort formation. 
[6] The Tommo practice-meaning inner fire is a Tibetan secret meditation practice that allows us to make significant physical changes to our body temperature using meditation, breathing techniques and our minds. To be able to immerse our naked body in freezing temperatures for long periods and walk across snowy landscapes for hours without freezing to death.

If these were to made public, it might cause those who are only interested or gaining this tantric practice to increase one’s own power and profit or ego, but instead of focusing on the Buddha's Dharma teaching. For example , when new students or people think of Buddhas they have an impression of serenity, peace and tranquility, however some images of protectors who are actually manifestation of Buddhas, who look wrathful and grotesque. 
Example, some of you might have noticed in certain monastery, they have a curtain to cover up a particular wrathful deity. If the new students were to see them, they might criticize or misunderstand Vajrayana Buddhism altogether, leading them create negative Karma. This is why Vajrayana, in particular the advanced practices, has to be secretly practiced.

I have received some enquiries, an example, a Sri Lankan Buddhist asked why Vajrayana is having so many ghostly demonic wrathful deities? I explained and finally he accepted and saying its so difference from the Sri Lankan Buddhist traditional. My Guru has reminded me that the important of the tantrayana teaching and must not be reviewed publicly and it has to be kept secretly.

Please consult your Guru or a qualified lineage master for practices! Should a devotee even want to start studying and contemplating the tantric , then it is truly necessary to first have completed the preliminaries and to be certain and sure that Bodhicitta has arisen and developed in one’s mind. 

It is absolutely necessary to have the pure motivation and to know that tantric practice is not carried out to increase one’s own power, ego and profit. Negative intentions of any kind may not be.

* This is my personal opinions and reader discretion is advised. 
Thank you for reading , may you find peace and ultimate bliss. With your support it helps spread the Dharma and turning the Dharma wheels in the world. 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
Jang Chub Sem Chog Rinpoche
Ma Kye Pa Nam Kye Gyur Chiang
Kye Pa Nyam Par Mey Pa Yang
Gong Nay Gong Du Phel War Shog.

May the precious Bodhichitta arise
Where it has not arisen
And where it has arisen may it not decrease
But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit
So nam di yi tham chay zig pa nyi
Thob nay nye pa'i dra nam pham jay nay
Kye ga na chi'i ba lab thrug pa yi
Si pa'i tso lay dro war drol war shog.

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note*
I do not own or copyright any of these photos.






Friday, October 23, 2015

The Authenticity of Tibetan Heritage

To preserve the unique, authentic heritage of Tibetan Culture and its lineages, the best ways is through the supporting, promotions and awareness campaign.

Tibetan they create everything from necklaces and earrings sets to bracelets and rings - some of them made with fish bone, beads, horn, seeds, stones, and other natural materials.


Monks statues  
Ceramic statues of Buddhist monks, price for all set of 12 units
Category: 
Other, Page: No. 6 
Average Weight: 1344 grams
Price $55.00 


Thank you for your purchase and supports to preserve our endangered Tibetan Culture heritage.

More heritage items can be found online here:
http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19



Saturday, October 17, 2015

The Living Journal - Calling Gurus From Afar

Calling Gurus from afar.
The journey of finding our inspirational home. A Home for our refuge and a home for the ultimate blessing from our Gurus.
Namo Guru pheh, Karmapa khenno, Lama Khenno.

So, before starting any practice, look and search for a teacher, master and firmly decide to follow and learn from him, even if it takes a lifetime. Before reaching a decision about the Guru to follow, always verify his credentials and this is a simple procedure.

Hence, if it's so happens that one is unable to find a teacher, it is then acceptable for you to accept a teacher whose one good quality is compassion, because the essential one is that the teacher must have an awakened mind, Bodhichitta to all living beings.

Calling and invoking the Guru's blessing is devotion inspired by disenchantment and renunciation, not as mere platitude, but from the core of our heart, from the very marrow of our bones. Calling our Gurus with the confidence of having resolved that our own Guru is none other than Awakened one.

Guru, think of us, kind root guru.
Think of us, essence of the Buddhas of three times. 
Guru think of us, great treasure of blessing and compassion.
Guru of boundless light, think of us.
Regard us from the expanse of the unobstructed Dharmakaya.
Lead us wandering through samsara because of our evil actions.
Guru think of us, to rebirth in your pure land of great bliss.
Guru mighty Avalokistesvara, think of us.
Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhawa, think of us. 
As we are in the dark age, protect us your helpless disciples with your swift compassion, free us from the ocean of existence into the great city of liberation.


Mighty lord of this world, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. 
Karmapa khenno , Karmapa khenno, Karmapa khenno, think of us.
Regard us from the all-pervading realm of taming beings.
Make us to realize that all phenomena are false, mere illusions.
Lineage Gurus, His Holiness Karmapa Khenno, karmapa Khenno Karmapa Khenno, think of us. Look upon us with compassion.
Bless us that our human life may become meaningful.  

Lama Khenno, Guru think of us, guides us to differentiate between right and wrong, what to give up and what to hold on to, guides us without holding anything back. Guru think of us, point out the exact nature of both thoroughly polluted and fully pure phenomena. Gurus, you are spiritually accomplished, full of compassion, loving kindness, patient, dauntless and eloquent. 
When you are choosing to practice the Dharma it is important to be even more selective about the practice and the teacher, because the goal is Buddha hood, not transportation. Whether or not the teacher is authentic does not depend upon the ability to quote from Buddhist texts. You should analyze his words and actions, Quoted by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.


Thank you for reading , may you find peace and joyfulness. With your support it helps spread the Dharma and turning the Dharma wheels in the world. 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
Jang Chub Sem Chog Rinpoche
Ma Kye Pa Nam Kye Gyur Chiang
Kye Pa Nyam Par Mey Pa Yang
Gong Nay Gong Du Phel War Shog.

May the precious Bodhichitta arise
Where it has not arisen
And where it has arisen may it not decrease
But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit
So nam di yi tham chay zig pa nyi
Thob nay nye pa'i dra nam pham jay nay
Kye ga na chi'i ba lab thrug pa yi
Si pa'i tso lay dro war drol war shog.

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The Living Journal - The Precious Gurus.


Many beginners who have an interest in practicing the Dharma, generally do not know how or where to begin, and therefore, he or she would rely heavily on Dharma books. This has both its advantages and disadvantages, because in Tibetan / Vajrayana Buddhism, there are many esoteric teachings that have been published and are inappropriate reading material for the beginner.

Why ? The reason is when the beginner read and it creates confusion and doubts, and may prevent him or her from following the Buddhist path.
For examples, the image of a wrathful deity and the image of a Yam-yum union consort that may confuse the new students:-


[1] Wrathful deity one might think they are demons and  based on their terrifying appearance. In Fact, their terrifying appearance is meant to frighten forces of evil and to protect the Dharma.

[2] Yab-yum [male-female in an union consort position]

It represents the primordial union of wisdom and compassion, depicted as a male deity in unwholesome act with his female consort. The male figure represents compassion and skillful means, while the female partner represents insight.

In fact, unlike other traditions,Vajrayana Buddhism, places great emphasis on the concept of the Guru or master. A Guru is the guide that the student relies on to steer them to the right path. 
In Buddhism, we take refuge in the Three Jewels - the Buddha, Dharma and Shangha. But in Vajrayana, we also take refuge in the three roots. The root of one's blessing is the Guru, the root of all accomplishments is one's Yidam, and the root of all activities is the protectors and Dakinis. 

There is a saying in Tibet- if you see your Guru as a Buddha, you will receive the blessing of a Buddha.So the level of one's achievements depends on the strength of the student's faith and devotion. If these two qualities are not present, then you will receive nothing at all. 

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and joyfulness.With your support it helps to spread the Dharma and as well, turning the Dharma wheels in the world.


Aspiration For Bodhichitta

Jang Chub Sem Chog Rinpoche

Ma Kye Pa Nam Kye Gyur Chiang

Kye Pa Nyam Par Mey Pa Yang

Gong Nay Gong Du Phel War Shog.



May the precious Bodhichitta arise
Where it has not arisen
And where it has arisen may it not decrease
But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit
So nam di yi tham chay zig pa nyi
Thob nay nye pa'i dra nam pham jay nay
Kye ga na chi'i ba lab thrug pa yi
Si pa'i tso lay dro war drol war shog.

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.
May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.
 


Monday, October 12, 2015

Tibetan Crafts And Heritage Part 2

http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Purses, Material: Other
Small color ethnic purses
Average Weight: 46 grams
Price $3.97
Available in Stock: 9989
http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Purses, Material: Other
Ethnic Tibetan purse with Potala Palace 
Average Weight: 129 grams
Price $10.45
Available in Stock: 9999 
http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Purses, Material: Other
Round purses (mlrn)
Round ethnic purses
Average Weight: 70 grams
Price $5.15
Available in Stock: 9957

http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Purses, Material: Other
Tibetan purses (tifd)
Tibetan purses, ethnic asian ornament
Average Weight: 130 grams  
Price $10.00
Available in Stock: 9987





 

Monday, October 5, 2015

Tibetan Crafts and Heritage

http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Prayer wheel
Solar prayer wheel (tisl)

Prayer wheel of yellow metal, with solar battery.
Average Weight: 250 grams
Price $9.85
Available in Stock: 9959 

Click Here for details

http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Pendants, Material: Metal
Turquoise metal pendants (tien)
Average Weight: 3 grams
Price $3.33
Available in Stock: 9916 


Click Here for details

http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Pendants, Material: Metal 
Metal pendant(tiep)
Metal pendant with Tibetan ornament
Average Weight: 7 grams
Price $4.16
Available in Stock: 9980

Click Here for details 

http://www.tibetcraftswholesale.com/cgi-bin/index.pl?id=19
Category: Pendants, Material: Metal 
Metal pendant(tidv) 
Metal pendant with turquoise stones
Average Weight: 22 grams
Price $11.67
Available in Stock: 9986 

More Tibetan crafts and cultural items are available at the following weblink:-