I want it. I need it. It’s so thin, light and it has got this new platform which makes it much better than the old iPad. Never mind that it does the same thing. And it is selling at the same price as the old one was. Never mind that the iPad1 is slashed a few hundred buck cheaper now.

I can load all my favorite photographs to show just in case someone is interested. Never mind that I am no great photographer nor do I look at my own handiwork very often, if at all. I have tons of gigs of photos and like all clutter, they remain as clutter. I can also take the trouble to scan notes and stuff like that to read at my leisure. I would be really canggih.

Now, here’s the real deal. This comes from the Dalai Lama….read on.

An Open Heart by The Dalai Lama

“…For example, when we are attracted to something, we tend to exaggerate its qualities, seeing it as 100 percent good or 100 percent desirable, and we are filled with a longing for that object or person. An exaggerated projection, for example, might lead us to feel that a newer more up-to-date computer (sic iPad2) could fulfill all our needs and solve all our problems.

Similarly, if we find something undesirable, we tend to distort its qualities in the other direction. Once we have our heart set on a new computer, the old one that has served us so well for so many years suddenly begins to take on objectionable qualities, acquiring more and more deficiencies. Our interactions with this computer become more and more tainted by these projections. Again, this is as true for people as for material possessions. A troublesome boss or difficult associate is seen as possessing a naturally flawed character. We make similar aesthetic judgments o f objects that do not meet our fancy, even if they are perfectly acceptable to others. “ An Open Heart (follow link for book… An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life)

Now, what does a simple monk know anyway? When there is they launch that nice unaffordable new car, mine REALLY does develop creaks and rattles. Ah, yes.

Like my young son said of the iPad, I want it but I don’t really need it.

Psst…the next shipment is next week.

Every once in a while, a good book comes along.

In this case,there are actually four. I am referring to the Karma Chakme Mountain Dharma series published by KTD publications.

About the source of Mountain Dharma

There are in fact a few versions of mountain dharma and the teachings in these four books come from the Mahasiddha Karma Chakme. Karma Chakme was born in 1613. He spent a big part of his life in retreat accomplishing his practice, the last one lasting 13 years.

A little about the books

These books are a complete text for those who wish to practice Tibetan Buddhism. It is also for those who wish to know more about the meaning of life. And death.

Thanks to Kong Keen Yung who introduced me to these series of books while we were in ‘retreat’ in India. Incidentally, the 4th volume was just out this year.

The local bookstores may carry them or you could try Amazon. Hover over the picture of the books or click the link to get to the respective web pages.

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4 (sorry no pictures but it looks the same)

Karma Chakme’s Mountain Dharma As Taught by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, Volume Four

Throughout history, in every era and time, great people are recognized by the mark they leave on the pages and course of history.

The one known as Chetsang Rinpoche, the throne holder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism is one such individual. Read the book ‘From the Heart of Tibet’ and you will know what I mean. (It sells for US14.93 at Amazon – click the picture of the book or the link  in green below to get there).
From the Heart of Tibet: The Biography of Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche, the Holder of the Drikung Kagyu Lineage

Through the pages of this biography, the story and life of Chetsang Holiness comes to life. Before I read this book, Chetsang Holiness was, in my mind, an ordinary monk who had been chosen to lead the lineage. He was born into it, sort of. Just like the lucky ones born with a silver spoon. Reading that book changed all that.

It was apt that I read the book while in Songtsen Library, just next to his residence, a few weeks ago. The book had just came in and was not even catalogued when I spied it on the librarian’s table. The librarian was a friend who kindly allowed me to read it – I was not allowed to take it out of the premises. In the warm winter sunshine along with a lovely hot thermos of Nescafe, I devoured the book. The words left me misty eyed many a time as I discovered so many things about this man leaving me wondering about many things. Things like circumstances, invisible protectors, fate. Even the possibility of things having a different meaning popped in my cynical mind.

To know more, you have to read this book. It details his childhood, his adventures (were there any misadventures?), his growing years during the dark and tumultuous years of the cultural revolution under communist china and Mao Tse Tung, his escape and his revival of the Drikung Kagyu Buddhist tradition.

I enjoyed most the middle part of the book which tells of his trials under the communists. Many inspirations I found and this part was read with great amazement, wonder and awe. Great individuals are rare. One may not have the qualities to be great but one can count oneself as fortunate if one have had the honour of meeting one.

A truly recommended read.  And thankful for the present.

It is taught that the practice and fruition of all virtues begin with generosity.

Come to think of it, it seems to make sense. It is only through being able to give things away that stuff like ego, pride, selfishness can be conquered. Suddenly, that voice of ours that says, “Hey, this ten dollars is mine so why should I give it away?” sounds so loud. If we pause to listen, that is.

There is the giving of money and there are other forms of giving like giving of a smile, assistance, knowledge, trust and so forth which brings me to a movie.

I saw the movie Seven Pounds recently. It is an old show – Will Smith and the lovely Rosario Dawson. The theme is giving and it is the giving of what is dearest to all of us – our body parts and our life! It is also about paying for our mistakes, about remorse but that is only what I perceive from the show and not what the script intended.

Reverend Dhamaratana talked about donation of organs recently. It is logical that once we are dead, our organs are of no use to us. And truth be told, our carcass has to be left behind. It is not likely that the keeper of Hades will ask us to see our passport and do a body search to check that all the parts and organs are complete.

Eerie thought but I have an excuse. My old worn out parts are a bad bargain.

The Dalai Lama Path to Bliss

He carries many epithets. To most Tibetans, he is the Lord of Compassion. Also known as Kundun, the omniscient one. He is Buddha. I first caught sight of him in person in 2003, in India. He was within touching distance. Escorting him then under parasols were The Sakya Holiness and The Drikung Chetsang Holiness. It may have been my imagination but sweet bouquet wafted as I sat yards away from him – deities offering flowers perhaps! ( Friends and i also had the good fortune of bumping into and chatting with the Sakya Holiness in a sweets shop in Dehra Dun last year).

Here is a quote from THE Dalai Lama,

“By emulating the examples of great personalities of the past, by pondering upon scriptural quotations and anecdotes taught by teachers, by employing all sorts of means, you should be able to develop a deep conviction that this present human body has great potential and that you shall never waste even a single minute of its use. On the other hand, not taking any essence of this precious human existence, but just wasting it, is almost like taking poison while being fully aware of the consequences of doing so.

It is very wrong for people to feel deeply sad when they lose some money, while when they waste the precious moments of their lives they do not have the slightest feeling of regret. Such an indifference comes as a result of not realizing the value and rarity of the precious human existence. Therefore, you should determine that on the basis of this precious human existence you have the capability and capacity to undertake the practice of dharma.”

–from The Path to Bliss by H.H. the Dalai Lama, translated by Geshe Thupten Jinpa

It is an honour to know you, friends who have responded so swiftly and with such generosity and compassion to those in need in the aftermath of the Yushu Earthquake.

The earth of Yushu quaked on 14/4/10 and left thousands dead and many more homeless and traumatised. The relief you provided through the funds you compiled have saved lifes and help many more through the freezing cold as they pick up the pieces.

Why donate? You could very easily have excused yourself by saying that there are many more in your backyard whom your $10 could benefit. But you see that it is in times of need that the small become giants. Granted, kindness knows no definition but at this hour you see that like those swept away in a storm, those nearest the precipice are in the direst need of help.

It is indeed my honor to know you! Thousands may not know your face but if they do, they would have felt honored too. Not that you care.

Birds on Lower Windows of Songtsen Library

Thanks India Addict… for providing the photos of the birds of Songtsen Library.

I was told that the birds mistook the sky reflected in glass of the Library and mess hall windows and flew right into them. That accounts for the many bumps you see on the head of the birds around Dehra Dun.

A kind lady (was she German?) sponsored for the stick on silhouettes of the birds on the glass so that the birds will not continue getting more bumps. Seemed it worked.

The first picture is of the mess hall, the second of the vintage Mercedes once used by HH The Dalai Lama, the third inside the audience room of HH Chetsang Rinpoche where the very regal Chetsang Holiness poses with visitors. Second from right is the Ven Chen Chung who is in retreat now.

I have also taken the liberty of including two more pictures, taken one cold chilly night, of the library and King Songtsen Gampo on his horse. Last year, there was some maintenance work done on the base and it should be ok now. Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I did the library.

Birds at Songtsen Library Mess Hall

HH Dalai Lama Vintage Mercedes

Pure Land of HH Chetsang Rinpoche

King Songtsen Gampo - Surreal Warrior

Songtsen Library under Full Moon

Goddess

The story of Nanda is an interesting one. If you care for visits to heavenly realms, of goddesses whose beauty makes your heart pumps and your throats dry or handsome gods who makes your knees weak and your heart flutters senselessly, this is one story like no other.

Nanda was the cousin of the Buddha. Well, most accounts of the Buddha concerns his cousins. Maybe Kapillavastu was a very small kingdom which explains why everyone is related one way or other.

Nanda loved the Buddha and was very much inspired to become a monk and live the homeless life. Unfortunately, he was married, to the lovely Pundarika. Her beauty had such a hold on Nanda that, much as he liked the Buddha’s message, he can’t bear to be away from his wife no more than a few hours, missing her soft skin and the fragrance of her body.

Understandable, since she was in every way equal if not better than the Bollywood screen sirens we see today. One flutter of those lovely large eye and we are undone. She too was very smitten with Nanda and used to put a drop of water on Nanda’s forehead whenever he goes out, bidding him to return to her arms before it dries.

Ah yes, where were we? Oh yes, Nanda. The Buddha knew what was going on so he asked Nanda to take a walk in the forest with him. Forests then were (still are) filled with monkeys. Pointing out one particular old mangy female monkey, Buddha asked Nanda whether this monkey or his wife was more beautiful. The answer was obvious.

Soon their walk took them to the heaven of Indra, the Trayatrimsa. Remember, he was the Buddha who had miraculous powers. Within those pearly gates of Indra’s heaven, the beautiful daughters sported with the fortunate divine gods. Their beauty and radiance are blinding and their seductiveness and sensuality is beyond us mere humans, not even in our weirdest dreams.

Oh, where are we again. Yes, within those pearly gates, sat the loveliest of all goddess. And she was alone. With his already bursting heart, the captivated Nanda asked her why she unlike the others was not sporting with some god or other.

“Why am I alone?” she replied. “I am waiting for my one true lover, Nanda, who will soon become a monk. Through his practice, he will gain this world and I can’t wait to show him all the delights of the sense and pleasures of the flesh beyond anything that he has ever known before!”

Oh, my goodness! Imagine you were Nanda! When asked, he told the Buddha that Pundarika (his wife if you have forgotten) looked like that monkey when compared to these daughters of the gods, screen siren or no screen siren that she was.

As the story goes, Nanda became a monk in no time and was tops in practice and meditation. His motivation was, how to say, rather un-monk-ly.

By and by, the Buddha came along. Nanda was getting lonely as the other monks knew what he was up to and isolated him. Off they went again for another walk. Amidst the pleasantries and ‘how is your practice getting along’, Nanda soon found himself led to the fearful infernal realms.

Ghastly tortures were taking place and the place was filled with chilling screams of pain which can turn your blood to ice. Steam hissed as the smell of roasted flesh and skin fills the air. Karmic offenders scream and writhe in pots of molten copper, unable to die or swoon as they were made to endure the sufferings in full awareness. Seems some have been here for centuries…

This Buddha tour soon arrived at the nethermost of hell. Fearsome looking engineers were at work on another hellish torture gadget. This one was so bizarre, a prize winning design engineered to extract the greatest juice that even the most fevered, sick maniacal human mind would not have been able to devise.

Upon being queried by the Buddha, in full hearing of Nanda who was by then cowering in fright and fear, the engineer replied, “The other apparatus are too friendly. This one is special and we are making it for a special guest. His name is Nanda and he is now practicing very hard at spirituality. His next life is in Indra’s heaven where he will enjoy eons of pleasure. When he has sported enough and his good karma has expired, this is his next stop. Please excuse us, we have to be ready and must hurry!”

If we are to talk about insight, to Nanda, this one was deep insight! He abandoned all attachment to worldly pleasures and in time became an Arhat.

I wonder what happened to Pundarika. I think a nice end to the story would be that she too obtained deep insight from her grief and realized the fragility of this world. She too took the homeless life and also attained liberation. What a wonderful couple.

Ajahn Brahm told the story of “two bad bricks”.

As a DIY bricklayer for the fledgling monastery, he could only see two bad bricks which he had laid. To him it was a mistake and it was there for all and sundry to see. Never mind that the other bricks were perfect.

The moral of this story is that we often only see the bad features of others. In a relationship this is the road to failure. He says that if we choose to see the other perfect bricks, things can only be better. Also the bad bricks are what make us unique.

Life in general is often fraught with imperfections. Well, we just have to take the long with the short.

Apparently this is an Udumbara flower.

My idea of this flower was that it is much larger. This one measured just 1mm in diameter.

An udumbara flower is said to be so rare that it flowers every 3000 years. (Given our short history the last one if this one is real would have been circa 1000bc. Well, so much for legends.

Botanically it is quiet common and is a flower of the cluster fig tree. Both the tree and the flower are referred to as the udumbara (Sanskrit, Pali; Devanagari) in Buddhism.^[5] Udumbara can also refer to the blue lotus (Nila udumbara) flower. The udumbara flower appears in chapters 2 and 27 of the Lotus Sutra, an important Mahayana Buddhist text.

The Japanese word udonge (優曇華) was used by Dōgen Zenji to refer to the flower of the udumbara tree in chapter 68 of the Shōbōgenzō (“Treasury of the Eye of the True Dharma‎”). Dōgen places the context of the udonge flower in the Flower Sermon given by Gautama Buddha on Vulture Peak.

In Hinduism (Arthava Veda)  it is given prominence as a means for acquiring prosperity and vanquishing foes.

The picture comes from here.