da-nang.org Blog

Tsewang Rinpoche teaches Jewel Ornament of Liberation.

Two weeks ago, Tsewang Rinpoche gave the oral transmission to Chapter 3, part IV of Choje Gampopa’s Jewel Ornament of Liberation.

Today, a revision of what has been covered so far and a little more teachings. One sentence struck particularly, a quote from Planting the Noble Stalk Sutra,

“One should never be satisfied by gazing at the spiritual master because it is difficult to see spiritual masters, it is rare for them to appear on the earth, and it is difficult to meet them.”

And so, here we offer a Feast for the Eyes:

Happy Mothers’ Day to all Mothers and all Mother-sentient-beings was the special significance of this morning’s Mother Tara practice.

There were two cakes, courtesy of George H, who went out of the way to bring us two cakes that were ‘not too sweet, because I think everyone prefers them that way’,  - to quote our resident protector in human form. Tsewang Rinpoche requested all mothers, and potential mothers (in essence, all the female practitioners of TBC) to pose for a picture, thereby representing the entire spectrum of mothers of the three times. Some tried to argued that this would, by definition, include all the male practitioners as well. But they respectfully declined the honor, preferring to focus on the conventional present and potential. In no time, the two cakes dissolved into emptiness – or, shall we just say, we polished them off, and then abided in the contentment of a satisfied appetite and a thankful heart towards our own mothers of this life, and all Mother sentient beings from the past, present and future. Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Goodbye Umdze Sonam

In an age whereby infrastructure and technology has made long-distance travel almost a non-issue, it becomes clearly a case of merits – or, rather, the lack of it, – when a virtuous friend takes leave of our company. We wanted a dramatic and tearful farewell, but Umdze Sonam’s practical sensibility would not allow it. Instead, he led us through a Karma Pakshi Tsok with his deep voice as if it was not the end of the world.

July 30, 2010 - Umdze Sonam at TBC

Then he graciously thanked Tsewang Rinpoche, Danang Benevolence Association, Tibetan Buddhist Center and its students for their hospitality, reminded us that during his visit we had discussed melodies and shared information about the musicality of prayers.

This was Umdze Sonam’s second extended stay with us.

We have come to think of him as a close friend, modest and exceedingly patient – although we sometimes worry that the mischievous glint in his eyes meant that he remembers us for singing a sharp, or a flat, when there were none. Nonetheless, we miss his presence and count the days to his next visit.

Geshe Dorje @ TBC

There is no doubt that our teacher, Tsewang Rinpoche, showers relentless effort on the students of TBC. Before the disappointment of Umdze’s farewell sets in, Rinpoche diverts our attention to Geshe Dorje, from Nechung Monastery, India.

With these two esteemed visitors specializing in differing areas, visiting us back to back, it seems like a reminder that the path of practice should continue unfalteringly; there are many aspects to cover, much to learn and much mind to tame.

Geshe Dorje has an uninhibited, carefree and infectious laugh. He spoke to us briefly, and we look forward seeing him again.

Tibetan Buddhist Center, Flushing, New York (Sept 1st 2011)

August 25, 2011 – Day Three

金剛亥母灌頂
Vajrayogini Empowerment

August 24, 2011 – Day Two

August 23, 2011 – Day One

It is said that when Buddha was born, the earth shook; this was described as both an earthquake and a miracle. However, for ordinary beings like ourselves with our skewed views of duality, we scarcely dare utter the label “disaster” when Mother Earth displayed her might on Day One of our event and jolted the city with a 5.8 magnitude. The only miracle at that point for the likes of us, clinging onto our precious human bodies and unprepared for death, was that our thoughts (and physical bodies, for the fortunate ones who took time off work to attend the prayers on a weekday) were with our teacher, Tsewang Rinpoche. Thus, Day One of our 5-Day event was so marked … or blessed (and, if a Buddha was born, we would know some 35 years later).

August 22, 2011 – Preparations

In the course of history, great masters and realized practitioners have established prayer festivals – the 7^th Karmapa founded an annual prayer festival that continues today, Je Tsongkhapa founded the Great Prayer Festival in 1409, etc. The intentions of these masters was always purely for the benefit of sentient beings. Perhaps out of compassion that many of the students trapped in the hurly burly New York city life had never (and probably will never) have the opportunity to partake in such grand and auspicious occasions, and, true to a Bodhisattva’s vows and anxious that none of us gets left behind on the path to liberation, our most beloved Tsewang Rinpoche seized the moment wherein our humble center was honored by several visitors en route back home from the recent Kalachakra Empowerment in D.C., and spontaneously called for a small scale one-off 5-day Festival of Prayers for World Peace and the Dispelling of Obstacles.  And so, on August 22, 2011, Flushing, NY, the preparations for our mini festival began amidst much goodwill, friendship…and lovingly handcrafted tormas.