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Lam Rim Mandala YEAR 2001. ISSUE NUMBER 9. Page 1 Lam Rim Mandala EDITORIAL This has been quite a Table of Contents year! Margaret and Geshe La had a good trip to South Africa A Prayer for Peace by Geshe Wangchen Page 2 A Prayer for Peace by Geshe at the start of the year. Dear Geshe La Wangchen Letter from Geshe Damcho La Page 3 has now thankfully recovered well The source of universal happiness from a swollen appendix which Aspects of Daily Buddhist Practices by Geshe PaldenDrakpa Page 4 is loving kindness to all landed him in hospital early on this The Wind in the Pines cleanses the Heart Sr. Avril Furneaux Page 5 mankind. year, H.E. Denma Locho Rinpoche A Story of a Short Trek in the Himalayan Foothills by Caroline I give respect from my heart to arrived to give wonderful teachings at McCookweir Page 6 compassion. the L a m R i m C e n t r e s . H i s Building Bridges by Jon Marshall Page 7 The essence of all religions is Eminence arrived from New York only a day before the terrible The Dharma School in Brighton & the Torsee School in Bangkok by to maintain loving thoughts, Geoffrey Pullen Page 8 By avoiding harmful attitudes tragedy there. Since then Afghanistan and it's people have Life in a Tibetan Monastery by Dechen (Sue Rochard) Page 10 towards all living beings. suffered greatly and our love and News from Our Friends in South Africa Page 14 It is very sad to see that due to the prayers go to the innocent people lack of understanding that all living The House Next Door by David Johnson Page 17 caught up in war and conflict beings are of the same family, everywhere. Geshe-La, Margaret, Venerable Rizong Rinpoche Biography Page 19 We ignorantly harm and torture David and John will be travelling to each other; thus we suffer. Notes on Progress at Lam Rim Page 20 India in December and we wish them May all living beings recognise each well on their trip and a safe return. My Visit to Lam Rim Buddhist Centre by Paul Rouselle other as part of the same family and When I reflect on the events this Short Stories, Poems and Sayings Page 21 thereby develop kindness towards year, I remember the teachings on one another. impermanence and how everything May we contribute towards peace in changes from moment to moment. the world by destroying our own Compassion is so important in our A happy event has occurred for Dan and Jane Buys - they are new parents and have a baby negative thoughts within ourselves, world today, and we are so lucky, as daughter Tara, who came in to this world in November. She visited Geshe La at Lam Rim And may those peace loving people Buddhists, to have access to such with her parents when she was 1 week old and received her first teaching. Love, best wishes and of East and West accomplish their wonderful teachings. We can make a congratulations to all three of you. wish for the happiness and peace of difference. Our thoughts and love are Edita has contributed lovely chutney recipes, and John Peacock tasty curry recipes. Geshe the World. so important in contributing to make La has contributed the Tibetan Sayings. Thank you everyone for such interesting articles, the world a happier and kinder place without us working together in this way, the Mandala would not be possible. Every to live in. Thank you Puddha once contribution is gratefully received. Thank you Ann for proof reading the Mandala. May the again for offering your words of years ahead be filled with Love, Hope, Peace and Happiness throughout the World and wisdom. may all beings be free from suffering. Seasons Greetings to you all, love Lorraine Page 2 Lam Rim Mandala LETTER FROM GESHE DAMCHO-LA Dear Friends What great blessings to receive teachings and initiations from HE Denma Locho Rinpoche who arrived from New York on Monday 10th September. On the 11th September we were stunned and shocked at the catastrophic events that happened, together with great relief that Rinpoche was safe at Lam Rim. It is at these times that we can fully connect with Buddha's teachings on cause and effect, impermanence and death within a very short time. It is important to understand world conditions with serious thought. How do we deal with anger and hatred which are often the root causes of senseless violence? What motivates people and nations to harm each other? We need to practice compassion and patience for all countries that are suffering especially those who, through ignorance, create more suffering. We are the same - no different really. When we check our own mind, hatred, jealousy and anger still sit there. We need to share and understand the complexities of other religious traditions by being mindful and sensitive to each others needs. Fundamentalism is always a closed path. This path (we are right and you are wrong) does not lead to harmony and understanding, so we need to be mindful of a correct condition that is non - harmful. Therefore, we can learn from this catastrophic experience by assuming that our own daily life needs to be positive. Positive conditions arise from non - harmfulness to other beings. Negative conditions arise by being harmful to other beings. We are now having Quiet Time sittings from 9.00-9.30am and 4.30-5.00pm Monday-Friday dedicating these times for Peace and Reconciliation. Starting with family, friends, and can extend to our local community, our country and to our world. You too can find a quiet place at home, or in the garden shed, and offer 30 minutes of your day, for Peace and Reconciliation. It is only by putting aside time in this way that you can alleviate fear and anxiety during these difficult times, by being calm. This will have a very beneficial and healing quality to those around you. May all beings experience peace and happy minds. With love Geshe Damcho Page 3 Lam Rim Mandala There are some frequently asked questions regarding Buddhist ground, aspire that the Buddhas might tame the sentient beings practice. In response to this we shall be including a series of ASPECTS OF DAILY BUDDHIST PRACTICES engrossed in mundane occupations, who are leaning to the left short articles relating to these topics. These will be covered in by and are hard to tame. this and subsequent issues of the MANDALA. Geshe Palden Drakpa With the forehead touching the ground, aspire that all the The following is a response to a series of questions concerning Translated by Cheme Tsering of Gaden Shartse sentient beings living in the Universe might give up pride and common Buddhist practices posed by a young Tibetan medical be distinguished by the positive attributes of life. (And pray practitioner, Dr Padma Dorjee. that) as a result of this prostration with the five parts of my Imagine, during these noble endeavours, that all the sentient body, may these beings accomplish the five powers; may they Asked about reverence to objects as well as persons worthy of beings, regardless of their form, birth or origin are engaged in the all be attributed with the five spotless eyes... veneration, the Buddha once said: same undertaking in human form, with the same motivation as ours. As the undertaking proceeds, visualise rays of light together Extended prostration requires that the entire length of one's "The well being and happiness in the Universe, body be brought down to the ground, just like a grounded tree All come about through veneration of the Triple Gem; with streams of nectar emanating from the Buddha and Bodhisattvas of all directions; they dissolve into our bodies and trunk, with both the arms extended straight towards one's head Those who aspire to be happy and well minds, eliminating various defilements accumulated through our with joined palms and with the forehead simultaneously Engage in the veneration of the Triple Gem." actions of body, speech and mind, and conferring touching the ground. In my personal opinion this In his commentary to the Mahayanasutralamkara of Maitreya, blessing. This kind of visualisation while making … This kind of mode of prostration reflects the depth of a Acharya Sthirmati goes into further detail: offerings, prostrations or circumambulations were given visualisation while devotee's agony and repentance; it may also be great importance by very great spiritual masters of the making analogous to the disintegration of one's sense of offerings, ego. "Making offering (to the Buddha) is of two kinds: venerating past. When practised in the right way, such methods prostrations or through material means, and through serving. Offerings have the necessary potential to accumulate great merit circumambulations According to the opinions of scholars of the past, through material means entail presenting such things as robes through minimum effort. were given great the flat folding of palms during religious occasions and alm bowls, while making prostration, circumambulations, importance by very seems to be against the habit of the historical etc. is veneration through obeisance." PROSTRATIONS great s p i r i t u a l Buddha. When the palms are closed together with If we accept the contention that the Sanskrit term for Generally, it appears that in Buddhism alone there are masters of the past. the inside of the palms left hollow with the veneration denotes "pleasing the object of veneration", then various different ways of making prostrations. There are When practised in fingertips touching each other, there is the natural making prostrations and circumambulations, etc. also clearly two main forms of prostrations recommended by Tibetan the right way, such resemblance of a closed lotus flower. Symbolically, come under acts of veneration. To quote another sutra: Spiritual Masters: the contracted and the extended methods have the thus, the emptiness inside the two joined palms prostrations. The former refers to the prostration where necessary potential to represent a Buddha's Truth Body and its sources - "Whosoever venerates either a living Buddha the devotee bows down with his two knees, both palms accumulate great the accumulation of wisdom - while the overall Or the remains of a Buddha long since past, of the hand and the forehead touching the ground. The m e r i t t h r o u g h outside shape, said to be akin to the natural shape of With a mind clear and undisturbed, purpose and meaning for this kind of devotion is given in minimum effort. a jewel, represents a Buddha's Form Body and its Keutsang Losang Jamyang Monlam's commentary on a sources - the accumulation of merit. in merit, there is little difference." sutra on this subject. To quote the sutra: Further, with the two thumbs pressed together towards the In many other sayings of the Buddha similar to this, it is noted Bodhisattvas of the past, present and future who dwell on the inside of the hollowed palms, the gesture is similar to the folded that there is no difference in the merit derived from venerating ultimate nature of the universe should touch the ground with the hands of Bodhisattvas Avalokiteswara and Samantrabhadra, an actual, living Buddha and the physical remains of one who five parts of their body. When the right knee is brought to the and is therefore a good reminder for the need to realise the two has passed away. ground, aspire that all sentient beings might embark upon the Bodies of a Buddha acquired through the practices of method With regard to the Doctrine, since the Buddha himself is said righteous path. With the left knee touching the ground pray that and wisdom. to have the highest regard for it, it is also clear that written whoever is dwelling on the path of the left might enter the noble Touching the forehead, the throat and the breast with one's texts which contain these teachings deserve equal veneration path, and dwell on the path of virtue. When the right palm is folded palms is indicative of the devotee's reverence through and regard. brought to the ground, pray that just as the Buddhas, founded in body, speech and mind towards the object of obeisance. In complete enlightenment and endowed with all positive attributes, Whenever we undertake any positive spiritual undertaking, be have subdued all negativities with their gesture of suppressing the doing so, we imagine that we have received the blessings of the it through our Body, Speech or Mind, generate the motivation earth, may all beings touching this earth too attain the complete body, speech as well as the mind of the objects of refuge and that it is being done for the welfare of the many. omniscience of the Buddha. With the left hand touching the (Continued on page 5) Page 4 Lam Rim Mandala (Continued from page 4) Prostrations can be undertaken whenever there veneration, and have been purified of the is the opportunity. With special importance, The Wind in the Pines, Cleanses the Heart negativities connected with these doors of they should be done on important religious human actions. occasions, when in front of your spiritual masters, in the presence of sacred images, When making prostrations one must have monks and nuns. It should also be done the first strong faith in the objects to which prostrations thing in the morning, as preliminary to success Mandala No. 8 mentions an Anglican nun in retreat in the Coach House. At the are being made. Given this basis of faith, in the days undertakings, as well as before time of writing month number 6 is nearly at an end. Great gratitude arises for the decide that oneself is dedicating, to this object of one's trust and veneration, the whole of retiring to bed, for the dedication of the days sponsorship both from Lam Rim and from individual sponsors who are enabling positive undertakings and also for the me to be here in such a healing space. one's body, speech and mind. One also decides confession and purification of the negative that whatever pattern of life befalls oneself subsequently, be it happiness or suffering, it is actions committed consciously or In March this year I took a vow to solitary life (hermit) for a year in the first unconsciously during the day. instance and renewable after that. There is often debate about living solitarily, yet completely in the hands of this object of one's veneration. Prostrations are one of the best ways to purify the Forest Grove Sutta says quite clearly—if it is conducive to Mindfulness to sins and mental obscurations and to seeking the live the solitary life, it does not mean being cut off and practicing for oneself If we take the Tibetan word for prostration support and the transforming powers of one's "phyag 'tshal" to mean, respectively: alone, quite the reverse, mind is not local. My own practice and background is in objects of refuge and protection. In an 1) the purification of sins and mental elementary sense, prostrations help to purify Zen and Satipatthana (Mindfulness) from the Burmese root with John Garrie obscurations sins and defilements resulting from irreverence Roshi who passed on in 1998. and disregard toward objects of true merit and and veneration. Many I guess are surprised to see me here in a Christian habit, it includes a 2) aspiring for accomplishments wooden Cross and Lotus, a copy of a ninth century Chinese stone carving. The They enable one to accumulate a vast amount of merit which is instrumental in the fulfilment events of Sept. 11th show us very clearly the results to which deluded religious the practitioner should aspire to purify the sins he has committed though acts of body, speech of one's aspirations in this life as well as in the practice can bring us. Human minds locked into distinction, discrimination and and mind, and to be bestowed with progress in life hereafter. separation find it almost impossible not to fall into onesidedness, defending and his cultivation of moral discipline, wisdom and A sutra says: promoting why 'my' or 'our' teacher/practice/way is special or better and meditation. clinging to it. This is not to say that there are not differences, nor that beings are Of a being fortified in merit, There are particular prayers to be said while at different levels or stages of understanding. Even dreams become real. making prostrations, such as the hundred- syllable mantra of Vajrasattva. When In case of multi-prostrations, besides As we drop our discriminations and comparisons, the skilfulness of other commencing a specific given number of accomplishing an enormous accumulation of practices can become apparent to us, as minds clear, clarity emerges, conditioned prostrations, there are certain syllables which merit as well as the complete elimination of ways of seeing evaporate, and what we may previously have rejected (and for increase and multiply the potential of the many negative mental afflictives which are some people that is a necessary step for a time) can become accepted as a prostrations. We ourselves, as well as other instrumental in causing turmoil and suffering, beings desire happiness and shun suffering. In they also help our health. In particular, manifestation of the koan. order to be well and happy, it is essential to prostrations serve as an active antidote to the have the support of the power of merit. To gain negative mental factor of pride. I think that the this we must accumulate merit; there is no other more pride is minimised, or neutralised, the With gratitude to Geshe-La for his clear presence, to the community here who are way. And conversely, to remove suffering, we greater is the prospect for further spiritual so supportive and benevolent and for the transparency of this place, I offer many must remove our sins and the mental development and refinement. blessings. obscurations which are the ultimate factors causing all negative aspects of life. Making **************** Sr. Avril Furneaux numerous prostrations is but one of the many Article from DRELOMA - Drepung Loseling ways to achieve these ends. Monastery Page 5 Lam Rim Mandala The joy of mountain weather! We enquire sparrow-like things and I marvel at their KARERI Part 1 after the route to Gera, a tiny village stamina. Gera is no more than a A STORY OF A SHORT TREK IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS at the bottom of the next valley, collection of huts sitting just above by Caroline McCookweir about 3,000 ft below us, and set off the river bed. It is also a road head as the rain stops on a well-marked where the villagers come to catch path through terraced fields. buses to Dharamsala and other valley Leaving McCleod Ganj we gingerly pick Tibetan Children's Village towns. The Route to Gera our way over piles of rubble bordering Rejoining the track we pass above the A Serious Water Shortage As with any path, sometimes the way is gaping craters where pipes are, slowly, Tibetan Children's Village, where about clear and easily followed, and sometimes it The next leg of our journey is a 3,000ft being laid. The other option is to 3,000 children, mainly orphans and is more obscured. Half an hour after ascent, which, thankfully, no-one tells me traverse the parallel 'high' street new refugees from Tibet, are cared leaving Naddi we are stumbling along a at the time. In fact, Simon, who is our and be mown down by for and educated. Now and again boulder-strewn ridge, having climbed guide, has been rather vague about our overenthusiastic auto-rickshaw we are surprised by a flash of lime rather than descended, after being diverted destination all along, and in retrospect, I'm drivers. We then have to navigate green as a parrot swoops out of the from our nice, clear path by a woman keen very grateful. We start gently enough, the 'square', where the buses from canopy and arcs over the Kangra that we didn't cross her fields. Luckily we winding round the hillside following the Delhi offload their sleepless valley, some 6,000 ft below us. come across a young man tending a cow. river - or what would normally be the passengers into a confusion of cars, cows, Vultures and red kites are also common, Leaving his charge to its own devices, he river. Due to the fact that the snows failed dogs and people. The idea of spending a riding the thermals. scampers down the side of the ridge and this year and therefore there was no few days in a tiny village with no road The Indian Village of Naddi takes us all the way back to the path, snowmelt, there is a serious water shortage grows ever more appealing. which is quite some distance. He is one of in the area. Our 'river' is a dry bed of We, Paul, Simon and myself, head After about 5 miles, we leave the forest many people who go out of their way to boulders. At one point we cross the river west along a forest track through woods of and scramble downhill to a path which help us on this little expedition. Needless on one of those wonderful bouncy bridges evergreen oak and rhododendron. The leads to the Indian village of Naddi. Here, to say, I haven't scampered down a steep, suspended high above the rocks and made trees here have an oddly stunted, almost suddenly, we are confronted with a rocky ridge for many years and it takes me even more bouncy by Paul gleefully pollarded look, and Paul explains that local magnificent wall of snow, ice and rock as quite a while to join the others. The jumping up and down on it. Then the path, people regularly shin up them and lop off the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas cowherd did it in flipflops! for reasons best known to itself, disappears branches to provide fodder for their comes into view. Set against the brilliant Some 2 hours later, after the longest into the river bed, and after a short livestock. Nonetheless it is lovely in here green of the terraced crops and the pretty downhill I think I have ever walked, we distance clambering over increasingly and beautifully quiet after the maelstrom slateroofed village houses, it is a reach Gera - just in time for a ferocious large boulders, we are lost. Our salvation of McCleod. Tushita Retreat Centre is set breathtaking sight. downpour which we sit out in another, this time appears in the slight, dignified in these woods, minutes from town, but Turning another comer, we are again form of Bidya Devi, a gaddi woman who, even smaller chai shop, under the curious worlds away. There is also a small confronted, this time by a lurid, balancing her shopping on her head, is gaze of local villagers. Many of these have Nyingma Gompa and retreat centre which multicoloured hotel with green, yellow, nimbly negotiating the river bed on her risen horribly early and left their mountain we visit, creeping along the paths so as not red and blue bricks. This is the tourist way home to Kareri. Simon has a villages with the milk which will supply to disturb the retreatants in their simple Naddi - 2 hotels and a ring of chai shops. smattering of Hindi which is to stand us in McCleod Ganj at breakfast time. This they huts scattered among the trees. There is a We drink chai, eat omelettes, gaze at the good stead over the next few days. Bidya carry in churns hanging from a yoke borne wonderful feeling of peace here, and we sit mountains in the brilliant sunshine - and 5 Devi agrees to show us the path to Kareri, over their shoulders. This is an 8 mile walk awhile by a stupa containing the relics of minutes later are squashed inside the chai and within about 10 minutes we have also first descending 3,000 ft and then Kyabjey Trijang Rinpoche. stall sheltering from a sudden downpour. ascending the same. Most of them are tiny (Continued on page 7) Page 6 Lam Rim Mandala (Continued from page 6) SOUTH INDIAN DHAL (John Peacock) meeting the idea to establish a Centre began to form. I was secured bed, breakfast and an evening meal for the next particularly moved by a story told by Rabbi Hugo Gryn, a Ingredients holocaust survivor, who reflected on the time and painful four days at the astonishing price of 60 rupees (about 8oz red lentils £1) per head per day. This part of the journey is the events leading up to capture and transportation to Auschwitz. 1 large onion He recalled that in his home-town there were three beautiful hardest part for me so far. The path seems to climb 1oz yellow split peas (soaked for 3 hrs) almost vertically up out of the river towards a far distant synagogues and three beautiful churches but Jews never visited 30 curry leaves the churches and Christians never came to the synagogues. ridge. Simon keeps up with Bidya Devi and I get slower 1 teaspoon of haldi (turmeric) There was no real mix of people who although living side by and slower. Paul loyally stays behind me, gently 1 tbsp of Black mustard seeds side never really got to know each other or encouraging whenever it seems I will stop entirely. A good pinch of hing (asafoetida) understand each other. So in a small way I hope After a while the path is so steep that it seems as if one A teaspoon of methi (fenugreek) seed the Centre can build bridges of understanding could topple off into space with one wrong step. This, 2 small potatoes (diced) across the community so that we can appreciate combined with a light headedness caused by the thinner our differences as well as our common humanity. 1 large carrot (diced) air and fatigue, make me feel quite unsafe. This feeling 2 large tomatoes (skinned and chopped) *************** persists even after we reach the village, which seems to 2 tsp of coriander powder PLYMOUTH RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL cling precariously to a narrow spur while all around 2 tsp of cumin powder RESOURCE CENTRE ground rises and falls alarmingly steeply. 2 tbsp of desiccated coconut (soaked & drained) The centre was officially opened on the 20th September 2001 Bidya Devi's handsome 2-storey house is near the 2 tbsp of Sambhar Masala by Councillor Mrs Maureen Lawley. The Centre's main aim is edge of the village, which straggles on up the hillside 2 tbsp of olive oil to promote education of religion and cultural diversity based on through the startling green of the spring crops. There is Method the values of tolerance and respect. a paved courtyard and a verandah running nearly the The centre comprises an office, resources room, meeting room, length of the house onto which we flop, while our Boil the lentils & split peas in salted water with the hall and kitchen. The resources room contains a growing hostess makes delicious, sweet reviving chai. We have turmeric, carrot, potatoes, onions and tomatoes. When the collection of artefacts from different religions which are arrived! lentils are cooked place to one side. available to schools and groups to support teaching and Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. When the oil is hot, learning. Caroline add the mustard seeds, fenugreek and curry leaves. When Schools and organisations can also use the centre's Faith the mustard seeds start to pop add the asafoetida, coconut, Speaker service which creates invaluable opportunities to meet coriander, cumin, and sambhar masala. Fry for about 4 with someone from a local faith community including minutes. Add mixture to the pot of lentils and simmer for 15 Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews and Muslims. minutes. Add more salt if required. Regular meetings and events, based on the principle of building TIBETAN SAYING good relationships with people of different faiths are held at the centre. When you see nomads eating BUILDING BRIDGES by Jon Marshall good food you cannot see The meeting room and hall provide an ideal venue for local faith communities and groups to meet for study, reflection, nomads climbing hard on the I have been a Buddhist for over thirty years, including time spent discussion or celebration. other side of the mountain. in India during the early 70's when I first met Ven. Geshe Damcho. It was Geshe-la who first taught me the early chapters of The Religious and Cultural Resource Centre is in the process of Meaning Shantideva's text the Bodhisattvacharyavatara - The Bodhisattva's becoming a Charitable Trust and is looking to secure long term You can see joyful things but the hard work Way of life. This was a great inspiration for me. I am married with funding for this important work. which brought about these joyful things you five children and over the past fifteen years have taught Religious If you would like more information about the work of the centre cannot see. Studies in secondary schools in Devon. or feel that you may be able to help please contact us. Since 1996 I developed contacts with other faiths and communities 3a Watts Rd., St Judes, Plymouth. PL4 8SE Tel/Fax: 01752 in Plymouth, forming an Inter-Faith group in 1998. From these 254438 Supported by Plymouth City Council. Registered in England No: 4243229 Page 7 Lam Rim Mandala First Buddhist School in the UK May all beings be happy and know the causes of The Dharma School in Brighton, The DHARMA SCHOOL in BRIGHTON happiness the first Buddhist school in the and May they be free from suffering and the causes of UK, opened in 1994 in the front My Visit to the TORSEE SCHOOL in BANGKOK suffering. room of a private house with four By Visitors children. There are now over 70 The many rewarding experiences of being at the children and the school has moved Geoffrey Pullen school include the great privilege of meeting to large new premises in the White House in A member of the Board of Directors 1995-2001 visitors, and especially the monks who come Patcham, Brighton. from time to time from various traditions. In the The school follows the National Curriculum but last summer term alone we were graced by the religion, ecology and environmental issues are given numerous Buddhist groups in the area while those who presence of monks from the Zen, Theravada and special prominence. The influence of Buddhism in are not are fully supportive of the philosophy behind the Tibetan traditions, each bringing to us their the school is experienced through exploring basic school. Several have children here. peacefulness and great learning. Simply to be in their principles in a way appropriate to each age group. presence has been an inspiration. The school has no The school prospectus mentions experiencing the Relationship between Members of Staff bias towards any one Buddhist tradition and to meet consequences of our actions, awareness of This is no ordinary school. It works so well for these gentle people is to be reminded of the message the moment, change, meditation, ... the rules made several reasons, but perhaps the greatest is the of the teachings which is common to all. interdependence, compassion and loving up by the children relationship between members of staff. This is a Sometimes monks visit on Friday before leading a k i n d n e s s . W i t h o u t ' p r e a c h i n g ' , themselves include family as well as a place of work. Many here retreat at the school on the following day. The opportunities are taken in the normal course not hurting, not have worked together since the early days and governors welcome the use of the school building as a of the day to remind children of the wisdom taking what isn't they are close friends as well as colleagues. resource for Buddhist activities and at present regular contained in the five precepts and the given, not saying Some shared the difficult times, and the faith retreats are held by groups from the Zen and desirability of trying to act in accordance nasty things, being that they showed then has led to a close Theravadan traditions. The school is also used on two with them. And this does work. Even in the thoughtful and bonding that is still of tremendous benefit to evenings a week, one each by Shambala and Zen youngest class of the main school the rules being respectful. everyone. From the tireless and immensely meditation groups. A third group is to begin meeting made up by the children themselves include supportive example set by the head teacher to at the school in the autumn. not hurting, not taking what isn't given, not those who are only able to help for a few hours The school also receives visits from a great variety of saying nasty things, being thoughtful and being a week, everyone does more than just a job at the school. interested organisations and individuals. Visitors include respectful. And there is fun too! educationalists, students, researchers and an increasing School Policy The School's Programme number of prospective parents. And then there are the When the Dharma School was started it was the The school's programme includes regular puja sessions, television crews! There have been four of these in the intention to ensure as far as possible that a certain either in individual classes or with the whole school past year and the children have become quite accustomed percentage of parents were practising Buddhists but gathered together in the lovely sunroom. These are led by to having them around. Unlike most other visitors, TV no attempt was made to apply a rigid definition of the head teacher or a member of staff, and sometimes by crews can be quite disruptive to the school day and while this term. Since then the policy has evolved into one a visitor. Puja usually consists of a story, commentary, we love to think of the idea of the Dharma School being of also accepting children of parents who are in and a short quiet period. The opportunity is also taken at spread to a wide audience we are hoping that we can sympathy with the principles that the school is other times of the day to sit quietly for a minute or so, have some respite for a while! seeking to promote. The policy is the same for the usually in the classroom. At the end of puja the children staff. Some are members of one or other of the usually recite: (Continued on page 9) Page 8 Lam Rim Mandala (Continued from page 8) Torsee School, Bangkok purposefulness over a long period, there are many Numerous and welcome though they are the More recently, in January 2001 I visited the Torsee obstacles to setting up such schools. We in Brighton visitors are at the periphery of the life of the school, School in Bangkok, run by a Theravadan Buddhist Head had the prayers and support from the very beginning, which has at its heart the wonderful energy, Teacher, Khun Onn, at Sukumrit 18 in the 28th District of the Chithurst monks and particularly of Ajahn inventiveness and laughter of the children. Their of Bangkok. My aim was to see whether, in a Buddhist Sumedho. In Thailand also this school has strong 'beginner's minds' bring a freshness to every activity country like Thailand, there were schools similar to the support from the Forest monks. and provide nee with ever flowing inspiration. Dharma School in Brighton. This seems to be the most crucial factor. Money In fact the Torsee school is much larger than our and strong leadership is important but even more so is A Place where Love and Trust can Flourish school (over 200 pupils) and charges over four times our prayer and support from a strong sangha. With this in The result of all this is a wonderfully loving fee. (The Dharma School charges £2000 per the background many more such schools can be and supportive environment for children, annum but this will rise to £3000). The parents created and flourish. May others be inspired to set up staff, and parents alike. The Dharma School is are wealthy Thai business people and are such schools in the future. a place where love and trust can flourish and attracted to the small classes and strong sense of Geoffrey Pullen to be part of this wondrous process is community and love within the school. There is a supremely nourishing. We cannot know the swimming pool in the playground and the effect of the ripples that spread out from here children swim each day as well as changing into but we do know the enormously beneficial effect it KARNATAKA POTATOES pyjamas for an afternoon siesta. As with our school, there has on those fortunate enough to be part of the has been a wealthy Buddhist benefactor behind the Ingredients school. Above all we are constantly blessed by the project who has seen the school through its difficult 1lb potatoes (diced) indescribable beauty of life that is expressed in each teething years. I was impressed by the Head Teacher and 1 large onion (sliced) and every child. her staff who had all been personally chosen and 1 green chilli As far as anyone here knows this is the only supported in their Buddhist practice by her. 1 teaspoon turmeric primary school in the country offering a Buddhist based education. We have had visits from groups A pinch of asafoetida All Attend Regular Retreats A pinch of fenugreek seeds considering the possibility of establishing similar They all attend regular retreats and are required to do so. 30 curry leaves schools in their area. A recent visitor from the FPMT The children also follow the National Curriculum but in 1 tablespoon of Urad dhal (split black beans) in Barcelona is interested in setting up a Buddhist the same way as in Brighton this is interpreted to develop 2 large tomatoes (skinned and chopped) school there. We don't know of any existing or mindfulness and cooperation. The children are also very 2 tablespoons of olive oil. planned Buddhist schools elsewhere in Europe or in aware of environmental, ecological and global issues. North America. Like our school in Brighton, the Torsee school also has a Method small number of handicapped children (Downs syndrome Heat the olive oil in a large pan. When the oil is hot add Soquel Redward Primary School, California and autism) who are integrated into the school and the mustard seeds, urad dhal and fenugreek seeds. As the In 1999 1 visited the Soquel Redward Primary treated with great care by the other children. I came away mustard seeds begin to pop add the onion, chilli, curry School in Santa Cruz, California which is on leaves and a pinch of asafoetida. Fry for 30 seconds then heartened by the example of this school but saddened that the site of the Land of a Thousand Buddhas and add the turmeric together with some salt. Fry for one there are so few like it in a Buddhist country like which offers a similar curriculum stressing minute then add the potatoes, constantly stirring. Finally Thailand. compassion, inter-relatedness, and global add the tomatoes and enough water just to cover the responsibility but the label Buddhist is not Desperate need for More such Schools potatoes. Simmer until quite a lot of the liquid has gone used. Some parents might be dissuaded from There is a desperate need for more such schools but, and the potatoes are cooked. Add more salt if required. sending their children here. without financial backing and single-minded John Peacock Page 9 Lam Rim Mandala LIFE IN A TIBETAN MONASTERY : THE SECOND YEAR PART 2 (continued from Mandala 7) by Dechen (Susan Rochard) Uma Rabjampa Degree Monastery and open to everybody to walk past and watch us! The worst thing was being At 4pm on Wednesday 13th March 1991 our class of newly enrolled students at the ogled by our own senior students, who were dying to see us make fools of ourselves! Institute of Buddhist Dialectics began the gruelling ten-year course of studies Well, it seems we all managed reasonably well, thanks to Gen-la's careful traditionally culminating in the 'Uma Rabjampa' degree. The syllabus for this preparation. I have fond memories of debating that first year. Simply being degree includes the study of a number of introductory texts followed by a The worst thing outside for so many hours a day was quite an unusual and refreshing detailed study of the three most extensive subjects of the Geshe degree: was being ogled by experience, and studying in such an environment helped the mind to remain Pramanavartikka (Valid Cognition), Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom), our own senior clear even when tired. Our debate sessions took place from 1.30-3.15pm and and Madhyamaka (Middle Way). Generally, after completion of this syllabus, a students, who were from 7.30-9.30pm, though the evening sessions would often go on much later. number of Dialectics Institute monks might enrol at one of the Three Seats of dying to see us Although it could get quite cold at times, there was a warmth in the energy of Learning (Drepung, Sera and Ganden Monastic Universities) in South India to make fools of our shared activity, and the sheer beauty of debating under sparkling star- study Abhidharma (Manifest Knowledge) and Vinaya (Monastic Discipline), ourselves! studded night skies was often awe-inspiring. Usually we would debate in pairs and take the exams for the Geshe degree. At the Dialectics Institute, with (as is traditional), but by the end of the evening the pairs would dissolve and teachers from Drepung Loseling Monastery, our syllabus coincided with that of students would gather around in groups to listen to, and perhaps join in, the Drepung Loseling and Ganden Shartse Monastic Universities. We began that Wednesday most fervent or interesting debates. A common sight at this time of the evening would be afternoon with a thin little book published by the Drepung Loseling Library Society groups of monks with their arms draped around their classmates' shoulders, or holding containing the essential points of a subject known as Du-dRa (Collected Topics). All the hands, perhaps swaying gently with the rhythm of the debate. I sometimes used to feel a monasteries begin their course of studies with their own literature on this subject. And bit lonely and wishing for a cuddle at these times! although what this subject covers is profound and complex, the traditional manner of Spring Picnic presenting it at this stage is quite suitable for young lads of fifteen who, having recently A most memorable day occurred for our class in mid-May. It was the day of our relinquished their yak-herding duties, have just learned to read and memorise. I still have Institute's Spring picnic, just before Saka Dawa (the month surrounding the tape of Gen. Lobsang Gyatso's teaching on our first day. He gave a discourse which Buddha's enlightenment). In the early hours of the morning we set off to included the reasons for studying Buddhist philosophy and debate and in general, a the picnic site near Baghsunath, half-way up a mountain on the other side detailed description and explanation of the gestures used in debate (the hand-clapping and of the river, where a tent had already been set up and tea and breakfast so forth). He also gave us a rather unique transmission of chanted debates, in which the prepared by our Institute cooks. It turned out to be a gloriously sunny day. entire class participated in the manner of 'call and response'. He would chant a phrase In the middle of the morning my fellow students started to meander down and we would imitate it. For the first few weeks of classes he would chant through about to the river to wash their clothes and bathe. Never having indulged in this activity before I three debates at the beginning of each class, which we would repeat after him about three joined them, at least for the laundry. I took off my outer robes, and, just dressed in an times through, then he would get us to do it without him. In this way we memorised the underskirt and shirt, proceeded to wash all my clothes in the river. The first time of debates and became familiar with the general format. It was a lovely and reassuring way experiencing this is unforgettable, especially when one has been used to being confined to learn, and made one feel like a small kid again. indoors with a plastic bucket as I had for the past year. With the cold crystal-clear water Debating flowing over my feet and the hot rays of sunshine pouring down upon me, in the midst of We began debate on the third day of term, but for the first two days of this we were mountains towering majestically around, laundry just wasn't laundry anymore. It was an accommodated inside our prayer-hall, which was a great relief to us as we all felt very indescribably liberating feeling. Then at mid-day, having laid my robes out on the warm nervous about doing it in full view and ear-shot of everybody else outside. However, we rocks to dry, I went up to the picnic site for lunch. During lunch the news came, urgently were at last flung out of our safe little hiding place and had to debate in the courtyard carried by an out-of-breath runner, that our class was to have an audience with His outside the Main Temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, an area shared by Namgyal (Continued on page 11) Page 10 Lam Rim Mandala (Continued from page 10) There are different kinds of 'lung', but the kind that I had occurs when you push yourself Holiness the Dalai Lama at 1.30pm that day. Joyful elation was followed quickly by panic (usually mentally) beyond the level of your energy resources and develop a certain kind in my heart as I remembered that my robes were all wet on the rocks below. Well, with of stress. nothing else to wear and maybe no time to get anything else, I would just have to wear The symptoms manifest as exhaustion, sleeplessness, irritability, a tendency to be tearful, them wet. Dreading the worst I went back down to the river, all prepared to put on these and sometimes a feeling of tightness in the heart-chakra (or another chakra). Basically, heavy sodden clothes, but when I got there I found they had dried right through! No the 'lung' or wind-energy is not flowing properly and gets blocked in one of the chakras. problem! Fully dressed now (and beautifully clean) I joined my classmates and we all The remedies include: rest, eating meat and greasy foods, drinking alcohol, being walked quickly and excitedly to the palace. I had time to rush into my room and get my surrounded by kind friends reassuring you with sweet, soothing words, sitting in a passport and a khatag (white offering scarf), and soon was through the gates of the comfortable place gazing at beautiful distant views, sex and laughter. As a monastic one compound being checked by security staff. Our class being large, with about forty does not have recourse to all these remedies, but there are enough available to help dispel students, the meeting was held in the garden just outside His Holiness' large interview the lung. I heard that doing prostrations is also very good, and perhaps particularly so room, and, surrounded by the song of many birds, His Holiness gave us some advice because part of the problem may be due to not having quite a large enough store of about the purpose of our education. We each presented him with a khatag and received 'merit' to accomplish the job in question without suffering. In any case, I had the good his personal blessing. Afterwards we gathered with our teachers, Gen. Lobsang Gyatso-la fortune to meet a Chinese lady who was a Chi-Gung teacher, and she taught me a few (our Abbot at that time) and Gen. Damcho-la, outside the Main Temple for photographs, simple exercises which cleared the 'lung' quite easily. and then returned to the picnic party as if walking on clouds. The rest of the day passed in Moving Home a haze of bliss. One day I had to go to a house further away from the one where I usually went Clearing the 'Lung' to collect water. This other house was part of Namgyal Monastery, and at that The rest of the year, however, was far from blissful. With scarcely enough There are time there was evidence of building work going on there, though the workers mastery of the Tibetan language, trying to cope with the hours of preparation, different kinds of had already gone home. I went up the stairs to the other side of the house, into classes and debates was a hell-realm. Just living in a foreign culture and having 'lung', but the the damp little shed with a tap, otherwise known as a bathroom, and filled up to communicate in a foreign language every day is exhausting. However, I was kind that I had my 20kg plastic jerrycan with that most precious of liquids. However, even very fortunate in having an American classmate (Philip) who not only had occurs when you though the bathroom (like most others in Dharamsala) left much to be desired, worked as a translator in the USA before coming to India (and thus his push yourself the rest of that side of the building was beautifully situated. There was a large command of Tibetan was pretty good) but was also very willing to help a keen (usually mentally) balcony overlooking a breath-taking view, with stark rugged mountains to the and less knowledgeable fellow student. He sat with me for up to an hour each beyond the level of left, a wide sweeping valley in front, and rich green forest to the right. For some day gradually working through a translation of whatever text we were studying your energy strange reason, whilst I was up there, I had a very strong intuition that I would at the time, so that I was at least familiar with the language of the text upon resources and soon be living in one of those little rooms adjoining the balcony. Interestingly which Gen. Lobsang Gyatso would base his discourse. On top of this I recorded develop a certain enough, within a few days I heard from Gen-la that the time had come for me to every discourse and listened to it afterwards, and, with the help of Lobsang kind of stress leave my present room, which had only been given to me on a temporary basis. Wangdu (the monk I cooked and ate lunch and supper with every day), Before I had moved in he had already offered it to a new member of staff who managed to transcribe all the debates that Gen-la chanted as well as the main would now soon be arriving in Dharamsala to take up his position at the points of the teaching. It was also necessary to memorise the definitions and divisions of Institute. Gen-la offered me a different room, which I thought was not going to be quiet the concepts we were learning so that we could debate them on the debate courtyard enough for my studies, so I went to the Namgyal Monastery office to ask about the rooms where no books were allowed. For this purpose I copied out all the definitions and with the big balcony. They told me that these three rooms had previously been occupied divisions, and any additional nuggets of necessary information, into a series of notebooks by Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, and had been re-decorated for rental to people who had small enough to carry around in my pocket wherever I went. I became well-known among already requested them. The waiting list for these rooms was very long, I was told. my classmates for always having a little notebook with me, even on the debate courtyard, However, I pleaded and said that I was being asked to leave my room within a week, as and on innumerable occasions would find one of them sidling up to me for a quick peep somebody else had already been booked into it, and that I urgently needed a place to live during debate. All these activities occupied me from morning till night, especially during (Continued on page 12) the first couple of years, and it was not at all surprising that I got 'lung' from time to time. Page 11 Lam Rim Mandala (Continued from page 11) written exams, just a debate exam. Being the babies of the Institute we were allowed to and study. I did not push hard, and yet within a couple of days I was given one of those choose our own topic, and I chose to debate on lDog-pa (Isolates). The exams were just little rooms (the one nearest the bathroom). I moved in there and it proved to be the for our class as the main exams didn't take place until the end of the year. However, we happiest home I ever had in India, small though it was. It can only have been 12ft by 8ft, had to take them in the Main Temple itself in front of the whole Institute, including our and yet it had my bed, clothes cabinet, shrine, study-table and chair, cooking table with teachers, as well as some visiting teachers who acted as the examiners. We were all gas stove, bookshelves, and cupboards containing all my cooking things and spare water scared stiff. Nevertheless, most of us fared well enough, including myself. Answering supply. All of my life took place in that little room, the Institute prayer-hall and the would have been a much harder task. debate courtyard. Of course, there was the wonderful balcony, bathed in sunshine from The Foot of the Snow Mountain Peak morning until evening, with the sun rising over the mountains to the left and setting Having completed Du-dRa we then started bLo-Rig (Mind and Cognition). The basic text behind the forest to the right. At night a flying squirrel would climb up to the tree-top, at that we used for this was far more detailed than the one we had used for the DudRa class eye-level, right by the southern side of the balcony, and just take off - magnificently (although there was a more expansive presentation of the former that many students had gliding to a tree far beyond the scope of my own vision in a lower part of the forest to the accessed: Rwa-sTod Du-dRa). The bLo-Rig text that we used was written by Gen. west. I also had a very good neighbour, a girl in her early twenties named Dadze Lobsang Gyatso himself, and gave presentations of the seven-fold division of ('Beautiful Moon') who had come to India to study in her own language. She had already mind from the point of view of not only Sautrantika tenets, but also successfully completed her education at a good Chinese school in Lhasa, and Yogachara and Madhyamaka tenets. This was too advanced for had been indoctrinated to such an extent that she didn't even believe that the It was quite most people in our class at the time, and Gen-la skipped over most Dalai Lama was a real person who actually existed. However, by the time I met interesting of the non-Sautrantika tenets - but he encouraged us to look at her she had already lived in India a few years, so of course was seeing things reflecting on the these sections and refer to them in the future. By the end of the from a very different perspective by then. problems of life in monsoon we had worked our way through the seven-fold divisions The Exams a ghetto for a of mind, and most of the two-fold divisions also. We then came After about three-and-a-half months of studying the most important topics Black-American onto the section about mental factors. As it was the end of monsoon, and the contained in the small, middling and great Du-dRa we were about to take our whilst painting a formal end of the rains retreat, people were encouraged to go for long walks. I first set of exams. Instead of revising properly for the exams I got sick. Then, Buddhist shrine in went off for a couple of days up the mountain, with a tent and a load of food, having recovered, I took on the job of painting all the shrines and cabinets in the Himalayas accompanied by someone teaching English at the Institute. We were headed for our Institute's gompa (prayer hall). I did all the background painting whilst with Tibetan a place beyond Triund, with a name that sounded like 'Illaga' supposedly Lobsang Wangdu, who had completed some training in Lhasa as a thangka monks. situated at the foot of the snow-mountain peak. This was towards the end of painter, created the designs on top (with the assistance of one of his September, and I had no idea how cold it could get up there. After a very early classmates). Gen-la (whose office was right next-door) was either away during start, and walking all day, we eventually arrive at the stream near the foot of the this time or he had allowed them to play music. In any case we spent a couple of intensive snow-mountain peak. But we hadn't actually run into a village of any kind, just some days painting the shrine-room to the accompaniment of Tracy Chapman, who was the empty shepherd huts on the way. Being quite inexperienced in these matters, I mistakenly favoured singer of the moment in our Institute. Actually I think her lyrics are quite had a bath in the stream, which was freezing, and then had to sit up beyond sunset doing meaningful, and she has been one of my favourites too since that occasion. It was quite my prayers by the meagre light of a dwindling pathetic little fire. It didn't give off much interesting reflecting on the problems of life in a ghetto for a Black-American whilst heat either. By the end of it all I was shivering beyond belief, and even when I got into painting a Buddhist shrine in the Himalayas with Tibetan monks. My part in the shrine- my sleeping-bag fully clothed I couldn't stop. I didn't sleep all night because of the cold painting went on for some days, and I even remember being up a ladder whilst Gen-la and the shivering. The next day we had some sunshine, but just not enough. I think we was teaching a senior class (there must have been a dead-line to reach). I was ever-so- spent one more night there and the day after that returned home. quiet, but I guess it could have been a bit distracting for the monks who no doubt spent Sick : Admission to Delek Hospital some of their mental energy hoping that I might fall off the ladder (just for fun, of I fell sick immediately, and was in bed for a week with a high fever, the glands and course - nothing malicious). The exams finally took place, and one of the senior monks tonsils in my throat swollen to such an extent that I couldn't lie down as the weight of the (who since became a Geshe) helped me to prepare a debate. In the first year there are no (Continued on page 13) Page 12 Lam Rim Mandala the Dialectics Institute that I now prefer to think about in English. Most of the other LIFE IN A TIBETAN MONASTERY : THE SECOND YEAR subjects I naturally think about in Tibetan, and English is the language that I translate the PART 2 (continued ) concepts into. It is bound to happen this way as, even at quite an early stage, the explanations that you receive of an unfamiliar term are given in Tibetan, and then you work with that, and build on that. We had another exam after (Continued from page 12) completing bLo-Rig, which again just involved debate, and again we were swelling blocked my windpipe and stopped me breathing. The pain was terrible too, and allowed to choose our topic. I chose Sel-'Juk (Eliminative Engager) as I felt eating extremely difficult. A monk from Amdo, named Samten Gyatso, was in charge of it went well with the Isolates topic that I had worked on earlier, and that the care of sick students in the Institute at that time, and he came and helped a bit with gaining more familiarity with subjects such as these would help in the study cooking and washing up. I especially remember him sitting by my bed telling me stories - and understanding of emptiness at a later stage. The exam process was not as terrifying as he's an extremely good story-teller. However, my condition got worse and I was admitted the first time, as we were all getting more used to debating in public, but the subject matter to the Delek hospital where I was examined and put on intravenous penicillin for three was linguistically more complex. Nevertheless it went well enough. Then we started the days. Hospitals in India generally don't serve food to patients when they are admitted - final text of the first year: Tags-Rigs (Signs and Reasonings). This is quite a complex this is left up to family members and friends (and if you don't have family members or subject, and some of the definitions are several lines long and therefore difficult to friends there I don't know what happens to you). However, the Delek Hospital does serve memorise. However, it appealed to my love of logic, and I enjoyed making all kinds of food for a small fee, but the quality of it is apparently awful. So my best friend in my diagrams to represent the connections between the subject, predicate and reason of a class, a monk from Amdo named Ngawang Palden, insisted on cooking my meals and syllogism, and between classes of objects that appear in the arguments. As with the bringing them to the hospital everyday - a twenty minute walk down the mountain from Collected Topics, the subject-matter itself is profound and complex, but the presentation of the Dialectics Institute. I was so touched by his kindness, and by his delight in doing this it to first-year students is done in quite a straight-forward way - just learn the definitions for me - his only real reward being my improving health. This was typical of him. During and apply them. At a later stage one can investigate the deeper philosophical issues. all the time that he was at the Institute Ngawang Palden was genuinely like a brother to Dechen (Susan Rochard) me. Sadly he didn't stay more than three years, and I missed him sorely after that. End of Part 2 Lobsang Wangdu also did his share of cooking and delivering food, but it wasn't with the same depth of devotion and commitment that Ngawang Palden manifested, though in the long run he too was an excellent friend. The few days that I spent in the Delek Hospital proved to be quite educational for me. The family members of the patients often slept Sometimes we feel that one individual's action is very either in or under the patient's bed, and cooked meals for them on kerosene stoves either insignificant. Then we think, of course, that effects should come in or just outside the ward. At night we were visited by quite large and rather friendly cockroaches, that weren't at all shy of patients and would run all over them. Luckily I from channelling from a unifying movement. But the movement of don't have a particular aversion to cockroaches in the way that I do for spiders. If it had the society, community or group of people means joining been the latter I really don't know what I'd have done. The wards are small and the individuals. Society means a collection of individuals, so the concept of privacy seems not to apply to life in the Delek Hospital. During the day the initiative must come from individuals. Unless each individual doors of the ward were left open for people inside to have a view out, and for those develops a sense of responsibility, the whole community cannot outside to have a view in. There were no separate 'male' and 'female' wards either. But all of this was fine in the context and the atmosphere was very warm and cosy. move. So therefore it is very essential that we should not feel that individual effort is meaningless - you should not feel that way. We The Final Text of the First Year : Tags-Rigs should make an effort. When I returned home from hospital our class was already some way through the mental factors, so I missed part of that (though I had received detailed teachings on them His Holiness the Dalai Lama previously in England). Nevertheless, due to having missed those classes and the debates The Dalai Lama's Book of Love and Compassion that went with them, I have never to this very day memorised the names and definitions of the mental factors in Tibetan. This is one of the few subjects that I officially studied at Page 13 Lam Rim Mandala News from Our Friends in SOUTH AFRICA Greetings from sunny Durban where we are now Monastery was held on the 27th October, which seemed entering our summer months - the rains have come and GREETINGS FROM SUNNY DURBAN appropriate as Molly was born in Burma and often the plants are growing in abundance with the birds and related fond childhood memories of her time there. animals happy after the dry winter. Well, I guess that is about it for the time being and look Group Meetings many Tibetans grace our shores and we were really forward to keeping in touch with everyone. Our small Tibetan Buddhist group continues to meet impressed by their focus and dedication to do whatever was With love, Elizabeth each Saturday afternoon at the Taiwanese temple with necessary to make the Tibet-cause seen and heard. They our occasional visits to the Burmese Monastery in received good media coverage, and resolutions on Tibet Ashburton to receive Teachings from the resident were included in the final NGO draft to government. This Abbot, U Khemissara. We will be visiting them again was a great achievement for the Tibetan delegates. But not on the 9th December when some of 'the boys' are taking all was hard work, as many of you know, the Tibetans can the plunge to undertake a temporary ordination (for 9 also 'play' and spontaneously dance or sing with very little I would be true, days) when the head of the Myanmar Vihara in Burma, encouragement. This was easily triggered by one of their Chamnay Sayadaw arrives in South Africa for a short members, Tenzin Gonpo, an exceptionally talented musician for there are those who trust me, visit - we'll try not to laugh when they have all their trained at TIPA, but now living in France as a professional I would be pure hair cut off. musician and singer. We kept Tenzin busy performing at for there are those who care, Jabulani Self-Help Centre various schools in and around Durban and also at the I would be strong, Our KZN Buddhist Forum efforts at the Jabulani Self- University of Natal in Durban. He was a great success for there is much to suffer, Help Centre occupy particularly two members of our wherever he went and admired by many in his traditional Tibetan garb - the impact he had, especially on the children, I would be brave, group, Roy & Sandy McEwen, who have gallantly taken on a commitment of visiting the Centre each will stay with them for quite some time to come. for there is much to dare, Monday afternoon to help the children with homework Molly van Loon Passes Away I would be a friend of all, and extra tuition. Not being qualified teachers We should also mention the death of Molly van Loon - she the foe, the friendless, themselves, at first it was quite a challenge - besides died on 30th September, just a few months short of her 80th I would be giving having to go 'back-to-school', keeping the children birthday... Molly together with Louis, her husband in those and forget the gift quiet and stimulated was something they found difficult, years, played a significant role in establishing the but, being good Buddhists they have taken the right Vegetarian movement in South Africa in the 1960's and I would be humble, attitude and modestly say that it is 'Good practice for 70's, and with Louis co-founded the Buddhist Institute of for I know my weakness, us'. However, their efforts and dedication are really South Africa and the Buddhist Retreat Centre near Ixopo. I would look up, exemplary. We will be taking some food parcels across Her strong character and intuitive insights contributed and laugh and love and live to Jabulani at our next meeting in time for Christmas. greatly in helping the Dharma take root in South Africa and Arrival of a Tibetan Delegation in Durban we honour the creative role she played in those pioneering Anonymous A major event that occupied us was the arrival of a years. In more recent times, her Buddhist art collection Tibetan delegation of 16 people who attended the World became her main medium for communicating Buddhist Conference Against Racism in Durban from 27th principles to others. Services were held for Molly August – 9th September. It was really great to see so throughout South Africa and a service at the Burmese Page 14 Lam Rim Mandala Memorable Impressions head. The Je Tsong Khapa initiation was moving, and The trip to attend the teachings of Denma Locho A SOUTH AFRICAN VISITS sensing the warm energy of Rinpoche as he blessed me after the initiation, left me in no doubt that he is a very, Rinpoche has left a deep impression on me. Not only THE LAM RIM CENTRES very special person. have I gained insight into the essence of Guru Yoga, I by Linda Twells, Johannesburg have come to value the depth of Je Tsong Khapa's The Foundation of All Excellence skilful writings. I have been touched by the water, a sense of mindfulness crept in. Meditating on his I enjoyed the second series of teachings in Bristol based compassionate influence of Geshe-la and witnessed the couch in the morning and then enjoying the energetic on Je Tsong Khapa's 'The Foundation of All devotion in return of those who work closely with him wildlife through the glass windows brought back a sense of Excellence'. Emphasis on the paramitas was more to promote the Dharma. The loving, caring and childlike wonder. David is an insightful thinker acceptable to me. I sat right in front, under considerate attitude of all the Buddhists I met will and I had the opportunity to pick his brains about Rinpoche's nose and had a lovely view of remain with me for a long time. topics as vast as Ghandi, emptiness and ley lines! I had gained Geshe-la. There was frequent eye contact, The Sweet Air of Freedom especially when Rinpoche had something Denma Locho Rinpoche proved a very intuitive great respect for funny to say! I had learned a smattering of One of the first things I did, when I arrived in Bristol teacher and the interaction between Rinpoche and the Lam Rim Tibetan from the Asian Classics Institute was to go to the Downs by myself. I was staying with the translator made the teachings extremely vivid. message of courses I was doing, and to see Geshe-la Mike Austin who gave me a cell phone and house keys, I had volunteered to do the sound recordings and renunciation, giggle at Rinpoche's humour was very while he went back to the Bristol Centre. I felt like an at some stage in the teachings, as I sat down for bodhichitta and precious for me. This was the first time I had eight year old as I raced across the grassland, smelling the afternoon session, Rinpoche took a glance at clear view on taken Bodhisattva vows and in a very moving the sweet air of freedom, leaving all my worries behind. me. For a timeless moment, I was wrapped in a emptiness. and tearful ceremony, I saw most of the A lone squirrel and a flock of crows were there to warm blanket of blessings. I almost forgot to start monks wipe a tear off their cheeks. It was witness my ecstatic behaviour. Helping prepare for recording. followed by a very powerful initiation of the Rinpoche's visit the next day, proved to be a lot of fun Tibetan teachers are not frequent visitors to South Africa, so Medicine Buddha. Rinpoche looked like a Buddha and and I got the chance to meet the active members. They I relied heavily on the Internet to get information. My every time I recite the mantra now, his voice echoes in are such a cheerful bunch of people! difficulty accepting the elaborate images in tantra, and the my mind. Caroline McCookweir was generous enough to take me heavy emphasis on Guru yoga within the Gelugpa lineage, I stayed with Branwen Griffiths during the Bristol over to Wales, and she had to contend with a very was one of the reasons why I had decided to attend the teachings and made firm friends with her cat. With her verbal 'me', who kept on saying 'wow' at everything. I teachings. I had gained great respect for the Lam Rim encouragement, I did the Chenrezig puja in the morning have never seen such beauty, and the hedgerows had me message of renunciation, bodhichitta and clear view at the Centre. gaping in amazement. I was even more stunned seeing emptiness. The Prasangika angle on the nature reality was Ven Donden-la sitting together with John Allman and more interesting for me. After the Teachings Edita Kliesch (the most brilliant vegetarian cook in the I had rebelled against too much imagery as a Catholic and I stayed on after the teachings and helped move the world), at the kitchen table. I had not expected to see a became a Muslim instead. Before hearing His Holiness the shrine and all the other paraphernalia up a flight of steps. Tibetan monk in the kitchen! Dalai Lama's teachings in South Africa for the first time, I It was one of the most hilarious days of my life. Donden- I was soon watering plants, stopping to take in the view became a confirmed atheist. His Holiness' teachings were la and Mike were good enough to have a comedy show of of the countryside. When Rinpoche and his brother extremely profound and it was impossible to grasp why the their own. arrived together with Geshe-la, my heart missed a few Tibetans, with such an elaborate system of logic, would get Mike was kind enough to show me a little of a very beats at seeing Geshe-la looking so well! embroiled in vast images that seemed like unnecessary scenic Bristol and explain the history of the city. His I stayed with David Johnson, next door, in a house that I visualisations. practical, yet inspiring perspectives on Tibetan Buddhism can only describe as having a life of its own. Since we With the gentle explanations of John Allman, I stopped (Continued on page 16) all relied on the natural elements for electricity and kicking in my heels and let my emotions rule instead of my Page 15 Lam Rim Mandala (Continued from page 15) ORANGE MARMALADE grounded me, as this had been the first time that I had been to such intense teachings. Ingredients The Buddha said in the Dhammapada: I attended a lovely birthday party for Kathy Hayman. 3 lbs seville oranges She entertained us with her brilliant dancing. 2 lemons Even small non-meritorious acts Back in Wales I started winding down, just soaking up handful of coriander Can cause great ruin and trouble the beautiful atmosphere and tagging along with David 6 lbs sugar to the small towns in the area and just being near Geshe- Method In the world that lies beyond— la. As usual, Geshe-la had some wonderful advice for Scrub fruit, cut in half, squeeze out pips and keep Like poison that has entered the body. me. To be able to sit with him in his own surroundings separately in small pan with small handful of was such a blessing. I spent some time in Margaret's company and she gave me some sobering advice and coriander. Cook fruit in large pan until really soft with Even small meritorious acts some wonderful books on the practicalities of 4-5 pints water. Cut up as you prefer (thick chunks or meditation. Most of all I remember helping her pick up thin slices), if not soft cook more. Bring happiness to future lives, some pebbles to take back to South Africa. One Boil pips and coriander in some of the cooking water Accomplishing a great purpose afternoon Donden-la made me some Tibetan tea. By for 10 mins, then strain and add to large pan with all imagining it to be a creamy exotic soup, I was able to Like seeds becoming bounteous crops. fruit. Add more water if necessary and boil until really enjoy the taste - except for the heartburn that came soft. Take off heat, add sugar, stir gently till dissolved afterwards! ***************** then boil rapidly - full rolling boil for 20mins or until Just before returning to Bristol, David took me to see it will set. Cool a little, pot in warmed jars and seal. Tintern Abbey. The grandeur and magnitude of the Wise ones, do not befriend ruins speaks deeply to the sacredness we all carry within Edita us. It is one of David's favourite places and I can The faithless who are mean understand why it so special. And slanderous and cause schism. I had a very entertaining evening at Roy Francis' home whilst he picked my brains about Islam and fed Mike Don't take bad people as your TIBETAN SAYINGS and myself with original curry. Yummy! When you throw a handful of ash companions. On my way to Bath, I sprained my ankle and the sight- into space half the ash lands on seeing tour was not as vivid as I would have liked it to your head, the other half on other be. I actually remember more of the Dharma group people. Wise ones, be intimate meeting that evening at the Centre, as I have When you want to throw someone With the faithful who speak gently, implemented the same type of framework in South into the river, you too have to go half-way. Africa. The fact that Geshe-la is in Wales tells me that it When you want to kill some being then you become Are ethical and do much listening. is a very special place. I hope that one day I will return a natural criminal. Take the best as companions. to see him again in the setting that I can only describe as Meaning magical. My thanks go out to Mike, David, Branwen, When you make problems or harm other people, Kathy, Janie, Roy, Margaret, Edita and John for you get half problem yourself. Open Heart, Clear Mind. offering me accommodation, food, brilliant advice and Thubten Chodron warm company. See you soon! J Linda Twells Page 16 Lam Rim Mandala I can picture the scene quite clearly. It was late evening in the brief description of the lot he suggested an opening bid. kitchen at Lam Rim, not long before Tara Puja. Margaret walked THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR Now there was a person stood on a hill over looking the house, a in from outside waving the Monmouthshire Beacon and by David Johnson little removed from the rest of the crowd and he kept on bidding. exclaiming, We slowly left the early bidders behind in our wake. Whatever we "Bernard's house is going up for auction. Why don't you buy bid, he bid more - he probably has said the same of us! The it?" bidding kept on going up and up. You could hear the gasps, I was literally shaking in my "What do I want a house for; I'm quite happy with my room?" I replied, taken aback. shoes... eventually I had to decide whether to write on that piece of paper or not. I picked "You can run the Centre and do retreats," that came back quickly. a number and wrote it down. "Are you sure?!" asked David. "Mmmhhhh?" I thought. I nodded. For those who don't know, Bernard lived in the Canadian Pitch Pine house that was "I'll go up in smaller increments from now on," he replied. next door to Lam Rim. Bernard bred Collies with the intention of selling them on. He Our friend on the hill stopped soon after that, and cliché or not, I breathed a sigh of didn't seem to sell that many though. There were a number of dogs next door and in the relief … then, from an old man standing quietly behind throughout all these proceedings, field across the road. When Bernard was not around they started barking. Having not came another bid. The audience was enjoying this! known any different since I had moved to Lam Rim, I didn't really notice them - they The Property was Mine were background noise. It wasn't until I returned from India with Geshe-la in 1995 that I Thankfully though, our new friend soon stepped out and the property was mine - but what realized just how much noise they had made. next? At the end of 1994 Geshe-la and I left for India, to be followed two weeks later by Now that I owned the property, what should I do with it? The existing house needed Margaret, Edita and Paul Kirby. In those two weeks Bernard had died of cancer. He had some work done on it, but could have been lived in. However, I didn't feel as though I made no will. It was because there was no will that the house sat empty for a number of wanted to live in that house, and then my long held environmental interests started to kick months before the announcement of the auction. into action. No Plans to Move A High Ecological Standard I didn't want a house, but the more that I thought of the noise that the dogs had made, Architect Andrew Yeats was working on the conversion of the Coach House at Lam the more I thought of trying for the house. I had no plans to move from the area. Rim. Andrew is a Buddhist and an ecological architect. To me it felt that given the What if we ended up with noisy neighbours? I would never live with myself. I went resources that I had at hand, if I was to build from new, to build anything other than to see Geshe-la to seek his thoughts. Also to point out that the buying of the house an ecologically designed house would be very wrong. I approached Andrew to see if would delay the departure for Tibet; it was that year. I mulled it over. What to do? he would be interested in working on such a project, giving him the initial very open The Auction specification, I finally decided to try the auction. The house and land were valued at £40,000, "But," I 1. To design a house which, if I need to sell it, a family could live in. was warned, "you have a glorified building plot here, and at auction it could go for 2. To design a house which Lam Rim could use if necessary. anything." ...and it did! 3. To design the house to a high ecological standard. Having had no experience myself of auctions, I asked my solicitor, David Curwen, to 4. To make the house look like a beautiful house. From my experience; ecological represent me. The auction took place on site. That morning had seen the auction of houses have tended to look rather unconventional. I felt that by designing a Bernard's odds 'n' ends which had littered the field across the road and around the house. beautiful house it would help people to see that one can build environmentally, That had attracted quite a crowd, and a good number of them waited around for the while still having a beautiful place to live in. auction of the house that afternoon, just to see what would happen. I have Andrew to thank for the final design that you can see today. I gave him a Now the agreement with my solicitor was as follows. I had written to him giving him couple more pointers, but as a house had not been in my game plan, I had no image as to my limit of how much I was prepared to pay for the property. If the auction reached that what I wanted. limit, I had to write down on a piece of paper how much further I would allow him to go. It took a year from that auction before we had planning permission. Not that there I stood beside David feeling quietly confident. The auctioneer placed a wooden box on were problems with planning, there weren't. I was away at times with Geshe-la, and we the ground outside the front door, stepped up onto it, a boater on his head, and after a (Continued on page 18) Page 17 Lam Rim Mandala (Continued from page 17) house sitting under the oak. Since then though, it has been pointed out changed ideas for the design of the house. An advantage of this was to be able to get to to me that I do indeed live under oak with the oak beams in the house. know the land; the direction of the prevailing wind; where the sun rose and set; how trees An unplanned project, but for those who have seen Tandderwen, I am in leaf affected the shadow over the land. All these were important factors in deciding the sure that they will agree that I have been very fortunate. I have been positioning of the energy producing technology. given a beautiful and peaceful place in which to live. Over the last two Where the Ley Lines Converged and a half years people have found out and visited the house, and it has been heartening to see them leave feeling inspired by the ecological architecture. Thank you to all those At Andrew's suggestion a geomantic survey of the site was commissioned. A number of involved for making it possible. May this sort of technology, and the attitudes which go features were found around the site and at Lam Rim, but probably the most interesting with it become more widespread for the sake of our planet and those that live on it. was a point on my land where ley lines were found to converge from all over the country; David the point looked like a bicycle wheel. One line came from the Sugar Loaf, went through the point and then on eastwards. As the design for the house evolved, the front door was lined up on this ley line. GREEN TOMATO CHUTNEY PUDDHA ... Finally, in July/August 1997 the old house was taken down, plank by plank. The the Enlightened cat nails were knocked out and all good wood and a chimney pot were stacked up in the Ingredients garden ready for the building of the new house. Four of the old doors were stored in the 4lbs green tomatoes garage at Lam Rim, unfortunately the others had been stolen just after the auction. llbs green apples Recycled Materials Used 1 lb shallots 1 lb stoned raisins The new house was started on site in October 1997 and took ten months. During that time 1 oz root ginger the contractors worked through a terrible winter. The soil around my house is clay, and 6 chillies the wind and rain, along with workmen walking around soon turned the land into a 1 lb brown sugar quagmire. However they were a good team and to see the plans on paper slowly 1 pint spiced vinegar or see* materializing into a house was a joy. Recycled materials from the old house were used 2 oz mixed pickling spice* where possible and also searched for from further afield. Otherwise we tried as much as *or 1/2 oz black * Mix all well and add to 2 possible to source materials locally. Recycled newspaper was blown into the wall, floor Pints of malt vinegar and peppercorns and ceiling cavities to insulate the house. I remember Margaret commenting on how quiet 1/4 oz coarse salt. If ready 1/2 oz allspice the construction was; only the banging-in of nails, no other machines were used. 1/2 oz coriander mixed pickling spices are In August 1998 the contractors moved out and on the same day a group of us moved used, add any of the missing seeds into an empty house. Andrew was organizing a pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash for Ajahn ingredients. Boil spices and 1/4 oz mustard salt in vinegar for 3-4 mins, Sumedho of the Forest Sangha, and the lay people of the group (Andrew had invited me seeds then strain and use hot or along) met up for the weekend at the new house. While we sat on the platform half way 1/4 oz blade mace cold as needed. up the stairs having a shared evening meal, everyone else getting to know each other, I sat 3-4 chillies looking at this new creation wondering at it ... just how it had come to be? Method for Chutney I go through summers now just living off the energy generated by the wind and sun, and Bruise ginger and chillies and tie in muslin. use little mains electricity during the winter. When it rains, the water falling down the copper Peel and cut up apples and shallots; slice drain pipes to the collector tank under the house, (it is not connected to mains water) can tomatoes, chop raisins. Place all ingredients in sound like a bubbling brook. Sun permitting, the house and water are both heated with no pan. Bring to boil then simmer gently until all other energy input. The weather, unconsciously, has now taken on a new significance for me. vegetables are cooked and the chutney is the Tandderwen : Under the Oak consistency of jam. Remove the bag of spices. PURRS FOR THOUGHT ... Bottle chutney in warmed jars. Cover with I named the house Tandderwen which is Welsh for "under the oak." My reason for this metal covers lined with plastic or wax paper. Celebrate the wonder of all was the large oak tree which stands by the gate of the footpath leading to the house - the Edita creatures, great or small Page 18 Lam Rim Mandala LAM RIM BUDDHIST CENTRE Religious Studies Field Work Day with Year 7, Wednesday 28th June 2000 Last July, a group of Junior pupils (year 7) from Coedcae Comprehensive VENERABLE RIZONG RINPOCHE School in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, spent a full day at Lam Rim Buddhist Centre. The day's activities included research tasks, art work, walking the VISIT TO LAM RIM MARCH 2002 centre's meditation path, interviewing members of the community, visiting the Eco House, as well as having fun. Our thanks go to Pam Evans, Head of Religious Studies and her The Venerable Rizong Rinpoche is one of the most highly staff for such a wonderful experience. respected lamas alive today. Born in Ladakh, as an infant he David was recognised and enthroned as the reincarnation of the Rizong Tulku and since that time has dedicated his life to the Interview with David study and practice of the path to enlightenment. He joined Q1) How long have you been a Buddhist? Drepung Loseling Monastery, in Lhasa, in the mid 1940's Al) I became interested in Buddhism in 1989. where he remained until the Chinese take-over of Tibet in Q2) Why did you become a Buddhist? 1959. After completing his geshe degree in Drepung A2) I was travelling in what used to he East Tibet, now a Chinese province. While there Loseling and his tantric studies in Gyume Tantric College, he visited a Tibetan monastery and it felt very familiar. My interest grew from there. Q3) How long have you been a member of Lam Rim? served first as the Abbot of Gyume and then Drepung A4) I first visited the Bristol Lam Rim Centre in September 1990. 1 joined the Loseling Monastery in India. At present he holds the post of community at the Centre here in Wales in December 1991. Jangtsey Chojey Rinpoche. This is one of the three highest Q4) What do you do here at Lam Rim? posts in the Gelugpa school representing Gyeltsap-Je - one of A4) This and that. Help Edita in the kitchen. Cut the grass. Use my computer skills the two spiritual sons of Je Tsong Khapa. Je Tsong Khapa where necessary. Lead chanting. Meet schools when they visit the Centre. was the founder of the Gelugpa tradition and compiled the Q5) Do you have any other job? A5) No. Lam Rim Chen Mo - The Graduated Path to Liberation as Q6) What is you Eco house like? May we see the main features of the house? practised at the Lam Rim Centres. A6) I feel very fortunate to own the house and like it very much. The house uses the wind and sun to heat the water. I am not connected to mains water, but collect water off In Tibetan spiritual circles Rinpoche is regarded as a modern the roof. This goes through a small purification system. Many materials used in this day Milarepa, having lived a life of simplicity and meditation house were recycled from the previous wooden house which was on this site. since his youth. In the summer of 1995 he completed his Q7) Have you travelled anywhere with Geshe-la? third three year retreat, this time in a remote cave in Ladakh A7) Yes. I have been fortunate to have travelled with Geshe-la to South Africa, India, Nepal and Tibet. that is so remote that it is snowed in for six months a year. Q8) Where is the most interesting place you have visited with him? What was it like? A8) All of the places have been special in their own way, but for me probably the most The Lam Rim Centres are honoured to host a visit by interesting was Tibet. It is a beautiful country, and although sad for what the Rinpoche. He first visited Lam Rim in 1990, followed by a Chinese have done since they have invaded Tibet, the Tibetan people are a strong further visit in 1997. Geshe-la studied with Rinpoche. and happy people. We were able to visit and stay with Geshe-la's family. We stayed at Drepung Monastery, the monastery that Geshe-la is from, and also went on pilgrimage to other holy sites in Central Tibet. Page 19 Lam Rim Mandala Ratnasambhava (South -yellow) Afterwards we went for a short walk in the garden, Notes on Amoghasiddhi (North - green) where we saw a large buddha rupa, the tall Victory Progress at Lam Rim This emanation is never sequential, all of them manifest at banner and lots of prayer flags. We discovered that a once without any order of first and last. new banner and flags are put up on every Tibetan New I came to a standstill when H.E Dema Locho Rinpoche We planted 13 rhododendrons and 3 camellias in a typical arrived - we had achieved so much with your help and Year. We had time to complete some work before Firouzeh flourish. Many thanks for all your help and energy. having lunch. kindness. We had the support of ongoing help during Jayne England is our new resident sharing responsibilities the last 10 days to D-Day and the centre looked After lunch we walked the Kora Path. I counted that it for housekeeping with Edita. took me 568 walking steps to complete the walk. I also beautiful. Denma Locho Rinpoche was extremely happy Margaret at our developments and the energy of Lam Rim counted that there were two Buddha statues, eight Centres. Mani Stones and thirty eight steps to climb along the path. The Kora path was our first experiment with The Buddha House MY VISIT TO LAM RIM BUDDHIST CENTRE walking meditation. Before that we had tried sitting Once again Uncle G and his team came to our rescue meditation in class with Ms. Evans. with his adapting of the Buddha House so that the roof By Paul Rouselle (Year 7 Coedcae School Llanelli) Afterwards we went to the shop and I bought a appears to be suspended above Buddha's head. Urgyen Buddhist bag, a Crystal and two cards. Last of all we Choephel came and painted the lotus seat and all was During the summer term our teacher told us we were met Geshe-la the monk at Lam Rim. This was the best completed in time for the visit. going to visit Lam Rim Tibetan Buddhist Centre in thing of all. We knew that Geshe-la had been ill in The Purple Bathroom Raglan and spend a day doing field-work research. We hospital so we were very surprised to see him. A The Purple Bath was duly despatched behind the had been learning about Buddhism and watching the sound like a gong was heard and Geshe-la walked into railway carriage for later resurrection and the room was "Little Buddha" video in our R.St. lessons with Ms. Pam the room. We all put our hands together and bowed in stripped and decorated by Paul the painter. A new gold Evans, so a day at a real Buddhist Centre was something respect. Then we sat down and Geshe-la took us for a carpet was laid in the ladies dormitory giving a warm we all looked forward to. 5 minute sitting meditation. Afterwards, Geshe-la relaxing ambience - there is a new sink in the dressing As soon as we were registered, we set off answered our questions and laughed a lot. The whole unit too - such luxury! Ruth and David Morris very by bus on our journey to the centre. It took experience was wonderful. kindly donated a pine desk to complete the newly us about one and a half hours to get there transformed Purple Bathroom - we need another name from our school in Llanelli. When we for it, any suggestions? MARROW CHUTNEY arrived at the centre it was smaller than I thought it would be. We had to take our Ingredients We would also like to thank Ann Baker for her delightful red silk wall-hanging depicting a peacock in shoes off when we entered the porch at 3lbs marrow 1.5 lbs Shallots. golden embroidery. It is now hanging at the top of the Lam Rim. We could all smell Tibetan incense burning. 1.75 lbs sugar 1 large apple stairs. First we met Margaret, the Co-ordinator. She led us into 1.5 pints vinegar. 2 desert spoons flour the big meeting room and talked to us about the centre 1 desert spoon turmeric 1 teaspoon mustard powder The Buddha Grove for a while. Then we were handed worksheets by our Method The Five Dhyani Buddhas are variously identified with teacher. David, who is a member of Lam Rim, led us into the five cosmic elements, five senses, five cardinal Cut marrow into cubes. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons the Shrine Room. This was very beautiful and full of points, and five virtues. colours. He explained the meaning of everything in the of salt and allow to stand overnight. Drain, then add The five Dhyani Buddhas are: Shrine Room and told us teat His Holiness the Dalai vinegar and sugar. Mix in flour, turmeric and Vairochana (East - white) Lama, the holder of the White Lotus, had sat in there. mustard powder mixed with a little vinegar. Boil for Akshobhya (Centre - blue) approximately 10 minutes until set. David chanted for us in Tibetan. Amitabha (West - red) Edita Page 20 Lam Rim Mandala Short Stories, Poems and Sayings L Ann Baker's Favourite Poem THE SAMURAI TIBETAN SAYING ook well to this day NEVER GIVE UP Parrot says: for it is life Never give up A big, tough Samurai once went to see Not doing non-virtue The very best of life No matter what is going on a little monk. "Monk," he said, in a whilst eating worms Never give up voice accustomed to instant obedience, in its brief course lie all "teach me about heaven and hell!" Develop the heart Meaning the realities and truths of existence Too much energy in your The monk looked up at this mighty Mouth says sweet thing, mind country warrior and replied with utter disdain, The joy of growth. thinks nasty thing "Teach you about heaven and hell? I The splendour of action. is spent developing the mind couldn't teach you about anything. Parrot doesn't understand instead of the heart You're dirty. You smell. Your blade is meaning of words The glory of power. Develop the heart rusty. You're a disgrace, an F or yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is only a vision Be compassionate not just to your friends but to everyone embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can't stand you." The samurai was furious. He Be compassionate shook, got all red in the face, was THE BRASS MIRROR but today if well-lived, makes Work for peace speechless with rage. He pulled out his sword and raised it above him, One day Mulla Nasrudin got word every yesterday a memory of in your heart and in the world preparing to slay the monk. that he had received a special Work for peace happiness "That's hell," said the monk softly. message from the and I say again and every tomorrow a vision of hope The samurai was overwhelmed. Sheik in Basra. When Never give up The compassion and surrender of this he went to pick it up look well therefore to this day. No matter what is happening little man who had offered his life to they told him he must Ancient Sanskrit Poem No matter what is going on give teaching to show him hell! He first identify himself. around you slowly put down his sword, filled with Nasrudin fished in his trousers and Never give up. gratitude, and suddenly peaceful. took out a brass mirror. Looking Fear is a natural reaction to "And that's heaven," said the monk into it he exclaimed, "Yup, that's moving closer to the truth His Holiness the Dalai Lama softly. me all right." Pema Chodron Zen Sufi Page 21 Lam Rim Mandala LAM RIM BUDDHIST CENTRE Spiritual Director and Resident Teacher Penrhos, Raglan, The Venerable Geshe Damcho Yonten USK, Monmouthshire, NP15 2LE. ( 01600 780383 email: email@example.com Registered Charity No 326675 Page 22
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