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December 14, 2007 Vol. 2, Issue 50 |
Mandarava was undaunted--at first. Her guru, Padmasambhava, was departing for retreat at the remote Maratika Cave, and she was determined to accompany him and accomplish retreat as well.
Even today, the Maratika Cave in modern Nepal is difficult to reach. When Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, KPC Spiritual Director, visited in 1996, the options were a four-day trek from the nearest  town, or transport by helicopter. In the eighth century, when Mandarava encountered her guru, conditions were apparently even grimmer.
By the time of this story, Mandarava had already proved her faith, devotion, and courage. She had prevailed against her father, the King of Zahor, refusing a marriage that would seal an alliance with a neighboring kingdom. She had prevailed in her insistence on devoting her life to Dharma. And she had prevailed over the king's violent persecution when he discovered her male guru teaching in the place where the king had shut the princess in among 500 nuns.
It had all turned out well. The king had shown his remorse, he had committed himself to the Dharma, and the whole kingdom was converted.
But a new challenge arose for Mandarava when Padmasambhava announced his imminent departure. Amid the supplications of the entire kingdom that Guru Rinpoche stay and teach them, she alone resolved to accompany him. ("Guru Rinpoche" is the title accorded to Padmasambhava by the Nyingma School of Vajrayana Buddhism, to which KPC belongs.)
According to The Lives and Liberation of Princess Mandarava, a treasure revealed by  Samten Lingpa in the 19 th century and translated into English just ten years ago, Mandarava said, "I have unceasing great faith, pure view, and fervent devotion. I request you to bring me with you on this journey. Even if I must eat earth and stones, I will!"
Taking her at her word, Padmasambhava left her to a great test of her resolve. He instructed her, "Until we meet again, no matter how frightened you may become, maintain the courageous dignity of pure perception." Then he rose into the air (for he had accomplished many such siddhis--unusual powers--already through his meditation practice), and proceeded out of sight.
The next day, Mandarava followed, as the story says, "without the slightest attachment to the king, her relatives, attendants, wealth, or endowments." As instructed by her guru, she traveled a line straight east from the place of his departure the day before.
Valley after valley, country after country, she continued straight forward, until she found herself in a predicament. According to the story, "For three long days, she remained trapped in a craggy ravine without food, drink, or shelter. She was famished and chilled to the bone." Finally, she managed to drag herself over the peak and out of the ravine--only to encounter an even more ruggedly formidable valley on the other side.
"Then," according to the story, "she lost heart and, in a state of disturbed sorrow, went into the depth of her soul, where her spontaneous, fervent devotion remained unaffected." She cried out to her guru: "Without you my mind is unstable and weak!"
Now Mandarava was daunted! She showed the state to which she had come by a series of complaints. "First, I am alone in this country, without a single companion. Second, it resembles a haunted charnel ground. Third, there is the constant eerie din of jungle creatures. It seems that I have arrived in the city of the lord of death! Be quick to look upon me now in your compassionate mercy! Hold me in your heart, O perfect Lord of Dharma!"
 Mandarava finally collapsed in tears, and, at that point, the story says, "Through his omniscience, the Lotus Guru knew of her duress, and went to her." He asked her, "What has become of your fearless pledge of courage now that you are confronted by such a malevolent and unruly land?"
Guru Rinpoche went on to point out that, "A frightful environment such as this is the catalyst for a practitioner's true practice to emerge. . . . A frightening, uncomfortable place is the knife that severs discursive thought."
He agreed that her experience resembled the bardo, the state between lives. "The sound of the jungle is the introduction to the bardo." But, as he also instructed her, "Sadness and elation, truth and deception--these are nonexistent. The true practice of guru devotion is the cultivation of undiminishing fervent faithfulness. This is the resting ground where relief from the bardo is sought."
As her guru described the situation that awaits most people in the bardo, according to the story, "Instantly, Mandarava's negativities and obscurations were purified. All the noble qualities that develop on the path arose in her mind."
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| Jetsunma's Retreat |
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Jetsunma Makes Plans for Returning Home to Maryland
 At KPC, we are looking forward to welcoming our teacher home from her own mountain retreat! Jetsunma will leave Dakini Valley in Arizona within a couple of days and begin the trip back to Poolesville. In fact, several of her students have already flown out to Arizona to help with the driving on the return trip. (Mandarava may have traveled alone, but Jetsunma keeps the dozen or so dogs she has rescued under her care at all times!)
We cannot comprehend how fruitful the retreat of a Wisdom Dakini might be--for all sentient beings. We can take note of the outward signs, the rainbows (indeed, the drought-ending rain!) and think it must have been extraordinary.
But all we really know is that, in an unusual display last week on Dakini Day, Jetsunma invited her students to participate with her in tsog, and that she donned her ceremonial crown and dagam (bestowed on her when she was enthroned in 1988, and worn otherwise on only two other occasions). We know that she led the students fortunate enough to get out to Dakini Valley in the very practice that Guru Rinpoche and Mandarava accomplished in the Maratika Cave. We know that she has said  she was moved by other students' requests to receive the same blessing, and that she would honor those requests.
Besides these events, we know that she gave Refuge to several (very lucky!) new students and composed new teachings in the form of songs with the band, Blinded by View. These are just the events we can see with our ordinary eyes! Who knows what else, on what level, may have occurred for the benefit of the world?
You Can Support Jetsunma's Retreats
Jetsunma has said she intends to move back and forth between periods of creativity and periods of retreat. To enable her activity wherever she sees the need, we have found a recreational vehicle in which she can travel comfortably with her dogs. Jetsunma loved it!
This vehicle is about to bring Jetsunma back to her Maryland residence, and we're still looking forward to being able to finish our payments. It will take another $23,000.
We are more fortunate than we can imagine in having an opportunity to support Jetsunma's retreat. (Imagine having the opportunity to provide for Mandarava on that historic occasion!) Making a donation in any amount strengthens the spiritual connection with the teacher by an exchange of energy, and one is actually able to benefit from the blessings of the retreat in this way.
 If you are moved to contribute, please click here. And thank you! Many Mandala Messenger readers have already done just that!
Or, if you wish to pursue other methods of donation, contact Editor: kpc@tara.org. You may also call the KPC office in Maryland: 301-349-0440. Please leave a message, and someone will be glad to call you back.
May all beings benefit from your generosity, and from the generosity of the teachers who return, lifetime after lifetime, for our sake! |
| Tara's Babies |
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 Adoption Days in Maryland and Arizona Save Lives!
The adoption days are working! In Arizona, Tara's Babies had a successful adoption day last Saturday, December 8, at Sedona Pet Supply. Kiki, one of the rescues from Taiwan, was adopted by a couple with a nice home, big yard, and gourmet dog meals. Two families want to adopt Hildee, who is in a foster home in Sedona in the meantime.
In Maryland, Saturday's dog adoption day at Petco in Germantown was successful too. Spunky Bobbi Sue was a big hit, with two families interested in adopting her. She came to us completely untrained but happy to learn. (Now, if she could just contain her exuberance for a moment to pay attention!) Five-month old Sandy was at her best too, a great subject for "guess the breed." She is in a foster home now, still awaiting her forever home.
Two new arrivals in Maryland this week--Jack the Jack Russell Terrier mix, and Samantha, a small rat terrier mix. Jack has happily joined his new family already, and Samantha will be a star at this Saturday's Petco adoption day (December 15). Two more dogs, Red and Wolfie, will be coming here soon from Missouri.
 Would you consider fostering a dog in your home for a short time while we find a permanent home? Foster homes are vital for allowing dogs time to get acclimated to the home environment before adoption--and they allow us to take in more dogs, and save more lives! If you would like to foster a dog, please go to our website to get a form. To contact us about fostering in the meantime, please call 866-574-9655. You can also help by getting the word out about the adoption days to your friends and coworkers.
We also need volunteers to help feed and walk the dogs; the more exercise and attention these dogs get, the better. Great for the dogs and good exercise for you too!
Volunteers in Arizona and Maryland are invited to join in the adoption day fun: we need two to four people on-site to manage the dogs and talk to people. A lot of people stop by to learn about Tara's Babies Animal Welfare efforts and the stories of these rescued dogs. Those who can't take in a dog right now are often happy to contribute money to the cause.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ani Alyce Louise (Arizona) or Ani Alexandra Palmo (Maryland) at tarasbabies@earthlink.net. You can also make a contribution online at Tara's Babies to help with the cost of transporting, feeding, and providing veterinary care for the dogs.
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| Sunday Schedule for Poolesville KPC-MD |
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 Schedule for Sunday, December 16
10:00 a.m. Meditation Class
Teens' Class
10:30 a.m. Meditation Practice
11:30 a.m. Instruction and Practice:
Chenrezig
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Children's Class
2:00 p.m. Teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon
Lhamo
4:00 p.m. Shower of Blessings Tsog
New! Streaming Video!
To participate in the 2 p.m. class from wherever you are, go to tara.org and click on "Upcoming Events." You can then click on a link to the webcast.
As always, if you would like to listen to the 2 p.m. teaching by phone, you can dial 1-712-432-2000 and press 82721 followed by the # sign. Make sure to call in just before 2 p.m. East Coast time.
It is considered auspicious to make an offering at the time of receiving teachings. If you are hearing the teaching from a distance, we invite you to go to the tara.org donations page and mark your on-line donation as "Sunday Teaching." May this teaching lead to your swift enlightenment!
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| Open Mind/Open Mic KPC-MD |
Join Us for Open Mind/Open Mic in a New Location!
 Originally housed in the studio at KPC, Open Mind//Open Mic has moved! The cold chill of winter--and the lack of heating and insulation in the as-yet-unfinished studio--has driven our resident art scene to a Brazilian coffee house in Germantown. Thanks to the kindness of Carminha Simmons of Aqui Brazilian Coffee, Open Mind//Open Mic now has a warm home where attendees may enjoy Brazilian coffee and treats. You will find us there every Wednesday, holding back the darkness with the gift of gab!
If you would like to voice your view, share your songs, or read your rhymes, please join us! Open Mind//Open Mic will be held every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Aqui Brazilian Coffee in the Germantown Square Shopping Center, 12615-E Wisteria Drive, Germantown, Maryland, 20874. For more information, please contact Atira: kpc@tara.org. |
| Spiritual Programs KPC-MD |
 The Dharma: It's Immeasurable!
Class on the Four Immeasurables
Thursday, December 20, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Suggested donation: $10
We can think of the Four Immeasurables--loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity--as if they are flowers that we wish to cultivate and our mind as the ground that we wish to prepare to plant them in. This series of classes explains the nature of these beautiful blooms, helps us to identify "the weeds and the rocks" that inhibit the garden's growth, and provides us with some tools for keeping the soil at its fertile best.
In truth, there is nothing more beautiful than the aspiration for the welfare of all sentient beings, nor anything more satisfying than the activity to accomplish it!
Teen Program Ngondro Class: Mandala
Sunday, December 30, 10 a.m.
Ngondro practitioners, take note: Ani Samten will be giving instruction on Mandala Practice to the teens on Sunday, December 30, at 10 a.m., and all Ngondro practitioners are welcome. (Practitioners must bring their Ngondro books and mandala sets: no extras are available.) If any new practitioners need the saffron rice and cloth to practice on, please notify Samten by email at least one week prior to class: anisamten @yahoo.com.
 As the instruction for building a mandala is complicated, it is important that everyone arrive on time. The class will begin promptly at 10 a.m.!
Suggested Reading: Words of My Perfect Teacher, by Paltrul Rinpoche, chapter on "Mandala Offering."
For the months of January and February, Mandala Practice is scheduled for every other Sunday: January 13 and 27; February 10 and 24.
The regular teen class meets on alternating Sundays. The next class will be Sunday, December 23, on the topic "The Eightfold Path." |
| Weekly Schedule for Sedona KPC-AZ |
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 Saturday, December 15
4:00 p.m. Amitabha and Chenrezig Practice at the
Sunday, December 16
10:30 a.m. Stabilizing the Mind Meditation Class
Children's Dharma Class
Noon Teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
1:00 p.m. Teen Dharma Class
2:00 p.m. Talk: "Tap into the Incredible Spiritual Power of the
Stupa" 3:00 p.m. Shower of Blessings Tsog at the
Amitabha Stupa and (simultaneously) at the
Prayer Center
To call in for the Teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, dial 1-712-432-2000 and press 82721 followed by the # sign. It is considered auspicious to make an offering at the time of receiving teaching. Please go to tara.org and note in the memo space "Sunday Teaching."
Wednesdays: 4 p.m. Amitabha and Chenrezig practice at the Amitabha Stupa
7 p.m. Dharma Discussion Group at Sedona Prayer Center
Thursdays: 7 p.m. Dharma Class in Flagstaff (400 W. Aspen)
The Amitabha Stupa is located at the corner of Andante and Pueblo and open from dawn to dusk. Visit Google Maps for directions.
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| KPC Monk's Speaking Tour KPC-Aus |
From Camels to Kangaroos: Konchog Norbu Journeys to Australia
KPC's resident Monk in Mongolia and Director of the Mongolian Buddhism Revival Project, Konchog Norbu, is leaving behind the bone-shattering cold of the Mongolian winter and migrating to summer in Australia. (No, it's not about sun and surf! But we do expect the bird-watching monk to bring along his binoculars.)
Konchog is a senior student of Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, under whose direction he is helping to restore the Nyingma School of Vajrayana Buddhism in Mongolia, where it once flourished. On his Australian tour, he'll be speaking about the MBRP, giving Dharma teachings, and connecting with anyone who is interested. That includes Australian readers of the Mandala Messenger, Konchog's blog, Dreaming of Danzan Ravjaa, or anyone wanting to know more about Jetsunma or the Palyul lineage. Here are the dates:
Brisbane: January 5 - 13
Sunshine Coast: January 14 - 20
Brisbane: January 21 - 28
Canberra: January 29 - February 1
Sydney: February 2 - 8
Melbourne: February 9 - 25
Brisbane: February 26 - March 3
 We will provide more details about the public talks next week. KPC staff in Australia would particularly like to hear from from anyone who can help with Konchog's visit to Sydney--or who would simply like to make contact with Konchog while he is there.
For more information contact Ani Tenzin Wangmo at kpcinaus@gmail.com.
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| Mani Jewel Online |
 Gifts for the Dharma Students on Your List: Recommendations from KPC Students
Stabilizing the Mind, by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo
"This is the book I wish I'd had when I first tried to meditate! Jetsunma's teachings on this meditation practice really resonated with me."
Dangerous Friend, by Rig Dzin Dorje
"I began realizing as I read this book, that our feelings of awkwardness and ignorance in the face of our teacher ARE the blessing. Not because the lama wants us to feel strange or confused, but because when we face truth incarnate, we realize the notions we have of ourselves are the strangers and the confusion."
"It's all more complex than I'd realized. This book helped me make sense out of so many things that, as a practitioner, I'd heard about but never understood."
For more gift ideas--books, Dharma gear, apparel--click here. |
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