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January 11, 2008 Vol. 3, Issue 2
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It's January, and, in the northern hemisphere, cloudy, stormy, foggy--whole days go by when we forget what the sun looks like. Of course, anyone older than six knows the sun is still there, shining behind the clouds, despite whatever obscurations the weather may put in its way.
Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo, KPC Spiritual Director, uses this traditional Buddhist analogy for the Bodhichitta, the "Great Compassion," in a teaching about developing what the Dalai Lama has called "The Good Heart."
Jetsunma reminds us that the Bodhichitta is sometimes compared to the sun's rays, which display the sun's energy. In the same way, the Great Compassion is said to be the display of the primordial wisdom nature, the ground of being, and, she says, "The nature simply IS. There is never a time when the nature turns off. There is never a time when it reasserts itself."
 And the clouds? Just as the sun's rays are often obscured by clouds, so the Bodhichitta, the display of our very nature, is obscured by our clinging to the idea of self. Once the self is defined as different from other, that concept gives rise to reaction: hope and fear. Jetsunma points out, "We have to react; because we have to determine self and define self by thinking, 'How does self feel about other?'"
So we mistakenly think about compassion as something we HAVE. Jetsunma observes, "The way that Westerners talk about compassion is to think that compassion is a trait, like a character trait that one must establish or build up as though it were not there already."
When we don't feel compassionate, she says, "You wonder, 'Baby, baby, where did my love go?'" But in truth, she says, "Where's it going to go?"
 Compassion is not a quality to be developed, like good muscle tone; it's not a characteristic, like brown eyes. It is what we ARE. "So it would be as stupid to look in the mirror and say, 'Am I still human?' as it would be to try and determine if you've lost your Bodhichitta." The problem is with our awareness, and developing awareness of the true nature is the goal of Buddhist practice.
And, because we are in fact not separate from others, Jetsunma says, "We are practicing in order to accomplish supreme realization so that we ourselves can return . . . throughout time, to benefit sentient beings, to lead them away from suffering."
She ends by telling us, "So our job now is to begin to practice in the way the Buddha has suggested, awakening, slowly, slowly over time, gathering merit, increasing our generosity and our concentration and our capacity through practice, clarifying our minds and liberating some kind of capacity for true perception of that ground of being that is our nature.
"As that begins to occur, then, naturally, the Bodhichitta is revealed."
 For a video presentation of this teaching, click here.
For a free download of a teaching on the same theme, click here. |
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| It's for the Birds! |
Feed the Birds: It's More Than Tuppence a Bag Now!
 KPC is for the birds--especially, at this time of year, the feeding of wild birds. Why do that? In keeping with the Buddhist teachings about the equality of all that lives, Jetsunma has encouraged her students to take on this practice. It's a way to learn to notice other beings and take care of them. To overcome self-cherishing. To create the causes for purifying the karma of poverty and hunger, for all beings who are in need.
We keep the bird feeders full at the Maryland temple, at the Dakini Valley retreat center in central Arizona, and at the Amitabha Stupa in Sedona (where we have also installed freeze-proof fountains and water bowls). The cost mounts up--for seeds, nuts, and suet cakes--but then, it's not ordinary activity! If you'd like to help feed the birds, please click here and mark the memo box "Feed wild birds."
 Garuda Aviary Fun-Raiser
Saturday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: Singles $20, Couples $35,
Children $5, Ordained $10
The activity in recognition of the equality of all beings extends to domestic birds as well. The Garuda Aviary provides shelter for rescued exotic birds--for the rest of their lives. These birds were formerly abandoned, neglected, or abused, situations that made these highly intelligent animals highly neurotic.
We have committed to supporting these birds, and, well, we try to put some fun in the fund raising! It's quickly become a tradition at KPC: once a month, the sangha gathers for dinner for the benefit of the Garuda Aviary.You come too! We'll throw in a movie for free! (This month features an Italian Dinner and the hilarious movie Ratatouille.)
If you can't make it, and still would like to support the Garuda Aviary, click here.
 National Bird Day
Despite a day of rain and cold, uncharacteristic for Sedona, Arizona, monks and nuns of KPC gathered at the Institute for EcoTourism to celebrate National Bird Day on Saturday, January 5. They were there to perform the ceremony of the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig, which they conducted with a hardy group of about 20 people who braved the elements and chanted along with the mantra, Om Mani Padme Hung.
The ceremony was conducted under a pavilion next to Mia's Place, the wildlife refuge dedicated just last year. Tara's Babies Animal Welfare displayed information and materials all morning for visitors to the event, and KPC members made a presentation about the Amitabha Stupa followed the blessing ceremony, inviting the guests to make use of its spiritual power--for the benefit of all beings, of course!
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| Sunday Schedule for Poolesville KPC-MD |
 Schedule for Sunday, January 13
Note Schedule Change
10:00 a.m. Teens' Class: Mandala
11:00 a.m. Meditation Instruction
11:30 a.m. Meditation Practice
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. Tea Break and Tsog
Preparation
4:30 p.m. Shower of Blessings
Tsog
Streaming Video:
To participate in the 2 p.m. class from wherever you are, check out our weekly webcast.
Conference Call:
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.
Offering for Teaching:
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 make an on-line donation though our secure website. (Make sure to note "Sunday Teaching.") May this teaching lead to your swift enlightenment!
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| Weekly Schedule for Sedona KPC-AZ |
 Saturday, January 12
4:00 p.m. Amitabha and Chenrezig
Practice at the
Amitabha Stupa
Sunday, January 13
10:30 a.m. Stabilizing the Mind
Meditation Class
Children's Dharma Class
Noon Teaching by Jetsunma
Ahkon Lhamo
1:30 p.m. Teen Dharma Class
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."
Wednesday: 4 p.m. Amitabha and Chenrezig practice at the Amitabha Stupa
7 p.m. Dharma Discussion Group (All welcome!)
Thursday: 7 p.m. Dharma Class in Flagstaff (400 Aspen Street)
The Amitabha Stupa is located at the corner of Andante and Pueblo and open from dawn to dusk. Visit Google Maps for directions. For information, call 928-282-5195.
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| Flagstaff Dharma Classes KPC-AZ |
 Flagstaff Dharma Classes Continue
The KPC Dharma Classes in Flagstaff continue in 2008, with emphasis on practice.
Thursday, January 17: Stabilizing the Mind Meditation.
KPC monk Kamil Hill will teach on how one can train to stabilize the mind, which, we are taught, is necessary in order to one day allow the natural, primordial wisdom mind to be experienced. Meditation and quieting the mind leads to better balance within the body/mind.
Classes are held at 400 Aspen Street, Thursdays at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
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| KPC Monk's Speaking Tour KPC-Aus |
 Schedule for Konchog Norbu in Australia
KPC Australia is happy to report the schedule for Konchog Norbu's visit to Australia. KPC's resident Monk in Mongolia and Director of the Mongolian Buddhism Revival Project, Konchog Norbu, has left behind the bone-shattering cold of the Mongolian winter and has arrived in summery Australia.
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. The schedule is as follows:
Brisbane, Queensland
Saturday, 12 January, 3 p.m.
Brisbane Square Library
Community Meeting Room
266 George Street, Brisbane
Maleny, Queensland
Wednesday, 16 January, 7:30 p.m.
The Masonic Hall, 31 Tamarind Street
Maroochydore, Queensland
Saturday, 19 January, 7:30 p.m.
Millwell Road Community Hall, 11 Millwell Road East
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Wednesday, 30 January, 12:30 p.m.
Mabo Room, AIATSIS
Lawson Crescent, Acton ACT
Sydney, Thursday, 7 February, 6:30 p.m.
Venue to be confirmed
Melbourne
Monday, 11 February, 7 p.m.
Edinburgh Gardens Community Room
Off Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy
Melway Ref 2C 1C
GPS: N 322288 E 5815758
 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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| Effortless Abundance! |
Make Your Search a GoodSearch!
What's the address of the nearest hardware store? How late is the local Post Office open? Every time you search the Internet, you can earn money for KPC. If you use GoodSearch.com as your search engine, you can generate approximately one cent per search-imagine how many times each of us searches the web each day! GoodSearch shares its advertising revenue with charities and schools, and is powered by Yahoo! Here's how it works:
1. Go to www.goodsearch.com.
2. Type Kunzang Palyul Choling into the "I support" box and click on "verify."
3. Search the Internet.
GoodSearch also has a toolbar you can download from the homepage so that you can search right from the top of your browser. You can keep track of the estimated earnings for KPC by clicking on "amount raised" once you designate KPC as your organization of choice.
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