January 16, 2020

Three Stages of Bodhichitta
“We must establish a very strong understanding of both bodhichitta and emptiness in order to perform the actualizing bodhichitta practices of the Chod feasts. First practice equalizing bodhichitta, or dag zhen nyam pe, in which we see all sentient beings and ourselves as equal. “I am an equal with them and they are equals with me. We are all the same, with no distinctions. We have similar intentions and similar situations. I want happiness, and they want happiness. I don’t want suffering, and they don’t want suffering either.” These understandings bring us to a more balanced state. Meditating on this equalizing bodhichitta is the first point.
(1) Equalizing bodhichitta is not an exaggeration or distortion. In reality, everyone truly is equal. Every sentient being has the same intention of wanting happiness, joy, and peace. “As I do, you do too. As you do, so do I.” There are no distinctions at all. With this realization, feel great compassion for all sentient beings, seeing them as a reminder of your commitment of love, compassion, and wisdom. Don’t only try to imagine this, but really feel it from your heart and through every cell and bone in your body. Extend that to all sentient beings. Your whole being is transformed into the state of love, compassion, and wisdom. This process is actualizing our equalizing bodhichitta.
(2) After abiding in this state for a little while, begin the next stage of exchanging bodhichitta, or exchanging our position, called dag zhen je wa. An example often used in Tibet for this type of bodhichitta is seeing a person who is cold and giving them your own blanket. The meditation of Tonglen is an exchanging bodhichitta practice. Give your joy, peace, and happiness—whatever good there is—to other sentient beings. Then take in whatever negativities others are experiencing, including their sadness, suffering, and misery, so they’re freed from that suffering. You don’t have to start by exchanging the biggest things—you don’t have to be rich Wall Street philanthropists right from the start. Start with very small portions, in a manageable way. Once you succeed with that, you’ll discover that you’re able to do more and more.
(3) After exchanging bodhichitta, the third stage of bodhichitta practice is meditating that others are even more important than yourself. The Chod feast is exchanging bodhichitta. You see others as more important, so you give them this big feast. What you’re giving is yourself. Don’t even think of paying any attention to yourself, or of holding anything back for yourself. The feast of yourself is visualized and offered in many ways because of the different needs and desires of your guests.”
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Cutting Through Ego and Revealing Fearlessness: Chod Practice According to Jigme Lingpa’s Bellowing Laugh of the Dakini (pgs 113-115)
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/books-by-khenpo-rinpoches/cutting-through-ego-and-revealing-fearlessness-chod-practice-according-to-jigme-lingpas-bellowing-laugh-of-the-dakini
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Contemplation

“The certainty wisdom that comes from contemplation means that we no longer have doubt or hesitation, and we aren’t worrying that this or that might happen.”
 
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha: The Path to Freedom (pg 143)
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/books-by-khenpo-rinpoches/walking-in-the-footsteps-of-the-buddha-the-path-to-freedom
 
Photo of Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche leading the PBC New Year’s Vajrasattva Fire Purification Ceremony in New York City on January 1, 2020.
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January 10, 2020

Devotion is not just directed one way

“Devotion is not just directed one way, but also translates into joy and appreciation for life, respect for the richness and serenity that helps us settle ourselves.”
Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche
Advice from a Spiritual Friend: A Commentary on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend (pg 111)
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/books-by-khenpo-rinpoches/advice-from-a-spiritual-friend-a-commentary-on-nagarjunas-letter-to-a-friend
Photo of Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Rinpoche leading the PBC New Year’s Vajrasattva Fire Purification Ceremony in New York City on January 1, 2020.
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January 9, 2020

2020 Metal Mouse Calendar

2020 Metal Mouse Calendar is Now Available!
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/calendars-by-pbc/2020-metal-mouse-calendar
Annually produced, these handmade lunar practice calendars mark the months and days for the complete Tibetan Metal Mouse Year 2147 (February 24, 2020 – February 11, 2021) with highlights on important practice days, festivals, and anniversaries of many great Buddhist lineage masters.
This year’s calendar features 19 color photographs of the Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches and the PBC Sangha taken by Rinpoches’ students around the world.
All proceeds from the sales of this calendar support building a New Stupa Garden and Guru Rinpoche Temple in the meadow of Padma Samye Ling in New York.

 

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January 7, 2020

Relax

“Externally, everything is an illusory magical display. Internally, our mind is the illusory magic of loving-kindness, compassion, and wisdom. Bring up this realization and relax.”

Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Cutting Through Ego and Revealing Fearlessness: Chod Practice According to Jigme Lingpa’s Bellowing Laugh of the Dakini (pg 140)
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/books-by-khenpo-rinpoches/cutting-through-ego-and-revealing-fearlessness-chod-practice-according-to-jigme-lingpas-bellowing-laugh-of-the-dakini

Photo of Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche leading the Vajrasattva/Vajrakilaya Practice on January 3, 2016 in New York City, by Lama Laia Pema Tsultrim.
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January 5, 2020

Enjoy $5 Off “Cutting Through Ego and Revealing Fearlessness” through January 8th

Happy Guru Rinpoche Day!
 
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches’ New Chod Book on Jigme Lingpa’s “Bellowing Laugh of the Dakini” is Now Available!!!
 
Enjoy $5 Off “Cutting Through Ego and Revealing Fearlessness” through January 8th (= $23):
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/books-by-khenpo-rinpoches/cutting-through-ego-and-revealing-fearlessness-chod-practice-according-to-jigme-lingpas-bellowing-laugh-of-the-dakini
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The Essence of Chod Practice

Now, my body, possessions, and the source of my virtue, all together
I give without clinging to all beings who have been my parents.
May I accomplish great benefits, unobstructedly, for all beings.
 
“Three gifts are mentioned here: (1) my body, (2) my wealth, and (3) my virtues. These three cover everything that the “I” or ego holds dear. There’s nothing else. In this prayer it says, “da ni lu dang long cho ge tsa che.” That’s pointing out what we hold on to. We grasp on to our body, we grasp on to our belongings and wealth, and we grasp on to our merit or good deeds. The term getsa also means our reputation as someone good or renowned. These are the points in samsara where we’re grasping, attached, and stuck. So in this prayer, we’re giving it all away—everything that we could hold on to. His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche says that this is the essence of Chod practice.”
 
Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Cutting Through Ego and Revealing Fearlessness (pg 180)
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso/books-by-khenpo-rinpoches/cutting-through-ego-and-revealing-fearlessness-chod-practice-according-to-jigme-lingpas-bellowing-laugh-of-the-dakini
 
Photo of Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches at Padma Samye Ling in 2008, by Derek Sarno.
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December 30, 2019

Palden Sherab Pema Ling Meditation Retreat Center in Jupiter, Florida

 

An introduction to Palden Sherab Pema Ling, Lotus Land of Glorious Wisdom, a Buddhist retreat center being built in South Florida.

 

Palden Sherab Pema Ling is located on ten-acres of land that includes a pond, numerous trees, fields, and wetlands that are enjoyed by abundant local wildlife.

 

We’ve already begun construction of the main meditation temple. The horse barns are being converted into a temple, meditation sanctuary, and fellowship hall, and the land will be preserved as a park-like setting for contemplative walks, meditation, or simply sitting in quiet reflection.

 

The Palm Beach Dharma Center—a local branch of the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center—is looking for funding to create this beautiful sanctuary. It will be a place for spiritual rejuvenation to promote natural beauty where outer peace and harmony, foster inner healing and tranquility.

 

Its namesake is Ven. Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, one of the great Tibetan Buddhist masters and scholars of the 20th century. He and his brother, Ven. Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, long dreamed of creating a Buddhist retreat center in South Florida. With the help of your kindness and generosity, this dream could now become a reality.

 

Donate here:

www.gofundme.com/f/develop-dharma-center-in-jupiter-fl

 

Please visit the Palm Beach Dharma Center website for more details:

www.pbdc.net/palden-sherab-pema-ling-retreat-center

 

The International website of the Padmasambhava Buddhist Center:

www.padmasambhava.org

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