A trip down memory lane with Geshe Tenzin Zopa

Picture courtesy of Valerie Chan

November 12, 2011 - It was 8.15am when we walked into LDC to pick Geshe Zopa. He was all ready, dressed in a black tee, three quarter pants and a white Om Mani Padme Hum cap. Clearly this was the start of the awesome 2 days / 1 night adventure filled with wild, crazy, wet and fun packed activities at My Gopeng Resort, an Eco Park Resort located beside the rafting point on Kampar River, Gopeng town which is 20km away from Ipoh (Perak State, Malaysia). This trip was organized to celebrate with our Geshe-la before his departure from LDC as a Resident Teacher.

The highlight of our trip was the white water rafting, a 12km journey with thrills of tackling exciting rapids & floating down the water river through the beautiful rainforest. Some friends got tossed out of the boat (including me/Candy) and without exception, every one of us got soaked from head to toe. Throughout the journey, everyone was screaming, shouting and laughing. During the night we had another challenging activity which involved tracking through the thick and steep jungle. As it was raining earlier that morning, the track was slippery and full of leaches. Many got bitten all over including our Geshe-la (Oh Buddha!!!). We were required to hold hands with one another through (with torch off) the oil palm plantation to avoid being attack by snakes. More excitement for all!

We started the next day with a delicious local spread breakfast, followed by a 40 minutes walk to the waterfall. We spend about an hour playing & enjoying in the clear and cool waters from the forest.

Geshe Zopa simply loves the nature and clearly has enjoyed this short trip...and so did we! Thank you very much Geshe-la for making time to spend these 2 days with us. It was indeed a trip no one can forget & something money simply cannot buy!!!

We hope & pray you will come back again and again to Malaysia to be with your students who will continue to miss & love you dearly.

With much love, endless devotion & prayers,
William & Candy

Please click here to view complete pictures of trip to My Gopeng Resort. Thank you.

Please click here to view pictures of White Water Rafting - courtesy of Valerie Chan

 

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DHARMA READING Corner

Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (Bodhicaryavatara)

                                                             Picture courtesy of Belinda Chong

A Commentary by Geshe Tenzin Zopa

Editor’s Note

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche said it best: “Buddhas are born from Bodhisattvas; Bodhisattvas are born from Bodhichitta.” The Guide to the Way of Bodhisattva’s Way of Life or in Sanskrit, Bodhicaryavatara, is the most celebrated and spectacular exposition on the mighty altruistic intention and conduct of the Bodhisattva.

To embark on the reading, let alone the study of, the Bodhicaryavatara takes guts. Its 914 verses challenge every fibre in your body, every corner of your mind and when you complete the book, it leaves you feeling embarrassed at having your innermost thoughts and deeds spread out on a page in front of you. Yet, hope is a little brighter because the possibilities are infinite.

Like a captain on a ship built for the high seas, Geshe Tenzin Zopa skilfully steers us through the turbulent waters of our minds, spotlighting our flaws, praising our efforts, showing the way by his explanations on the verses. When the brutal honesty of this text gets too much, Geshela steadfastly keeps us afloat by sharing his personal encounters and finally brings us to shore, soggy and whip-lashed but holding a glow in the heart – one that is inspired to take the first baby-step in the Bodhisattva’s way of life. Such is the kindness of Gurus.

With deep gratitude and undying devotion to our Gurus, HH Dalai Lama, Beloved Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, HE Dagri Rinpoche and the irreplaceable Geshe Tenzin Zopa, please bless us to accomplish the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life for the sake of others and to please your holy minds. This is also dedicated to the swift return of the unmistaken reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche Lhundrup Rigsel, the Virtuous Friends of all sentient beings.

Huei

To read the detail contents of this wonderful book please click here to download. This downloading process will take a few minutes.

DHARMA READING Corner

Buddhist Tantra
by Geshe Tenzin Zopa

                                                                                             Picture courtesy of Belinda Chong

Editor’s Note

The word “Tantra” is like the smell of durians. You are either drawn to it or you run away from it. There is rarely a neutral view towards it.

I used to think that Buddhist Tantra was mystical rather than logical (I’ve since discovered I’m wrong); more suited for the advanced meditator who could leap high mountains in a single jump, rather than a cement-footed, struggle beginner like myself. There has also been the confusion and occasional criticism surrounding Tantra, the “Secret Vehicle” amongst even the faithful within the Buddhist community. I have received tantric initiations with faith and gratitude for the “seeds” and imprints of these sacred teachings but often wondered how much progress I could make in it.

All of these led to my respectful request to my Teacher, Geshe Tenzin Zopa, for clarification and guidance. Through his great generosity of Dharma, his patience and his experiential wisdom gained through personal retreats and his 25 years with the great Lama yogi Geshe Lama Konchog, Geshela graciously acceded to the request of this dull-witted one, who is quite to gobble up Dharma but slow to practice. Geshela explains in this book – in the simplest of terms – what Buddhist Tantra is, it’s authenticity as part of the Buddha’s teachings, why we need it, what it involves, what its purpose is, giving an overview of its methods.

Clarity, confidence, conviction and yes, joy about Tantra as taught by the Buddha, is what the readers will distill from Geshela’s explanations in this book. It will put the readers on a firm footing on this topic of Buddhist Tantra and inspire those who are already Buddhist Tantra practitioners to strive at this noble Path with vigor.

This book is dedicated to our Gurus, the lifeblood of whatever Dharma practice we have, HH Dalai Lama, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the Wish Fulfilling Jewel Geshe Tenzin Zopa. This book is also dedicated to the swift return of the unmistaken reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche Lhundrup Rigsel.

Huei

To read the detail contents of this wonderful book please click here to download. This downloading process will take a few minutes

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Practices For Ailments

1. ''Tendrel Nyensel' Mantra blessed by Guru Padmasambhava.

“OM MUNI, MUNI, MAHA MUNI, DURU DURU, ZAYA MU KYE, SOHA.

Chi nang sang wei, tendrel nye tsok, tham chey, shi shing, lek tsok, tham chey, phel shing, gyey par, gur chig."

Recite this mantra 21 times.

This mantra has the power to clear past, present and future inauspicious circumstances that has happened, that is going to happen, that is happening and will actualize auspicious circumstances in all our past, present and future wishes.

2. The Mantra of Dependent Arising (Dharani of Dependent Origination)

"OM, YE DHARMA HETU PRABHAVA HETUN TESCHAN TATHAGATO HEY VADAT TESHAN CHA YO NIRODHA EVAM VADI MAHA SHRAMANAH YE SOHA”

In circumstances where one cannot find a Sangha to bless holy objects/stupas/malas, consecrate wealth cabinets, bless new house, new car etc. one can recite this mantra with the right motivation and after taking refuge in three jewels.

Before one opens and after closing one’s wealth cabinet, one is to recite 3-7 times The Mantra of Dependent Arising with offering of flower petals or rice grain. Conclude one’s prayers with positive and auspicious dedications and wishes.

3. Mantra for Sleep

"HEY HEY LAYO BAG TAYA"

This mantra is beneficial for those who have problems sleeping/sleep disorders.

Recite the above mantra 7 times and blow into a glass of water for consumption before sleep. Alternatively, place one's two hands to cover one's nostrils and mouth. Then, recite the mantra 7x and blow into one's hands which are covering one's nostrils and mouth and breathe in that air. In this way, the mantra-blessed air will be inhaled. Proceed to sleep.