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March 17, 2008
March 14, 2008
2008 Losar Celebration
This year Losar falls into the same date as the Chinese New Year and it was one of the most memorable and meaningful new year celebration which was celebrated in LDC Malaysia. Due to the 15 merit multiplying days, we took the opportunity to invite more sanghas from overseas. This year we invited four nuns from Kopan Monastery for the benefit of world peace, peace in
We have initiated to construct a Chenrezig sand mandala and was successfully completed within 15 days. Over 100 people came to view and received blessings, made circumambulation and offerings. Since there was so much benefit even to view, we decided to keep the mandala for the whole year so that people can continue to view and make offerings. We plan to construct a mandala on an annual basis and next year we plan to construct a Medicine Buddha mandala.
At the same time, in the last 15 days of Losar, we perform extensive pujas and prayers such as Tara Puja, Medicine Buddha Puja, Protector Puja, Guru Puja, various recitation of sutra and mantra and teachings on the benefits and meanings of different prayers, extensive light offerings conjoined with circumambulation and prostration to the holy objects. It was amazing throughout the 15 days without any break. Sixty to hundred people attend each night.
It was really meaningful to see people are serious about accumulation of merit and purification and this was especially done by taking advantage of the miracle days. I sincerely rejoice and felt that this is something very wonderful. It wasn’t just me but many others felt the same with blessings granted and they have also expressed positive changes in their lives.
At the same time, we performed four to five pujas daily at member’s, friend’s houses and in LDC, not just here in the
The nuns truly admire, appreciate and rejoice in this whole month, every day from morning to night performing prayers, constructing mandala, performing pujas and all these were done without any complain. Instead they express their happiness through their smile and mind. I was rather worried about their health as these nuns are small eaters and even when I asked them to take a break, they continued with their work. And due to Buddha’s blessings, I am very happy that they are healthy. Not only do they work hard, they are also very talented in all the different prayers and knowledge in dharma. I think this is my first time I spend time with my sister, who is the chanting master, Losang Drolma. I have heard a lot of good things about her but somehow due to my busy schedule in the past with my studies and now overseas, I don’t even have the chance to know her but now I had the whole month to do so. I am truly happy and admire her knowledge and her humble down to earth demeanour and that was really the best gift I ever received from her. Same goes to the other nuns, they are really wonderful.
At the same time, LDC sanghas worked very hard from their side assisting in whatever they can and without hesitation. Members also made tremendous effort to assist during this period when they could be having their holidays instead. I rejoice and rejoice and rejoice!
The nuns have left
This time I regard the Kopan nuns have open their doors to the Eastern countries like
March 10, 2008
March 03, 2008
February 25, 2008
February 24, 2008
Brief update by Candy on Feb 24, 2008
It’s been over one month since the last update on the success of Geshe Tenzin Zopa blog. Recently the site meter captured a triple digit growth in the readership compared to the last update which was just over one month ago. Of course these figures changes every day, every hour and even every minute. We are pleased to share these statistics with you;
VISITS
Total | 1,660 |
Average per day | 15 |
Average visit length | 3.26 |
This week (week of February 19th, 2008) | 102 |
PAGE VIEWS
Total | 3,929 |
Average per day | 31 |
This week (week of February 19th, 2008) | 219 |
COUNTRY SHARE
51% | |
26% | |
10% | |
3% | |
2% | |
2% | |
1% | |
1% | |
1% | |
1% | |
1% | |
1% |
CONTINENT SHARE
81% | |
10% | |
8% | |
Oceania/Australasia | 1% |
The success of Geshe Zopa blog is due to his karma and the administrative team. Rejoices in it! We continue to receive phone calls and emails expressing their happiness and joy in being able to keep up with Geshe Zopa’s activities. Many found the blog by accident via Google and Yahoo and some of Geshe Zopa’s friends have also linked his blog to theirs.
February 20, 2008
DHARMA READING Corner
LIGHTING THE WAY by The Dalai Lama
About this book – Lighting The Way contains three fundamental Buddhist teachings given by the Dalai Lama to Western students. “Principles of Buddhism” provides the framework for understanding Buddha Shakyamuni’s first and fundamental teachings on the Four Noble Truths, upon which all of his other teachings are based. “Teachings on the Eight Verses of Training the Mind” comments on a classic text within the genre of Tibetan spiritual writing known as lojong (literally, “mind training”). His Holiness often refers to this short work as one of his main sources of inspiration for the practice of compassion. Finally, the Dalai Lama’s commentary on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment discusses in a lucid and inspiring manner one of the most important texts for serious practitioners of Buddhism.
Contents
Principles of Buddhism – The Four Noble Truths
Teachings on The Eight Verses on Training the Mind
Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment
DHARMA READING Corner
MIND TRAINING translated by Thupten Jinpa
About this book – The text in Mind Training: The Great Collection represents the flowering of an important spiritual culture dedicated to the perfection of the human heart. That process of perfection requires the radical altruism encapsulated in the famous mind training injunction to “give the victory to others”. In their birthplace of
Contents
Bodhisattva’s Jewel Garland
How Atisa Relinquished His Kingdom
The Story of Atisa’s Voyage to
Root Lines of Mahayana Mind Training
Annotated Root Lines of Mahayana Mind Training
Seven-Point Mind Training
A Commentary on the “Seven-Point Mind Training”
The Wheel of Sharp Weapons
The Peacock’s Neutralizing of Poison
Melodies of an Adamantine Song: A Chanting Meditation on Mind Training
Stages of the Heroic Mind
Leveling Out All Conceptions
A Teaching on Taking Afflictions onto the Path
Guru Yoga Mind Training
An Instruction on Purifying Negative Karma
Mahayana Purification of Grudges
Two Yoginis’ Admonition to Atisa to Train His Mind
Kusulu’s Accumulation Mind Training
Mind Training Taking Joys and Pains onto the Path
Sumpa Lotsawa’s Ear-Whispered Mind Training
Bodhisattva Samatabhadra’s Mind Training
Eight Sessions Mind Training
Mind Training Removing Obstacles
Mahayana Mind Training Eliminating Future Adversities
Atisa’s Seven-Point Mind Training
Mind Training in Single Session
Advice to Namdak Tsuknor
Glorious Virvapa’s Mind Training
Eight Verses on Mind Training
A Commentary on “Eight Verses on Mind Training”
The Story of the Repulsive Mendicant
A Commentary on “Leveling Out All Conceptions”
Mahayana Mind Training
Public Explication of Mind Training
Yangonpa’s Instruction on Training the Mind
Guide to the Heart of Dependant Origination
Supplement on the “Oral Tradition”
Root Lines of “Parting from the Four Clingings”
Parting from the Four Clingings
Unmistaken Instructions on “Parting from the Four Clingings”
An Instruction on “Parting from the Four Clingings”
A Key to the Profound Essential Points: A Meditation Guide to “Parting from the Four Clingings”
A Concise Guide to “Parting from the Four Clingings”
DHARMA READING Corner
THE GREAT TREATISE on the STAGES OF THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT by The Lamrin Chenmo Translation Committee
About this book – The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam rim Chen mo) is one of the brightest jewels in the world’s treasury of scared literature. The author, Tsong-kha-pa (1937-1419), completed this masterpiece in 1402 and it soon because one of the most renowned works of spiritual practice and philosophy in the world of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsong-kha-pa took great pains to base his incisive insights on the classical Indian Buddhist literature, illustrating his point with classical citations as well as with sayings of the masters of the earlier Kadampa tradition. In this way the text demonstrates clearly how Tibetan Buddhism carefully preserved and developed the Indian Buddhist Tradition.
Tsong-kha-pa’s text has continued to be essential for any student of Buddhist thought who wants to put the teachings into practice. Because it condense all the exoteric sutra scriptures into a meditation manual that is easy to understand, scholars and practitioners have for centuries relied on its authoritative presentation as a gateway leading to full understanding of the Buddha’s teachings.
The Great Treatise is now translated in its entirety in three volumes, the heart of the Great Treatise, covers the spirit of enlightenment (bodhicitta; byang chub kyi sems) and the deeds of the bodhisattvas, the great beings whose deeds are motivated by this altruistic spirit.
Contents
Volume 1
Atisha
The Greatness of the Teachings
How to Listen to and Explain the Teachings
Relying on the Teacher
The Meditation Session
Refuting Misconceptions About Meditation
A Human Life of Leisure and
The Three Types of Persons
Mindfulness of Death
Reflecting on Your Future Life
Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels
The Precepts of Refuge
The General Characteristics of Karma
The Varieties of Karma
Cultivating Ethical Behavior
The Attitude of a Person of Small Capacity
The Eight Types of Suffering
The Six Types of Suffering
Further Meditation on Suffering
The Origin of Suffering
The Twelve Factors of Dependent-Arising
The Attitude of a Person of Medium Capacity
Ascertaining the Nature of the Path Leading to Liberation
The Nature of the Three Trainings
Volume 2
The Stages of the Path for Persons of Great Capacity
Compassion, the Entrance to the Mahayana
The Seven Causes-and Effect Personal Instructions
Exchanging Self and Other
The Ritual for Adopting the Spirit of Enlightenment
Maintaining the Spirit of Enlightenment
An Introduction to the Six Perfections
Training in the Mahayana; Precepts and Perfections
The Perfection of Generosity
How to Give
The Perfection of Ethical Discipline
The Perfection of Patience
The Perfection of Joyous Perseverance
The Perfection of Meditative Stabilization and Wisdom
Helping Others to Mature: The
Volume 3
Part One Meditative Serenity
Serenity and Insight
Preparing for Meditative Serenity
Focusing Your Mind
Dealing with Laxity and Excitement
Attaining Serenity
Serenity as Part of the Path
Part Two Insight
Why Insight Is Needed
Relying on Definitive Sources
The Stages of Entry into Reality
Misidentifying the Object to Be Negated
Dependent-Arising and Emptiness
Rational Analysis
Valid Establishment
Conventional Existence
Production Is Not Refuted
Not Negating Enough
The Actual Object to Be Negated
Misinterpretations of the Svatantrika/Prasangika Distinction
Refuting Misinterpretations of the Svatantrika/Prasangika Distinction
Our Interpretation of the Svatantrika/Prasangika Distinction
Our Critique of Svatantrika Does Not Hurt Our Own Argument
Analyzing a Chariot
The Person Lacks Intrinsic Nature
Objects Lack Intrinsic Nature
Insight Requires Analysis
Uniting Insight and Serenity
Summary and Conclusion
Note
This section is STRICTLY not for commercial purpose but for the purpose of sharing with students and friends of Geshe Tenzin Zopa worldwide.
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