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Precious Gems from Domo Geshe Rinpoche
The Newsletter of White Conch Dharma Center
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Diamond Mind - Winter Retreat 2007-2008
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Dec 8, 2008
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Teachings from Winter retreat 2007- 08 now available.
Winter retreat last year focused on Guide to the Bodhisattvas Way of Life, by Shantideva. In this Precious Gems, we are featuring one selection from several of the teachings. They all focus on the theme of becoming a bodhisattva, training to be the one who can save all sentient beings.
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Across White Conch
A Weekend of Healing Events to benefit Joyful Path from Fri Dec Dec 12- Sun Dec 14. Joyful Path Healing Center is serving as a dharma center for White Conch in the Madison, WI area. We are pleased to support their activities. The students of White Conch in California invite everyone to join them in weekly meditation via conference call on Monday evenings. Details are available here. Listen to Dharma Radio with Dolma (regional coordinator in California.) Dolma has a weekly radio show on Tuesday mornings in Occidental, CA. Now available streaming on the internet. Join White Conch on the first Sunday of every month for the practice of Ganden Lhagyama, The Hundred Deities of the Land of Joy. Via conference call. Next occurring on Jan 4. |
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Related teachings by Domo Geshe Rinpoche
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Motivation to Complete the Path - or Shantideva Rocks!!
The text that we will be using is, "Guide to the
Bodhisattvas Way
of Life." There was a really cool guy named Shantideva. Shantideva rocks!
(laughter) I want you to read it quickly. What you do not understand, pass over
and continue on reading. This is the holy book (holds up book). Shantideva, who lived in the 8th
century, is still with us in the form of these simple and strong words. This
book is very dear and it is very powerful. I would like you to put it under
your pillow tonight. Remember that what is talked about in these pages, we will
be studying. I know it sounds different, but in a way, if someone you dearly loved
gave you a locket with their picture inside, you wouldn't want to have it all cold
sitting on a dresser or in a box on a dresser where it would be lonely. You
might put it under your pillow. That is how I feel about this book. It is like
an amulet - a treasure. It comes, not just from the love of Shantideva, who loves
you still, but it also comes from the love of every bodhisattva who came
through this process. Their love is alive in this book, too. And me, too. My
love for you is alive in this book. I love you, and even more, I love those who
you will benefit in the future. And you don't even know who they are yet. These
are the principles that we are going to talk about. What you don't finish
tonight (in reading the book), I want you to read in the morning.
Dec 29, 2007
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Why Would you Want to Train in Bodhichitta Anyway?
Don't feel as though your success depends upon your being the fastest thinker, or the smartest this, or the best that. You can drop all of those pretentions and all of those competitive feelings regarding who you are and how you are in comparison to others. You begin to look at development as an individual rather than someone who is in competition with others. It is unhealthy to feel competitive for ascendancy in spiritual practice. The natural and organic process never included this kind of competition.
There is a trajectory that is going from where you are to perfection. Shantideva wrote this guide to those who want to be of benefit to others. It is a kind of affirmation of freedom (from delusions), as well as very strong training. There are many admonishments in (this book.) If you have not developed that flexible and receptive mind, to be able to change and to hear critiques of your present behavior, then when someone tells you what needs to be done, you resist. You say, "I'm not going to listen," and you begin to resist the very thing that is meant to help you change into the person you could be - and that you envision to be your future self.
Why in the world would you want to be of benefit to others?
Dec 31, 2007
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The Self-Confident Effort to Clean Up
In general, the "hidden agenda" of this retreat is to create in you a feeling of life-long irreversibility in your desire to be of benefit to others. The reason why I chose this chapter (Ch.7) is to facilitate this transformation.
There is a kind of aggressive cynicism that is popular today than can seep into you, marinate, and move you away from a gentle and kind demeanor. This (cynicism) is what people are thinking and saying, particularly young people. Many people are permeated within the culture of cynicism. As an enclave of people that are preparing for transformation, we can see the world with different eyes. We must be careful to not be fearful or cover our heads with our scriptures and say we are so holy. We observe people where they actually are. There is a special kind of self-confidence that we need to hold to the path that leads to where we want to be. We need to maintain a careful and joyful outlook to gain the desired result.
You have a lot of clean up to do before you can leave the human realm. You need to clean up all the (difficulties) that you made. Green Spirituality (laughter). Part of this is remembering all of the toes that you stepped on and creating opportunities to request forgiveness. You not only welcome it, you are looking for opportunities to clean up. You must make effort. However, there is a kind of aggressive effort that can emerge as unskillful activism.
Effort without patience becomes blame. If you are trying to save all living beings by force without patience, this trains people to be resistant. Effort with patience is a mind that delights in virtue.
Jan 1, 2008
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Rinpoche on Sabbatical
Between now and the beginning of winter retreat, Rinpoche is on her annual sabbatical. There are no teachings scheduled, but many teachings are available for you to hear on the White Conch store. Rinpoche is available to her students via e-mail.
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 There is no Need to Fear Transformation
People use (the word) enlightenment in so many ways that it creates a kind of mystical aura - a fantasy role playing between you and the state of enlightenment that makes enlightenment seem unattainable. All the other things that you want to do (in life) are minor in comparison to the important activity of becoming enlightened for the benefit of all sentient beings. However, we get some performance anxiety about getting enlightened because it is so important, and it sounds so complicated to do.
Shantideva, speaking to someone who has been practicing for some time, gives good advice and reminds us that even insects can become enlightened (Chap 7, vs 18). Think about the living creatures that inhabit your body. They say there are little, tiny insects that inhabit your eyelashes. Think about the creatures alive in your eyelashes right now - which by the way get the blessings of your meditations. Isn't that a good idea? (laughter)
Student: The worst joke would be if they became enlightened before you.
(laughter)
Rinpoche: Exactly so. They don't know it is not possible, and so that little gnat in your eyelash could become a fully enlightened Buddha while you are still going around saying, "Oh, this is so complicated." Your performance anxiety may be stopping you from realizing that this is a very real and doable thing.
Jan 2, 2008
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Upcoming Events
 Vajrayogini Winter Retreat in New Mexico
December 27th, 2008 3PM - January 4th, 2009 3PM
at the Madonna Retreat Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Vajrayogini
is one of the most beloved and powerful Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism.
She embodies: (1) the fully enlightened female, wild, fiery, and
energetic aspect of a Buddha; (2) the wisdom aspect leading to
Buddhahood; and (3) the dakini, inspirational aspect leading the
practitioner to enlightenment. Vajrayogini's practice is said
to be well-suited to those with strong desirous attachment, and to
those living in the current "degenerate age".
Register here. Single Room or Double Room or Make a Deposit to hold your space. |
Deriving Joy from the Sun of Bodhichitta
"Like a bodhisattva, I should long to work with others with the same enthusiasm that is possessed by someone who thoroughly enjoys playing a game. I should never tire, but experience uninterrupted joy." (Chap 7, vs 63)
You will have strong sensations during your career as a bodhisattva. Whether you are in human form or another kind of form, there will always be energetic loosenings of various kinds of knots - purifications happening on many different levels. However, as soon as you are not looking at yourself, suddenly every pain, every ill, every bit of confusion - simpy disappears. You are simply doing something enjoyable. Now isn't that clever? There is a dual focus. If you can get the learner bodhisattva, who is already an enlightened being, to not look at him or herself while purifications are going on (purifications that would be intolerable if you were looking at yourself), it becomes fun - like a game. If you were concerned about how you felt, you would not be able to tolerate being alive in the body of a bodhisattva.
It isn't an option. If you wish to become a benefit being, the healing grace is that you don't look at yourself. You work for the benefit of others. And while you are absorbed in this profound benefit, you see it as play. You enjoy the flow - the activities of benefiting others as though it was some vast enjoyable past time. Bodhisattvas know it is serious, but in their own mind they are having so much fun that they are producing cascades of joy - totally enjoying the process.
The sun of bodhichitta arises from perfection. Perfection moves by intention. Intention produces the apparent source of power - energy that gives rise to forms and beneficial activity. You cannot tolerate the power of intention yet. When they do feel that touch of intention, many people cry and they don't know why. It is because your energy system is not yet big enough to handle the amount of touch you are receiving. So it pours out your eyes in tears. Tears that come from compassion are sweet. Tears that come from self-cherishing are salty. The touch of compassion on the interior will produce in you a tremendous surge of energy.
Jan 6, 2008
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"Bodhisattvas have a sense of heroic play."
~ Domo Geshe Rinpoche ~
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The Dharma is Free
Unfortunately,
the programs of White Conch require ongoing funding. Please support
White Conch programs, including the important hospice project. We are
also establishing a scholarship fund for those whose financial
struggles make it difficult to attend retreats and trainings. White
Conch is a 501c3 organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible in the US.
Donations may be mailed to:
White Conch Dharma Center
PO Box 14372
West Allis, WI 53214
or donate online via credit card through PayPal.
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The
powerful messages of the dharma speak for themselves. Share the dharma
by forwarding these Precious Gems to your friends and family.
May there be a rain of dharma
Ngawang Thekchen
White Conch Dharma Center
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