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December 8th, 2009
nakedmen
 | 07:52 pm - Story on Chogyam Trungpa
Back in Boulder there was a lady whom [Chogyam Trungpa] Rinpoche loved very much. There was also a young man who had never slept with a woman. Both of these people were very close students of Rinpoche. In talking, Rinpoche expressed his interest in having this young man's first sexual encounter be a very positive one. It seemed to me quite normal when he proposed that his own consort spend the night with the young man. So it was arranged and came to pass. The following day I went to Rinpoche's bedroom to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, his head hung down. Sensing he might be sick, I inquired gently if everything was all right. I put my hand on his shoulder and his body lacked any energy or vitality. I looked into his face and saw that he had been crying, tears still rolling silently down his cheeks. Very concerned, I asked him what was the matter. he turned his deep brown water eyes upon me and quietly said, "They spent the night together."
"But, Sir," I said in mild protest, "you set it up like that." He did not answer, but the tears continued. I managed to get him dressed, his body limp and unresponsive. He would not eat or drink. It was all tears. I called Michael Root, who lived close by, and explained that Rinpoche seemed brokenhearted and that I could not understand why, since he himself had suggested the rendezvous. Acting upon Michael's suggestion I drove Rinpoche over to Michael's house where we finally managed to give him a warm bath, washing his back with a sponge. Rinpoche still would not eat or even have his usual glass of sake.
Following a phone call Michael reported that the young couple had arrived back at the Court. Hearing that, Rinpoche perked up and said, "We must welcome them." Life returned to his body. He drank his waiting glass of sake and we drove back to the Court to prepare a welcoming meal. Rinpoche played the kind and gracious host to his lover and the young man. I did not fully realize at the time his enormous pain. In an act of compassion and kindness he gave up someone with whom he was truly in love to benefit another person. The fact was that he loved both of them and for their happiness unhesitatingly took upon himself the resulting pain.
- from The Mahasiddha and His Idiot Servant by John Riley Perks
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gear_eagle
 | 03:10 pm - Last words
Ohio executes inmate using single-drug method
His last words, according to Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokeswoman Julie Walburn, were: "[..]My father, now I'm being paroled to heaven," Biros said, according to Walburn. "I will now spend all of my holidays with my lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Peace be with you all. Amen."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/12/08/ohio.execution/index.html
This is a common trend I've noticed among those doing time for heinous crimes: the get-out-of-karma card. What do Buddhists think of this? Disavowing the consequences of one's actions is a doctrine of Christianity specifically, but I have seen the trend mirrored in traditions of Buddhism. For example, purification rites used to undo negative karma.
With the rise of Buddhism chaplins in the prison system, will we one day hear a convicted murderer say, "I've done my Tantra practices and will spend my next rebirth in the glorious heavens of Amitabha!"
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mystic_sage7
 | 12:10 am - Zazen
Okay, so this is my second try at Zazen, my goal was 10minutes, but I could only stand 8 :(
I was okay at first, but I started to become very frustrated and I really just wanted to scream, but I tried my best..
Has anyone else had this experience? It was pretty bad... I couldn't take it after 8 minutes.
I'm suppose to go do 40minutes of Zazen this weekend, I'm starting to think I won't be able to stand it, can anyone give me a tip? Lol
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December 7th, 2009
ocha_no_hanashi
 | 10:00 pm - King Ashoka's edicts.
" Piyadasi, King of Magadha, saluting the Sangha and wishing them good health and happiness, speaks thus:[36] You know, reverend sirs, how great my faith in the Buddha, the Dhamma and Sangha is. Whatever, reverend sirs, has been spoken by Lord Buddha, all that is well-spoken.[37] I consider it proper, reverend sirs, to advise on how the good Dhamma should last long.
These Dhamma texts -- Extracts from the Discipline, the Noble Way of Life, the Fears to Come, the Poem on the Silent Sage, the Discourse on the Pure Life, Upatisa's Questions, and the Advice to Rahula which was spoken by the Buddha concerning false speech -- these Dhamma texts, reverend sirs, I desire that all the monks and nuns may constantly listen to and remember.[38] Likewise the laymen and laywomen. I have had this written that you may know my intentions. "
If you want to read some edicts from King Ashoka they're available here:
http://www.cs.colostate.edu/~malaiya/ashoka.html
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mystic_sage7
| 01:24 am
I'm new to the practice of Zen, I'd like to know some opinions and maybe speak to others who participate in zazen.
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December 6th, 2009
ninja_stories
| 05:33 pm
can someone practice both Theravada and Zen?
I see the conflict there, Zen treats enlightenment as sudden
Theravada have their own views
Does anyone do this or know anyone who does this? I really can't decide between the two.
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December 5th, 2009
dakini_bones
 | 11:47 pm - Sometimes I just want to beat someones head into the cement ...
until red cottage cheese spatters my face.
And I would enjoy it too.
But I choose not to do that.
And I choose to fight anger and self cherishing.
But even if I stop the story line, it still leaves me with the emotions.
Seems like they have to have their day before they will subside.
Any way to get rid of these emotions?
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vision_serpent
 | 04:01 pm - shunryu suzuki
One really good thing about the Internet is that videos like this, which were exceedingly rare before, are now readily available to so many.
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satan_hitler
 | 05:42 pm - I PROMISE
That when I get a cell phone camera or a scanner or something, that I will share my artwork, though, that is Basil Wolverton.
Someone make some art, don't rush it. For "Bob"'s Sake,
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December 4th, 2009
lasith
 | 08:59 pm - Dealing with Difficult People
Dealing With Difficult People
It is not unusual to find difficult people in this world. Everywhere, at work, at home, from every type of person, old, young, rich, or poor, there may stubborn, closed-minded, or easily angered people. Often they are critical of others and yourself and are difficult to communicate or deal with. First of all, there is nothing wrong with having difficult people. Even monks, nuns and the Buddha faced such people in their lives and we still do, everyone must face these types of people no matter who you are. There is a famous story of such an encounter between the Buddha and a ‘difficult person’ named Akkosina.
Akkosina’s name means “Not Getting Angry” but he was the exact opposite of his name. Akkosina was easily angered and was always angry about something or someone. When he heard that the Buddha did not get angry with anyone he immediately decided to visit him. He went up to the Buddha and scolded him for all sorts of things, insulting him and calling him awful names. At the end of this angry speech, the Buddha asked this man if he had any friends or relatives. “Yes.” Akokosina replied. “When you visit them, do you take them gifts?” the Buddha asked. “Of course, I always bring them gifts.” The angry man replied. “Then what happens if they don’t accept your gifts?” The Buddha asked. “Well I take them home and enjoy them with my own family” “And likewise,” said the Buddha, “You have brought me a gift here today that I do not accept, and so you may take that gift home to your family.” And so with patience, wit and loving friendliness, did the Buddha teach about how we react and accept the “gift” of angry words.
If we respond to insults, gossip, angry speech in general with mindfulness and loving friendliness, we are able to with patience take a better perspective of the situation. If you respond with anger, you will not hear the message behind the words. Perhaps the person is pointing out something you need to hear. Perhaps you need to point out something they need to hear as well and it must be done with a clear heart and mind. The Buddha said:
“In a Controversy the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for the truth and have begun striving for ourselves.”
The wisdom of this quote is that it shows that with anger our discussions become selfish and we are unable to express the loving friendliness helps solve life’s difficulties. The method to solve these difficulties is through patient honesty. We must not allow the difficult people to assume victory, this requires patience and the ability to explain your side of the argument through truthful and friendly disagreement. You must not change your opinion or actions in a negative way to deal with someone who is critical or angry. Do not add fuel to the fire of the argument when dealing with people who speak unwholesomely, are stubborn, who gossip, or have a quick temper. Instead speak words of wisdom and explain that the path they travel is incorrect, and that the eight fold path is a wise journey to take. Human beings are emotional creatures, the oldest instincts we have are emotional, that is why we easily are influenced by our emotions. We therefore must evolve our mind to overcome these ancient responses so that we too do not become difficult when we deal with friends, family, or strangers.
“The wise who control their body, who control their tongue, who control their mind, are indeed well controlled.”
So with those words of the Buddha I urge you to go and act well with dilligient love and friendliness so that all who know you may also be lit with the candle of kindness. As the Buddha said:
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened, Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
With Metta, will all obstacles be overcome.
Rev G Medhankara and Lasith Witharana
Current Location: Canada, Edmonton
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/punquinheads/blue/thoughtful.gif) contemplative
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jayyy
 | 04:34 pm - 77
And you also,
I set free.
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thirdreel
 | 07:13 pm - My book, excerpted on Monkey Goggles
A Dog With Buddha-Nature.
It also has a link to buy my book on Amazon, which I will also link to here
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ocha_no_hanashi
 | 07:06 pm
How's your samsara today?
Going round and round.
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December 3rd, 2009
owl_clan
 | 10:20 pm - No Effect
"Let the four elements and the five skandhas be born and die in vain. They have no effect on our Dharma body."
-Pao T'ung
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vomited
 | 06:19 pm - Requesting some Buddhist interviews
Hello all!
I'm taking an anthropology course called Buddhism and Culture and need to find some Buddhists to interview for my research paper. I thought this would be a great place to get some responses from a wide range of people.
If any of you want to help me out and answer these questions, I would totally appreciate it!
( more about the paper and the interview questions )
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lllolololololol
| 07:21 pm
I work in a department store in Philadelphia part-time. I've been there for a few years now. This holiday season I'm working in the Women's Clothing section. There is a nauseating amount of clothing. Not only is there a totally unnecessary amount... but the price, poor-quality, disposable nature and frantic priority that these clothes cause women actually causes me some sadness. I've seen women fall apart when the dress they want is not in stock or when they cannot find "the perfect" outfit for a party.
I understand that women are raised to think we need all of these clothes (and shoes and bags etc...). I know most of these women are just a product of their environment.
Still, I would like to help. It's not that I want to teach these "bad people" the error of their ways like I'm so smart. But when I'm dealing with a shopper throwing a tantrum over a $200 shirt that we don't have or a person who is in the store frequently (who is only shopping for a distraction)... I'd like to say something that doesn't positively affirm their behavior and get them thinking (while still maintaining "good customer service" and keeping my job).
Any thoughts?
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jajunk
 | 06:58 pm - Nirvana = 11 Dimensional Hyperspace!
I absolutely love this physicist! He's so cool.
Elaine, you've seen this and posted it, but not enough people responded to it!!!
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