Hi Everyone,
I am delighted to just now realize that we have a blog. Thank you to Nick! I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts. I wanted to see if anyone could send me the liturgy for Losar. I was not able to attend last year's ceremony and want to begin to organize a fabulous day for our SF Bay Area sangha. I would also welcome anyone's ideas about how they will celebrate! Sending all of you much love on this nearly full moon evening. Our weekly Wednesday night meditation was very blessed tonight by Thomas Brooks who was visiting from Seattle.
Love,
Tina
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
From the Road
Dear PIs,
Greetings from Atlanta where it is cool but nicely sunny. I am getting ready to give a Mudra program this weekend at the Shambhala Center which everyone says is lovely.
On the plane yesterday I was thinking about us PIs and wanted to send along my thoughts as we prepare for the year to come. One in which there will no doubt be many wonderful events! Our teacher has placed a tremendous amount of responsibility and confidence in us PIs and I hope that I and all of us can work to share all the tools and support we need to do our job well. Whether we are a new PI, one who was once a meditation instructor for another sangha, or have been a PI with Nalandabodhi for some time, our mission is the same: attend to the practice needs of our sangha.
With this in mind I encourage those of you who feel that you could do more but have no students of your own to email Sandra Roscoe and let her know of your availability. She is in charge of NB students who live away from the major centers and have no direct access to Practice Instructors. There may also be centers who have no PI as yet. When Chance LeMeur goes to Karme Choling this spring, for example, Louisville KY will not have a Nalandabodhi PI, yet there are a number of folks there who want to continue to study and practice with Nalandabodhi. It is not easy to have an on-line practice relationship but it is also better than not having one. Sometimes it may even be a really valuable thing to communicate in this way.
The more I travel around the more I see that we need to keep a big mind and open heart for Nalandabodhi world wide and share our skills and questions with each other in a global way. I am hoping that at sangha retreat we will have, for the first time, a dedicated Practice Instruction Room so that PI's can see students in a quiet and appropriate space. Especially for those on-line relationships, it will make a big difference to have some time to be face to face.
I hope your preparations for Losar are progressing well and joyously.
Best wishes,
Lee
Greetings from Atlanta where it is cool but nicely sunny. I am getting ready to give a Mudra program this weekend at the Shambhala Center which everyone says is lovely.
On the plane yesterday I was thinking about us PIs and wanted to send along my thoughts as we prepare for the year to come. One in which there will no doubt be many wonderful events! Our teacher has placed a tremendous amount of responsibility and confidence in us PIs and I hope that I and all of us can work to share all the tools and support we need to do our job well. Whether we are a new PI, one who was once a meditation instructor for another sangha, or have been a PI with Nalandabodhi for some time, our mission is the same: attend to the practice needs of our sangha.
With this in mind I encourage those of you who feel that you could do more but have no students of your own to email Sandra Roscoe and let her know of your availability. She is in charge of NB students who live away from the major centers and have no direct access to Practice Instructors. There may also be centers who have no PI as yet. When Chance LeMeur goes to Karme Choling this spring, for example, Louisville KY will not have a Nalandabodhi PI, yet there are a number of folks there who want to continue to study and practice with Nalandabodhi. It is not easy to have an on-line practice relationship but it is also better than not having one. Sometimes it may even be a really valuable thing to communicate in this way.
The more I travel around the more I see that we need to keep a big mind and open heart for Nalandabodhi world wide and share our skills and questions with each other in a global way. I am hoping that at sangha retreat we will have, for the first time, a dedicated Practice Instruction Room so that PI's can see students in a quiet and appropriate space. Especially for those on-line relationships, it will make a big difference to have some time to be face to face.
I hope your preparations for Losar are progressing well and joyously.
Best wishes,
Lee
Open Heart Circle Practice available
Hello PIs!
A new practice is available.
Please contact me at: nvail@naropa.edu if you are interested in receiving the liturgy and instructions.
Dear Nalandabodhi Directors and Practice Coordinators,
RE: The Open Heart Circle Practice
The Open Heart Circle is the result of a sangha interest group meeting on Death and Dying at Sangha Retreat (2005). At that meeting, we discussed services NB might offer to community members with terminal illnesses, to their caregivers, and to the community at large. As discussed at Sangha Retreat, illness and death are usually seen as a failure rather than as a natural process in our lives. In brief, the Open Heart Circle is an adapted Mahayana practice of sending and taking for all sentient beings who are ill, dying, or who have recently died. This practice helps one to develop an awareness of impermanence in daily life while awakening our innate loving kindness for ourselves and others. It helps break through the barrier of “me and mine” and the misperception (for those who are healthy) that sickness, death and dying happen to others. It offers a vehicle to bring illness and sorrow to the path and to develop compassion for both our own suffering and the suffering of others.
Nalandabodhi Centers and Study Groups are invited to implement this practice for their community as it can help develop close bonds within the local sangha while offering support. Names of international sangha members and their families could be included, as appropriate. We are also attaching a document entitled “Ceremonies for the Dead” which are additional practices that sangha members may want to engage in.
As our sangha ages, the Open Heart Circle offers a powerful vehicle for growth and transformation, both personally and community-wide.
May kindness fill the universe!
For Nalandabodhi,
Rosemary Bakker
New York, NY
Lee Worley
Boulder, CO
A new practice is available.
Please contact me at: nvail@naropa.edu if you are interested in receiving the liturgy and instructions.
Dear Nalandabodhi Directors and Practice Coordinators,
RE: The Open Heart Circle Practice
The Open Heart Circle is the result of a sangha interest group meeting on Death and Dying at Sangha Retreat (2005). At that meeting, we discussed services NB might offer to community members with terminal illnesses, to their caregivers, and to the community at large. As discussed at Sangha Retreat, illness and death are usually seen as a failure rather than as a natural process in our lives. In brief, the Open Heart Circle is an adapted Mahayana practice of sending and taking for all sentient beings who are ill, dying, or who have recently died. This practice helps one to develop an awareness of impermanence in daily life while awakening our innate loving kindness for ourselves and others. It helps break through the barrier of “me and mine” and the misperception (for those who are healthy) that sickness, death and dying happen to others. It offers a vehicle to bring illness and sorrow to the path and to develop compassion for both our own suffering and the suffering of others.
Nalandabodhi Centers and Study Groups are invited to implement this practice for their community as it can help develop close bonds within the local sangha while offering support. Names of international sangha members and their families could be included, as appropriate. We are also attaching a document entitled “Ceremonies for the Dead” which are additional practices that sangha members may want to engage in.
As our sangha ages, the Open Heart Circle offers a powerful vehicle for growth and transformation, both personally and community-wide.
May kindness fill the universe!
For Nalandabodhi,
Rosemary Bakker
New York, NY
Lee Worley
Boulder, CO
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Karmapa Khyenno
Hi gang! I hope you're all well.Today at Sunday sitting in Boulder, we decided to do a mala of Karmapa Khyenno mantra following the aspiration for his long-life and wellbeing. It felt really good to do.
Please stay tuned for Losar info.
Also: if the login does not appear in the upper right corner, please visit: www.blogger.com, and click on New Blogger, and sign-in to make a post.
Best wishes to you.
Sarva Mangalam!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
hello
i wasn't sure if lee/nb wanted me to sign in once i've joined, but i'm doing that.
kris shaw nb is here.
much love
ksnb
kris shaw nb is here.
much love
ksnb
Monday, January 15, 2007
Add a link
In the "Links" section of the blog, can we add a link to Nalanda West in the sidebar (with Nalandabodhi and Boulder links); this is where the web (study, meditation and) action is with Nalandabodhi in Seattle, and where more updating and resources are currently being applied.
www.nalandawest.org
marty
www.nalandawest.org
marty
New experience
Thank you Nick for stretching my limits of computer expertise! I am looking forward to our collective wisdom being expressed via this blog.
I can't wait to see if this works!
love to all,
kim
I can't wait to see if this works!
love to all,
kim
vajradhatu to nb sangha questions
Dear PI's
Two questions about NB sangha who were Vajradhatu:
1. They used to be an MI in Vajradhatu-world and would like to become a PI in NB-world. How do we go about this?
2. They are about to finish their sadhana (not VS), other suggesting that they consult with Rinpoche, is there a perscribed course of action in this scenario?
Thanks for any info/insight
best wishes,
Stephanie
Two questions about NB sangha who were Vajradhatu:
1. They used to be an MI in Vajradhatu-world and would like to become a PI in NB-world. How do we go about this?
2. They are about to finish their sadhana (not VS), other suggesting that they consult with Rinpoche, is there a perscribed course of action in this scenario?
Thanks for any info/insight
best wishes,
Stephanie
Friday, January 12, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
LOSAR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Dear PI's,
Thank you for beginning to respond to my query about whether you are adding this site to your habitual patterns. Please keep letting me know.
Meantime, it is almost LOSAR. Yes, really! This would be a good time to begin to raise awareness for the coming Fire Pig year which begins on Sunday, February 18th.
In Seattle, at Nalanda West, as well as the chanting of the Losar Liturgy on Sunday, there are plans for Friday evening and Saturday as well. I believe there will be a Mahakala practice on Friday evening. I know they plan a pot luck on Saturday. As I learn more I will definitely let you know.
Losar also is the time when new coordinators, directors and so forth are welcomed to their positions and those who are stepping down receive the appreciation that they so deeply deserve for all their hard work. This is a place where PI's can really be helpful, especially if you are not stepping up or down. It is often difficult for those who are doing the stepping to also take on the celebration, gift giving, champagne or whatever the ceremony is to be.
Please also check with your Practice Coordinator or Center Director and make sure that you have the Losar liturgies. As far as we know at this time, the chants will be the same as last year.
Yours,
Lee
Thank you for beginning to respond to my query about whether you are adding this site to your habitual patterns. Please keep letting me know.
Meantime, it is almost LOSAR. Yes, really! This would be a good time to begin to raise awareness for the coming Fire Pig year which begins on Sunday, February 18th.
In Seattle, at Nalanda West, as well as the chanting of the Losar Liturgy on Sunday, there are plans for Friday evening and Saturday as well. I believe there will be a Mahakala practice on Friday evening. I know they plan a pot luck on Saturday. As I learn more I will definitely let you know.
Losar also is the time when new coordinators, directors and so forth are welcomed to their positions and those who are stepping down receive the appreciation that they so deeply deserve for all their hard work. This is a place where PI's can really be helpful, especially if you are not stepping up or down. It is often difficult for those who are doing the stepping to also take on the celebration, gift giving, champagne or whatever the ceremony is to be.
Please also check with your Practice Coordinator or Center Director and make sure that you have the Losar liturgies. As far as we know at this time, the chants will be the same as last year.
Yours,
Lee
Monday, January 8, 2007
Is anybody there?
Hello Nalandabodhi PIs, are you out there?
I want to take a pulse reading on whether this blog is something that you are looking at from time to time and also suggestions as to how we can encourage the 2/3rds of PI's who have not signed in to it to do so. There are exciting possibilities here for talking with each other as well as receiving timely information about current and future events, practices and gossip. Losar, for instance, is just around the corner!
So, please, when you read this, let us know by responding. I hope we can have a response by January 14th. There is also a new ceremony for honoring the ill and the recently deceased that I want to share. However first I need to know if you are out there.
Hope so, Love, Lee
I want to take a pulse reading on whether this blog is something that you are looking at from time to time and also suggestions as to how we can encourage the 2/3rds of PI's who have not signed in to it to do so. There are exciting possibilities here for talking with each other as well as receiving timely information about current and future events, practices and gossip. Losar, for instance, is just around the corner!
So, please, when you read this, let us know by responding. I hope we can have a response by January 14th. There is also a new ceremony for honoring the ill and the recently deceased that I want to share. However first I need to know if you are out there.
Hope so, Love, Lee
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Generosity Paramita
Inspiration on Generosity, Paramita for the month of January:
In Sanskrit it is: dana
In Tibetan it is: sbyin pa (Pro. "jin pa")
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boundless Opening
Generosity is the first of the Six Paramitas, and as such, provides the foundation for the progressive development of the bodhisattvas along the paths and bhumis, similar to the foundation of a house providing the support on which to build the successive floors above it. The perfection of generosity occurs when one realizes the emptiness of the three spheres: the profound and vast suchness in the absence of giver, receiver, and the act of generosity between them. The benefit of this to oneself and all beings is as limitless as the sky.
In the Abhidharma, generosity is the cause of karmically inheriting wealth and good fortune in the future; abundance is the effect of having given altruistically in the past. In such a way, one can accumulate the merit that is needed to complement the accumulation of prajna.
Generosity is the virtue that produces peace.
- Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels
In A Song of Meaningful Connections, Milarepa, the Lord of Yogis, sings:
"When a skillful meditator meditating in the wilderness
And a skillful benefactor providing the wherewithal
Come together this connection leads to both gaining buddhahood
But what gives this link is meaning is to dedicate the merit.
In the Bodhicharyavatara Shantideva sings:
1.21 If with kindly generosity
One merely has the wish to soothe
The aching heads of other beings,
Such merit knows no bounds.
1.22 No need to speak, then, of the wish
To drive away the endless pain
Of each and every living being,
Bringing them unbounded virtues.
Atisha teaches of ultimate bodhicitta and generosity in his slogan teachings of Training the Mind (Tib. blo sbyong, pro. "lo jong"):
* Regard all dharmas as dreams
* Examine the nature of unborn awareness
* Self-liberate even the antidote
* Rest in the nature of alaya, the essence
* In post-meditation, be a child of illusion.
The contradictions to the paramita of generosity are:
Contradictions to Generosity with Regard to Material Things
* Not offering to the three jewels
* Giving in to possessiveness
Contradictions to the Generosity of Protection from Fear
* Not respecting more experienced people
* Not answering questions
Those That Prevent the Generosity of Others
* Not accepting invitations as a guest
* Angrily refusing gifts
Contradiction to Generosity with Regard to Dharma
* Not teaching the dharma to those who want it.
In Sanskrit it is: dana
In Tibetan it is: sbyin pa (Pro. "jin pa")
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boundless Opening
Generosity is the first of the Six Paramitas, and as such, provides the foundation for the progressive development of the bodhisattvas along the paths and bhumis, similar to the foundation of a house providing the support on which to build the successive floors above it. The perfection of generosity occurs when one realizes the emptiness of the three spheres: the profound and vast suchness in the absence of giver, receiver, and the act of generosity between them. The benefit of this to oneself and all beings is as limitless as the sky.
In the Abhidharma, generosity is the cause of karmically inheriting wealth and good fortune in the future; abundance is the effect of having given altruistically in the past. In such a way, one can accumulate the merit that is needed to complement the accumulation of prajna.
Generosity is the virtue that produces peace.
- Sutra of the Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels
In A Song of Meaningful Connections, Milarepa, the Lord of Yogis, sings:
"When a skillful meditator meditating in the wilderness
And a skillful benefactor providing the wherewithal
Come together this connection leads to both gaining buddhahood
But what gives this link is meaning is to dedicate the merit.
In the Bodhicharyavatara Shantideva sings:
1.21 If with kindly generosity
One merely has the wish to soothe
The aching heads of other beings,
Such merit knows no bounds.
1.22 No need to speak, then, of the wish
To drive away the endless pain
Of each and every living being,
Bringing them unbounded virtues.
Atisha teaches of ultimate bodhicitta and generosity in his slogan teachings of Training the Mind (Tib. blo sbyong, pro. "lo jong"):
* Regard all dharmas as dreams
* Examine the nature of unborn awareness
* Self-liberate even the antidote
* Rest in the nature of alaya, the essence
* In post-meditation, be a child of illusion.
The contradictions to the paramita of generosity are:
Contradictions to Generosity with Regard to Material Things
* Not offering to the three jewels
* Giving in to possessiveness
Contradictions to the Generosity of Protection from Fear
* Not respecting more experienced people
* Not answering questions
Those That Prevent the Generosity of Others
* Not accepting invitations as a guest
* Angrily refusing gifts
Contradiction to Generosity with Regard to Dharma
* Not teaching the dharma to those who want it.
Monday, January 1, 2007
Tally comment from Josh
oh! the tally details: give the accumulation totals to your center's p4p counter who will, in turn, give them to me, tally@prayer4peace.net. don't know who your center's person is? ask me! want to just count yourself? tell me! want to learn more right now? check the site out: prayer4peace.net! in the last few months the numbers have been pouring in, but not so much from nalandabodhi folks. please direct any questions to tally@prayer4peace.net, and i'll let you in on the secrets so many folks outside our sangha have already figured out. happy new year!
Haaapppy New Yeeeeear
Dear Nalandabodhi PI's,
Regarding P4P, Josh Erickson our new P4P Maistro has added a comment to my new year's eve post that mentions how we now are tallying our mantra recitations. In case you are uncertain, please check out Josh's comment, encourage your sangha to practice, and see if you can obtain the DVD's from this years' Treasury of Knowledge from Vajra Echoes. They will greatly enrich your visualization and support you in aiding those new to Vajrasattva.
(I don't know how to edit my post while retaining Josh's comment or I would take away my New Year's Eve recipe)
I hope you have a very excellent 2007, that your aspirations for your students will be fulfilled and that those for your own practice meet with the time and relaxation necessary to realize them. I am so grateful for all the correspondances we have had this past year, for the work you have done to help this wing of NEC, and for your continuing friendship. Let us continue to work together to make Nalandabodhi a true sangha -- a place where the genuine dharma is well nourished on this earth.
With much love,
Lee
Regarding P4P, Josh Erickson our new P4P Maistro has added a comment to my new year's eve post that mentions how we now are tallying our mantra recitations. In case you are uncertain, please check out Josh's comment, encourage your sangha to practice, and see if you can obtain the DVD's from this years' Treasury of Knowledge from Vajra Echoes. They will greatly enrich your visualization and support you in aiding those new to Vajrasattva.
(I don't know how to edit my post while retaining Josh's comment or I would take away my New Year's Eve recipe)
I hope you have a very excellent 2007, that your aspirations for your students will be fulfilled and that those for your own practice meet with the time and relaxation necessary to realize them. I am so grateful for all the correspondances we have had this past year, for the work you have done to help this wing of NEC, and for your continuing friendship. Let us continue to work together to make Nalandabodhi a true sangha -- a place where the genuine dharma is well nourished on this earth.
With much love,
Lee
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