Property:Letterofmotivation
From Tsadra Foundation Advanced Contemplative Scholarships
This is a property of type Text.
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Dear Tsadra members,
I refer to you to express my aspiration and full determination in dedicating my entire life to meditate and integrate the precious Dharma teachings, every single day, instant by instant.
With my heart opened to love and compassion and guided with immense gratitude, I leave mundane distractions behind. They are all meaningless, since they only feed the ego, cause endless suffering and consume my time. Armed with perseverance, simplicity and diligence, I resolve to consecrate my time and vital energy to Awakening, for the benefit of all.
Regardless of your decision in relation to my request, please receive all the gratitude and respect that I can offer due to your sponsorship and protection of the Dharma activity.
Sincerely yours in Dharma,
Esther Gimeno Naranjo +
With regards to a three year retreat, I really want the opportunity to study under Khenpo Karther Rinpoche who is an enlightened being such an opportunity is precious. Also, I have a karmic accident (car) that will be coming up in my life, and I want to attend retreat to purify that karma and hopefully save my life. +
My aspiration is to have total realization in this life time, that's why I renunced my job, family, friends, became a monk to practice hard to get enlightened to be able to help other beeings, people. This is the only thing that matters in life, to serve and help other beeings. So I asked Situ Rinpoche about the retreat, and than the one was this at Karme Ling KTD US. To do the retreat and after to be more able to serve my guru and dedicate my life helping others. +
I would like to advance my studies so I may help preserve the linage and the ritual practices that are apart of the linage in order to help other dharma students and guest that may come to our meditation center in the future. +
From a very young age, my vision of the environment and of life appeared to me very different from the normal vision of the people with whom I was related, leading me to confuse myself in the deepest part of my interior due to not finding answers to multiple questions about the causes of existence and suffering in the world.
This made me search for Truth. Finding in Buddhism an answer to all my concerns, after a period of study and reflection on the teachings of the Buddha, I practiced and dedicated myself in body, speech and mind to the Dharma.
A blessed disease, which almost took me to the next existence, gave me time, then, to use the convalescence of this disease to perform all the retreats with my root Lama, V.V. Lama Djinpa, who awakened my longing for the final awakening.
My compassion and wisdom have been increasing since then giving my whole existence to the Dharma. With the clear vision of the uncertainty of whether it will be tomorrow or the next life that will come first, I have sat here in Caneto, the spiritual legacy of my root lama, until the Awakening for the benefit of all beings.
OM MANI PADME HUNG HRI +
I have been in retreat at the Caneto Meditation Retreat House ten months now, and I would very much like to continue for a total of four years.
I could perhaps consider remain for a longer time, but I have a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter in Brussels (Belgium), where she was born and lives with her mother. This is a rather awkward situation because the mother rejected me during her pregnancy, and up until now everything has proved quite difficult, though all things considered, everything is gradually improving.
I plan to move to Brussels in order get closer to my daughter when she turns five if that is possible, although for the time being it is only an idea, for, up until now, there has been no possibility for me to fulfill that wish. In fact, the mother allowed me to meet the baby only when she was an eight-month-old toddler.
I usually go to Brussels eight days every six months in order to keep some contact and relationship with my daughter. My family supports me with the travel and accommodation expenses over there. They also provide the girl with a monthly allowance. My family come from modest socio–economic background and they couldn’t possibly help me more than they do, which is definitely a lot with a considerable effort on their part.
Before starting the retreat, I worked in several places in order to gather the money for the retreat, and I managed to earn the equivalent to one year and nine months of retreat time. That is why I thought that applying for the Tsadra Foundation Scholarship could help me in the remaining two years and eight months of the retreat.
My motivation to be in retreat at the Meditation Retreat House of Caneto is that here the retreat approach is purely practical, without any cultural folklore and any personality cult, with emphasis on the mind’s observation and its conscious and unconscious states through the Mahāmudrā practice and the inner yogas in order to give birth to the awakened mind that unites everything in itself and is of spontaneous and natural benefit to every sentient being without exception.
Cristian Fernández
As we all know, the best thing to do with our precious human life is to practice dharma. Retreat is a powerful way to engage with dharma practice and based on my experience the best way for me to cultivate love, compassion, wisdom, a multitude of other virtues, and to benefit all beings. Previously, I did 3-year retreat and it was a profound experience but I realized that I am only beginning to scratch the surface of the profundity of Buddhist dharma. I would like to continue my retreat journey for the benefit of all. +
Dear Tsadra Foundation,
My aspirations to attend three-year retreat is to continue to pursue training full-heartedly-and-complete in the Dharma for my own further transformation, but also for benefit of all sentient beings, and to eventually be able to be of immeasurable benefit to all sentient beings.
I have attended many group and solitary retreats, and there is nothing more that I desire in life except to whole-heartedly give my entirety to the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings.
I have had a strong daily Dharma practice since 2006, and I have had many different jobs, which helped to deepen my understanding of the Bodhisattva. However, now I feel something more is needed. In order to breakthrough some conditioning, which I've had my whole life, I need the support of an intensive, immersive, and demanding experience of the Dharma that is beyond the scope of what daily-routine life can provide.
I have worked hard. I have over come many, many, many challenges in my life, I have done a long solitary retreat of 1 1/2 - and I am currently working as a teacher with children, However, now there is something more that is needed, to give myself over 100% to the Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. So that, perhaps, one day I may be able to be substantially beneficial to other beings. As Jack Kornfield said, "we need more Buddhas in the world not more Buddhists," I aspire nothing less than to become a Buddha as soon as possible to end all suffering. I see no further use for this life except to one-pointedly attend to this possibility.
I want to attend this 3-year retreat at KTD because Karma Kagyu is my root lineage. I did the traditional Kagyu nongdro with Dr. Reggie Ray and have been in the Kagyu modality. I have taken abhishekas, and have attended two fire-pujas, all within the Karma Kagyu context. In 2016 I took abhisheka with Ven. Thrangu Rinpoche, and since then I have moved away from Dharma Ocean, and have one-pointedly committed myself to the Karma Kagyu. I have attended a group retreat at Vajra Vidya, and I have a working relationship with Khenpo Labzong.
Now that Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche has spoken to me and granted me his admission to attend a traditional Karma Kagyu 3-Year Retreat at KTD, I feel with great devotion I must attend this retreat and do everything I can to do just that.
Tsadra Foundation, please consider my application. There is no way I will be able to attend the retreat without your support. I have secured two donors, and I aspire to have savings for which I will be able to contribute, but the bulk-to-half of what I'll need will have to come from you.
Please consider me, thank you, gratefully,
Troy Suben
July 15th, 2019
What would be the motivation for someone to go into a 3 year retreat?, i can't but think, that the main reason must be renunciation, utterly deep need of learning and practice Dharma to later be able to achieve enlightenment, all these of course for the benefit of all sentient beings..but why leave your family and friends when you proud yourself saying is for their own benefit?, this same question came to my mind the first months after becoming a nun when a teacher in a class said, we are nuns now we have abandoned our family and friends in order to follow the dharma, and the only thing I could think of is that it would be very unkind to abandon and forget people that stood by my side for years and that is not what i would want to do at all! Then of course.. Why the prince left the palace? ( written by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche ) not because of unkindness but for the contrary, we need a great compassion to sacrifice our time with them in order to prepare ourselves and be able to lead them afterwards, it would be nice if they'd come with us but is not always possible and like in my case i am preparing myself to go back and take them with me in the right path, not because of unkindness, but because i owed them this, for all the things they gave me, for all the support they gave me i owed them to learn how to follow the right path and then of course afterwards all sentient beings to the smallest one.
There's also the slow way of course, but i didn't have the fortune to meet the Dharma at young age, so i can't afford to do the long 12 years studies and Courses then think of practicing, i must start practicing right away, at least i am glad that i have a strong renunciation and the urgency to learn Dharma, not only for me but my parents in this lifetime are getting old and i might not have time to repay their kindness towards me, that gives me such and urgency to practice, as the dharma books says, you should practice like a beautiful women whose hair is on fire, (not that my could!). I must practice now, then go back home and repay the kindness of my parents.
I think the 3 year retreat will give me the basics I need to start a strong practice afterwards back in Bolivia where I am originally from, and also the strength to practice alone, I need to be able to survive a country where there is almost no Buddhism at all, I have confidence that the 3 years retreat will give me confidence, the basis and the strength to go solo afterwards.
I will also be able to fulfill a promise to my mother when I become a nun, I promise her I will get enlighten and come back to take her with me, where ever she is, where ever she goes I will come back for her first, then all sentient beings.
At the completion of my 3-year retreat at Sopa Choling (Gampo Abbey) in 2017, it was clear to me that I wasn’t finished with retreat, that I needed to continue and that I would do everything in my power to make it happen. It is with that in mind that I am applying today, 2 years later. My aspiration is as strong as ever.
Following HH Karmapa’s advice of being in the world for some time after the 3-year retreat and before going back in, I explored my mind in the context of daily regular life and came to see directly obstacles I need to work with in practice. Even though there is some progress, I know from experience that a retreat situation is the most effective for me. Although I can and do integrate practice into daily life, it leaves me unsatisfied and I yearn to go more deeply into it, with undivided attention, knowing how much more efficient it would be.
Furthermore, because there is such a yearning, I feel retreat practice is the best way I can contribute to this world at this point. First there is the intention of setting an example and inspire other practitioners that such a thing can be done in the West and by Westerners, that one doesn’t need to be a monastic to commit to such a project but that it is a matter of personal choice and dedication. In addition, through fundraising and getting together a team of people providing support, there is a greater exposure to the benefits and merit is shared. Hopefully it will help strengthen others’ practice as well.
Secondly, in all honesty, I do not feel ready to take on other role in helping the Dharma at this point. As much as I would like it, it is clear to me that my practice needs to mature some more so that when or if I teach one day it will be from direct experience, as I am not a scholar.
Because His Holiness blessed it and suggested a practice, I consider myself committed to making this retreat happen, however long it may take to gather the funds. Unfortunately, this would take many years if I were to pay for it entirely since my income is small, and it would leave me with little opportunity of saving for old age, whereas at age 51 there would still be some time to do that when I come out of retreat. (I would be then 55)
Naturally, I would prefer to take on such an endeavor as soon as possible since so many obstacles can arise as one ages. Aside from the possibilities of increasing health problems and my own parents requiring more support, I find my energy level is already starting to decline and so I could get the most out of it if I were to do it sooner. And obviously, the faster I mature as a practitioner, the sooner I can in turn contribute to the Dharma.
I first asked my main Guru Choje Akong Rinpoche to do a 3 year retreat when i was 23 years old. He told me " No, it is not the right time now. You need to work; we will see later". My answer to him was "Rinpoche, if I die before doing retreat, how am I gonna do ?". He smiled and told me "When it will be the right time I will tell you ".
Thanks to my Guru Choje Akong Rinpoche who requested HE Tai Situ Rinpoche to teach his own students , from 1991 to 2007 i could study the Mahamudra Ocean of Definitive Meaning with HE Tai Situ Rinpoche, who was teaching us directly in English. The practice commitment was 2 hours of practice / day.
In 2009, 17 years after my first request, Choje Akong Rinpoche finally accepted me in the last retreat that he would supervise and that he put under the authority of the excellent Drupon Rinpoche Khenpo Lhabu.from Thrangu monastery in Nepal.
I did that retreat and enjoyed it from the first until the last day. Until the end Drupon Rinpoche Khenpo Lhabu told me that my practice was going in right direction but that my view was still "fabricated".
Four years ago, I met Pema Yangchen Nymeyer who became my wife in December 2018. She brought me to Pema Osel Ling and i fell in love with the people and the place. Soon after that, i asked Lam Sonam Rinpoche and the Drupon if i could join the next retreat. After a long interview on Skype i was accepted and, in April 2019, I asked HE Tai Situ Rinpoche during an interview in Delhi with Dharma friends for his authorization and blessing for that retreat.
He kindly gave me the authorization and I don't remember being more happy. He also predicted that I would do another Karma Kagyu retreat in future.
I am doing now whatever I can to be ready for the retreat in Pema Osel Ling and hope it can benefit me and all sentient beings.
The US "green card" application was filed at end of January 2019 by a lawyer in Santa Barbara and I hope Tsadra Foundation will help me to gather the material resources.
As long as I can stay in retreat, I hope that my mind becomes more pliable, my heart softer and more open. The personal benefit of Individual retreat practice seems to be that one becomes adept at holding space for oneself (and the different parts of one's 'self'). Once that experience of space is stabilized and expanded, then one can benefit others by holding space for them. This is the ultimate aim of retreat, as I see it: the more aligned I am with my spacious nature, a commensurate lack of contraction and defensiveness follow, so that all my interpersonal relating becomes more responsive to the needs of others.
More concretely, this retreat is a long digestive moment to integrate all I have learned, all the transmissions I received in Nepal and India over the last decade. I'm making a running attempt at composting the "Dharma of Scriptures" I have absorbed into a drop of the "Dharma of Realization," lest my translations ossify into husks of words with no underlying heart. It has always been my intent to bring back what I learned in traditional settings as a Tibetan-English 'translator' in the larger sense of the word. This is why I am deconstructing my identity structure in a cabin in California, not in a cave in the Himalaya.
I hope to expand my lived experience in four areas: genuine compassion based on understanding how and why we suffer; devotion to my teachers and the Buddhist path in general; appreciation for impermanence; and the unfolding of awareness. All 84,000 doors of Dharma are equally potent tools for these goals, but the golden chain of the Nyingthik instructions tradition seems to have fallen as my fortune, and due to karmic connections with Lama Drimed Norbu, secluded intensive practice seems to be the path presently before me.
In my time on this path, roughly half of my life, I have endured some trials for the sake of the Dharma. In the context of my love affair with the Chetsün Nyingthik, while accumulating the preliminary practices, I moved to a new country, gained strong facility in two languages (Tibetan and Sanskrit), basic situational facility in two others (Hindi and Nepali), and completed an M.A. program. Life in Nepal is not easy in the best of times, yet I continued without break in my course of study despite a catastrophic earthquake (with its national and personal aftershocks) and subsequent energy crisis. In entering this retreat, I have abruptly paused my beginning academic career: I began 102 days after my teacher suggested I begin this long retreat after I moved back from Nepal, without secure funding for the duration. This explains the awkward task of seeking funding for a retreat that has already begun. I hope that my vision and my resilience in the face of challenging circumstances will indicate my commitment to this path, and my uniquely supportive present situation will show that it is possible. Thank you for your consideration.
I gave up my ten years of professional career with the intention of dedicating the rest of my life to the Dharma and as little of anything else as possible. Over the last eleven years of pursuing Dharma study, contemplation, and practice—I have always had a strong and deep intention of doing a long retreat, and have been gearing my mind for this in the past ten years.
A three-year retreat is the perfect opportunity to expand and deepen my understanding of the Dharma so as to truly combine the intellectual and experiential understanding of my mind. And among the great lamas I have had the fortune to meet, I feel that meeting Garchen Rinpoche is the single greatest fortune in my life and it would simply be amazing to do a retreat in his vicinity.
I pray that I would be able to improve my service to the propagation of Dharma through this retreat. Thank you very much for kind consideration! +
I wholeheartedly wish to immerse myself full-time in Tibetan Buddhist practice, and it would be perfect to do this in the structured and guided practice program of a three-year retreat. Moreover, I cannot think of anything better than doing this near Garchen Rinpoche in Arizona – this would be the best place in the world for me to be. I also feel that it is exactly the right time now, because I have finished my studies, and I will be able to complete all my translation projects before the three-year retreat starts.
Having done one year of ngöndro retreat 3 years ago, I am familiar with retreat life and feel fully confident that a three-year retreat will greatly enhance my practice. I therefore sincerely wish that you will grant me your contemplative scholarship to fulfill my genuine aspiration to do the three-year retreat at Garchen Buddhist Institute.
After having studied and translated Tibetan Buddhism for eleven years, I really feel a strong urge and need to gain a deeper practical experience through a long retreat. This will also enable me to serve others better, for example by being able to translate the teachings with a deeper understanding. +
My genuine aspirations are to break free from samsaric cyclic existence; to realize and embody the relative and the absolute Bodhichitta; through the inner practice to acquire a suitable vessel, skills and means to help being of all levels to make strong connection with Buddha-Dharma and progress on the path.
I had chosen to do 3-year retreat at Karme Ling, because Ven. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche is my Root Guru and I belong to the Kagyu Lineage sincerely. I also have strong connection and heartfelt relationships with the community and the Lamas. It, also, has been clear to me that I have no interest in leading mundane life or even running a personal household. Doing the traditional 3-year retreat and move forward on the Bodhisattva path is my priority. Back in 2009 Buddhist's 3-year retreat was mentioned by a fellow student of my Yoga teacher. Upon hearing about it my entire being responded with recognition and aspiration to enter and complete a three-year retreat "one day". I am grateful and happy beyond measure for this opportunity to finally ripen. I pray that it will be fulfilled. I am willing to exert myself with joy for this purpose. I am confident in my ability to follow through and be a dedicated and diligent student/practitioner. Sarwa Mangalam! +
I wish to continue to grow in my practice and understanding of the dharma.
I wish to serve the dharma in any capacity requested of me.
I aspire to become knowledgeable in ritual, traditions and practice of the Dudjom Tersar Lineage of Vajrayana Bhuddism.
Ultimately I wish to attain enlightenment in this lifetime with all other sentient beings.
Reasons to consider my application are that I am committed to all of the above.I will participate fully in the retreat and strive to be of service throughout. I will utilize whatever abilities I have to be successful and to assist others. I will be attentive to the teachings of my lama and others in their various roles. +
Completing a three year retreat is something I have known I must fulfill in this lifetime. It frightens me a little, but I simply must do it. I know there have been practitioners who find other people to raise their children, or manage to somehow do intensive practices while balancing parenting and full time work, but that has not been my karma. I retired early in 2013 with the intention of devoting formerly working hours but as it turned out I still had more karmic debt to work out with another and that plan was dashed. My younger child is now 18 and off to college, and the opportunity presents itself. I must take it. The desire to devote my time to only practice burns within my heart. The house is on fire. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I will say that I truly believe I will die if I do not honor this need to practice intensively in this lifetime. Quoting Rilke, "I am too alone in this world, yet not alone enough to make every moment holy." The worldly realm does not interest me greatly. I have relinquished two-thirds of my possessions (though they do seem to want to reaccumulate); I have raised my children and trust them to carry on. I am in my 60s and in reasonable health, though the last five years have made the impermanence of the body starkly apparent. How much time is there? I aspire to cultivate bodhicitta that arises as naturally as breath. I aspire to offer my entire being to the Three Jewels in order that all beings benefit. I pray that my practice will dispel the negative karma accumulated through so many lifetimes of ignorance. I want to truly understand the sadhanas, to stabilize visualization, to develop siddhis, to ripen these dharmic seeds. I aspire to dispel the ignorance that has clouded my lifetimes. I wish to be of service to others through profound and skillful means. I wish to honor my Dharma brothers and sisters and my Vajra family, and my teachers with my devoted practice that I have been unable to do while being a householder, due to my own clumsy nature. I want to enter the symbiosis of the drubdra, being supported and learning while dedicating all merit for the benefit of all beings.
I hope your foundation is able to support me in this. Thank you all.
Although I have a rich Dharma background spanning over some over 30 years I have certainly not achieved the profound insight, or realisation, or awakening that marks liberation, the basis to effectively be of benefit for the countless suffering forms that can be perceived and who to liberate I vowed many years ago.
Although I do what I can to maintain a healthy degree of alertness, the habitual tendencies whirl me around and against better intention I fall prey to lesser drives than what would be conducive to awakening. In past retreats I have had a glimpse of what a prolonged practice can yield and I am hungry and keen on going all he way.
In such a 3 years retreat I would anticipate to face no more or less challenges than when living a normal live outside, but the transformative opportunity would be massively different under the expert tutelage of the kind Drupon who would help me in transforming every moment to gain direct insight into my true nature. I know not whether or not ultimate liberation is possible for me in this life, but feeling healthy and clear in my mind I would like to think that the 3 years retreat would form a formidable platform to take a very great step towards dropping the superfluous dredges of ego-hood ad enter or approach a state I see perfectly embodied in my precious inspirations, ,my original root Lama Gege Khyentse Gyatso and Garchen Rinpoche. +
My primary motivation to enter the 3-Year Retreat at Pema Ösel Ling is a weariness with samsara and the suffering in this world, along with a wish to be able to benefit beings to ease or end their suffering, too. In retreat, I hope to be able to better develop bodhicitta and understanding of Dharma to benefit myself as well as all sentient beings.
I was born into a Tibetan Buddhist family in Orissa, India. My mother gave us many little teachings in our everyday lives, saying they were from H.H. Düdjom Rinpoche. When I was in school, we received many teachings and were told many stories from all traditions. Our school also invited many great Rinpoches from all Tibetan Buddhist schools to teach and inspire us. So, from an early age I developed devotion, faith and confidence in Buddha-dharma.
In January 2018, I received instruction and teachings on the Düdjom Tersar Ngöndro from my teacher, Tulku Orgyen Phuntsog Rinpoche, and began practicing ngöndro. Then, in the summer of 2018, I received empowerments in the Düdjom Tersar tradition from H.H. Düdjom Yangsi Rinpoche himself, at Pema Ösel Ling and in Santa Barbara, CA. That gave me a special connection with His Holiness, the Düdjom lineage, and Pema Ösel Ling.
My husband, Stephane Bertha, entered the 3-Year Retreat at Pema Ösel Ling in 2020. Before he started retreat, we attended Losar Vajrakilaya practice and preparation for his pre-retreat. After returning home, I felt strongly that I should do retreat also. I had not considered that before because of plans to further my nursing career, spending 3 years to get into a Registered Nursing program. The fact of impermanence hit me strongly. I saw that Dharma is the most important thing in my life. When we die, only Dharma can carry us, not the mundane things we’ve done in our lives.
Lama Sonam Tsering Rinpoche, director of Vajrayana Foundation and Pema Osel Ling, was very happy to hear of my request and gave his approval. My own Lama, Tulku Orgyen Phuntsog Rinpoche, gave his blessing and encouragement, saying that conditions and circumstances in my life were very favorable for me to do this retreat now. Having met the retreat master, I have complete confidence in his knowledge and ability.
I am nearly 50 years old and have seen much of the suffering and dissatisfaction people have in this world, wandering in samsara. I feel this is a good age for me to do retreat. I have developed and cultivated a weariness with samsara, an awareness of impermanence, death, and karma, as well as an awareness of my precious and auspicious life and circumstances. I am old enough to have this experience but still young enough where I can physically participate in dedicated, full-time retreat.
My intention is to develop my qualities as a Dharma practitioner and to have a deeper understanding of Buddha-dharma. My wish is to benefit beings and to assist my Lama in the future however I can.
It has taken some years for my life to evolve from being someone interested in Buddha Dharma to becoming a more serious practitioner. After taking refuge with my first teacher, I put a lot of effort into travelling yearly to India to see him and receive instructions. Still, it took some years to integrate practice into my life home in New Orleans. After moving to Katog Rithrod and receiving more teaching and instruction from Khentrul Rinpoche, as well as simply being with him day to day, I have begun to see more clearly that a contemplative life, with “fewer needs and more contentment” (as Rinpoche says) is the direction I would like to take my life. Having watched two groups go through the three-year retreat program here, I can see the benefits of the retreat, both in the maturity of the graduated practitioners and also in how their retreats have helped support the work and energy of the entire community here. Though when I first moved here and for many years after, my focus was on activity and creating the retreat center itself, I slowly have been integrating more and longer retreats and strengthening my daily practices.
My goal is to move towards more and more study, practice and retreat that could be maintained throughout the rest of my life. This would allow me the time and flexibility to continue to support the retreat center and the people who come here for retreat. I believe the foundation of the three-year retreat will help me to build and stabilize that life of practice. The opportunity to do so and receive the education and meditation instruction from a teacher that offers such a thorough, profound, and traditional three year retreat curriculum is more than I could have ever hoped for. So, my aspiration is that in completing the three year retreat I am able to build the foundation for wisdom and realization which will allow me to be of greater benefit to all beings, in this lifetime or the next. My commitment is to the flourishing of the dharma, this retreat center and Khentrul Rinpoche’s activities, and the best way I can do that is to offer my life and work and be the best practitioner I can be to be of benefit to him and the center in any way needed.
