Property:Letterofmotivation
From Tsadra Foundation Advanced Contemplative Scholarships
This is a property of type Text.
G
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. +
Dear members of the Tsadra foundation,
My name is Guillaume, or ཀ་དག་ in the Dharma environment. I am 37 years old and I have had a pretty smooth and enjoyable life until now. I have lived the classic french life: studying, working and starting to build a family. After a major love relationship for almost ten years, twelve years working in different companies and living in a very nice area close to friends and relatives, I finally realized that happiness and suffering are little dependent on external situations. Rather, it is mainly due to my state of mind. Then I got interested in meditation and discovered the Buddha’s teachings.
I realized that whereas I have all the freedoms and qualifications of the precious human life I have been wasting it with mundane activities of little benefit for my fellow living beings. I started to shift my focus to look inside and began practicing meditation regularly.
I am very lucky to have met a great Dharma center, Karma Ling and the Shangpa lineage with a French fully-qualified lama: Denys Rinpoche. Aware of impermanence, I know those are rare conditions that might change quickly. Therefore, I need to practice intensely and to practice now.
Realizing interdependence I want to be more conscious of my mind and body actions in order to stop creating more suffering and to help liberating all being from samsara.
I have a very strong confidence in the three Jewels, the three Sources, and the clear light. I am deeply convinced that practicing Dharma and integrating it thoroughly to my life is the most important thing to do. I am very inspired by those great lamas who gave their whole life to benefit all living being, especially his holiness the Dalai-lama, Vajradhara Kalu Rinpoche, my root lama and all the masters of all traditions who helped preserve and spread the teachings. My deep gratitude goes to them all.
The three-year retreat will give me an ideal environment to practice, far from the immensity of distractions that our occidental environment presents. It will enable me to face myself completely and to really contemplate the workings of my mind. Also it will give me a good introduction to the advanced meditations of Vajrayana and especially the Shangpa lineage ones. Thus I will be able to understand what practice suits me best so that I can keep on practicing it all my life.
I got prepared in many ways for this three-year retreat, and also financially. Though I saved some money and found support among my family and friends, a part of my retreat budget is still lacking.
The Tsadra foundation is a blessing for western practitioners like me, helping people completing their long-term contemplative retreat in good conditions. I would be honored and very grateful to be selected for the Advanced Contemplative Scholarships.
From heart to heart,
Tashi delek
Guillaume Ducrue / ཀ་དག་ཀུན་ཁྱབ
H
Although I have studied Buddhist philosophy for more than three decades and have completed a lot of translation work over the years, I have always felt that scholarship was not precisely my calling. While all of my efforts, especially developing the Tara Triple Excellence program, have undoubtedly benefited myself and others, I do not feel completely satisfied.
Furthermore, I know that I do not want to die as an ordinary being. If I were to die today, I would die with regret in my heart and with the fear of not knowing what awaits me. Also, right now I cannot help my parents and others the way I would like to. Therefore, I am inspired to put all of my energy into retreat in order to translate my conceptual learning into direct embodied experience.
I have completed a three month retreat nearly every year since 2016 and have always felt that 90 days was too short to gain complete stability in practice. Now my teacher, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, has given me permission to enter a three-year retreat and I feel overjoyed by this opportunity to make my life truly meaningful. +
I
Life finally gained the right perspective through the Dharma. The Åsimpleà but fundamental truth that below all destruction & plight lies the ego gave my world-changing ambition a new bent: a world free of egos, hence suffering seemed ready at hand. With practice, however, my ÅBuddhist utopiaà moved into the distance. Blaming othersÅ egos as the culprits for universal suffering was easy; accepting that my own ego created much suffering more difficult; but I was blind to the fact that suffering starts in my own mind. I had heard and read such countless times. Still, intellectual knowledge fell short of personal experience: I had been blissfully unaware about the intensity of ego-grasping, and the sheer amount of confusion the mind carries Ä until the last retreat.
Originally, I had the rather naive aspiration to Åliberateà others. Retreat showed that just Åliberatingà myself was all but easy! Nevertheless, retreat did sharpen my understanding of essential (Buddhist) truths. Habitual patterns, for instance, seemed straight-forward, but proved to be more stubborn than I had anticipated, particularly in relation to concepts. Slowly, I gained some insight into the subtle, sometimes intolerable suffering of concepts, and how conditioned every moment of my existence is, endowing terms such as Åconditioned existenceà with deeper meaning: the theatre of my own self-perception, which was closed down by retreat. Ego had lost its stage, and so it was confronted with the roles it had taken in a play that only featured itself. Retreat forced my ego to reduce its roles and rewrite the play. Conversely, during the retreat-break I could see how people around me were creating dramas to stay in the centre of their plays, and their resultant suffering. As I had restructured my own theatre, I had gained the ability to help them change their plays, or roles therein. Still, I could not keep us from acting. For this, I first have to realize the absurdity of the play myself.
I only learned to manage the theatre of my own mind, and the freedom that lies therein, graced by the guidance, unequalled kindness and blessings of my teacher His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. Hence I consider it the greatest fortune in my life to have found Rinpoche, and to have followed his advice to dedicate my life to contemplation. Rinpoche left behind sacred objects for the present retreat, so it remains his wish that I continue to train my mind through the contemplative techniques he transmitted. Fulfilling my guruÅs wishes through retreat, I hope that RinpocheÅs qualities may unfold in me without leaving the slightest trace of ego, or selfishness; so that his power gives me the capacity & strength to help others in every possible way; so that his compassion ripens in me to relieve the depth of suffering, external, emotional & conceptual, every single moment; so that his wisdom fully matures in me so that in the same way as Rinpoche has been for me, I may become a source of happiness & freedom.
Dear Tsadra Foundation,
I think iam ready for the Retreat of three Years. The Importnace is the achievments of Enlightenment to liberate other Senitient Beings from their Sufferings.
Iam currently translating a Book for the Professor Robert Thurman, The Essenz of True Eloquenz.
I want to contine this while in the Retreat!.
I do undertstand very well the Nature of Samsar, in this Life i had gone many many Circles already.
I love to to the Retreat to deepen my Buddhanature to clear negative Karmas and to train my Mind
extensivly.
I had been a Bhuddhist Nun for 3 Times in Asia. But often their were Language Barriers, which lead to Frustration.
I do understand the Nature of the Mind and the Arsing of Suffering, and i do like to cultivate more Compassion for myself nd for my Fellow Human Beeings.
I have a strong Connection to Kagyu Lineage and to the Jonang Lineage.
and a Retreat would so much more ensure my going in the right Direction and to fullfill my Dharma.
Becoming truly enlightned is very diffcult while living in the modern World.
Therefore a Retreat is very beneficial.
I have a strong Disciplin and s strogn Dedication to help end the suffering of those Beings, a Retreat would be now i the right order of my Curriculum in this Lifetime in this Body, any other things would be only wasting time.
I would be truly blessed if i got the Chance for the 3 Year Retraet and to receive the full Scholarship, because i would have a Chance to proof my Decication and my Gratefullness to the Lama.
For your kind Consideration of my Application, The Karmapa and The Tai Situ Rinpoche would have a very genuine and sincere Applicant!
Best, Ivonne Tiesler +
J
I have been very fortunate to meet authentic teachers and create a karmic link with an authentic lineage, I do not want to take this gift lightly. I have been very fortunate to be able to serve over the past 10 years as the director of operations for two dharma centers, taking service as the path to be close to the teachings, teachers and practice is most important to me.
At this time I feel the most important thing i can do is to completely take the time and attention to dedicate to study, contemplation and mediation. To be able to completely dedicate my time and attention to practice is so rare and so hard to find.
Last year I had a near death experience that gave me the felt sense and not just a contemplation practice, that soon we will all pass. The only thing I feel I will take with me at that moment, is my state of mind and I will be pushed and pulled by my karma.
I find myself now reading and re-reading some of the great teaching from the past masters and everyday as i read my Ngondro text, I realize the precious causes and conditions that have come together to bring me into an authentic lineage and connection with an authentic guru. I do not want to take this opportunity for granted or waste this opportunity now. I know that death may come swiftly and unexpected, without warning.
It has been suggested by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche to pursue the three year retreat, to dedicate my time to practice. I know it will not be easy to abandon the eight worldly concerns and dedicate all my energy and attention to practice. but when I think of anything and all the things one could possibly do in one's life, taking the time to completely dedicate oneself and rely completely on the three jewels and practice the authentic dharma, i cannot think of anything more beneficial at this point. If i truly wish to be of good service to others I have to first tame the mind, train the mind and recognize the nature of mind, to truly give myself completely to the benefit of others.
Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche indicated that remaining in retreat in this life was a good way to go for me and I aspire to continue in that way.
I am very passionate about the path and the brilliance of the way it continually unfolds for me, not just blending my mind with the Dharma but embodying the Teachings and their livingness with every breath that I take. Embracing all that arises and bringing it along as I just keep going and choosing to turn toward Awareness and compassionate action as the only options in life.
Although I am considered a dzogchen practitioner, with the aspiration to stabilize in Awareness, what first spoke to me when I met the Dharma and remains the foundation for everything that I engage in is the simplicity and directness of love, compassion, joy and equinimity and their expression through me and the increased capacity to radiate those qualities wherever I am and to whomever comes my way, seen and unseen.
Briefly, the reasons for my retreat this year are:
--to continue to erase the line between meditation and post meditation, allowing Awareness to blossom everywhere
--to continue to stabilize in Awareness so that I die into Awareness. This is a deep aspiration for me as I have a severe lung disease that came on in the 7th year of my retreat and has been my most sublime Teacher and an intimate connecting link to all those who suffer from incurable diseases.
--to keep my practice fresh alive, meaningful and immediate.
--to have the conducive circumstances so that the interval grows longer and wider as the Teachings reveal themselves directly to me and guide me as I go.
--Living with the exquisite frustration that I will never be able to repay my Lama's kindness, I make this retreat my offering to him, the precious lineage and all sentient beings
I am not computer savvy. Please let me know via email that you received this. The documents will follow by Thurs.
Thank you,
With warm regards,
Jennifer Gordon
shaynaleeba@earthlink.net
1. Fulfillment:
* I first met Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche when he was giving a three week retreat on the Throma Cycle. I instantly fell in love with him and Throma. At that time, I have to admit, I was both intrigued and terrified by the power of the practice. When I entered my 4-year Dzogchen training with Rinpoche, I shared with him my desire to deepen in relation to Throma and he gave me extensive trainings on Throma ngondro with the promise that I complete that and enter into her cycle. However, when I completed my 4 year Dzogchen training, Rinpoche chose the Chetsun Nyingtik Cycle as the most supportive practice to deepen in. I can see now the wisdom of that. The language is imbued with the View and the cycle is very simple and direct. From the point of view of the three roots, it touches both Lama and Yidam principles. As I come to the end of that cycle, I wish to pick up the thread of my commitment to the Black Dakini and fulfill my promise to Rinpoche.
2. Full Circle:
It seems as though I am returning to my first love. But the meeting now can be of a different order. Although I had the desire to enter the mandala of the Black Dakini a long time ago, I simply was not mature enough. Now I can gather the devotion, qualities, discipline, experience and Awareness "muscles" that have been growing and allow them to inform this reunion. There has been a maturation, where the fascination and terror has given way to a genuine desrie to embody the powerful wisdom of the Black Dakini, to cut through the veils of separation and to work fearlessly with the wild, crazy energies that are rampant in our world and the desparate situations that beings find themselves in these days.
3. The Medicine of these Times:
In these times of extreme polarization, where hatred, greed, ignorance and speed continue to cut us off from the roots of our true nature, where the intellect has co-opted the heart and imprisoned the womb, it is my wish to enter this cycle of dakini practice that has the power and skillful means to dance in the marketplace of extremes. I hear her urgently calling, with an invitation to enter into the vastness of her womb and the sanctity of her generous heart. This is where I wish to dwell in retreat and ultimately wish to support others in dwelling.
Aspiration:
That I may be taken under the care of the Great Mother, Throma Ngagmo, never to be separate from her essence and throught the power of the blessings of the Dakinis, whether my activity is to work directly with people and teach, write a book that inspires or plant myself, like a prayer flag, at the edge of a cliff singing mantra into the wind, there will be no breath left in me that does not carry the wish for all beings to be happy, no song that does not stir the hearts of beings and no gesture that is not welcoming one home to their own true nature
Please let me know via email that you received this. The other documents will follow in a separate email
Thank you for all your support With warm regards, Jennifer Gordon shaynaleba@earthlink.net
I would like to dedicate the rest of my life to practicing dharma to liberate myself and others from samsara. After receiving many precious instructions, I would like to dedicate a period of time for practice to build a strong practice habit. +
When I was young, a three-year retreat was to my mind the most far-fetched and extreme example of cutting oneself off from the world. Now, after 40 years of practicing the kagyü and shambhala dharma — having done many retreats, having engaged in many roles of supporting people’s practice, having heard, contemplated and meditated on what is the point of doing anything at all — a three-year retreat seems to be a small soft spot in the hardness of materialism that dominates the world. Even a few of us working together to let go of self-centeredness and give rise to the generosity of devotion makes a difference. I have faith in the power of retreat to help the world, on the subtle level of loosening karmic attachment and the gross level of diminishing kleshic delusion. Since I am in the final phase of my life, and since I still have health and ability to seal my commitment to awakening through practice, I will do everything in my power to get to the retreat in 2024. If Tsadra Foundation can grant me some assistance, I will ask for donations to gather the rest. I am asking for help because I do not have the necessary financial resources and must ask for help. +
I have been a Buddhist for many years, and feel I have a long way to go ,many lifetimes. I would like to spend the rest of my life in deep practice, so that I can ensure a good re-birth, and hopefully help many sentient beings find and practice the Dharma.
I spent 14 weeks at Gampo Abbey during the winter of 2021, and realised a contemplative life was my calling. Pema Chodron is a wonderful teacher, and she certainly inspired me to consider doing the 3 Year Retreat. I found the environment around Gampo Abbey very conducive to practice, and I
made good friends with a few of the fellow participants.
I feel you should consider my application because I am certain that I can do the whole retreat, I will always have a job that I can continue to do in between the times I am in retreat. I know for sure it will be very challenging, but I'm up for the challenge. I am 74 years old and in good physical condition due to the nature of my work. Ive been a landscaper for nearly 40 years.
I am divorced, and have one daughter who is 33 years old. In a month she will graduate as a massage therapist. She lives in Vancouver , and is very independent +
K
The proper motivation for becoming enlightened and therefore for a retreat towards that end is to become enlightened for the benefit of all sentient beings. Compassion, however, is subject to the same consideration of emptiness as mind and all phenomena. Geology trains one to think in terms of millions of years; for physics, it is billions. Compassion is also subject to these temporal perspectives. In 1981 I was a strict materialist studying modern physics. After I learned that the protons constructing the nuclei of atoms were forced together in stars by the enormous energy found there, I realized that I was the universe looking out at itself. And so was everyone else.
I originally studied physics and therefore math in order to become an inventor so that I could bring new ideas into existence to benefit mankind. These contributions, however, are fleeting in the vast perspectives of time. Even if completely successful, the American dream and inventions could only construct a god realm; yet, we still must die and inherit our karma. No matter what compassionate acts I might contribute over multiple lifetimes via a common path, eventually space will expand so much that atoms will no longer be able to exist in the universe. Only an ÃEmpty Form Bodyà constructed of Ãspace particlesà could exist in such an environment.
The Kalachakra Tantra offers the prescription for attaining such a form. It is my conjecture that such evolved non-sentient beings will have a roll in helping the next universe come into being. Via the consciousness of such beings, a universe will be selected via a quantum collapse from all possible universes so as to have at least the physical force constants that will allow for forces that permit conscious life to again exist and evolve. All other acts of compassion are possible from such non-sentient beings in all other temporal scales from helping someone by a simple kindness to guiding them over multiple lifetimes and via multiple universes to also become such a non-sentient being, a Buddha, themselves. I live in a unique time; I have been exposed to the teachings from the Dalai Lama, live above the temple founded by his brother, have access to the profound teachers from his office, and have the blessing and permission to practice from Arja Rinpoche, who was sent here by His Holiness. I am lacking only the money to enable me to practice full time. It would be my vow to Tsadra that whatever benefits I achieve, I would do so with the commitment to help all other sentient beings to attain enlightenment over countless lifetimes.
As for my effort, three years ago I had a cardiac arrest when peacefully sitting during a practice at my Tae Kwon Doe school. I was given CPR by a doctor friend and defibrillated twelve times by the fire rescue. I was clinically dead for 55 minutes that morning. Later that week, after being brought back from an induced cooling comma, I was flat lined, given up on, and only thought possibly to be alive by a tech while she was doing the final EEG before unplugging me and thought that my eyes might be tracking. Then after being asked to blink once, twice, and five times by the intensive care nurse and later by the neurologist, I squeezed each blink. Later during a process called mioclonus, which usually happens when someone is dying, I was conscious. This is apparently unusual, because my Chinese neurologist gave a paper to my brother, also a critical care doctor, which showed the last documented case was in the 1960Ãs. Later I learned of all of this from my nurse, who also said I wasnÃt breathing much, which is what happens during a good Kalachakra meditation. When I woke up and before I opened my eyes, I was mentally reciting my Kalachakra Sadhana, which gave me a sense of grounding while in this very fragile state. After five weeks in the hospital, I moved out of the house that I had lived in and put only my books in storage in case I taught again. After living for a month and meditating in a tent I moved into the Kumbum Monestary and have been practicing as much as possible ever since. Khetsun Sangpo writes: ÃWith regard to how much time there is for practice, you should be like someone who has just been hit by an arrow and who is trying to get rid of it. He does not bother about who shot it or where it came from, he acts swiftly to remove it.Ã Since 1999, I have practiced regularly and intently, but since being given a second chance, I have been using the next twenty-five years, which my cardiologist believes that I have, to make as much progress along the path as possible.
There are a couple of other considerations that I really have to express. After the Cardiac arrest, as I became familiar with my body again, everything including shaving, brushing my teeth, taking a shower at home for the first time, visiting a normally frequented restraint, etc. were like major dejavus. Gradually this phenomena reduced and was replaced by other differences. I have become more subtle as a result of these experiences and driven to practice even to the detriment of what would be considered normal activities. Yet the need to make money is driving me back to normal activities, which I think is a waste of what I have been given. Also, the morning I had my Cardiac arrest, everything lined up. After a six months absence, I was in a place that I had frequented for over twenty years, had a large strong doctor friend willing, able, and determined to give me CPR, a fire department across the street, the best cardiac hospital in Indiana four miles away, doctors that could induce a cooling protocol, a doctor that happened to come in on Saturday to the intensive care and saw me coding again, and a tech that thought my eyes were tracking after I was declared brain dead by the neurologist. I am struggling very hard to honor these signs as I see them. I have the knowledge, the determination, the joy, the perspective, and now the subtlety to make headway on the path. I have been fortunate to have the help of Geshe Kunga and Arja RinpocheÃs blessing to live here in the monastery. It would be my deep appreciation to have whatever support Tsadra can afford so that I can truly focus all of my attention to the path for myself and all others that I can benefit from my efforts. Thank you so much for considering me for this.
Very Truly yours,
J. Carl Vandivier III
It is my greatest wish to go into three year retreat. I hold a long term aspiration to immerse myself in practice uninterruptedly. My essential motivation is Bodhicitta. Impermanence walks beside me as a reminder of what really matters in this ephemeral existence.
At age eleven, I began Transcendental Meditation. At fifteen, after volunteering at an intensive retreat with Maharishi on the coast of Spain, I decided with strong intent that I would meditate until Enlightenment.
My mother sent me to Europe twice to work with Maharishi and continued her support until the birth of my first child. Her advice to me was very direct, ТThe most important thing in this life is to meditate and gain Enlightenment above all else." I took it to heart.
At nineteen, I was introduced to the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Later, I spent four years studying and practicing with a direct disciple of both. The flame of aspiration was born in my heart.
In 1984, after the death of my mother and a divorce, circumstances led me into solitary retreat in the mountains of Switzerland. From there I travelled to Israel for four months and then sailed to a small island in Greece. An awakened hermit and priest gave me a deep appreciation for the contemplative lifestyle as he transmitted the essence of silence and prayer. This has remained a pivotal life experience.
I reunited with my two daughters in America. We packed up and moved to England for a year to study Waldorf education created by Rudolph Steiner. While there, I continued searching and praying to meet my ultimate teacher with deep yearning.
In 1988, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche and Lama Sonam performed the first Drubchen at Rigdzin Gatsal retreat land in Williams, Oregon, the town in which our family was living. Although I was not a practicing Vajrayana student, I was invited to participate in the elaborate nine day retreat. Inspired by Rinpoche's Bodhisattva activity, I took refuge and moved to Rigdzin Gatsal with my daughters.
In 1997, I had the great fortune of spending time with Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche in India, then traveled to Sikkim to meet Tsering Khandro.
The radiance of her awakened heart struck me so deeply that I have made aspirations to emulate her way of life and practice.
In these times it is so difficult to have the merit and conditions come together to apply effort in a retreat such as this. I have no living parents, am not in a primary relationship and both my daughters are in the Dharma. I would like to take this opportunity to fulfill a lifetime aspiration.
I have extreme gratitude towards all of my teachers, most especially my root guru, HE Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, who gave me the essence of the Dharma. In addition, Khentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche has been a beacon of light since my teacher's Parinirvana. I have an urgent wish to repay their kindness.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Drusilla Lopez
For the long term, I am fully committed to work towards full enlightenment in order to be better able to help all beings. For me I figure it is a many lifetime endeavor. As much as possible from now until full enlightenment , I aspire to have the freedom to engage in more intensive practice in a retreat environment so as to better concentrate and be free of distractions. The aim is to eventually be qualified to go out into the world and teach the dharma, the means by which beings may themselves become Buddha. One of the main reasons why I became a monk 7 years ago, was to have a lifestyle where I can focus on dharma practice so that I can be of better help to others. I have since my ordination worked full time in the world, since circumstances required that. I feel I have been able to help others while in the world, and I do not diminish the importance of being in the world to help. But I feel that I also need some quality not in Тthe worldУ time, so I can go deeper with the process of blending the dharma with my mindstream.
I have studied with my Teacher for 12 years, and received many teachings of sutra and tantra. He has given many pith instructions on practice, and taught extensively philosophy. I feel it is a good time now to spend ,at least , 3 years to bring them all together and apply them to my mindstream. If this retreat goes well, I may seek to do further extended retreats. As far as the rest of my life this life, I hope to utilize the retreat to be able to engage in a vocation that is directly related to being a fully ordained monk, by either more retreat time, serving as a mentor in minor studies, pujas and prayers, basic classes, etc. It has taken me over 7 years as a monk working fulltime in the world to get to this point, and I hope that the retreat will help open the doors for me to live more of a monastic lifestyle. If not I will continue to work in the world and visit groups to share basic bodhicitta principles, and help with the group practices, and tutor people in basics of practice.
I have built my retreat cabin with my own funds form working in the world. My long term goal is to stay on the retreat land (or use it as a main home base) for the rest of my life. I have proceeded in the last 4 years here with that in mind. I aim to do whatever is necessary to be able to remain on the land, and am also aiming to establish a true lifestyle of a fully ordained monk.
I am very grateful that there are major donors in the world who give to such funds as TsadraÐ..I hope to be a shining example of how long term contemplative work is worthy of major investment, for the good of society. Thank you Tsadra for providing this important service to the world.
I have an unshakable conviction that this life is like the top of the climb of a rollercoaster, the moment just before the drop. It seems so pleasant now, but what awaits after the drop? This life in which all the freedoms and advantages are complete is a rarity in samsara and a single chance at freedom from samsara. If I do not use this precious time while I have it, will I get it again and where will I go after?
This predicament of being in samsara, endlessly spinning up and down is not mine alone, but shared by limitless beings. How can I alone rejoice in freedom when so many beings are suffering, therefore I am using this life and all my lives until enlightenment as a means to lead all beings to freedom. I have not only attained the freedoms and riches, I have encountered genuine enlightened masters, I have received the most rare of pith instructions, and have the desire and diligence to carry it out. If I do not use this opportunity now, there will be no better in the future!
It is so easy to write such words, but another thing to bring it into ones direct experience. Although I only have a tiny fraction of the renunciation and bodhichitta that the past masters had, this taste is enough to inspire and guide my practice. Everything I do, every moment of each day is only to maintain and further increase this renunciation and the two fold bodhichitta. Since I have not achieve the four-fold fearlessness, my biggest fears are dying before having gained irreversibility on the path, and not having the outer conditions of food and shelter to support serious retreat. If you choose to help me with food and shelter for my indefinite retreat, I will do my best given my limitations of still having a mind filled with the poisons and karmic propensities to day by day and moment by moment purify my mind and unfold its inherent qualities so as to achieve a truly beneficial state for all beings.
The unfolding of oneÃs practice takes time and therefore, rather than simply jumping for the highest practices of dzogchen from the start, I have been taking time to lay a good foundation. I have done more than three ngondros and one and a half years of just focusing four sessions a day on the Four Thoughts and bodhichitta. Then I spent six months on my saddhana and have done more than nine months of rushen as well as a few years of tsalung, mahamudra and dzogchen. Now I am going back to focus my energy on purifying the subtle body through tsalung and the Five Subtle Energy Trainings of Vimalamitra for some years to make a solid foundation for the unfolding of dzogchen.
There is nothing more beneficial that I could do with the remaining years of my life than dedicate it to retreat. As it is said, sentient beings fill space and wherever space pervades so does mind. Therefore, even in retreat I am not separate even for an instant from all sentient beings. I pray that I may awaken to complete and perfect buddhahood in order to guide all sentient beings as vast as space itself to awaken within the blissful expanse of their indwelling primordial consciousness. At least, if I could develop a genuinely kind and radiant heart, infinitely patient, completely selfless and responsive to the needs of others, such a stable mind that would follow me from life to life until enlightenment, then I will have used this life well and I pray that it may become so.
Over the years I have prayed many times that someone or some organization would be founded in the West to support long term and life retreatants and when I was told that Tsadra has begun doing this I was overjoyed. If the Dharma of realization is really to take hold in the West, people need the financial freedom to be able to dedicate their lives to practice, Tulku Urgyen and many other great masters have said this. This is the biggest difference between Dharma in Tibet and the West and the biggest obstacle. In Kham, anyone who wants to practice just has to go into the hills somewhere in the vicinity of a village or nomad camp and will be supplied with all the food they need. This is not the case in the West. Even if you choose not to help me, I am sincerely happy that you are helping many people here in the West so that they may dedicate their lives to retreat and deeply rejoice in your merit! Thank you, really!
Trulshik Rinpoche made me promise that I would stay a bhikshu for my whole life and that I would not work to support myself but rather will focus my whole life on study and practice. He was adamant and repeated this three times, each time asking if I understood. At present I need help with food and shelter in order to keep my promise with him. I sincerely hope that you can help me with this, Thank you.
Tout d’abord, toute ma jeunesse ayant une grande difficulté à m’intégrer à ce monde si compliqué, je n’étais pas très sociable et assez renfermé.
Je passais mon temps à lire, la lecture ayant toujours été ma grande passion, m’aidait à m’évader tout en m’ouvrant l’esprit.
Pendant longtemps ma vie a été vide de sens, rempli d’activités sans intérêt, à me demander sans arrêt ce que je faisais sur la terre.
Me remettant sans arrêt en question et cherchant sans cesse un sens à ma vie, j’ai souvent changé de boulot, d’amis, de région, mais malgré tout, j’avais toujours l’impression qu’il me manquait quelque chose.
Dans ma quête du bonheur, je me suis intéressé à la philosophie, aux cultures des différents continents, aux diverses religions, aux traditions chamaniques et à tout ce qui pouvait m’aider à comprendre ce monde.
Puis dans ma quête spirituelle, je me suis intéressé à la sagesse orientale et particulièrement au taoïsme et au bouddhisme qui m’a convaincu par sa simplicité et son authenticité.
A travers mes recherches, j’ai réalisé qu’il y avait des êtres sur la planète qui étaient plus sages que les autres, plus éveillés, pleinement réalisés et qui étaient des exemples pour les autres.
J’ai compris que l’homme n’était pas si limité et avait une occasion unique dans sa courte vie de dépasser ses souffrances, de transcender sa condition et de s’élever spirituellement.
J’ai réalisé que la majeure partie de notre énergie est gaspillée à travers notre égocentrisme et que la vie ne vaut d’être vécue que si on la passe à parfaire son l’esprit et à élargir sa conscience.
J’ai commencé à vivre plus sainement, à prendre soin de mon corps et de mon esprit, à pratiquer la méditation et divers arts martiaux, à prendre la vie comme un défi, à être plus détaché et à être plus en accord avec tout ce qui m’entourait.
Je suis devenu plus heureux, je me suis ouvert aux autres, j’ai vite compris que j’avais beaucoup plus de qualités et d’énergie que ce que croyais, et que si je ne me dispersais pas et que j’étais moins centré sur moi, je pouvais me dépasser sans cesse.
Mais après quelques années, je me suis rendu compte à un moment que je n’avançais plus et que malgré tous mes efforts pour changer, me débarrasser de mon ego et vivre dans la présence, la route était encore très longue.
L’année dernière, j’ai entamé un grand voyage à vélo à travers le pays pendant plusieurs mois, pour me ressourcer, vivant au jour le jour, me concentrant sur l’essentiel et dormant souvent dans des abbayes et des monastères
Un jour je me suis arrêté à Karmaling pour un séminaire, j’ai trouvé l’endroit et les gens magnifiques et j’ai su que j’avais trouvé un cadre idéal pour progresser.
J’ai décidé de rester et je me suis intégré à la vie en communauté, j’ai appris à vivre en groupe à travers le travail et les rituels et à me mettre aux services des autres.
Après quelques mois après avoir suivi plusieurs enseignements et transmissions et parlé avec beaucoup de lamas, j’ai su que je voulais continuer sur cette voie.
En fait, j’ai réalisé que je ne pouvais pas avancer tout seul et que j’avais trouvé un maitre spirituel et des enseignants en qui je pouvais avoir confiance et qui pouvait me guider.
Ayant toujours admiré les sages et les maitres de diverses traditions qui faisaient des longues retraites en solitaire, j’ai réalisé que moi-même j’étais prêt à en faire une et que cela pourrait m’apporter beaucoup.
C’est pour ça que je veux intégrer la prochaine retraite Losum Chosum, pour me couper du monde pendant les prochaines années afin de pratiquer plus intensément la méditation et approfondir les enseignements du Bouddha.
Et ainsi en m’isolant des gens, du bruit, des activités extérieures, des distractions et des bavardages et en pratiquant assidument, j’espère pouvoir avancer encore plus loin sur le chemin de l’éveil.
I've always looked for something (I didn't know what at the time) to avoid suffering and selfishness and all the miserable conditions in wich beings are trapped.
When I've found Dharma, or when Dharma comes to me, it was like I've found a pure jewel.
Considering the four great notions (precious human life, impermanence, karma, samsara), I can not waste time any more. I have to practice in a 3 year retreat because I can't do it in everyday life so intensely.
This retreat is the best way for me to be in a framework that brings discipline, without all the usual distractions, worldly concerns. It offers the best conditions for all the energies of the body, speech and mind to be devoted to the most important practices of the Vajrayana that I've begin to practice outside.
Also I know I can teach, I want to. Many people told me I have to, as I have a gentle way to do it when I used to lead a meditation group at my home. I'd like to stay here or in another dharma center, or maybe build a new Dharma center... who knows ? I have to do it, for all beings. May they all attein Buddhahood. +
je souhaite faire cette retraite pour bénéficier d un cadre privilégié et évoluer dans ma pratique du dharma.
ma motivation est de pratiquer de façon intensive pour pacifier mon esprit , acquérir paix et stabilité intérieure et développer amour et compassion pour ensuite aider tous les êtres; il est important pour moi de stabiliser dans le calme et la tranquillité des états d ouverture, de clarté pour évoluer dans ma pratique du dharma et découvrir la nature de l esprit. +
Aloha and tashi delek!
My name is Ani Kalsang Dekyi Tshomo, and I am a three-year retreatant seeking funding.
I have two true aspirations at this time. My primary aspiration is to free all sentient beings from Samsara. This was seared into my deepest heart over a period of three years in which I experienced the pain of my three daughters moving out on their own (all in their 20's), my husband dying, my son moving to attend University of Pennsylvania, my dad dying, and then my mom. My family has always been the heart of my life and all this separation and loss all at once was excruciating. I am fortunate to have an exceptional Lama, Lama Gyaltsen, who has fully inspired me with his example of mindful conduct, his traditional, clear, concise, effective Dharma teachings, and the utmost care he gives his disciples. The Dharma was what allowed me to survive. I now see and can relate to others experiencing their excruciating difficulties of Samsara, and compassion moves me to share the Dharma. March 2012, I took celibate lay vows and held them successfully, and in September 2016 I took Getsul vows for life with Tai Situ Rinpoche.
I want to practice in a three-year retreat so I can learn and practice according to an authentic lineage that has allowed countless others to realize the truth, free themselves from suffering, and become able to guide other sentient beings to do the same. I want to be able to be of genuine benefit to others, and it is clear that practicing according to an authentic lineage is the best way to do that.
Another aspiration I have is to return to Maui and create two separate houses/hermitages, male and female, for very serious Dharma practitioners. I know of five women that are looking for such a place, and two men, as well. This would strengthen the Dharma on Maui and lead the way to create a monastic institute, which would mean, according to the teachings, that the Dharma would be fully established on Maui.
The recent happenings that have occurred at the monastery regarding Norlha Rinpoche have been difficult, yet some wonderful things are happening. It is difficult because we all feel shocked and betrayed by his behaviour, some even exited retreat. But this has not made me want to quit. There is always an opportunity that comes with the difficulties, so I chose to stay and continue retreat. The opportunity is that we are now under Tai Situ Rinpoche's direct care and he has sent very high caliber teachers to teach us, and we now have a new retreat master, Lama Tsering Dakpa. This retreat master is said to be one of the best practitioners in our lineage at this time. As disturbing and disruptive to the retreat as all the monastery's proceedings have been, it would be deeply foolish to leave retreat and miss the wealth of Dharma that is arriving. Many very poor Maui sangha members gave me their last dime so I could arrive here, learn what I need to, and go back to teach them, inspire them...help them. I will not stop; I will not leave retreat. Lama Norlha Rinpoche allowed me to enter the retreat without full payment, based on his trust in Lama Gyaltsen's recommendation of me, and the understanding that I would pay later. It would be a hardship for me to have to work full time to pay my retreat bill after I return to Maui. That will take time away from the Dharma work I will be trained to do, that needs doing and that I and others want me to do. I need your help and deeply appreciate your consideration of my request for retreat funding. Thank you, and aloha.
In 1984 when I was 13, a friend gave me a statue of a Buddha, whom I knew to be an ancient teacher, but knew nothing about his history or teachings.
I grew up in Poland and was brought up in the Catholic faith, diligently attending Sunday mass and religion classes, and reciting my prayers at night. Beyond that, my father, through the power of his own faith, music and imagination, instilled in me his version of spirituality.
Yet, independent of this, the Buddha statue, with its unchanging compassionate smile, resting in equanimity on the shelf over my bed, was radiating something very mysterious and yet profoundly familiar and welcoming. It inspired me to collect more such statues (that wasn't easy in the communist Poland) that I later arranged into my first shrine which held a steady presence in my life until 1987.
In July of that year my mother and I left for New York City, leaving behind all of our possessions, family, friends. This was my first direct experience of total uncertainty and impermanence of things, places, comforts and relationships.
The early immigrant life in New York was a constant struggle to survive and I was continuously exposed to situations that led me to lose my faith -- how could there be an all-loving, omnipotent God when there is so much suffering everywhere? Cold cynicism, rationality and self-reliance took over.
While in college, seeing my motherÃs failing health, I single-mindedly dedicated myself to the pursuit of material success, which I achieved after several years of intense professional work. My mother had the required surgery, her health improved, our life situation became comfortable. I felt relieved, but also burned out and lost.
ThatÃs when I reached for HH Dalai LamaÃs book ÃThe Art of Happinessà which deeply touched me, but I wasnÃt ready to fully absorb its meaning. In 2000 the stock market crashed, and all of our investments were wiped out -- impermanence manifested.
Then after 9/11, confusion and despair descended and a year later I witnessed my motherÃs agony of having a stroke--her face, contorted in pain, suddenly turned blank -- impermanence manifested again. After that, I moved through life without aim.
In 2011, my father passed, and after a year of feeling apathy, I decided to go to the Amazon for a shamanic retreat. There I faced my own impermanence in profoundly vivid and inescapable way, and realized I needed to find authentic spiritual practice. I discovered Mahamudra teachings and the path of method leading to its realization. Shortly after, I was extremely fortunate to connect with KTC Monastery and Lama Norlha Rinpoche who kindly accepted me as his student. After just one Nyungne, I gained deep conviction in the profound methods of the Vajrayana.
Therefore it is my aspiration to enter the 3 year retreat to single pointedly dedicate myself to this authentic practice so I can realize nature of mind for the benefit of all sentient beings.
