N93 Snow News

NEWS
s
n
o
w

L
i
o
n

P
u
b
l
i
c
a
t
i
o
n
s
P
O

b
o
x

6
4
8
3
i
t
h
a
c
a
,

n
Y

1
4
8
5
1
C
h
a
n
g
e

s
e
r
v
i
c
e

r
e
q
u
e
s
t
e
d
P
R
S
R
T

S
T
D
U
.
S
.

P
O
S
T
A
G
E

P
A
I
D
I
T
H
A
C
A
,

N
Y
1
4
8
5
1
P
E
R
M
I
T

N
O
.

7
4
6
snow Lion Publications PO box 6483, ithaca, nY 14851 607-273-8519
Orders: 800-950-0313
winter 2011
the BuddhiSt magaZine & cataLog
Volume 25, number 1
iSSn 1059-3691 Bn:86605 3697
BUY DIRECT FROM SNOW LION
AND SAVE AT LEAST
30%
ON MOST SNOW LION TITLES!
See page 30 for more information.
(Continued on page 11)
beginning on July 6, 2011, the
76th birthday of his holiness
the dalai Lama, a Kalachakra for
world Peace will be offered in the
heart of the us capital, washing-
ton, dC. his holiness will offer
this great ritual empowerment,
including preparatory teachings,
from July 6 through 16.
the Capital area tibetan as-
sociation (Cata), along with the
greater tibetan community, mon-
golians, Kalmyks, and the peo-
ples of the himalayan regions,
join in acting on behalf of bud-
dhists throughout north america
and the world. the Kalachakra
offers an unparalleled way to am-
plify the profound, unshakable
commitment of his holiness to
values such as love, compassion,
wisdom and interfaith harmony.
the Kalachakra for world
Peace 2011 will unfold in a world
capital where local actions deep-
ly and globally affect the lives of
so many. it will provide a rare
chance to act in powerful spiri-
tual harmony as part of a huge
group dedicated to invoking the
power of great wisdom and com-
passion, so urgently needed in
todays world.
the Kalachakra initiation will
raise a living mandala, with his
holiness the dalai Lama at the
center, to teach, guide, inspire, and
bless. see www.kalachakra2011.
com for more information.
to learn more about Ka-
lachakra teachings, its history and
its meaning, see the Kalachakra
offerings on the snow Lion Pub-
lications home page, a sponsor of
Kalachakra 2011.
the following list of books
is especially recommended for
helping students prepare for this
remarkable event:
KALACHAKRA for World Peace
when i was about to do my
three-year retreat, i went to a
tibetan doc tor in dharamsala,
and said, im going to do a long
retreat. i think im healthy, but
please check my pulses in case
theres anything latent there.
so he took my pulses and said,
Youre a little bit weak, which
i knew, but otherwise youre
fne. However, almost all West-
erners get lung when they go into
retreat, so ill give you some lung
medicine.
People get lung because they
try too hard. they set themselves
impossible goals, modeling
themselves on the ideal practitio-
ner, and push themselves beyond
their limitations. tibetan prac-
tice encourages this because it
gives you vast numbers of repeti-
tions to accomplishhundreds
of thousands, or millions-and
when you come out of any kind
of retreat, the frst question youre
asked is, how many mantras
did you do? not, how well did
you do them? or, what experi-
ence did you have? but, how
many? there is this idea that one
needs to do more and more, and
everything needs to be absolutely
perfect. this creates a lot of ten-
sion which often leads to lung.
Keeping It Together
When You Meditate
intensive practiceif not
done carefullycan some-
times lead to disequilibrium
in the psyche. the tibetans
call this imbalance lung. Jet-
sunma tenzin Palmo gives
practical advice on lung in
this adaptation from Reec-
tions on a Mountain Lake.
after a person has been dead
for about three and a half days,
in an unconscious state, he will
regain his consciousness and
wonder what happened to him.
he will feel very strange in a
way he has never experienced
before. he will see all his rela-
tions and friends weeping and
will hear them asking him why
he has departed. he will try to
tell them that he is alive and pres-
ent, but they will not be able to
hear him, because he has only a
mental body, although he will be-
lieve that it is physical. when he
sees people who are enjoying the
possessions that he has accumu-
lated with great attachment over
his lifetime, he will be angry and
very jealous.
in tibet it is a common practice
to call Lamas to perform certain
rites and Pujas. if any of the La-
mas are not mindful while per-
forming these mantras and visu-
alizations, the dead person will
know this and will lose his faith
in the Lama and the dharma. it is
very important for the Lamas to
concentrate deeply at this time.
when the dead person walks
out into the sun, he has no shad-
ow; when he looks into a mirror
he sees no refection. In this way
he learns that he is dead and be-
comes sorrowful and afraid. at
this moment he realizes that now
he cannot take with him whatever
he has accumulated over his life-
After
DEATH
according to the tibetan tra-
dition our journey through
death has many phases. this
excerpt, on a certain piece of
that journey, is a just a small
part of the helpful, authori-
tative descriptions in Bardo
Teachings by Lama Lod.
above: Tenzin Palmos cave during her twelve-
year retreat. inset: Jetsunma outside the cave
after a spring thaw.
time. he must leave everything
behind including his friends, his
family members and even his
own body.
because of the human tendency
to place great value on the body,
the consciousness hovers around
the dead body trying to reenter.
however, the body that he sees is
the form of the animal symboliz-
ing the calendar year in which he
was born. For example, if he was
born in the year of the tiger he will
see the dead body of a tiger. the
consciousness will feel very pos-
sessive of that body and although
it tries to enter, it cannot.
the body is dead in the sense
that the fve elements which con-
stituted the functioning organ-
ism are no longer present. after
three and one-half days the dead
this is the time when
previous unskillful deeds
harm you and skillful
deeds can help. now
you must depend on all
that you have done in
your past lifetimes.
NEWS
2 Snow Lion: the buddhist magazine winter 11
a milEstonE in the development
of western faculty at nitartha
institute is the recognition by
the Kagyu lineage of dr. Karl
brunnhlzl as a Khenpo. the
degree was conferred upon
dr. brunnhlzl at the summer
2010 nitartha institute by the
dzogchen Ponlop rinpoche.
dr. brunnhlzl has also re-
ceived the traditional dharma
tutor degree from Khenpo Lama
thubten of germanys Kama-
lashila institute. brunnhlzl will
be sharing the teaching duties of
the advanced curriculum courses
this year at nitartha institute with
acharya Lama tenpa gyaltsen.
Karl is the translator/author of:
The Center of the Sunlit Sky
Gone Beyond: The Prajnaparamita
Sutras, The Ornament of Clear
Realization, and Its Commentaries
A Western Khenpo
the wheeL of time Sand
mandaLa: Visual Scripture of
Tibetan Buddhism
by Barry Bryant, in cooperation with
Namgyal Monastery
#whtisa $24.95, OUR PRICE
$17.46
this book brings a crystal clar-
ity to one of the most profound
rituals of tibetan buddhism.
barry bryant has produced a gor-
geous, powerful, and thorough
guide to everything about the Ka-
lachakra, from the technical de-
tails of the mandalas architecture
to the deep spiritual meanings it
embodies.DaniEl golEman
...if you were stranded on a
desert island and wanted just one
comprehensive reminder of what
buddhism has to offer, plus the
signifcance of the Kalachakra as a
vehicle for world peace, it would
have to be this gem.MANDALA:
A Tibetan Buddhist Journal
the practice of
KaLachaKra
by Glenn Mullin, fore. by H.H. the
Dalai Lama
#PrKa $16.95, OUR PRICE
$11.86
this detailed study of the
Kalachakra tantra discusses the
tantric path to enlightenment.
[tibetologist, author, and expert
on buddhist meditation glenn
h. mullin] outlines the four class-
es of tantra, compares the Ka-
lachakra generation and comple-
tion stage yogas to mainstream
tantras and details the unique
Kalachakra methods for enlight-
enment in this lifetime. transla-
tions of seven essential texts on
the practice of Kalachakra, in-
cluding a sadhana selected by the
dalai Lama round out this excel-
lent book.MANDALA: A Tibetan
Buddhist Journal
KaLachaKra for worLd
peace
Continued from page 1
KaLachaKra and other
Six-SeSSion yoga textS
by Alexander Berzin
#Kasise $8.95, OUR PRICE
$6.26
Of all the highest yoga tan-
tra initiations, six-session yoga
practices are one of the most well
known and loved. this collection
of four six-session yoga practices,
endorsed by his holiness the da-
lai Lama, are given along with the
Kalachakra initiation. they are:
an extremely abbreviated six-
session Yoga, an abbreviated
six-session Yoga, an extensive
six-session Yoga, and the Ka-
lachakra guru-yoga in Conjunc-
tion with six-session Practice.
...masterfully rendered...com-
bines the beauty of poetic expres-
sion and faithfulness to the origi-
nal works.THE TIBET JOURNAL
the wheeL of time:
The Kalachakra in Context
by Geshe Lhundub Sopa, Roger Jack-
son, John Newman, fore. by H.H. the
Dalai Lama, ed. by Beth Simon
#whti $12.95, OUR PRICE $9.06
the Kalachakra, or wheel of
time, is one of the most pro-
found and sublime of the bud-
dhist tantric systems. it is an
intricate interweaving of many
disciplines into a meditational
path system that embraces the
entire material universe and leads
to complete, perfect enlighten-
ment. this initiation appeals to
people of all levels of learning
and practice, and has tradition-
ally been offered at large public
events, especially when granted
by the dalai Lama.
a nicely balanced reader
which is not too scholarly. the dif-
ferent voices of its authors make
for lively discussion.MANDA-
LA: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal
www.sakyaiba.edu.np
Nest for Meditators
Pith instructions supporting practice
Aryadevas 400 Verses
Merit & wisdom according to the Middle Way
10 Day Retreat
Developing mindfulness and compassion
Tibetan Language
Introductory Classes & Translator Training
The International Buddhist Academy in
Kathmandu, Nepal, oers intensive summer
courses in the classical Indian Buddhist texts
and Tibetan language for students at all levels
of academic experience, study, and practice.
Courses in Kathmandu
Higher Buddhist Philosophy, Meditation & Tibetan Language
NEW ITEMS by
Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa
THE DORJE CHANG THUNGMA: 128 pages US$19.95
Rinpoche gives a line-by-line explanation of this famous prayer of Mahamudra realization.
Also included is a teaching on the guru-disciple relationship.
ULTIMATELY PERFECT: 154 pages US$19.95
A compilation of teachings which focus primarily on understanding and integrating Buddhist
concepts with everyday life, including sensible advice for living a meaningful, purposeful life; the dynamic
between stress, contentment and greed; approaching problems positively; and how we constantly create the
conditions for our suffering.
PALPUNG ZHYI SI L CHOKYI GHATSAL PUBLI CATI ONS
www.palpung.org.nz
Available from Snow Lion 1-800-950-0313
KaLachaKra tantra:
rite of initiation
by H.H. the Dalai Lama, trans., ed. and intro. by Jeffrey Hopkins
#Kariin $22.95, OUR PRICE $18.36
the Kalachakra (wheel of time) tantra is associated with promot-
ing world peace, and is one of the most detailed and encompassing
systems of theory and practice within tibetan buddhism. here is a
complete translation of the Kalachakra initiation ritual, conferred by
his holiness the dalai Lama in toronto in april 2004. it includes his
commentary, and a detailed, comprehensive introduction by Professor
Jeffrey hopkins that explores the Kalachakras rich symbolism, mean-
ing, and history, as well as the six-session Yoga. n
introduction to the
KaLachaKra initiation
by Alexander Berzin, fore. by H.H.
the Dalai Lama. #inKain $18.95,
OUR PRICE $13.27
explains on a practical level
and in everyday language the
theory of tantra; the vows, com-
mitments, and their implications;
the factors to consider in decid-
ing if one is ready to attend a
Kalachakra initiation as a partici-
pant; how to visualize during the
initiation; and the most important
thoughts and feelings for partici-
pants and observers at each step
of the empowerment.
in preparing this guidebook,
alexander berzin has done a great
service to everyone interested in
the Kalachakra initiation. it will
help people who receive the initia-
tion from lamas of any of the four
lineages of tibetan buddhism
to prepare for the ceremony and
understand the essential points
of each step of the procedure. by
explaining clearly the Kalachakra
path of spiritual development,
as well as the vows and commit-
ments involved, the book will help
people to make a realistic decision
about whether to take the em-
powerment as a full participant or
merely as an observer.
H.H. tHE Dalai lama, from
the Foreword
in the Tibetan Kagyu Tradition,
Volume One (forthcoming)
In Praise of Dharmadhatu
Luminous Heart: The Third Karma-
pa on Consciousness, Wisdom, and
Buddha Nature
Straight from the Heart: Buddhist
Pith Instructions n
Snow Lion recommends these books when
preparing for the KALACHAKRA INITIATION
We Have a Winner!
yEs, somEonE actually wins a tour in tHE Himalaya rEgion
each year. this year's winner is Joanne needham of wilmette, il-
linois, a customer of snow Lion for over 5 years. hope you have a
great time Joanne! Please send postcards!
every time you order from snow Lion you automatically have
an opportunity to enter the annual tour drawing. the next draw-
ing will be on Friday, december 30, 2011. see page 8 for more in-
formation about the free trip. n
Snow Lion 3
NEWS
the Kalachakra description
of the universe is quite different
from that presented in the other
major buddhist system of meta-
physics: abhidharma, or topics of
special knowledge. there are,
of course, common elements in
both, found in non-buddhist in-
dian descriptions as well. these
include multiple universes each
passing through, at different
times from each other, beginning-
less four-part cycles of formation,
stabilization, disintegration and
being empty, and each universe
having a core mountain, mount
meru, surrounded by continents,
heavens and hells. the main dif-
ferences between the two bud-
dhist systems concern the specif-
ics of the four-part cycles, and the
shape and size of the universe,
mount meru and the continents.
It is signifcant that Buddhism
offers two descriptions of the
universe. each is valid for a dif-
ferent purpose, and there is no
contradiction in having multiple
portraits. the description of any
phenomenon, then, is depen-
dent on not only the conceptual
framework of the author and
the audience, but also the use to
which that description is put. For
instance, we would certainly ex-
plain the plans to send a manned
mission to mars in a different
manner to the politicians who are
deciding the budget than to the
engineers who are designing the
machinery. both portrayals of the
mission, however, are valid, use-
ful and necessary. appreciating
this point helps us understand
voidness. nothing exists with in-
herent characteristics on its own
side rendering only one correct
way to conventionally perceive,
apprehend or describe it.
the purpose of the abhidharma
picture of the universe is to help
practitioners develop discrimi-
nating awareness by working
with complex systems of mul-
tiple variables. the purpose of
the Kalachakra version is quite
different. it is to provide the bud-
dhist equivalent of a unifed feld
theory that explains the structure
and workings of the cosmos, at-
oms, the human body and the
experience of rebirth in a parallel
manner. The need for this unifed
theory is to provide a comprehen-
sive basis, covering as much of
samsara as possible, at which to
aim the meditative practices of al-
ternative Kalachakra for gaining
liberation and enlightenment.
a description of the external
and internal worlds in terms of
their unifying parallels reveals
the shared underlying basis from
which both derive, namely, clear
light mind. the winds of karma
that provide the impulses for a
particular universe to evolve come
from the collective karma on the
clear light minds of prior beings.
these clear light minds remain
present during empty eons in be-
tween universal epochs. Likewise,
the winds of karma that provide
the impulses for a specifc rebirth
to occur arise from the individual
karma on the clear light mind of
a particular being. that clear light
mind also continues during bardo
periods in between rebirths.
meditation in analogy with the
cycles through which the external
and internal worlds pass and, in
particular, in analogy with how
each of these cycles periodically
returns to its clear light basis pro-
vides a means to reach that basis.
this is a unique feature of the
anuttarayoga tantra technique.
Once clear light mind is accessed,
it is possible to make the neces-
sary changes, namely, by focus-
ing on voidness, to eliminate
the confusion and its instincts
that cloud it so that this basis no
longer gives rise to the problems
and sufferings associated with
the external and internal cycles.
this is the deepest reason why
the proportions and shape of the
universe, human body, and the
mandala and body of the bud-
dhafgure Kalachakra are all the
same. n
Kalachakra Blessing for Peace
it is oftEn saiD tHat tHE kalacHakra EmPowErmEnt is for world
peace. some people even choose Kalachakra over other anuttara-
yoga tantra systems because of this association. but what exactly
is the connection between Kalachakra and peace, and why do so
many people attend? although empowerments for other tantras
are intended for only a small number of disciples at a time, there is
a historical tradition of conferring the Kalachakra initiation to large
crowds of people. Buddha frst gave it to the king of Shambhala
and his entourage of ninety-six minor rulers. in time, their descen-
dants conferred it upon the entire population of shambhala in or-
der to unite them against the threat of a possible invasion and avert
annihilation. this is the origin of the association of the Kalachakra
empowerment with world peace and the tradition of conferring it
upon large numbers of participants.
according to the Kalachakra presentation of historical cycles,
barbaric hordes periodically invade the civilized world and try to
eliminate all possibilities for spiritual practice. a future invasion
is predicted for the year 2424 of this common era, when it is said
there will be another brutal world war. at that time help will come
from shambhala to defeat the barbarians. a new golden age will
dawn, with everything conducive for spiritual practice, particu-
larly of Kalachakra. all those who have previously received the
Kalachakra initiation will be reborn at that time on the victorious
side. the highest motivation for receiving the empowerment is to
be able to practice the Kalachakra methods now in order to achieve
enlightenment in this very lifetime. nevertheless, people have tra-
ditionally focked to the initiation with the motivation of planting
karmic seeds to connect themselves with this future golden age so
as to complete its practice then.
adapted from Introduction to the Kalachakra Initiation n
this excerpt describing how
the Kalachakra version of
the universe dovetails with
other versions is taken from
alex berzins knowledge-
able, step-by-step guide to
Kalachakra, Introduction to
the Kalachakra Initiation.
KALACHAKRA: The Shape of the Universe
THE NITARTHA-SAMBHOTA TIBETAN SOFTWARE
Tibetan word Processing and Keyboard in MS Word, ACIP & Wylie Conversion
order and download at our new website: www.nitartha.net
?)-SR-B:A-;A$-$9$?-$?<-0-:V-5-.%-#3?-VA?-.2-3J.-2&?-29R?-;R.-0?-,$?-3#R-3(A?-
<A$?-;R.-5K-:.A<-#-L%-,R$-:VJ=-2-$/%-<R$?,
NEW: UNICODE FONT, UME FONTS & MAC EDIT PROGRAM
?)- SR- B:A- ;A$- $9$?- $?<- 0- .2- 3J.- , ?) -SR : B - A ; - A $ - $ 9 : - 0 - < ? $ - ? $ V - 5 - ,
?)-SR-B:A-;A$-$9$?-$?<-0-#3?-VA?-,
a description of the
external and internal
worlds in terms of their
unifying parallels reveals
the shared underlying
basis from which both
derive, namely, clear
light mind.
introduction to the KaLachaKra initiation
by alexander Berzin
foreword by his holiness the dalai Lama
200 pp. #INKAIN $18.95, our price $13.27
Kalachakra is a system of highest tantra practice for overcoming the limi-
tations to spiritual development so as to become a Buddha for the benet
of all. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has conferred the Kalachakra initiation
to over 1.5 million people worldwide, empowering prepared practitioners to
engage in its meditations. Large numbers of people also attend this initia-
tion as interested observers and gain inspiration for their spiritual growth.
The next Kalachakra Initiation is July, 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Introduction to the Kalachakra Initiation explains on a practical level and
in everyday language the theory of tantra; the vows, commitments, and
their implications; the factors to consider in deciding if one is ready to at-
tend a Kalachakra initiation as a participant; how to visualize during the
initiation; and the most important thoughts and feelings for participants and
observers at each step of the empowerment.
in preparing this guidebook, alexander Berzin has done a great ser-
vice to everyone interested in the Kalachakra initiation. It will help people
to prepare for the ceremony and understand the essential points of each
step of the procedure. By explaining clearly the Kalachakra path of spiritual
development, as well as the vows and commitments involved, the book will
help people to make a realistic decision about whether to take the empower-
ment as a full participant or merely as an observer. Many people who are not
yet ready to engage in Kalachakra meditation practice, and many who are
not even Buddhists but have sincere wishes for peace, attend the initiation
as interested observers. I am especially happy that the book addresses this
section of the audience as well, suggesting ways in which they can make the
experience more meaningful.H.H. THE DALAI LAMA
This reviewer attended a public Kalachakra abhisheka (empowerment)
with H.H. the Dalai Lama in 1991 and had limited understanding then of
what was taking place. The rite was deeply inspiring, but how much more
meaningful the experience might have been had this book been available!
MANDALA: A Tibetan Buddhist Journal
ALEXANDER BERZIN lived in India for twenty-nine years, studying under
his main teacher, Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpochey, and other lamas, including
His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Widely published, Berzin has taught in over
seventy countries.
thank you for keeping the
Dharma fowing.a customer
NEWS
Snow Lion 5
NEWS
What is the best way we can help someone who is approaching
death if they have no experience with the Dharma?
as the person approaches death you should sit quietly with
him, generate compassion for all sentient beings, and pray with
devotion to all enlightened beings. make your mind still and try
to meditate on spontaneous transcending awareness. if you are
unable to achieve the state of emptiness, recite quietly for his ben-
eft the Sutra of the Thirty-fve Buddhas, which will help him to
purify negative karma. then recite the mantras of the Five dhya-
na buddhas as well as those of all the other deities you know,
especially "Om mani Peme hung. after this, it is important to
repeat the bardo thodol as many times as possible. during the
reading you must generate bodhicitta and devotion to enlight-
ened beings. if this is done in the proper spirit, it may be possible
for him to reach enlightenment merely by hearing the teachings
for the frst time. But, you must have neither doubt nor hesitation
or you may negate all the good you are doing.
adapted from Bardo Teachings
body is taken away to be buried,
cremated, or otherwise disposed
of. then the consciousness real-
izes that it needs another body
and it begins to search for one.
Once the body has been left be-
hind the consciousness can travel
anywhere and can penetrate
anything (except the stupa in
bodhgaya, because it became im-
penetrable by the power of the
buddha's prayer).
the consciousness possesses
great power in the bardo: if you
are able to think about the pure
land of great bliss (dewachen),
then you can gain instant libera-
after death
tion. but, because of the force of
Karma most of us will not be able
to focus on such high thoughts
and will instead be possessed by
fear, sorrow and negative feel-
ings. this is the time when pre-
vious unskillful deeds harm you
and skillful deeds can help. now
you must depend on all that you
have done in your past lifetimes.
even if you realize that the fruits
of negative actions are poison-
ous, you are unable to throw
them away. at this moment, your
name, good health, fame, beauty,
wealth, and whatever you have
accumulated in previous lifetimes
will be of no value to you. You are
completely dependent upon pre-
vious actions. n
Bardo teachingS: The Way of Death and Rebirth
by Lama Lod rinpoche
intro. by Kalu rinpoche
96 pp., 3 b&w photos, 8 b&w illust., 2nd ed., paper. #BATE2N $14.95,
our price $10.46 available march 2011
Bardo Teachings gives readers a precise and vivid description of the way
of death and rebirth. It contains a wealth of heretofore untranslated material
on the Tibetan presentation of the process of dying, the nature of the inter-
mediate state after death, and the process of taking rebirth. This modest
but carefully produced book presents the essence of the Tibetan Book of
the Dead in a digestible form.
Bardo teachings is...a teaching on how to traverse the stages of
death without fear. it is as true a guide to tantric Buddhisms view of life
and death as can be found in print.SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
LAMA LOD RINPOCHE is the director of Kagyu Droden Kunchab in San
Francisco and was appointed as its resident lama in 1976 by His Holiness
the Gyalwa Karmapa and His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche.
WISDOM PUBLICATIONS
Mission to Tibet
Te Extraordinary Eighteenth-Century Account
of Father Ippolito Desideri, S.J.
Translated by Michael Sweet | Edited by Leonard Zwilling
Omniscience and the Rhetoric of Reason
ntarakita and Kamalala on Rationality,
Argumentation, and Religious Authority
Sara L. McClintock
One hotly debated topic in the time of ntarakita and Kamalala was
omnisciencewhether it is possible and whether a rational person may
justifably claimit as a quality of the Buddha. McClintock investigates
the strategies these authors use in defense of omniscience.
9780861716760 | 832 pages | $34.95
eBook ISBN 9780861719303
9780861716616 | 440 pages | $36.95
eBook ISBN 9780861719310
These texts represent nearly a thousand
years of profound insights and instructions.
A must-have for any serious scholar or
practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.
9780861714445 | 832 pages | $59.95
Maha
mudra
and
Related Instructions
CoreTeachings of the Kagy Schools
Translated by Peter Alan Roberts
Everyone with an interest in Tibet, Tibetan Buddhism, world
history, and world religion will enjoy this wonder-flled account
of Desideris pioneering adventure, intimately detailed from
Rome to Lhasa and back.
Jefrey Hopkins, author of Meditation on Emptiness
NEWFROMTHE LIBRARY OF TIBETAN CLASSICS
Snow Lion 1210:Layout 1 1/6/11 12:46 PM Page 1
The Newspaper of the International
Dzogchen Community of
Chgyal Namkhai Norbu
Each issue of The Mirror contains a teaching by Chgyal
Namkhai Norbu, Rinpoches most recent teaching retreat and
travel program, updates from Shang Shung Institute (founded
by Chgyal Namkhai Norbu for the preservation of Tibetan
culture, language, medicine and arts) and ASIA (founded by
Chgyal Namkhai Norbu to assist Tibetans with education and
medical care in Tibet), book reviews, Community News, and
more general information of interest to Dharma practitioners.
Subscribe for Paper only, Online only or Both paper & online.
www.melong.com

IntrnductInn tn thc TIbctan Languagc, Lcvc! I Packagc
ConIeIe lnIroducIor ackage lncIudes
Prc-rImcr, cnursc bnnk, audIn- CD nr casscttc, casv-tn-usc
F!ash Cards, TIbctan-Eng!Ish DIctInnarv. PrIcc $111.00.
A|sc Atci|c||c. Diciicncrics, Grcmmcrs, 1rcns|ciicn Wcr||cc|s,
Ccssciic 1cpcs, CDs, cn! cn cxicnsitc cc||cciicn cj Dncrmc |cc|s.
TIBETAN LANGUAGE IN5TITUTE
COUR5E5 IN CLA55ICAL TIBETAN
leaIurlng PrltaIe TeIehone TuIorlaIs
TIBETAN LANGUAGE 5TUDY MATERIAL5
A ncn-prcjii c!ucciicnc| crgcnizciicn
!c!iccic! ic inc siu!u cn! prcscrtciicn
cj inc |cngucgc, |iicrciurc, cn! cu|iurc cj 1i|ci.
W W W . t I b c t a n ! a n g u a g c . n r g
KnnwIng a !Itt!c TIbctan Is bcncIIcIa! In dcccnIng an undcr-
standIng nI thc Dharma . . . Fnr thnsc whn !carn TIbctan,
thcrc Is nn !ImIt tn thcIr studIcs nr tn what thcv can !carn."
Vcn. 1nrcngu Rinpccnc, A||ci, Rumic| Mcncsicru. 1uicr ic H. H. Kcrmcpc XV||
5UMMER 5EMINAR 2005
Three veeks in lhe beaulifuI Rockv Mounlains of Monlana!
1c|cpncnc. 406-961-5131 - |-mci|. injcii|cicn|cngucgc.crg
Lcvc! I: IntrnductInn tn TIbctan. AugusI 8 Io 12.
Lcvc! II: GrammarLcarnIng tn rcad TIbctan tcxts. AugusI 15 Io 19.
Lcvc! III: RcadIng 5cmInarRcadIng Dharma tcxts undcr thc
guIdancc nI a TIbctan Lama-5chn!ar. AugusI 22 -26.
Visit our website for:
Tibetan learning materials for modern students,
info on our courses & free study aids
David Curtis is one of the best teachers of Tibetan Language. David is
not just a language teacher; he is part of an authentic Dharma lineage.
ANAM THUBTEN RINPOCHE
Learning Tibetan from David Curtis is denitely
one of lifes better experiences.K.J., VA
406-96J-5J3J * P.O. 8ox 2037, Homillon, MI 59840
www.libelonlonguoge.org* Emoil: inlolibelonlonguoge.org
LEARN TIBETAN
Experience the joy of reading your texts and prayers in Tibetan
Lessons & Learning Materials
for Dharma Students
from DAVID CURTIS
David Curtis
Telephone Conference Courses
Learn Tibetan from home: TLI makes it easy.
Level 1, Level 2 & Reading Courses: April 2011
Free One-Hour Lecture: Intro to Tibetan Language
in March 2011
Meditation Retreat in Missoula, MT
with Anam Thubten Rinpoche
February 18-20, 2011
The TLI Bookstore: Dharma-Centered Materials
Best-selling Beginners Package w/ instructional DVD
Easy-to-Use Workbooks: Heart Sutra, 37 Practices,
Common Prayers
17 years experience teaching hundreds of students
TIBETAN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE
bottom to top: Wheel of Life mandala; a
performance of Bardo Todel by Sun Li Tsuei and
her ShangOrientheatre; hiker in mountains (source
unknown); Chorten in Nepal (www.celebratebig.
com); detail from Bardo Todel thangka; ancient
painting of Avalokitesvara; crescent moon (source
unknown); buddha statue and sun through clouds
NEWS
Snow Lion 7
NEWS
the perspective is unbiased
and not subjective; the medita-
tion is the intrinsic clarity which
frees whatever arises; the way of
life is an unobstructed, dynamic
fow; the result is the nonduality
of hope and fear. accustom your-
self to what these really mean.
however, if you have no com-
passion and are confused about
what is right and wrong, due to
a nihilistic conception of open-
ness, this is an error in perspec-
tive. when blocked in perspec-
tive by this hangup that is like a
dark abyss, petition the spiritual
guide, trust in pure vision, culti-
vate love and compassion, and
train your mind in an awareness
of impermanence and the kar-
mic consequences of your deeds.
if through obsession with how
you characterize things you start
taking internal and external en-
tities to be credible, apart from
their being mere objects of your
point of view, you are stuck in
a perspective that hankers after
essences and attributes. in that
case train your mind in the un-
obstructed absence of any cred-
ibility to all events and meanings
and learn that whatever arises is
like a dream image which can-
not be grasped. when the pure
awareness that does not reify ap-
pearances arises without any bias
or partiality, in the state of clarity
cultivate its ongoing fow with-
out being distracted.
if you feel dull or sleepy and
your thoughts wander to ob-
jects, stay in a cool room with
a high seat, exert yourself, and
do physical exercises. when
you are distracted by thoughts,
which is a pitfall of meditation,
train the mind in not grasping
after experience with thought.
then when many thoughts may
come, do not remain in an inter-
nally calm state, but continue to
create many thoughts. recognize
the thoughts as they arise. then
when no thoughts come, without
being distracted from this state
of utter sameness without judg-
ment, integrate with the mental
objectifcation that emerges when
external objects do appear. by
doing this, when nonconceptual
clarity arises, cultivate its unin-
terrupted continuity. if you be-
come identifed with the sheer
presence that comes as pleasure,
clarity, and absence of judgment,
destroy that identifcation by
training in the proper perspective
and examining your condition. in
that calm, spacious state where
whatever appears is not identi-
fed with, there is no striving,
achievement, meditation, medi-
tator, or haziness. in this uninter-
rupted, nonconceptual continu-
ity where openness and clarity
are united, train the mind in the
dimension that is devoid of any
self-identity. Furthermore, it is
initially very important to obtain
mental stability toward whatever
your meditation object is. af-
terwards, everything that arises
will have a single taste: this is my
experience. the calm absence of
thought, followed by thoughts
arising; thoughts becoming calm;
calmness and thoughts arising
nondually: these are the lesser, in-
termediate, and greater levels of
familiarity with contemplation.
after that you will experience
the absence of credibility about
what presently appears. at that
time, there can be visions, spon-
taneous speech, and positive
dreams. then, what appears will
often seem unreal, talk will sound
incoherent, and dreams will be
The Pitfalls of Glorifying the Guru
PEoPlE arE oftEn confusED aBout tHE mEaning of tHE tErm
guru. here, in the guru yoga, ones own teacher is visualized in
the form of the entire dimension of being. is this outrageous glo-
rifcation? It is very important to understand that the guru means
the unifcation of all transmissions and should not be confused
with the personality of the teacher. it is always said, rely on the
message of the teacher, not on the personality. when guru yoga
and devotion become a personality cult, the participants involved
have become controlled by powerful archetypal forces, rather than
having mastered those forces.
so, in the guru yoga and the blessing of the guru, we are in-
volved in the most powerful archetypal energy of all, the arche-
type of the self, our own wholeness. the natural state has an en-
ergy; it is alive. we either master it or, if we are unconscious of it, it
masters us. the teacher both employs and symbolizes this energy.
we inevitably project this energy on to the person of the teach-
er. in sutric teaching one does not work much with the teacher
in terms of this energy, although it is of course present. in tantra
and dzogchen it is the basis of the path. the skillful teacher helps
the student redirect this powerful archetypal projection from the
person of the teacher back to the student him or herself. there are
different styles of doing this depending on the inclinations of the
teacher and student. some teachers, aware of the power of these
projections and the limitations of the student, allow the projec-
tions to develop somewhat and then wean their students from
them. Others cut off the projections from the very start and turn
over to the student the power of the projections for his or her own
use. some students just cannot handle such abrupt treatment of
their precious projections or the energy which is freed up when
these projections are abruptly withdrawn from the precious object.
Projections are intimately bound up with a defated or depressed
ego: the teacher is viewed as being the all-powerful spiritual
father-mother next to which one is an ignorant nothing. Yet, at the
same time, such self-abasement is the fipside of a psychic over-
infation: being one of the elect, being chosen or even favored by
the daddy-mommy guru.
buddhists talk endlessly about the non-existence of any abid-
ing principle in our personality. this means that the concept per-
son is inadequate for understanding our individuality. this non-
existence has far-reaching implications for every aspect of our
existence. but, especially in the case of the guru, how can one go
on blindly projecting this delusion on to the teacher, and then even
worship this projection?
the key point is to be able to experience the archetypal energy
of the guru yoga as increasing self-mastery. through the arche-
typal image of the guru we feel the energies of transference di-
rected towards our own natural state. this process is constantly
reinforced by the presence of the teacher in the fesh as a unique,
autonomous individual, unwilling to be captured by projections.
in being just him/herself he/she is showing us, indeed forcing
us, to be just ourselves.
adapted from You Are The Eyes of the World
in this adaptation from You
Are The Eyes of the World,
Longchenpa gives practical
guidance for those practicing
dzogchen-type meditations.
How to Integrate Experiences
after Meditation
then, what appears will
often seem unreal, talk
will sound incoherent,
and dreams will be lucid,
while everything you
do in waking life will be
seen to be like a dream.
you are the eyeS of the worLd
by Longchenpa
translated by Kennard Lipman & merrill peterson
introduction by namkhai norbu
122 pp., paper. #YOAR2N $18.95,
OUR PRICE $13.27
available february 2011
Just as the images on television
are nothing more than light, so are
our experiences merely the dance
of awareness. Often we form at-
tachments to, or feel enslaved by,
these experiences. Their power
fades as easily as the pictures van-
ish when the channel is changed,
if we penetrate to the heart of re-
alitythe light of the natural mind
within everyone.
You Are the Eyes of the World
presents a method for discovering
awareness everywhere, in every
moment. It does not discuss how
to turn ordinary life off, or creating
beautiful spiritual experiences. Instead it shows how to live within the source
of all life, the unied eld where experience takes place.
the product of an inspired collaboration...a catching edition with
Wrights stunning photograph of Bodhnath stupa lit with light offerings at
dusk in the cover...It sustains...the interest of the Tibetan and other special-
ist owing to the magnitude of Longchen pas contribution to Tibetan Bud-
dhist literature and the timely relevance of his Don khrid to a living rDzogs
chen commentarial tradition.THE TIBET JOURNAL
Seven Metals is 56 minutes of peace
An extraordinary recording of Tibetan bowls
performed by a master of this tradition
Jonathan Goldman, author of Healing Sounds
A sound adventure for the spirit
Don Campbell
author of The Mozart Effect
therapists, yoga teachers, and meditators.
www.SevenMetals.com
available from Snow Lion
Seven Metals features the beautiful harmonics
of 25 rare singing bowls. Praised by bodywork
All photos by Jess Townsley except: Waterfall,
digikat, fotolog.com. Meditation room, Open
Meadow Zen Center, www.mandriahealing.com.
in being just him/herself he/she is showing us,
indeed forcing us, to be just ourselves.
NEWS
Easy-to-use navigation and
search features
Complete catalog
Current issue of the Snow Lion:
The Buddhist Magazine &
Catalogplus over ten years of
back issues
Weekly quotes archi ves
Buddhist astrology
Tibetan calendar of special days
Sale items
Action links and appeals
Secure shopping
Free e-cards
Worldwide Dharma Directory
See whats new at www.snowlionpub.com
The most comprehensive Tibetan Buddhist
site on the web has been redesigned!
Tour leader: Glenn H. Mullin
WIN a Guided Tour in THE HIMALAYAS in 2011
For the ffteenth time Snow Lion Publications is offering a
himalayan tour to a lucky customer. we have arranged to give
one of our customers the opportunity to travel with glenn mullin
on a two-week adventure in the himalayas or mongolia in 2012,
as the political situation allows. glenn lived in the himalayas
from 1972-1982 where he studied tibetan buddhism, language,
literature, and yoga with many of the greatest teachers from tibet.
he is the author of numerous books and has taught throughout
the world. he also organized and led several world tours for the
monks from drepung Loseling monastery.
Heres how you can win: If you would like to be entered in
the drawing, please let us know when you place your order, and
we will enter you in the contest. You can enter the contest each
time you order with us. Well have our next drawing at the end
of December 2011.
Please check the full-page ad in this magazine to see what is and
is not included in the trip. the main item not included is airfare to
the starting point (the starting point used to be Kathmandu, but
the present political climate has changed this). also, since glenn
is responsible for every aspect of the trip, please contact him for
any information that you need or to fnd out about this or other
great trips. glenns website is: www. glennmullin.com. n
Am so grateful to whoever did over
your website. Many thanks for
making life more navigatable.
a Snow Lion customer
Snow Lion 9
NEWS
the rosary [mala] that is used
to count recitations should have
certain characteristics. they are
mentioned in the section on clari-
fying the rosary from The Con-
densed Realization of the Gurus:
For a rosary, the best substances
are jewels.
seeds that come from trees are
second best.
the lowest are wood, stones,
and the nine types of medicine.
Conch makes for peaceful
rosaries
and is recommended for pacify-
ing activities.
golden rosaries are used for
enriching activities,
while rosaries of coral accom-
plish magnetizing activities.
rosaries of iron and turquoise
are for wrathful activities.
dzi and agate are auspicious for
various activities.
bodhi seeds are auspicious for all
activities.
ivory rosaries accomplish all
activities.
with respect to the different
degrees of beneft, The Vajra Peak
Tantra says:
Lotus is said to multiply by one
billion,
and the bodhi seed to do so
infnitely.
thus, for peaceful deities it is
good to use bodhi seeds, while
for wrathful deities rudraksha
is recommended. in particular,
drubwang Chagme rinpoche
mentions in his Precious Six-Faced
Majusri that golden rosaries,
which are so renowned these
days, are excellent for practicing
majusri. however, one should
use whatever is comfortable. The
Tantra of the Natural Arising of
Awareness describes the string of
the rosary and the main bead:
For the rosary, join three, fve, or
nine strings
symbolizing the three bod-
ies, fve families, and nine
vehicles.
the knots are bound by three
tiers of beads, symbolizing the
three bodies.
thus it is acceptable to use
three, fve, or nine strings bound
together. additionally, it is good
to use white woolen thread for
peaceful activity, yellow cotton
thread for enriching activity, red
silk thread for magnetizing ac-
tivities, while for wrathful activ-
ity knife-leather or great leather
are recommended. however, if
you cannot gather these, regular
leather will do. For multiple ac-
tivities, use fve threads of differ-
ent colors. The Condensed Realiza-
tion mentions this:
the rosary string for various
activities
Is a braided string of fve colored
threads.
generally, the rosary should
have three tiers of knots to sym-
bolize the three bodies. the up-
per one is blue to symbolize vajra
mind, the unchanging basic space
of phenomena. the middle one
is red to symbolize vajra speech,
while the lower one is white to
symbolize vajra body.
the rosary should be blessed
by following the elevenfold pre-
liminary blessing. the method
malas are available in an ar-
ray materialsfrom bone
to wood to precious stones.
this useful description of the
various qualities of these sub-
stances is taken from A Prac-
tice of Padmasambhava:Essential
Instructions on the Path to
Awakening by shechen gyalt-
sap iV and rinchen dargye,
foreword by Chkyi nyima
rinpoche.
The Qualities
of MALAS
for counting mantras is explained
in The Condensed Realization of the
Gurus:
when reciting peaceful mantras,
Count with the rosary on your
index fnger,
and for enriching mantras on
your middle fnger.
For magnetizing, keep it on your
ring fnger,
and for wrathful mantras, on the
little fnger.
always use your left hand.
although this is what the text
explains, sometimes it is also said
that for wrathful mantras one
should use the thumb and ring
fnger of the right hand. Howev-
er, for general practice of all four
activities, you can recite with the
four fngers held together, the ro-
sary resting on the index fnger
and the thumb acting like an iron
hook.
Padmasambhava also taught
where to hold ones hand during
the recitation:
Count at your heart for peaceful
activity,
at your navel for enriching
activity,
at the secret place for magnetiz-
ing activity,
and for wrathful activity, near
your knee
at the point where the legs are
crossed.
For various activities, count
wherever is easy. n
above photo: The Dalai Lama holding a
mala, by Alison Wright from the spirit
of tibet. Photo to left: red sandalwood,
rudraksha seed, and turquoise malas.
a practice of padmaSamBhaVa:
Essential Instructions on the Path to Awakening
by Shechen gyaltsap iV and rinchen dargye
translated by the dharmachakra translation committee
160 pp., 1 b&w photo, paper. #PRPAES $19.95, our price $13.96
available march 2011
The Indian master Padmasambhava occu-
pies a special place in the hearts of practitio-
ners of Tibetan Buddhism. By bringing tantric
Buddhism to Tibet from India he inspired a
movement of awakening that for centuries
has brought countless practitioners to spiritual
fulllment.
A Practice of Padmasambhava presents
two practical and compelling works related
to a visualization and mantra practice of Pad-
masambhava and is based on the teachings of
renowned nineteenth-century masters Chok-
gyur Lingpa, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, and
Jamgon Kongtrul, who together inspired a renaissance of Tibetan Buddhism.
These writings give an introduction to the preliminary trainings, elucidation
of the visualization and mantra aspects of the practice, and step-by-step
instructions on the visualized image, skillfully guiding the reader into tantric
practice-common to all of Tibetan Buddhism.
SHECHEN GYALTSAP IV spent most of his life in retreat and was one of the
main teachers of the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Rinchen Dargye was a
prolic writer on all aspects of tantric thought and practice.
THE DHARMACHAKRA TRANSLATION COMMITTEE works under the guidance of
Chkyi Nyima Rinpoche.
Please keep up the good
work. You are the best source
for buddhism related stuff.
thank you.a customer
accorDing to tHE sutra PatH, the
buddhas dharma body is the frui-
tional refuge that one strives to
accomplish, at a future time, in
ones own being. in the unique
approach of the vajra vehicle,
however, the buddhas dhar-
ma body is understood to be
the essence of mind, which is already enlightened right now, an
embodiment of all the Jewels.
in general, going for refuge is necessary for anyone who wishes
to train on the paths of the three types of beings. in the present
context, however, one must also have an affnity for the great ve-
hicle and a wish to enter the resultant vajra vehicle of secret man-
tra. the reason for taking refuge is to be saved from three types
of fear. in general, one fears the suffering of cyclic existence. in
particular, for followers of the great vehicle, there is a fear of self-
ishness. Most specifcally, for followers of secret mantra, one fears
ordinary, deluded fxation. Moreover, one should continue taking
refuge until one has reached enlightenmentuntil the ultimate
three objects of refuge manifest in ones stream of being.
the way to take refuge is to accept the buddha as ones teacher.
we do so because he shows us the profound path to liberation
of which we would otherwise be unaware. we also accept the
dharma as the path because by practicing it according to the bud-
dhas instruction, we are freed from all fears and directly connect
to the fnal fruition. In certain contexts of the extraordinary vajra
vehicle, taking refuge in the dharma also refers to taking refuge in
the sense of making a commitment. One commits to perfecting the
realization of the pure channels transformed into the emanation
body, the pure energies transformed into the enjoyment body, and
the pure essences transformed into the dharma body; or, other-
wise, perfecting the realization of the indivisible essence, nature,
and compassion. in this way, we are promising to rely on all the
teachings of the paths of the nine vehicles. Finally, we rely on the
sangha as our companions because by emulating their conduct,
we will be able to arrive at our destination.
to take refuge merely due to a personal wish for the higher
realms or tranquility is the path of the lesser and middling vehi-
cles and should therefore be avoided. instead, we should take ref-
uge while engendering the attitude of the great vehicle, in order
to have a support and ally in liberating all beings from existence,
and to allay all obstacles on the path of the great vehicle. The Orna-
ment of the Sutras of the Great Vehicle says:
One commits due to a wish for the real and realizes it through
compassion. by taking refuge in the three Jewels and pledging our-
selves to them, we implicitly also make a commitment to give up
their antitheses, such as powerful worldly gods, religions that en-
courage violence, and extremist friends who have a negative view
and behavior.
adapted from A Practice of Padmasambhava
The Vajrayana
Approach to
Taking Refuge
the reason for taking refuge is to
be saved from three types of fear.
NEWS
CIIIAMANI IAkA MANIkA kEIkEAI
Wecne:ccy. FeL(uc(y 1 - Sunccy. FeL(uc(y 27
Jewe| Hec(I. 112 Cck Vc||ey D(ive. /nn /(Lc(. Ml
IAkA - FEMALE 8bDDHA HEALING FkACIICE
F(iccy. Mcy 27 - Mcnccy. Mcy 30
Gc((i:cn ln:IiIuIe in Gc((i:cn. NY
II8EIAN 8bDDHI$I COMFkEHEN$IVE GbIDE FOk
IODAY'$ $FIkIIbAL IkAVELEk
Ihu(:ccy. /ucu:I 25 - Sunccy. SepIemLe( 4
Jewe| Hec(I. 112 Cck Vc||ey D(ive. /nn /(Lc(. Ml
IHE HEALING FkACIICE OF MEDICINE 8bDDHA
F(iccy. CcIcLe( 7 - Mcnccy. CcIcLe( 10
Gc((i:cn ln:IiIuIe in Gc((i:cn. NY
For more |n|ormot|on, p|eose contoct
reg|strot|onjewe|heort.org
www.jewe|heort.org
MAKE A DIFFEkENCE IO YObk LIFE
GELEK FlMFCCHES
SCHEDULE CF 2011
JEWEL HE/FI FEIFE/IS
China announces new bilingual
policy for Tibetan pre-schools
04 dec 2010 (Pti)
the education department of the tibet autonomous region (tar)
announced that all children in farming and herding areas would re-
ceive at least two years of free pre-school education in tibetan and
Putonghua (mandarin) by 2015.
by then, at least 60 per cent of tibetan children will attend kin-
dergarten, compared with the current 24.5 per cent, Xinhua quoted a
department spokesman as saying. n
Snow Lion 11
NEWS
Genuine Bodhichitta
wHat is tHE mEaning of BoDHicHitta? What is the signifcance
of the bodhi sattva Vow? if we limit ourselves to saying, i vow
to save all sentient beings, thats very nice, but when and where
and how? the point is that we have to ask ourselves, why are we
practicing? are we practicing so that we can be happy, or free,
or are we practicing so that we can beneft others? This is not just
an academic debate, because it is our true motivation for being on
the spiritual path, rather than what we chant, that will color ev-
erything that hap pens to us. its like adding different colored dyes
to water. its going to become red or blue or green, depending on
the color of the dye we add. in the same way, our true reasons for
practicing will color the results of our practice.
its not much use for us just to say, well, of course, im on the
mahayana path, so im a bodhisattva, and therefore im aiming
to save all beings. we must examine our motivation for every-
thing we do. are we doing it for our selves, or are we doing it for
others? this is an essential point, because when we vow to save
countless sentient beings, we must understand what this means.
when the heart really comprehends this, something in the mind
turns around and our attitude is completely transformed. and to
the small extent that we worldlings are capable of, there is a deep
inner change of direction. its not something we can speak about,
but we defnitely know when its there.
i dont think this true motivation is always there. in the begin-
ning, as incipient bodhisattvas, we are not always truly altruistic.
if we claimed to be, it would just be self-deception. but some-
times, even if only for a very short time, we understand what
were talking about. That is why bodhichitta is so infnitely great
and so highly praised in the mahayana sutras. it transforms even
the smallest virtuous action into something of vast proportions,
because we are not doing it any more for ourselves or just for the
object, but for the whole world. then even the most minute thing
has infnite ramifcations, not just in this lifetime, but throughout
the vast stretch of future lifetimes. this is the birth of genuine
spiritual altruism.
It is very easy to talk about benefting all sentient beings
throughout time and space. in most religious traditions, even the
most altruistic attitudes are cultivated in order to gain some kind
of a reward later on, be it a place in heaven, paradise, nirvana,
or a better rebirth. even the greatest saints of certain religions
are still aiming for heaven. They may live the most diffcult and
self-abnegating lives, but its all because they live in anticipation
of eternity in heaven, in glory. now were turning that concept
right around and saying, Forget the glory, forget heaven, forget
paradise, forget nirvana, we dont have time for that. there are too
many beings out there suffering endlessly in samsara. there is no
end to their suffering. we can see just by looking around us that
there is no end to the sufferings of samsara.
adapted from Reections on a Mountain Lake n
forget the glory, forget heaven, forget paradise,
forget nirvana, we dont have time for that. there
are too many beings out there suffering endlessly
in samsara....

May 21, 22: shambhala Center nYC
May 25: talk and book signing
into the heart of Life, shambhala Center nYC
May 2730: memorial day weekend retreat
into the heart of Life, Omega institute, rhinebeck, nY
June 1: talk with gloria steinem, rubin museum, nYC
(Beneft for her Nunnerys Endowment Fund afterwards)
June 45: shambhala Center nYC
Keeping it together
when you meditate
Reections on a Mountain Lake:
Teachings on Practical Buddhism
by Jetsunma tenzin palmo
262 pp., 8 photos. #REMOLA $16.95, our price $11.86
in her direct and compassionate style, tenzin palmo gives us a lucid
explanation of the Buddhas teachings...this book is a delight to read.
THUBTEN CHODRON, author of Working with Anger and Buddhism for
Beginners
tenzin palmos wonderful teachings are pristine and practical
the natural outpouring of her years of intensive meditation and insight.
they are her gift to the world.
VICKI MACKENZIE, author of Cave in the Snow, the biography of Ven.
Tenzin Palmo
VENERABLE TENZIN PALMO was born in London in 1943. She traveled to
India when she was 20, met her teacher, and in 1964 was one of the rst
Western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun. After twelve
years of study and doing frequent retreats during the long Himalayan winter
months, she sought complete seclusion and better conditions for practice.
She found a nearby cave, where she stayed and practiced for another twelve
years. The story of her life and experiences in her remote Himalayan cave
is described in the book Cave in the Snow: A Western Womans Quest for
Enlightenment by Vicki Mackenzie. Tenzin Palmo has established Dongyu
Gatsal Ling Nunnery for young women from Tibet and the Himalayan border
regions. She frequently teaches around the world.
we need to learn how to relax,
to make the mind spacious while
keeping it clear. in this way, we
can practice within a sense of
openness, not within a tight knot
of tension. if you are tense to be-
gin with, the more practice you
do, the tighter you become. its a
vicious cycle. Once you get lung,
you become extremely tense and
uptight. because youre tense
and uptight, you get lung. its im-
portant therefore to start a little
loosely and not do too much, as
with physical exercise, otherwise
you just hurt yourself. gradu-
ally do more as you get into it,
until youre going fully for it, but
still with this very relaxed mind.
then, at the end, wind down so
that when you come out its not
a shock to your system. its very
important to keep the mind re-
laxed, even while it is alert. a re-
laxed mind doesnt mean a sleepy
mind. it means a mind which is
open and spacious, rather than
gritting its teeth, as it were. i
think its a pity that people go-
ing into retreat are not always
told how to keep the mind in this
open space. Longchen rabjam ex-
plains about not letting the mind
go wherever it wants, but keep-
ing it within boundaries while in
a relaxed state. Of course, once
you develop lung it is too late for
all this. the only thing you can do
is fnd a sunny beach somewhere
and lie on it.
retreat should be a pleasure,
not an ordeal. it should be a de-
light, because if the mind is de-
lighted with what its doing, it en-
gages and becomes one with the
zen mountain monastery web radio
dharma talks
interviews
ideas
music ecology right action
arts & life
www.wzen.org info@wzen.org
f rom
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmos
Teaching Schedule
NEWS
Online Learning Center
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition
Online Learning Center
Teachings on MP3 or video
Meditations on MP3 or video
Written transcripts
Readings
Online quizzes
Online discussion forum
Completion certicate
FPMT programs available online!

Each online program includes: How to access FPMT online programs:
FREE! Discovering Buddhism module two, How to Meditate
FREE! Living in the Path module one, Motivation for Life
For all other program modules:
Individual modules can be purchased from the FPMT Foundation Store:
http://shop.fpmt.org
Become a Dharma Supporter Friend of FPMT and receive free access to all online
programs and a subscription to Mandala magazine: www.fpmt.org/friends
Buddhism in a Nutshell Meditation 101 Death & Dying Living in the Path Basic Program Discovering Buddhism
http://onlinelearning.fpmt.org
SNOW LION:
The Buddhist
Magazine
& Catalog
Christi Cox, co-editor
Jeff Cox, co-editor
Jess townsley, art director
eva marques, editorial
assistant and web manager
and the staff of snow Lion
Publications
Snow Lion: The Buddhist
Magazine & Catalog is
published quarterly.
For editorial information,
JeffCox@snowLionPub.com
For advertising inquiries,
607-272-3968 or
advertising@snowLionPub.
com
snow Lion Publications
PO box 6483, ithaca, nY
14851-6483 usa
www.snowLionPub.com
wwwo|mo|inqorq Pittsburqh PA
O|mo Linq
Tibetan Bon Center
directed by Tempa Oukte Lama
5anq Gye Men Gyi Lha Medicine Buddha Teachinqs

wlLh Nvlmu Lukpu Rlnpoche 1unuurv
Meditation Instructors Traininq
wlLh 1empu LukLe Lumu lebruurv
Beyond Mindfu|ness Workshop CL credlLs uvulluble
wlLh 1empu LukLe Lumu Lr SLun Perelmun und Lr 1ohn Splegel Murch
Thru| khor Tibetan Bon Ozoqchen Yoqa Part II
wlLh Ceshe Chuphur Lhundrup und 1empu LukLe Lumu Aprll
Bon Contemp|ative Hea|inq Retreat
wlLh 1empu LukLe Lumu Muv
Pub|ic B|essinq with His Ho|iness rd Menri Trizin
1une
The Way of a Compassionate Beinq
wlLh 1empu LukLe Lumu 1une
Bon Terton Teachinq
wlLh Lh Kundol Rlnpoche 1ulv
Transcendinq the 5e|f throuqh Purifyinq
the Eiqht Consciousnesses
wlLh 1empu LukLe Lumu AugusL
Beinq with Oeath and Oyinq Workshop
WlLh 1empu LukLe Lumu oLher luculLv Nov
Desert Ashram, 3403 W. Sweetwater Drive
Tucson, AZ 85745-9301 Ph: 520-743-8821
LIGHT-OF-CONSCIOUSNESS.ORG
LIGHT OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Universal Spirituality & Conscious Evolution
FREE ISSUE ABOVE
With 1 year (4 issue) subscription at $18.99
with code: FREE
CONSCIOUS MEDITATION
By Swami Amar Jyoti
THE FEARLESS HEART: PRACTICES FOR
LIVING WITH COURAGE AND COMPASSION
By Pema Chdrn
REPETITION AND DAILY PRACTICE: FROM
MINDLESSNESS TO MINDFULNESS
By Andrew Holecek
FREE ISSUE!
really good articles in the copy of snow Lion that came today!
thank-you for all you do to support the dharma in the united
states.a customer
thank you for being a reliable and rich source of books and
items!a customer
Snow Lion 13
NEWS
2010 markED tHE 900tH yEar
since the birth of the frst Karma-
pa dsum Khyenpa (1110-1193).
the unique tradition of reincarna-
tion in tibetan buddhism started
with the First Karmapa, dusum
Khyenpa. he was said to be born
in the year 1110 Ce in dresh, a
part of dreho in Kham province
of tibet.
Karma Kagyu, or Kamtsang,
is the largest lineage within the
Kagyu school, one of the four ma-
jor schools of tibetan buddhism.
the 17th Karmapa, Orgyen trin-
ley dorje, is currently the holder
of this lineage in tibetan bud-
dhism and he has been living in
india since 2000 following a dra-
matic escape from the Chinese-
occupied tibet. during his nearly
six-week stay in bodh gaya, the
900th Anniversary of
Karmapa Lineage
Karmapa was scheduled to par-
ticipate in special peace prayers,
deliver sermons and meditate
near the seat of buddhas enlight-
enment, media reports said.
a two-day celebration to mark
the 900th anniversary of the Kar-
mapa lineage was held at tergar
monastery in bodh gaya.
in a message for the event, his
holiness the dalai Lama offered
his prayers and greetings for a suc-
cessful conclusion of the event.
Leading Kagyu lamas, includ-
ing goshir gyaltsap rinpoche,
Jamgon Kongtrul rinpoche,
thrangu rinpoche, and tenga
rinpoche, along with a few thou-
sand monks and devotees from
various countries, arrived in bodh
gaya for the event.
adapted from Phayul
On the Karmapa lineages 900th Birthday
What we are remembering and refecting on with Karmapa 900 is
the great kindness of dusum Khyenpa. not only did he show measure-
less kindness to beings, through his deeds in founding the Karmapa
lineage and the great lineage of the Karma Kagyu, dusum Khyenpa
was the source of 900 years of kindness to beings.
Countless great masters have come and engaged in enlightened
activities over the past nine centuries through this lineage. that was
all possible only because dusum Khyenpa came into the world. he
was the actual seed for the vast tree of the Karma Kagyu, with its wide
shade-giving branches and its blossoms and rich fruits.
it is my personal duty and the duty of all followers of the Karma
Kagyu to honour his deeds and his great compassion, courage and
wisdom, by cultivating those same qualities ourselves. Karmapa 900 is
designed to serve as a reminder, and as an opportunity to do so.
H.H. THE 17TH KARMAPA
WWW.BERZINARCHIVES.COM
is most comprehensive website oers a wide collection of translations and teachings by Dr. Alexander
Berzin, both in written form and audio. It includes detailed, authentic explanations about the various traditions of
Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan and Buddhist history, the interaction between Buddhism and Islam, and much more.
Available in English and eight other languages.
top: Painting of the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa
bottom: The 17th Karmapa, Orgyen Trinley Dorje
at the 900th anniversary celebration at Terger
Monastery in Bodh Gaya (photo by James Gritz)
NLw!
THL LOTUS 8OPN
HAND CPAPTLD AND HAND PA|NTLD |N STA|NLD GLASS
PPOM
wALP|NG STUD|O
8A8 8UDDHA SLATLD |N A STA|NLD GLASS LOTUS
7.5X8 HUNG PPOM CLLAP MONO P|LAMLNT SO HL APPLAPS TO PLOAT

SALL!
wAS $l25.00 - NOw $83.00 PLUS S&H
TO PUPCHASL GO TO:
www.artfire.com/users/waeringstudio
waeringverizon.net 570-970-9025
NLw!
THL LOTUS 8OPN
HAND CPAPTLD AND HAND PA|NTLD |N STA|NLD GLASS
PPOM
wALP|NG STUD|O
8A8 8UDDHA SLATLD |N A STA|NLD GLASS LOTUS
7.5X8 HUNG PPOM CLLAP MONO P|LAMLNT SO HL APPLAPS TO PLOAT

SALL!
wAS $l25.00 - NOw $83.00 PLUS S&H
TO PUPCHASL GO TO:
www.artfire.com/users/waeringstudio
waeringverizon.net 570-970-9025
NEWS
Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
cont+|ns |cco|d|ngs +nd t|+nsc||pts
o| |+m+ !ubtcn cs|cs +nd |+m+
zop+ ||npoc|cs tc+c||ngs d+t|ng
b+c| to t|c c+||v ,;os+nd wc|c
st||| g|ow|ng' Ou| wcbs|tc oc|s
t|ous+nds o| p+gcs o| tc+c||ngs bv
somc o| t|c g|c+tcst |+m+s o| ou|
t|mc |ozcns o| +ud|o |cco|d|ngs
|und|cds o| p|otos +nd ou|
cvc|-popu|+| boo|s +|c +|so ||cc|v
+cccss|b|c +t |\\|s||.o
Please see our website or
contact us for more information
Our latest titles. . .
Teachings from the
Medicine Buddha Retreat
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche $20
Kadampa Teachings
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Free*
and more free books*. . .
* Plus shipping charges of per book ( minimum)
LANA YLSHL WJSDON AkCHJVL
PO 8OX 636. LJNCOLN. NA OI773 JNPOLANAYLSHL.CON WWW.LANAYLSHL.CON
Life, Death, and After Death
by Lama Yeshe Free*
treat yourself to a week
of perfection
Retreats with
Lama Surya Das
There is a key that can unlock the wisdom and unlimited love
that lies within us, and it is much closer than we imagine. This is
the teaching of the Great Perfection. Introducing this natural
wisdom and compassion is the life-work of Lama Surya Das.
We invite you to join this renowned American Lama for a week
of awakening to the joy of naturally-arising timeless awareness.
Relax and sit in natural meditation: just-sitting, just-breathing,
just-being. Rest in the sky-like nature of awareness itself.
Each day we will eat delicious vegetarian food, enliven our bodies
with Tibetan energy yoga, listen to the teachings of the Great
Perfection, sit in natural meditation, chant, relax, take walks,
breathe, be silent, ask questions, find answers, rest, and awaken.
D Z OGCHE N ME D I TAT I ON R E T R E AT S
Awakening the BuddhaWithin
Garrison, NY: January 1 9, 2011
View, Meditation andAction of the Great Perfection
Joshua Tree, CA: March 12 20, 2011
Advanced Retreat*
Austin,TX: April 30 May 7, 2011
Natural Meditation, Dzogchen Meditation
Garrison, NY: July 23 31, 2011
* prerequisites apply
LAMA SURYA DAS was among the
first spiritual explorers to e counter
the great Tibetan masters in Asia.
He embarked on two decades of
study and practice, including more
than eight years in secluded retreat.
He began teaching in the U.S. with
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, who
formally authorized him to transmit
the teachings of Dzogchenthe
Great Perfection.This is Lama Surya
Dass special gifthis ability to
transmit the very pith of these
instructions with expansive warmth,
poetry and abundant good humor.
He has often said my mission is
transmission. He has reached
millions through the publication of
12 books that draw on his 40 years
of spiritual experience. His most
recent work is The Mind is Mightier
than the Sword: Enlightening the
Mind, Opening the Heart.
DZOGCHEN CENTER
AWAKENINGTHE BUDDHAWITHIN
For compl ete i nformati on and secure on-l i ne regi strati on for al l of these schedul ed events,
go to www.dzogchen.org/retreats, e-mail retreat@dzogchen.org, or call 585-348-7125.
The Oral Instruction of Kn-zang La-ma on the
Preliminary Practices of Dzog-ch'en Long-ch'en
Nying-tig by Jig-me Gyal-way Nyu-gu, as
transcribed by Dza Pal-trl Rin-po-ch'e
KN-ZANG
LA-MAY
ZHAL-LUNG
Translated & edited by
Sonam T. Kazi
AVAILABLE FROM:
Diamond Lotus Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 861
Beacon, NY 12508
(888) 812-8809
Add $6.00 S/H for first
book and $3.00 for each
additional book.
For expedited shipping,
please add $3.00 extra.
It is a universal truth that it is extremely enjoyable to
live in this phenomenal world. Nobody wants to part with
worldly pleasure. It is also a universal truth that everything
that conditionally exists, sooner or later, must face
ultimate destruction....
Those of us who are aware of this, in time, search for a
solution to transcend death. Some of us come across the
Buddhist teaching called Dzog-ch'en, whose superlative
virtues excite us so much that we totally forget the proper
approach to it. Just as a towering building must have an
equally sound foundation, success in ultimate realization
through Dzog-ch'en teaching depends entirely on a thorough
understanding of the law of karma at the relative level.
KN-ZANG LA-MAY ZHAL-LUNG explains how to
attain the proper balance between the relative and absolute
aspects of the practice in very simple language.
PART 1: 256 pp, 8 color plates, hardcover, $35
PART 2 & 3: 352 pp, 4 color plates, hardcover, $50
S.T. Kazi
THE ORAL INSTRUCTION OF KUN-ZANG LA-MA
ON THE PRELIMINARY PRACTICES
OF DZOG-CHEN LONG-CHEN NYING-TIG
PART ONE
As transcribed by
Pal-trul O-gyen Jig-me Cho-kyi Wang-po Rin-po-che
NGA-GYUR NYING-MAY SUNG-RAB
ENGLISH TRANSLATION SERIES
VOLUME IV
Translated from the Tibetan and edited by
Sonam T. Kazi

THE ORAL INSTRUCTION OF KUN-ZANG LA-MA
ON THE PRELIMINARY PRACTICES
OF DZOG-CHEN LONG-CHEN NYING-TIG
PART ONE
As transcribed by
Pal-trul O-gyen Jig-me Cho-kyi Wang-po Rin-po-che
NGA-GYUR NYING-MAY SUNG-RAB
ENGLISH TRANSLATION SERIES
VOLUME IV
Translated from the Tibetan and edited by
Sonam T. Kazi

Next Dalai
Lama Likely
Born in India
dharamsala (india), december
10, 2010, interfax.com
the next dalai Lama is to re-
incarnate in a free country, most
likely in india, and may be in one
of the russian republics, the
spiritual leader of tibetan bud-
dhists told at his meeting with
russian journalists that took
place in his residence in dharam-
sala (india).
according to the dalai Lama,
if the existing state of things
persists and tibet buddhists re-
main in exile then logically
the aim of reincarnation is to
complete tasks set in the previous
incarnation, which havent been
fulflled.
he didnt exclude a possibility
that a future dalai Lama could be
a woman and said that there had
already been such precedents.
the dalai Lama said that in the
main religions, including bud-
dhism, women make up the ma-
jority of believers and it means
that dalai Lama woman can be
more useful.
some people, including rus-
sians, say that the dalai Lama in-
stitution is extremely important
for development of tibet bud-
dhism, but this view point is not
correct, he added, noting that ti-
bet buddhism has existed for 600
years and yet for only 400 of them
has dalai Lama held spiritual and
secular power. n
Did you know?
Buddhism Through American Womens Eyes was in the staff Picks
top 5 for Powells books, the largest bookstore in the u.s.
Snow Lion 15
NEWS
e. gene smith passed away in
new York City on thursday de-
cember 16, 2010, the year of the
iron tiger. he had not been well
since returning from india earlier
that week.
he was the former director of
the US Library of Congress feld
offce in India which created a
vast library of tibetan texts. gene
was also the founder of the ti-
betan buddhist resource Center
in new York.
gene was honored a year ago
by representatives of more than
300 tibetan buddhist monaster-
ies in tibet, india, nepal, and
bhutan with a lifetime achieve-
ment award for his contributions
to the preservation of the tibetan
literary and spiritual heritage.
the award ceremony took place
at the nyingma monlam Chen-
mo international prayer festival
in bodhgaya, bihar, india, Janu-
ary 2223, 2010.
in 1959, thousands of tibetans
fed their homeland in the Hima-
layan mountains. they carried
with them cultural artifacts and
priceless texts representing 1,500
years of teachings that chronicle
the advances of humankind, as
well as the traditional works of
the great indian scholars and
masters, which were systemati-
cally documented and preserved
in tibet.
e. gene smith dedicated more
than four decades of his life to the
preservation and public availabil-
ity of these essential tibetan texts.
in 1968 he joined the Library of
Congresss new delhi Field Of-
fce as a young scholar and de-
veloped a program that used
proceeds from the sale of u.s.
agricultural products to print ti-
betan texts. Known as the Library
of Congress's tibetan text Publi-
cation Project of the united states
Public Law 480 (PL480), it was an
effort to salvage and reprint the
tibetan literature that had been
collected by the exile community
or from the communities in sik-
kim, bhutan, india, and nepal.
For the next three decades he
tirelessly led the effort to locate
and print every extant tibetan
text. in so doing, he rescued
numerous tibetan buddhist
traditions from extinction. ap-
proximately 5000 texts have been
preserved in 19 universities in
the usa and elsewhere. in 1997
he took early retirement from
the u.s. Library of Congress and
formed the tibetan buddhist
resource Center (tbrC). today,
tbrC continues to develop digi-
tal technologies that preserve and
distribute tibetan texts around
the world. smith's work to save
these texts, encourage their trans-
lation, and make their contents
available to the public, provides a
model for the use of personal net-
working and digital technology
to save the priceless textual tradi-
tions of unique ancient cultures
in an increasingly global society.
Gene frst became interested in
tibetan buddhism while study-
ing sanskrit and tibetan at the
university of washington in 1960.
while helping tibetan refugees
assimilate into american life, he
met a learned Lama, deshung
rinpoche, to whom he taught
english. in return, deshung
rinpoche taught smith about
tibetan culture and buddhism
and provided him with letters of
introduction to important lamas
when smith subsequently trav-
eled to asia on a Ford Founda-
tion scholarship at the urging of
deshung rinpoche.
gene had recently stepped
down as executive director of
tbrC to devote his time and en-
ergies to critical scholarly work.
to date, the Center has digitized
more than 7 million pages of ti-
betan texts and has built a digital
library for research, scholarship,
and text delivery on the internet
(www.tbrc.org). n
Gene Smith Passes On
top: Gene Smith at an award ceremony
in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India, in January
2010 where he received a lifetime
achievement award for his contributions
to the preservation of the Tibetan literary
and spiritual heritage
bottom: Gene Smith
Do you have a friend who is
interested in Tibetan Buddhism?
You can give them a free one-year subscription to Snow Lion:
The Buddhist Magazine & Catalog. Call us at 800-950-0313 or go to
http://www.snowlionpub.com/pages/subscribe.html n
NEWS
1119 SE Market St reet | Port l and, OR 97214 | 503-235-2477 | i nf o@mai t ri pa. org
Scholarship
.
Meditation
.
Service
MAI TRI PA
COLLEGE
Master of Arts (MA) in Buddhist Studies
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Extension Program (Open Admission) &
Online Study Options for Many Courses
www.maitripa.org
APPLY BY MARCH 1, 2011 FOR FALL DEGREE PROGRAM ENTRY
Scholarship
.
Meditation
.
Service
Graduate Studies at
2011 Retreats
Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche
Dzinpa Rangdrl Tsa Lung ~ April 17 - 24
White Dakini Drub Chen ~ August 19 - 30
Chagdud Khadro
Amitabha Phowa ~ April 27 - May 2
Elizabeth Namgyal
Faith: Beyond Reason and Doubt ~ May 13 - 16
Sharon Salzberg and Amy Ippoliti
Real Happiness: Meditation and Anusara Yoga ~ May 27 - 30
Lama Tsultrim Allione
Pilgrimage: Do Khyentse Power Places in Kham ~ June 1 - 30
White Dakini Drub Chen ~ August 19 - 30
Tara Brach
Radical Acceptance ~ June 17 - 19
Intro to Vajrayana: The Dakini Mandala
Ellen Booth Church ~ June 22 - 29
Chod: Cutting Through Fear
Karla Jackson ~ July 5 - 10
Kapala Training I: Feeding Your Demons
Charlotte Rotterdam and Pieter Oosthuizen ~ July 13 - 19
Family Retreat: Kindness in Everyday Life
Charlotte Rotterdam and others ~ July 23 - 31
Costanzo Allione & Khenpo Urgyen
Dzinpa Rangdrl Ngndro ~ August 4 - 8
Tsoknyi Rinpoche
Beyond Hope and Fear: Coming Home ~ Sept. 8 - 12
Tara Mandala, Pagsoa Springs, CO
www.taramandala.org | info@taramandala.org | (970) 731-3711
practice. if the mind is pushed too
much, it becomes rigid and rejects
the practice, leading to confict.
Its this confict which produces
lung. we need to understand our
own limits and have compassion
for ourselves. then we need to
learn how to use the mind as an
ally, so it does the practice with
joy. its very important, therefore,
not to push ourselves beyond
our capacity. in our sessions we
should stop before we become
tired, because if we stop while the
mind is still enjoying the experi-
ence, the mind remembers, that
was fun. it will be enthusiastic
again next time. On the other
hand, if we push to the point
where were exhausted and the
mind says, enough, it remem-
bers that. the mind remembers
that it got bored and tired, and
puts up resist ance next time we
sit. if we have the support of the
mind, and the mind really enjoys
what its doing, then theres no
way we will get lung. we only get
lung when theres confict. n
Keeping it together
when you meditate
thank you for your VerY
good service.a customer
Keep up the world-changing
work.a customer
Join our weekly teachings email Lists!
EvEry wEEk you can rEcEivE a quotE from His HolinEss tHE Dalai lama anD/or a quotE
from other teachers (we have two mail list options), selected from resources here in our offce. If you
would like receive these weekly teachings, go to our website at http://www.snowlionpub.com and
check the Free snow Lion email teachings at the top right of the home page. n
Snow Lion 17
NEWS
Medicine Buddha Saphire Light Retreat
Padma Samye Ling July 2 - 4
Savor the summer at beautiful PSL by bringing your
body, speech, & mind back into a state of inner
calm, strength, & balance.
Annual Summer Dzogchen Retreats
Padma Samye Ling July 16 31
Mipham Rinpoche's teaching on the Seven-
Line Prayer of Guru Padmasambhava known
as the White Lotus reveals the outer, inner, & secret
meanings of the profound practice of Guru Yoga
according to the nine yanas of the Nyingma school.
www.padmasambhava.org (607) 865-8068 jowozegyal@catskill.net
Nashville, TN
(615) 292-6219
www.pbc-tn.org
Padma Gochen Ling
www.pbc-tn.org
Rural retreat center in Monterey, TN
Puerto Rico
(787) 722-7156
www.padmasambhava.org/pr
West Palm Beach, FL
(561) 547-4711
www.pbdc.net
Padma Samye Ling
Monastery & Retreat Center
618 Buddha Highway
Sidney Center, NY 13839
(607) 865-8068
jowozegyal@catskill.net
Nowincludes over 150 Dharma
videos of the Khenpo Rinpoches!
www.padmasambhava.org/youtube
www.padmasambhava.org/chiso
chiso@padmasambhava.org
(607) 865-8068
Now Available
The Prayer of
Kntuzangpo
Summer 2011
Supreme
Wisdom:
Commentary
on Yeshe Lama
Spring 2011
Opening the
Wisdom Door
of the Great
Guhyagarbha.
Spring 2011
The Essential
Journey of Life
and Death
Kh e n p o Ts e wa n g Do n g y a l R i n p o c h e
Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal
at Padma Samye Ling
Buddhi s t Cent er Padmas ambhava
Vajrasattva Fire Puja
& Vajrakilaya Practice
New York City Dec 31 Jan 2
Let us begin the new year's practice with
Vajrasattva and Vajrakilaya!
Annual Winter Dzogchen Retreat
West Palm Beach Jan 15 22
Empowerment and teachings of Black
Hayagriva according to the Lineage of
Tsasum Lingpa and Ratna Lingpa. Dzogchen
pith instructions given by H.H. Dudjom
Rinpoche in Yanglesh.
One-Month Retreat Dzogchen
Padma Samye Ling Mar 26 Apr 23
H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche's Mountain Retreat
Instructions. Pith instructions that introduce us
directly to the nature of our minds through the
practice of the most secret Great Perfection.
Raising Windhorse Retreat
Padma Samye Ling May 28 30
Join us in welcoming another summer season with
raising windhorse ceremonies, empowerment and
teachings at glorious Padma Samye Ling.
PBCad_dec2010_2:Layout 1 11/10/10 9:38 AM Page 1
Lo Nguk lunphen Llng und the Muhuyunu Sutru und 1untru Center
ure pleused to unnounce un extruordlnury nlneduy teuchlng by
Cyumed lhensur Lobsung 'umpu Rlnpoche on Aryu Nugurjunus
|ve Stages lancakrama u verse commentury on the completlon
stuge pructlces contulned ln the Cuhyusumuju root und explunutory
tuntrus 1he teuchlng wlll tuke pluce ln New York Clty from August
to August und ls open to those who huve recelved un
Anutturuyogu 1untru lnltlutlon
1 C
CS P
August New York Clty
cyumed knensur Lobsang 1ampa npocne wus born ln Lhusu
1lbet ln Ee entered the Seru Mey College of Seru Monustery
ut the uge of ten und studled there untll After eelng to lndlu
followlng the Murch uprlslng ln Lhusu he resumed hls rellglous
trulnlng there rst ut 8uxur ln vest 8engul und then ln South
lndlu ln when the exlle seut of Seru Monustery wus estubllshed
ut the 8ylukuppe 1lbetun Settlement ln he wus uwurded the
Ceshe Lhurumpu degree whlch recognlzes mustery of ull ureus of
8uddhlst phllosophlcul doctrlne After thls he entered Cyumed
1untrlc College neur the town of Eunsur ln the Mysore Llstrlct of
lurnutuku Stute Upon completlon of hls tuntrlc studles he held
both the posltlons of Cek or Proctor und Lumu Umdze the
leuder thut presldes over the dully 1untrlc rltuuls ln November
Els Eollness the Lulul Lumu uppolnted hlm us lhenpo or
Abbot u posltlon whlch he held for yeurs Lurlng thls perlod he
tuught ull the 1untrlc subjects extenslvely
Ee rst vlslted the US und Cunudu ln Ee hus been u vlsltlng lumu ut the Cuhyusumuju Center ln the
vushlngton LC ureu for ve yeurs Ee now resldes ut hls center Lo Nguk lunphen Llng ln Reddlng
Connectlcut Elghly quulled ln ull levels of 8uddhlst doctrlne und medltutlon pructlce he ls u llvlng exumple
of 8uddhus teuchlngs
Prereglstrutlon for thls teuchlng ls requlred 1o recelve further detulls und request un lnformu
tlon pucket pleuse emull pancakramateacnnggmalcom
Arya Nagarjuna
gaDEn sHartsE tHuBtEn DH-
argyE ling will be hosting his
holiness the dalai Lama on may
1, 2011. his holiness will confer
a solitary Yamantaka initiation
on the morning of may 1, 2011,
followed by a public talk in the
afternoon. both events will take
place in the terrace theater at the
Long beach Convention Center.
his holiness is requiring sev-
eral commitments from those
who attend the initiation. be-
cause it is so rare that his holi-
ness would confer an initiation
from the highest Yoga tantra
class of initiations in the united
states, we feel something very
special and signifcant will be
taking place. the tickets for the
initiation will be free of cost for
all; however, only serious stu-
dents who are willing to abide
by the commitments laid out by
GSTDL to Host
HH the Dalai Lama
on May 1, 2011
his holiness may attend the ini-
tiation. Please read the highest
Yoga tantra page at www.gstdl.
org for more details, including
information on how to register
for the initiation. monastics may
register for the events on may 1,
2011 by completing the online
registration form at the bottom of
the highest Yoga tantra page.
in addition to the events on
may 1, 2011, gaden shartse
thubten dhargye Ling will be
sponsoring several events in the
days leading up to may 1, 2011.
see the gaden shartse thubten
dhargye Ling weekend page.
tickets for the public talk in the
afternoon of may 1, 2011 will be
sold directly through the box offce
and on ticket master and will go
on sale at a date to be announced
later. more information will be
posted in the coming months. n
NEWS

DHARMAKIRTI
eCOLLEGE
Study & Practice Instructions Online

Low cost 8-week classes
Spring semester classes start January 9
o Chenrezig & White Tara (March-May)
o Natural Liberation Six Bardos (continued)
o Bodhisattvas Way of Life
o Dzogchen Trekcho
Basic studies and advanced curriculum
o Individualized guidance
o Dharma teacher certification available

www.Dharmakirti.org
for info, catalog & registration

Spiritual Director
Khenchen Lama Rinpoche

Dharmakirti College follows the
householder tradition that goes back to
Shakyamuni Buddha in India and
Padmasambhava in Tibet, as well as many of
the great Mahasiddhas. This is particularly
appropriate today in the West. We offer
comprehensive and systematic programs of
study and practice guided by qualified
masters with ordained Western practitioners
using the best texts and teachings of the
Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelugpa, Jonang
and Rime traditions, as well as scholarly and
scientific sources.

OM AH HUNG HRI DRUM
With Khenpo Drimed Dawa
(Dr. Dean Pielstick)
LOSAR 2011 in Tucson Arizona
Yeshe Lama Empowerment
Guhyagarbha Empowerment and
Drupchen (3 days)
Three Roots Empowerment
And more!
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
SnowLion_TA-Ahlara?0II.pdf I?/I0/?0I0 I?.S?.SS PM
Snow Lion 19
NEWS

SPECIAL EVENTS
February
Fr. Francis Tiso, Dominican Priest, Scholar and Teacher
Lectures and classes on the life, music and teachings of Milarepa, and research on rainbow bodies
March
Anam Thubten, author of No Self No Problem, offers a retreat on Buddha Mind & teachings on Emptiness
April
Dr. Yangbum Gyal, Tibetan Physician, offers consultations and a workshop on Tibetan Medicine
May
Bloomington-Katmandu: Art exhibition and film screenings by immigrant artists on the subject of Home
June
Thubten Chodron, American Buddhist nun, author & abbess of Sravasti Abbey offers a retreat and teachings
Watch the website for returning teachers including Taklung Matul Rinpoche, Tenzin Priadarshi and Lama Surya Das

TIBETAN MONGOLIAN BUDDHIST CULTURAL CENTER
3655 Snoddy Road, Bloomington, IN 47401 www.tmbcc.net (812) 336-8807

Arjia Rinpoche is Director of TMBCC and author of
Surviving The Dragon

For more information please visit www.tmbcc.net

TMBCC offers classes and retreats by scholars and teachers from all Buddhist Traditions.
Please visit our website for information on retreat cottages, gift shop and programs
including meditation, Tibetan and Mongolian language, cultural art and yoga.

by BHiksuni tHuBtEn cHoDron
For centuries, buddhists from
the various buddhist traditions
seldom met each other due to
geographic distance, different
language, and different cultures.
now they can, and for sixteen
years western buddhist monas-
tics from the diversity of tradi-
tions have gathered together to
learn about each others practic-
es, education, and communities.
the result has been the develop-
ment of beautiful friendships and
mutual respect as we support
each other in living the simplicity
Joyfully
Swimming Upstream
Refections on Renunciation:
The Practice of Vinaya in the 21
st
Century
of monastic life in a society pre-
occupied by the complexities of
consumerism. this year 36 of us
from the theravada, Chan and
zen, and tibetan buddhist tradi-
tions gathered at Vajrapani insti-
tute, a tibetan buddhist center in
California, for four days to share
Refections on Renunciation:
the Practice of Vinaya in the 21
st
Century. For more information:
http://www.snowlionpub.
com/pages/chodron.html
http: //www. sravasti. org/
gallery/2010/nov10conference.
html n
NEWS
Snow Lion 21
NEWS
NEWS
FROM $4850
(12 DIAM) HIGH QUALITY,
COMPLETE AND INSULATED
1 888 476 6899
WWW.GROOVYYURTS.COM
Original
Mongolian Yurts
WE PERSONALLY DELIVER TO
YOUR DOOR IN USA AND CANADA
FOR $299 THIS SPRING.
SPRING
SPECIAL
*

L
I
M
I
T
E
D

O
F
F
E
R

-

M
E
N
T
I
O
N

D
I
S
C
O
U
N
T

C
O
D
E

S
N
1
1
CALL US NOW
FOR CONDITIONS AND DETAILS!
*
Give The Gift Of
Daily Prayers
Gift of Daily Prayers invites you
to request Tara Prayers, Medicine
Buddha Prayers or Mahakala
Prayers to be dedicated for your
family, friends and yourself.
The prayers are said by the monks
at Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's
Pullahari Monastery in Nepal. Your
donations are sent to the Monastery
in support of the monks.
Tara Prayers are said with the wish to clear away
obstacles to relationships, economic hardship, fear and
physical or mental health; Medicine Buddha Prayers are
said with the wish to comfort the sick and dying, and
eliminate illness and suffering; and Mahakala Prayers
are said with the wish to destroy any harmful obstacles.
I Would Like To Request Daily Prayers For:
Name: ________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________
______________________________________________
A gift card is sent to each person acknowledging your gift of
daily prayers for their benefit. Send the names, addresses
and prayer selection for each request to the address below.
[ ] Tara Prayers or [ ] Medicine Buddha Prayers
or [ ] Mahakala Prayers
[ ] 3 months - $25 [ ] 9 months - $75
[ ] 6 months - $50 [ ] 12 months - $100
Make checks payable to Rigpe Dorje Foundation
Contact us at rigpe@aol.com for further information.
Rigpe Dorje Foundation
9461 Charleville Blvd., #268 . Beverly Hills, CA 90212
rigpe@aol.com
Did you know?
Buddhism for Beginners is a frequently listed in amazons top 10 of books on tibetan buddhism.
Your site is the most user friendly i have ever used thank you!!!!
i love your site.....makes me happy to visit.customers
Snow Lion 23
NEWS
Engaging the Life Force:
Tsi Dup Yang Bod
by lumo woEkar anD mEngHak rincHEn
NITARTHA INSTITUTE
for Higher Buddhist Studies
:o SNC SLMLS1L COUSLS
LCON^L anu ONLNL
Acbarya Lama Tonpa Gya|tson
1bc Sutras of tbc 1blru 1urnlng anu tbc Uttaratantra.
1bc Llon's oar of rrcvcrslbllltv
ou|dor and On||no
lcbruarv : - Marcb , Marcb =o - Mav u, :o
Dr. kar| runnbo|z|
Maubvantavlbbaga. 1bc Dlstlnctlon Bctwccn bcnomcna
anu tbc Naturc of bcnomcna (Cbaptcs -=)
Soatt|o & On||no
J|rka H|ad|s
Cblttamatra Vlcw. ^pprcranccs ^rc Mcrc Mlnu
ou|dor & On||no
Januarv / - Marcb :, :o
zo SUMML INSTITUTL Julv - ^ugust =, :o
ou|dor and On||no
lcbruarv : - Marcb ,
Marcb =o - Mav u
Soatt|o & On||no
Januarv u - Marcb 8
ou|dor & On||no
Januarv / - Marcb :
Scsslon . J ulv - =o
Scsslon . Julv =o - ^ugust =
Savo tbo datos:
www.n|tartba|nst|tuto.org
N|tartba Inst|t|uto
Ioundod by Tbo Dzogcbon on|op |npocbo undor tbo
gu|danco of kbonpo Tsu|tr|m Gyamtso |npocbo and
kboncbon Tbrangu |npocbo
EarliEr in JunE of tHis yEar,
50 students in the us graduated
from a three-year intensive train-
ing in an ancient tibetan healing
modality called tsi dup Yang
bod. this teaching comes from
an unbroken tibetan lineage in
the bon tradition, which is the
original indigenous spiritual tra-
dition of tibet; originating from
the zhang zhung empire, which
predates the tibetan Kingdom by
many centuries.
the teaching comes from a
7th century manuscript written
by tsewang rigdzin, son of the
esteemed bon scholar, drenpa
namkha. in the past, shorter Yang
bod (Life Force) instructions have
been given by other Lamas, but
this particular body of instruc-
tion has never been given in an
intensive and traditional manner.
its foundation is based on com-
passion for all living beings, and
the recognition that suffering and
ones mental and physical well
being can be affected by many
forms of obstacles which can be
related to energetic imbalances.
it was taught by geshe
Chongtul rinpoche, a tulku in
the bon tradition, who now lives
in the united states. rinpoche has
a foundation in the us called bon
shen Ling, which is committed to
the preservation of the bon cul-
ture and its teachings. he believes
the time is right for these tradi-
tional secret teachings to come to
the west as the world experiences
more personal, economic and en-
vironmental challenges; and be-
lieves this practice in particular
can be of great beneft, not only to
the practitioner, but also those in
the service of helping others.
the healing technique is also
known as bon soul healing and
is based on the fve elements, Fire,
water, air, earth and space, which
are represented within the body
as well as the world around us.
these elements inside the body
are affected by stress, trauma, or
karma, and as a result, a form of
soul loss can occur. if not brought
back into balance, this can lead
to mental, emotional or physical
complications, illness, or even
death. [Editors note: According to
Geshe Chongtul Rinpoche, the Tsi
Dup Yang Bod teachings eventually
found their way to Japan as Reiki.]
the training is quite compre-
hensive and students are taught
the ways of developing the fve
inner elements as fve specifc
types of energy, each having its
own individual characteristics,
which can be tested. the practice
then involves learning to channel
each element or compassionate
energy, based on where the soul
loss has occurred relating to cer-
tain organs and disease points.
the essence is that when the el-
ement or elements are returned
to balance, the soul and life force
which were fragmented return
to wholeness and the energetic
disturbance ceases. Components
of these instructions also contain
trul Khor, divination, energetic
exercises including mantra reci-
tation, and meditation, to name
a few. students were required to
make a serious commitment to
the studies and trainings, which
included Preliminary Practices
(the accumulation of 900,000
mantras of nine practices), the
memorization of the ritual and
life force ceremonies, and teacher-
required conventions.
the empowerment ceremony
was made all the more auspi-
cious as his holiness the 33rd
menri gyalwa trizin, Lungtok
tenpai nyima the supreme head
of the bon tradition, came from
india to initiate the students, and
these practitioners received the
title drup shenpa which means
healer in this tradition. Practi-
tioners who have completed this
intensive will be listed on the bon
shen Ling website, and should
you wish to consult this type of
ancient tibetan healing you may
fnd out more at www.bonshen-
ling.org, including details about
the next three-year study with
Chongtul rinpoche, which will
be in 2012. n
is valuable account of
rsthand experience amidst
some of the greatest lamas of the
century is important for Western
Dharma students.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Meeting and triumphing
over lifes challenges with
humor and savvy
condence
Random House | www.rangjung.com
X
MARCIA DECHEN WANGMO
of a
OGINI
Experience through Mistakes
ONFESSIONS
YPSY
X X X X X X
Y G
New Edition
Mirror of Mindfulness
and e Final Words of
Tsele Natsok Rangdrol
X
Available om
Snow Lion Publications
by cHristian DucHatEau
Cnn, October 29, 2010, miami,
Florida
the dalai Lama would like to
retire.
i'm also a human being....re-
tirement is also my right, the ex-
iled spiritual leader of tibet told
Cnn's hala gorani in miami,
Florida, this week.
without saying exactly when,
The Dalai Lama would like
to retire (someday)
he said, "sooner or later, i have to
go. i'm over 75, so next 10 years,
next 20 years, one day i will go."
the dalai Lama also said he
supports recent protests in tibet,
where students marched in op-
position to government plans to
teach university classes in man-
darin Chinese, instead of the tra-
ditional tibetan language.
my real boss is the tibetan
people inside tibet. so now,
whenever they carry some sort
of movement, i have to support,"
he said. he added that as long
as protests are nonviolent, they
should be considered lawful and
reasonable.
he sees signs of change in tibet
and remains "optimistic" about
the region's future, he said.
the dalai Lama said he is not
bothered if world leaders do not
want to meet with him so as not
to anger China. he said his main
concern is meeting with the pub-
lic to promote human values and
religious harmony. n
NEWS
The Second Dalai Lama
His Life & Teachings
The Second Dalai Lamas writings
and biography are brought vividly
to life in this extraordinary book
through a selection of his ecstatic
outpourings of enlightened teaching.
288 pps, $16.95
The Path to
Enlightenment
by H.H. the Dalai Lama.
A translation of the Third Dalai
Lamas Essence of Refined Gold,
with commentary by the present
Dalai Lama.
271 pps, $14.95
Living in the Face of Death:
The Tibetan Tradition
Foreword by
Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
A study of nine life-enriching
contemplations of death and dying.
238 pps, $16.95
The Six Yogas of Naropa:
Tsongkhapas Commentary
Tsongkhapas commentary entitled
A Book of Three Inspirations: A
Treatise on the Stages of Training
in the Profound Path of Naros Six
Dharmas commonly referred to as
The Three Inspirations.
280 pps, $18.95
The Fourteen Dalai Lamas
A Sacred Legacy of Reincarnation
A substantial and very important
contribution; highly recommended.
Library Journal
Hardcover, 555 pages, $29.95
The Practice of the
Six Yogas of Naropa
The Tibetan tradition known as
the Six Yogas of Naropa continue
to be one of the most important
living meditation traditions in the
Land of the Snows.
176 pps, $16.95
Meditations to
Transform the Mind
With a foreword by Prof. Nathan Katz
A study of the Seventh Dalai Lamas
life and times, and a translation
of his mystical Lojong poetry,
supplemented with commentaries
to the poems by the translator.
258 pps, $16.95
The Tibetan Book
of the Dead
The Tibetan Book of the Dead, or
Bardo Todol , is one of the great
classics of Tibetan literature.
stunning images by the renowned
photographer Thomas Kellyd.
260 pps, $14.00
Gems of Wisdom from
the Seventh Dalai Lama
This is a translation of the Seventh
Dalai Lamas What Is Like A
Smelly Fart (and Other Gems of
Wisdom), together with my own
commentary to it.
171 pps, $15.95
Order books directly from Snow Lion: 1-800-950-0313
Tibet, Kailash, Mongolia and Bhutan
Spring and Summer 2010-2015
Power Sites, Sacred Mountains, Mystical Caves, and Gobi Magic
with the Buddhist writer Glenn H. Mullin
The Dalai Lamas on Tantra
A wonderful array of writings by the
Dalai Lamas, translated and annotated
with Mullins characteristic clarity and
precision.
Cloth, 352 pages,
135 color images, $17.46
NE W R E L E A S E S !
Books by Glenn H. Mullin
T
ibet, Bhutan and Mongolia, homes to both shamanism and Tantric Buddhism, are
rich in sacred meditation sites, monasteries, temples, healing centers, and Buddhist
art treasuries. Join me in one of six tours through these sacred lands: three in Tibet,
two in Mongolia, and one in Bhutan. See my website for details: www.glennmullin.com.
Or email me directly at glennhmullin@yahoo.com.
Leader: Glenn studied in the Himalayas for twelve years under many of the greatest
Tibetan lamas of all four major traditions. He has written over twenty-five books on
Tibetan Buddhism, many of which focus on the lives and writings of the early Dalai Lamas.
He divides his time between writing, lecture touring, meditating, and leading vision
quests to the sacred sites of Buddhist Asia. Glenn also leads tours for private individuals,
families, specialized groups and film makers, if he can fit them into his schedule.
The Sacred Sites
of the Dalai Lamas - DVD
Sacred Sites of the Dalai Lamas: A Pilgrimage to
the Oracle Lake, a Michael Wiese Film, $24.95.
This amazing documentary follows jazzman Steve
Danz as he travels in a group with Glenn Mullin
through the sacred sites of the Dalai Lamas,
culminating in a vision quest at Tibets fabulous
Lamo Lhatso, or Oracle Lake.
Snow Lion 25
NEWS
On september 11, 2010 his
holiness drikung Kyabgon
Chetsang rinpoche, head of the
drikung Kagyu lineage traveled
to Vermont to consecrate Vajra
dakini nunnery and its pilgrim-
age site, the white tara shrine.
Vajra dakini nunnery is a con-
templative residential commu-
nity of nuns and a place of spiri-
tual training and practice for both
aspiring monastics and lay prac-
titionersmen and women, old
and young. Vajra dakini nunnery
was founded in 2003 by Vener-
able dhyani Ywahoo, a Khandro
in the nyingma and drikung tra-
ditions, with the blessings and
patronage of h.h. drikung Kyab-
gon Chetsang rinpoche, leader
of the drikung Kagyu school of
tibetan buddhism .
drikung Kyabgn Chetsang
encouraged the nunnery to offer
the practice of taking temporary
monastic ordination, such as is
found in the theravada tradition.
at the consecration, special
guest bante bhikku bodhi spoke
of the signifcance of founding a
nunnery.
through the centuries, in
virtually all buddhist traditions,
nuns have lingered in the back-
ground. in some traditions they
have not been present at all; in
other traditions there have been
surrogate nuns ordained under
improvised ordinations rather
than under the proper bhikshuni
ordination prescribed by the
buddha.
but now, just at the time when
the feminine has been consolidat-
ing its strength and exerting its
hidden power, this situation is be-
ginning to change. a true revolu-
tion is starting in the midst of the
sangha, spearheaded by deter-
mined women with the support of
conscientious and open-minded
monks. buddhist traditions that
never had the full ordination for
nuns are newly acquiring it; those
that had lost the ordination are
regaining it. and in all buddhist
traditions, buddhist women
both nuns and lay womenare
emerging as teachers, scholars,
activists, and leaders.
in doing so, moreover, they
are expressing a wisdom unique-
ly their own. they have not been
merely echoing the dharma as
they have learned it from male
teachers and ancient texts, but
they have been re-envisioning
the dharma in ways that resonate
well with the ethos of our time
an egalitarian, relational, affr-
mative, and community-centered
ethos as contrasted with the
older authoritarian models that
have prevailed in most buddhist
traditions. n
Nunnery Consecrated

Vajrakilaya Lmpowerment
and 1eachings
bv
His Holiness Sakya 1rizin
Vancouver, B.C.
J9-2J August 20JJ

"O the proound and inexhaustible ocean o teachings that Guru
Padmasambhaa possessed. Vajrakilava is one o the most important. Its
empowerment. teachings and pith instructions were gien to one o his most
important spiritual disciples. Khon Nagendra Rakshita L'i \angpo Sungwa,.
who then practised it until he achieed both ordinarv and supreme siddhis. As
a sign o his great attainment. he managed to displav the great miracle o
keeping his ajra and bell suspended in space. Guru Padmasambhaa himsel
declared that Nagendrarakshita had attained the eighth stage o the great
bodhisatta path......"

-lis loliness Sakva 1rizin

Ior information and registration, please visit:
www.sakyatsechenthubtenling.org/kila/index.html

Sakya 1sechen 1hubten Ling
Lmail: vancouver.vajrakilayamgmail.com

TI BETAN NUNS PROJ ECT
2011 calendar on sale now!
Photographs taken by the nuns and staff
from four nunneries in northern India.
Support refugee Buddhist nuns by
purchasing our 6 x 7wall calendar,
filled with beautiful color images of
Tibetan life and culture and inspiring
quotes for each month. Includes
Tibetan lunar calendar and ritual dates.
ORDER NOW $10
Available from Snow Lion
www.snowlionpub.com
800-950-0313
Tibetan Nuns Project
619 Western Ave. #22, Seattle, WA 98104
Tibetan Nuns Project is a registered 501(c)3
nonprofit organization. www.tnp.org
LOSAR, tibetan new Year, will
begin this year on saturday
march 5th.
Losar is considered to be the
most signifcant festival of the
buddhist community in tibet.
the word Losar is derived from
two tibetan words, lo meaning
year and sar meaning new.
the festival is often celebrated
with rituals to ward off evil spir-
its and welcome the arrival of the
New Year flled with happiness
and prosperity. Levity is provid-
ed by such events as the dance of
the deer and dice games.
geshe Chongtul rinpoche
recommends, after 1:00pm on
new Years eve, clean your home
and collect a spoonful of dust.
the dust represents past negative
karma. sprinkle the dust outside
then pour some water on it. n
Losar 2011
Iron Hare Year
NEWS
Ligmincha Institutes
ANNUAL SUMMER RETREAT
With Honored Guest
H.H. the 33rd Menri Trizen,
spiritual head of the Bn tradition
and
Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
June 25July 15, 2011
A View From the Heart
Purifying Your Vision Through the
Practice of the Six Lamps
Dzogchen teachings from the Bn
Buddhist tradition of Tibet
(Join us for 1, 2 or all 3 weeks)
Ligmincha Institute at Serenity Ridge, Nelson County, Va.
Gesh
Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
is the founding director of
Ligmincha Institute. In his
more than 20 years of liv-
ing and teaching in the West,
Tenzin Rinpoche has become
renowned for his ability to
convey the ancient wisdom of
Bn Buddhism in a way that
is highly relevant to Western
students. His books include:
Wonders of the Natural Mind;
Healing With Form, Energy, and
Light; Tibetan Sound Healing;
The Tibetan Yogas of Dream
and Sleep; and the new
Awakening the Sacred Body
(Hay House, 2011).
434.263.6304 / ligmincha@aol.com / www.ligmincha.org / www.LigminchaStore.org
For more information about Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and the Bn Buddhist spiritual tradition contact us at:
SPRING RETREATS 2011
April 1317, 2011
Living With Joy, Dying in Peace
Gaining Comfort and Intimacy
With the Dying Process
With Gesh Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
May 1822, 2011
Self-Purication Through the
Five Enlightened Bodies
With Khenpo Tenpa Yungdrung Rinpoche
ligmincha@aol.com / 434.263.6304 / www.ligminchastore.org
www.ligmincha.org
FREE LIVE INTERNET BROADCASTS
Dzogchen teachings with
Gesh Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
April 17, 2011, 12 noon1:15 p.m. ET
Guided Dzogchen Practice
April 20, 2011, 78:30 p.m. ET
Discovering Your Creative Potential
sl ligmincaCOLOR.indd 1 12/2/10 5:04:07 PM
Y
ear after year, Buddhists
of all traditions find
inspiration and a call to
action in the pages of
Turning Wheel, the quarterly
journal of the Buddhist
Peace Fellowship. Explore
the intersection of social
change and Buddhist prac-
tice with compelling writing
from leading socially engaged Buddhists and grass-
roots activists working around the world, from San
Quentins death row and inner-city New York to
Israel/Palestine, Columbia, and Burma.
Turning Wheel has brought a thoughtful and
personal perspective to peace activism for 23 years.
Utne Reader
Subscription to Turning Wheel includes membership in BPF
PO Box 3470, Berkeley, CA 94703 510/655-6169
www.bpf.org Also available at select bookstores
lucid, while everything you do
in waking life will be seen to be
like a dream. after that, what
appears will be liberated into a
clear expanse, talk will resolve
into indeterminacy, and dreams
will become the natural light. at
that time, the state of pure pres-
ence will come about naturally.
having interrupted the dreaming
process, the errant propensities,
the illusory, habitual allurements
will be destroyed of themselves.
because your awareness becomes
united with the feld of reality
that never becomes anything, this
is called being in the state of pure
and total presence as your pri-
mordial basis. Of one taste, like
space, this is unobscured, pristine
awareness, the creativity of the
universe. by cultivating the di-
mension of your awareness that
is without any discursiveness, the
dimension of pure being, the fnal
reality, is spontaneously present.
therefore the dimension of the
full richness of being and the
dimension of apparitional being
arise from that dimension natu-
how to integrate experi-
enceS after meditation
rally, spontaneously complete.
this is the greatness of selfre-
freshing pristine awareness.
being attached to your ordi-
nary dualistic considerations is a
pitfall in your way of living. no
matter what appears, by apply-
ing yourself without being at all
distracted from the perspective
and meditation, this unobstruct-
ed, powerful way of life will
come about with the six senses
naturally relaxed. apply yourself
without contradicting this.
dualistic thoughts of hope
and fear are a pitfall of the result.
by knowing that this selfarising
pristine awareness is buddha-
4REASURE6ASES
7EALTH6ASESFOR-ATERIALAND3PIRITUAL0ROSPERITY
%ARTH6ASESTO0ROTECTTHE%NVIRONMENT
To obtain vases send a donation of $75 each.
Domestic orders add $8, international $20 shipping for each vase.
To order call (510) 527-733 or
use our online order form at www.ewamchoden.org.
%WAM#HODEN4IBETAN"UDDHIST#ENTER
254 Cambiioge Avenue, Kensington, CA 94708.
To ob/aIn tases send a dona/Ion o[ S5 each.
Domes/Ic orders add S12. In/erna/Ional S40 shIppIng [or each tase.
To obtain vases send a donation of $108 each.
Domestic orders add $12, international $40 shipping for each vase.
worriED tHat tHE worlD migHt
end in 2012? some interpreters
of the ancient mayan calendar
have promoted the view that the
end times are upon us. but his
holiness the dalai Lama doesn't
think so. when asked directly
about the prediction, he seemed
skeptical.
i do not believe it. he said re-
cently at a news conference. n
End of the
World?
Because your aware-
ness becomes united
with the feld of reality
that never becomes any-
thing, this is called being
in the state of pure and
total presence as your
primordial basis.
hood itself, you will free yourself,
when in doubt, from the obstacle
of hoping to obtain something in
the future. n
Keep up the great
work. Your books are a life-
line for people like me in ar-
eas where the physical book-
stores hold limited buddhist
litereature. many thanks.
a customer
you guys are great. i love
the weekly dharma quotes.
thank you very much.
a customer
Snow Lion 27
NEWS
these 20+ free postcards can be
used for your altar, art projects, or
creating notecards!
pLeaSe note that there iS onLy ONE free
promotion item per cuStomer, per order.
more choices for the free item with your order! TIBETAN POSTCARDS
Set #FrtiPO
Becoming your own therapiSt
expanded edition
by Lama Yeshe. 108 pp. #beYOOw
ego, attachment and LiBeration:
overcoming your mental Beaucracy
by Lama Yeshe. 125 pp. #egatLi
meditation is not on the level of the object
but on that of the subjectyou are the business
of your meditation.
how thingS exiSt: teachings on emptiness
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 130 pp. #hOtheX $0.00
this small book focuses on an explanation of empti-
ness, and touches on many other points about the path to
enlightenment.
the Joy of compaSSion
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 118 pp. #JOCO
written by the founder of the worldwide FPmt or-
ganization, this offers teachings not only on compas-
sion but also on many essential buddhist subjects.
maKing Life meaningfuL
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 130 pp. #maLime $0.00
this discussion on how to integrate bodhicitta into
our daily lives includes a variety of techniques, includ-
ing those for purifying negative karma.
pema mandaLa magaZine #Pema
Created by Padmasambhava bud-
dhist Center, this glossy magazine
contains an interesting array of ar-
ticles as well as news about the well-
known Khenpo brothers, Palden sher-
ab rinpoche and tsewang dongyal
rinpoche.
CHOICES FOR FREE ITEM
BUDDHADHARMA: The Practi-
tioners Quarterly #buddma
buddhadharma is the in-depth,
practice-oriented journal for bud-
dhists of all traditions, from the pub-
lishers of shambhala sun. every issue
presents in-depth teachings from the
full range of buddhist traditions. to
subscribe:www.thebuddhadharma.
com, or toll-free 877-786-1950.
Virtue and reaLity: method and
wisdom in the practice of dharma
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. 118 pp.
#Vireme
this clear look at bodhicitta and
ultimate reality gives instructions
for the developing of compassion and
wisdom.
freedom through underStand-
ing: the Buddhist path to happiness and
Liberation
by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
196 pp., 16 b&w photos. #Frthun
Kadampa teachingS
by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, edited by Ailsa Cameron.
288 pgs. #KateLa $0.00
SHAMBHALA SUN Magazine
104 pp. #shsuma $0.00
this 2009 magazine covers
a wide range of topics on the
dharma.
PEACEFUL STILLNESS OF
THE SILENT MIND
by Lama Yeshe. 120 pp., 11 photos.
#Pestsi $0.00
the late Lama Yeshe discusses
buddhism, mind and meditation
with westerners.
the eSSence of tiBetan
BuddhiSm: the three princi-
pal aspects of the path and
introduction to tantra
by Lama Thubten Yeshe. #estibe
THE COMPLETE TIBETAN CALENDAR 2010
Iron Tiger Year
illust. by HH 17th Karmapa, by Nitartha International
and Nalandabodhi.
12" x 24" open. #COti10 $0.00
the 17th Karmapa's original works of art, suit-
able for framing. the extraordinary illustrations are
original artwork depicting 12 of the sixteen arhats.
THE COMPLETE TIBETAN CALENDAR 2008:
Earth Rat Year
by Nitartha International & Nalandabodhi. 12" x 24"
(when open). #COti08 $0.00
Full-color illustrations from the golden rosary
of the Kagyu Lineage, an array of images of the pre-
vious Karmapas, and a beautiful photo of hh the
17th Karmapa.
COMPLETE TIBETAN CALENDAR 2007:
Fire Pig Year
by Nitartha International & Nalandabodhi. Contains
some wonderful, framable works of tibetan art!
12" x 24" (when open). #COti07 $0.00
NEWS
Meditation Bench
Fixed-angle seat measures 18w x 7d, height 7 (front), 8.5
(back). #mebean $69.95
Rounded base seat with curved bottom legs measures 18w x
7d x 8.5 (level) height.
#meberO $64.95
Folding sitting benches help maintain proper upright posture
while relieving pressure on knees and back. designed to help
people sit comfortablyespecially for people who are not fully
accustomed to sitting cross-legged, or for those who would just
like a change of position during extended sittings. Lightweight,
hinged folding benches come in durable and attractive maroon
canvas fabric, with warm, naturally-fnished wooden folding
legs that angle out, slightly. upholstered cushion is 2 (including
wooden platform), in two styles:
Fixed-angle seat can be used on any stable surface. Measures
18"w x 7"d, overall height 7" (front), 8.5" (back).
Rounded base seat is designed for use on cushion or carpet.
Curved bottom legs allow you to swivel forward to fnd a com-
fortable angle, or change positions. measures 18"w x 7"d x 8.5"
(level) height. Flat to 3" x 18" x 7".
Happy Tibetan New Year! March 5
th
is Losar
Time to Meditate!
meditation ShawLS
Large cotton (summer).
#meshs $30.00
Wool (winterhand loomed
and dyed). #meshw $56.00
For men and women im-
ported from india. they are
tibetan maroon. the summer
shawl measures 34 x 8, the
winter shawl is 4 x 8.
Time to Hang
New Prayer Flags
25-fLag prayer fLagS
Large Chenrezig Prayer Flags.
#25ChPr $16.00
Large Green Tara Prayer Flags.
#25grta $16.00
Large Long Life (Amitayus)
Prayer Flags. #25LOLi $16.00
Large Medicine Buddha Prayer
Flags. #25mebu $16.00
Large Sampa Lhundup (Pad-
masambhavas Prayer: Sponta-
neous Accomplishment of All
Wishes) Prayer Flags. #25saLh
$16.00
Large Vajrasattva Prayer Flags.
#25VaPr $16.00
Large White Tara Prayer Flags.
#25whta $16.00
Large Windhorse Prayer Flags.
#25wiPr $16.00
Colorful set of 25 fags, each with
image of the deity and mantras.
the ink on the darker colors
shows less contrast than on the
lighter color fags.
Large fags measure 13 x 13.
a great value for the price!
25 fLagS: mixed Set of mini
prayer flags
13 long. #25mimi $25.00
This 13 set of 25 fags contains
fve fags each of Chenrezig, Va-
jrasattva, guru rinpoche, tara
and Windhorse. The fags in this
colorful set are 6 x 8, and also
feature the appropriate mantras
for each image. Cotton, with 10%
polyester for strength.
25 prayer fLagS with
5 different deSignS
Set includes longevity, purifca-
tion, wish-fuflling, Tara, and
windhorse fags. #PRFL25 $45.00
Five different designs are
printed on 5 colors of cotton cloth
and sewn onto ropes in horizon-
tal display. these are very well
made and last much longer than
most prayer fags.
Each fag is approximately 15
x 18 so a set of 25 fags is about
34 ft. long!
tiBetan windhorSe note-
card with prayer flags
4.75 x 6.75 card with 12
long string of 5 prayer fags.
#nOgObL $4.00
a 3 golden square with a ti-
betan wind horse print is mount-
ed on hand-made paper de-
signed in red, maroon and gold,
on a black background. a small
windhorse prayer fags set hangs
inside the card, about 12 long,
imprinted in gold.
Happy Tibetan
New Year Cards!
tiBetan greeting
notecardS
Available individually or in a pack
of 10. single 4.5x6 notecard.
#nOwiFi $1.50
save 16% on a set of 10 4.5x6
blank notecards! #nOwise
$12.50
beautifully printed in full color
on fne card stock, this is one of
the nicest cards weve seen. it
features an elegant depiction of
wish-fulflling jewels and other
sacred offerings, including coral,
horns, and conch. the imagery
conveys good wishes, and is ap-
propriate for tibetan new Year
and other celebrations.
Fancy extra-long brocaded
offering scarf, 12 long, includ-
ing fringe (9 body) x about 21
wide, with auspicious symbols
and sacred text. #FaussY $18.00
Natural golden offering scarf,
4 long, 14 wide, natural silk
color. #gOOFsC $6.00
Offering scarf with eight
auspicious symbols, 6 long.
#Kaeiau $7.00
The Kata is, frst of all, the sign
of a simple civility, a gesture of
offering, of welcome and of cour-
teous exchange. it is present in
all ceremonies, large and small,
public and private.
Incense & Holders
NAG CHAMPA INCENSE
#naChin $4.50
this highly popular incense
comes in handy 6 packs. Con-
tains 21 sticks.
SandaLwood incenSe
#sain $5.00
Very nice, medium grade, fra-
grant, mild incense. made from
the highest available grades of
real sandalwood. Comes in a 1
bundle, sticks 8 long. great gift.
BamBoo incenSe
hoLderS
deep forest green or warm honey
brown, approx. 1 x 10. #in-
hOba $10.95
each piece is cut from a unique
variety of bamboo that has been
fattened on the bottom for sup-
port, sanded, stained, and hand-
fnished to satin-smooth perfec-
tion. The holder is fnished in
your choice of deep forest green,
or warm honey brown, with the
bamboo joint sanded to add tex-
ture. the stick holder opening
measures approximately 4mm,
and the channel is about 8 long.
BUTTER LAMP
#buLa $16.00
white metal, well-made, 3
1/2 high. Perfect for tea light
candles.
COPPER BUTTER LAMP
#CObuLa - $ 23.00
4 1/4" high with auspicious
symbols in silver-like metal.
offering ScarVeS (Katas)
Bodhi Leaf notecard Set
set of three handmade notecards
with bodhi leaf and mantras, in
gold lettering on black, red and
natural backgrounds. #nOambO
$12.00
These contain a flagreed Bo-
dhi tree leaf and a cascade of
golden syllable Om ah me dewa
hri mantras (amitabha-mai-
treya) on red, black, and white
backgrounds. the textured paper
is made of sustainable lokta or
daphne, and the natural off-white
interior makes it easy to add a
personal note. Card measures ap-
prox. 4.75 x 6.75 closed.
SHO: An Ancient Tibetan Dice Game
#shtiga $29.95
Our staff is very enthusiastic about
this authenticand fun tibetan sho
game. Particularly popular at Losar,
sho is often played by many people for
days on end! attractively hand-made
by tibetans, and each piece is one-of-
a-kind.

N93 Snow News

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

N93 Snow News

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NEWS

FPMT programs available online!

5anq Gye Men Gyi Lha Medicine Buddha Teachinqs

You might also like