amazon review: The Lion’s Roar: An Introduction to Tantra by Chogyam Trungpa

The Lion’s Roar:

An Introduction to Tantra by Chogyam Trungpa

Amazon.com review:

http://www.amazon.com/review/RUFR5835DDCQC/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1570628955

Nine Yana (path) system of classification of Buddhist Teachings

Within Buddhism of Tibet we encounter a whole range of complete transmissions of Buddhist teachings, a complete set “from top to bottom”. That very “set” is so complete that various parts if compared can be thought to be in conflict!

Actually there was and still is a persistent discussion on how one could integrate these so called paths into one’s understanding and practice. The So called Hinayana, Mahayana and the Vajrayana, all have to work in that short moment you call life and all too often that even sorter moment we call application of Buddhist teachings, practice.

In this book this very traditional to Nyinma and Kagyu framework is explained one by one and in relation to one another, with a brilliant  paragraph titled: “The Crazy Wisdom Holder and the Student”, it places student – teacher connection on the path.

The book is based on the two teaching seminars and includes live question answer that are quite unfailingly good.

Cover is of a painting by the Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa of Guru Rinpoche the Padmasambhava encountered in a vision.

amazon review: Crazy Wisdom by Chogyam Trungpa

Crazy Wisdom by Chogyam Trungpa

amazon.com review

http://www.amazon.com/review/RWFH1IVIWXKNM/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1570628947

8 Emanations of Guru Rinpoche the Padmasambhava

Is there a choice, crazy wisdom or not crazy, is wisdom always crazy? Why is this book that contains two, both a week long, seminar transcripts is called thus?

Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa in that life has affected change to the Buddhist landscape of North America more then any other master, even up to now well into the twenty first century.

To summarize topic covered in the original lectures and this book. It is an explanation of what is known as eight emanation of Guru Rinpoche the Padmasambhava and the representation of one known as Dorje Drolo is actually on the cover. And Guru Rinpoche is credited to be the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.

The book covers a life story of Guru Rinpoche through these emanations, activities and names he was known by.

And possibly Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa, just so “fresh-off-the-boat” (two years into his American experience) contemplating the undertaking, of what teacher has to do to lead perspective students away from the neurosis of everyday persistence of that, the meaningless everyday. And onto the path of freedom, path of wisdom, possibly crazy, because it is all-encompassing.

With great, traditional for these books questions and answers.

 

Looking for more of Binghamton NY content

-Dandelion’s season~

Here is a non-effort, effort on facebook in a way of the group. Don’t you love it, you start it, leave it, and it gains little, by little some sort of traction? Maybe, I don’t know, but social media is very important now-a-days, it looks like.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tbtbinghamton

Here is a message I wrote on on the timeline on another good local group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/983603978332294/

Dear Friends,

I have moved to Binghamton at the end of last summer from NYC.

My personal idea in regards to groups and meetups in the Binghamton area is that such must always maintain some sort of schedule of visits to near-by grand Buddhist temples.
Reason for this is that all around Upstate NY we have really grand temples, they are not too far and have various seasonal or year round programs and they are in our “backyard”…

So, yes Binghamton may seem as a narrow well, but if one to look out it is an ocean out there.

I have gone to two meetup meetings with Charles Goodman and planning to stop by Michael O’Sullivan’s meet up for sure.

I have also had a meetup running for half a year with regular meetings in my home’s shrine room. But there was total of 3 people showing up ever and I have discontinued the meetup site.

However, if any of you would like to connect locally here for any reason, please feel free to add my personally or join the Binghamton local facebook group I started here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tbtbinghamton -Tibetan Buddhist Temple Binghamton.

With the hope that if we connect on a friendly, informal footing, we will have more Buddhist related events, get-togethers, friendships, flourish and increase.

Your friend,

Sherab Gyatso Alex

amazon review: Gypsy Gossip and Other Advice, by Kyabje Thinley Norbu

Gypsy Gossip and Other Advice,
by Kyabje Thinley Norbu

amazon.com review:

http://www.amazon.com/review/RVFHFQ4S6Y5XD/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1611802083

Landmark, reissued

Famous book, a part of which was published several decades ago and I have heard was circulated in a form of photo copies. In many ways the original 67 pages are still too honest and there will be always some people connecting to the text and wandering why it does not attempt to flatter no one. A work requiring high degree of open mindedness because questions are asked (it is in a form of an interview) and Rinpoche gives long careful answers that are like poems, but are answers to real questions not presentations of wishful thinking.

Anyone looking for something that their narrow mind requires to feel good, could feel disappointed because this book comes from simple, sky-like mind and such a vastness looking back at us from the mirror like teacher could unsettle your comfort zones.

A legendary publication reissues by Shambhala with addition of three more parts that make for a hefty volume. A must read for all that consider Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpoche work important.

Fundraising, asking for donations

Fundraising.

-Main goal here is to give people an idea that to ask for a material donation is perfectly fine. To take the stigma out of the idea.

And to be open, somehow it has spread into spiritual community, to pretend that we are super rich (even if we are not) or pretend that we are just pretending, not really serious, so we are not worth the support, at least here in USA.

After all it is possible that there is some one out there that has more then they think they need. And spiritual practitioners are often by definition are pretty inept in their material careers hehe

Thank you for reading!

Here is updated section on the fundraising as of April 13th 2016

http://www.choying.org/tag/fundraiser/

gofundme fundraiser: retreat

https://www.gofundme.com/4v7tche8

If any of you considered fundraising before but never actually done too much. Consider your goal, if it is good you will feel good.

Then! There is a total amazing cherry on top, people that you feel great about already will reach out to you after years of no contact and send you a donation.

At this point you will go from good to great. For sure.

Thank you for remembering to actually click on things and add funds to this.

With dedication to the benefit of all.

gofundme: fundraiser

https://www.gofundme.com/wu3tec48

In times past, in countries we can not imagine it was perfectly alright to become a person with primary interest in spiritual side of life and to be open to donations of material goods or monetary funds.

It came to the point where requesting donations has stigma attached to it a sense of shame of sorts.

It is my belief that all spiritual practitioners regardless of level of wealth they have should in some way spend some time asking for donations. To step over one’s imagined ego and to offer others an opportunity to give.

Lately it has become the opposite and strength of spiritual practitioners all too often is gaged by the monetary sucess they command, all too often in a cereer that requires very strong focus.

Our very own, historical Buddha has requested donations every day and is most often pictured with a begging bowl.
-We should do likewise, to at least emulate the great Buddha.

To find out about me personally, the level of my focus on spiritual or about things that I like, support, try to follow, feel free to visit my blog on Word Press, or a website that I started to promote idea of spiritual practitioners disconnecting from bee-hive like life of big cities and moving towards more rural areas, add me on facebook, or send me an e-mail.

Samsara – Blog

choying.org

Facebook

May this be all good, always.
With best regards,
-Alex

amazon review: Lama of the Gobi: How Mongolia’s Mystic Monk Spread Tibetan Buddhism in the World’s Harshest Desert by Michael Kohn

Lama of the Gobi:

How Mongolia’s Mystic Monk Spread Tibetan Buddhism in the World’s Harshest Desert

by Michael Kohn

amazon.com review:

target=”_blank”>http://www.amazon.com/review/R2P8EGDAI5U21A/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=9881774268

Mongolia’s Devine Madman

A very good attempt to write a colorful book by someone with the very best motivation.
Danzan Ravjaa was something of a bigger then life figure, a Mongolian Gendun Chophel “divine madman” and highly revered Tulku. Book is very small and an easy read.
Found it it by sitting down on a floor of B&N and landing right in front of it, very happy.

amazon review for: Chronicles of Love & Death: My Years with the Lost Spiritual King of Bhutan by Norma Levine

Chronicles of Love & Death:
My Years with the Lost Spiritual King of Bhutan

by Norma Levine

amazon.com review:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R30FJMKCWYUP0Y/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=9937506484

Amazon Review for Chronicles of Love & Death by Norma Levine

Reading the book quickly, with an air of happiness for the fact of such a story making it into the print in such a well written and well intentioned way. I can not seem to stop thinking of an image which follows something like this:
“A mirror which is Eastern civilization – a reflection of the Western civilization, culture, way of thinking..”
-As in, the west is there in dependence on the fact of east being there.
Where the author is a representative of sorts, for the West that comes to the point of meeting the East, both in reality is just space, wisdom in nature. And whoever can see past these reflections will understand what Tulku Urgen is quoted to say in one of the books left to us: “How far do you have to reach out to touch the space?”.
-There is a very complex set of references to mirrors and reflections throughout the book.
Like here:
“…The bodhisattva himself is like the moon and ordinary beings are like a lake. If the lake moves, the reflection moves, if the lake is clear, the reflection is clear… (and more on page 255) …’How I see him is just a reflection of my own disturbances rather than how he actually is?’ I asked. `It is an interdependent manifestation.’…”

Just how often we make things happen in our lives, but then again how seldom is it possible to come to any level of comprehension of what is going on in our lives at any moment and then when it is “too late” or “too far gone” it is just that, surely not the stuff for any kind of a book. Here in this book author very honestly describes her whole range of emotions that was reflected in the space of the relationship with this great lama.”

Very good quote opens Chapter 1:
“Making mistake after mistake I walk the unmistaken path” – Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso.

An interesting book, a very good chance to study the mind of ideation. But for what and why?
As it is quoted there at the very beginning (page 15) from the Karmapa: “Words are liars”.
The answer could be: “To read an interesting love story” or “To read a “1st hand account” on religion and customs” or to have a glimpse into a life of an incarnate lama…
-Many interesting things can be seen.
It can also be a way to see unmistaken reflection of the bodhisattva mind on the surface of our lives, an account of such a miracle, alas in Words.

May every one, everywhere be free from suffering and causes of suffering!

amazon review: Counsels from My Heart by Dudjom Rinpoche

Counsels from My Heart
by Dudjom Rinpoche

amazon review:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R25X3SSZJNZ7IF/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1570629226
Treasure, easy to read and small format

This book proved to be inexhaustible treasure for contemplation for myself. I pray that one day I will know this advice not to be wasted on me. I recommend it to others whenever it feels right.
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