Search found 285 matches

by Alfredo
Sat Jul 19, 2014 4:10 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: So Long
Replies: 6
Views: 2016

Re: So Long

I will be doing the same. I am not easily offended, but...I am offended.
by Alfredo
Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:46 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: The role of compassion
Replies: 28
Views: 5888

Re: The role of compassion

Realization of sunyata means direct perception of the lack of any permanent self, and consequently, the interdependence of all things. With self-cherishing revealed as foolishness, compassion for all sentient beings becomes the logical consequence.
by Alfredo
Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:58 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Prayer
Replies: 80
Views: 14711

Re: Prayer

Let us not forget that "meditation" is also a Christian term! A long time ago, when I was new to Buddhism, I asked a Tibetan monk if he prayed. He said yes--to his guru. Aemilius, I don't actually speak Bahasa Indonesia. From what you wrote, though, it seems that Esa is their version of th...
by Alfredo
Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:46 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Prayer
Replies: 80
Views: 14711

Re: Prayer

In Indonesia, Buddhism is one of six officially-recognized religions. All of these religions are legally obliged to adhere the national ideology of pancasila , the first article of which is Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa , or "belief in one supreme God." The word for "God" is Tuhan , wh...
by Alfredo
Thu Jul 10, 2014 12:21 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Question for Esoteric Buddhists
Replies: 25
Views: 7915

Re: Question for Esoteric Buddhists

Oh come on, humor him. The truth is, the Pali canon is not much read in traditional Mahayana circles. If some lama were shown this text, he might explain it as an example of upaya (skillful means), i.e. the principle that the Buddha taught lower teachings for the benefit of those who were not ready ...
by Alfredo
Wed Jul 09, 2014 5:56 am
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Prayer
Replies: 80
Views: 14711

Re: Prayer

And now, your moment of Zen:

http://www.wikihow.com/Say-a-Buddhist-Prayer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
by Alfredo
Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:55 pm
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: HHDL 33rd Kalachakra Initiation
Replies: 16
Views: 3291

Re: HHDL 33rd Kalachakra Initiation

Holy S#!7, the 33rd! That means anybody who goes can say they are a 33-degree tantrka!
by Alfredo
Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:22 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Should Buddhist teachers get more exercise?
Replies: 18
Views: 3309

Re: Should Buddhist teachers get more exercise?

I was just thinking something along those lines!
by Alfredo
Sun Jul 06, 2014 11:15 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Opinions on the Consequences of Chinese Occupation of Tibet
Replies: 206
Views: 37910

Re: Opinions on the Consequences of Chinese Occupation of Ti

it might also have something to do with his writings on Tibet, at least one of which is a popularly-accessible work making hash of Chinese propaganda.

Also, his name appears on the Dalai-Lama supported "Committee of 100 for Tibet."
by Alfredo
Sat Jun 28, 2014 3:08 am
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Tibetan Doctors, please read
Replies: 28
Views: 8358

Re: Tibetan Doctors, please read

Can anybody be a Tibetan Doctor, or is there some kind of exam? Really, this is fifteen shades of surreal. What if somebody posts messages asking something like "I urinated blood today, does that mean anything?" Are you going to diagnose that over the internet too? Personally, I practice T...
by Alfredo
Thu Jun 26, 2014 2:16 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: A Voyage of Lifetimes: a struggle for a Buddhist identity
Replies: 22
Views: 4986

Re: A Voyage of Lifetimes: a struggle for a Buddhist identit

There can be more than just one motivation.
by Alfredo
Wed Jun 25, 2014 11:49 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: A Voyage of Lifetimes: a struggle for a Buddhist identity
Replies: 22
Views: 4986

Re: A Voyage of Lifetimes: a struggle for a Buddhist identit

Hate to be the one to shatter your fantasy but "ethnic" Buddhists also engage in PhD's, three year retreats, etc... More so than converts, probably because there are many more "ethnic" Buddhists than there are converts! Of course, but they wouldn't need to do these things in ord...
by Alfredo
Wed Jun 25, 2014 11:47 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Adjusting to Buddhism - keeping cool, argumenents
Replies: 12
Views: 2880

Re: Adjusting to Buddhism - keeping cool, argumenents

Insults are kind of traditional in Tibetan debate!
by Alfredo
Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:33 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: A Voyage of Lifetimes: a struggle for a Buddhist identity
Replies: 22
Views: 4986

Re: A Voyage of Lifetimes: a struggle for a Buddhist identit

"Converting" to Buddhism doesn't generally mean as much as say, converting to Islam. It's not like the ethnic Buddhists are waiting to help us assimilate into the community. Often, it's more like a hobby or type of entertainment. We even buy tickets from the same places. Ethnic Buddhists g...
by Alfredo
Mon Jun 23, 2014 4:43 am
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Can someone with schizophrenia practice?
Replies: 58
Views: 14013

Re: Can someone with schizophrenia practice?

I agree that "practice" is not reducable to "meditation" (whatever that means). The most fundamental practice is kindness and patience with others. But if you want something more directly identifiable as Buddhist, there's always mani recitation, circumambulation of stupas, lighti...
by Alfredo
Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:25 am
Forum: Suggestion Box
Topic: testing the poll feature
Replies: 5
Views: 2510

Re: testing the poll feature

I would totally like to see one of these polls in the Tibetan section, to survey how many agree with Garchen Rinpoche that abhishekhas can be received over the internet, and/or with a time delay. Wording is a problem, though, since a number of positions can be imagined, and a number of possible reas...
by Alfredo
Thu Jun 19, 2014 11:27 am
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: Traditional 3 Year Retreat – new forms?
Replies: 14
Views: 4994

Re: Traditional 3 Year Retreat – new forms?

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche supervises several overlapping "Dharma Gar" online retreats, as well as a less intensive "Dharma Das" program. The Dharma Gar-s require 2 hours of practice per day, for a duration which Rinpoche initially estimated at 10 years--who knows what will happe...
by Alfredo
Sun Jun 15, 2014 7:34 am
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: A bunch of questions about empowerment, deities and practice
Replies: 23
Views: 4762

Re: A bunch of questions about empowerment, deities and prac

This may seem like a silly question, but how does one address a Lama in an email? Or would it not matter because Garchen Rinpoche is not going to be directly reading it anyway? Just be respectful, and keep to the point. I'm sure "Dear Lama" or "Dear Rinpoche" would be fine. You'...
by Alfredo
Sun Jun 15, 2014 2:43 am
Forum: Tibetan Buddhism
Topic: A bunch of questions about empowerment, deities and practice
Replies: 23
Views: 4762

Re: A bunch of questions about empowerment, deities and prac

1. I agree with the anarchist (two posts above). That is--both, and no you can't. 2. This may be more to remind us of the centrality of bodhicitta, than to remind them. 3. Again, the anarchist answers this well. Ultimately it all boils down to your own actions, attitudes, and decisions--no deity can...
by Alfredo
Fri Jun 13, 2014 10:35 pm
Forum: Gelug
Topic: vajrayogini in chinese
Replies: 5
Views: 2390

Re: vajrayogini in chinese

Tsem Rinpoche has a book on her, if you're not too put off by the fact that it's by Tsem Rinpoche. Available in English or Chinese (so you could read it together if you wanted) from the Kechara Bookshop.

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