www.thangkaacademy.com
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangrila, China
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Garlic
Master Kedup described karma to be like garlic. When you chop up some garlic, even when all garlic has disappeared into your cooking but the smell still linger on.
Just like our karma, the effect of our past actions may not be apparent to us but just like the smell of the garlic, it is there, lingering on.
Be mindful of thy body speech and mind!
Just like our karma, the effect of our past actions may not be apparent to us but just like the smell of the garlic, it is there, lingering on.
Be mindful of thy body speech and mind!
Location:Shangri-la, China
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Five Buddha temple
We set off at 9am in the morning for a five hours walk in the mountains.
The children started off as usual, complaining and grumpy. But soon their energy picked up and they got excited when they see horses.
The terrain was beautiful- snow mountains as background. Stupa appears every now and then. Cows, horses, yaks, zo (a cross of yak and bull), sheep grazing along the way.
On the way, we pass Banyan Tree luxury accommodation. Very nice.
On the other end, a very kind Tibetan family await us with yak butter tea, yak cheese and bread. Ever so kind! The tea was very much appreciated after such a long walk.
Finally, we headed up another hill to get to the Five Buddha Temple. Very peaceful! What is most interesting is that the front inner yard of the temple is a little animal farm. Local come here to release animals that were destined for slaughter. There were goats, chicken, rabbits, dogs etc etc.
We arrived home with sore feet but happy! Now we all sat soaking our feet in hot water and wondering where to go for dinner.
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
The children started off as usual, complaining and grumpy. But soon their energy picked up and they got excited when they see horses.
The terrain was beautiful- snow mountains as background. Stupa appears every now and then. Cows, horses, yaks, zo (a cross of yak and bull), sheep grazing along the way.
On the way, we pass Banyan Tree luxury accommodation. Very nice.
On the other end, a very kind Tibetan family await us with yak butter tea, yak cheese and bread. Ever so kind! The tea was very much appreciated after such a long walk.
Finally, we headed up another hill to get to the Five Buddha Temple. Very peaceful! What is most interesting is that the front inner yard of the temple is a little animal farm. Local come here to release animals that were destined for slaughter. There were goats, chicken, rabbits, dogs etc etc.
We arrived home with sore feet but happy! Now we all sat soaking our feet in hot water and wondering where to go for dinner.
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangri-la, China
Saturday, 20 November 2010
How to cope with the cold
I asked Master Lobsong how does he cope with the cold, as it is getting to me and affecting my meditation.
He replied that whenever he is cold he thinks of his spiritual guide, and he thinks of Je Tsongkapa. He would remember how Je Tsongkapa would accept his external condition in the snow mountain and believed that if he cannot withstand this minor suffering, how could he take on the sufferings of all sentient beings!
Ah....this makes me feel quite childish. How can I stand before Buddha and promise to take on the sufferings of all beings and yet cannot bear a small inconvenience of being cold!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
He replied that whenever he is cold he thinks of his spiritual guide, and he thinks of Je Tsongkapa. He would remember how Je Tsongkapa would accept his external condition in the snow mountain and believed that if he cannot withstand this minor suffering, how could he take on the sufferings of all sentient beings!
Ah....this makes me feel quite childish. How can I stand before Buddha and promise to take on the sufferings of all beings and yet cannot bear a small inconvenience of being cold!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangri-la, China
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Jon's thoughts
Like to play in sun but when sun goes in, I just have to go into the room where it is warmer!!!!!!!!!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:In Shangri-la
Monday, 15 November 2010
Where to be next!!!
In a few days, it will be 3 weeks in Shangri-la. We have started looking at varies places to rent, and the more we look the more we are having doubts about being in Shangri-la. Keeping warm has become priority in our life, and it is consuming most of our time. (Imagine trying to meditate in the cold of zero degree - teeth chattering, buried under blanket)
I received a few emails asking about our life; and I believe people romanticize that we in the countryside.
The fact is our life here is no different to our life if we are in Singapore or Seoul. Our days are pretty routine with making prayers, drawing classes for Dave, homeschooling, trying to learn Mandarin, going for walk and so on!
What may be the only difference is the comfort of warm weather and hot showers!!!
We have come here with the uncertainty of how long we are going here for. Now with the first month almost up, we are thinking where next!!!!
We feel the need to keep traveling - maybe travel overland back to Singapore or maybe overland to UK.
It does not matter what we decide - I have not regret being in in the cold! There is so much to learn from the people around. Their level of patience and acceptance is just amazing!
It is also unfortunate to see that this is slowly eroding away as modern life slowly take over, as money starts to take over!!!! Their problems and troubles start to image the ones my mother has at home.
Now I understand what it means when they said one day there will be no Buddha - dharma, and we will live in ignorance. I must remember never be contented with my practice - samsaric pleasure should never take over!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
I received a few emails asking about our life; and I believe people romanticize that we in the countryside.
The fact is our life here is no different to our life if we are in Singapore or Seoul. Our days are pretty routine with making prayers, drawing classes for Dave, homeschooling, trying to learn Mandarin, going for walk and so on!
What may be the only difference is the comfort of warm weather and hot showers!!!
We have come here with the uncertainty of how long we are going here for. Now with the first month almost up, we are thinking where next!!!!
We feel the need to keep traveling - maybe travel overland back to Singapore or maybe overland to UK.
It does not matter what we decide - I have not regret being in in the cold! There is so much to learn from the people around. Their level of patience and acceptance is just amazing!
It is also unfortunate to see that this is slowly eroding away as modern life slowly take over, as money starts to take over!!!! Their problems and troubles start to image the ones my mother has at home.
Now I understand what it means when they said one day there will be no Buddha - dharma, and we will live in ignorance. I must remember never be contented with my practice - samsaric pleasure should never take over!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangrila, China
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
The biggest prayer wheel
In the center of Shangri-la old town, there is a temple with Je Tsongkapa. Next to the temple, they built a very big prayer wheel that need at least 3 adults to move it. In the wheel, inscripted 12.4 million om mani pani hum. Just turning it 3 times, you send out so much compassion wishes!!!!
Even though the initial intention for this wheel was for tourist purpose but it is to me not even abit tacky. The simple wish, everyone turning the wheel placed, is simply beautiful!
I was feeling rather emotional today, and was depressed. After an outburst, I took Jon to the prayer wheel to calm down.
While I was there, I seek Buddha's help. I felt a total mess. I felt useless and helpless. How can I stop all these unhappy feeling arising from nowhere?
B sent an answer. The Prayer Wheel stopped moving while I was there, pondering what to do. There was 4 of us but yet we could not move it! We tried and tried, push and pull but the wheel would not budge at all. Finally a few more people turned up and we managed to get it going.
I am not a lone island. My spiritual practice cannot progress if I do not try to accept other and let them help me. I need to try harder to learn from everyone, see their sufferings and develop renunciation!
May everyone be happy, May everyone be free from misery, May everyone have equanimity, free from hatred and attachments!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Even though the initial intention for this wheel was for tourist purpose but it is to me not even abit tacky. The simple wish, everyone turning the wheel placed, is simply beautiful!
I was feeling rather emotional today, and was depressed. After an outburst, I took Jon to the prayer wheel to calm down.
While I was there, I seek Buddha's help. I felt a total mess. I felt useless and helpless. How can I stop all these unhappy feeling arising from nowhere?
B sent an answer. The Prayer Wheel stopped moving while I was there, pondering what to do. There was 4 of us but yet we could not move it! We tried and tried, push and pull but the wheel would not budge at all. Finally a few more people turned up and we managed to get it going.
I am not a lone island. My spiritual practice cannot progress if I do not try to accept other and let them help me. I need to try harder to learn from everyone, see their sufferings and develop renunciation!
May everyone be happy, May everyone be free from misery, May everyone have equanimity, free from hatred and attachments!
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangri-la, China
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Hundred Chicken Temple
It was Saturday, and the students at Thangka Academy had a free and easy timetable.
We decided to join them. We started off the day, cleaning and sweeping, wiping off dust etc. Everyone helped including the center manager, Sonam.
The younger students were happy to be in charge for a change, showing us and directing us what to do!
We had lunch at the center, simple meal prepared by the cook. Then we headed off to the temple on the hill just behind the center.
Jon has befriended the younger boys very quickly. They eagerly showed us the way and picking berry(????) for us to try on the way.
A 15 minutes hike from the back of the center to the Hundred Chicken Temple, and no, we did not find hundred chicken there! Along the way, there are horses and cows grazing freely on the hills. As we hiked higher, one could see the whole town of Shangri-la surrounded with beautiful mountains tall enough to reach the heaven. It was a beautiful day, despite being winter. Not a cloud in the sky!
As you reach closer to the top of the hill, you are greeted by the beautiful colours of the Tibetan prayer flags.
Many devotees come to this temple, offering incenses and butter lamps. When we reached the temple, they were making light offerings and the main hall of the temple were covered with lights from the butter lamps.
The students took us to the underhall of the temple which was not lit. It is supposed to remind you of the hell. Cold, dark and scary!
Dave thought it is a much better representation of our samsaric life. The darkness represents our ignorance, the cold refers to our selfish self-grasping nature. We head through the dark tunnel tumbling and scared. But if someone has a torch, showing you the way, your confidence grow and you take braver step ahead. Just like beginning to learn more about dharma, our steps in life become more confident when there is a kind teacher guiding us. At the end of the dark tunnel, if you look carefully, you will find a little Buddha. Just like our practice, with effort, we will be enlightened!!!
What a trip! So much to learn.
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
We decided to join them. We started off the day, cleaning and sweeping, wiping off dust etc. Everyone helped including the center manager, Sonam.
The younger students were happy to be in charge for a change, showing us and directing us what to do!
We had lunch at the center, simple meal prepared by the cook. Then we headed off to the temple on the hill just behind the center.
Jon has befriended the younger boys very quickly. They eagerly showed us the way and picking berry(????) for us to try on the way.
A 15 minutes hike from the back of the center to the Hundred Chicken Temple, and no, we did not find hundred chicken there! Along the way, there are horses and cows grazing freely on the hills. As we hiked higher, one could see the whole town of Shangri-la surrounded with beautiful mountains tall enough to reach the heaven. It was a beautiful day, despite being winter. Not a cloud in the sky!
As you reach closer to the top of the hill, you are greeted by the beautiful colours of the Tibetan prayer flags.
Many devotees come to this temple, offering incenses and butter lamps. When we reached the temple, they were making light offerings and the main hall of the temple were covered with lights from the butter lamps.
The students took us to the underhall of the temple which was not lit. It is supposed to remind you of the hell. Cold, dark and scary!
Dave thought it is a much better representation of our samsaric life. The darkness represents our ignorance, the cold refers to our selfish self-grasping nature. We head through the dark tunnel tumbling and scared. But if someone has a torch, showing you the way, your confidence grow and you take braver step ahead. Just like beginning to learn more about dharma, our steps in life become more confident when there is a kind teacher guiding us. At the end of the dark tunnel, if you look carefully, you will find a little Buddha. Just like our practice, with effort, we will be enlightened!!!
What a trip! So much to learn.
- Posted by Mich using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangri-la, China
Friday, 5 November 2010
Altitude sickness
In the mid of trying to make our little room feel like a mongolian tent, we had forgotten that we are in high altitude!
We did everything that were opposite to the advises given by the great mighty virtual space.
Rest and to take easy is essential as our body need time to adjust to the thinner oxygen. It is not a good idea to try to do too much in the first few days.
Well - we forgotten! To top it off, we forgot to drink plenty of liquid.
Naturally, we developed shortness of breath if we over-exert our body. The body resume to normality once we slow down. San developed dizziness and nausea on the first day. Both of the children were restless and tired on the first day. But they rested and recovered quickly.
However, Dave and I did not take care and we continue to keep busy.
Headache is what come next, intense and long-lasting. It would not clear even when we took some painkiller. We started to pay attention to what our body is telling us. Even then it still took a couple of days to return to normal.
If it got any more worse, I would have an excuse to buy a can of oxygen. Something that I have been wanting to experience. Ha!
Michminster
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We did everything that were opposite to the advises given by the great mighty virtual space.
Rest and to take easy is essential as our body need time to adjust to the thinner oxygen. It is not a good idea to try to do too much in the first few days.
Well - we forgotten! To top it off, we forgot to drink plenty of liquid.
Naturally, we developed shortness of breath if we over-exert our body. The body resume to normality once we slow down. San developed dizziness and nausea on the first day. Both of the children were restless and tired on the first day. But they rested and recovered quickly.
However, Dave and I did not take care and we continue to keep busy.
Headache is what come next, intense and long-lasting. It would not clear even when we took some painkiller. We started to pay attention to what our body is telling us. Even then it still took a couple of days to return to normal.
If it got any more worse, I would have an excuse to buy a can of oxygen. Something that I have been wanting to experience. Ha!
Michminster
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangri-la, China
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Silver lining
The weather has got better in comparison to 5 am in the morning... The sun is out and we are basking in it before it hides behind the rain clouds.
It is quiet and relaxing. We just had lunch and the children is fooling around, the freezing cold forgotten. Dave is happily adding insulation to keep the heat inside our room!
How our mind changes! I smile that at this moment we are all contented.
Michminster
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
It is quiet and relaxing. We just had lunch and the children is fooling around, the freezing cold forgotten. Dave is happily adding insulation to keep the heat inside our room!
How our mind changes! I smile that at this moment we are all contented.
Michminster
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangri-la, China
Freezing
Five o-clock in the morning and sleep has left me for the last few hours. I begin to wonder if my family and I are going to survive this winter! It is only November and we have only been here for 2 days.
Winter is looking bitter and cold from where we stand. The room in Thangka Academy is not geared up to cope with accommodating anyone for the cold temperature. We tried our best to keep warm, hugging our blanket and relying on our new found comfort of electric blanket.
I realize that Dharma has been the last thing on my mind. In this 'extreme' condition, all I crave for is the little comfort we took for granted, just barely few days ago.
This reminded me why I have encouraged this move. I want to get away from all the distractions and concentrate to make my spiritual life my main focus. Like Geshe-la said there is no way to get away from our distractions as they are in our mind. A simple life is where we are content with what we got and not look elsewhere for more! Even in a cave, we would still have our favorite spot!
So I am going to try harder once again and make this trip a worthwhile experience and not just a meaningless entries in my life!
Michminster
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Winter is looking bitter and cold from where we stand. The room in Thangka Academy is not geared up to cope with accommodating anyone for the cold temperature. We tried our best to keep warm, hugging our blanket and relying on our new found comfort of electric blanket.
I realize that Dharma has been the last thing on my mind. In this 'extreme' condition, all I crave for is the little comfort we took for granted, just barely few days ago.
This reminded me why I have encouraged this move. I want to get away from all the distractions and concentrate to make my spiritual life my main focus. Like Geshe-la said there is no way to get away from our distractions as they are in our mind. A simple life is where we are content with what we got and not look elsewhere for more! Even in a cave, we would still have our favorite spot!
So I am going to try harder once again and make this trip a worthwhile experience and not just a meaningless entries in my life!
Michminster
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Shangri-la, China
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