February 2000

Dear Dharma Friends,

Happy Losar for the year 2127, the year of the Iron Dragon! Now we have a second chance for new year's resolutions, Tibetan style. Gutor, the day for averting the negativity of the old year, falls on the 4th, the third evening of our three Vajrakilaya practice sessions, when we will gather to clear out the old and bring in the new. On Sat. the 5th there is a partial solar eclipse, during which the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied by 10,000, according to tradition. That's something to ponder. The land is deep into winter at Tashi Chöling, though not as snowy this year (so far). The first Sangwa'i Nyingpo, Guyagharba Tantra retreat was successfully completed in January, and we now approach the annual Losar practices, so things are moving along. We have some of Gyatrul Rinpoche's teachings to look forward to this month, which will be broadcast via phone line from Orygen Dorje Den in Oakland to various locations, including Tashi Chöling. Come on out, but be prepared with traction devices and take care.

And now for the news... Losar celebrations: Three nights of the Vajrakilaya sadhana and tsog practice will take place at the temple on Feb. 2, 3 & 4, Wed. - Fri. from 7 - 9 pm. Sat. the 5th, the new moon day, is the traditional house cleaning day according to the Tibetan custom, and if you can offer any help for temple cleaning before that day, please contact Ani Baba and leave a message at 488-0477. This is greatly appreciated. On Losar, Sun. the 6th, we will practice Dor Sem Lama Chod Pa with a large tsog from 9 am - 12 noon. Carpooling is suggested. Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche will be teaching on Fri. and Sat., the 4th & 5th of Feb. from 10 am - 12 noon via phone line. The teaching will be focusing on the generation and completion stage practices, Kye Rim and Dzog Rim. There will be a $5.00 donation to pay for the cost of the phone service. Come take advantage of this great opportunity. There may be more of these teachings sometime in the beginning of March, so stay tuned. Carpooling is suggested.

Our annual Tröma Nagmo Practice Retreat will be held from Mon., March 20 through Tues., March 28 this year. Please note the change in the original dates, as the first day has been postponed to Mon., the 20th, instead of Sun., the 19th. The nine day intensive will be lead by Sangye Khandro and will be "open", so that folks with prior commitments can participate, although everyone is encouraged to attend the entire event or as much of it as possible. See the enclosed flyer. Green Tara practice continues on Sundays in the temple from 2 - 4 pm. This practice is of great benefit to those suffering from illness and obstacles.
Lama Bruce Newman's classes continue this month. Relaxing the Mind takes place on Mon. nights and Words of My Perfect Teacher on Thurs. nights, each at 7:30 pm. For locations and more info on these and other classes, call Bruce at 488-0881.
Rigpay Jungnay Norbuling, our children's program, continues for teens with Lama Bruce Newman teaching on Sun. the 13th from 10 a.m. - noon at the LaCoste residence. (Read on for directions.) However, the sessions for the younger children have been postponed until spring. It is requested that parents and other interested folks gather fresh energy and creative ideas in order to come together and support this important program. With the energy of just a few people, we can provide our kids with the opportunity to learn with their peers about the dharma, in a program geared at their various levels of understanding. It is hoped that a planning meeting for all involved will take place so that the program can be underway again. For more info call Trish DeMers at (530) 842-4138. Thanks!

[Directions to the LaCoste's: Take Hwy. 66 out of Ashland toward Klamath Falls. Just .2 miles past mile-marker 4 notice a green sign that says `Emigrant Lake 1/2 mile', at which point you'll cross a small bridge. Then immediately turn left onto a dirt driveway where you'll see a small sign that says `Hancock'. Continue on for .8 miles to the house at the very end of the road.]

A weekly Four Armed Chenrezig sadhana practice will take place at 7:30 pm on Wednesdays, hosted by Phyllis Norris, a friend of Tashi Chöling. The location for these gatherings is 117 Helman St. in Ashland. Everyone is invited to participate and for more information call 488-3209.

IN OUR PRAYERS...Please make many prayers for our friend, Ed Gierke, who has recently learned there is a cancerous tumor in his esophagus. Ed will have surgery in the SF bay area to remove the tumor sometime during the beginning of Feb. Also, remember our monk, Nick O'Connor, taking a break for needed rest. Get well soon.

So here's hoping the year of the Iron Dragon brings really good fortune for all!

Julie

Rogers, Vice Secretary

BUDDHAMIND IN PROGRESS 

Bringing Adversity to the Path

"...From now on whatever kind of adversity or suffering arises, I
will not fear it; I will not befriend it; I will just allow it to be..."
Jigme Tenpe Nyima from Ancient Wisdom by Gyatrul Rinpoche

        Here we are, endowed with the opportunity to examine adversity and bring it to the path. Through our good fortune we have encountered a sublime teacher, Gyatrul Rinpoche, who has given us the means to do so. The words presented here are only reflections on this teaching, perhaps something to chew on.
        In this time of history, or anytime in samsara, the preceding quote could be our motto. Difficulties come as dependably as thoughts. Even during periods when life is a smooth sail, thoughts arise that unsettle the delicate balance we depend on to stay afloat. Buddhist teachings indicate that it starts with the thoughts. I have noticed how easy it is to grasp onto familiar old tapes, whether comfortable or not. Then the habit to identify with them plays out. Because of this, I feel attraction or aversion toward situations, people and ideas that support or threaten who I think I am; it's endless.
        Adversity feels like anything that makes me uncomfortable. It could be a flat tire, lack of money, problems in my family, illness, difficulties with people, or how I may sweat bullets due to rampant mental gymnastics. And it could be "worse". I've recently been talking to a dharma friend about the idea of adversity (not getting my way), and of attachment and fear. My friend said we simply need to accept it all. This idea has generally rubbed me the wrong way, except that I can't think of anything else to do. Resistance and fighting hasn't worked. Going along feels like compromising myself (or maybe the ego). What's a beginner to do?
       Then there is fear. Let's not talk about that. Maybe just a bit until the squirming starts. There is the fear of wasting this precious human rebirth, fears of pain, emotions, loneliness, fear of change, and also surrender. Sometimes without being aware that it's going on, I hold onto fear as if I can't get along without it. Accept it? Just allow it to be? That all-encompassing, elusive fiend, the ego, doesn't want to go along, or lose control. It wants to be THE JUDGE. Judge, jury, perpetrator or victim, I play all the parts and end up spending every moment in court.
         The inevitable flip side is attachment, or is it the other way around? Attachment is the glue that hardens and seals the mind, so that it remains inflexible, stuck. We all know this. So why is it so hard to realize? I unwittingly continue to build the framework upon which is hung the ornament of self, with this limited view of existence. Becoming attached is so familiar! Whether it be people, objects or experiences, repulsive or ordinary, fabulous or questionable, confusion isn't picky when in search of a hand to hold.
        Allowing adversity to be. Do I allow myself to do that? It seems that discomfort shows me the areas that need work. And allowing it does create a quality of spaciousness. Perhaps it is time to look more deeply into the benefits of difficult situations and how they can help me to practice. Lip service is easy, walking the path is a long road. It's like taking a dare to believe the truth of the empty nature of phenomena, and how it's all just passing by. Do I need a special occasion to apply this teaching? This is the occasion of the precious human rebirth. What could be more important?

by Julie Rogers