 |
| Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, the Metta Garden. |
I've been listening to Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo teach on "Practice in Daily Life: Advice of Atisha in 21 Lines" while taking long walks in the neighborhood.
The recordings I'm listening to were made during her December 8-10, 2019 retreat held at Antara, a senior living community in Purukul, Dehradun, India.
 |
| Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo December 8-10, 2020. |
The December 8-10 retreat recordings are freely available on the Vidyaloke podcast on Apple Podcasts and Vidyaloke's YouTube channel. This is the first of four videos:
Atisha's Root Verses on Training the Mind
This is the text Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo taught on during the retreat:
ATISHA's ROOT VERSES ON TRAINING THE MIND
The supreme learning is to realize the meaning of selflessness [absence of self]
The supreme spiritual discipline is to tame one's own mind.
The supreme good quality is great altruism.
The supreme oral instruction is to observe the mind at all times.
The supreme remedy is to know that nothing has any self-nature.
The supreme conduct is to be in disharmony with the world.
The supreme accomplishment is the continuous decrease of disturbing emotions.
The supreme sign of accomplishment is the continuous decrease in disturbing emotions.
The supreme generosity is non-attachment.
The supreme ethical conduct is to pacify one's mind.
The supreme patience is to take the lowest place.
The supreme effort is to let go of all activity.
The supreme concentration is not altering the mind.
The supreme wisdom is not grasp on to anything as the self.
The supreme spiritual teacher is the one who exposes our hidden flaws.
The supreme instruction is the one that strikes those hidden flaws.
The supreme companions are mindfulness and alertness.
The supreme inspiration is enemies and hindrances, disease and suffering.
The supreme method is to be natural.
The supreme way of benefiting is to help others enter the Dharma.
The supreme benefit is a mind that turns towards the Dharma.
 |
| Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo Facebook. |
Losar Message
Her February 22 Losar message is a good reminder to put the teachings into practice:
"LOSAR MESSAGE FROM JETSUNMA TENZIN PALMO
"Samsara is notoriously unsatisfactory, but there are times when it seems to make a special effort to live up to its unsavoury reputation. While the current political, economic and ecological situation may invoke despair in many of us, we must remember that this is samsara. This is the nature of samsara. History reminds us that human and natural disasters have always been with us.
"The present, when disaster and uncertainty loom all around us, may be the perfect time to cultivate the teachings that show us the way to use obstacles as the Dharma path. We can take the opportunity to arouse the inner strength of the bodhisattva to face difficulties with fortitude and good humour, and not give in to anger and despair. We must take care to not pollute the atmosphere with even more aggression and fear. We should try our best to transform the poison into nectar with deep sincerity and practice genuine compassion towards all sentient beings.
"As we enter this Year of the Metal Mouse, we can resolve to take life one day at a time and practice gratitude for the many wonderful things that life continuously offers us. We can also appreciate the immense goodness that exists in this world (though is seldom publicised). A day is well-lived if we can use it to bring some happiness and comfort to those around us and if we carry out our work in the world with awareness and kindness rather than with confusion and gloom. The Dharma points the way, but we ourselves must walk the path.
~ Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo"
She shared another message on March 20, 2020:
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, the tsunmas (nuns), and DGL staff shared, "As always, we shall continue praying for your health, happiness and freedom from suffering, sending out all our very deepest wishes for this situation to pass on swiftly. Thank you for your love and understanding."
"The present, when disaster and uncertainty loom all around us, may be the perfect time to cultivate the teachings that show us the way to use obstacles as the Dharma path. We can take the opportunity to arouse the inner strength of the bodhisattva to face difficulties with fortitude and good humour, and not give in to anger and despair. We must take care to not pollute the atmosphere with even more aggression and fear. We should try our best to transform the poison into nectar with deep sincerity and practice genuine compassion towards all sentient beings.
"As we enter this Year of the Metal Mouse, we can resolve to take life one day at a time and practice gratitude for the many wonderful things that life continuously offers us. We can also appreciate the immense goodness that exists in this world (though is seldom publicised). A day is well-lived if we can use it to bring some happiness and comfort to those around us and if we carry out our work in the world with awareness and kindness rather than with confusion and gloom. The Dharma points the way, but we ourselves must walk the path.
~ Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo"
Covid-19 Message
"Dear Friends,
"In light of these uncertain and unprecedented times, we have been advised to cancel my upcoming 2020 Dharma tour in the United States and the surrounding countries. We regret this necessity, especially given the efforts of so many to create the opportunity to share the Dharma in this way and meet once again with so many friends.
"At this time of a worldwide pandemic, it is important to keep a sense of perspective and to act sensibly. In particular, be sure to stock up on essential commodities such as equanimity, empathy and a good sense of humour!
"This is a time for courage and common sense.
"While the media works hard to stir up more paranoia, we can be grateful for the Dharma and cultivate the antidotes to fear and self-grasping – including compassion, tonglen practice and loving awareness – that often arise at times like these.
"We can be kind – to ourselves and to others. Slow down and take time to be. What a unique opportunity to reflect on just how much the Dharma is genuinely in our heart and actions!
"May you, your loved ones and all beings be well and happy.
Tenzin Palmo"
"In light of these uncertain and unprecedented times, we have been advised to cancel my upcoming 2020 Dharma tour in the United States and the surrounding countries. We regret this necessity, especially given the efforts of so many to create the opportunity to share the Dharma in this way and meet once again with so many friends.
"At this time of a worldwide pandemic, it is important to keep a sense of perspective and to act sensibly. In particular, be sure to stock up on essential commodities such as equanimity, empathy and a good sense of humour!
"This is a time for courage and common sense.
"While the media works hard to stir up more paranoia, we can be grateful for the Dharma and cultivate the antidotes to fear and self-grasping – including compassion, tonglen practice and loving awareness – that often arise at times like these.
"We can be kind – to ourselves and to others. Slow down and take time to be. What a unique opportunity to reflect on just how much the Dharma is genuinely in our heart and actions!
"May you, your loved ones and all beings be well and happy.
Tenzin Palmo"
 |
| Dongu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, Buddhist Art News. |
Dongu Gatsal Ling Nunnery
Dongu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, the nunnery Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo founded near the small village of Padhiarkar, Himachal Pradesh State, North India, has been closed since March 17 and is not open to visitors.
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, the tsunmas (nuns), and DGL staff shared, "As always, we shall continue praying for your health, happiness and freedom from suffering, sending out all our very deepest wishes for this situation to pass on swiftly. Thank you for your love and understanding."
On April 4, the nunnery joined with Khampagar Monastery, Institute, and Community as well as Dorzong Monastic Institute to donate a combined six lakh rupees ($7,823 USD) to the Chief Minister Relief Fund initiated by Shri Jai Ram Thankur, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. The fund provides food to homeless, daily wage workers and poor families without jobs.
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
"Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo was born in England in 1943 and named Diane Perry.
"She and her older brother were raised by her mother in the Bethnal Green area of London after her father’s death when Diane was 2 years old. Mrs Perry was a spiritualist who held séances in the family home, and Jetsunma credits this as being a strong and positive influence on her development as a seeker of truth.
"Aged 18, she realised she was a Buddhist while reading the book “The Mind Unshaken” by John Walters.
"After leaving school she worked as a librarian at the Hackney Public Library and then SOAS (The School of Oriental and African Studies) in London, saving enough money to leave England in 1964, sailing to India to pursue her spiritual path."
Continue reading her biography on the Dongu Gatsal Ling Nunnery website.
There are many videos of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo teaching available on YouTube. Her Facebook page and email newsletter are great ways to keep updated on her teaching schedule and activities.
The book Cave in the Snow: Tenzin Palmo's Quest for Enlightenment by Vickie Mackenzie and the movie based on the book are wonderful.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.