Join an Online Medicine Buddha Puja to Receive Healing and Prayers for Yourself and Loved Ones

Medicine Buddha painted thankga, www.norbulinkga.org.

One way to receive support during the pandemic for yourself or a loved one is to participate in a Medicine Buddha Puja livestream and share the names of loved ones for prayers. Anyone can join in the livestreams - no need to be Buddhist.

I was recently reminded of this when Sravasti Abbey announced they have begun offering a monthly Medicine Buddha Puja online.

The Benefits of the Medicine Buddha Puja

Sravasti Abbey

Sravasi Abbey explained the Medicine Buddha Puja this way, "Have you recently lost a loved one? Do you long for support in your grieving process? Are you or relatives or friends challenged with illness? We are here to support you—through pujas and prayers via Zoom once a month.

"A puja is a Buddhist ceremony that involves visualization, meditation, making offerings to holy beings, and mantra recitations to receive inspiration and support. A puja generally focuses on a specific deity — a manifestation of enlightenment such as Tara, Avalokiteshvara, or Medicine Buddha. Pujas support our Dharma practice, accumulate merit (positive karma), and help to remove obstacles and other negative circumstances for ourselves and others. 

"Each monthly puja will begin with the Medicine Buddha Puja, which is supportive for health related issues, and also for healing the world and restoring peace and harmony. Medicine Buddha also helps to overcome the inner sicknesses of attachment, anger, and ignorance, and support us to generate and enhance compassion, love, and bodhicitta."

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa taught on the Medicine Buddha in 2014. "The traditional healing methods of Tibet, he said, are closely related to the Buddha’s teachings in several ways. One is the investigation of causes, which are divided into the immediate and long-term. The immediate causes and conditions pertain to the body; for example, the elements have deteriorated or bacteria have invaded. However, if we go beyond attempts to cure a particular infection or operate on a tumor, we can discover the long-term causes. These are related to the mind and mental states, such as anger and attachment. All disease is a result of many interdependent causes and conditions, so it’s important to analyze the complex of these relationships.

"These days, we deal with a lot of pressures in our lives, which bring us stress. Numbers of people have difficulties with their mental and emotional states. Temporary relief is not enough here. To bring a more sustainable, deeper level of cure, we ourselves need to find ways of allowing our minds to be peaceful. The mind gives medicine to the mind; we need to use a mental medicine for our mental afflictions. A good way to begin is to make a connection with the Medicine Buddha, the King of Deep Blue light ..."

Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Lama Zopa Rinpoche taught about the benefits of doing the Medicine Buddha Puja at a Dharma center, "Medicine Buddha puja is excellent to prevent and help with natural disasters involving fire, wind, water, and air, including tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. It also helps with world peace, stopping war and famine, disease and torture, poverty and sickness. It increases happiness in the area of the center, also peace in the United States, and the rest of the world.

" ... The idea is that everyone can participate. Anyone who would like to experience peace or wonders what to do for peace can join in. It should be advertised well, even for non-Buddhists, who know someone who has died, or is sick, even for people who have relationship problems, family problems, job problems."

Medicine Buddha, www.men-tsee-khang.org.

Dharma Centers Offering Medicine Buddha Pujas on Sundays

Yangsi Rinpoche

Maitripa College

Portland, Oregon

Every Sunday at 11:00 AM PST

Watch the livestream on the Maitripa College YouTube channel.

Request prayers in advance of the puja for loved ones and their names will be read out loud during the livestream.

Read more about the Medicine Buddha Pujas led by Yangsi Rinpoche on www.maitripa.org and access the Medicine Buddha Puja text Yangsi Rinpoche is using for the pujas.

Venerable Samten and staff members

Land of Medicine Buddha

Soquel, California

Every Sunday at 2:00 PM PT

Watch the livestream on the Land of Medicine Buddha Facebook page

Request prayers so your loved ones receive dedication of the merit at the end of the puja. 

Read more about the Medicine Buddha Pujas at Land of Medicine Buddha on www.landofmedicinebuddha.org.

Read an explanation of how the Medicine Buddha Puja is done at Land of Medicine Buddha on www.landofmedicinebuddha.org.

Khenpo Ugyen Tenzin and Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) Monastics

KTD is His Holiness the Karmapa's monastic seat in North America

Woodstock, New York

Every Sunday at 5:00 PM PST

Watch the livestream on the Karma Triyana Dharmachakra YouTube channel.

I don't see a way to request prayers for the Medicine Buddha Puja but you could explore the sponsorship webpage and contact KTD with any questions.

Read more about the Medicine Buddha Pujas at KTD on www.kagyu.org.

Sravasti Abbey Monastics

Newport, Washington

One Sunday per month at 6:00 PM PST

The first was held on July 26 and the next will be held on August 23, 2020.

Join the Medicine Buddha Puja on Zoom.

Register in advance and submit requests for prayers. Each session ends with listening to each others’ optional final reflections and sharing aspirations for yourself and loved ones.

Read more about the Medicine Buddha Pujas at Sravasti Abbey on www.sravastiabbey.org and access the Medicine Buddha Puja text used by Sravasti Abbey for the pujas.

Medicine Buddha, www.thrangumonastery.org.

Medicine Buddha

"Bhaiṣajyaguru (Sanskrit: भैषज्यगुरु, Chinese: 藥師佛, Japanese: 薬師仏, Korean: 약사불, Standard Tibetan: སངས་རྒྱས་སྨན་བླ), formally Bhaiṣajya-guru-vaiḍūrya-prabhā-rāja ("Medicine Master and King of Lapis Lazuli Light"; Chinese: 藥師琉璃光(王)如來, Japanese: 薬師瑠璃光如来, Korean: 약사유리광여래), is the Buddha of healing and medicine in Mahāyāna Buddhism. Commonly referred to as the "Medicine Buddha," he is described as a doctor who cures dukkha (suffering) using the medicine of his teachings.

"Bhaiṣajyaguru is described in the eponymous Bhaiṣajya-guru-vaiḍūrya-prabhā-rāja Sūtra, commonly called the Medicine Buddha Sutra, as a bodhisattva who made twelve great vows. On achieving Buddhahood, he became the Buddha of the eastern pure land of Vaiḍūryanirbhāsa "Pure Lapis Lazuli." There, he is attended to by two bodhisattvas symbolizing the light of the sun and the light of the moon respectively."

Read more about Medicine Buddha on Wikipedia.

Win a Medicine Buddha Painted Thankga

Norbulinkga Institute in Himachal Pradesh, India, is giving away a Medicine Buddha painted thankga. Every order placed through the Norbulinkga Institute online shop until the 16th August will automatically be entered to win.

The Office of His Eminence Ling Rinpoche shared an important update about Norbulinkga Institute on July 31, 2020, on Ling Rinpoche's Facebook page:

''Dear Friends, 

"We hope and pray that you all are doing as well as possible during this unprecedented time.

"On behalf of H.E. Ling Rinpoche, we are writing to express our support for an important organization, Norbulingka Institute, and invite you to join H.E. Ling Rinpoche in supporting this worthy cause. Norbulingka Institute was founded 25 years ago by Kelsang Yeshi and Kim Yeshi under the direction of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who served as Chairperson from its inception until 2015. It is due to their hard work and tireless efforts over the last 25 years that the Institute has been able to flourish and benefit the Tibetan community.

"Norbulingka Institute is a leader in the preservation of Tibetan cultural heritage through its exceptional artwork and craftsmanship. It also provides unconditional humanitarian services and skills-training to newly arrived, exiled Tibetans. Since its founding, Norbulingka has employed nearly 1,400 Tibetan artists and staff. Currently there are 366 employees, trainees and students dependent upon Norbulingka for their livelihoods.

"Since accepting the Chairperson position in 2016, H.E. Ling Rinpoche has been impressed with Norbulingka’s continued operational efficiency as a 100% self-sustaining, not-for-profit organization. Now, with travel to Dharamsala drastically diminished due to the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Norbulingka is presented with significant financial challenges as commerce has drawn to a halt.

"During these days of great anxiety and hardship, please consider this a good opportunity to help others if you are able, through your support of Norbulingka Institute in any way, such as purchasing Norbulingka products online, donating, or raising awareness by sharing this information with others.

"For a 10% discount on online purchases use the promotional code: GREENTARA

"To learn more about Norbulingka, please visit norbulingka.org.

"Please visit https://norbulingka.org/blogs/news-from-dharamsala/support-norbulingka for our Press Release.

https://norbulingka.org/pages/donate
https://www.facebook.com/NorbulingkaInstitute/
https://www.instagram.com/norbulingkainstitute/

"We encourage you to subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates, for more information about how you can participate in Norbulingka Institute’s legacy.

"Your support of the Tibetan heritage is most appreciated at this time.

"With thanks from Yongzin Lingtsang Labrang - the Office of His Eminence Ling Rinpoche
www.lingrinpoche.info"

Join the Online Course Exploring Monastic Life Offered by Sravasti Abbey

Exploring Monastic Life 2019, Sravasti Abbey e-newsletter.

Sravasti Abbey is the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery for Western nuns and monks in the US. It was established by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron in 2003.

Exploring Monastic Life

Each year Sravasti Abbey offers the course "Exploring Monastic Life." This year's course will be held online in August 2020.

The Course

The Sravasti Abbey website says, "'Exploring Monastic Life' is an intensive training program, held in August every year. It’s for people thinking about becoming a Buddhist monk or nun, and for newly ordained monastics. There’s no other program like it.

"The program usually lasts three weeks and entails living and practicing in monastic community.

"This year, due to COVID concerns, we’re taking it online. Ven. Chodron will give teachings and lead discussions every morning. Abbey monastics also participate, including you in daily meditation.

"It’s not quite the same, but it’s still a place learn, bring your questions, and explore your aspirations.

"Venerable Thubten Chodron teaches from over 40 years of living as a Buddhist nun. You learn how and why the Buddha started the ordained sangha—the community of monks and nuns—and the ethical and behavioral guidelines for monastics.

"The Abbey monastics join in your daily discussions about family, career, romance, and 'stuff,' to explore the issues that you need to think about."

Venerable Thubten Chodron, www.clearemptymind.com.

The website also says, "Applicants must have taken refuge in the Three Jewels at least one year ago and must not be in a long-term relationship. Priority will be given to applicants under 50 years old."

Schedule

August 6-17, 2020

Participants must commit to attending all sessions.

August 6

8:30 AM PT - 9:30 AM PT - orientation

August 7-17

5:30 AM PT - 7:00 AM PT - meditation

8:45 AM PT - 10:15 AM PT - teaching

10:45 AM PT - 12:15 PM PT - discussion groups

Join the Course

Admission to "Exploring Monastic Life" is by application.

"Qualified applicants will:

• Have taken refuge at least one year ago
• Are not presently in a committed relationship
• Agree to live within the 5 lay precepts during the course: refraining from killing, taken what has not been freely given, sexual misconduct (keeping celibacy during the course), lying, and taking intoxicants of any kind
• Agree to attend all sessions."

This year's "Exploring Monastic Life" course will take place online using Vimeo and Zoom.

The course is offered on a donation basis.

Watch YouTube Videos

If you cannot join the course then you can still explore the topic. Recordings of previous "Exploring Monastic Life" courses are available on the Sravasti Abbey YouTube channel.

Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre organized an online event "Meet the Sangha - Stories of the Langri Tangpa Centre Monks and Nuns" as part of the Australian Dharma center's July 2020 Choekhor Duchen activities.

The event was described this way on their website, "A day in the life of a western sangha, what propelled them to ordination, their biggest challenges and surprises, and all the best bits!

"Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a western monk or nun is like? We might imagine it to be a life of quiet contemplation, or perhaps study and retreat, but it can often be the exact opposite – a whirlwind of visits to the sick, email questions, hours of travelling, battles with technology, and continuing family duties.

"Langri Tangpa Centre has a wonderful track record of students becoming ordained, and last year we had four new monks and nuns become ordained! To celebrate International Sangha Day (that falls on First Wheel-Turning Day), all proceeds from this event will go into the LTC Sangha Fund to help cover their emergency needs.

"In this online afternoon forum, we will be able to ask about everything we ever wanted to know about our LTC Sangha but never got a chance! We have invited the LTC monks and nuns to do a 10-minute guest spot each, moderated by LTC Spiritual Program Co-ordinator Miffi Maxmillion. Attendees will also be able to pose their own questions in the chat throughout the afternoon.

"We hope to be able to address such varied questions as: What’s the most surprising question you have been asked on the street? What’s the most challenging aspect of being ordained in the west? What did you have to do to create the merit to be able to ordain? Do you still go to work – what kind of job do you have? And what’s the best bit about a life as a renunciate?"

Watch the 1.5 hour video "Meet the Sangha 2020" on the Langri Tangpa Buddhist Centre YouTube channel. I watched it and enjoyed it a lot. I heard many references to "Khen Rinpoche," and later determined they were talking about Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering.

Learn about Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying from Venerable Sangye Khadro

Venerable Sangye Khadro, www.sravastiabbey.org.

I got to watch part of Venerable Sangye Khadro's (Kathleen McDonald) online course "Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying" when it livestreamed from Sravasti Abbey the weekend of April 17-20, 2020. Sravasti Abbey reported that more than sixty people registered for the course and several hundred more watched the livestream.

Thanks to Sravasti Abbey the course was recorded and the videos are freely available.

If you'd like to watch Venerable Sangye Khadro teach live then you can join the one-week online Green Tara Retreat she will be leading from July 3-10, 2020.

Peaceful Living, Peaceful Dying

Ven. Thubten Damcho introducing Venerable Sangye Khadro, www.sravastiabbey.org.

Sravasti Abbey introduced the April 2020 course, writing, "Venerable Sangye Khadro, one of the most senior Western Buddhist nuns and author of How to Meditate, leads this retreat, offering Buddhist perspectives on dying that help us to live with love, compassion, and forgiveness.

"... Ven. Sangye Khadro will share Buddhist perspectives on dying as well as practices to prepare for our own death and help others who are dying.

"Echoing the Buddha's teachings and her own insights, Ven. Sangye Khadro encourages us to face death as the inevitable companion of life and to see it as an opportunity to truly open our hearts to compassion, forgiveness, and loving-kindness."

Ven. Thubten Kunga, part of the media team, www.sravastiabbey.org.

Watch the recorded teachings and meditations on the Sravasti Abbey website. The videos are hosted on YouTube, making it really easy to take all or part of the course.

The schedule for the retreat was:

Friday, April 17 from 6:15-7:30 PM - Teaching 

Sat/Sun/Monday, April 18-20 from 9:00-10:30 AM - Teaching

Sat/Sun/Monday, April 18-20 from 11:00-11:45 AM - Guided Meditation 

Sat/Sunday, April 19-20 from 2:00-3:30 PM - Teaching 

Sat/Sunday, April 19-20 from 4:00-5:30 PM - Discussion via Zoom

Experience part of the course by watching the Friday, April 17 teaching, filmed on the first night of the course, on the Sravasti Abbey YouTube channel.



Green Tara Retreat

Venerable Sangye Khadro is leading a one-week online Green Tara Retreat on Zoom and Livestream from Sravasti Abbey, July 3-10, 2020.

The retreat will include teachings, daily practice sessions, and facilitated discussions.

Three Ways to Join the Green Tara Retreat:

Join for one week – July 3-10 – All sessions – registration required
Join for long weekend – July 3-6 – All sessions – registration required
Join as you can on Vimeo Livestream only – No need to register

Register for the Green Tara Retreat on the Sravasti Abbey website. 

Sravasti Abbey offers all of their Dharma programs for free. Retreat offerings are welcomed.

Venerable Sangye Khadro

"California-born, Ven. Sangye Khadro ordained as a Buddhist nun at Kopan Monastery in 1974, and is a longtime friend and colleague of Abbey founder Ven. Thubten Chodron.

"Ven. Sangye Khadro took the full (bhikshuni) ordination in 1988. While studying at Nalanda Monastery in France in the 1980s, she helped to start the Dorje Pamo Nunnery, along with Ven. Chodron.

"Ven. Sangye Khadro has studied Buddhism with many great masters including Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Lama Yeshe, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey, and Khensur Jampa Tegchok. She began teaching in 1979 and was a resident teacher at Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore for 11 years. She has been resident teacher at the FPMT centre in Denmark since 2016, and from 2008-2015, she followed the Masters Program at the Lama Tsong Khapa Institute in Italy."

"Ven. Sangye Khadro has authored several books, including the best-selling How to Meditate, now in its 17th printing, which has been translated into eight languages."

Source: Sravasti Abbey website. Many more teachings from Venerable Sangye Khadro are available on YouTube, including on the Sravasti Abbey YouTube channel.

Join a Four-Day Live Course "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" for Ages 18-29

Venerable Thubten Chodron with "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" retreatants, www.sravastiabbey.org.

Young people ages 18-29 are invited to join a four-day live online course "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" offered by Sravasti Abbey, founded by Venerable Thubten Chodron.

The annual course is usually held in Washington State at Sravasti Abbey. This year it will be held from June 11-14 on Zoom.

Young Adults Explore Buddhism

Past participant Jyotishma Chand shared a beautiful reflection about the "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" course experience.

"In my life, I have come across people who know things but are unwilling to share. They either think that there is a fixed quota of wisdom out there and sharing means less for them, or they fear not being 'the wisest of them all,' or they merely think that another individual is unworthy of receiving such wisdom. 

"I am grateful to the Abbey for openly giving of their wisdom, for seeing the Buddha potential in this stranger when she couldn’t. For seeing the Buddha potential in all of us strangers who were part of the Young Adults Week. For seeing us strangers as not strangers."

Read the rest of Jyotishma's reflection "Surprised by Compassion" on the Sravasti Abbey website.

Watch another participant, Clinton share about the retreat on the Sravasti Abbey YouTube channel.

The Schedule

The course begins on Thursday, June 11 and ends on Sunday, June 14, 2020.

Thursday, June 11

2:00-3:30 PM PT - Introductions to Sravasti Abbey, the book, and each other

Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14

9:00-10:45 AM PT - Teaching with Venerable Thubten Chodron with an opportunity to ask questions

11:15-12 NOON PT - Guided meditation led by a monastic from Sravasti Abbey

2:00-3:30 PM PT - Discussion led by Venerable Thubten Chodron or monastics from Sravasti Abbey

Venerable Lamsel with "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" retreatants, www.sravastiabbey.org.

The Course

The Sravasti Abbey website says, "Do you crave connection? Trying to make sense of the world? Want to learn how to make your life meaningful?

"Join in Young Adults Explore Buddhism.

"Sravasti Abbey invites young adults aged 18 to 29 to explore the Buddha’s teachings within our American culture. No meditation experience is necessary; just an open and curious mind/heart.

"Usually offered as a residential course, Exploring Buddhism 2020 will be shared on Zoom.

"The course includes meditation instruction and practice, daily teachings and Dharma discussions with Venerable Thubten Chodron, with support from Sravasti Abbey monastics.

"It’s based on the book, An Open-Hearted Life: Transformative Methods for Compassionate Living from a Clinical Psychologist and a Buddhist Nun. Space is limited, and registration is required."

The Sravasti Abbey e-newsletter added some extra information, "Explore the Buddha's teachings, share insights with like-minded peers, and discover new life tools to help you navigate these times."

Learn more on the Sravasi Abbey website.

Register for the Course

Advance registration is required. Complete the "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" application form and email it to Sravasti Abbey at the email address provided on the application.

"Young Adults Explore Buddhism" application form.

Download the "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" registration form from the Sravasti Abbey website.

All Sravasi Abbey programs are offered on a donation basis. You can make an offering any time on the Sravasti Abbey website.

Venerable Thubten Chodron

"Venerable Thubten Chodron (德林 — De Lin) was born in Chicago in 1950 and grew up near Los Angeles. She graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971. After traveling through Europe, North Africa and Asia for one and a half years, she received a teaching credential and went to the University of Southern California to do post-graduate work in Education while working as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System.

"In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Lama Yeshe and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to Kopan, their Monastery in Nepal, to continue to study and practice Buddha’s teachings. In 1977, she received sramanerika (novice) ordination from Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan.

Continue reading Venerable Thubten Chodron's biography on www.thubtenchodron.org.

Join the National Day of Mourning and Lament in the United States

National Day of Mourning, www.brethren.org.

Monday, June 1, 2020 is a National Day of Mourning and Lament in the United States, marking the passing of thousands of people who have died from the coronavirus. Roughly one hundred religious leaders have signed onto the declaration letter organized by Sojourners. Sravasti Abbey in Washington State will be participating by conducting a Guru Puja.

National Day of Mourning

As Sojourner's founder Jim Wallis wrote, noting the passing of more than one hundred thousand Americans, "One hundred thousand neighbors, friends, and family — grandfathers and grandmothers, fathers and mothers, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, even children — are now all dead from COVID-19.

"It is a marker we must not pass by quickly or easily. We must stop. We must weep. We must mourn. We must honor. And we must lament, which is to feel and bear great grief and sorrow, and reflect upon it."

Epispocal News Service shared, "The idea originated from a group of Christian leaders including Curry that meets regularly, led by Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners. The group issued a statement saying that 'an unprecedented group of 100+ national faith leaders — from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions' had signed on to the call, as well as the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

"The grim milestone of 100,000 dead Americans coincides with a time that is sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths, said the Rev. Charles Robertson, canon to the presiding bishop for ministry beyond The Episcopal Church. Muslims have just finished celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan; Jews will celebrate the feast of Shavuot May 28 through 30; and Christians will celebrate Pentecost on May 31.

“'So that’s why, as we hit this 100,000 number in the U.S. alone, it seems appropriate that people in churches, synagogues and mosques throughout the nation recognize this moment and not let it pass without us honoring those who have lost their lives and their families,' Robertson told ENS."

Guru Puja, www.manjushritoronto.wordpress.com.

Sravasti Abbey

Sravasti Abbey wrote in a May 29 newsletter, "Sravasti Abbey joins with national faith communities to remember and honor more than 363,000 people around the world known to have died from COVID-19, including over 100,000 in the US.

"The National Council of Churches, Sojourners, numerous faith organizations, and Washington's Faith Action Network are calling for a National Day of Mourning on Monday, June 1.

"On that day, the Abbey will do a Guru Puja, special prayers, and dedicate merit for people who have died from or are now fighting COVID-19.

"Dealing with the pandemic is hard in so many ways, but it is especially heartbreaking for people who have lost loved ones without being able to say good-bye.

"If you would like us to dedicate merit for your loved ones who have died or are ill from COVID-19, please complete this form before 12:00 noon (Pacific Time) on Monday, June 1.

"Read the statement about the National Day of Mourning on the Sojourner's website.

"May love, compassion, and wisdom grow in your hearts and in the hearts of leaders at every level. By your own commitment to kindness, may you and all beings find peace.

The Sravasti Abbey Community"

Daily Support from Sravasti Abbey During Covid-19

Thousand-arm Chenrezig, sravastiabbey.org

Every day one of the residents at Sravasti Abbey gives a short talk as part of a series known as "Bodhisattva's Breakfast Corner" (the BBC).

These daily talks are filmed and then shared on the Sravasti Abbey YouTube channel. To find them look for the videos named "BBCorner."

They can be in response to breaking events and news stories, and I have found this aspect of the BBC to be very helpful when I need some instant support and help with how to think.

Here is the Sravasti Abbey April 2020 eNews, received on April 1.

"Despite hearing the Buddha’s teachings about impermanence, most people were taken by surprise by the coronavirus pandemic. We thought it was in a far-away country, that such things wouldn't happen to us. We thought that the government was on top of the situation. And then in less than two weeks, our lives changed drastically here in the US.

"We’re all in this together and it’s an opportunity to genuinely put the mind-training teachings into practice. To this end, many of our Bodhisattva's Breakfast Corner talks have been on this topic because we know many people are disoriented, anxious, and fearful. The Dharma can really help our minds in this situation.

"Please watch these talks on Youtube here and use the Buddha’s teachings to transform your mind, to see the goodness in the world, and to dispel anxiety. You can find more practice resources on our website here.

"Many of you have emailed us to ask how we are and if we need anything. We are so grateful for your care and compassion. We’re well and have good circumstances for sheltering in place compared to so many people. Only one person goes out once every two weeks, so we have little danger of infection, and we can take walks in the forest and meadow, unlike people living in the city.

"Three of our friends are stuck in India and Nepal and cannot get out because all international flights have been canceled. We’re trying to help them, but embassies are not very responsive now.

"We've moved upcoming teachings and events online as much as we can. Check the Abbey website Events page to stay in touch with ways we can share the Dharma together.

Sravasti Abbey"

I watched several of the videos in Sravasti Abbey's new Covid-19 pandemic series and particularly liked this talk given by Sravasti Abbey resident nun Venerable Thubten Chonyi.

In her talk Venerable Thubten Chonyi references the Thousand-arm Chenrezig, known as Guan Yin in Chinese Buddhism. This deity, known as Avalokitesvhara in Sansrkit, is the bodhisattva of compassion, embodying the compassion of all of the buddhas.

You can listen to this beautiful recording of the Chenrezig mantra here on loop.

OM MANI PADME HUNG

Sravasti Abbey's Events page lists this upcoming event:

Sharing the Dharma Day Sunday, April 12 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT followed by afternoon discussion

It will be livestreamed on Livestream.com. Having not yet had the chance to visit Sravasti Abbey in northeast Washington State, I am looking forward to joining remotely after watching this four-minute welcome video about the monthly Sharing the Dharma Day event.

There are more resources on Sravasti Abbey's Covid-19 Practice Resources & Teachings collection on their website.

Sravasti Abbey was founded by American Tibetan Buddhist nun Ven. Thubten Chodron, a well-known teacher and author who has co-written four books in a series known as The Library of Wisdom and Compassion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She received novice ordination from His Eminence Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in 1977 and full ordination in Taiwan in 1986.

You can watch Ven. Thubten Chodron teach on The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, the second volume in the The Library of Wisdom and Compassion series, on Friday nights 6:15 PM - 8:00 PM PT on Livestream.com. The videos are archived on Livestream.com.

Election Day ... counting down

Huge congratulations to HeadCount who on October 13 announced the nonpartisan nonprofit had exceeded its voter registration goals for 2016.

As of now HeadCount had registered 426,044 Americans to vote for this upcoming US election. (You can check the ticker here.)

USANA Amphitheater in Salt Lake City, UT - my last show on the Dixie Chicks tour.

This includes the 1,337 Americans we helped register to vote at Dixie Chicks shows this summer.

The above figure includes the 22 fans who registered to vote at the Columbus, OH show. I was not present at that show; Mark Wotring directed HeadCount efforts that night.

Thanks to the 190 HeadCount volunteers who came out this summer to help me. Thanks to them, we were at 39 shows in 25 states over a period of three months, helping to make sure Dixie Chicks fans are able to participate in the upcoming US elections.

I had a lot of fun out in the field for HeadCount this summer.

Dead & Co - Camden, NJ.

Dead & Co - Portland, OR.

Wilco - Portland, OR.

National Voter Registration Day (Sept 27) in Portland, OR.
Registering voters outside of the Pearl District's Ben & Jerry's with
HeadCount Portland Team Leader James and Melissa.
Vote Our Planet event with Oregon Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins and
the Bus Project at the Patagonia Portland store.

Sign up to volunteer with HeadCount in your community here.

If you have friends in the US who need to register then send them to HeadCount keeping in mind some states' registration deadlines have already passed.

If you have friends overseas who still need to request their absentee ballots then please share this. The US Department of Defense recently reported only 4% of eligible overseas voters voted in 2014; let's get that number up this year.

Patagonia has shared resources to help people Vote Our Planet.

As the November 8 US elections draw closer, I think it has become increasingly important to share this:

Venerable Thubten Semkye is a Tibetan Buddhist nun who has been involved with Srvasti Abbey in Washington State since 2004. This talk is the first time I have had the pleasure of hearing her thoughts.

Happy voting, all.