Remind Americans Around the World Now is the Time to Prepare to Vote in the November 2020 US Elections

Hammok in the water, travelmemo.com, cc by 2.0.

Thanks to everyone who has been kindly visiting Pop Culture Activist over the past five months since I began to share more regularly. I hope something you've seen here has been useful in these challenging times.

Now it's Time for a Break

I am taking a break from the computer. See you when the break ends and I begin sharing regularly again.

Please take care of your health.

Also, please don't forget:

Election Day in the United States is Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Remind your friends with American passports to check their voter registration record to make sure it's up to date. They will need to fill out a new voter registration form if they have changed their address, changed their name, or changed their political party affiliation since they last voted.

They can check their voter registration status, update their status, or register to vote for the first time at www.headcount.org.

Please also let your friends know they can request a mail-in ballot. (Learn the difference between an absentee and a mail-in ballot on www.dictionary.com.)

Information for Americans in the US

I received this email from HeadCount on August 11, 2020.

"It’s official: as of today, you can request your mail-in ballot for the November election from coast to coast.

"If you’re planning to vote by mail this November, we recommend you start today by requesting your ballot. Because of increased demand due to COVID-19, your local election offices and post offices might be moving slower than usual. Don’t leave your vote until the last minute– request your ballot today.

"Then make sure you complete every step of the process correctly and well in advance (millions of mail-in ballots get rejected because of arriving late or small errors).

"Voting by mail works differently in every state. Bookmark our Vote From Home page to stay up to date on how the process works in your state.

"Pro tip: You must be registered to vote in order to request an absentee ballot. Need to register? Click here.

"Happy Voting!

HeadCount"

www.headcount.org.

Information for Americans Overseas

Americans overseas should visit www.fvap.org to request an absentee ballot. They should do this as soon as possible. The ideal date to request an absentee ballot was August 1 but it's not too late.

I received this email on August 3, 2020, from the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

"COVID-19 ELECTION UPDATE - FVAP is working closely with state election offices, the Military Postal Service Agency and other federal agencies to bring you up-to-date information on state election changes and mailing delays. Please visit FVAP.gov/COVID-19 for the latest information on any international postal disruptions or contact your installation military post office.

"Here are some important things to remember:

"Submitting your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) early is the best way to help ensure the absentee voting process goes as smoothly as possible.

"The FPCA provides you, as Service members, and your eligible family members as well as any overseas citizens, with an option to request that your blank ballots be delivered to you electronically.
Submitting the FPCA allows you to use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup ballot, if needed.

"To register to vote and request your ballot, fill out the FPCA using FVAP’s easy online assistant. You may also use the fillable PDF or pick up a hard copy version from a Voting Assistance Officer on your installation or at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s American Citizen Services Office.

"FVAP recommends all military members and their eligible family members, as well as U.S. citizens overseas, who are currently away from their voting jurisdictions or who have recently changed their address to send in a new FPCA as soon as possible to ensure receipt of absentee ballots for all federal office elections in this election year.

"To find your state's election website for specific information on candidates, elections, contact information, and links to your local election offices, visit our contact page. You can also reach out directly to your election office for status updates on your registration and absentee ballot.

"*The Department of Defense is required to send this email notification monthly, starting 90 days before each election for federal office. You will receive these messages through the 2020 General Election.

"If you would like more information on the Federal Voting Assistance Program, or need help with the absentee voting process, please go to FVAP.gov or call 703-588-1584 (toll free 1-800-438-VOTE or DSN 425-1584) or email (vote(@)fvap.gov)."

www.fvap.org.

Information for Americans in India

I received this email on July 26, 2020, from the US Mission to India.

"Overseas Voting in the 2020 U.S. General Election

"July 27, 2020

"Only 100 days remain until the November 3, 2020 General Election! Register to vote and request your absentee ballot now if you haven't already. All U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. Some states allow you to return your completed, signed ballot electronically and others do not. Please visit FVAP.gov for complete information.

"If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you can do so through international mail, professional courier service, or through the U.S. Embassy New Delhi or U.S. Consulates Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or Mumbai.

"Ballot Submission Through the U.S. Embassy or Consulates

"Ballots must be placed in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. domestic postage so they may be delivered to the proper local election authorities.

"Please note that postage from India to the United States is not required if you submit your ballots through the U.S. Embassy New Delhi or U.S. Consulates Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or Mumbai. It can take up to four weeks for mail to reach its destination if sent through the embassy or consulate. 

"U.S. Embassy New Delhi: Please mail your ballot to U.S. Embassy New Delhi, C/O American Citizen Services, Panchsheel Marg, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021.

"U.S. Consulate Chennai: Please mail your ballot to U.S. Consulate Chennai, C/O Voting Office, Gemini Flyover, 220 Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006, India. You may also drop off your ballot in the ballot box placed at the Consulate’s entrance on Cathedral Road. 

"U.S. Consulate Hyderabad: Please mail your ballot to U.S. Citizen Services Unit, U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad 1-8-323, Paigah Palace, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad-500003, Telangana, India. You may also drop off your ballot in the ballot box placed at the Consulate’s entrance. 

"U.S. Consulate Kolkata: Please mail your ballot to U.S. Consulate Kolkata, C/O American Citizen Services, American Center, 38A, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071.

"U.S. Consulate Mumbai: Please mail your ballot to U.S. Consulate Mumbai, C/O American Citizen Services, C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051. You may also drop off your ballot in the ballot box placed at the Consulate’s main entrance.

"Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov.

"Questions?

"New Delhi:  VoteNewDelhi(@)state.gov
Chennai:  chennaics(@)state.gov
Hyderabad:  hydacs(@)state.gov
Kolkata:  kolkataACS(@)state.gov
Mumbai:  votemumbai(@)state.gov"

Enjoy Poetry Written by Thich Nhat Hanh's Students

Kwanzan Cherry Tree, msact at English Wikipedia.

Please enjoy the poem "Whispering" written by David, a member of Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village meditation community.

Poetry from the Plum Village Meditation Community

This poem was published in the July 2, 2020 "The Raft" e-newsletter along with the note, "Thank you very much to all of you who shared your beautiful poetry in response to our request to submissions last week."

Whispering

Looking out my bedroom window
I often wonder what the Cherry Tree
and the wind say to one another.

Do they lament the fragility
of the pink springtime flowers,
as they surf on currents
drifting to the ground?

I listen intently to the whispering
but cannot hear.

Do they laugh and joke
like old friends
and wish for old days
when life is remembered better?

I listen intently to the whispering
but cannot feel.

Do they wonder
at the reality of loss
or laugh at our
human lack of vision?

I listen intently to the whispering
but cannot see.

Can I make sense
of the rustling leaves
or am I simply eavesdropping?

- David

Read more poems from the community on www.thichnhathanhfoundation.org.

Enjoy watching the five minute video "Daily Life - Clarity Hamlet at Deer Park Monastery" on the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation YouTube channel. This video was also shared in the July 2 e-newsletter.

Deer Park Monastery

"Deer Park Monastery is a mindfulness practice center and monastic training center founded by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay).

"Deer Park is a place to quiet the mind, look deeply, and enjoy the wonders of life within and around us through the practices of sitting meditation, walking meditation, mindful eating, deep relaxation meditation, and sharing togetherness. We invite all who wish to cultivate peace and happiness in their lives to plan a visit — for a day or for a retreat.

"This 400-acre sanctuary rests peacefully in the chaparral mountains of southern California, surrounded and protected by oaks and the natural landscape. It was established in July 2000 by the Plum Village four-fold Sangha. Now, it is a safe and serene refuge for many practitioners to come and learn the art of mindful living and to practice with a community, a Sangha. At Deer Park, the residential monastic community and lay community practice together year round under the guidance of our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thây), in the tradition of engaged Buddhism, practicing mindfulness throughout our everyday life. There are two hamlets: Solidity Hamlet (for monks and laymen) and Clarity Hamlet (for nuns and laywomen). The two hamlets come together several times a week to practice."

Continue reading about Deer Park Monastery on www.deerparkmonastery.org.

Watch Pain as a Path to Freedom With Teachers from Six Spiritual Traditions of Tibet On Facebook Live

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, events.c-ville.com.

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche has been organizing interesting panel discussions online, including the June 7, 2020 event I shared earlier, "Teachings and Prayers for the Pandemic from Six Spiritual Traditions of Tibet." This upcoming panel discussion looks great too.

Pain as a Path to Freedom With Teachers from Six Spiritual Traditions of Tibet

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's July 11, 2020 Facebook post says, "In an August 16 Facebook Live conversation hosted by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal, esteemed teachers from six spiritual traditions of Tibet discuss how any experience of life — even the most challenging moment of physical illness or mental distress — can become a path toward personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. The discussion is in Tibetan with simultaneous translation into English and many other languages, 90 minutes."

The Event

The event poster says, "Pain as a Path to Freedom With Teachers from Six Spiritual Traditions of Tibet" and gives the names of the panelists: Yangten Rinpoche (Gelug), Gyaltsab Rinpoche Choekyi Nangpa (Jonang), Khenpo Gyurmey Dorjee (Sakya), Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (Kagyu), Sogan Rinpoche (Nyingma), and Pönlop Trinley Nyima Rinpoche (Bön). Hosted by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.

Pain as a Path to Freedom, www.cybersangha.net.

Speakers

Pönlop Trinley Nyima Rinpoche

"At the age of 13 and on the advice of his uncle, Pönlop Rinpoche went into a series of 3 months retreats during 1975, 1976 and 1977. In 1979, Pönlop Rinpoche’s brother, Lama Tashi, brought Rinpoche to Menri Monastery in India. His studies there focused on Sutra, Tanta and Dzogchen as well as ritual, grammar, poetry, astrology, divination, medicine, Thanka painting, Mandalas and stupas. Ponlob obtained his Geshe Degree (Doctorate) from the Bön Dialectic School in 1989. Soon after, Rinpoche was appointed Principle Instructor of the Bön Dialectic School by H.H. the 33rd Mentri Trizin and H.E. Yongzin Rinpoche. In 1992 he was further honored by being given the title of Pönlop, the second most revered position in Menri Monastery."

Continue reading Pönlop Trinley Nyima Rinpoche's biography on www.olmoling.org.

Sogan Rinpoche

"Ven. Sogan Rinpoche (Tulku Pema Lodoe) was born in 1964 in the Golok region of Amdo, Tibet. As a child, he was recognized by H.H. the XlVth Dalai Lama as the Sixth Sogan Rinpoche and was enthroned at Abo Sera Monastery (in Tibet's Serta region) which he founded in his First Sogan Rinpoche incarnation. He is also the head of Bayan (Wayan) Monastery, located in Golok.

"Rinpoche has studied with many great masters of all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. His principal teacher was Khenpo Munsel, who was one of the great Dzogchen masters of the 20th century and a chief disciple of Khenpo Ngag Chung. After many years of study, pilgrimage and solitary retreat, Rinpoche left Tibet to continue his studies in Nepal. He studied extensively with many prominent teachers and spent several years there in retreat."

Continue reading Sogan Rinpoche's biography on www.sogan.org.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

"Born in 1975 in the Himalayan border regions between Tibet and Nepal, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a much-loved and accomplished meditation master. From a young age, Rinpoche was drawn to a life of contemplation. He spent many years of his childhood in strict retreat. At the age of seventeen, he was invited to be a teacher at his monastery’s three-year retreat center, a position rarely held by such a young lama. He also completed the traditional Buddhist training in philosophy and psychology, before founding a monastic college at his home monastery in north India.

"In addition to extensive training in the meditative and philosophical traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Mingyur Rinpoche has also had a lifelong interest in Western science and psychology. At an early age, he began a series of informal discussions with the famed neuroscientist Francisco Varela, who came to Nepal to learn meditation from his father, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche."

Continue reading Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's biography on www.tergar.org.

Khenpo Gyurmey Dorjee

"Khenpo Choying Dorjee was born a student of the Khyentse lineage. He was also a devoted student of the late Khen Rinpoche Kunga Wangchuk. He joined Dzongsar Institute in 1992, when it was still located in Bir. In 1998 he was granted his Shastra Degree in Buddhism, which is the equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree. He received his Archaya title, which is the equivalent to an MA, in 2001. He received his Khenpo title in 2002 and received his Khenpo Degree, which is the equivalent to a PhD in Buddhism, in 2004.

"He worked as a revision teacher (kyorpon) at the shedra from 1999 to 2000 and continued as a head teacher until 2013. In 2010, he was appointed as a teacher of Sakya Dungsay Avikrita Rinpoche. Khenpo served as assistant principal of the shedra from 2008 to 2012 and Rinpoche appointed him to be DKCLI’s head principal for the 2013 to 2016 term."

Continue reading Khenpo Gyurmey Dorjee's biography on www.khyentsefoundation.org.

Gyaltsab Rinpoche Choekyi Nangpa

"Since 1993, H.E. Choekyi Nangwa Rinpoche has been in exile in India. Subsequently he studied the five major Buddhist texts in Gaden Monastic University in South India. On many occasions, he received teachings and empowerments from His holiness the Dalai Lama, especially including the Kalachakra and Jonang Kunga Drolchok's (1507-1566) Hundred instructions.

"In 1998, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama offered the Sangye Choeling monastery to H.H. KhalKha Jetsun Dhampa for the revival and promotion of the Jonang tradition and also renamed the monastery, Jonang Takten Phuntsok Chosling Monastery. At that time His Holiness installed Choekyi Nangwa Rinpoche as the Abbot of the monastery. He is currently Abbot of Jonang Takten Phuntsok Chosling Tibetan Buddhist monastery Sanjauli, Shimla, H.P., India. He is looking after all the monastic monks and teaching them in the Jonang tradition. He also teaches Kalachakra six-limb Yoga to students in the Kalachakra meditation Centre."
Continue reading Gyaltsab Rinpoche Choekyi Nangpa's biography on www.jonangmonasteryshimla.com.

Yangten Rinpoche

"Yangten Rinpoche was born in Kham, Tibet in 1978. He was recognised as a tulku aged 10, and enthroned at Kandze Monstery. In 1990, at the unusually young age of 12, he entered the Geshe program at Sera Mey Monastery and graduated with a Geshe Lharampa degree (with distinction) in 2007, aged only 29.

"After graduation, Rinpoche joined Gyuto Monastery for 2 years and completed the traditional tantric studies there. During his time at Gyuto Monastery, Rinpoche helped His Holiness the Karmapa as a debate assistant.

"In 2008 Rinpoche was called up by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to work in His Holiness’ Private Office and has assisted His Holiness on many projects, including being selected to to compile a book on Buddhist Science, from the Kangyur and Tengyur."

Continue reading Yangten Rinpoche's biography on www.tushita.info.

Read more about the panelist on www.cybersangha.net.

Schedule

August 16, 2020

10:00 AM ET - 11:30 AM ET

(7:00 AM PT - 8:30 AM PT)

Watch the Livestream

Watch the livestream on the Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche Facebook page.

Based on my viewing of the June 7 event Facebook livestream with the same panelists, this event  may be conducted entirely, or almost entirely in Tibetan. For English translation, open the Facebook page to watch the livestreaming video, and then open this Ligmincha webpage to listen to a livestream of the English translation.

If you miss the event and would like to listen to the audio recording of the English translation later then look for it on this Ligmincha webpage.

The live event will be translated into a number of other languages through Ligmincha as well.

Watch Geshe Dorji Damdul and Richard Davidson Discuss Well-Being of Youth in the Time of Pandemic

Richard Davidson and Geshe Dorji Damdul, Tibetan Buddhist Centre.

Geshe Dorji Damdul and Professor Richard Davidson will engage in an online dialogue on "Well-being of Youth in The Time of Pandemic." 

Well-being of Youth in The Time of Pandemic

They will be joined by youth from around the world ages 16-35. The event is being supported and coordinated by Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Singapore.

The Event

The event poster says, "Tibetan Buddhist Center Singapore extends special invitation to youth from South East Asian countries to a dialogue on 'Well-being of Youth in The Time of Pandemic,' a Dialogue between Richard Davidson, Founder and Director, Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin (TIME's 100 most influential people 2006) and Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul, Former English Translator of H.H. the Dalai Lama, New Delhi. This dialogue will host 1,000 youth."

Richard Davidson and Geshe Dorji Damdul, Tibetan Buddhist Centre.

Here are some recommended reading materials:

The Emotional Life of Your Brain co-authored by Richard Davidson and Sharon Begley
Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body co-authored by Richard Davidson and Daniel Goleman
Book of Joy co-authored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Bishop Tutu
Beyond Religion authored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Freedom in Exile authored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama"

Schedule

August 13, 2020

8:00 PM SGT - 10:00 PM SGT

(5:00 AM PT - 7:00 AM PT)

Watch the Livestream

Watch "Well-being of Youth in The Time of Pandemic" on the Tibetan BuddhistCentre YouTube channel.

Watch "Well-being of Youth in the Time of Pandemic" on the Tibetan Buddhist Centre Facebook page.

Geshe Dorji Damdul, www.bodhiwisdom.org.

Geshe Dorji Damdul

"Ven Geshe Dorji Damdul is presently Director at Tibet House, New Delhi, Cultural Centre of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 1988, Geshe Dorji Damdul joined the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, Dharamsala for formal studies in Buddhist logic, philosophy and epistemology. After 15 years of study in Buddhist philosophy he finished his Geshe Lharampa Degree (Ph.D.) in 2002 from Drepung Loseling Monastic University. He joined Gyudmed Tantric College for a year for Tantric studies.

"In 2003, the Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama sent him to Cambridge University, England for Proficiency English studies. He was a visiting fellow at Girton College, Cambridge University.

"He is appointed as the official translator to H.H. the Dalai Lama since 2005. He has been serving as the interpreter for H.H. the Dalai Lama for so many years and at the same time involved in doing written translations of many texts from Tibetan into English such as Arya Nagarjuna’s “Mulamadyamikakarika” (Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way), Acharya Shantideva’s “Bodhicaryavatara” (Wisdom Chapter).

Continue reading about Geshe Dorji Damdul on www.bodhiwisdom.org.

Richard Davidson, www.nccih.nih.gov.

Richard Davidson

"Dr. Davidson is the William James and Vilas Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Founder and Director of the Center for Healthy Minds. He is best known for his groundbreaking work studying emotion and the brain. A friend and confidante of the Dalai Lama, he is a highly sought after expert and speaker, leading conversations on well-being on international stages such as the World Economic Forum, where he serves on the Global Council on Mental Health. Time Magazine named Davidson one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2006."

Continue reading about Richard Davidson on www.richardjdavidson.com.

Watch 2009 EMMY Award-Winning Film A Quiet Revolution for Free Online

Ama Adhe Tapontsang, www.Twitter.com.

Frame of Mind Films, the team behind the award-winning film The Great 14th: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama in His Own Words, are sharing another one of their films for free streaming for a limited time.

A Quiet Revolution, part of the "Women of Tibet" film series, is available for free streaming in memory of Ama Adhe Tapontsang, the star of the film who passed away at the age of 88 on August 3, 2020.

The limited time offer will last until at least August 12. The email invitation to watch the film was sent on August 6, and the invitation stated the film would be available for seven days.

If you miss the free streaming window then I see you can rent it on Vimeo.com for $3.99 or buy the DVD from the Frame of Minds Films website for $25. The movie soundtrack is available for $9.99. A friend recommends the 18 minute video "The Counter Revolutionary" about Ama Adhe Tapontsang, which is available for free on Vimeo anytime.

I watched the 57 minute film A Quiet Revolution over the weekend. It is beautiful, moving, and I enjoyed learning the life stories of several Tibetan women featured in the film. The film includes interviews with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Ama Adhe Tapontsang, Rinchen Khando Choegyal, Tseten Choeden, and Jetsun Pema.

A Quiet Revolution won an EMMY Award in 2009, the 50th anniversary of the Lhasa uprising.

A Quiet Revolution, A Quiet Revolution Facebook.

A Quiet Revolution

Rosemary Rawcliffe wrote in the August 6 email, "A Quiet Revolution begins on March 12, 1959 when 15,000 unarmed Tibetan women took to the streets of Lhasa to oppose the violent occupation of their country by the Communist Chinese army.

"For the first time on film, three generations of Tibetan women and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama tell the story of one of the great movements of nonviolent resistance in modern history. From the streets of Lhasa to their principal refuge in Dharamsala, India, the stories that live at the heart of this film offer an intimate and direct experience of what it is to lose everything and begin anew."

Executive producer, Rosemary Rawcliffe; director of photography, Peter McCandless; editor, Miriam Telles; music, Michael Becker with Tsering Dorjee Bawa.

Watch the four minute trailer "Women of Tibet: A Quiet Revolution (Trailer)" on the Frame of Mind Films YouTube channel.



Ama Adhe Tapontsang

Rosemary also wrote in the August 6 email, "Remembering Ama Adhe Tapontsang, who passed away August 3, 2020. Official announcement at www.tibetsun.com.

"Many of you already know that Ama Adhe was very precious to me. My crew and the many people I would take to visit her when we were shooting our other Women of Tibet films loved her too.

"Over the years, on my many visits to Dharamsala, I would always make time to visit with her and her husband, Rinchen Samdup, who would make us butter tea while Ama la would sit, beaming at me and whoever else had the good fortune to be there too. Her joy at having us visit was palpable, we laughed, we cried, and always laughed some more.

"It is sad to think that she is with us no more, but my heart is full of love for her and I shall miss visiting her next time I’m in Dharamsala. Her presence will always be there and I am beyond grateful that we were able to spend the time we did together.

"Ama Adhe was the star in Women of Tibet: A Quiet Revolution.

After A Quiet Revolution won an EMMY®, I went to Dharamsala to show her the film in Tibetan and present her with her EMMY® Award certificate. She was thrilled that now the world would know the true story of Tibet as she had lived it.

Watch the Film

Rosemary's email continued, "To honor her and her life-long work for the Tibetan cause I am opening a free 7 day portal of the film in English and Tibetan.

"A Quiet Revolution URL: https://vimeo.com/showcase/aquietrevolution

"I hope that by watching the film you will get to know the indomitable warrior spirit that was Ama Adhe and know that her life-long work may have been for Tibet but it was also for all humanity.

"With love and gratitude,
Rosemary and everyone at Frame of Mind Films"

Frame of Mind Films

Rosemary also wrote, "Help us to rebuild after our catastrophic burglary last year, so that we can continue bringing our important and inspiring work to the world's screens; all it takes is a small donation."

You can make a donation through the Frame of Mind Films website.

Study His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Teachings on Lama Tsongkhapa's Text In Praise of Dependent Origination

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, www.indialink.com.au.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a three-day online teaching on Lama Tsongkhapa's text In Praise of Dependent Origination at the request of Tibetan Youth from August 4-6, 2020.

Two Dharma centers, Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Singapore, and Tushita Meditation Centre in India, independently organized online review sessions following each day's teaching.

Geshe Lobsang Yonten, www.savezanskar.org.

These review sessions were led by Tibetan Buddhist Centre resident teacher Geshe Lobsang Yonten and Tushita Meditation Centre visiting teacher Venerable Tenzin Legtsok.

Venerable Tenzin Legtsok and Pema, www.tushita.info.

The recordings of all of these teachings and review sessions, an official summary of each day's teaching, and Lama Tsongkhapa's text In Praise of Dependent Origination are freely available online for anyone to study.

Read the text In Praise of Dependent Origination

Tushita Meditation Centre described the text In Praise of Dependent Origination on www.tushita.info, "Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), the author of The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment and the teacher of the First Dalai Lama, is renowned as one of the greatest scholar-saints that Tibet has ever produced. 

"He composed his poetic In Praise of Dependent Origination the very morning that he abandoned all doubts about – the final view and attained a clear realization of emptiness, the essence of wisdom. Deeply moved by this experience, his gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha increased exponentially inspiring him to compose a praise to Buddha for having taught dependent origination, the main reasoning which establishes that all phenomena are empty of inherent existence."

Download the text for free from www.dalailama.com in English, Tibetan, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Japanese, German, Spanish, Korean, Hindi, Mongolian, Portuguese, French, or Italian.

Lama Tsongkhapa, CKSL event listing on www.evensi.com.

Read the Official Summary of Each Day's Teaching

Read "‘In Praise of Dependent Arising’ for Young Tibetans — First Day" on www.dalailama.com.

Read "‘In Praise of Dependent Arising’ for Young Tibetans — Second Day" on www.dalailama.com.

Read "‘In Praise of Dependent Arising’ for Young Tibetans — Third Day" on www.dalailama.com.

Watch the Teachings and Review Sessions

Day 1 - August 4, 2020

Watch the recording of "In Praise of Dependent Origination - Day 1" on the Dalai Lama Archive YouTube channel.

Watch the recording of "04.08.2020 Post Teaching Revision - Je Tsongkapa's In Praise of Dependent Origination" on the Tibetan BuddhistCentre YouTube channel.

Watch the recording of "Review Session Day1" on the Tushita Meditation Centre Dharamkot YouTube channel.

Day 2 - August 5, 2020

Watch the recording of "In Praise of Dependent Origination - Day 2" on the Dalai Lama Archive YouTube channel.

Watch the recording of "05.08.2020 Post Teaching Revision - Je Tsongkapa's In Praise of Dependent Origination" on the Tibetan BuddhistCentre YouTube channel.

Watch the recording of "Review Session Day 2" on the Tushita Meditation Centre Dharamkot YouTube channel.

Day 3 - August 6, 2020

Watch the recording of "In Praise of Dependent Origination - Day 3" on the Dalai Lama Archive YouTube channel.

Watch the recording of "06.08.2020 Post Teaching Revision - Je Tsongkapa's In Praise of Dependent Origination" on the Tibetan BuddhistCentre YouTube channel.

Watch the recording of "Review Session Day 3" on the Tushita Meditation Centre Dharamkot YouTube channel.

Read His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, www.ramdass.org.

On August 6, 2020, I came across the much appreciated news stories "Dalai Lama urges disarmament on the anniversary of Japan’s Atomic bomb tragedy" and "75th anniv of atomic bombings: Dalai Lama calls for elimination of nuclear weapons, demilitarised world."

The journalists were reporting on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's August 6 "Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" which had been published on www.dalailama.com but I had not seen. I wanted to try to help by sharing it here.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

His Holiness's statement reads, "On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I take the opportunity to urge governments, organizations and individuals to rededicate themselves to making the achievement of peace the centerpiece of our lives.

"Despite many great developments that also took place, the 20th century was an era of violence in which some 200 million people were killed, including the horrific use of nuclear weapons. Now, in our increasingly interdependent world, we have a chance to make this a more peaceful century.

"When conflicts arise they should be settled through dialogue, not the use of force. We need to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons, with the ultimate aim of a demilitarized world. War means killing. Violence leads to counter violence. We need to put an end to combat and the production of weapons and construct a more peaceful world.

"We human beings have created many of the problems in today’s world. As long as we have strong negative emotions and we view our fellow beings in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’, there will be a tendency to try to destroy them. We must recognise the oneness of humanity, and understand that we will not achieve peace merely through prayer; we need to take action.

"With my prayers,

Dalai Lama

6 August 2020"

ICAN supporters in Japan in front of the Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima as ICAN accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, ICAN Facebook December 2017.

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. In 2017, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

The Nobel Prize website reports, "The international campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a coalition of non-governmental organizations in one hundred countries promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations nuclear weapon ban treaty. This landmark global agreement was adopted in New York on 7 July 2017.

"ICAN began in Australia and was formally launched in Austria in April 2007. Our campaign’s founders were inspired by the tremendous success of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which a decade earlier had played an instrumental role in the negotiation of the anti-personnel mine ban convention, or Ottawa treaty.

"Since our founding, we have worked to build a powerful global ground-swell of public support for the abolition of nuclear weapons. By engaging a diverse range of groups and working alongside the Red Cross and likeminded governments, we have helped reshape the debate on nuclear weapons and generate momentum towards elimination.

"We were awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for our 'work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons' and our 'ground-breaking efforts to achieve a trea- ty-based prohibition of such weapons.'"

The Beginning of the End of Nuclear Weapons

Watch the 2019 fifty-six minute documentary "The Beginning of the End of Nuclear Weapons (full-length version)" about ICAN's efforts to abolish nuclear weapons on Pressenza español's YouTube channel.

Pressenza español, part of an international news agency dedicated to news about peace and nonviolence, wrote about the Pressenza film, "This 56 minute documentary film takes the viewer through a brief history of the bomb and the anti-nuclear activism that has pushed to eliminate them ever since their invention. It moves into a consideration of the humanitarian initiative that successfully challenged the dominant security narrative and the historic steps taken since 2010 to turn the treaty from a dream into a reality. Finally, the film shows what can be done by anyone to help bring the treaty into force and to stigmatise nuclear weapons until they are finally eradicated.

"Extracts of fourteen interviews are woven into the story that will leave you feeling inspired!

"Ray Acheson (Canada), Women's International League for Peace and Freedom; Pedro Arrojo (Spain), Congressman; Beatrice Fihn (Sweden), Executive Director, ICAN; Dr. Ira Helfand (USA), International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; Daniel Högsta (Sweden), Campaign Coordinator, ICAN; Kathleen Lawand (Canada), Head of Arms Unit, International Committee of the Red Cross; Rafael de la Rubia (Spain), World without Wars and Violence; Alice Slater (USA), Nuclear Age Peace Foundation; Susi Snyder (USA), PAX, The Netherlands; Setsuko Thurlow (Japan), Hiroshima bomb survivor; Carlos Umaña (Costa Rica), International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; Elayne Whyte Gómez (Costa Rica), President of the UN Ban Treaty negotiating conference; Ward Wilson (USA), Historian and author; Tim Wright (Australia), Treaty Coordinator, ICAN."

Take Action

You can follow ICAN on Twitter at @nuclearban. On August 6 they retweeted an important message from @timmileswright, Treaty Coordinator at ICAN: "With ratifications this week by Ireland, Nigeria, and Niue, just seven more are needed to bring the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons into force."

@nuclearban retweeted @timmileswright on August 6, 2020, Twitter.

If you don't use Twitter then you can follow ICAN on several different social media platforms, all listed on their website www.icanw.org. 

You can also sign up to receive emails from ICAN with calls to action, campaign updates, and inspiring stories from around the world.

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"

Watch Tai Situpa Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche Teach Online Organized by Palpung Ireland

Tai Situpa Rinpoche, www.retreatsandvenues.com.

On July 22, 2020, I received a kind email from Palpung letting me know that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 would be a "stay at home" year and that His Eminence the 7th Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's December 2020 transmissions had to be cancelled.

The email reminded readers that recordings of teachings given by Guru Vajradhara the 12th Tai Situpa Rinpoche and Minyur Rinpoche are freely available on www.palpung.org, and that many are translated into other languages such as Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Spanish.

Now there will be new online teachings as well.

Teachings from Tai Situpa Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche

On August 2, I received an email from Palpung sharing the good news that Tai Situpa Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche will be giving online teachings organized by Palpung Ireland.

The Events

The email read, "In response to numerous requests from Palpung Centers worldwide as well as requests from many other Dharma communities, Guru Vajradhara the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa has agreed to transmit the precious Dharma once a month for the next 6 months.

"Also, in response to numerous requests, His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche has agreed to teach on Saturday, August 15th.

"Palpung Ireland has been appointed to organize those events.

"These transmissions are open to everyone Buddhists or non-Buddhists, to beginners as well as to long term students."

Schedule

August 9, 2020

5:00 PM IST - 6:30 PM IST

(August 9 from 4:30 AM PT - 6:00 AM PT)

Tai Situpa Rinpoche - "A Meaningful Life"

August 15, 2020

3:00 PM NPT - 5:00 PM NPT

(August 15 from 2:15 AM PT - 4:15 AM PT)

Mingyur Rinpoche - "The Art of Letting Go: How to Cultivate Healthy Relationships"

September 6, 2020

5:00 PM IST - 6:30 PM IST

(September 6 from 4:30 AM PT - 6:00 AM PT)

Tai Situpa Rinpoche - "What Is Freedom"

October 11, 2020

5:00 PM IST - 6:30 PM IST

(October 11 from 4:30 AM PT - 6:00 AM PT)

Tai Situpa Rinpoche - "Inner Peace"

Mingyur Rinpoche, www.wortfm.org.

Watch the Livestreams

English speakers should watch the livetreams on Palpung Ireland Buddhist Centre YouTube channel.

Simultaneous translations in Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, Slovenian, German, and Portuguese will be available on Zoom.

Viewers who require access to translation in one of those languages should notify the organizers in advance.

Send an email requesting access to your preferred translation to palpungirelandinfo (at) gmail dot com. Your email Title should be written in English and should say "Chinese Translation Request" if you need the Chinese translation, etc.

If you need translation for the August 9 teaching then email the organizers by August 8. 

If you need translation for the September 6 teaching then email the organizers between August 10 and August 14.

If you need translation for the September 6 teaching then email the organizers between August 29 and September 5.

If you need translation for the October 11 teaching then email the organizers between October 3 and October 10.

Palpung Sherabling Monastery, www.palpung.org.

A Brief History of Palpung Monastery, Tai Situpa Rinpoche, and Mingyur Rinpoche

Palpung Ireland is part of the Palpung Confederation and is connected with Palpung Monastery, a Karma Kagyu monastery in Kham, Tibet. Palpung Monastery has 180+ branch monasteries in Chinese and Tibetan districts whose students travel to Palpung Monastery to study ritual, art, retreat practices, and scholarly texts.

Palpung Monastery was founded by the 8th Tai Situpa Rinpoche in 1727 and is the monastic seat in Tibet of the reincarnations of the Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpas. Mingyur Rinpoche explains in this six minute video that the monastic seat of the Minyur Rinpoche reincarnations, Tergar Monastery in Tibet, is an independent branch of Palpung Monastery. In that video he also explains the historical connection between the Mingyur Rinpoche reincarnations and the Tai Situpa Rinpoche reincarnations.

The website of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa's seat in North America, www.kagyu.org, says, "The first Tai Situ Rinpoche, Chökyi Gyaltsen, was a disciple of the Fifth Karmapa. Though he spent a great deal of his life meditating in caves, his renown spread so widely that the Ming emperor granted him the title of Tai Situ" in 1407.

In that six minute video Minyur Rinpoche says that the 8th Tai Situpa Rinpoche gave three year retreat instructions near the end of his life, and that the 9th Tai Situpa Rinpoche was responsible for establishing the system of the three year retreat. Mingyur Rinpoche joined his first three-year retreat at the age of thirteen under the guidance of the 12th Tai Situpa Rinpoche at Palpung Sherabling Monastery.

The 12th Tai Situpa Rinpoche, born in 1954, was found and recognized by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa. He was enthroned at Palpung Monastery at the age of eighteen months. When he was six, he went into exile in India where he stayed and studied with His Holiness the 16th Karmapa who had gone into exile and was at his monastic seat in exile, Rumtek Monastery, in Sikkim. The 6th Mingyur Rinpoche also left Tibet and went into exile in India.

The 12th Tai Situpa Rinpoche is the main teacher to His Holiness the 17th Karmapa in Mahamudra and a teacher of the 7th Mingyur Rinpoche.

At the age of 22 the 12th Tai Situpa Rinpoche established his monastic seat in exile near Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India. I first visited Palpung Sherabling monastic seat when I attended a retreat led there by the 7th Mingyur Rinpoche in 2016, and got to go back last year to attend part of a retreat led by Tai Situpa Rinpoche. I was there alone and enjoyed sitting with members of Palpung Ireland for meals in the dining hall. It is fun that Palpung Ireland are the organizers for the upcoming teachings.

This summary was organized by piecing together information from various trusted websites. I am not that familiar with this history and apologize for any errors.

Pick from Twelve Upcoming Online Programs Offered by Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala

Tushita Meditation Centre, Tushita Meditation Centre Facebook.

Tushita Meditation Centre, a retreat center in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, has been offering online course after online course since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Many of the courses have been offered for free, with the option to make a donation to Tushita to help keep the center operating while a big source of income - residential retreats - are on hold.

My first visit to Tushita was in early 2014. I joined the first residential retreat of the season, the 10-day Introduction to Buddhism course taught by Venerable Tenzin Legtsok. It was an impactful retreat and I've climbed the mountainside up to Tushita many times since then. 

I've stayed connected with Tushita during the Covid-19 pandemic by participating in their online course The Buddhist Path of Training the Mind taught by American nun Venerable Tenzin Drolma. I enjoyed it a lot.

They have recently added twelve more online courses to their calendar, and circulated the details in an e-newsletter.

Tushita 2020 courses, www.tushita.info.

Tushita's Upcoming Online Courses

"A Big Thank You!

"The support, love & encouragement we have received from all over the world during these challenging times has been absolutely mind blowing and indeed heart warming!

"Thanks to all your help & dedication to the Dharma, Tushita is able to survive the ongoing lockdown and can continue providing free online courses, teachings and other events.

"Please check out our exciting program for the remainder of the year - we are confident that you will find something beneficial & inspiring.

"With warm greetings and gratitude from the monsoony hill!
The Tushita Team"

Upcoming Program

August 4 – 6: Review Sessions of His Holiness Dalai Lama’s Teaching led by Venerable Legtsok

August 5: Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster teaching by Geshe Lhakdor

August 11 – 16: Becoming Your Own Therapist led by Venerable Jamyang

August 17 – 28: The Buddhist Path of Training the Mind led by Venerable Drolma

August 31 – September 11: Going Deeper: The Buddhist Path of Training the Mind led by Venerable Drolma

September 14 – 19 (September 20 Sponsor Day): Developing the Fearless Heart: The Answer for Today’s Troubled World led by Venerable Jamyang

September 21 – October 14 (October 15 & 16 Sponsor Day): Insight into Emptiness (intermediate) led by Venerable Drolma

October 19 – 30: The Buddhist Path of Training the Mind led by Venerable Drolma

November 2 – 13: Going Deeper: The Buddhist Path of Training the Mind led by Venerable Drolma

November 15 – 19 (November 20 Sponsor Day): Cultivating Mindfulness and Emotional Balance led by Glen Svensson

November 19: Lhabab Düchen

November 23 – December 3 (December 4 Sponsor Day): Healing & Transforming Emotions (intermediate) led by Venerable Drolma

Class Times

Students join these online courses from all over the world, which is one of the things I loved about the online classes I joined. Since it would be hard to find a class time that works for everyone, students who registered for a course will receive the recordings for that course in case they can't make it to the live classes. Classes are held on Zoom.

Cost

Many of these courses are being offered for free. The others are offered as fundraisers for Tushita and have different pricing levels to make them accessible to more people.

After you register for a free course you will receive a confirmation email with all of the course details including information on how to make an optional donation.

This is from the email I just received after registering for a course:

"Offerings: Tushita is an NGO which covers its costs primarily through the donations from holding residential courses (that we are currently unable to host). This online program is only possible because of the kindness and generosity of previous students and benefactors.

"We are in our 5th month of lockdown and still have many bills to keep the center going and offer these online programs during this difficult time. We would really benefit from anyone that is able to make an offering. Anything is helpful.

"If you’d like to practice generosity and create great merit, please do so by donating to Tushita on our secure website:

"https://fpmt.org/support/tushita/ Select “Online Course” from the drop-down bar. Please include the Course Name in the Comment Section.

"Or support us by sponsoring an item from our wish-list:

Amazon wish-list"

Experience Level

All but the September 21 - October 14 course are open to beginners and experienced students alike. The September 21 - October 14 course Insight into Emptiness with Venerable Drolma has some pre-requisites.

The Buddhist Path of Training the Mind, www.tushita.info.

Where to Start

If you're new to Tushita and/or new to Buddhism then I recommend registering for the free two-week course The Buddhist Path of Training the Mind that I joined this year.

The course will be offered twice more in 2020: August 17 - 28 and October 19 - 30. (Class does not meet on the weekends.)

The Tushita website says, "Our resident teacher, Ven. Drolma, along with our meditation leader, Felipe, will be leading daily sessions Monday through Friday live via Zoom (an online platform). You will be able to see one-another and even ask questions directly!

"We will be offering online teachings and meditations in a program similar in content to our Introduction to Buddhism courses: Four Noble Truths & Mind, Buddha Nature & Meditation, Impermanence & Reincarnation, 4 Immeasurables & Bodhicitta, Karma & Purification, Equanimity & Anger, Attachment & Exchanging Self/Others, Emptiness & Selflessness and Refuge & Joyous Effort."

A big bonus of this online course is that the teacher, Venerable Tenzin Drolma, assisted by meditation teacher Felipe, offer the same class twice live each day, giving students in different time zones the chance to join class live and ask questions. This is an amazingly kind gift given how much work and time must be involved in offering even a single class session.

The course also includes group discussion time, similar to the residential retreats offered at Tushita. Participants will be divided up into Zoom meeting rooms to discuss with each other as part of the course. There is also time for questions and answers with the teacher, and guided meditations led by Felipe.

Read more about all of the upcoming courses and register on www.tushita.info.

Free Introduction to Buddhism Booklet

You could also get started by reading the free Introduction to Buddhism booklet that is given to residential retreat students. It's available for download on www.tushita.info in English and Hebrew. 

(Israelis are one of the most represented nationalities in Tushita residential retreats. I recommend reviewing Tushita's 2009 - 2019 student statistics report complete with bar graphs and pie charts to see who is climbing the mountainside to Tushita in Dharamsala.)