Sogyal Rinpoche in Seattle, Dec. 11-12!

Nalanda West is honored to host Sogyal Rinpoche:

Finding Peace and Stability in a Troubled World.

How to Discover Inner Peace & Contentment • The Essence of the Teaching of the Buddha • Meditation Leading to the Understanding of Mind & its True Nature • Finally, the Profound Methods for Bringing Forth the Nature of Mind

Venue: 200 8th Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109.

Karmapa in America 2008 Videos Released!

Whoo!!!
Check them out:
http://www.karmapafoundation.org/videos.aspx

Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown on American Buddhism

The ever intrepid Buddhist Geeks have the interview:

http://personallifemedia.com/podcasts/236-buddhist-geeks

Good stuff.

This week, we're joined by Shambhala acharya and Naropa University professor, Judith Simmer-Brown. She joins us today to discuss four areas, which she learned about while at Colombia University in the late 60's, that help determine whether or not Buddhism will take root in a new country. These four are:

1. The translation of core Buddhist texts into English
2. The development of a monastic lineage w/ American lineage holders
3. The training and appointment of dharma transmission holders
4. Royal patronage, or financial support from within the country

After describing each area of focus, Judith goes into depth as to how we're doing with the first three areas, today in America. She shares her reflections, while also raising some provocative questions, as to how we're doing with building a sustainable infrastructure for Buddhism to prosper in the West.

Next week, we'll finish the conversation by exploring the 4th area in depth, and speaking about how we can best invest in the future of American Buddhism.

RZA interview

Hi team,
Mad props to Shambhala Sun for interviewing legendary RZA.
Discussing Right Speech and the Heart Sutra.

http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=12818

Holla!

John Daido Loori, Roshi: 1931 - 2009

Prayers for a true pioneer of American Buddhism.



Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 17:24:42 -0400
Subject: John Daido Loori, Roshi: 1931 - 2009

Dear Friends,

It is with sadness that we are letting you know of Daido Roshi's having passed away this morning, Friday, October 9th, at the abbacy of Zen Mountain Monastery. He died peacefully from complications of lung cancer diagnosed eighteen months ago.
We will keep you informed of the upcoming schedule of the funeral ceremonies. Also, please see our mro.org web site for more information.

Thank you for all your thoughts and messages.

Be well

Ryushin Sensei

Zen Mountain Monastery

Erring and Erring, we walk the Unerring Path

The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche article at Shambhala Sun.

Article on Ani Pema Chodron

Hey there,
Here's an article I wrote
about Pema's recent amazing
No Time to Lose program
here in Seattle (July 8-10),
hosted by Nalanda West.

It's at the
Northwest Dharma News.

Check it out!

Solidarity in Metta

Props to Chaplain Danny for an excellent idea of viral maitri.

May the monks and nuns of Burma, and all beings there may be, be happy and free at heart.

Record yourself reciting the Metta Sutta.

Post on You Tube.

Spread the good word.

Khandro Rinpoche on trekcho

From the current issue of Bodhi Magazine, 10-2:

http://www.bodhionline.org/ViewArticle.asp?id=231

Check it out!


She'll be teaching at Nalanda West this weekend, Aug. 7-9!

Click Here for the flyer (.pdf)

Buddhist Economics

Very impressed by this chapter by EF Schumacher in his work Small is Beautiful.

I am most inspired by humanity when we can employ thoughtful, creative and sustainable solutions to not just living in the world, but incorporating compassion and liberation from suffering into the very mechanics of our cultures and societies.

Lots of meaningful wisdom in this short piece...I highly endorse it and encourage you to read it:

http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/buddhist_economics/english.html

Peace.

Colorado Dharma Odyssey - 2009

Colleen and I embarked on an epic American Buddhist pilgrimage to several dharma centers in Colorado in late June.
It was amazing to see the diversity and vibrancy of living American Buddhism.
While we primarily focused on sites from our own Tibetan traditions, there are many more different kinds of dharma alive and well out there.

Here are some pix that you may enjoy (click to enlarge):

The Torii gate and the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya Which Liberates Upon Seeing, Shambhala Mountain Center.

View of SMC Downtown from Marpa Point, Shambhala Mountain Center.











Kyudojo with deer, Shambhala Mountain Center.











Road to Tara Mandala, Pagosa Springs.











Stupa at Tara Mandala.











Approaching Tara Mandala.











Tiger lintel, exterior Tara Mandala.











Mandarava, Padmasambhava, and Yeshe Tsogyal lintel, Tara Mandala.











View from Tara's Knee, Tara Mandala.











Tara Shrine, Tara Mandala.











Ekajati Peak, Tara Mandala.











Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's stupa, Crestone.











Guru Rinpoche mantra stone, Crestone.











Mantra Wheel, Crestone.











Can you spot the A?











Approaching HHK 16 Stupa of 84,000 Doors, Crestone.











HHK 16 Stupa of 84,000 Doors, Crestone.











Statue detail, HHK 16 Stupa of 84,000 Doors, Crestone.











Prayer flags and storms, Crestone.











Joyful Journey, Crestone.











With our furry companion, Ralph.








Back at Karma Dzong, in Boulder.











King Gesar of Ling, Karma Dzong, Boulder.











Vajradhara, Karma Dzong, Boulder.











Sakyong's throne, Karma Dzong, Boulder.











Shrine at Phunstok Choling, near Ward.








Tent at Phunstok Choling, near Ward.











Buddha Shakyamuni, Phunstok Choling, near Ward.











Vajrasattva, Phunstok Choling, near Ward.











Nalandabodhi Shrine, Dzogchen Cottage, Boulder.








Guru Rinpoche mantra (by The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Dzogchen Cottage, Boulder.











Like a child in a shrine room.








Peace.

Sarva Mangalam!

DKR & DKR on culture, values, and Buddhism

Really great articles from


Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

and



Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

on the timely and fascinating topic of bringing dharma to the West.

Translating the Words of the Buddha.

A (compassionately) kick-ass translation conference in Bir, India.

Convened by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and headlined by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche:
http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2009/03/dharma-translation-conference-news.html

Ponlop Rinpoche on Relationships

DPR speaking on the Buddhist view of relationships from the Love & Relationships conference at Omega last year:
http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=6843

HHK in Newsweek

Check it out:



http://www.newsweek.com/id/185796

HHK on the Environment

Pretty cool stuff.

Check it out at elephant journal.

Although these guidelines are specifically focused on Karma Kagyu monasteries and centers, there is wisdom for all to be had.

May we all open our hearts and minds to each other and our shared environment!

Peace.

Buddha and Kuan yin statues on Firefly

Season 1, Episode 4: "Shindig"

At 14'46" in.

Season 1, Episode 5: "Safe"

At 2" in.

Season 1, Episode 7: Our Mrs. Reynolds (a fantastic ep)

32'34"

HHK on Aussie teevee

Check it out.