A PRACTITIONER’S REFLECTION #17 @BW MONASTERY ～ GOLDEN MRD OFFERING THROWBACK S20Z142E

This is my first visit to India to meet His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama (HHDL) in person! Rejoice my virtuous friends on this pilgrimage!

My husband came on this pilgrimage with me, though he has yet to take any Lamrim classes. Am so glad that he has the opportunity to pay homage to Buddha and Sangha community. While we are awaiting the arrival of His Holiness, my husband recited the Heart Sutra for the very first time in his life! Rejoice his virtuous deed!

Throughout the 4 days of the discourse by HHDL, I paid my utmost respect and homage to Triple Gem.

On this trip, we also visited the Norbulingka Institute, Gyuto Monastery, Tushita Meditation Centre, Library of Tibetan Works & Archives and also Tibetan Parliament.

It was an eye opener to see the heritage of the Tibetan culture and how they produced Thangka and etc.

In one of museums, we even caught a glimpse of the Mahā-prajñāpāramitā Sūtra (大般若经) of the 16th century. We greatly rejoiced to know that translation work is in progress to translate the Sutra and commentaries into English.

On the 4th day of the discourse, after an hour of Q&A, it was photo taking session with HHDL.

The HHDL radiates with compassion and is always full of aspirations to benefit all sentient beings. When it was our group’s turn, HHDL blessed one of the participants with us. Apparently, this participant is extremely diligent and has been doing 6 sets of 35 Buddha Repentance with full prostrations daily. MEGA REJOICE!

Perhaps the HHDL is encouraging and affirming her aspirations during the photo taking. We were all in awe when we heard of her diligence in seizing the day with virtuous deeds. After a blessing puja ritual of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, HHDL also encouraged all of us to recite at least 108 times of Om Mani Padme Hum on a daily basis. HHDL also encouraged us to seize each day doing virtuous deeds in addition to reciting Om Mani Padme Hum whenever possible.

I am so fortunate to have a life of leisure and opportunity to be a BW Monastery Lamrim student and also learning Dharma from HHDL for four days. It has been a rejuvenating spiritual trip energized by the Triple Gem. Although I may not fully comprehend the discourse by HHDL, I am glad that I planted virtuous seeds in my mind stream. I supplicate to have more opportunities to come back to India for discourses by HHDL in the future. May these seeds planted in my mind stream blossom with wisdom and compassion as I continue to practice loving kindness in my infinite lives as a compassionate disciple of the Buddha.

Penned by JASMINE

* This is the 17th featured sharing in our launch of a new series: A Practitioner’s Reflection. Tiong Boon is the Monitor of our S15G027E class. He is joined by Sister Serena and Brother Samuel who are our Co-Monitors. The class also has two care co-ordinators who look into the welfare of the students and assist in administrative and logistic matters of the class.

From 2015-2017, we were well-taken care of by care co-ordinators： Jasmine and Angela. In 2018 we continue to have Angela who is joined by Nina as our care co-ordinator. Jasmine currently serves in another volunteer group of BW Monastery. Rejoice!

Starting from 4 June 2018, every Monday morning, we plan to publish a sharing by one of our S15G027E class member.

This series was inspired by our sharing done during our Lamrim Discussion Class when a new student came to join us on 21 May 2018. Often people wonder, what makes people put aside precious time once a week amidst all the busy schedule and commitments to attend the class. Where’s the “magic”, ‘why”, “benefit” or “output”? Let’s hear from the different individuals from all walks of life, sharing their take on this.

In conjunction with 2018 Master’s Remembrance Day, this is also our way to thank our lineage masters for their wisdom and compassion by reflecting on the merits of the teachings and turning the Dharma Wheel by sharing how Dharma has made us a better person.

We hope that more will be inspired to learn the way of the Buddha and practice it in their daily lives.

GRATITUDE TO THE TRIPLE GEMS AND OUR LINEAGE MASTERS!

MAY THE LIVES OF THE VENERABLE SPIRITUAL MASTERS BE STABLE,

AND THEIR WHITE DIVINE ACTIONS SPREAD IN THE TEN DIRECTIONS, MAY THE LIGHT OF LOBSANG’S TEACHINGS,

DISPELLING THE DARKNESS OF THE BEINGS IN THE HTREE WORLDS ALWAYS STAY!

MAY THESE PROFOUND MERITS AND VIRTUES BE DEDICATED TO OUR LINEAGE MASTERS AND TEACHERS TO HAVE GOOD HEALTH AND TURN THE DHARMA WHEEL INFINITELY!

May sentient beings all be well and happy!