A New Year Letter
A New Year Letter
New Year is a time when people all over the world look
forward to the coming year with hope and anticipation.
It is universally seen as a time to celebrate.
But from a Dharma perspective, what is celebration?
More here
Re: A New Year Letter
Thank you plwk. It would be good to post a collection of 2014 messages from different teachers in this thread so we can read them all and be inspired.
We abide nowhere. We possess nothing.
~Chatral Rinpoche
~Chatral Rinpoche
Re: A New Year Letter
New Year’s Prayer 2014
As I have encountered the Dharma in this life,
And from time to time been interested in practising it,
I must have accumulated some merit during my past lives.
Throughout this life I have admired, been inspired by,
And, on occasion, had the courage to emulate my master,
So I must have gathered a little more merit.
Though shallow, my trust in the Three Jewels is absolute,
And I am convinced that they alone will not mislead me –
Surely a sign of their unfailing blessings.
From time to time I am moved
By the teachings of the Buddha and his followers,
Which must mean that, at some point, I’ve done something right.
Now and then, when required to make an offering,
I feel ashamed of my own miserliness,
And so the Dharma must have entered my mind to some extent.
As, once in a blue moon,
I catch myself trying to impress others,
My random condemnation of ego must have had some effect.
Although the feeling is rare and short-lived,
I have empathized with those who are destitute,
So, however seldom, I must have some heart.
By the power of all this merit and virtue,
May I not attain enlightenment
Until every other sentient being has reached enlightenment before me.
By the power of the merit of not wanting enlightenment
Ahead of all other suffering beings,
May I not become enlightened
Until everyone else has reached enlightenment before me.
—Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, Bartsham, December 31, 2013
As I have encountered the Dharma in this life,
And from time to time been interested in practising it,
I must have accumulated some merit during my past lives.
Throughout this life I have admired, been inspired by,
And, on occasion, had the courage to emulate my master,
So I must have gathered a little more merit.
Though shallow, my trust in the Three Jewels is absolute,
And I am convinced that they alone will not mislead me –
Surely a sign of their unfailing blessings.
From time to time I am moved
By the teachings of the Buddha and his followers,
Which must mean that, at some point, I’ve done something right.
Now and then, when required to make an offering,
I feel ashamed of my own miserliness,
And so the Dharma must have entered my mind to some extent.
As, once in a blue moon,
I catch myself trying to impress others,
My random condemnation of ego must have had some effect.
Although the feeling is rare and short-lived,
I have empathized with those who are destitute,
So, however seldom, I must have some heart.
By the power of all this merit and virtue,
May I not attain enlightenment
Until every other sentient being has reached enlightenment before me.
By the power of the merit of not wanting enlightenment
Ahead of all other suffering beings,
May I not become enlightened
Until everyone else has reached enlightenment before me.
—Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, Bartsham, December 31, 2013
Re: A New Year Letter
"But the true nature of celebration is our basic goodness. And that never ceases or exhausts".plwk wrote:
New Year is a time when people all over the world look
forward to the coming year with hope and anticipation.
It is universally seen as a time to celebrate.
But from a Dharma perspective, what is celebration?
More here
Thank you for the contemplation.
“We are each living in our own soap opera. We do not see things as they really are. We see only our interpretations. This is because our minds are always so busy...But when the mind calms down, it becomes clear. This mental clarity enables us to see things as they really are, instead of projecting our commentary on everything.” Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bg9jOYnEUA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bg9jOYnEUA
- Kim O'Hara
- Former staff member
- Posts: 7099
- Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 1:09 am
- Location: North Queensland, Australia
Re: A New Year Letter
Dalai Lama (on FB)
Today, as we wish each other a Happy New Year, let us determine to be more sincere, compassionate, warm-hearted human beings, trying to make our world a more equal place. That way we'll actually make it a happy year.
Kim
Re: A New Year Letter
Many thanks for the teaching Dzongsar Rinpoche and H H Dalai Lama.
“We are each living in our own soap opera. We do not see things as they really are. We see only our interpretations. This is because our minds are always so busy...But when the mind calms down, it becomes clear. This mental clarity enables us to see things as they really are, instead of projecting our commentary on everything.” Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bg9jOYnEUA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bg9jOYnEUA