Ocean of Dharma: January 2009

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: One Hundred Percent of Gap

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 27, 2009

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF GAP

The definition of dharma (which is the teachings of Buddha and the truth of the teachings) is absence of aggression. In order to perceive such dharma, in order to understand such dharma, we also have to develop a state of mind without aggression as well. Dharma in this case is any materials involved with our experience which are workable, which could be woven into the pattern of the path. The absence of aggression in this case means a sense of non-ego, non-speed. You might find it difficult to understand this tall order because it would be impossible for beginners to develop such perfection. But the idea is that there is a momentary state of mind which occurs, in which there is an element of non-aggression and non-ego....The application of awareness or vipashyana relates with those momentary open gaps which are unconditioned psychologically, unconditioned by dualism, unconditioned by passion, aggression, and so forth. But it's very sudden, it's a fraction of a moment. It's very fast, but also there is still that possibility in us, one hundred percent of gap.

From "Comparison of Vipashyana with Shamatha," in the 1973 Hinayana-Mahayana Transcripts, pages 107 to 108.

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

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Carolyn Rose Gimian

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week: teachings by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
Taken from works published by Shambhala Publications, the Archive of his unpublished work in the Shambhala Archives, plus other published sources.
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Sunday, January 25, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Removing the Splinter of Ego

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 25, 2009

REMOVING THE SPLINTER OF EGO

Understanding suffering is very important. The practice of meditation is designed not to develop pleasure but to understand the truth of suffering; and in order to understand the truth of suffering, one also has to understand the truth of awareness. When true awareness takes place, suffering does not exist. Through awareness, suffering is somewhat changed in its perspective. It is not necessarily that you do not suffer, but the haunting quality that fundamentally you are in trouble is removed. It is like removing a splinter. It might hurt, and you might still feel pain, but the basic cause of that pain, the ego, has been removed.

From Chapter Three, "The Power of Flickering Thoughts," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING AND THE PATH OF LIBERATION, edited by Judith Lief, forthcoming this Spring from Shambhala Publications. This book is entirely based on talks at the Vajradhatu Seminaries conducted by Chogyam Trungpa.

To preorder your copy at a 20% discount, go to:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK now has 6,649 subscribers.

Please send comments on and contributions to OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian at: carolyn@shambhala.com.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Bicentennial

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 22, 2009

[This poem, composed in 1976, America's Bicentennial, shows Chogyam Trungpa's exuberant appreciation for and incisive insight into his adopted homeland, as well as his use of American vernacular and imagery. Because of the sense of promise and challenge, it seemed appropriate to offer at this time, in spite of some anachronisms. --the Editor]

BICENTENNIAL

Lincoln Continental is not so international,
In the world of homespun garbage.
The American charnel ground is magnificent, with dignified glory:
The tombstones of the forefathers, the victory over the English,
Still eating Hamburger which is fit for vegetarians.
Every state shed its blood, in the name of freedom,
With resounding utterance of Brezhnev�s sarcasm.
Home of the pilgrims, nest of the Buddhists,
Where sad people can shed their tears in the oceans,
Divorcees by the millions a minute.
How curious: Proud youth,
Seductive maidens with American hips,
Wrapped with sky-blue jeans, carrying occasional wallets
Drinking their bourbon, partying in their lofts,
Introducing their wisdom of frankness,
With their nose-to-nose approach.
How deliciously smelly America is!
Phillips-head screwdriver -- even Toyotas are acceptable.
Such a free country --
In your red white and blue color
Egalitarian doctrine proclaims:
We have accomplished a lot,
We have achieved the great.
The richest nation on the earth,
The poorest hotdog, the home of the dirty socks,
Clean-cut world of justice.
May Americana last forever
With its status
May its rustic smile and red neck
Be good forever
May America conquer the world,
And its moon, and the sun, and Jupiter most of all.
May America conquer its smelly socks, with the help of Ajax.
Such a nice country America has to offer:
Our own moon, our own sun, our own rockets,
Which go with dharmapalas, dharma protectors.
One day America will be the defender of the faith.
Nevertheless, the stars of pride and the stripes of speed justify themselves.
May the Concorde land in America.
May the zafus of sanity plop over the fifty states of America.
Eagle is Garuda!

An unpublished poem, composed in New York City, 25 February, 1976.

Notes: 1)Brezhnev was the head of the Soviet Union at this time. 2) The Concorde was a new supersonic jet which commenced passenger service in 1976; 3) zafus are meditation cushions 4) Garuda is a mythical bird somewhat like the phoenix.

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Chogyam Trungpa | Dharma Art + FREE Pocket Wisdom

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There's a kind of art that can wake you up. You know it when you see it. It transcends the artist who creates it and the viewer who experiences it to express the truth, dignity, and goodness of a situation. It's both teaching and practice. "Dharma art" is the term Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave to this sort of creative expression, and he applied it not only to such disciplines as painting, pottery, or flower-arranging, but to every other activity of our life as well: the principle applies to peeling potatoes as much as it does to painting a picture.

True Perception: The Path of Dharma Art is a collection of the great meditation master's writings on the art that arises from the unself-conscious, nonaggressive mind. It will be an inspiration to professional artists, but also to all those of us whose art is found in the living of our daily lives. This is an expanded edition of the previously published collection Dharma Art (1996). It includes a new introduction, as well as the new essay "Joining Heaven and Earth," based on a presentation the author gave in 1979.

For a limited time, order True Perception and you'll also receive a FREE copy of :

The Pocket Chogyam Trungpa

This compact (3 by 4.5 inches) paperback contains 108 gems taken from among Trungpa's many volumes. It's a great, short introduction to his teaching, and a portable source of inspiration to practice that you can take with you on the go.

You can buy Shambhala books at a 20% discount by ordering online at: www.shambhala.com. You can also order by phone by calling 1-888-424-2329, or by writing us at: Shambhala Publications, Inc., 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Drop us a line at editors@shambhala.com. We love to hear from you! And if you ever want to remove your e-mail address from our list, please click here. To change your e-mail address, send a note to emailList@shambhala.com. If you need to change your address, please send your old address in addition to your new address.

Monday, January 19, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Fathers and Mothers of Shambhala

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 19, 2009

FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF SHAMBHALA

Over the centuries, there have been many who have sought the ultimate good and have tried to share it with their fellow human beings. To realize it requires immaculate discipline and unflinching conviction. Those who have been fearless in their search and fearless in their proclamation belong to the lineage of master warriors, whatever their religion, philosophy, or creed. What distinguishes such leaders of humanity and guardians of human wisdom is their fearless expression of gentleness and genuineness -- on behalf of all sentient beings. We should venerate their example and acknowledge the path that they have laid for us. They are the fathers and mothers of Shambhala, who make it possible, in the midst of this degraded age, to contemplate enlightened society.

OCEAN OF DHARMA: The Everyday Wisdom of Chogyam Trungpa, #264. Originally from "The Shambhala Lineage," in SHAMBHALA: THE SACRED PATH OF THE WARRIOR, page 211.

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Individual Liberation

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 15, 2009

INDIVIDUAL LIBERATION

It might be a somewhat depressing prospect to realize that you are so thoroughly soaked in this greasy, heavy, dark, and unpleasant thing called samsara, or confused existence, but that realization is tremendously helpful. That understanding alone is the source of realizing what we call buddha in the palm of your hand - the basic wakefulness already in your possession. Such vajrayana possibilities begin at this point, right here, in realizing your samsaric anxiousness. Understanding that anxiety, which is very frustrating and not so good, is the key to realizing where you are.
The only way to work with this anxiety is the sitting practice of meditation, the taming of your mind, or shamatha practice. That is the basic idea of pratimoksha, or "individual liberation": taming yourself. The way to tame yourself, or to talk yourself out of this particular anxiety, is through the concentrated practice of
shamatha or meditative discipline. The beginning of the beginning of the path...is about how you can actually save yourself from samsaric neurosis.

From Chapter One, "Recognizing the Reality of Suffering," in THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING AND THE PATH OF LIBERATION, edited by Judith Lief, forthcoming this Spring from Shambhala Publications. To preorder your copy at a 20% discount, go to:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK now has 6,620 subscribers.

Please send comments on and contributions to OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian at: carolyn@shambhala.com.

Monday, January 12, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Become Like Buddha

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 12, 2009

BECOME LIKE BUDDHA

In the twenty-six hundred years since the time of the Buddha, millions of people have followed his example, and they have been quite successful at what they were doing: they managed to become like him. The Buddha�s teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, so that right now, right here, we have that information and experience. We can practice the path of meditation in the same way and style as the Buddha and our lineage ancestors. We have the transmission of the way to practice in order to overcome anxiety, deception, and neurosis. We have it and we can do it.

From "Introduction" to THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING AND THE PATH OF LIBERATION, edited by Judith Lief, forthcoming this Spring from Shambhala Publications. To preorder your copy at a 20% discount, go to:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK now has 6,608 subscribers.

Please send comments on and contributions to OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian at: carolyn@shambhala.com.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Basic No

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 8, 2009

BASIC NO

Basic NO is accepting discipline in our life without preconceptions. Normally, when we say the word "discipline," it comes with a lot of mixed feelings. It's like saying "oatmeal." Some people like hot cereal, and some people hate it. Nevertheless, oatmeal remains oatmeal. It is a very straightforward thing. We have similar feelings about discipline and the meaning of NO. Sometimes, it's a bad NO: it is providing oppressive boundaries that we don't want to accept. Or it could be a good NO, which encourages us to do something healthy. But when we just hear that one word, NO, the message is mixed.
Fearlessness is extending ourselves beyond that limited view. In the Heart Sutra, an essential teaching given by the Buddha, it talks about going beyond. Gone beyond, gate, is the basic NO. In the sutra, it says there is no eye, no ear, no sound, no smell -- all of those things. When you experience egolessness, the solidity of your life and your perceptions falls apart. That could be very desolate or it could be very inspiring, in terms of shunyata or the Buddhist understanding of emptiness. Very simply, it is basic NO. It is a real expression of fearlessness. In the Buddhist view, egolessness is pre-existing, beyond our preconceptions. In the state of egolessness everything is simple and very clear.

From "Overcoming Doubt," in CONQUERING FEAR, forthcoming from Shambhala Publications, Fall 2009. [Chogyam Trungpa gave the first teachings on Big No 30 years ago today.]

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK now has 6,598 subscribers.

Please send comments on and contributions to OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian at: carolyn@shambhala.com.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

[OceanofDharma] Quotes of the Week: Buddha Saw the Problem

Ocean of Dharma Quotes of the Week

January 4, 2009

BUDDHA SAW THE PROBLEM

With tremendous deception, we create samsara -- pain and misery for the whole world, including ourselves --but we still come off as if we were innocent. We call ourselves ladies and gentlemen, and we say, "I never commit any sins or create any problems. I''m just a regular old person, blah blah blah.� That snowballing of deception and the type of existence our deception creates are shocking.

You might ask, "If everybody is involved with that particular scheme or project, then who sees the problem at all? Couldn't everybody just join in so that we don't have to see each other that way? Then we could just appreciate ourselves and our snowballing neuroses, and there would be no reference point whatsoever outside of that." Fortunately -- or maybe unfortunately -- we have one person who saw that there was a
problem. That person was known as Buddha. He saw that there was a problem, he worked on it, and he got beyond it. He saw that the problem could be reduced -- and not just reduced, but completely annihilated, because he discovered how to prevent the problem right at the source. Right at the beginning, cessation is possible. Cessation is possible not only for the Buddha, but for us as well. We are trying to follow his path, his approach.

From "Introduction" to THE TRUTH OF SUFFERING AND THE PATH OF LIBERATION, edited by Judith Lief, forthcoming this Spring from Shambhala Publications. To preorder your copy at a 20% discount, go to:
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-1-59030-668-0.cfm

All material by Chogyam Trungpa is copyright Diana J. Mukpo and used by permission.

OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK now has 6,579 subscribers.

Please send comments on and contributions to OCEAN OF DHARMA QUOTES OF THE WEEK to the list moderator, Carolyn Gimian at: carolyn@shambhala.com.