In the News
November 1 - November 15, 2006
Members Appreciation Dinner...
A Marvelous Paradox
Geshe Jinpa’s Members Appreciation Dinner was a huge success...no one who was there will deny that. There was plenty of delicious food...mo-mo’s and noodles and soup and special sauces for veggies and fruit...and tea...lots and lots of tea.
Held on November 5, 2006 at his new apartment, "Members Appreciation" night was Geshe-la’s very own brainchild...his way for thanking his students for becoming members of IBC and supporting him and his teaching.
Yet, it is his students who are again inspired by Geshe-Jinpa's warm-hearted generosity, compassion, and humility. Many of the students who attended the dinner realize how special Geshe-la's dedication to his students is. According to Clifton Carmody, one of the founders of IBC, in most Centers, a teacher of Geshe-la's status is almost impossible to find. And, when one is found, he is almost impossible to talk to on a one-on-one basis.
"And, yet, here we are with our teacher inviting us into his home and acting as our host for the evening!" Clifton added, that this is just another example of how special Geshe Jinpa is. Not only is he always available to his students, but he treats them with the same degree of appreciation as they feel for him. And that is the marvelous paradox in the relationship between Geshe Jinpa Sonam and his students.
If you would like to join in the next "Members Appreciation Night" check out what it takes to become a member of IBC . It's probably easier than you think.
Lha-bab Duechen/Tsok Offering Hosted by Geshe-Jinpa
Sunday teachings on November 12 were replaced with the Lha-bab Duechen/Tsok Offering hosted by our precious teacher Geshe Jinpa Sonam.
There are four events in the life of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni which occupy a significant place in the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar:
- The Display of Miracles
- Enlightenment
- Turning the Wheel of Dharma
- Return/Descent of the Buddha from the Heavenly Realm
Lhabab Duechen celebrates the last of these events when the Buddha Shakyamuni returned from the Realm of Thirty Three Heavens after preaching to his mother Mayadevi. Buddha ascended to the Heavens to teach Dharma to his mother as an act of repaying the debts, filial piety. Legend has it that on this day Buddha came back to the City of Kashi/ Varansasi to continue teaching Dharma to the people of this world. A Stupa was erected in Varanasi commemorating this event after Buddha's parinirvana. (from the MIT Prajnopaya)
According to the writings of Lama Thubten Yeshe, Tsog means gathering. We gather together the things we're offering, and we ourselves gather together to do the practice. Gathering together with other practitioners, concentrating our minds into the same space, gives us great inspiration. It's much better than just doing puja alone in our own rooms. This is the Tibetan connotation of tsog.
An example from my college at Sera likens a group puja to a straw broom. You can't sweep much floor with just one straw, but when many straws are gathered together to make a broom, you can clean an entire assembly hall in no time at all. We are not as strong as distinguished practitioners such as Milarepa. He was okay by himself, we are not ready for that yet.
It was in this spirit that students of IBC gathered with Geshe-la at his home on Sunday. Students brought offerings of the most wonderful foods and Geshe-la supplied his now famous tea...famous for both its wonderful taste and fragrance and for the quantity Geshe-la lavishes on his students!
Geshe-la recited prayers and made offerings to honor this day and to help his students renew their energy to continue to practice.
Again, from Lama Yeshe, "Our gathering together for puja, giving each other energy is the kind of protection our minds require".
What's Your Story?
Why not share it?
I know you have a story related to your Buddhist study or practice that your Sangha brothers and sisters would love to hear. It may be exactly what they need to help them over a hump or inspire them to take another step on their path.
We would love to hear from you. Please share. Send your story to JoAnn Bush .
Notes on Geshe-la’s Lam Rim Teachings For October 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 2006
If you missed the teaching, read a student’s notes here.