Blazing away mental illness

For over twenty years, I had read Paul Brunton’s books over and over again.  I enjoyed contemplating his works and achieved many insights through his synthesis of eastern and western spirituality.  With respect to PB’s achievements in the spiritual world, I regularly used him as a guide to assist me along the quest until I met my own teacher.  Therefore, with reluctance I write this article.  Some people may misconstrue this criticism and claim it stems from hatred or jealousy.  But nothing could be farther than the truth.

A few things need to be pointed out, so that fellow questers can see through the dark misconceptions in order to continue safely on their path.  Since PB’s work (over the last century) has sunk into the collective-consciousness of our world; a few bad seeds need to be uprooted.  As there has been a drastic increase in mental illness over the last ten years such as Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder and even Schizophrenia this topic needs to be addressed and its antidotes placed in the hands of practitioners, health-care providers and psychologists etc.

PB writes:

“If the voices which he hears are audible in the same way that one hears the voices of people through the ears, it is merely psychic and undesirable. If, however, it is a very strong mental impression and also very clear, then it is the mystic phenomenon known as the “Interior Word” which is on a truly spiritual plane and therefore is desirable.” – Paul Brunton

This is quite a dubious para.  It got me in trouble in the past and I believe others can easily be misled when hearing this.  Unless it is clearly pointed out, this type of belief can result in spiritual ruin.  It is important to note that the Buddhist doctrine has never said to follow your mind, sense impressions, or intuition.  Futher, it is very important to note that any voice, whether audible or mental, can deceive you.  These mental impressions mostly derive from a false source.

The Buddha said, “Be wary of trusting your own mind, for it is deceptive. Be wary of situations that may incite lust, for those will lead to disaster. Once you have attained arhatship, you can trust your own mind.” — The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters

It is understandable that most westerners have an aversion to following a guru or a master.  We have the certain pride that we can walk this path on our own.  However, since the subconscious mind is so entrenched in negative karma and emotional obscurations it is good advice to follow someone who is ahead of us on our meditational path.

Just as an Arhat can trust his own mind, a Bodhisattva on the 8th bhumi can truly discriminate what comes from ordinary mind or wisdom mind.  He can now clearly see what comes from a demon or master.  Since the faulty discriminating mind has come to an end for the Bodhisattva, this enlightening being can see what is real and what is not.

“Mahamati, at the eighth stage the Bodhisattva-Mahasattvas, Sravakas, and Pratyekabuddhas cease cherishing discriminative ideas that arise from the Citta, Mana and Manovijnana.” — The Lankavatara sutra

We all wish to be guided by an internal master so that we may advance on the quest without having to do much work.  It would be nice to have a shortcut and not have to put much effort in traveling to see a lama or all the expenses that it entails.

However, if we sat at the feet of an enlightened master, faced much hardship and honestly let down our guard an authentic samadhi would develop.  It will be more than a glimpse (that comes and goes), as it would bring us to a level of permanent peace.  Once this way of abiding is realized, then this stable state of being is priority.  Thereafter, any elevated thoughts, intuitions or messages that arise in the mind pales in comparison.

The surest way to check if we have gone astray is to understand our ethical motivation.  As soon as we have a worldly agenda seeking selfish ends, then we need to immediately recognize our wrong intention.  We would be fortunate if we became properly instructed to go beyond the eight worldly dharmas or mundane concerns.  Then we are less likely to grasp over mystical messages that cause us to become grandiose or inflated.

The Eight Worldly Dharmas (to avoid) are:

• the hope for PLEASURE and fear of PAIN
• the hope for FAME and fear of INSIGNIFICANCE
• the hope for PRAISE and fear of BLAME
• the hope for GAIN and fear of LOSS

Fault of intuition:

One of the things that I took seriously was being a good student and following instructions perfectly.  In PB’s paras, he states repeatedly to obey your intuition.  I figured that is what I must strictly adhere to in order to succeed.  For example:

“The intellect ought to work only as a servant, obeying intuition’s orders in practical life or filling in details for intuition’s discoveries in the truth-seeking quest.” – Paul Brunton

One must take into account that there are many planetary forces, nagas, and king-like spirits that act like authority figures.  And like a military general they are often in a disposition of shouting orders…wanting you to obey their command.  It is a simple fact that, when you deepen your meditation you become quite adept at hearing your own thoughts.

How would anyone know what the source is? 

Furthermore, we all want to become the favored and chosen practitioner.  We all want to be enlightened as soon as possible.  And at a desperate time we would obey any faint intution to get it.  Unfortunately, this is not the proper way to go about it.

Just like the story of the monk on solitary retreat.  He heard a mental voice tell him to throw his bell against the wall in order to see a fantastic miracle.  He did so only to shatter and break his precious dharma instrument.  In the end, all the Buddhas want you to do is practice the six perfections and ultimately achieve non-action.  One really needs discriminating wisdom, proper scriptures, and an enlightened master to keep us safely on track.

Proper use of Intuition:

A few circumstances where right intuition can be followed:

1. Pertaining to the physical body
2. Pertaining to interpersonal relationships
3. Pertaining to travel

The following examples are correct ways to utilize your intuition which have no fault accompanying it:

First, when you are practicing yoga or exercising it is only beneficial to recognize the warning signs of pain and stop what you are doing.  Women seem to have an easier time understanding this.  Nonetheless, anyone can balance their intellect with their feeling and increase their level of skill through bi0feedback.  Because of the reference point of pain and pleasure it can be mastered rather easily.

Second, when you are in relationship with another person (or someone you just met) and you feel a negative warning or a “red flag” comes up…it would be wise to follow your intuition and avoid this individual.

Third, when you are about to travel someplace and have a bad “gut” feeling.  It is beneficial to follow that feeling and avoid getting in the car with someone.  The negative warning sign may save your life.

The Lankavatara Sutra:

To do some more accurate research in this direction you can read this wonderful sutra:

“The first seven of the Bodhisattva stages were in the realm of mind and the eighth, while transcending mind, was still in touch with it; but in the ninth stage of Transcendental Intelligence (Sadhumati), by reason of his perfect intelligence and insight into the imagelessness of Divine Mind which he had attained by self-realization of Noble Wisdom, he is in the realm of Tathagatahood.

Gradually the Bodhisattva will realize his Tathagata-nature and the possession of all its powers and psychic faculties, self-mastery, loving compassion, and skillful means, and by means of them will enter into all the Buddha-lands.” — The Lankavatara sutra

Click here to read the Lankavatara sutra.

Click here to download this version of The Lankavatara Sutra.

Best wishes!
Neo

The Hidden Land

The sacred region of Besyul Pema Köd is known as “The Hidden Land,” which is located on a secluded plateau in the Himalayan Mountains.  The Taktshang monastery or “Tiger’s Nest” of Buddhism can be found in Bhutan (Parowan city) on a cliff 900 meters high!  This earthly paradise is often referred to as Pemakö or Pemako.  It is literally translated as ‘Lotus Array’, a region in the North-Eastern Province of Upper Siang of Arunachal Pradesh.

The word “hidden” is significant and has three meanings in the context of Pema Köd.

1. First, the secret meaning of the word implies that the infinite realms of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, by their nature, are hidden, or beyond this dualistic mind, from the beginning.
2. The second, or inner meaning of this word implies that this is a place where maha yogis and yoginis gathered to practice secret tantras and gana chakras.  Thus, except to such highly realized beings, this place is hidden.
3. The third, outer meaning of this word refers to Guru Padmasambhava, who specially blessed this land, protecting and setting it aside in this degenerate time for only those fortunate beings who are karmically connected to it, ordaining that it remain “hidden,” unavailable, to others.

Pema Köd was very much cherished by Padmasambhava.  In many texts, he refers to it as the king of all other sixteen of his hidden lands.  In the Tsa Sum Gongdus, he said:

In this hidden land, all mountains are like blooming flowers.  All rivers spontaneously recite mantras and flow with nectar; rainbows are arched on trees and bushes.  All the oath-bound protectors watch closely and protect true practitioners and punish those who merely pretend to be.  Those who practice sincerely will attain enlightenment in this lifetime.

Pure samadhi will spontaneously arise just by being in this land.  One session of practice in this blessed land is equal to a year of practice in other places.  Those who make three prostrations here will never take lower rebirth.  Those who die after seven steps taken with the intention of arriving here will definitely be reborn in this land.

Those who build stupas and temples, and perform other works of virtue in this land are my messengers.  Therefore, my fortunate sons and daughters, keep devotion to this land.  You will soon realize its significance.

In degenerate times, Guru Rinpoche’s blessings are very powerful.  One of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche is Dorje Drolo.  Dorje Drolo brings Guru Rinpoche’s enlightened power to liberate beings to their utmost intensity.  So by constructing a Dorje Drolo stupa in Guru Rinpoche’s Hidden Land, we are ensuring that the blessings are very swift and radiating to every direction.  The power, swiftness and profundity of Guru Rinpoche’s blessings in holy places like Pemakod is amplified tremendously.

At the request of his root teacher His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, and with the blessing and encouragement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Khenpo Tsering Dorjee Rinpoche built a Palyul Temple called “Negsang Dongak Jangchub Dharje Ling Nyingma” Monastery in Tuting, Pemakod.  On February 6-8, 2011, the Temple was consecrated by His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Supreme Head of the Palyul Lineage.

Many other high dignitaries attended (including the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and the Representative of the Tibetan Government in Exile) as did Khenchen Rinpoche’s disciples from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and elsewhere, and thousands of people from Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of India.

Important Links:

Support the Pema Kod Stupa Project

Photos of the Palyul Temple consecration

Videos: Bhutan (Shangri-La) and Hiking up to Tiger’s Nest

Many Blessings!
Neo

Dorje Drollo stupa

The Namdrol Pemay Gatsal (Lotus Grove of Liberation) at Pema Osel Ling holds a mandala of the eight traditional types of stupas representing the eight miraculous events in the Buddha’s life. In the center of the mandala is a Red Dorje Drolo stupa, which subdues negative forces and liberates upon seeing.

Story of the stupa:

“When such stupas hold transcendent buddhas’ sacred relics, they become sublime supports, the highest field for embodied beings’ cultivation of merit. Moreover, in general, each Buddhist way, great and small, has its own path’s belief system and characteristic manner of identifying stupas; this specific instance concerns one of the series that is commonly known as:

‘The eight stupas of the Joyous Buddha‘

1. When our teacher Powerful Sage attained perfect, manifest enlightenment under the tree of awakening, it is said that King Bimbasara and others constructed the Stupa to Subdue Negative Forces or the Stupa of Awakening.

2. When the Buddha was born in Lumbhi Gardens, it is said that King Shuddhodana and others constructed the Source of Joyous Buddhas Stupa or the Lotus Mound Stup

3. When the Buddha turned the Wheel of the Teachings in Varanasi, it is said that the Five Excellent Individuals constructed the Wheel of the Teachings Stupa or the Auspicious Many-Gated Stupa.

4. When the Buddha defeated non-Buddhist teachers in Sravasti’s Jéta Gardens, it is said that the Lichavis constructed the Miracle Stupa.

5. After the Buddha taught in the heavens, he returned to humans’ land in Kashi. It is said that the people of Kashi then constructed the Descent from the Heavens Stupa.

6. When the sublime pair of Buddha’s disciples repaired the schism caused by Devadatta in the Spiritual Community, it is said that the people of Maghadha constructed the Reparation of the Schism Stupa.

7. When the Buddha extended his life three months after the layman Chunda in Vaishali asked him to do so, it is said that the people of that town (or, according to some, the gods) constructed the Blessed Longevity Stupa or the Stupa of Total Victory.

8. When the Buddha transcended suffering in the town of Kushinagar, it is said that the Mallas constructed the Stupa of Transcendence

Further, it is said that in this world, the first among the Victor’s stupas is the Lotus Mound Stupa. Among this series of eight, this account centers upons the special support mentioned above as the Stupa to Subdue Negative Forces.”

Colophon:
“The Stupa to Subdue Negative Forces was consecrated on September 5, 2002, at the isolated retreat center of Péma Osel Ling in the western United States.  On completion of that ceremony, some of my spiritual brothers and sisters encouraged me to write the story of the stupa to inspire others’ confidence.

Respecting their wishes, I, holder of the title Lama Tsédrup Tharchin, gathered the essential points and put them in context, in the wish that this text should prove entirely virtuous.”

To pacify mental illness and help change the world for the better…make a donation by clicking here:  Vajrayana Foundation

Best wishes!
Neo

The skillful teacher

It has frequently been said one’s name can function either as a label which influences how others see us, or as a kind of goal or motivation to help us strive for full enlightenment.  Sometimes just thinking about the name can be beneficial to one’s Buddhist practice in how our mind can transform from the ordinary to the perfected state.

Master Drukpa Kunley:

One of the great religious teachers and holy men, Drukpa Kunley, is known all over Bhutan as ‘The Divine Madman’. He was a one-of-a-kind eccentric and Buddhist master.  Drukpa Kunley was born in Tibet in 1455.

There are many legends associated to him that talk of various miracles and his outlandish behavior.  He is believed to have been an extremely precocious child who could remember all of his previous incarnations vividly.

Drukpa Kunley also founded a monastery near the town of Punakha, dedicated to fertility.

Punakha Dzong Monastery in Bhutan

The Nun Who Wanted a Beautiful Name

Drukpa Kunlek was a practical joker; it was one way he worked to benefit beings.  One day, a nun asked him why he was always so happy, laughing and full of fun no matter what. He replied that for him, all suffering had disappeared.

Then the nun said, “I have just taken my vows and wonder whether you would grant me a new name.”

“Did you have any particular kind of name in mind?” asked the Drukpa Rinpoche.

“Oh, a beautiful name, of course!”

“OK, what about ‘White-yellow-red-green Tara’?

“Well, said the surprised nun, I don’t think that name really suits me. I think I would like a sweeter sort of name.”

“OK.  How about, Sugar-honey-molasses Tara?”

“Maybe something a bit more forceful . . . ?”

“I’ve got it –  Tiger-leopard-poisonous-snake Tara !”

“Something a little grander, maybe?” the nun requested.

“I understand what you’re after now.  OK, Sky-space Tara.”

“Maybe something that is more in tune with who I really am now . . . ? “

“Tara-who-has-the-vows-because-she-likes-love-but-is-afraid-to-do-it?”

. . .  “I guess just Tara-who-has-the-vows is fine,” she said thoughtfully, and thanked the skillful teacher.

Entrance to the Punakha Dzong Monastery

Good books:

There story above was told by Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche in the book Profound Buddhism

Another book called the Divine Madman is also a very wonderful book to own.

Many blessings!
Neo

What is true happiness

Here is a post from one of our yahoo group members that perfectly sums up our confusion and how to turn our mind (180 degrees) towards real and lasting happiness:

Dvayatanupassana Sutta: The Noble One’s Happiness
translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland

“See how the world together with the devas has self-conceit for what is not-self. Enclosed by mind-and-body it imagines, ‘This is real.’ Whatever they imagine it to be, it is quite different from that. It is unreal, of a false nature and perishable. Nibbana[1], not false in nature, that the Noble Ones[2] know as true. Indeed, by the penetration of the true, they are completely stilled and realize final deliverance.

“Forms, sounds, tastes, scents, bodily contacts and ideas which are agreeable, pleasant and charming, all these, while they last, are deemed to be happiness by the world with its devas. But when they cease that is agreed by all to be unsatisfactory. By the Noble Ones, the cessation of the existing body[3] is seen as happiness. This is the reverse of the outlook of the whole world.

“What others call happiness, that the Noble Ones declare to be suffering. What others call suffering, that the Noble Ones have found to be happiness. See how difficult it is to understand the Dhamma! Herein those without insight have completely gone astray. For those under the veil (of ignorance) it is obscured, for those who cannot see it is utter darkness. But for the good and the wise it is as obvious as the light for those who can see. Even though close to it, the witless who do not know the Dhamma, do not comprehend it.

“By those overcome by attachment to existence, those who drift with the stream of existence, those in the realm of Mara, this Dhamma is not properly understood. Who other than the Noble Ones, are fit to fully understand that state, by perfect knowledge of which they realize final deliverance, free from defilements?”[4]

Notes:

1. Nibbana (Pali) or Nirvana (Sanskrit) – freedom from the endless cycle of personal reincarnations.
2. The Noble Ones – Ariya (Pali) or Arya (Sanskrit) are the Buddhas and their disciples who have obtained realization.
3. The “existing body” (sakkaya) – is a term for the five aggregates as objects of grasping.
4. Anusava (or asava) – the defilements.  Literally “out-flows,” which are dissipations of energy in the form of sensual desire, becoming (the perpetuation of existence), views (beliefs), and ignorance.  They are the same as the four “floods” mentioned earlier.  One who has destroyed the defilements (khinasava) is another name for an arahant or Perfected One.

Click here to join our Buddhist Sutras Yahoo Group to read more about the precious dharma.

Light and Love,
Neo