[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Benjamin,

If you have 2-3 hrs for a session, it is good to do the full VY daily practice, not the Abbreviated Practice, which can be done very quickly when you don’t have much time, less than 1/2 hour.

If you have 2-3 hours, it is OK to join into the first half of the VY Feast practice, which usually takes 2 hrs for the begininng up to the abhisheka.  Thus having done the Prelim, Self, Hand, Vase, Front, and 4 P’s and O’s, you can then sign off from zoom at the break, or even if there isn’t a break, and then go to the Conclusion and close the practice on your own.

HRNS and love,

Mark Now

Nalanda Trnaslation Committee

[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Yoshi,

Looks like you are contemplating away.

Just seeing this now 11/29 after class,

and I don’t have time to read just now, packing for travel tomorrow.

But I look forward to reading this soon.

Thank you,

Mark

[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Liew,

There is a very good article on this, written by Traleg Rinpoche, in Recalling Chogyam Trungpa, compiled by Fabrice Midal. Another article in the same book,  Chogyam the Translator, by Larry Mermelstein, is quite good. Also, as you go through the PTOD you’ll find many instances where VCTR defines a Tib / Skt word in unique and interesting ways. You can use the Index to look up the words to find the different occurrences. Ex: trenpa, sheshin, pagyö ….

Happy hunting and gathering,

Love, Mark

[Mark Nowakowski]

PS: perhaps this helps with Jennifer’s initial question in this thread.

[Mark Nowakowski]

dharmadhatu = dharma + dhatu

dharma = phenomena, things, fact, law, truth    VCTR used “basic norm”

dhatu = space, realm    VCTR used “atmosphere”

So VCTR’s spontaneous translation in Talk One was “the atmosphere of the basic norm”

We use the Sanskrit in our translation of the Tibetan (cho-ying), as some words, like this one, do not have a good equivalent in English in meaning or expression.

If we were to translate this into English we would probably say “the space of phenomena.”

So this is the big space that can hold, encompass, be the atmosphere for all things, phenomena.

You could say it comes before active “consciousness” and at the same time space can hold consciousness.

I hope this helps.

[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Rosa-lyn,

Yes, I believe you need tix, suggested $15, BUT you can pay/donate whatever you wish. It’s all there on the website.

Yes, I have enjoyed Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche’s teachings many times. We have been fortunate that he has a fondness for Halifax, “this sleepy little town” as he calls it, and keeps returning to teach here. He is always thought provoking and provocative. Also, very kind with his time and has helped us with translations each time he is here.

[Mark Nowakowski]

Dear Irene,

Thank you for these! You have a very good eye “mik-sang.”

I tried to post some links here about “Miksang” and contemplative photography that may be of interest to you and others.  BUT, Ocean did not let me post the links. Go figure! So I sent them to on email.

Thank you again!

Mark

[Mark Nowakowski]

BTW: I posted a new PDF of the verse without the typo.

The incorrect “Pranja” is now “Prajna”.

[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Patricia,

I did read your comment, thought about it, and was going to reply just now.

Yours is a good question/thought shared by many. My understanding is that it is good to study and practice together:

hearing, contemplating, and meditating.

Chogyam Trungpa had a very rigorous intellectual training in the monastic college. He encouraged us to look into and investigate any teaching. The Buddha also encouraged us to do this and not take his word for it.

This teaching on the Feminine Principle of prajna-paramita, “wisdom gone-beyond” or “transcendent knowledge,” dives right into the deep end.  It  is said to be “inexpressible by speech or thought, / Unborn, unceasing, with a nature like sky,” which leans towards the “space” side, which is hard to grasp onto and talk about. And yet we can still do that, at least point to it, get an intuitive understanding through looking: “We only know the gossip.”

The purpose of study is to use the intellect and intuitive wisdom of the mind to really look into things, to clarify our view. This is “only experienced by discriminating-awareness wisdom.” So by looking into things we cultivate prajna to see prajna.  This is the purpose of contemplation, taking a small bite and really chewing on it slowly.

If you want to re-post your comment, you are welcome. I think others would appreciate it. Thank you! Mark

[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Dawn, Good question, investigation. Here is one clue from the Q&A:

S: What is the relationship between the black market of the mother and practice? [of meditation]

. . . .

V: …I think they are synonymous, as a matter of fact. Synonymous, yes. Meditation is the black market, from that point of view—it is a very powerful black market that could change the nation’s economy.

 

Love, Mark

[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks again for initiating this. Earlier you said:

“I’ll try to come back and address these questions myself at a later point.  Enjoy!  -Stacey Lee”

Now that I’m suggesting we all memorize this verse (BTW: any version is fine), perhaps you might like to share your thoughts on this.

Thanks from the underworld, Mark

[Mark Nowakowski]

Here is another translation, probably by Jakob Leschly:

Beyond words, beyond thought, beyond description, Prajñāpāramitā

Unborn, unceasing, the very essence of space

Yet it can be experienced as the wisdom of our own awareness:

Homage to the mother of the buddhas of past, present and future!

He’s giving a talk online on Madhyamaka and it’s importance in our everyday lives. And led with this verse.

Sunday 7pm Sydney Australia time.  Very early Sunday morning East Coast time.

https://mailchi.mp/si.org.au/what_is_madhyamaka-reminder?e=be3347af4c

 

[Mark Nowakowski]

October 25,

Hi Irene,

I am just seeing your question now. This is a good and complex question that could have a variety of answers.

The main thing is to be kind, even if you have to “fake it, till you make it.” Like elementary school teachers who learn that smiling at their class can be very helpful in increasing communication, even when they are not enjoying the very irritating and disruptive behavior of younger children.  “Those nasty little rug rats!”

We are not always in touch with the absolute bodhichitta of kindness, but we can still try to manifest kindly with outward actions of relative bodhichitta. Like having good social manners. When we do that, sometimes we see, recognize, our own internal pride or arrogance; that recognition is good. The more we practice, we often do become kinder externally. AND we also experience our internal negative thoughts, habitual patterns, and kleshas more directly. So even though they may be decreasing, we may experience them more sharply and intensely.  But that’s not a bad sign. That’s good. The path is built as we go, on our obstacles

And also, sometimes when we are with negative people, “ill-natured beings,” we can’t always just be open. It’s too intense.  Sometimes we need to protect ourselves with some armor in order to keep going. The example for the paramita of exertion is a suit of armor.  Sure, we all aspire to be shining altruistic “completely open” bodhisattvas, but we might not be there yet.

The Buddha’s path is that of the middle way. Not too tight, not too loose. It’s OK to dance with yourself and others.

Let’s talk about this more in class. There are more sides to this, of how to be and act skillfully .

Sorry you missed last week ( 10/22). I hope you can make it to the final class (10/29).

Great question, It is good to get to know you.

Mark

[Mark Nowakowski]

Hi Blair,

We discussed this some during the 2nd class.

Yes, compassion is inseparable from space.

You can’t have one without the other.

I read from the PTOD, Vol. 3, p, 721, “The Dot of Coemergence.”

Perhaps this will be helpful to read again and contemplate.

Mark

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