tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71425240433650825322024-03-07T13:53:24.135+05:30Reflections of ReflectionsLife as a Western Buddhist nun, studying in shedra, living in a Tibetan nunnery, translating oral teachings and traditional texts...Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-18114114783718721782010-11-01T10:54:00.000+05:302010-11-01T10:54:50.095+05:30Moved!Well, I've decided to move over to Wordpress, to find my same old blog on the new site, just click:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://damchoe.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">damchoe.wordpress.com</span></a></div>It is still a work in progress, so any suggestions would be appreciated.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-87310306241907389382010-08-13T17:48:00.001+05:302010-08-13T17:48:39.099+05:30The oral exam<span xmlns=''><p>Students in their seventh year of shedra have a special task during the 'rainy season retreat'. They must explain a passage of Mipham's <em>spyi don 'od gsal snying po</em> (available in English as Luminous Essence) and then answer questions. <br /></p><p>The student does not get to pick what she will explain. The student's name is drawn. She takes her seat in front of the teachers, with her back to her fellow students. A page number is drawn - usually from the first half the text. She begins her explanation. Questions follow. Then the student is released. The whole ordeal lasts ten minutes. <br /></p><p>These ten minutes are the source of a considerable amount of stress for seventh year students. I was not immune to this and spent as much time as I could reviewing the text. Leading up to the beginning of the 'rainy season retreat' I had been worrying about my visa situation and this oral exam was just one more thing making me anxious. About a week before the exam I decided the easiest solution was to leave India for two months then return. Just making this decision helped a lot in lightening up the crazy stress which had been plaguing me. It gave me a few days to cram on <em>'od gsal snying po</em> and to pack my bags. <br /></p><p>The exam itself went alright. The first person, Ani D.C., was very quiet and very nervous, despite her prodigious knowledge. Then it was my turn. I had to explain a passage about <em>Ati Yoga</em> (the highest level of Buddhist tantra). Unfortunately I hadn't reviewed this section very well although I'd read about the topic elsewhere. So I explained the first few lines, then second guessed myself, and said, "<em>A le ngas nor yin sa red</em>." Oh I think I've made a mistake! Everyone laughed. I continued with my explanation nonetheless. It turned out later I was not mistaken but my outburst revealed my lack of familiarity with the text. I was really nervous, but I tried to speak clearly, draw a few connections and make some examples. I had been hoping to reference Longchenpa's description of 'knots in the sky untying themselves' so I threw it in. When it came time to answer questions I had to describe the difference between <em>khregs chod</em> and <em>thod rgal</em> (two types of <em>ati yoga</em> meditation). I did alright on that one. The second questions was whether or not there is a difference between the views of <em>Ati Yoga</em> and of <em>Prasangika Madyamika</em> (the highest level of non-tantric Buddhist philosophy). I had something to say about this but didn't really have enough time to communicate my thoughts. The head teacher said, "That's enough." So I went back to my seat in the audience and grabbed a text book so I could see whether I had made a mistake or not.<br /></p><p>It was a good experience. I'm glad so glad it is over! Now I'm in Nepal. More on that later.</p></span>Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-54357067656076269492010-07-11T21:20:00.000+05:302010-07-11T21:20:17.335+05:30Overheard in English ClassTeacher: Repeat after me: May all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.<br />
<br />
Students: May all sentient beings be free from suffering and the classes of suffering.<br />
<br />
Teacher: You want to be free from the classes of suffering? Fine, you may leave. Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-50685244565546593232010-06-26T09:29:00.001+05:302010-06-26T09:42:25.629+05:30Tantric kindergarten<span xmlns=''><p>Since my last post, back in April, I've been attending class and going to debate-- just like every other year. Now that we are studying tantra, though, it is like being in first year again. There is a lot of new terminology to learn, not to mention an extremely profound view of the universe. Unlike first year, however, at least we can all understand the text. In our first year many of us had to struggle to cope with the classical Tibetan. Despite being Himalayan, many of my classmates were not raised speaking or reading Tibetan. Rather they were educated in Bhutanese, Nepali, Hindi, English, and in one case, Urdu. Tibetan was not the language spoken in their homes, although some of their ancestors may have been of Tibetan origin. So we all had to struggle to figure out what was going on in class. I had an advantage actually, in that I could read the English translations of the texts we studied. <br /></p><p>The quality of my studying hasn't been great these last few months. I've been worrying about my Indian visa. I can't go into details here, since this is a public blog, but what it comes down to is: I may have trouble attending enough classes to be able to write final exams. In order to write the exams for a given year of shedra we have to have attended at least eighty percent of the classes. I still have some things to try, I want to be able to write the exams… But if I can't, well, I will still study all the same texts. I just won't be able to graduate with my class. It is hard to accept this potentiality-- graduating from shedra is my dream. But really, it is just a piece of paper and a title. This situation forces me to focus on studying the Dharma for its own sake, which is how it should be.</p></span>Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-29547347785431618602010-04-19T11:56:00.004+05:302010-04-19T16:13:14.458+05:30Seventh year beginsSchool has been in session for just more than a week now. My first subject this year is Luminous Presence (spyi don 'od gsal snyingpo) - Mipham's overview of the Guhyagarbha Tantra based on Longchenpa's Dispelling Darkness in the Ten Directions (phyogs bcu mun sel).<br />
<br />
Before I started shedra - I looked at the <a href="http://palyul.org/eng_shed_popup.htm">curriculum</a> and wished that I didn't have to wait six years to study tantra. Many people I've met have expressed similar views. I think this sort of view reflects how very little we know about the causal vehicle of the sutras. Now that I've spent the last six years with the Mahayana commentaries I feel like they are dear friends and when it comes to practice - indispensable. Of course I don't have to stop studying them, ever, but now I've been thrust into a new community - the three inner tantras. I've only been studying inner tantra for a short time and I cannot imagine trying to study it without a background in Madhyamaka and Uttaratantra (which in fact we see as belonging to the sutra side of things despite having tantra in the name). <br />
<br />
This year marks a new phase in my schooling degree wise - the graduate degree. You see, the first four years of study are towards an Associates Degree, the next two towards a Bachelors, and the last three towards a Masters. The graduate of all nine years receives the title of "Lopon".<br />
<br />
What about the title "Khenpo" you ask? Often compared to a Ph.D (perhaps erroneously) Khenpos are selected from within the ranks of Lopons. To become a Khenpo one must fulfill certain criteria: 1. have scored in the first divison on the final exams for fourth, sixth, and ninth years 2. have taught as a kyorpon 3. have taught for at least three years after graduating 4. be a fully ordained monk in good standing.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. If anyone is wondering why Namdroling doesn't have any Khenmos or Ani Khenpos - see point number four. So thus, the <a href="http://www.congress-on-buddhist-women.org/">reinstatement of the full ordination lineage for nuns in the Tibetan tradition</a> impacts us. In the meantime, we have Ani Lopons, and that is just fine.<br />
<br />
Personally, I'm totally satisfied just to receive the teachings, write the exams, and (in just three short years) graduate. Titles are... well... problematic. I am far more concerned with learning the Dharma and practicing it.<br />
<br />
This year I have some fun new resources for studying Guhyagarbha. A few bold individuals have written their PhD theses on the Tibetan commentaries to this tantra. These are great to read as they have wonderful back ground information and include full or partial translations of the commentaries. I also have searchable Tibetan versions of both Mipham and Longchenpa's commentaries which are proving to be useful indeed. I wish I had searchable versions of gsang bdag zhal lung and gsang snying mdzod lde, two other key commentaries to the tantra. So if you have such things, and are reading this- please get in touch. Not that anyone actually reads my blog... but hey, it is worth a try right?Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-34620790982133834982010-03-07T22:50:00.000+05:302010-04-19T16:14:16.142+05:30Greetings from the airport in Saskatoon. In about 36 hours I should be arriving at Namdroling Monastery, India.<br />
<br />
Since my last post I've done three more talks, bringing the final total for this trip to seven. These three were all at the University of Saskatchewan. Two were about the path of Mahayana and one -- the big one -- was about Tibetan Buddhist nuns. <br />
<br />
Other than talking myself hoarse these last few weeks, I've mostly been visiting with friends. I studied a little bit and translated a short text. There was <a href="http://www.thestarphoenix.com/story_print.html?id=2595956&sponsor=">an article about my life in the local paper</a> and since then a few people have told me they recognize me. Many, many more people have felt free to stare at me and sometimes give me secret smiles as though they know me. I'm not too bother about this. People stare at me all the time, wherever I go. At least now the people in Saskatoon realize that they are looking at a Buddhist nun.<br />
<br />
So I bid farewell to Saskatoon once again and look forward to getting back the monastery. I like visiting my home but nine weeks is a long time for a holiday. <br />
Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-61618301344002091142010-02-15T23:58:00.001+05:302010-02-16T02:02:26.672+05:30I am happy to say I survived this last week. It was really something - four speaking engagements and two parties. It started at the Unitarian Universalist Center with a talk on Buddhist Mind Training last Sunday. Then I gave an introduction to Buddhism at the Avenue Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity. (I basically gave the same talk at both places. ) On Thursday, I met with a group of chaplaincy students at St. Paul's Hospital. Finally, yesterday, I met with the Unitarian youth group, again at the U.U. Center. So it has been a busy week. I also held a birthday party for my mother on Saturday, and, since yesterday was the lunar new year, I attended a Losar party.<br />
<br />
The Losar party was special because I had the chance to spend some time with Ilse Guenther, wife of Buddhist studies pioneer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_V._G%C3%BCnther">Herbert Guenther</a>. At ninety years old Mrs. Guenther is healthy and active. She's currently engaged in translating some of her husbands published works from English to German. This party also included the entire Tibetan population of Saskatoon - all three of them.<br />
<br />
I was a bit sad not to be at Namdroling for Losar. It has always been my favorite place to celebrate the new year. This year though, it would have been heartbreaking to be there on the first new year after the passing of our Lama. It would have been lonely too, since a large part of our monastery population is still in Bodhgaya receiving the Kama empowerments.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-41062491239420344362010-02-02T03:45:00.000+05:302010-02-02T03:55:03.212+05:30Oh yeah that blog thingy, I knew I was forgetting something.A month ago, I finished writing my sixth year exams. I wrote two exams on Abhisamayalankarakarika by Maitreya, one on Haribhadra's commentary and the other on Paltrul Rinpoche's commentary. I also wrote an exam on the third chapter of Dharmakirti's Pramanavartika, with Mipham's commentary, one on the last two chapters of Dudjom's history, and one on Dharmadharmatavibhakarika by Maitreya, with Mipham's commentary.<br />
<br />
If I had to pick a favorite subject for this year it would be Dharmadharmatavibhagakarika also known as chos dang chos nyid rnam 'byed. It focuses on the nature of samsara and nirvana as awareness. It is available in English as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maitreyas-Distinguishing-Phenomena-Pure-Being/dp/1559392150">Distinguishing Phenomena and Pure Being</a>. This translation is pretty good, but there are a few things I would change (spelling mistakes in the Tibetan on facing pages, for example). <br />
<br />
This year (unless I happened to have failed my exams) I'll be starting seventh year, the first of three years focusing on tantra. Last year I took special care to get the transmissions and permissions necessary to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Luminous-Essence-Guide-Guhyagarbha-Tantra/dp/1559393270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265062440&sr=1-1">Luminous Essence</a>, <a href="http://www.dharmachakra.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=18&Itemid=26">Dharmachakra</a>'s English translation of Miphams spyi don 'do gsal snying po. I'm also listening to Khenchen Namdrol's lectures on mp3.<br />
<br />
Hmm... all this makes me sound quite studious. Friends, that is simply not the case. I'm home in Canada at the moment. Dharma study and practice are indeed a part of each day. The rest of the time I've been enjoying the amazing foods of home, playing MarioKart Wii, connecting with old friends and making new ones, and watching House MD.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-62368732272299976582009-12-11T05:55:00.000+05:302009-12-11T05:55:15.510+05:30Funny Conversations 3<a href="http://damchoewongmo.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html#8638729467375888202">Pema Chodron</a>: "Ani Damchoe Wangmo! One four three!"<br />
<br />
Me: (thinking a moment) "I love you, too."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://damchoewongmo.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html#8638729467375888202">Ngawang Sherab</a>: "<i>ga re za</i>?"<br />
<br />
Pema Chodron: "One <i>zer na</i> I, four <i>zer na</i> love, three <i>zer na </i>you."<br />
<br />
(from the balcony outside) Lobsang Palmo*: Damchoe Wangmo! One four three!<br />
<br />
Me: "<i>Khyerang la</i> one four three <i>lo</i>!"<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Tibetan words:<br />
<br />
<i>ga re za</i> = what did you say?<br />
<br />
<i>zer na</i>= if you say that it means...<br />
<br />
<i>khyed rang la</i> = to you<br />
<br />
<i>lo</i>= not sure how to translate this, cute, girly way to end your sentences, very common among young nuns.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
* Lobsang Palmo is a very Eastern Tibetan nun who speaks no English, except, apparently "one four three".Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-37042894973865571412009-12-10T21:53:00.000+05:302009-12-10T21:53:10.406+05:30Funny Conversations 2Me: "How much is a ticket to Kolkata?<br />
<br />
Ticket Agent/Coffee bean retailer: "You want to go to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata">Kolkata</a> with a K or Calcutta with a C?"<br />
<br />
Me: "They are the same place."<br />
<br />
Agent: "They are the same place?"<br />
<br />
Me: "You are an Indian, why are you asking me?"<br />
<br />
-- in Kushalnagar villageDamchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-7979096910611495662009-12-07T20:19:00.000+05:302009-12-09T11:10:10.361+05:30Overheard at the nunnery"Don't ask questions to the exam supervisors. You've had a whole year to learn these things. And besides, it has been so many years since we've studied these things - we've forgotten everything."<br />
<br />
--a Lopon speaking at the shedra meeting on 'How to write final exams'Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-66954409273861387672009-12-04T22:39:00.000+05:302009-12-09T11:10:10.361+05:30Howarts vs. Namdroling MonasteryHogwarts is a castle.<br />
<br />
Namdroling is comprised of a few dozen buildings, centered around four temples - which are somewhat castle-like.<br />
<br />
Hogwarts is divided into Houses.<br />
<br />
Namdroling's charter forbids the formation of organizations based on race, views, because these could lead to schisms in the Sangha... like the rivalry between Slytherin and Gryffindor.<br />
<br />
Hogwarts has Harry Potter, the Chosen One.<br />
<br />
Namdroling has dozens of chosen ones, ie. reincarnate lamas.<br />
<br />
Hogwarts educates young witches and wizards.<br />
<br />
Namdroling educates monks and nuns, most of whom have no magical powers.<br />
<br />
Hogwarts gets attacked by Lord Voldermort.<br />
<br />
Namdroling gets attacked by... excessive hot weather? bus loads of tourists? bees?<br />
<br />
Hogwarts' professors are masters of various types of magic.<br />
<br />
Namdroling's lamas are masters of the various methods of attaining enlightenment.<br />
<br />
Hogwarts students learn how to perform magic.<br />
<br />
Namdroling students learn to cut through illusion with wisdom.<br />
<br />
Hogwarts exists in the imagination of the world.<br />
<br />
Namdroling exists in the world which exists in the imagination.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-78344024395271868672009-11-27T16:40:00.000+05:302009-11-27T16:40:23.280+05:30What this blog isn'tSometimes I wonder if I should post moving Dharma teachings, or photos of great masters, or discuss Buddhism related events in the media... or even (gag, choke, choke) talk about my practice, but that just isn't what this blog is about. I am writing this blog as a reflection of my thoughts and my life, as a record for myself, my friends, and my family, and as a (rather tinted) window into nun life in general. There are lots of blogs and websites out there where monastic and non-monastic bloggers post beautiful and insightful articles. There are also a lot of people who post inspiring quotes and photos on Facebook. That really is great. And meaningful.<br />
Me, I'm just a narcissistic sophist who happens to be ordained as a nun and happens to live in a Buddhist monastery in India. All I can reflect is my own experience, which is limited, and samsaric. Thanks, for those of you who visit my blog. Sorry your visit hasn't been more meaningful. If this is your first taste of Buddhism, please don't stop here - there is a lot more out there.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-64836950873412428532009-11-23T17:20:00.001+05:302009-11-27T19:16:27.303+05:30How I get through exams, in 18 steps1. attend class, try to pay attention, possibly even take notes in class<br />
2. for oh lets say the first month of the school year - study after class, debate about what was taught that same day<br />
3. then yarne starts - spend the time out of class spazing about debating exams<br />
4. after yarne - the fear starts - exams are coming, churn out some possible exam answers<br />
5. reading month - realize that i could have prepared a lot more during the year<br />
6. panic, consider not writing exams<br />
7. realize that would delay graduation<br />
8. consider not graduating at all, imagine moving back to Canada<br />
9. the day comes when we have to formally sign up to write the exams - sign up<br />
10. realize what I just did<br />
11. resign myself to actually writing the exams<br />
12. panic<br />
13. blog about it, apparently<br />
14. study<br />
15. give up hope of being the highest scoring student in the class<br />
16. attempt to abandon fear of failing completely<br />
17.having abandoned hope and fear - rest in the thought 'just passing is enough'<br />
18. attempt to do soDamchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-60181992644713685612009-11-10T19:57:00.000+05:302009-12-13T18:39:01.883+05:30Why my class shouldn't be trusted with butter lampsWhen we complete the study of a text we make offerings to the three jewels and to our teacher. Yesterday we lit 108 butter lamps in our classroom. These lamps were special because half of them were filled not from the semi-solid butter substitute we usually use, but with regular cooking oil. From the moment they were lit they started smoking. By the end of the day our once white classroom was stained grey with soot. <br />
<br />
This reminded me of the time we almost burned down our altar when I was in second year. The altar cloth covering the wooden altar caught fire from a butter lamp. The wood itself didn't catch, thank the Buddha!<br />
<br />
Again last year we lit butter lamps below some tormas. This caused the butter decorations on them to melt, staining our shelves with melted butter.<br />
<br />
I hope my class can come up with a better legacy than destruction. Luckily we have three more years to work on this, and all our buildings are solid concrete.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-63524831162333070992009-11-06T12:51:00.000+05:302009-11-06T12:56:51.446+05:30We are nearing the end of another year of studies here at Namdroling. My last class will be next Monday morning, which is the Buddhist holy day <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lhabab_Duchen">Lhabab Duchen</a> and thus a very auspicious day to complete our endeavors. There will then be eleven days of break and perhaps pujas for <a href="http://palyul.org/eng_hh_swiftrebirth.htm">His Holiness' swift rebirth</a>. The next week will usher in that time which is my most favorite as well as most stressful - Reading Month aka. rangjong - the independent study period before exams.<br />
For a few days this week I was the one and only foreign student residing at this monastery. My good friend D. has left, at least temporarily, and M.L. is also off site. Yesterday, however, I noticed a Chinese nun has arrived, so I'm no longer the only international student, not that it matters much, really. I rarely think of my self as being 'other' while living here amongst the nuns. I asked my classmates once, "Do you see me as your classmate or as a foreigner?" They replied, "When we see you from far away, we see a foreigner. When we see you up close we see our classmate."Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-70898998933551178182009-10-22T20:10:00.001+05:302009-10-22T20:18:40.508+05:30Pramana rantThis afternoon I spent about an hour fruitlessly paging through Mipham's Pramanavartika commentary (legs bshad snang ba'i gter) looking for the line "gzhal bya rang mtshan gcig kho na*" in root text by Dharmakirti. At debate I asked my classmates about this often quoted line, they assured me: "It is there! Look on page 46." I had indeed already checked that page a few times already- because it seemed that is exactly there that quote should be. After debate a classmate, determined to show me the quote was there, showed me the page. What we found a very similar line: "rang gi mtshan nyid gcig gzhal bya**". It was then that I started wondering if this was a quote from Pramanavartika or perhaps a certain other extremely well known Pramana text-- Sakyapandita's tshad ma rigs gter. I googled it - two verbatim hits, one citing Sapan. I paged through the root text of rig ter. There it was! So... unless Sapan is quoting Dharmakirti and I am too blind to see it, I believe Sapan may have said it first. Next time I'll google it first.<br />
<br />
<br />
*the objects to be examined are individually characterized only<br />
<br />
** individually characterized objects only are the objects to be examinedDamchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-76047367729510977852009-10-11T14:04:00.017+05:302009-10-22T18:49:49.339+05:30Changes at our nunneryWhat was once:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391260014179251298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogh7lQ7_KKNhA4LQs4Rl_spCscNDHJKxwVlzc2rLHhrZARUnpU0_xCR_af-Q6SSz25mbTuKPrSKDnQINVhhOOsWwhKrUpc22FZ-KJ7_j5kAxgZu9aLxaw62n-drNRqXhWzCo2faEXZuN7/s200/lobtra.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 87px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /> Is now:<br />
<div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391261367926886338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KE2VQdq5TAVB1_BasFZoOrIpdTkKazRAg61TxQezcsdplA5iyKOTGM2aQLQJ_wlm2mAMojE_pXtPgsAq57jXB0TCyOqgjBhVsQpF2TvXWf6sD3Oc38I4YF3xshutwfmWCbTm1XkajXYL/s200/SDC10729.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /><br />
</div><br />
<div>And now we see:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391263861753034802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs_sc_YIQoXhB__7aABzX0trVvrLVC2Joh8J9DBJS9EHPWbZTU7pPQtA8BvdI5VCg1LgvLiPGeZJvF1pFm1jFutkEjjfsv_NCO8DNLIvMZTNKWBjyNLLpTBsZFKCD4cqvEwwphU9XTcmL/s200/SDC10726.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /><br />
</div>Which is hopefully laying the ground for:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391265283423019666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsolKa4KW9JDDEZxiRi9R9qgRolqTJ5YyWSyLEkXLR3TVY7bZWkDtBhTHkteregO6gRd67GSzQeW_9erLp585KU9Y__wdGHVpeQhx8kbkd41tWFvLo73Tsvm5Q-S92zapW2Q9oLhfAklJ/s400/SDC10581.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" />Instead of:<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391272435666276466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIyO0ayAgC27gfZK-WTyy8E_dI-u_X0AX7k8fXooJSA0sI8ojbar8OpEgzjZM8UGiR2i22RWWUXIAQOyii-4srWQq9hNPhRktzi2TOjhIx3L_O4QNUBchwzpWjSZmnJ4qrKNEUy3pEkfb/s400/3005522855_769c8861a6_b.jpg" style="display: block; height: 105px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /><br />
Although... <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391285924273920066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3n0CkocNciE1VOcIy1kBcBRIi5FVPFNImdZzt4s2_HUb-2UmoIYjIasd7FngqgZGzGecmEkm4Tdgrs9G4XOhx-9NRibQagBfDvd5f8HkuiIJFEJvk2o2ckt11icsX16DJLfT6Rv9sJIX/s400/3005522855_56beed32f8_o.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 53px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 118px;" />Hmmm....<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The last two images are courtesy of the Library of Congress Archives.</span><br />
</div>Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-80245697312215872622009-10-06T19:27:00.002+05:302009-10-21T19:03:56.121+05:30Not long ago we began studying the 3rd chapter of Mipham's commentary on tshad ma rnam 'grel aka pramanavartika. We study its four chapters over four years. Last year was awfully difficult. It was only through great effort, debate, and classroom discussion that we were able to figure out what Mipham and Dharmakirti were attempting to tell us. This year's installment has been enjoyable so far because it is continuing to discuss those topics, namely the nature of generally characterized phenomena and the way they are perceived by the conceptual mind.<br />Meanwhile we are almost finished our reading of Paltrul's General Commentary on the Perfection of Wisdom. In this case I fear the stuggle and subsequent understanding of the text still lie ahead of me.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-36052961169817230832009-10-01T15:55:00.003+05:302009-10-21T19:43:07.630+05:30Last week I didn't have classes so I managed to get some serious studying done. I can't say I know the subjects well, but certainly a bit better than before. A scary thought is: three months from now I'll have already written my last final exam for my sixth year of shedra. Until then I'll be spending a lot of time alternately feeling anxious about the impending exams and planning how to spend my winter vacation.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-36943747042763875252009-09-16T19:17:00.003+05:302009-10-21T19:07:45.502+05:30<p> I finally finished giving my root text. By 'give' I mean recite in the presence of my teacher. This year's root text was very hard to learn - because it is not in verse. Check it out at <a href="http://www.lotsawahouse.org/70points.html">Lotsawa House</a> , and imagine memorizing it in Tibetan. Yeah. </p><p>Quite some time ago Ven. T.G. asked me how I memorize. I memorize fragments, then link them together until I have a few pages worth then I recite it to my teacher. I memorize the fragments by spending a few minutes memorizing each one, then a few minutes doing something else (like watching a video), then when my timer rings I try to remember what I just memorized. I also recite when I am cleaning and cooking. When I wake up in the morning I try to remember what I memorized the previous day. Memorizing right before going to sleep can be very effective, but it gives me nightmares in which the words are spinning around in my head. It is also useful to recite the whole text once a day - but I rarely do this, much to my own loss. </p>Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-30006948762332637782009-09-05T10:25:00.004+05:302009-10-21T19:43:07.631+05:30Well, I've been back for almost a week now. My studying is going well so far. In fact, I feel like it is the beginning of the school year - which is to say, I feel enthusiastic about learning. I've been working on my root text and plan to offer part of it (ie. recite it) to my teacher on Monday. In between studying I've set up a Ning network for monks and nuns in the Tibetan tradition. If you are ordained and want an invitation just send me an email at damchoe at gmail dot com. This enterprise is aided by the fact that my building has finally been connected to the Indian government electricity. That's right - more than twelve hours of light a day!Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-86135513799227246472009-09-01T12:40:00.000+05:302009-09-01T12:42:23.645+05:30So my ‘semester abroad’ ended predictably with several days of train, airplane, car, bus, and rickshaw, finally brining me back to the nunnery on August 30th. Now, I am trying to catch up with my class work, not to mention finish my memorization requirement. When I consider taking the rest of this year off and restarting sixth year next spring, I remember Tulku Pema Wangyal Rinpoche telling me, “Don’t let anything interrupt your studies.” As Rinpoche displayed his omniscience twice during our stay in Dordogne, I’m going to do my best to keep my nose in the books. I may not blog much but I’ll post some photos.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-74374711461077745592009-08-30T05:17:00.001+05:302009-10-21T19:29:25.046+05:30On August 25th, we were to go to Nyima Dzong, in Provence. That morning, however, Khenpo got a phone call and declared we would be returning to India. He had to go to Bhutan post haste. In the morning, Khenpo addressed the entire assembly of Rigpa students- some fifteen hundred people from around the world. We met with Sogyal Rinpoche again and he led us out of the temple. As we drove out of Lerab Ling, Rinpoche led his students, who had all gathered around the temple, in chanting the Verses of the Eight Auspicious Ones, it was very moving. We took the lightning-fast TVG train to Paris.Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7142524043365082532.post-72302420429983827632009-08-30T04:31:00.003+05:302009-10-21T19:29:25.046+05:30The next morning, Sogyal Rinpoche and Khen Rinpoche blessed the many images, statues and artifacts of the temple. Khenpo continued his teachings in the morning then concluded them in the afternoon session. I had some quality time with the lotsawas and other friends. Unlike Chanteloube, I had many opportunities to assist Khen Rinpoche as his translator and servant. I insisted that Lerab Ling’s own translator, G., translate Khenpo’s oral teachings as he is just so much more skilled than I am, but in daily life translations I was glad to have something to do. That evening, I nerd bonded with some of my new friends among the monastics. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNJ8ONMRL3Y0HUwCarhRMh-gnrCrtcCcAmuhBo4KVj5lVrl5PpDvXqMsMs4sOdsZQtlFk6jP5dgoA_K3eOqc_7eD3g2FCdxmwZwgQp3bdpib2ztJNVZnp6SGd7RaXxnDv91KiT_STfxFI/s1600-h/SDC10615.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375532633882399522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNJ8ONMRL3Y0HUwCarhRMh-gnrCrtcCcAmuhBo4KVj5lVrl5PpDvXqMsMs4sOdsZQtlFk6jP5dgoA_K3eOqc_7eD3g2FCdxmwZwgQp3bdpib2ztJNVZnp6SGd7RaXxnDv91KiT_STfxFI/s400/SDC10615.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9-MWWw3FXvnZWZy2XQGqSzRlFIArkzoc2VBWygrY_1UnFYMDMTYSnJvmC78TWqAgFt2snBu8xOkIe_ljm13Wgq0QtrG9PXkRGaEa0HF6UV38tF4eLb4v-fYxKed4y7Mjcsmvy_6hrpOK/s1600-h/SDC10617.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375532630439012114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9-MWWw3FXvnZWZy2XQGqSzRlFIArkzoc2VBWygrY_1UnFYMDMTYSnJvmC78TWqAgFt2snBu8xOkIe_ljm13Wgq0QtrG9PXkRGaEa0HF6UV38tF4eLb4v-fYxKed4y7Mjcsmvy_6hrpOK/s400/SDC10617.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXIGiKcsx4NrEpUP8S9aAMqemHoT8DCPLNs8TzQmS7ncafJshPgXaooASMUSR4psAfRQs4ZE1CaL94vLGWZwVkD-JDwodU9y1-3j79oyMIoa6i8JN84ziHvoEPK5hzYGhO6ihb3qYEBNZ/s1600-h/SDC10656.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375532624804016002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXIGiKcsx4NrEpUP8S9aAMqemHoT8DCPLNs8TzQmS7ncafJshPgXaooASMUSR4psAfRQs4ZE1CaL94vLGWZwVkD-JDwodU9y1-3j79oyMIoa6i8JN84ziHvoEPK5hzYGhO6ihb3qYEBNZ/s400/SDC10656.JPG" /></a></div></div>Damchoe Wongmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07008454322151914731noreply@blogger.com2