Did the Buddha Teach Reincarnation?

by Gelongma Losang Drimay

In a recent class at our center, the question arose, "Did the Buddha actually teach reincarnation?" Or to be more precise, "rebirth", i.e., past and future lives.

The accomplished Buddhist scholar, Alex Berzin claims that an acceptance of the idea of rebirth is a prerequisite for becoming a Buddhist disciple.* Other modern-day Dharma teachers sometimes skirt the issue of rebirth and focus instead on topics that will be more generally accepted such as mindfulness and getting along without hurting each other.

Basic Goodness

by Gelongma Losang Drimay
A friend sent a link to a TED talk (below) about Moral Behavior in Animals (by Frans de Waal), which explores the characteristics of empathy and cooperation. It reminded me of some of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's comments about our basic human nature that he often mentions in talks on world peace. He points out that there are certain things about our species that are naturally predisposed toward connecting with others. For example, in this talk on compassion:

Getting Back to Reality

One of our members offers up this essay on vacations and reality: Cruising Blues and Their Cure, by Robert Pirsig (originally published in Esquire, May 1977).

Here is a description of the onset of the kind of depression that can set in on a long vacation, showing how it influences one's perception of the outer world:

Purifying Your Body with Your Mind

by Gelongma Losang Drimay

www.andyweberstudios.com/ 

I went to the public talk last night by artist Andy Weber who was introducing White Tara, the subject of the painting retreat that he is leading at Land of Medicine Buddha this weekend and next. From his website:

WHITE TARA ( Tib: Drolkar ) Born from the tear of Avalokitesvara, the buddha of compassion, White Tara grants long life and freedom from illnesses. Her left outstretched hand gives the blessing and refuge to all those who show pure devotion to her. Her right hand in the gesture of supreme enlightenment holds the stem of the Utpala flower representing her knowledge of the three times – past, present and future.

Have you ever wondered... What is a Prayer Wheel?

Ven. Chosang winding on the reels of new mantras
--a project of many months. Land of Medicine Buddha, 2012. 

Recently, the large prayer wheel at Land of Medicine Buddha has been undergoing some improvements--the inside being filled up with mantras on microfilm and the outer panels being polished. See photo album on the LMB Facebook page. Here is something about prayer wheels re-posted from the "Have You Ever Wondered?" section of our old website.

compiled by Cathy Young
April 2008

The first time I spun one of these magical metal cylinders of Om Mani Padme Hum, goodness, I was hooked. I was at Swayambunath Stupa in Katmandu, Nepal.

Impressions of Buddha

Drawing of Buddha, by Hailee (young member of GGBC),
Jan. 28, 2012.

by Hailee


When you are a Buddha
you will speak words of wisdom.
When you are a Buddha
you will be patient.
When you think you are a Buddha
Peace will find you.

Is the Tibet Issue a Buddhist Issue?

by Gelongma Losang Drimay

If you are involved with Tibetan Buddhism, you have no doubt seen and heard numerous reports about the situation in Tibetan--the upheaval and hardships that the Tibetan people have been experiencing over more than half a century now. For many people who consider themselves to be "Tibetan Buddhists"--whatever their nationality--being in favor of freedom for the Tibetan people seems to go hand-in-hand with one's religion, one's Dharma practice.

But is the situation in Tibet a Buddhist issue? If you are a Buddhist--a Tibetan Buddhist--do you HAVE to get involved with a "Free Tibet" or a "Save Tibet" movement? Do you have to look at horrifying pictures of people being tortured, humiliated, and executed?