The Zagonsar Choeling Temple in Tehor Region

Emaho!

"Early 2013: We are extremely pleased to report that ground has been broken for the new ZaGonsar Chopeling temple in Rinpoche’s Tehor, Tibet region. The generosity of donations from people like you have given the local people tools and materials to start building the new monastery foundation. Traditionally Tibet’s bitter winter keeps people indoors, but enthused men and women are out daily working on the project that symbolizes the first step in Rinpoche’s 25-year plan to bring sustainability to the community while preserving its precious culture."

May there be no obstacles or obscurations to the completion of this excellent project--for the benefit of the People of TIBET and all sentient beings in the ten directions.

Here's the FOUNDATION:

For more Information about Zachoeje Rinpoche:

www.emahofoundation.org

Under The Sun

The expansive sky is my meditation cave.
The golden earth my cushion.
The sun is my butter lamp offering.
The moon is my offering of water.
The wind is my sadhana and silent prayer.
Every breath is engaged with the world.
Every thought is with totality.

Where is practice? Where is daily life?
They are one and the same.

--GK Sandoval

Bill Hicks - Visionary

Today's Rebel With a Cause is Bill Hicks, one of the funniest and sharpest people to walk the Earth. Way, way ahead of his time. His routines spoke about the exaggerated American culture that was being crafted in the late 70's and early 80's.

The 'proof in the pudding' is his bit on sexually explicit advertising and its effect. He spoke about that phenomenon before the general acceptance of pornography in current American Culture.

No More Incense

Time on the cushion fades away.
The words of the teacher only echo.
What did you learn?

--GK Sandoval

The Power of the Mind

It doesn't matter if one starts with opening the heart or the mind. When you open the heart, you learn to love people unconditionally. When you open the mind, you learn to accept ideas unconditionally. When you learn to accept and love unconditionally, you have changed the your thought process about 'others' and you actually see, everyone else is just like you.

When you change your mind and your thinking, you change the world.

Year of the New

Its time to take a new direction.
Start a new course of action.
The flowing energies are all around us.
Pick up, Step off and Move on.

--GK Sandoval

One Day into Another

It seems like the traditional holidays have played a less important role in my life as I get older. I don't necessarily celebrate Christmas as a religious observation. Christmas for me is more cultural. From a Buddhist perspective its a good time to practice the paramita of Generosity.

There are many ways to be Generous. At the core of the motivation to give is the selfless action of assisting others. It could be with a smile or a friendly holiday greeting, spreading good cheer and a happy attitude. In our society, we tend to put more value on material gifts and gestures. But that kind of giving is born of social obligation and we honestly have to ask ourselves: is that really true generosity?

The holidays are also a good time to take a good look around you and be thankful for family, friends and loved ones. We have companions who accompany us at various points of the journey here in samsara. They want freedom from suffering and all the causes of happiness just like you do. With that realization, we also recognize that all sentient beings want happiness--even the strangers and animals around you.

In our love for others, especially our family, we want to share our happiness so that they are happy, too. That desire to give, fueled by the love and concern for others, is what transforms an ordinary gift into a universal act of generous, loving-kindness that benefits all beings.

Generosity is for all seasons!

--GK Sandoval