Happy New Year!!!

I'm not too sure why the 'new' year doesn't start on the winter solstice. To me, it just makes sense. Shortest day of the year. Easily marked and tracked. A No-Brainer. But there are many 'new year' celebrations that happen around the world, given whatever calendar one follows, I choose a few dates to mark:

The 'earthly' cycle I mark by the winter solstice.

The 'spiritual' cycle I mark by Losar, concluding with The Day of Miracles.

Lama Tsongkhapa Day

A very interesting series of events have occurred lately involving the Lam Rim prayer composed by Lama Tsongkhapa, 'The Foundation of All Good Qualities'. This is a significant text for me because after I received the oral transmission and commentary on 'The Foundation' by Za Choeje Rinpoche in January of 2009, my practice took on a different and new direction. It took me awhile to understand how brilliant this prayer actually is. My appreciation had not blossomed but seeds were planted.

For that seed to crack, it took the Lam Rim series of classes offered by the Emaho Foundation's resident teacher, Geshe Jampa Khechok. I've had the great fortune to take Lam Rim classes from Geshe-la three times. In fact, our most recent series of classes finished last night, December 20th. The last class was to be a summary of the topics covered, which turned into a teaching on Lama Tsongkhapa's 'The Foundation of All Good Qualities'! Geshe-la recited the Tibetan verses and gave commentary on each stanza--accomplishing the aim of summarizing the expansive Lam Rim material through speaking about 'The Foundation'.

The really auspicious part of the event was that it was Lama Tsongkhapa Day to boot. Talk about blessed! I am so very fortunate to have received teachings on this prayer from both of my teachers, Za Choeje Rinpoche and Geshe Jampa.

I'm stunned into a silence filled with gratitude and devotion.

Namo Gurubhya.

Following the Guru

Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

My practice is something that shifts. There are core elements that remain but the study and contemplation take different routes. I'm led to new books, practice items and teachings. This last period was heavy with Guru Rinpoche, Vajrasattva and the fundamentals of tantra. There seems to be a rush of new activity, which tapers off. It almost comes to a rest with little stirring. Then, it starts again.

It seems like whatever area of focus I'm to embark on next, starts to manifest in small but sure signs. Once again, Green Tara dances to the forefront of mind. Just recently I read the english translation of Yeshe Tsogyal's secret biography. I'm also a huge fan of Padmasambhava's, so I picked up a copy of his biography as well. The two books are essential reads for practitioners of the Tibetan school of  Vajrayana, in my opinion. Highly recommended. By reading her biography it is clear that Yeshe Tsogyal IS Green Tara, the Mother of All Buddhas.

Green Tara arose earlier this year as well. I gave out a few Green Tara dharma items to friends--including a Green Tara tsa-tsa for my teacher Zachoje Rinpoche's birthday. She's always around, don't get me wrong. She likes to wander off for a little bit then she comes back around to see how things are. I've heard that some people will 'see' Green Tara in different aspects. When I think of Green Tara, she's dancing on a lotus, radiating multi-colored golden light.

Rinpoche mentioned that he might focus next year's teachings on the 21 Taras, including Green Tara, of course. I just about fell out of my chair when I heard that. It would be a true honor to receive teachings on Green Tara from Za Rinpoche. I'm looking forward to it and studying up on Tara. I have several of the more popular books on Tara and also an interesting book that was published in India on the history of Tara.

Buddha. Bodhisattva. Dakini. Goddess. Prajnaparamita.

She's Non-Dual.

Dawn

The first rays
cracked the sky
with beams of honey.
The night broken.

--GK Sandoval