Dharma Fellowship: A Gateway to Joy (Link #750)

Speaker: Stanton Dossett. Stanton contemplates the phrase, ‘connecting the dots’, used by Rinpoche in his book The Intelligent Heart. The first dot is suffering. For Stanton, it is only with the aid of daily practice that the dots become connectable, and the relationship between self-importance and negative karma can be understood. When walking one day in his local neighbourhood, Stanton had a sudden, vivid insight that everyone wishes, just like him, for happiness and to be free of suffering. Contemplating this insight and the aspiration of the Buddha to become enlightened for the benefit of all beings was a profound experience that stayed with him on the MSB Dana pilgrimage to Bodhgaya. Aware of the passage of time, Stanton encourages us to ask ourselves, as he does, "At what point do I commit completely to the aspiration of the Buddha, putting Dharma at the centre of my life?"

Speaker: Deborah Crouse. Deborah expresses her gratitude for the many resources that are available for practice and study and for the way Rinpoche has organized MSB to support his students. Some examples include the Study and Practice Representatives, Lobpons and Khenchungs who lead classes year round. She recalls Rinpoche saying that the point of study is certitude and study helps us untangle the knots. Because he is passionate about his students learning to study correctly, Deborah discusses his ‘How to Study’ guide, which provides detailed methods of study using the three wisdoms of hearing, contemplating and meditating. She also remembers Rinpoche saying that when we are able to grasp concepts previously unknown, we can fill the storehouse of our alaya with the “gold coins of wisdom” that will serve us on our path both now and in future lives. Finally, Deborah reminds us of how rare it is to find a teacher in the west who so generously offers word for word transmissions of classical texts in both Tibetan and English, as well as detailed commentaries.

Speaker: Deborah Haynes. In this second installment on the topic of death, Deborah recounts many losses experienced throughout her life. These include the recent death of her spouse and her son's current, terminal illness. These encounters with suffering and impermanence inform her Dharma path and animate her daily practice. Deborah's Buddhist path is the aspiration to meet whatever arises, both now and in lifetimes to come, with unwavering fearlessness and compassion.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. Dungse-la reminds us to review the eighteen freedoms and advantages and ascertain whether we are meeting them in our lives. If we find that we are lacking any, then we can strive to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from being present. Pointing to Milarepa as an example, Dungse-la emphasizes that it was his longing to meet the Dharma and his deep devotion that allowed him to overcome all circumstantial obstacles. Therefore, we too, need to keep our longing alive to whatever extent it currently resides in each of us, and reaffirm aspiration bodhicitta to engage our minds to benefit beings and bring them to enlightenment.

Speaker: Ani Nyima Dolma. Ani shares some of her daily positivity practices, prayers and readings, including a gratitude mala for those who are or have been in her life. This has proven to be an uplifting morning alternative to waking in rushed anxiety thinking of all the things that need to be done. She goes on to share details about the new, MSB online program to foster fellowship and build community. Ani sees it as an excellent way to get to know Sangha, especially those who don't live close to a community retreat center.

Speaker: Meryl Yoss. Meryl describes in detail the three foundational pillars of her life as a student of the Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche: practice, patience, and persistence. She covers a wide range of the techniques and tools of her practice, and in the process uncovers deep wisdoms of the Dharma. In preparing for the talk, Meryl also shares various questions and issues that require more thinking, contemplation and investigation on her part. Despite the importance of asking questions and examining the Dharma ‘as a goldsmith examines gold’, Meryl has learned that it takes time to fully understand, and therefore requires patience with herself and resting in not knowing.

Speaker: Stephanie Kindberg-Velasco. As a hospice caregiver and death doula, Stephanie shares her experiences being with those who transition from this life, and the profundity of relying on the Three Jewels in the process. She offers resources to prepare for our own end of life and those of our loved ones such as the Advance Directive for Conscious Dying and the Five Wishes, and for MSB students, the Bardo Manual. Stephanie discusses what helps us to let go with ease at the end, as the great practitioners of our lineage have done. Rinpoche has said that if we have utter unwavering faith in the Three Jewels they will be there to greet us as we make our transition. She asks herself, "What kind of faith do I have? What am I doing to cultivate and increase my faith? How are the practices I am doing going to support me in the end?" For Stephanie, consistent practice deepens her faith, connection and trust in the Guru and the deities, thereby becoming a ring for their hook. In addition, fostering community and connection within the Sangha is invaluable, which creates a heartfelt, mutual reliance like an extended family.

Speaker: Paddy McCarthy. Paddy discusses the introduction to Rinpoche's latest book: Diligence: The Joyful Endeavor of the Buddhist Path. In Buddhist thought, laziness is defined as internal hindrances that prevent us from achieving what we truly desire. It manifests in three forms: attachment to rest, attachment to distractions, and self-denigration/self-deprecation. Diligence is the antidote. In The Way of the Bodhisattva, Shantideva describes the six paramitas or transcendent perfections of generosity, moral discipline, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. These are the core practices of a bodhisattva (one who aspires to benefit all beings) to act accordingly and become fully realized. Diligence is essential for progress in these perfections, helping us recognize and overcome laziness in our mental patterns. It enables us to work through unconscious habits that hinder growth. At its core, diligence is about cultivating joy in our efforts, allowing us to sustain ourselves and accomplish our goals with purpose and perseverance.

Speaker: Abra Havens. Abra shares how doubt has played a pivotal role in her life, specifically in relation to religion. Having been raised as a Jehovah's Witness with a devout mother and non-believing father, the seeds of doubt were planted early for Abra. Becoming liberated from her childhood religion as an adult felt liberating and empowering, but Abra also came to realize how doubt had become a habit. After having encountered and embraced the Dharma, her first several years of practice were influenced by unexamined doubt. Having realized this, Abra began applying the instructions she received exactly as they were given. Examining every corner of her mind, she came upon several poignant discoveries. Eventually she learned to stop examining everything through the lens of doubt and began looking instead at doubt itself, understanding it as a habit based in fear and self-deception.

Speaker: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche. This LINK was originally given at Longchen Jigme Samten Ling in Crestone, Colorado on October 4, 2015. In this talk, Rinpoche examines the Four Solaces of the Kadampa: placing deep trust and finding solace in the Dharma, using the minimum resources to support yourself, placing your trust in "the cave" or in the solitude of retreat, and practicing until death comes to you. He examines the ways in which we are affected by our attachments, the benefits of letting go and living a simple life, and the importance of consistent practice until the day one dies.