I am driving a Tibetan Buddhist Monk around this weekend. Ask me anything

I just had the car serviced and cleaned today!

AND it's supposed to snow on us on Friday!

Are ya gettin' him a hooker? Can't show a visitor a good time your hometown, y'know, if you don't get 'im a hooker.

not even a zen hooker!

used to time his lectures with a decanter full of scotch.

:)

Hi Billy, haven't seen you too much today.:hi: :pals:

Nice to see you! I got in work late today because I was at the dentist first thing. And Clintmax's thread was EXTRA early today, and that tends to be the hub of activity at that time. I think that must be the reason! :pals:

:hi:

wax on, wax off.

Actually, I am just making that up. I don't know if he knows a martial art. I just liked Mr. Miaggi.

Or is he one of those American nouveau-Tibetan Buddhist monky-types?

Are you going to sit with him? Will he hit you with a stick?

Grew up there...is from the Gelugpa school. I hope he doesn't hit me with a stick while I am driving! That would suck!

Because he has no attachments.

:)

If a tree falls in the woods, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise? *insertgonghere* :D

What kind of music do you like, do you want to listen to the radio, and are you hungry? What do you want for lunch/dinner?

:rofl:

I read somewhere it is wash the cup and put the cup away. I think of this often. To me it means to do the next logical step in making decisions. If you don't want to wash the cup, then don't make the the tea. Think of the consequences of your actions. Plan ahead on what is good and what is a acceptable mundane activity. Carry this through on everything you do.

But I think the historical context of cleaning your cup is the fact that each monk had their own (mostly wooden) dishes, and they had to keep them clean, because they were carrying their belongings in their robes.

Your interpretation is very Zen. :hi:

but, the washing it and putting it away would be part of mindful meditation....

I think I actually might ask this one.

but every action should be mindful. Every step you take. And it should never become a routine.

interesting.

Is there a good meditation retreat or center in your town? What school does the one you go to focus on?

quite close and a Mahayana retreat (run by exil Tibetans) somewhat farther away, but still within close distance. There's another retreat a few yards from me, but that's somewhat different and I don't belong there.

And there's always any room or place, too.

It sounds as if you are in a very cool area.

I am studying Tibetan Monastic traditions this semester as a religious studies student; I am actually an Episcopalian.

I find the precepts of your chosen philosophy/religion both fascinating and soothing.

What state are you all in? (and, no, I don't mean "bliss.")

Otherwise I'd have no answer. ;)

Michael and I are in NC--- close to the Triangle area.

called Ticino, Southern part of Switzerland.

Switzerland actually took many Tibetan refugees, and there are quite decent Tibetan Buddhist centers here.

and forgot to tell you "nevermind!"

I bet it is just beautiful there, I have never been!

Steph

I just think they're lying about the 'mediterranean climate' and the palmetto trees here. It's still cold ... ;) Here's a pic of our place:

That is a great compliment given that I was raised a Catholic. Washing the cup is not to be taken literally. It just means to think about your actions and then their consequences. I wish I could remember where I read it. To me, it meant that no matter how mundane an activity, a consequence will result. The tea is good, the washing, bad. The story went on from there. Drink the tea so YOU GET TO WASH THE CUP that is the joy in the tea because you enjoyed the tea and washing the cup prolongs your enjoyment of the tea. Does this make any sense?

and I vaguely remember the story which is related to Zen Buddhism. I'll look for it.

in their daily routines.

I don't know if the cup thing is right, but it would hold true with the little knowledge I have right now.

Comparison between what it's like before and after enlightenment:
Before enlightenment-Chop wood, carry water
After enlightenment-Chop wood, carry water

or does he actually live in Tibet and comes for a visit?

He is here teaching; I am not sure for how long.

Otherwise he must have been very priviledged and sent out by the Chinese.

Tashi Delek!

the philosophy propagated by Sri Sankaracarya almost completely drove Buddhism out of India many centuries ago. Although the two philosophies are actually almost the same, they differ only in nomenclature. Wierd.

since India was the birthplace of Buddhism.

Buddhism is a non-Vedic philosophy, whereas Sankaracarya's mayavadism is essentially the same philosophy but presented in Vedic terms. In effect, Sankaracarya reintroduced the Vedas into Indian religious life.

:popcorn:

?

http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/20-03-2006/77501-Buddha-0

No trace found of missing Nepalese boy some believe is Buddha

03/20/2006

Hundreds of volunteers and police searched Monday in a jungle of southern Nepal for a missing teenage boy who many believe is the reincarnation of Buddha, but failed to find any trace of him, an official said.

Searchers have covered a large area around where the boy, Ram Bahadur Banjan, 15, was last seen on March 11 in a forest where he had meditated for the last 10 months, allegedly without food and water, local government official Harihar Dahal said.

<snip>
Banjan disappeared from his meditating spot in a niche among the roots of a tree in Bara, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of the capital, Katmandu. He had been sitting cross-legged and motionless with his eyes closed since last May 17.

Thousands of Hindus and Buddhists flocked to see him every day.

more@link

Priceless. :rofl:

Cuz, y'know...getting stoned with a Buddhist monk would be a mindblower.

Is it real? I would love to know given that I do business in China and my Chinese friends say that that is propaganda from the west.

The search for enlightenment seems to get all the press--the big question is, once you've attained it, What Next?

Tucker