Happy Losar, the Tibetan Buddhism New Year. Tonight our temple is sponsoring the “Festival of 1,000 Lights & Flowers”. You can read about it by viewing this poster. On Losar, when someone does something that is meritorious (which is a big part of the path) such as kindness to others, generous offerings, prayers and so on, the merit is multiplied by 10 million! I don’t need to give an example, it’s pretty clear huh?
And so, with that in mind, I’d like to offer this amazing teaching that came from a beautiful Dakini who was the consort of Guru Rinpoche, the father of Buddhism in Tibet. In Buddhism making an offering to anyone is considered very auspcious and meritorious, but offering to the Teacher is enormous. On this auspicious day what better thing to do than understand that importance for the sake of all beings and our own awakening.
“Then I asked the dakinis:
“Why do you suffer in this way?
To what purpose?
If one lives in accordance with the Dharma until death,
is that not sufficient?
And they answered me:
‘Dear woman of irresolute mind!
The compassion of a great teacher who has all the qualifications
may only be available briefly.
If you do not offer whatever he/she wishes
when he/she looks upon you,
later nothing you do will lead to fulfillment.
If you procrastinate,
obstacles will multiply.
Your insight and certainty may last only a moment:
natural and spontaneous faith may not stay long.
If you do not make offerings when Pristine
Awareness arises,
later nothing you do may lead to fulfillment.
If you procrastinate,
obstacles will multiply.
Now at least you have a human body –
you may not have it long.
The chance to practice Dharma seldom arises;
If you do not make offerings when you meet a qualified teacher-
If you procrastinate –
obstacles will multiply.
The teacher may only be here briefly;
only now can you be certain
to enter the door of the secret teachings.
If you do not offer yourself
when you have access to the highest Dharma-
If you procrastinate –
obstacles will multiply.
‘From Mother of Knowledge:
The Enlightenment of Yeshe TsogyalbyNam-mkha’I snying-po
Tranlated by Tarthang Tulku
As Americans we often don’t understand offering. We tend to see this kind and loving gesture in an ordinary way. In Tibetan Buddhism offering with you heart has enormous merit. Offering to the Teacher is beyond words. The actual act of the physical gift changing hands is not the offering, it’s the intention of love, devotion or kindness.
Filed under: Buddhism, Compassion, My Lama, poetry
