On to Tara News page 6Unless you've been meditating in your cave for the last few months, you've noticed the release of the film, Seven Years in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt. (See the Mike Leonard article reprinted from the Bloomington Herald Tribune elsewhere in this newsletter.)
Another major movie, a biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is due to be released on Christmas Day. The film is titled Kundun, and is produced by Disney Studios and directed by Martin Scorsese. This film has already made news, due to the negative reaction of the Chinese government, which threatened to cancel plans to open a Disney theme park in China.
Kundun was written with the cooperation of His Holiness, who is reported to be very enthusiastic about so much Hollywood attention to the situation of Tibet and its religion.
Even though our teacher, Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, is an extremely busy person with responsibilities all over the world, he never fails to look out for the spiritual needs of his students on the Palouse! This time, he sent his blessings in the form of his longtime student, Chuck Damov. Many of us had the good fortune to attend his workshop held October 10 through 13, which centered on The Song of the Four Contemplations, by the 7th Dalai Lama. The group was delighted, not only by Chuck's knowledge of the Dharma, but how well he was able to communicate that knowledge. And, to top it off, Chuck was just plain fun to have around.
Chuck began his teachings on Friday with an explanation of how he came to be a student of Buddhism, how he met his original teachers, and how he became the student of Zasep Rinpoche. He told a wonderful story about a pilgrimage he made to India. He sent letters to two centers of study, one Hindu and one Buddhist. The Buddhist center was the only one that wrote back, "... and that," he said, "is how I became a Buddhist." Chuck also clarified how to meditate, focusing on the importance of a straight back, and other physical considerations. He led us through some basic breathing meditations that would help us become focused throughout the seminar.
Saturday was devoted to the first two parts of The Song of the Four Contemplations. The text included an explanation of the importance of taking refuge in the spiritual master. Chuck was able to answer many questions regarding this topic, including what constituted a relationship with a master and how to choose a master. We also talked about the "teacher within" and how to awaken our own Buddha nature. As we began to meditate at the end of the first session, we heard very loud noises. It was the sound of the marching bands of the University of Idaho Homecoming Parade. It was an interruption -- yes -- but an entertaining one, so we were grateful.
Later on Saturday, Chuck presented the qualities that make a good listener. We talked about the famous metaphor of the teapot, which should not be turned over, dirty, or full of holes. The metaphor served to prepare us for the study of the vehicles: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana, all of which related to the second part of the poem. During our study of the Hinayana, Chuck described the great fortune of having a human body and asked us whether we were happy each morning just to find ourselves still alive.
Apparently, a few of us took Chuck's questions to heart, because several students reported feeling happy to be alive the next morning. Chuck started the Sunday session by reading a handout he had found on the floor in Andy Well's car. It was entitled, "How to be an Effective Student." The tips, such as "don't get too comfortable," and "have a regular study area," applied quite nicely and humorously to our spiritual practices.
Chuck went on to illuminate many other topics relating to the text, including impermanence, delusions and the realms they lead to, as well the essential teaching that we are not independent of the universe and that grasping at self is the root of suffering.
The day was concluded with a stroke of good karma. The monks from Drepung
Loseling Monastery, our own Gelupa lineage, happened to be at Washington
State University for a presentation of Tibetan spiritual performing arts.
The group from the workshop attended the show, as well as a potluck that
was put on for the monks after their performance. What a weekend! Our thanks
go out to Zasep Tulku Rinpoche for asking Chuck to come, and we thank Chuck
for his hard work, good fun, and priceless insights.
