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FEBRUARY 2004 UPDATE

FEBRUARY 2005 UPDATE

Dear Friends,

Vajrasattva retreat is in its second month and Ven. Chodron is intent on doing retreat as well. To support her in that effort, the board members of Friends of Sravasti Abbey who are not on retreat are sending this e-newsletter.

In early January, Khensur Wangdak Rinpoche gave teachings on the four opponent powers and the practice of prostrations to the 35 Buddhas. Rinpoche and his excellent translator, Jeff Allen, were both sick with the flu, and we're grateful for their effort and compassion in relaying the teachings to us despite their illness.

The flu went to work on Ven. Chodron and the retreatants too. They took it in stride (lying in bed sleeping!) by thinking that it was part of the purification process. We know the retreatants are practicing with every situation that arises, and having the flu likely brought insights for each of them. Of course, everyone's happy that they have recovered!

Things quieted down for a couple of weeks and then got more active as Lama Zopa Rinpoche's visit approached. Rinpoche and Ven. Roger missed their flight and came a day later than expected. Fortunately Ven. Lhundrup arrived on time and had the altar set up so that Rinpoche could begin his preparation for the initiation as soon as he arrived. The team of volunteer helpers was decked out in new Sravasti Abbey sweatshirts. As guests arrived, they gathered downstairs in the house, chatting quietly to respect the retreat environment. Ven. Chodron gave a short talk about the purpose and vision of the Abbey, and Barbara explained Friends of Sravasti Abbey's activities.

Due to lack of facilities, the Abbey was unable to offer overnight accommodation to those who attended the initiation. With Rinpoche, entourage, and volunteers, the house and workshop were filled. People were sleeping all over and everyone was very good-natured about it.

About fifty people attended the initiation, and everyone fit comfortably into the new meditation hall, which was glowing. The retreatants had offered many lights and the radiance of Dharma in everyone's heart shone as well. Rinpoche's teachings were priceless, and he was especially appreciative of Ven. Chodron and the Abbey. In his opening comments, he noted, "Ven. Chodron has had the dream to establish this Abbey for so many eons." He laughed and continued, "For so many eons, so now it happens. It's actualized and I think it's very wonderful. When I first saw the house from the road below, it felt like I was going to see a very precious temple or holy place. That was the feeling. It is helpful for Dharma practice, and the people who come here to practice are lucky people."

Covering all the major Lamrim topics, his talk emphasized the importance of purifying negative karma. The teachings and initiation lasted over five hours, and then Rinpoche brought out many relics from previous great masters and the sangha blessed each of us by touching the relics to our heads.

Yangsi Rinpoche came to the Abbey for the initiation too and enjoyed the upper meadow so much that he walked up there twice. So the next day, Zopa Rinpoche also wanted to see it. Before beginning, he gave the group of us instructions for how to do walking meditation: Walking up, we were to contemplate leading all sentient beings to enlightenment. Then we were to reflect, "Who is walking?"

From the upper meadow, we walked into the forest, making a loop and arriving at the landing where we hope to build the temple in the future. There Rinpoche nodded vigorously as Ven. Chodron pointed out the sites of future Abbey buildings, including monastic residences, a temple and library, kitchen and guest house. "It's good," Rinpoche kept saying. Then he led us in dedicating for the spread of the Dharma at the Abbey. When Rinpoche left, after a mere 24-hours here, all of us felt inspired, blessed, and extremely grateful for his teachings.

Having so many sangha at the abbey for the initiation was a blessing. Four of the nuns were at the Spokane airport to greet Rinpoche. While they were waiting, members of a woman's basketball team approached them, wondering who they were. The nuns explained and the basketball team asked if they could take a photo with them-four short nuns in maroon robes surrounded by many tall women in red basketball uniforms!

Now, once again, the Abbey is in silence as Nanc, Miles, Aida, Flora, Kathleen, Kevin, and Lupita go deeper into their meditation. They begin each session with the motivation to attain enlightenment in order to lead all of us out of suffering and to full awakening. Thus each one of us is present with them as they meditate. Susan Giese is doing a wonderful job feeding them, while Nerea handles other tasks enabling the retreat to continue smoothly. Tracy faithfully takes care of their laundry, and Barbara, who did the retreat several years ago, comes from time to time to answer questions. The retreatants meet with Ven. Chodron every ten days, and we hope to have transcripts of those sessions on www.thubtenchodron.org soon.

Several of you who are participating in the retreat from afar have commented how rewarding it is to do one session of Vajrasattva each day. Dan, who is diligently doing the practice while incarcerated in Ohio, wrote, "Thank you for giving us this opportunity to do such a powerful, blissful, and wonderful practice. It seems as though I can finally put some things from my past to rest and continue the process of making peace with myself and others."

A year ago, Ven. Chodron promised Dharma Friendship Foundation to give a talk in Seattle and to lead a three-day retreat. She took a week out from retreat to do that. She also gave a talk in Portland, organized by Shakyamuni Tibetan Buddhist Center, as well as visited friends in the Zen tradition at Portland Buddhist Priory. Finally, she visited an inmate in the federal prison at Sheridan. The inmate and Ven. Chodron have been corresponding for six years and this was the first time they met face to face. He must have been very happy. She is now back at the Abbey, continuing retreat in the cabin in the garden. Hopefully this summer we will be able to add another cabin so more private retreat space will be available. We welcome volunteers to help build it!

Through these retreats and teaching events, Sravasti Abbey is fulfilling one important aspect of its purpose, and the Friends of Sravasti Abbey are honored and happy to support these efforts. Check out the photos at www.sravastiabbey.org.

As Valentine's Day approaches, may we enlarge our capacity to love and extend this wish for others to have happiness and its causes to all living beings. May we leave behind clinging and self-centered expectations, which impede love. Seeing the kindness of all beings, may our care and affection for them grow.

The Board of Friends of Sravasti Abbey

Cultivating Beneficial Habits from Taming the Mind by Thubten Chodron

Practicing Dharma in Daily Life-cont.

Coming Home

Before you walk into the door of your home, pause and come back to your motivation, "I'm going to see the people I care about now. I will be mindful and cultivate good relationships with them because I cherish them." Then open the door and step into your home. If you have a spouse and children, greet them lovingly. Look into their eyes so they know you care about them. So often we take those with whom we live for granted, thinking that because we are so close, they just have to put up with the way we are. This way of thinking is detrimental. Instead, by interacting with your family with a kind heart, everyone will be happier. You will be better able to share and support each other.

In the evening, instead of becoming mesmerized in front of the computer or dropping onto the bed and falling asleep, take a few minutes to sit quietly. Reflect on what happened during the day. Looking back over our day, ask yourself, "What went well today? Did I act with a kind heart?" Notice the instances when you acted kindly and rejoice. Dedicate that positive potential for the enlightenment of yourself and others.

In reviewing the day, you may discover that you were angry, jealous, or greedy. You may not have realized it at the time, but later you don't feel so good about what you felt, thought, said, or did. To purify this, develop regret and do some purification practice so you can forgive yourself and let that negative energy go. In this way, resolve any uncomfortable feelings or misdirected actions that may have arisen during the day.

Having done this, you will sleep more peacefully. When you lie down, rejoice that you were able to live one more day with the Dharma. Pray that others may be free from suffering and have this fortune as well. Make kindness part of your motivation for sleeping, "I will sleep now to rest my body so that tomorrow I can continue progressing on the path to enlightenment and continue to benefit sentient beings in whatever way, big or small, that I can." Imagine the Buddha on your pillow and put your head in the Buddha's lap when you go to sleep. You may want to imagine gentle light flowing from the Buddha into you. This is very comforting and helps you to remember the Buddha's good qualities and to have better dreams.

Practicing Dharma is not difficult or time consuming. We always have time; there are always twenty-four hours in a day. If we direct our mind positively, we can transform whatever action we do into the path to enlightenment. In this way, the Dharma becomes part of our life in an integrated way. Getting up in the morning is Dharma, eating and going to work are Dharma, sleeping is Dharma. By transforming our attitude in the midst of daily activities, our life becomes greatly meaningful.

 
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