On the way to Singapore from Denmark

Now I am in the plane and coming back to Singapore. It was a long but comfortable journey. My stay in Denmark was very memorable as it was under the invitation of Clouse and Malik for their centre. I know Malik from more than 3 years ago and later his father Clouse came to Nepal and requested me to come and teach the practice of Chod and Mahakala. That was 2 years back and both of them waited for my free time and it happened this time. We had a nice programme in Denmark and those attending were very keen to learn the traditional way of practice as well as receiving clear explanations. I did my best to teach them how to practice and hopefully they have benefitted a little bit. There are so many methods of practice under Mahayana and Vajrayana but one very important thing is the application of all practice with relative and ultimate truth. Any practice of Vajrayana creation and completion begins with emptiness, which is the realization of the ultimate truth. Realization of emptiness is then followed by the visualization of mandala that is clear and vivid but empty in nature, which is the relative truth. So here emptiness is not ‘nothingness’ but lacking of its truth of existence as permanent and independently single. Everything that appeared in front of us without checking, we believe they truly exist and are solid or single. But if we investigate a little further to find out its reality, then we can not find true existence as one or independently. So it lacks the identity of being truly established. Appearance is due to interdependence arising. Anything that interdependently arises, they do not solely exist and are empty in nature. If one understands this reality and then adapts that into practice, eventually realization will take place. It is important to understand this because real enlightenment can be achieved only through realization of ultimate truth and that is not separated from relative truth. Within the ultimate truth there is relative truth and vice versa. So it causes the Dharma Kaya and Rupa Kaya which accomplishes the purpose of oneself and others.

In this way, the ritual like practice (of Chod) has a great method of meditation unlike other cultural rituals as what some people believe it is. When you don’t explore the essence of practice with proper guidance and just follow the procedure of rituals on the surface, then one may think it’s simply a ritual and nothing more than that. My teacher used to tell me one simple practice of Yidam is actually the complete, entire ground, path and fruition of the Buddha’s teaching.

I was guiding some practice that needed to have melody and I thought it is difficult because western people may not be able to learn it well as they use entirely different language from Asian languages. But to my surprise they eventually can chant so well and also they like the melody very much. It gives me a lot of inspiration to teach and at the same time enjoy the teaching. The centre I visited was far from Copenhagen and it is about 4 hours drive from Copenhagen. This area is mainly farm land and they plant many kinds of crops. Also, windmills are everywhere and the place is windy, sometimes it feels cold even in summer. The centre is serving organic vegetarian food for everyone so it's very healthy to live. The organic food is grown from their own farm land which were freshly picked and cooked.

I am in the plane and flying above Afghanistan and Pakistan somewhere now and I am supposed to sleep at this time but I do not feel sleepy so I keep on writing. Coming back to Singapore always feels good because so many nice people are there and it’s become second home already. I will have good time meeting all the disciples and friends again. Anyway 25^th of July is a special day as it is the day the Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma for the first time. So the centre is going to organize releasing of animal life as a form of practice of generosity by saving lives of others who are in fear. Also we will have some prayers at night to celebrate the special events and accumulate the merits. By the time I reached Singapore I might be feeling a little bit jet lag and my mind may not be so fresh but still I think I can function. Haha

Actually I have not written articles for some time and it has become a little difficult for me to start now. I still have to start when I think of those people who check my blog every day to see if there are any updates or not. I don’t want to disappoint them so I just put in a little effort to write. Actually I should be continuing my biography but it was interrupted for some time due to my busy schedule of traveling and also many times because of laziness. So maybe I will kick out my laziness for certain distance and try to write when I have free time. I may not write long articles as sometime readers may feel bored and also someone advised me that reading long articles on screen is not good for eyesight so I don’t want my readers to have weak eyesight. Haha. Anyway, it's fun to write now as if I am in conversation with my friends who are just simply listening to me. That’s all for now and wish you all the best.

My message to Denmark friends which I met this time, I am very touched with your clear minded devotion to the Dharma and also have given me so much care and love which I will always remember. It is a fuel for my development of Bodhichitta and inspiration to do more beneficial work. As I wrote in the Blog a long time ago, when a student learns something from me, I am at the same time learning many things. So in reality, we all are students of each other. Therefore, thanks to all of you for everything and to have given me the opportunity to know you and learn many good qualities from you. I really admire your enthusiasm towards Practice and that lineage. Please keep it up as that is your asset to be free from suffering for everyone. Special thanks to Clouse and Eva, Malik and Tenzin as well as Carina and Trine. To every one of you, I give my good wishes and see you next time.