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Dear Sangha and
friends,
On September 11, the world witnessed a most tragic day and an
utterly horrible nightmare in our country. It is a most important
and critical time for us to pray and practice loving-kindness,
compassion, and bodhicitta for all.
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Sherab Negi, Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche and
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche at Liberty Island. In the
background are the former World Trade Center
buildings. |
At this time, it would be beneficial to recite the Aspiration of Mahamudra
by the
third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje, the Samantabhadra Prayer of the
Dzogchen tantra, and Auspiciousness that Lights
Up the Universe , for world peace and for
the victims of yesterday's tragedy in America, in particular. For
those who seek a general Mahayana Aspiration, it is good to recite
The King of Aspiration
Prayers, the Aspiration for Noble Excellent Conduct. [Note: each of these prayers is available from this
website by clicking on the links above (or in the left margin). The
prayers may be downloaded in word processing format or printed
directly from the web.]
It is important to
exercise our ultimate heart of bodhicitta, along with the heart of
loving kindness and compassion, and to use the most powerful weapon
of shunyata. It is said in the lojong teachings, "Emptiness is the
supreme protection." There is no better protection than emptiness.
Thus, the supreme protection for the world, for America, for
sentient beings, and for the heart of love and compassion of all
sentient beings, is to meditate on selflessness, emptiness, and
shunyata. We should also exercise our hearts of relative
bodhicitta–loving-kindness and compassion–in the post meditation
state.
May all the victims who suffered and are suffering from these
unthinkable negative actions be totally free from all pain, and
achieve the well-being and joy of enlightenment. May the world enjoy
peace, happiness, and harmony, and see an end to all conflict and
aggression. Finally, I offer these words of aspiration from
The Aspiration of
Mahamudra, the Definitive Meaning, by the Third Karmapa,
Rangjung Dorje:
Though the nature of beings has always been Buddha,
Not
realizing this, they wander in endless samsara.
For sentient
beings, whose suffering has no limit,
May unbearable compassion
be born in our hearts.
And,
Through the compassion of the Buddhas of the ten
directions
and their
heirs,
And the power of however much pure virtue there
is,
May this utterly pure aspiration of myself and all
beings
Be accomplished
accordingly.
With love and prayers,
The Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
September 12, 2001 |
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