Losar - 2/25/2009 - Year of the Earth Ox - Prayers

Dear Friends:
The New Year for Tibetans has begun, and for the next month all postive and negative actions are multiplied 100,000 times; however, because the situation in Tibet has worsened, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has asked that the usual Losar celebrations be curtailed. Please see a letter that he sent out in regard to this at http://www.dalailama.com/news.348.htm

In response, Ven. Thubton Chodron has sent out a request for prayers until March 10 in 7 languages; thus, I will post the English version. Please join if you can, and send Reiki, also. The situation in Tibet is collective karma, and impacts all of us. The prayers:
1) NETWORK OF PRAYERS FOR TIBET. If you are a practicing Tibetan Buddhist of any tradition, or a supporter of the Tibetan cause, or in general anyone who appreciates the values of love and compassion in this world, please read this and pass it to your friends and contacts as soon as possible.We are a group of international students of Tibetan Buddhism from different countries all over the world concerned about the future and the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism, Tibet, and the Tibetan culture.We have been inspired to take action after reading His Holiness the Dalai Lama's New Year message to the Tibetan people on 24/2/09 (see http://www.dalailama.com/news.348.htm )As you are probably aware, the situation in Tibet has worsened dramatically during the last year. According to different sources, Tibet has been closed to tourists, there have been attempts to isolate the Tibetan population by means of cutting internet access and mobile phones, and thereby preventing communication and independent reports about the actual situation there. Tibetans inside and outside Tibet had wished not to observe Losar this year with the usual celebrations, because of the terrible difficulties and sufferings experienced in Tibet over the past year; however the Chinese government has been trying to force the people in Tibet to celebrate Losar against their will. This could lead to demonstrations, and a chance for an unprecedented, unimaginable clampdown. His Holiness has advised people not to react to such provocation, to abide in patience in every situation, and to use this period of time to engage in prayers and positive actions.From our side, we would like to emphasize the need to acknowledge that this culture based on love and compassion could disappear from the world. Due to the interconnectedness of everything that happens on this planet, we think that this situation is not just a matter of the Tibetan people and politics, but a matter of the collective karma of everyone, and thus a matter of universal responsibility. In this regard we want to establish a network of people around the world who will share in this responsibility through meditation and prayer. During the next 15 days, starting from LOSAR, February 25th until March 10th, PLEASE HELP US TO CREATE THIS NETWORK OF LOVE AND COMPASSION for Tibet, by joining us in the practice of TONG-LEN (see below), or any practice you think will generate an atmosphere of love and compassion in our world. Besides any normal practice you may do, or any other peaceful activities, we ask you to join us two times a day, morning and evening, for five minutes or longer, whenever it is convenient for you, and to dedicate that the suffering of the Tibetans will come to an end, and that the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and culture will be preserved. Please also dedicate with prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and of all the lineage holders of the different Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Please also recite the following prayer for the success of His Holiness’ wishes, which was composed by Himself at the request of the late H.H. Dilgo Kyentse Rinpoche:Saviour of the snow land teachings and transmigratory beings,Who makes extremely clear the path that is the unification of emptiness and compassion,To the Lotus Holder Tenzin Gyatso, I beseech:May all your holy wishes be spontaneously fulfilled.PASS THIS TO OTHERS WHO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THIS NETWORK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO WE CAN CREATE A POWERFUL COLLECTIVE ENERGY THAT COULD BRING ACTUAL CHANGES TO THE SITUATION. THANK YOU.
THE PRACTICE OF TONG-LEN (Taking and Giving)
This is a method for cultivating love and compassion by taking on the suffering of others and giving them the positive energy and happiness that they need. It is a mental exercise that trains the mind and heart in these qualities.There are various ways to do Tong-len; here is a simple version of the practice:First, imagine at your heart a dark ball, which represents your negative energy: attitudes such as anger, attachment, ignorance, and selfishness, as well as sickness and other problems. Then think of people and beings who are suffering; you can think specifically of the Tibetan people, as well as people and beings in other places who are oppressed, hungry, sick, frightened, and so forth. Generate a feeling of compassion: “how wonderful it would be if they could be free from their sufferings and the causes of suffering.” Then imagine drawing all the sufferings out of these beings in the form of a dark stream of light or smoke, coming out of their right nostrils and entering into your left nostril. It goes straight down into the dark ball at your heart, completely destroying it. Imagine that you have completely freed all those beings from their suffering, and the dark ball of your selfishness and negative energy, which was at your heart, has been completely destroyed. Next, imagine giving away your happiness, possessions, merit, and positive energy to those beings. Visualize these positive things in the form of a stream of white light, which goes out from your right nostril and enters through their left nostrils, filling them with happiness. Let your mind rest for a few moments in a state of peace and joy that you have been able to relieve others of their suffering, and give them happiness. Then dedicate the merit you have created that all beings may attain enlightenment as quickly as possible.
Love-Light,
Carol
http://www.carolwilson.org/