Ven. Thubten Chodron
Today I attended the "Skies of Merit" retreat (part 1) that was guided by Ven. Thubtren Chodron. To my surprise.. until the last 5 minutes, I was mistaken Ven. Thubtren Chodron with Pema Chodron haha! I thought Ven. Thubtren Chodron was Pema Chodron, and before I knew the reality, I was so glad that I was able to meet the teacher whom wrote one of Buddhism great book hahaha.
Nevertheless, I am not disappointed and have no regret at all to be able to meet, listen, and join the retreat under Ven. Thubtren Chodron. I have found so many sparkling lights come to my mind because of her words :). And I learn a new approach - the Tibetan way. It is great when you learn how each different ways are actually leading to the same destination.
What did I learn today?
1. The prostration in Tibetan way In this way, we put our palm together and bend both thumbs inside. This is called anjali. The space in between the palm indicates EMPTINESS. Right hand indicates COMPASSION, and left hand indicates WISDOM. So, it means that compassion and wisdom should come together; not separating them in our action.Prostration is divided into two; short and long prostration. For the short one, firstly, we need to put our hands in anjali, to our crown (the top of our head), forehead, throat, and heart. Then put our hands on the floor (let go the anjali), bend our knees, and lowered our head. We repeat this kind of action three times and closed by doing anjali to our crown, forehead, throat, and heart. For the long prostration, we do exactly the same as the short one, but here, despite of lowering down our head, we lay our body on the floor, straighten our hands aside our head, and bend our palm 90 degrees upward.
Anyway, do you know what is the meaning behind all of these?? Yeaps, you are correct, it is to reduce our pride, ego, and self-centered mind.
When we put our anjali hands to crown, it reminds us of the Buddha who has reached enlightenment, thus motivate us to be a Buddha. When we put our anjali hands to forehead, we invites WHITE LIGHT from the Boddhisatvas to come and purify our bodily actions, i.e. protecting lives of other beings, doing generosity, and developing true love. When we put our anjali hands to throat, we invites RED LIGHT from the Boddhisatvas to come and purify our speech, i.e. being honest, framing our words differently to avoid harsh speech, speaking to create harmony, and be mindful with your speech (sometimes we need to just be QUIET instead of talking). When we put our anjali hands to heart, we invites DEEP BLUE LIGHT from the Boddhisatvas to come and purify our mind, i.e. being contented, rejoicing, developing kind thoughts to every beings (to our enemies too), and setting up the right views. It is advisable to meditate each morning and set out your mind to do goodness for today, and do reflection before you go to sleep at night.
2. Offering
In fact, offering can be done actually and mentally. So, it does not matter whether you are rich or poor, you still can do offering to the Triple Gems (Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha). Actual offerings are more to material things (money), protecting other beings, loving other beings, and giving the Dhamma to yourself and others. Mentally offering is more to visualizing beautiful things. For example, when you offer a flower, instead of just thinking of ONE flower, you may visualize a garden of beautiful flowers, and then you offer them to the Triple Gems.
Ohh yaa.. and I think Ven. Thubten Chodron mentioned a good way about offering something/ someone that we are attached to the Triple Gems. It is much better for them to be taken care by the Buddha (Triple Gems) rather than taken care by only ME, isn't it? :)
P.S. Thank you for so many wonderful people that allow me to do this precious deed in this present life :). It is said that the gift of Dhamma excels all gifts.
May all beings be well and happy always!!!
