Thursday, September 17, 2015
Saturday, September 12, 2015
"A love, pure love will never return void"
In this movie that I was watching while doing cycling at the gym, several couple stands up on a makeshift stage at a beach-side to share why they were married. All the couples tied the knot for over a decade, and they all go through life's many ups and downs.
Particularly some of them are facing insurmountable obstacles, and that their relationship has reached the verge of collapse. Amongst those couples who stand-ups to share their stories, everyone's story was very touching and moving that, make goose bump on them. The last couple who stand up to share the stories was an elderly couple, who have reached their life's final stage. Even that old pair had a relationship that was marred with intrigue and romance and fiasco.
The old man's message to the rest of couple attending there was this " love, pure love will never return void".
I hope this wisdom will apply to another romantic love story that I have seen unfold in front of my eye.
A girl and boy developed a friendship for over a year. Each one is treating the other in a special way. They both feel there is room for them in each other's heart. However, this particular friendship never went beyond their normal friendly relations. After many nights of date and intimate conversations, both of them have not honestly articulated in what direction that their friendship should move.
The girl finds it weird that even after year's of intimate conversation and care for each other, the boy has not still indicated any clear sign of their future. Except fostering a kind of usual friendship through the expression of concern, such as constant call and text in inquiring the girl's well-being, the boy has not made any advance to the girl. Even when he took her to his apartment, he slept on the sofa and her on his bed.
The girl finally determined to bring up the conservation with him in their relationship at a follow-up date. After a long night dinner date, they still could not touch on the subject matter, and again parted their ways after the boy took her to where she stays at friend's house. He returned to his apartment.
The next day, at the insistence of the girl, they finally managed to have a conversation. Where the girl, expressed her desire for living together as a couple, or long for the boy and girl relationship. At that point, the boy told her, he never wish to get married in this life. If he wants to, then he sees in her all the qualities of an exceptional woman.
This revelation devastated the girl, beyond belief. She cried and felt the world is upside down. The boy, wish to maintain a healthy friendship with her, as his best friend, no more and no less than that.
The poor girl's genuine love for the boy was not reciprocated. After that eventful night. The boy still tries to keep in touch with her, and at her threat of cutting off all communication, he earnestly requested against doing that.
This is a freaky weird love story, and I don't know if the wisdom that "love, a pure love will never return void" still valid in this case. Will the boy ever come to his sense and reciprocate the girl's love eventually?
Particularly some of them are facing insurmountable obstacles, and that their relationship has reached the verge of collapse. Amongst those couples who stand-ups to share their stories, everyone's story was very touching and moving that, make goose bump on them. The last couple who stand up to share the stories was an elderly couple, who have reached their life's final stage. Even that old pair had a relationship that was marred with intrigue and romance and fiasco.
The old man's message to the rest of couple attending there was this " love, pure love will never return void".
I hope this wisdom will apply to another romantic love story that I have seen unfold in front of my eye.
A girl and boy developed a friendship for over a year. Each one is treating the other in a special way. They both feel there is room for them in each other's heart. However, this particular friendship never went beyond their normal friendly relations. After many nights of date and intimate conversations, both of them have not honestly articulated in what direction that their friendship should move.
The girl finds it weird that even after year's of intimate conversation and care for each other, the boy has not still indicated any clear sign of their future. Except fostering a kind of usual friendship through the expression of concern, such as constant call and text in inquiring the girl's well-being, the boy has not made any advance to the girl. Even when he took her to his apartment, he slept on the sofa and her on his bed.
The girl finally determined to bring up the conservation with him in their relationship at a follow-up date. After a long night dinner date, they still could not touch on the subject matter, and again parted their ways after the boy took her to where she stays at friend's house. He returned to his apartment.
The next day, at the insistence of the girl, they finally managed to have a conversation. Where the girl, expressed her desire for living together as a couple, or long for the boy and girl relationship. At that point, the boy told her, he never wish to get married in this life. If he wants to, then he sees in her all the qualities of an exceptional woman.
This revelation devastated the girl, beyond belief. She cried and felt the world is upside down. The boy, wish to maintain a healthy friendship with her, as his best friend, no more and no less than that.
The poor girl's genuine love for the boy was not reciprocated. After that eventful night. The boy still tries to keep in touch with her, and at her threat of cutting off all communication, he earnestly requested against doing that.
This is a freaky weird love story, and I don't know if the wisdom that "love, a pure love will never return void" still valid in this case. Will the boy ever come to his sense and reciprocate the girl's love eventually?
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Best Gift
The 16th President of the United
States, Abraham Lincoln, who issue the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing
slavery once said, "My Best Friend is a person who will give me a
book I have not read". Of all the gifts that I have received from friends
and relatives this year, I treasure the gift that I received yesterday the most.
It is a Chinese book with easy to follow stories. My desire to read Chinese and
study the language has rekindled with this valuable gift.
 |
| Chinese reader for 5th grade |
The book is actually designed for
young Chinese national staying overseas and fitting for a fifth grade level. I
feel this level is perfect for me. It is not too hard, and nor too easy. Even
without assistance at hand, I can still move along the stories and chapters
with good comprehension. Many of the words, expressions and sentence are
refreshing my past memory of studying Chinese. The fact is I have studied
Chinese up to middle school. Even though it was not the subject I have excelled,
still my standard of the language is in par with mediocre Tibetan students or even
little better. But after leaving Tibet in early 1990s, I hardly have a chance
to brush up my Chinese language skill. My schooling in Tibetan refugee camp and
later in college in India deprived me the opportunity of pursuing Chinese studies.
Consequently what little I know have been faded away and lay dormant owing to lack of its usage.
As the saying goes, use it or lose it. So my competence in Chinese language has
not only deteriorated, it has reached to verge of extinction or total self
annihilation.
Thanks to my work at RFA, my interest,
as well as the language demand coupled with plenty of exposure to Chinese
culture, has reignited my yearning to improve the language and an opportunity arrived to revive it.
As I have firmly established
the worthiness of studying this language in the U.S. then I have not given it up.
Despite of tremendous challenges and time constraint and resources
availability, I have slowly and steadily aimed to improve the language through
all possible means in my daily life.
The social network sites, and all
the language apps, including Chinese dictionary is a added advantage for a
language learner ardent like me. So far I have been trying to have
a routine study of the language. But my enthusiasm and passion did not march
with the existing learning environment and resources availability. My
progress was slow and the frequency of the effort and time spent on the study
was not consistent and regular. Therefore, my language skill in
Chinese mandarin remains stagnant and not to my satisfaction.
Fortunately, this book a
friend brought me is the perfect launching pad for me to study the
language on a systematic and consistent way. At a summer reading class program
for my daughter Kunsal, the teacher emphasized on the importance of
choosing books that fits with the kid's level of understanding and ability. I
totally agree with that insights on effective reading and learning. So this
book that my friend gifted fits me like a glove . I immediately fell in love
with it and after reading several chapters and doing all exercises, I couldn’t
believe what I will be able to achieve with so much excitement and love for it.
.
.
This book opens the gateway for
my successful communication and comprehension of ancient language and language
that is rich and beautiful and spoke by one fourth of the world
population.
I wholeheartedly appreciate
the thoughtfulness of my friend for picking such a treasure, and particularly
the sincere motivation to help with my mandarin studies, which has deeply moved
me.
The simple reason for my interest
in Chinese language is that I have a good foundation, that the language is in
demand and it makes me more marketable in the world of work, and that
knowing the language is the best way to know the culture and mind set of the
Chinese people. Besides it is the language by which a true Tibetan Chinese
dialogue would be possible.
With this auspicious gift of wonderfully
illustrated reader friendly Chinese text book of my level, I am committing and
pledging to study hard, without any excuses. This is a god given opportunity to
reinvigorating my studies of Chinese language with a strong conviction that I
can do it. After all, the best way to repay
my best friend who gift me this book that I have never come across is to
maximize its uses to further improve my proficiency in the
language.
Discussion on Mimpa
I could not pass up Palkyi la's urge to do a summary of our discussion and also this is in appreciation of Gyaltso la's recommendation of the book. How incomplete and unpolished it might be, all responsibility is mine only.
The reading of Mipam, refreshes one's understanding of Tibetan customs and culture in its finest or crudest form. The opening of the novel piques readers interest with lots of drama, suspense, and thrill at a fast paced. As the plot thicken and character revealed, the reader would have a bitter and sweet taste of every fabric of Tibetan's rustic cultural practices.
The novel has the three typical elements of a Hollywood blockbuster; whereby a love is formed, that led to an altercation, and a chase followed, with a happy or unhappy ending.
Our moderator Tenzin Woedbum Ggt leads the discussion with a succinct summary of the story; that paves the way for everyone's self-reflective thinking and critical inquiry. Amidst so much curiosity and questions, our discussion on Mimpa revolves around several important issues or themes that the readers could identify:
Those main points are summed up by the moderator as follows:
"It is a struggle between grasping Buddhist ideals within a materially driven and competitive world; the pros and cons of reincarnation; impact on society of religious divination; the decisions Mipam makes to encounter his struggle between love and religious enlightenment; the subtle implications of his spiritual relationship with his mother; and more."
We also believe the story highlight the significance of fulfilling mother's wishes, recognition of Tibetan's business acumen, the norm and practice of polygamy, and infusion of the supernatural element in the practice of Tibetan Buddhism and also the folly and foibles of particular ritual supplications.
The main protagonist of the story, is Mimpa, the prodigious son of Phuntsok and Changpal. The title of the novel is also derived from his name. Historically Mimpa Rinchen (The Lama of five Wisdoms, Yeshes Nga den) was a disciple of Jowo Atisha. This novel might be a recreation of a semi-biography of a renowned spiritual master.
Now on the question of fulfilling mother's wishes, we can see how the story unfolds with the earnest desire of Mipam 's parents for the recognition of his son as reincarnation. When the parent's wishes for the son did not materialize, still the mother, Changpal perceives extraordinary qualities in his son. As the story ends, Mimpa has realized certain spiritual prowess, which he contributed in fulfilling his mother's wishes.
Through the success story of Mimpa's business dealings In China. The story compliment Tibetan man's business acumen. Becoming prosperous from doing trade was also way for Mimpa to be self-reliant and independent in asking for the hand of her love, Dolma. The social status of a person would be determined by the size of his caravan. Later we learn his love, and trade served as detractors from his earlier spiritual realization.
Another main point of the story is that polygamy exists in Tibet, and Mimpa's father Phuntsok has willingly adopted it with two spouses. This harmony's existence of such relationship underpins the social norms of the time. While polyandry is also socially accepted norms in eastern Tibet, Mimpa refuses it when it comes to the proposal of sharing his darling Dolma as a wife with his brother Topgyal. An outsider in a conversation with Mimpa condemns such a proposal: "Only savages could think of giving several husbands to the same wife. It is putting things upside down. It is logical on the other hand, for a man to have several wives".
While this has been the tradition, which I believe have grossly discriminated women, it is also pointed out in our discussion that what has been the practice in the past, can not be projected in today's contemporary Tibetan society.
On the themes of infusing occult power in Tibetan Buddhism. The story marvels at such manifestation of supernatural power through various forms and shapes. While the belief in such a phenomena is deeply rooted in the conscious of every Tibetan at the time, it has also opened the door for abuses and malpractice by impostors who claims to possess such power.
In the story, at one instance, a family in distress invited a sorcerer, the later's supplication of a ritual involves animal sacrifice:
"Asking for a pig, he slew it as he murmured secret formula over it. Then, cutting up the carcass, he laid the joints and a bed of leaves and offered them up to his tutelary deity..." the sorcerer, after a mere pretense of sacrificial offerings, carried off, as part of his fee, the best portions of the animal. Such is the practice of the country..." (p.17) The anecdote illustrates that certain Tibetan ritual practice is very primitive.
The book discussion and intelligent questions raised helps the reader to gain new insights from critical reflections. The author's portrayal of old Tibetan society is brutally honest.
The climax of the story had philosophical and psychological overtones but shrouded in mystery and mysticism is the least a reader would expect for an ending in a contemporary love story. A comment from one of our reader gives some sense in unraveling this mysticism through his eloquent expression: "Unconsummated love can be the most poignant and beautiful because of the insurmountable obstacles, obstructions, and ultimately Karma itself. They call for yet another lifetime to pursue. Poor Mipham and his love". I think this view has hit the nail on the head probably. As a matter of fact, there was so much heat but no light produced.
Our book discussion enabled readers to deduce that story has a significant spiritual dimension. A real understanding of the essence of Tibetan Buddhism is that you are your enemy, and you are your savior. Reincarnation should not have depended on others endorsement, and reincarnation should be realized through study and contemplation and practice.
Finally, huge thanks to our book discussion host, Woedbum and others for their warm hospitality, the food, snacks, tea, beer and the conversation keeps us at the edge of our seat, and we are so reluctant to leave even in late night.
The reading of Mipam, refreshes one's understanding of Tibetan customs and culture in its finest or crudest form. The opening of the novel piques readers interest with lots of drama, suspense, and thrill at a fast paced. As the plot thicken and character revealed, the reader would have a bitter and sweet taste of every fabric of Tibetan's rustic cultural practices.
The novel has the three typical elements of a Hollywood blockbuster; whereby a love is formed, that led to an altercation, and a chase followed, with a happy or unhappy ending.
Our moderator Tenzin Woedbum Ggt leads the discussion with a succinct summary of the story; that paves the way for everyone's self-reflective thinking and critical inquiry. Amidst so much curiosity and questions, our discussion on Mimpa revolves around several important issues or themes that the readers could identify:
Those main points are summed up by the moderator as follows:
"It is a struggle between grasping Buddhist ideals within a materially driven and competitive world; the pros and cons of reincarnation; impact on society of religious divination; the decisions Mipam makes to encounter his struggle between love and religious enlightenment; the subtle implications of his spiritual relationship with his mother; and more."
We also believe the story highlight the significance of fulfilling mother's wishes, recognition of Tibetan's business acumen, the norm and practice of polygamy, and infusion of the supernatural element in the practice of Tibetan Buddhism and also the folly and foibles of particular ritual supplications.
The main protagonist of the story, is Mimpa, the prodigious son of Phuntsok and Changpal. The title of the novel is also derived from his name. Historically Mimpa Rinchen (The Lama of five Wisdoms, Yeshes Nga den) was a disciple of Jowo Atisha. This novel might be a recreation of a semi-biography of a renowned spiritual master.
Now on the question of fulfilling mother's wishes, we can see how the story unfolds with the earnest desire of Mipam 's parents for the recognition of his son as reincarnation. When the parent's wishes for the son did not materialize, still the mother, Changpal perceives extraordinary qualities in his son. As the story ends, Mimpa has realized certain spiritual prowess, which he contributed in fulfilling his mother's wishes.
Through the success story of Mimpa's business dealings In China. The story compliment Tibetan man's business acumen. Becoming prosperous from doing trade was also way for Mimpa to be self-reliant and independent in asking for the hand of her love, Dolma. The social status of a person would be determined by the size of his caravan. Later we learn his love, and trade served as detractors from his earlier spiritual realization.
Another main point of the story is that polygamy exists in Tibet, and Mimpa's father Phuntsok has willingly adopted it with two spouses. This harmony's existence of such relationship underpins the social norms of the time. While polyandry is also socially accepted norms in eastern Tibet, Mimpa refuses it when it comes to the proposal of sharing his darling Dolma as a wife with his brother Topgyal. An outsider in a conversation with Mimpa condemns such a proposal: "Only savages could think of giving several husbands to the same wife. It is putting things upside down. It is logical on the other hand, for a man to have several wives".
While this has been the tradition, which I believe have grossly discriminated women, it is also pointed out in our discussion that what has been the practice in the past, can not be projected in today's contemporary Tibetan society.
On the themes of infusing occult power in Tibetan Buddhism. The story marvels at such manifestation of supernatural power through various forms and shapes. While the belief in such a phenomena is deeply rooted in the conscious of every Tibetan at the time, it has also opened the door for abuses and malpractice by impostors who claims to possess such power.
In the story, at one instance, a family in distress invited a sorcerer, the later's supplication of a ritual involves animal sacrifice:
"Asking for a pig, he slew it as he murmured secret formula over it. Then, cutting up the carcass, he laid the joints and a bed of leaves and offered them up to his tutelary deity..." the sorcerer, after a mere pretense of sacrificial offerings, carried off, as part of his fee, the best portions of the animal. Such is the practice of the country..." (p.17) The anecdote illustrates that certain Tibetan ritual practice is very primitive.
The book discussion and intelligent questions raised helps the reader to gain new insights from critical reflections. The author's portrayal of old Tibetan society is brutally honest.
The climax of the story had philosophical and psychological overtones but shrouded in mystery and mysticism is the least a reader would expect for an ending in a contemporary love story. A comment from one of our reader gives some sense in unraveling this mysticism through his eloquent expression: "Unconsummated love can be the most poignant and beautiful because of the insurmountable obstacles, obstructions, and ultimately Karma itself. They call for yet another lifetime to pursue. Poor Mipham and his love". I think this view has hit the nail on the head probably. As a matter of fact, there was so much heat but no light produced.
Our book discussion enabled readers to deduce that story has a significant spiritual dimension. A real understanding of the essence of Tibetan Buddhism is that you are your enemy, and you are your savior. Reincarnation should not have depended on others endorsement, and reincarnation should be realized through study and contemplation and practice.
Finally, huge thanks to our book discussion host, Woedbum and others for their warm hospitality, the food, snacks, tea, beer and the conversation keeps us at the edge of our seat, and we are so reluctant to leave even in late night.
 |
| D.C Tibetan book club memebers at their monthly book discussion |
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Fearless Heart Review
A Fearless Heart
By
Dorjee Damdul
“You are your own enemy, and you
are your own savior” (p81).
INTRODUCTION:
Nothing
is more powerful than an idea whose time has come. The idea here is the
cultivation and practice of compassion for others, for self and for the entire
humanity in this interconnected world.
PREVIEW:
When
we discuss and share our thoughts on reading a book, I feel it is more like a
review of the book. So the question is how to do a book review? I have no answer to this myself, but I am
interested to share with you what inspires, and strikes me and any Ah Ha moment
I have felt from reading the book: A Fearless Heart.
Of
all the things that the book touched on, I would focus on the fascinating story
of the author, who we all know is the principal English translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but little
did I know about his other facet of life, until I read the book. I would try to
encapsulate the central idea of the book and finally the learning that occurred
to me.
I.
Thupten Jingpa went against his
parents’ wishes to be the breadwinner of the family and choose to be a monk at
the tender age of 11. But two decades later, he gave up his celibacy vow to
become the breadwinner of his own family. The reason he gave for why he chooses
to leave the monastery is for his longing to have a family of own, which he
feels he was deprived at his young age. There is some mention of his difficult
decision on this issue. I thought it
would be very interesting stuff for western readers, if he could share a little
more details of his romance with a westerner. How it started, what was the
trigger point for his aberration. I wonder if he ever feel remorse today? Even
though the author said that his disrobing is not a sign of disillusion of
monastic life, but I feel people may not perceive that decision as a sign of
strength. In fact, as intellectually stalwart as he is today, could he have
achieved more by remaining a monk than being a lay person.
 |
| D.C Tibetan Book Club meeting at Office of Tibet. Aug.03.2015 |
What
is interesting is that the author has not attended any formal school, and he is
self-taught. He learnt English by listening to VOA, and BBC world service and
through the help of another Germany lady, while staying at the monastery. No
doubt he was a veracious reader. He wrote the evocative power of the English language deeply
impressed him and thanks to his mastery of the language, landed him the job of
interpreting for His Holiness the Dalai Lama since 1985. His Holiness sensing
his acute intellect told Thupten Jingpa to lead an independent life dedicated
to scholarship. His attendance at o Cambridge University to further his studies
on religion might have been a turning- point in his life. Dr. Jinpa is one of
the rarest cream of the crop in our exile society, who has a combination of deep
knowledge on Buddhism philosophy and western thoughts.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Family Reunion
My wife and kids are away on vocation in Calgary, Canada for the past 20 days. They are returning tomorrow and I am excited to pick them at the airport. When they are vacationing, I have equally enjoyed myself with all the things that I like to do independently. Without my family at my side, I have all the time to myself. and I use my time to my satisfaction.
As always, I hope that my wife and kids have the best of their time in Calgary with beloved aunty and their family. They went out for a sightseeing to some of the most attractive places in Calgary. Stayed over night in hotel and dipped in hot spring I guess. Seeing the nature in its glorious form, with pristine blue sky and fresh blue lake must be very soothing to their senses. My kids have seen so much things in their so young age. They must have understand lots of things now, gained experienced, and see the wide world in its various shape and forms. The things that my wife sent me occasionally shows their chillax in a yard doing barbecue, riding a boat in a blue lake, and sitting in a boulder near by a river, and running on the river bed. It is all full of fun, and lots of activities.
So there is no doubt they are fully recharged for the semester to start and my wife too must been relieved from all the stress of life in taking care of the kids.
While they have lots of fun in vacationing in Calgrary. Such as meeting relatives, friends, and eating out and dining with family relatives or so. But my concern is for Tenzin Kunsal's reading. My wife promised me to make Kunsal read during holidy. However, when I call to inquire about it, she doesn't seem to bothered it much. Kunsal is watching movie in downstair , or she is playing with her friends. So this pissed me off. Kunsal has become very good in reading, after attending her summer reading class. But now without letting her do anything on read, how she could catch up with her reading. My wife promised something nice and beautiful before she leaves, but she has failed to deliver her promise, by making reading a part of Kunsal's daily activities. I am dismayed by this.
Over the phone, she has told me that now, that vacation is over, so at home I will take over to teach Kunsal read. I will be glad to do so. But reading has to be consistent and there shouldn't be any lax in this reading habit
During their holiday, I have fun time in my own way. For me, to nourish my thought, I have read the books and to pump my body, I have done workout at Gym, and went to eat outside. I have disconnected all my services of internet at home, and thus able to do my works productively.
Now they are back, and I am happy and relieved. It is true, distance makes memory fonder and more cherishing.
While driving back home after I pick them at the airport, I asked my daughter Kunsal, what is the best thing she did while in Calgary. Her response blow me off, "Dad, my best thing is that you are with me now".
As always, I hope that my wife and kids have the best of their time in Calgary with beloved aunty and their family. They went out for a sightseeing to some of the most attractive places in Calgary. Stayed over night in hotel and dipped in hot spring I guess. Seeing the nature in its glorious form, with pristine blue sky and fresh blue lake must be very soothing to their senses. My kids have seen so much things in their so young age. They must have understand lots of things now, gained experienced, and see the wide world in its various shape and forms. The things that my wife sent me occasionally shows their chillax in a yard doing barbecue, riding a boat in a blue lake, and sitting in a boulder near by a river, and running on the river bed. It is all full of fun, and lots of activities.
So there is no doubt they are fully recharged for the semester to start and my wife too must been relieved from all the stress of life in taking care of the kids.
While they have lots of fun in vacationing in Calgrary. Such as meeting relatives, friends, and eating out and dining with family relatives or so. But my concern is for Tenzin Kunsal's reading. My wife promised me to make Kunsal read during holidy. However, when I call to inquire about it, she doesn't seem to bothered it much. Kunsal is watching movie in downstair , or she is playing with her friends. So this pissed me off. Kunsal has become very good in reading, after attending her summer reading class. But now without letting her do anything on read, how she could catch up with her reading. My wife promised something nice and beautiful before she leaves, but she has failed to deliver her promise, by making reading a part of Kunsal's daily activities. I am dismayed by this.
Over the phone, she has told me that now, that vacation is over, so at home I will take over to teach Kunsal read. I will be glad to do so. But reading has to be consistent and there shouldn't be any lax in this reading habit
During their holiday, I have fun time in my own way. For me, to nourish my thought, I have read the books and to pump my body, I have done workout at Gym, and went to eat outside. I have disconnected all my services of internet at home, and thus able to do my works productively.
Now they are back, and I am happy and relieved. It is true, distance makes memory fonder and more cherishing.
While driving back home after I pick them at the airport, I asked my daughter Kunsal, what is the best thing she did while in Calgary. Her response blow me off, "Dad, my best thing is that you are with me now".
Friday, August 14, 2015
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