April 12, 2020
Dear Friends,
The last few months have brought suffering to our world that is almost unimaginable. In this deeply painful time, the best way we can help is to dedicate ourselves to opening up the very basis of suffering—a sacred transformation that unfolds in the fields of the six sense-faculties. The operator of experience seems to be the mind, as its identifications bring both bliss and misery. To overcome our suffering, we urgently need to care for our minds. Through caring, mind can be transformed: the meaning of the mind, the point of the mind, the sense of the mind, the identity of the mind can all open up. Our sense of opening up is governed by concepts that came from language when we learned to say, “open up.” But these, too, we can open up, by peacefully letting being be. Caring softens the field of fear and guides us to ease; ease opens a sacred channel to the light at the open heart of experience. Some of us might call it Truth, or God, or Grace; we might call it Great Bliss, or Perfect Compassion. Whatever name we choose, this light is the best friend we have. Through its blessings our hearts can open to openness, wisdom can be distilled from all that occurs, and caring can support ever greater caring. More than ever now we need to care for one another, so let us pray together, chanting these mantras to bring peace, healing and freedom from fear:
Amitabha Mantra
OM AMI DEWA HRI
Mani Mantra
OM MANI PADME HUM
Tara Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SVAHA
Vajra Guru Mantra
OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PADMA SIDDHI HUM
Joining the blessings of-present enlightened lineage, supporting and sheltering all beings, I too am with you in prayer.
A nonprofit Buddhist Center founded in 1969 by Head Lama Tarthang Tulku, Corporation Sole.