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Dharma Etiquette the Fpmt

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Dharma Etiquette the Fpmt dharma etiquette When coming in contact with the Buddhadharma, it is useful to know the traditional ways to show respect for the teachings, which are considered precious. Conforming to these modes of behavior does not mean you are Buddhist or agree completely with the values or the validity of the Dharma, but merely expresses respect for it. Thus they are intelligent ways to make your encounter with the Dharma enjoy- able and beneficial. Dharma books: Buddhist books, notebooks, and other reading material should be kept in a clean place. They should not be sat upon, stepped over or on, or placed directly on the floor. A cloth covering can be wrapped around these books when carrying or storing them and can be spread on the ground when these books are placed down. It will be helpful to place your books as compactly as possible near your seat to allow others to walk by easily. In addition, paper with Dharma notes on it should not be taken into the bathroom or discarded in unclean places. For disposal, they can be burned or put in special receptacles available for that purpose. Listening to Dharma teachings: It is fine to shift your sitting position during the teachings, etc., but be mindful not to point the soles of your feet—symbolically the lowest and often least clean part of your body—directly toward the teacher or altar or over your Dharma books. To do this is considered careless and disrespectful. While listening to Dharma teachings, one tries to show respect for the teacher and teachings by not wearing hats or shoes and not sitting higher than the teacher. One should also avoid lying down or leaning lazily against the wall. (This will also help prevent you from falling asleep!) Prostrations: Although many students perform three prostrations before sitting down, this is not strictly necessary. Prostrations can be effective in decreasing false pride and making the mind more receptive, but it is not necessary that you adopt this practice. You can also make prostrations by putting your hands together at the heart in prostration mudra, or you can do so mentally, by visualizing yourself prostrating. Please feel free to ask questions about what we do at Kurukulla Center. Initially you may not know much of the meaning of the teachings and ritual, but it doesn’t take long to get an understanding of the basics. Everyone has a story of the first time they went to a Buddhist center! the fpmt Kurukulla Center is a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a worldwide community of Buddhist centers dedicated to preserving the pure teachings of the Buddha as found in Tibetan Buddhism. Founded by Lama Yeshe in 1975 and currently under the spir- itual direction of his main disciple, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the FPMT provides teachings, retreats, litera- ture, hospice care, and social services in over thirty countries. Kurukulla Center was founded by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1989 and is named for a wrathful emanation of Red Tara who manifests the buddhas’ compassionate activity in the world. Our kind and compassionate resident teacher, Geshe Tsulga, has been teaching at Kurukulla Center since 1993, when Lama Zopa Rinpoche requested him to come to the United States. This prayer book supplements the FPMT prayer books, which contain many more prayers and prac- tices within this tradition. Copies of the FPMT prayer books may be found in the bookstore or online at www.fpmt.org. Kurukulla Center Prayers* Refuge and Bodhichitta In the Buddhas, Dharma, and Sangha, Until enlightened I seek refuge. Through merit from giving and the rest, To aid all may I become Buddha. (3 times) sang gye chö dang tsog kyi chog nam la jang chub bar du dag ni kyab su chi dag gi jin sog gyi pe sö nam gyi dro la pen chir sang gye drub par shog The Four Immeasurables May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes. May all sentient beings be free from suffering and its causes. May all sentient beings never be parted from sorrowless bliss. May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free from bias, attachment, and hatred. sem chen tam che de wa dang de we gyu dang den par gyur chig sem chen tam che dug ngel dang dug ngel gyi gyu dang drel war gyur chig sem chen tam che dug ngel me pe de wa dang mi drel war gyur chig sem chen tam che nye ring chag dang nyi dang drel we tang nyom la ne par gyur chig *Note on pronunciation of vowels in the Tibetan prayers: “a” is like a in shanti, “e” is like the e in deva, “i” is like i in bodhi, “o” is like the o in bodhi, “ö” is like the German ö in bitte schön, “u” is like the u in sutra, “ü” is like the German ü in München. kurukulla center prayers 1 Praise to Shakyamuni Buddha To the founder, the endowed transcendent destroyer, the one gone beyond, the foe destroyer, the completely perfected, fully awakened being, perfect in knowledge and in good conduct, Sugata, knower of the world, supreme guide of human beings to be tamed, teacher of gods and human beings; to you, the completely and fully awak- ened one, the endowed transcendent destroyer, the glorious conqueror, the subduer of the Shakya clan, I prostrate, make offerings, and go for refuge. (3 times) When, O supreme among humans, you were born on this earth, You paced out seven strides Then said, “I am supreme in this world.” To you, who were wise then, I prostrate. With pure bodies, form supremely pure; Wisdom ocean, like a golden mountain; Fame that blazes in the three worlds, Winner of the best—Lord, to you I prostrate. With the supreme signs, face like spotless moon, Color like gold—to you I prostrate. Dust-free like you, the three worlds are not. Incomparably wise one—to you, I prostrate. The savior having great compassion, The founder having all understanding, The field of merit with qualities like a vast ocean— To you, the one gone to thusness, I prostrate. The purity that frees one from attachment, The virtue that frees one from the lower realms, The one path, the sublime pure reality— To the Dharma that pacifies, I prostrate. Those who are liberated and who also show the path to liberation, The holy field qualified with realizations Who are devoted to the moral precepts— To you, the sublime community intending virtue, I prostrate. 2 kurukulla center prayers Homage to the supreme Buddha! Homage to the Dharma refuge! Homage to the great Sangha! To all three, ever-devout homage! To all worthy of respect, Bowing with bodies as many as All realms’ atoms, in all aspects, With supreme faith I pay homage. Do not commit any nonvirtuous actions, Perform only perfect virtuous actions, Subdue your mind thoroughly— This is the teaching of the Buddha. A star, a mirage, the flame of a lamp, An illusion, a drop of dew, or a bubble, A dream, a flash of lightning, a cloud— See conditioned things as such! Through these merits may sentient beings Attain the rank of all seeing, subdue the foe of faults, And be delivered from samsara’s ocean, Perturbed by the waves of aging, sickness, and death. kurukulla center prayers 3 Guru Yoga of Je Tsongkhapa From Tushita’s hundreds of gods’ protector’s heart To tip of this fresh, pure-white, heaped curd-like cloud, O Losang Dragpa, Dharma’s omniscient king, Pray come to this place with your disciples. In space ahead on lion throne, lotus, and moon, Venerable gurus, smile brightly with delight. Pray stay hundreds of eons to spread doctrine As supreme merit field for my mind of faith. Your wisdom mind sees full range of knowables. Your eloquent speech adorns fortunate ears. Your beauteous body, famed glory outstanding. Homage to you worthwhile to think of, hear, and see. Pleasant offerings of water, various flowers, Fragrant incense, light, perfume, and so on, Oceans of offerings, set out and envisioned, Offered up to you, supreme field of merit. Nonvirtue committed with body, speech, and mind, Which I have heaped up since beginningless time, Especially what has contradicted three vows, Each I confess from my heart with strong regret. In time of strife you strove to learn and practice, Shunned eight mundane concerns, made life essenceful. O protector, from depths of our hearts, We rejoice in your powerful great deeds. Venerable gurus, from love and wisdom Clouds densely massed in your dharmakaya sky, Pray loose a rain of vast profound Dharma On fields of disciples just as needed. May whatever virtue that I’ve here gathered Bring benefit to all beings and doctrine, And may it make Venerable Losang Dragpa’s Essential teachings specially shine forever. 4 kurukulla center prayers mig me tse we ter chen chen re sig Avalokiteshvara, great treasure of unconceiving compassion, dri me khyen pe wang po jam pel yang Manjushri, lord of stainless knowledge, dü pung ma lü jom dze sang we dag Vajrapani, conqueror of all demon hordes without exception, gang chen ke pe tsu gyen tsong kha pa Tsongkhapa, crown jewel of the of the land of snow’s sages, lo sang drag pe zhab la söl wa deb Losang Dragpa, I make requests at your feet. O glorious and precious root guru, Pray take seat of lotus on my crown. Caring for me with your great kindness, Bestow attainments of body, speech, and mind. O glorious and precious root guru, Pray take seat of lotus at my heart.
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