BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID ITHACA, NY 14851 Permit No. 746 Address correction requested SNOW LION ORDER FROM OUR TOLL FREE NUMBER NEWSLETTER & CATALOG 1-800-950-0313 FALL 1992 How To Meditate! Two New Books on Shamatha Meditation Snow Lion is pleased to an- wholesome activities, but one's nounce the publication of two new engagement in virtue is tremen- books on shamatha meditation in dously enhanced. H.H. the Dalia Lama and H.H. Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche. Photo:Mathieu Ricard. tiie Tibetan tradition: Walking If one engages in a practice be- Through Walls and Shamatha fore the attainment of shamatha, Meditation. in the cultivation of proper moti- Jewel Mountain: vation there is a great deal of com- Shamatha Meditation: Tibetan petition from all kinds of Khyentse Rinpoche Buddhist Teachings on Cultivat- conceptual activity. One is bom- ing Meditative Quiescence barded, confused and congested on Film By Gen Lamrimpa (Ven. Jampal with other conceptual processes The Jewel Mountain, SL fifty-eight Tenzin), translated by B. Alan right at the outset of the practice. minute film, presents the Tibetan Wallace, edited by Hart Sprager During the course of the practice, tradition of Buddhism through an 148 pp., $10.95 paper, available because the mind is subject to dis- intimate and direct look at the November traction, to conceptual congestion, daily life of one of its most inspired On January 6, 1988, at Cloud the virtuous practice will be dilut- teachers. Dilgo Khyentse Rin- Mountain Retreat Center in Castle ed. Then upon the conclusion of poche (1910-1991) was a principal Rock, Washington, a group of twenty- the practice, as one seeks to dedi- holder of the Nyingma lineage, four American dharma students and cate the merit, again the mind is and was one of the greatest exem- aspiring meditators began a congested with other conceptuali- plars of the non-sectarian tradition shamatha retreat under the guiding zations and the dedication gets in modern Tibetan Buddhism. hand of the Tibetan lama Gen Lam- diluted as well. So, for the whole In a touching letter written in rimpa (the Venerable Jampal Ten- course of the practice, from begin- support of this project, His Holi- zin). Some had made a three-month ning to end, it is difficult for the ness the Dalai Lama states, "I be- commitment to the practice, others practice to have the potency that lieve that the unique cultural Exploring the Mandala were there for six months, and eight it would if one had already at- traditions of Tibet, which are had committed themselves to a year tained shamatha. presently under threat of extinc- By Pema Losang Chogyen of meditation. The body of this work When we arrive at the point of tion, should be preserved not sim- is made up of teachings on shamatha death, the determining factor for ply because they form an ancient Gen Lamrimpa gave during the first the type.of birth we will take in the part of our world's culture, but be- New video from two weeks of that retreat. The fol- next life depends on whether our cause they have a role to play in Snow Lion, $19.95 store of imprints from previous ac- the promotion of peace and har- lowing are excerpts from the book: Have you ever wondered what a tions is predominantly wholesome monious living on the planet. In visualized mandala really looks THE EXCELLENT or unwholesome. As a conse- particular, Tibet's spiritual tradi- QUALITIES OF SHAMATHA quence of that predominance, one tions have much to contribute to like? Do you think that they are two-dimensional residences for takes a more favorable or less understanding the nature of the One of the excellent qualities of deities with four gates and lots of favorable rebirth. If one has en- mind. A film about Khyentse Rin- meditative quiescence is that upon sand? Now for the first time can hanced one's spiritual practice poche, who exemplified them so its arising there occur both physi- you see a three-dimensional man- with the cultivation of meditative well, will certainly increase aware- cal and mental pliancy. This dala rise out of its flat form. This quiescence, which tremendously ness of the inestimable value of brings about a tremendous state of dynamic computer-simulated ex- empowers one's engagement in these traditions." physical and mental well-being ploration of a mandala represents wholesome activities, this will lead (continued on page 13) which is called "visible joy" be- a unique collaboration between to a much greater store of whole- cause it is something that you can ancient traditions of Tibetan Bud- some imprints, which in turn will Catalog Contents: Kalachakra 33 experience in this very life. In de- dhist meditation and state-of-the- pendence upon the joy of mental naturally lead to future favorable Adventure & Travel 27 Language 36 rebirths as well. The attainment of Art & Photography 28 Music & Chants 25 art computer graphics technology. and physical pliancy experienced Ordering Info 44 Pema Losang Chogyen, a Tibetan shamatha has long-term effects. Audio Tapes 24 in this life, one's spiritual practice Other Traditions 29 monk from Namgyal Monastery Moreover, upon the attainment Biography 30 is greatly enhanced, and this is Calendars 17 Posters 22 (the personal monastery of His of shamatha, it is possible to be Religion & Philosophy 37 something of benefit in future Cards 22 Holiness the Dalai lama), and completely focussed upon ultimate Sale Items 26 lifetimes. Children 34 researchers at Cornell University's truth while cultivating insight, and Cookbooks 35 Videos 26 Moreover with the attainment of Program of computer Graphics by means of attaining such insight Dalai Lama 32 Women's Studies 36 shamatha, mental distraction is worked for more than two years to it is possible to cut the root of the Death & Dying 31 THIS IS A MAIL ORDER pacified and because the compul- produce this ten minute video. cycle of existence. By doing so, one Dharma Items 18 CATALOG. RETAIL STORES sion for mental distraction is also Dzogchen 34 REFER TO SNOWLION The video animation takes view- is completely and irrevocably pacified, one is far less prone to Health & Fitness 35 TRADE CATALOG. ers through the course of visuali- unwholesome behavior. Not only liberated from suffering. Beyond History & Politics 30 (continued on page 5) is one less likely to engage in un- (continued on page 5) ] 7 SNOW LION FALL 92 NEWSLETTER & CATALOG A REALITY! NAMGYAL IN AMERICA / Afternoon debate at the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies Photo: Bill Warren Welcome to NAMGYAL MONASTERY Institute of Buddhist Studies Early in the morning of August adapting intact for Western stu- 10th, Voice of America transmit- USA dents the monastery's traditional ted a Tibetan-language program Studies is a splendid three-story curriculum devised by His Holi- into Tibet of an interview with house located in downtown Ithaca. ness the Dalai Lama. Translations monks of Namgyal Monastery. Surrounded by shade trees beside a have been made of all of the The monks told of the historic es- sonorous stream, the house nicely monastery's textbooks, and the tablishment of a branch of His accommodates the monks, an office, graded series of classes with ex- Holiness the Dalai Lama's per- meditation and teaching facilities. aminations are available now in sonal monastery—Namgyal Mon- Numerous sightings of Namgyal English at the Institute. astery and Institute of Buddhist monks are now being reported in The curriculum is unique in that Studies in Ithaca, New York. and around the Ithaca area! it combines both surra and tantra in ion. Tenzin Lhunpo being interviewed for television. The monks also described the one diploma-granting program. Stu- What is the Namgyal Monastery educational program of the parent dents study Tibetan language in- ed at Namgyal Monastery in their diploma in Buddhist Studies Institute of Buddhist Studies monastery, explaining that an tensely and the entire scope of Dharamsala, India with students in Dharamsala. The program may English version of the very same Namgyal offers a complete sys- Buddhist thought. The complete taking final exams which include be pursued on a part-time basis and program is now being taught in the tematic diploma program in Tibe- program requires four and one-half debates with monks of the monas- also a number of non-program United States. The broadcast, tan Buddhist Studies available to years. The final semester is conduct- tery. Students are presented with (continued next page) Monks on the front steps of the Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies. Photo: Bill Warren heard in India, Nepal, China, and qualified women and men on a full throughout the entire Asian con- or part-time basis. Unlike tradi- tinent, let Tibetan people become tional Dharma centers, where aware that Namgyal, formerly teachings often are not systematic housed in the Potala in Lhasa, is nor following monastic textbooks, now fully established and func- Namgyal's program is supported tioning in the United States. by a staff of resident monks work- The site of Namgyal Monastery ing with Western scholars to in- and it's Institute of Buddhist novatively tackle the challenge of A group of Namgyal students at the summer retreat. SNOW LION FALL 92 NEWSLETTER & CATALOG NAMGYAL IN AMERICA! ■filSSi Three Namgyal monks constructing a sand mandala in Ithaca. Photo: Bill Warren Geshe Rabg Shamatha during the retreat with Prof. Joe Wilson translating. ern and Tibetan scholars. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has called the opening of Namgyal Monastery's branch monastery and institute in Ithaca "an excellent and important undertaking." In addition to providing an authentic and rig- orous systematic education for Westerners, Namgyal in America will continue to provide sand man- dalas and other sacred arts exhibi- Debating at the Institute.