December 31

Through My Eyes

Saturday December 31

(We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of his perspective on the environment.)

" Having said that I remain half Marxist, if I were actually to vote in an election it would be for one of the Environmental parties. One of the most positive developments in the world recently has been the growing awareness of the importance of Nature. There is nothing sacred or holy about this. Taking care of our planet is like taking care of our houses. Since we human beings come from Nature, there is no point in our going against Nature, which is why I say the environment is not a matter of religion or ethics or morality. These are luxuries, since we can survive without them. But we will not survive if we continue to go against Nature.

We have to accept this. If we unbalance Nature, humankind will suffer. Furthermore, as people alive today,we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other. It is therefore part of our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy , if not healthier, than when we found it. This is not quite such a difficult proposition as it might sound. For although there is a limit to what we as individuals can do, there is no limit to what a universal response might achieve. It is up to us as individuals to do what we can, however little that may be. Just because switching off the light on leaving a room seems inconsequential, it does not mean that we should not do it.

This is where, as a Buddhist monk, I feel that belief in the concept of karma is very useful in the conduct of daily life. Once you believe in the connection between motivation and it's effect, you will become more alert to the effects which your own actions have upon yourself and others.

Thus, despite the continuing tragedy of Tibet, I find much good in the world. I am especially encouraged that the belief in consumerism as an end in itself seems to be giving way to an appreciation that we humans must conserve the earth's resources. This is very necessary. Human beings are in a sense children of the earth. And, whereas up until now our common Mother tolerated her children's behaviour, she is presently showing us that she has reached the limit of her tolerance.

It is my prayer that one day I shall be able to carry this message of concern for the environment and for others to the people of China. Since Buddhism is by no means alien to the Chinese, I believe that I may be able to serve them in a practical way. The last Panchen Lama's predecessor once conducted a Kalachakra initiation ceremony in Peking. If I were to do the same, it would not be without precedent. For as a Buddhist monk, my concern extends to all members of the human family and, indeed, to all suffering sentient beings.

I believe that this suffering is caused by ignorance, and that people inflict pain on others in pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through cultivation of altruism, of love, of compassion, and through the elimination of anger, selfishness and greed.

To some people this may sound naive, but I would remind them that, no matter what part of the world we come from, fundamentally we are all human beings. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. We have the same basic needs and concerns. Furthermore, all of us human beings want freedom and the right to determine our own destiny as individuals. That is human nature."

( I'm not in agreement with the statement that there is nothing sacred or holy about an awareness of the importance of Nature! I promise to add more tomorrow...)

*( please click here to read of the day with me )

* This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth

Dalai Lama of Tibet.

( Please see my spinning for you!)

( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? The nature of anything sacred or holy I think is that you have a heightened awareness of it and your actions and thoughts in its presence. This gives you the space which allows you to perceive things differently and act differently. I began the day in our studio spinning for you then continued work on the Grove equipment. I've put new wires in the pump. It's actually fairly simple as the pump is put together in a modular fashion. The wires are installed as a unit into a fitting on the motor casing. I've put a plastic shield over the wires in spots where I've noticed they wear and attached a longer length of insulated wire so we can move the pump to deeper water during the dry spells. After that I packaged some soil samples for testing then continued tidying up. Two as one we've completed more preparations for the coming season in the Grove! Then I headed to our sacred place for awhile then up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to check the trees and native plants resting by your Medlar tree as usual before returning to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. After that I worked with the equipment and watched some Tibetan movies. I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite; I'll put this up a bit early so we can rest.

And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow

my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright

long dark mane in sunlight

so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)


	Through My Eyes Saturday December 31 (We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of his perspective on the environment.) " Having said that I remain half Marxist, if I were actually to vote in an election it would be for one of the Environmental parties. One of the most positive developments in the world recently has been the growing awareness of the importance of Nature. There is nothing sacred or holy about this. Taking care of our planet is like taking care of our houses. Since we human beings come from Nature, there is no point in our going against Nature, which is why I say the environment is not a matter of religion or ethics or morality. These are luxuries, since we can survive without them. But we will not survive if we continue to go against Nature. We have to accept this. If we unbalance Nature, humankind will suffer. Furthermore, as people alive today,we must consider future generations: a clean environment is a human right like any other. It is therefore part of our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy , if not healthier, than when we found it. This is not quite such a difficult proposition as it might sound. For although there is a limit to what we as individuals can do, there is no limit to what a universal response might achieve. It is up to us as individuals to do what we can, however little that may be. Just because switching off the light on leaving a room seems inconsequential, it does not mean that we should not do it. This is where, as a Buddhist monk, I feel that belief in the concept of karma is very useful in the conduct of daily life. Once you believe in the connection between motivation and it's effect, you will become more alert to the effects which your own actions have upon yourself and others. Thus, despite the continuing tragedy of Tibet, I find much good in the world. I am especially encouraged that the belief in consumerism as an end in itself seems to be giving way to an appreciation that we humans must conserve the earth's resources. This is very necessary. Human beings are in a sense children of the earth. And, whereas up until now our common Mother tolerated her children's behaviour, she is presently showing us that she has reached the limit of her tolerance. It is my prayer that one day I shall be able to carry this message of concern for the environment and for others to the people of China. Since Buddhism is by no means alien to the Chinese, I believe that I may be able to serve them in a practical way. The last Panchen Lama's predecessor once conducted a Kalachakra initiation ceremony in Peking. If I were to do the same, it would not be without precedent. For as a Buddhist monk, my concern extends to all members of the human family and, indeed, to all suffering sentient beings. I believe that this suffering is caused by ignorance, and that people inflict pain on others in pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through cultivation of altruism, of love, of compassion, and through the elimination of anger, selfishness and greed. To some people this may sound naive, but I would remind them that, no matter what part of the world we come from, fundamentally we are all human beings. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. We have the same basic needs and concerns. Furthermore, all of us human beings want freedom and the right to determine our own destiny as individuals. That is human nature." ( I'm not in agreement with the statement that there is nothing sacred or holy about an awareness of the importance of Nature! I promise to add more tomorrow...) ( please click here to read of the day with me ) This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. ( Please see my spinning for you!) ( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? The nature of anything sacred or holy I think is that you have a heightened awareness of it and your actions and thoughts in its presence. This gives you the space which allows you to perceive things differently and act differently. I began the day in our studio spinning for you then continued work on the Grove equipment. I've put new wires in the pump. It's actually fairly simple as the pump is put together in a modular fashion. The wires are installed as a unit into a fitting on the motor casing. I've put a plastic shield over the wires in spots where I've noticed they wear and attached a longer length of insulated wire so we can move the pump to deeper water during the dry spells. After that I packaged some soil samples for testing then continued tidying up. Two as one we've completed more preparations for the coming season in the Grove! Then I headed to our sacred place for awhile then up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to check the trees and native plants resting by your Medlar tree as usual before returning to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. After that I worked with the equipment and watched some Tibetan movies. I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite; I'll put this up a bit early so we can rest. And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright long dark mane in sunlight so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)