July 15, 2010
Welcome to Tibetan Life's E-Zine!
Happy Chokor Duchen!
Anniversary of the Buddha's First Turning of the
Wheel Of Dharma
Chokor Duchen is one of the four major holidays on the Tibetan Buddhist calendar which celebrates the first turning of the wheel by Lord Buddha (hence the name - "chokor" means "Dharma Wheel", "duchen" means "great occasion"). It is the day when he taught the Four Noble Truths to the group of ascetics he had practiced austerities with for years. This teaching is the basis for all that followed.
It's a very good day to practice because it is said that all virtue (and non-virtue as well, unfortunately) is multiplied 10 million times this day!
In Tibet it is a day of pilgrimage when believers visit holy sites to leave offerings of incense and prayer flags. The whole community, monks, nuns and lay people alike, join in processions bearing statues of the Buddha and copies of the scriptures.
Read more about the basic beliefs of Buddhism here.
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The Dalai Lama's Birthday!
Buddhists and Tibet supporters around the world celebrated the 75th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on July 6th, 2010Read more...
Questions & Answers
Each month, The Tibetan Life e-Zine is created by you with the questions you send me. Do you have a question, comment, or something else that you would like to share with our growing community of Tibetan Life fans? Please don't hesitate to contact me
Recent questions which have been answered:
What does this Tibetan tattoo character mean?
How did you make this nice web site?
Do you have any Lhasa Apso photos?
How do you write 'peace' in the Tibetan language?
Do you know of any free dog training courses?
Did you know...
...that you cannot have a negative thought and a positive thought in the mind at the same time. For example, if a sad memory comes up, instead of following this thought, wasting time and energy reminiscing and getting all sad again, you can immediately replace that thought with a happy thought or memory.Try it, I guarantee that it will make your life so much more relaxed and enjoyable!
A Short Tibetan Buddhist Teaching...
Seeking an Inner Refuge By His Holiness The Dalai Lama
The purpose of BuddhismFrom the Buddhist point of view, the minds of ordinary people are weak and distorted because of the delusions and emotional afflictions they carry within. As a result, they are unable to see things as they actually exist; what they see is a vision that is twisted and defined by their own emotional neuroses and preconceptions.
The purpose of Buddhism is to remove these distortions from the mind and thus facilitate valid perception. As long as we have not uprooted our delusions our perception remains tainted; when we eradicate them we enter a state of always seeing reality as it is. Then, because our mind abides in perfect wisdom and liberation, our body and speech automatically course in wholesome ways. This benefits not only us but also others, in both this life and those that follow. Therefore, Buddhism is said to be a path not simply of faith but also one of reason and knowledge.
Read more here.
Tibetan Tattoo Translation Of The Month!
Linsey from Colorado requested that her name be translated into the Tibetan script, here you go Linsey, enjoy! Please send us a photo when you get your tattoo done and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
Check out this month's featured Tibetan tattoo below...
Tibetan Tattoo Of The Month!
The lovely Jackie from Toronto shared her tattoo with us. The U-med Tibetan script means 'Inner truth'. She got it in Venice beach Los Angeles.
What does it mean to Jackie? "Being tru to myself. Being truthful and honest about myself. Living authentically as me. And following my heart, my truth."
Send us your gorgeous Tibetan tattoos. We will feature a new one every month!
Beginning next month, we will feature one special Tibetan dog every issue.
Start sending in your photos now!
Want can you do to help Tibet?
Check out the following web sites:
Students for a Free Tibet
International Campaign for Tibet
If you would like to know how...
I made this gorgeous little web site all by my non-techie self, check out the link below...