The Jewel Lamp: A Praise to Bodhicitta Verse 49

A learned monk, a holder of settled accomplishments,

even possession of an analytic intellect

yet without bodhicitta--

who would aspire to that?

--The Jewel Lamp: A Praise to Bodhicitta  Khunu Rinpoche

For Such is Limitless

If someone were to fill with jewels
As many buddha fields as there are grains
Of sand in the Ganges
To offer to the Protector of the World,

This would be surpassed by
The gift of folding one’s hands
And inclining one’s mind to enlightenment,
For such is limitless.

— Atisha, A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment

Nothing distracts monks from their sand art

Even as visitors to Red Hall peered over their shoulders and children hovered on the balcony above, they painstakingly worked their magic, producing a vibrant sand painting over the course of four days. Mid-week they heard the tragic news that the Dalai Lama's nephew had been struck and killed by an SUV while on a walk for Tibet peace mission in Florida, yet they carried on.

from the Waterbury, CN RepublicanAmerican

I love sand mandalas. I love the whole process from creating them to the dissolution ceremony. The inspiration I get from observing the creation is simply wonderful.

For more mandala pictures see my previous post on the Drepung Loseling monks creation of the Avalokiteshvara Mandala Mandala of Colored Powders and Whisked Away

Tibetan Monks on the Run

Running for over a year in the Mountains and Hills of Tibet and Nepal.  These monks finally escape the Chinese.  It is becoming more dangerous for Tibetans to escape as the Chinese have brutally cracked down on refugees crossing the borders and put incredible pressure on Nepal to do the same.  I know this isn't a new issue but reminding everyone that it is still occuring EVERY DAY never hurts the cause.