Wisdom Loving Mother

The Wisdom Loving Mother blog is for those who enjoy learning about Buddhism, Feng Shui, travel in Asia (Bhutan) or Essential Oils.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Shoveling Snow With Buddha

Hi Everyone,

Well here we are again in Denver with the Double Wammy. Second week in a row we've been snowed in. This time though they have the chain law in effect in Metro Denver - unheard of!!! Chains are usually only for the mountains. So I am going through old magazines cutting out stuff for a New Year's vision board. I found the following poem and thought it appropriate - so here it is - WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFILLED 2007!

Marsha


Shoveling Snow with Buddha

by Billy Collins

In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok
you would never see him doing such a thing,
tossing the dry snow over the mountain
of his bare, round shoulder,
his hair tied in a knot, a model of concentration.

Sitting is more his speed, if that is the word for what he does, or does not do.

Even the season is wrong for him.
In all his manifestations, is it not warm and slightly humid?
Is this not implied by his serene expression,
that smile so wide it wraps itself around the waist of the universe?

But here we are, working our way down the driveway,
one shovelful at a time.
We toss the light powder into the clear air.
Ad with every heave we disappear
and become lost to each other
in these sudden clouds of our own making,
these fountain-bursts of snow.

This is so much better than a sermon in church,
I say out loud, but Buddha keeps on shoveling.
This is the true religion, the religion of snow,
and sunlight and winter geese barking in the sky,
I say, but he is too busy to hear me.

He has thrown himself into shoveling snow
as if it were the purpose of existence,
as if the sign of a perfect life were a clear driveway
you could back the car down easily
and drive off into the vanities of the world
with a broker heater fan and a song on the radio.

All morning long we work side by side,
me with my commentary
and he inside the generous pocket of his silence,
until the hour is nearly noon
and the snow is piled high all around us;
then, I hear him speak.

After this, he asks,
can we go inside and play cards?

Certainly, I reply, and I will heat some milk
and bring cups of hot chocolate to the table
while you shuffle the deck,
and our boots stand dripping by the door.

Aaah, says the Buddha, lifting his eyes
and leaning for a moment on his shovel
before he drives the thin blade again
deep into the glittering white snow.


and here is something else I found profound:


The Weight of a Snowflake

"Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coal mouse asked a wild dove.

"Nothing more than nothing," the dove answered.

"In that case I must tell you a marvelous story," the coal mouse said.
"I sat on a fir branch close to the trunk when it began to snow. Not heavily, not in a raging blizzard. No, just like in a dream, without any violence at all. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the snowflaked settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was 3,471,952. When the next snowflake dripped onto the branch - nothing more than nothing - as you say, the branch broke off."

Having said that, the coal mouse ran away. The dove, since Noah's time an authority on peace, thought about the story for a while. Finally she said to herself, "Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come to the world."

Enjoy your holidays, and maybe I'll see some of you at Tummo in LA -
that is is Denver International Airport is open so I can leave!

In Bon,

Marsha Camblin

Sunday, December 24, 2006

King of Bhutan Steps Down

A Kuensel Report 15 December, 2006

The fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, has handed over his responsibilities as the Monarch and head of state of Bhutan to the Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who now assumes the full responsibilities of head of state as the fifth Druk Gyalpo.

"The time has now come for me to hand over my responsibilities to Trongsa Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck," said His Majesty in a kasho issued on December 9, the 20th day of the 10th Bhutanese month. "I am confident that a very bright future lies ahead for Bhutan with the leadership of a new King and a democratic system of government that is best suited for our country as enshrined under the Constitution. I have every confidence that there will be unprecedented progress and prosperity for our nation in the reign of our fifth King." As the transition was formally announced on December 14, the 24th day of the 10th Bhutanese month, the day was charged with emotion, and a special sitting of the Cabinet in Tashichhodzong was unable to articulate a comprehensive discussion. Cabinet members and special guests that included the chief justice, the speaker of the National Assembly, and the chief election commissioner were overcome by emotion and sat in a long and stunned silence after His Majesty the King's announcement.

With a clarity that has been consistent in the royal views, His Majesty reminded the Cabinet session that he had already announced the decision to the nation last December and repeated it many times to the lhengye zhungtsho.

His Majesty explained that Bhutan could not hope for a better time for such an important transition. Today, the country enjoyed peace and stability, and its security and sovereignty was ensured. After phenomenal development and progress the country was closer than ever to the goal of economic self reliance. Bhutan's relations with its closest neighbour and friend, India, had reached new heights. International organisations and bilateral development partners were ready to support Bhutan's development efforts and political transformation.

His Majesty said that Bhutan was extremely fortunate to have been able to face and overcome many challenges over the past 34 years, even those that many people thought were not possible. While countries around the world were suffering from political unrest and economic woes the Bhutanese leadership and people now had the opportunity to look ahead and plan for the future.

"Such an opportunity will not come again," His Majesty said.

His Majesty also pointed out that, as parliamentary democracy was established, the country would enjoy peace and stability for several years and that would be a good period for the fifth Druk Gyalpo and the new government to gain exposure and political experience.

His Majesty said that, as long as he himself continued to be King, the Crown Prince would not gain the actual experience of dealing with issues and carrying out the responsibilities of a head of state. With parliamentary democracy to be established in 2008 there was much to be done so it was necessary that he gained this valuable experience.

His Majesty said that he had mentioned to the Crown Prince that he would have the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to prepare him for his responsibilities as King. His Majesty expressed his confidence that the fifth Druk Gyalpo was fully capable of carrying out his responsibilities. Judging by his performance as Crown Prince, his thinking, and his principles, His Majesty said he had no doubt that the fifth Druk Gyalpo would serve his nation with selfless dedication. His Majesty said that if the Crown Prince was not worthy, he would not have handed over his responsibilties just because the Crown Prince was his own son.

His Majesty himself had taken over the reigns of governance at the age of 16 years and he had no doubt that the fifth Druk Gyalpo, who was now 26 years old, would dedicate his service to the interests of the nation. By the time he retired at the age of 65 years he would have served for 38 years. His Majesty expressed his hope and prayer that the fifth Druk Gyalpo will achieve national objectives that were important to the country and fulfill the aspirations of the Bhutanese people.

Although Bhutan had achieved unprecedented development in the past 34 years, it was more important now to think of the future. His Majesty said that he had made the decision to abdicate because it was in the best interest of the nation.

His Majesty the King expressed his sincere appreciation to the ministers and senior officials with whom he had worked closely over the past 34 years. His Majesty said that he had valued their unfailing loyalty and service.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Send Us Your Articles

I would like to invite anyone who has a
good poem, quote or article, to share it here in this blog,
as long as they are related to Buddhism, feng shui or
essential oils.

Please, send the articles with your name,
web address, and phone number to:
rdtibet@yahoo.com
and I will post it for you.

Thanks!


Marsha Camblin

Thursday, December 14, 2006

No more exit permits from India!

India halts Tibetans' 'go-west' plans
Hindustan Times[Wednesday, December 13, 2006 15:39]
Tibetan immigrants, who have often been using India as a springboard to settle down in Western countries, will not be able do so, as the Indian government has decided to stop issuing exit permits to them after December 31.

A large number of Tibetans have been entering India through Nepal on the basis of special entry permits (SEPs) and then seeking exit permits from the Indian government to move to western countries for better prospects.

The Indian government has now told the Tibetan government-in-exile - the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) - that exit permits will no longer be issued after the year end, CTA sources confirmed in Dharamsala.

It said that many Tibetans use India as a transit point to travel abroad - a practice which would be disallowed from next month. The move, though not directly linked, comes less than a month after Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India on November 20-24.

The CTA has on its part issued a circular to its offices and Tibetans across India through its official website, informing them of the new rule.

The Kashag (Tibetan cabinet) circular says that since the number of Tibetan immigrants seeking exit permits had been increasing over the last few years, the Indian government "felt uncomfortable" with the situation.

According to CTA sources, many Tibetans, especially recent immigrants, had migrated to western countries in recent years. They were using the same Tibet-Nepal-India circuit to come to India with their family members and then would settle down in western countries by getting exit permits issued by India.

There are over 100,000 Tibetans living in settlements across India and another 30,000 others settled in other countries, especially in US, Canada and European nations.

Tibetan spiritual head the Dalai Lama resides in Mcloedganj, 10 km from Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, ever since he fled Tibet's capital Lhasa in 1959. He has been granted political asylum in India along with scores of other Tibetans.

Since Tibet is not recognised as a country, Tibetans coming into India are issued SEPs at the Kathmandu-based Indian embassy to travel to India.

The SEPs are issued for pilgrimage (one month), education (one year) and other categories. Many Tibetans take the longer SEP and then apply for a registration certificate (RC) once they reach Dharamsala or any other Tibetan settlement in India.

The RC later entitles them to apply for an identity certificate (IC), which is similar to a passport. They then seek an exit permit to go to other countries.



I think this is HORRIBLE news. If the Tibetans can not excape to freedom in the west through India, what options do they have? This effectively allows no way out!

Don't you think we need to start a letter writing campaign or some protest or something in order to advocate the poor Tibetans who just want freedom?

Please enter your comments.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Nangpa Pass Keep the Focus

On November 30th, Tibetans and their supporters worldwide took
action for the release of those detained in the Nangpa Pass
incident, when Chinese soldiers brutally opened fired on a group
of 70 Tibetan refugees attempting to escape into exile.
Demonstrations and candlelight vigils were held at Chinese
embassies and consulates around to the world to remind the
Chinese leadership of the international outrage this incident
provoked. To read reports and see photos from the International
Day of Action, go to: www.studentsforafreetibet.org/nangpapass .