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Khyenrab

Initiation

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Tashi delek,

 

I heard that many people came to the Medicine Buddha initiation organized by a group in Slovenia, around 100 people, which is really a lot. Since Tantric Initiations of any of the four classes are a very delicate matter, i wonder:

 

- isn't Buddha-Dharma supposed to be free of any charge? (the price for the Initiation was 5.000 SIT if i am not mistaken, which is not small money).

- if a foreign Lama comes for two, three days to Slovenia and gives such an initiation, how well prepared are 'his students' for such an empowerment?

- isn't the taking of Refuge a necessary preliminary for such initiations? (And who made sure the people actually were Buddhists?)

- it seems this group is taking this organization thing rather lightly? I wonder how much experience they really have in this matters. Wouldn't some 10 years of training and aquaintance in a developed Dharma Center under experienced guidance of Sangha be neccesary to really know such things? 

 

Thank you.

Khyenrab

 

[Moderation: the name of the group has been removed. The question shall remain general and not be possible source of conflict]

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We are in degenerated times. Dharma is sold, given to anyone without preparation and following guidance. It is often even organised more for the glory of the organisers than the benefit of the people. Not to mention, as you raised the point, the lack of experience and basic knowledge of the organisers, which can lead to terrible mistake...

 

Organising the giving of an Initiation without proper care (because many people will not keep any commitment) is generating a very negative karma, and increases the degeneration of the Dharma. It actually participate in the destruction of Dharma in this World.

 

It doesn’t seem to be the case in the event you mentioned, but we shall mention that Initiation or instruction given by a non-qualify teacher lead to problems for the students (and that teacher of course) and difficulty to reach spiritual progress.

 

Such group are setting a high price giving the excuse that they have to invite and finance the coming of a Lama. Dharmaling Slovenia is supporting the presence of a resident Lama since four years! And yet offering all teachings and practices for free.

 

Some people do say that if the Lama (given that he is qualified) accept it might means it is good. This is not. The Lama is not responsible for the organisation, how it is organised. Specially when all details, including cost and such, is not discussed explicitly with the Lama.

 

In Tibet, there was a "Dharma framework", which doesn't exist in the West. People tend to act in a sectarian way, just placing their ego wrapped into a Tibetan brocade and name.

Dharmaling feels very concerned by the non-respect of the Tradition in all its fundamental aspects.

 

:vieuxsmiley: Karma is, what people do.

 

Thank you.

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Tashi Delek!

We are in degenerated times. Dharma is sold, given to anyone without preparation and following guidance.
If organizers are not professional and qualified for organizing such events and it was said many times they are not; I do not understand why qualified teachers from different tradition don’t take more “active” role? How can be organizers more mature  then teachers? Isn’t also their responsibility to assure conditions for all those people who unsuspicious aproche and take initiation/empowerment?  Of course, we create our own karma and we are the only one who pays and makes charges. Caravan passes by and dogs bark. Like nothing is happening, no changes on the horizon. Can degeneration be deeper?

Regards,

tatjana

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We hardly can judge the people. One need higher Realisations for this. We can only observe the results and outer manifestations produced by these people. And do our best to remain personally as close as possible to the ethical and traditional Paths.

 

Experience shows that Lamas are often not involved deeply in the organisation. It seems "supposed to be taken care" according to the organisers. Many Lamas also tend to consider that in the West, best conditions can't be gathered; so, they accept the least.

 

We don't think it's the best way. Rinpoche's organisation always pays attention to how it is organised so that there are enough practice Texts, translated into the local languages, that no fees are compulsory, etc... under the recommandation of Rinpoche.

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Experience shows that Lamas are often not involved deeply in the organisation. It seems "supposed to be taken care" according to the organisers.
Yes, indeed there are exceptions. Surly, Lama Shenphen Rinpoche is one of them. :prostate:

Regards,

tatjana

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The other exception is that each time Dharmaling organise an event, the place is given back more clean than when arrived  :)) Because we bring cushions on which people seat, we do sweep and wash the ground thoroughly.

 

Whereas, twice already, an other group has used the same room, and given it back filthy! Today (Friday) the room where the initiation took place was dirtyn and full of rice on the ground! No respect for the others!

At another place the director stopped to lend freely the place to "Buddhists", after that same group misbehaved (using things they were not allowed to, without asking for permission) and let the place dirty after them (as reported by the administration of that place).

 

This is a pity, because we do our best to develop good relation with places where we hold teachings and events, with great care and organisation. Other group contact the same place (having heard that we were having activities there), organised their things, and we get punished for what some other non-scrupulous groups are doing. :(

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