dharmatalks

Two of the first Buddhas/Bodhisattvas given to me by my Refuge Guru, when I was a young boy, were Kuan Yin (the Divine Feminine Aspect of Chenrezig) and Je Tsongkhapa. There was an immediate sense of “connection” there, which Swami-ji obviously saw or realised, before giving them to me.

My entire life, there have been four central figures who resonated most deeply with my heart – Chenrezig/Kuan Yin Ma; The Sacred Heart (Yeshua/Jesus); The Immaculate Heart (His Mother Mary); and Je Tsongkhapa. They have been where I turned at the darkest moments of despair and the brightest moments of joy. More than images on an altar, they are real and present in everything I do.

My life has subsequently been filled with the heart emanations of these Enlightened Ones. Francis of Assisi – the heart emanation of the Sacred Heart – would inspire my work with the sick and dying, my compassion for animals, and my desire to work among the poorest of the poor. Tenzin Tangchen Ma – the heart emanation of the wrathful form of the Mother – would become my Root Guru, and inspire me to take my work as a teacher and servant to a higher level. My work has always been dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of the Mother. I am, without question, a “Mama’s Boy” – even my name as a Franciscan priest and bishop “Francis-Maria of the Immaculata” would reflect that I could do nothing, but serve Her and hope to emulate Her tremendous compassion, surrender and awareness.

Several years ago, a young man who came to stay with us at the ladrang took off in the middle of the night, with my car, several thangkas, and the murtis (sacred statues) of Tsongkhapa, Kuan Yin, Vajrayogini and the collection of ritual items used for their pujas. It was heartbreaking. But it could not distance the connection I continued to have for these aspects of the Buddha/Christ Nature.

So our pujas would continue without the traditional implements, and with nothing more than a picture or mental image of the specific Enlightened Ones.

When I came to Pennsylvania, hoping to establish a new Dharma centre here, I found the narrow-minded, religious conservatism of the region disheartening. And being forced to live far below the poverty level, due to my own medical condition, and in a dark, rather unhealthy and less than comfortable tenement was a challenge.

My own Root Guru had given me permission to seek out a Teacher in the Tibetan tradition, so that I could further my studies. I was ordained in the Japanese Zen tradition, and received many empowerments from wonderful Tibetan lamas over the years, and had become a practitioner of Dzogchen, but felt it was time to take things to a higher level in my spiritual path.  Fortunately for me, it was also at that time that I made a connection with an incredible Teacher, with whom that immediate sense of connection – the very same connection I felt when I first laid eyes on Lama Tsongkhapa’s image – stirred something in my heart and memory.

I knew I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend hours (weeks actually) listening to and watching countless videos online, and absorbing whatever I could from recordings and books written by this Precious Rinpoche – a Tibetan tulku, who brought an unassuming, unpretentious and relevant Dharma to those who would sit at Tsongkhapa’s and Vajrayogini’s Lotus Feet for countless lifetimes. His name is His Eminence Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.

Then, about six months ago, Rinpoche blessed us with several gifts, including a beloved murti of Je Tsongkhapa, and we welcomed the Crown Prince of the Sages of the Land of Snows – Losang Dragpa – into our ladrang.

I continue to be inspired by the compassion, wisdom and kindness of Rinpoche, and by the remarkable dedication, focus and efforts of his students at Kechara House. I can only hope that one day, with his blessing and the blessing of Tenzin Yangchen Ma (Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati), we will be able to rebuild our Dharma centre and contemplative house (ladrang and monastery) in South Florida – bringing the messages of the Buddha and the Christ to the world in a way unencumbered by sectarian drama and politics, and illuminated by the lineage of the Great Teachers at whose Lotus Feet I will sit for endless lifetimes, until I achieve all supreme attainments for the benefit of all beings, in all realms.

Thank you, Rinpoche!

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

_____________________________________________

“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa –
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

_____________________________________________

Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.