‘The intention to benefit all beings

Which does not arise in others even for their own

Is an extraordinary jewel of the mind

And its birth is an unprecedented wonder’

                                                - Santideva

It is said that ‘fearlessness is the nectar of Bodhichitta’. There has never, in our lifetimes been a more potent time to practice. When have we together so clearly faced the realities of existence as revealed by our teacher, Sakyamuni Buddha? We have an excellent opportunity, and Dakini’s Whisper joins many like-minded in stepping forward to this challenge.

Machik Rinpoche gave clear prophecy and advice for this time, and as Cho practitioners, we have powerful tools to navigate us through even the most treacherous terrain. Khandro-la’s transmissions during the Cho Dakini Online retreat exemplify the healing force of the two truths, Bodhichitta and Emptiness, and how they can transcend the limitations of time and space as we all shared similar experiences in different places, in different times, countries and climates. As it says in our Prajnaparamita and Five Dakinis sadhana; ‘Everything we think, feel, and see is Prajnaparamita’.

Melissa

DW Team

Joyful CHO-DAKINI WEEKEND Online Transmissions

The Dakini weekend with Khandro-La in April 2020 was a very special and precious experience to me. As one of the organizers of the weekend, it gave me a chance to deepen my own connection with the teachings, give back to the generous Dakinis Whisper community while also sharing the healing power of Cho and the Five Dakinis with my Tara Sisters, friends and family.

The weekend was not only rich with teachings. These rare transmissions were given due to the Covid-19 virus for the first time online, as well as subtle body training all shared within the virtual community gathering with the help of modern technology. To my great surprise, the virtual container that Khandro-La created was strong and durable.  Not only that, but we could also feel the energy building up in our small shrine room thousands of miles away in Washington DC already days before the retreat weekend. Throughout the retreat, the energy and light were beautiful, alive, and palpably felt. I am immensely grateful to Khandro-La for connecting me more fully with the elements of the Five Dakinis, all while my fellow retreatants were dispersed from Oregon to Sweden, Russia, and Australia.

This retreat weekend overflowed with the blessings of the masters from the past beautifully transmitted by Khandro-La to our virtual sangha of fellow pilgrims. The community we are building is so needed as it serves as an antidote to social isolation, bewilderment, and fears during these challenging times of the pandemic. We are so blessed, and the light-filled energies and striking melodies from the retreat will keep nourishing me on the path ahead.

With gratitude,

Heidi, Washington DC

 Student's Reflections

In Buddhist teachings, it is said that we only exist as entities in relation to other things and other beings. So, relationship is of great importance! While Choying Khandro’s Ear Whispered Lineage teachings are rare and precious, it is indeed the relationship that brings these teachings to life. I have been so very happy to welcome Khandro-la into my home and life through live internet sessions. She has become a real difference-maker in energizing my ongoing Vajrayana practice, but also a valued guide during this time of social isolation from the virus. My home has begun to feel like a retreat center!

The live sessions are very engaging and personal. However, I am also impressed by how the on-line courses are organized into text, audio, and video presentations for study in my own time.  Khandro-la is very focused on energy awareness and compassion, so the lessons have dimensions beyond intellectual understanding. This is an authentic living practice.

Peter

DW Student

Khandro-la's Corner

"Now is the Time to Fuel Your bodhicitta!"

For the full transcription of Khandro-la’s talk on fueling your bodhichitta, check out this YouTube video below!

BODHISATTVA TRAINING IN OUR TIME 

Part I

"A bodhisattva doesn't hesitate even for an instant

before plunging into the deepest hells to help beings.

S/He does so with the radiant joy of a wild goose

who goes to refresh itself in a cooling lake." 

These words are associated with Maitreya and the Mahayana teachings, circa 4th century CE. I find them especially meaningful and inspiring during this time of pandemic and escalating division nationally and globally. Many heroines and heroes are emerging at this time. Some are providing medical care to those with COVID-19; others are helping to feed their communities or offer financial assistance; some are parenting small children. Others are protecting the most vulnerable or assisting the grieving; there is an outpouring of prayer and spiritual teachings and open-hearted connection world wide. 

What is the role of the aspiring bodhisattva at this time? How do we embody the hero and plunge into the deepest hells with courage and joy, as Maitreya describes? Here are some of my preliminary thoughts. I hope this can be an open-ended discussion; I welcome others' views.  

Both our courage and our joy rest upon taking refuge in the outer three jewels of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, as well as the inner aspect referred to as the three roots: the Guru (or Teacher), the root of blessings; the Yidam, the root of accomplishment; and the Dakini, the root of enlightened activity. As Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche says, in turning toward them, in surrendering to them, we surrender to our enlightened mind. She goes on to emphasize, "Refuge, in the beginning, Refuge in the middle, and Refuge at the end."

Then, fully present and facing into the suffering, the bodhisattva is tasked with bringing the primordial wisdom and radiant compassion that is our true nature to all sentient beings, without exception. Of course, true bodhicitta is impartial and offered without preference or aversion. Polarization, separation, duality, perceptions of another as ‘enemy’, or as ‘evil’ - has become an imminent threat to the existence of life and to the planet herself. Therefore, one of the most important things we can do as aspiring bodhisattvas is to recognize the intrinsic purity of all sentient beings. One of the most important things we can do is to train to understand that "All appearances are deity-forms, All sounds are mantra-sounds, And thoughts turn into wisdom-play," as the teachings instruct. With this realization, we go beyond duality, beyond good vs evil. We stop projecting an enemy out there. We remember that all beings have been our mothers and wish for happiness. Bowing to Buddha Nature in ourselves and one other, we have the opportunity to once again belong to each other and our planet. 

Katya

 DW Student