Preparations for Lama Visit…
After the dream that I had about the lama visit, there was news from the scholars that the Lama has agreed to visit our village. Since, the preparation for the lama visit is not an easy task, I have decided that there must be a community meeting to discuss the details about the preparations for the lama visit. Everyone must work together to ensure that everything will be ready when he arrives.
At the meeting, everyone was designated to their special tasks within their specific skills. Those who were good at art, where responsible to gather all the eight auspicious symbols such as: Right-coiled White Conch, Precious Umbrella, Victory Banner, Golden Fish, Dharma Wheel, Auspicious Drawing, Lotus Flower, Vase of Treasure. Also, the artists needed to draw the mandalas and offer tormas. The scholars said they will prepare the dharma texts to offer to the lama. As well, the builders must work together to build the throne for the lama.
During the meeting, many of the doctors and builders were also interested in establishing a factory in our village to manufacture medicine. The doctors decided that we need to build the factory in order to protect ourselves from any illnesses that might arise in the future. In the discussion, we needed builders and doctors, and traders to help with the collaboration. I was very excited to hear this, because if there was a factory to manufacture medicine, this would help eliminate waiting time for patients as well we would be able to distribute more medicine to people who are in need. The project for the factory building would be after the lama visit, and I am excited to be part of this upcoming project.
Since my secondary skill is building, I have decided that I will help with building the throne for the lama visit, and clean up the temple, and offer khata scarfs to show my gratitude and utmost respect for the lama visit. The throne must be cover in brocade upholstery, designed by the artists. Many people in the village including myself wanted to assist by offering our gold to buy food and all the necessary materials to prepare for his visit. I was surprised that some of the ritualists were offering their help as well.
As the builders and I gathered together to discuss the layout for building of the throne, we decided that the teaching throne should be made up of two sections that are not physically attached but slide together so that the shelf in the alter rests on a projecting lip of the seat top. As well, all decided that the throne will require quilted seat back brocade, kata edging, which is a long white silk greeting scarf that is pinned neatly around the edge of the seat using pins. There also needs to be a comfortable pillow for the lama to rest on. The Side alter brocades would be designed to incorporate the eight auspicious symbols. We all work endlessly to make sure that this alter would be built on time.
On the day of the lama’s visit, everyone in the village lined up along the road with greeting scarves to show their respect and honor. Music is played all over the village to celebrate this arrival. When the lama arrived at the temple, people gathered around to offer their artwork, gold, and offering scarves so that the lama can blessed them with his compassion. The scarf is given with folded hands near our forehead, with a humble bow, with head bent over and palms joined in respect. After the scarf has been blessed, I will keep it for protection and good luck. Some of the offerings were beautiful mandalas made by the artists in the village. The tea, and delicious sweet rice made by the nuns in the village to offer to the lama. Once, the lama has been offered the food, everyone else began to eat as well.
When the lama started to give his speech and prayers everyone was quiet and listened. He started to pray for everyone in our village to be blessed with good health and good fortune. The lama informed us that we all must practice compassion with every breath that we take. We must not be blinded by the moment, because according the four noble truths. The first truth states that there is suffering, because we can be happy one day and not the next.
There are many stresses in life such as birth, old age, illnesss, pain, heartbreak, etc. Also, when we do not get what we want, we cling to the five clinging aggregates that makes us unhappy. The lama referred to the five aggregates as the body, physical feelings, and mental fabrications within our minds, perceptions, and consciousness. Mental fabrications are thoughts and fantasies, feelings and images within our mind that is all made up constantly arising and subsiding. He said that the cause of suffering is craving. There is a way to eliminate suffering and that is by remembering and always practicing the eight-fold path.
The lama encouraged us to free our mind and practice the eight fold path which consists of: Right view, right intentions, right speech, right actions, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and concentration. In the final speech, the lama prayed to Buddha and recited the phrase, “May the merit of my explaining the Dharma benefit all beings to achieve enlightenment”.
After his compassionate speech, we all felt very honoured and blessed with gratitude. I was very thankful for the being able to sit and listen to his wise words. Suddenly, I began to reflect on myself and to let my mind mediate deeply upon the things that I have just heard.
