Embrace Enlightenment: Kalu Rinpoche's Radiant Intellect

Wisdom from "Radiant Intellect" by Kalu Rinpoche

        In an instance, Milarepa cautioned Gampopa that the juncture had materialized for his departure. He conveyed to Gampopa, "You have embraced the complete transmission. I have bestowed upon you all the doctrines, akin to cascading water from one vessel into another. Solely one essential directive remains, one that I haven't yet imparted to you. It's a profoundly concealed secret."

    Concurrently, he accompanied Gampopa to a riverbank, where their paths were destined to diverge. Gampopa executed prostrations, a ritual of parting, and embarked upon crossing. However, Milarepa beckoned him back, remarking, "You exemplify a truly commendable disciple. In any case, I shall bestow upon you this ultimate teaching."

    Gampopa, filled with elation, performed nine obeisances and then awaited the forthcoming instructions. Milarepa initiated an about-face, hoisted his robe, thereby exposing his backside to Gampopa's gaze. "Do you perceive?" he inquired.

        Gampopa responded, "Indeed...yes..."

Luminious mind of Kalu Rinpoche

        "Can you genuinely perceive?"

    Gampopa found himself uncertain about what he was meant to discern. Milarepa's buttocks bore calluses, resembling a fusion of softness and stone.

    "Observe, this is the manner in which I attained enlightenment: persistently sitting and immersing in meditation. If you aspire to attain it in this lifetime, invest identical diligence. This signifies my ultimate instruction. No further augmentation is requisite."

Buddha, Dharma, Sangha: The Heart of Buddhism

Buddha, Dharma, Sangha: The Heart of Buddhism

    The heart of Buddhism beats with three essential ideas: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. These concepts are like the main pillars holding up a great building. The Buddha, the wise teacher; Dharma, his teachings; and Sangha, the community of followers – these are what make Buddhism strong and meaningful.

    Think of these ideas like a shelter. When someone decides to fully follow Buddhism, they say special words: "I trust in the Buddha's wisdom; I believe in his teachings; I take refuge in the community of followers." These words are like a promise to stay close to these ideas for comfort and guidance.

    Let's look at each idea a bit more:

The Buddha - The Wise Guide

   The name "Buddha" means "awakened one." It's like when you wake up in the morning and see everything clearly. The Buddha showed people how to see the world without confusion, seeing things as they really are. His journey inspires us to know that we can also find a way to be free from problems and suffering.

The Dharma - Learning for Life

   Imagine having a treasure map that shows you how to find happiness. That's what the Dharma is like – a treasure map to a joyful life. It's the Buddha's teachings, like a guidebook, that help us understand things like why we suffer and how to escape it. By following these teachings, we can find our way to a better life.

The Sangha - A Supportive Family

   Just like being part of a big, caring family, the Sangha is a group of people who help and support each other. Monks and nuns are part of this group, and they dedicate their lives to learning and teaching about Buddhism. They show us the path to peace, and they're like beacons of wisdom guiding us in the right direction.

    The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha – these are the heartbeats of Buddhism, guiding people towards understanding, happiness, and a peaceful way of living. Just like a strong foundation, they help us build a life full of meaning and purpose.

Unveiling the Maha Parinirvana Sculpture of Kushinagar

Sculpture of Buddha

    In the early days of 1877, the Maha Parinirvana sculpture of Kushinagar came to light, a revelation orchestrated by Carlyle. This remarkable find emerged from beneath the earth's surface, a depth of 10 feet below. The sculpture, disassembled into fragments, was meticulously restored by Carlisle, meticulously resurrecting its original grandeur in the month of March, 1877.

 

Sitting aloft a lofty dais, the Maha Parinirvana sculpture of the Tathagata reigns in resplendent glory. This majestic throne stands at a towering altitude of 24 feet, embracing a width of 5 feet and 6 inches, while standing proud at 2 feet in height. Three elegiac figures stand sentinel at the vanguard of this exalted perch, these forms enshrined in petite swaddling’s. Their identities remain veiled in mystery, although the central figure is discernibly Subhadra.

 

A script from the 5th century chronicling the Maha Parinirvana sculpture narrates its enigmatic tale. The annals unveil Bhikhu Haribal as the sculptural visionary, and Mathura's architectural prowess embodied by Dinn. The arrival of Fahhian, a 5th-century voyager to Kushinagar, belies the absence of this sculptural marvel from his gaze. However, the 7th century ushered in the visitation of Hwensang to Kushinagar, wherein the statue stood in its full glory, bridging the temporal gap between Fahhian and Hwensang's sojourns.

 

Crafted from the supple chitic sandstone, the Mahaparinirvana sculpture of Kushinagar stretches an impressive 20 feet, its nakedness a testament to its timeless magnificence. The Tathagata's visage gazes westward, a compass bearing imbued with significance. The cranium inclines northward, an epitome of contemplation. The right-hand cradles beneath the cranium, an emblem of repose, while the left graces the thigh, an embodiment of poise. Legs intersect in sublime repartee, an ode to balance and serenity.