Subj: Take four Kinnaras Date: 97-11-26 14: 43: 21 est from: Emmasirani We are so often depending on this religion or that, this 'ism' or that. Don't even think about Buddhism
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| 'Man is not the insignificant creature that he appears to be; his physical body is not the true measure of his real self. The invisible nature of man is as vast as his comprehension, and as measureless as his thoughts. The fingers of his mind reach out and grasp the stars; his spirit mingles with the throbbing life of Cosmos itself. 'He who has attained to the state of understanding thereby has so increased his capacity to know, that he gradually incorporates within himself the various elements of the universe. The unknown is merely that which is yet to be included within the consciousness of the seeker... 'From the world of physical pursuits, the initiates of old called their disciples into the life of the mind and the spirit. Throughout the ages, the Mysteries have stood at the threshold of Reality -- that hypothetical spot between noumenon and phenomenon, the Substance and the shadow. The gates of the mysteries stand ever ajar, and those who will may pass through into the spacious domicile of spirit... 'In this era of "practical" things, men... scoff at goodness while they ponder with befuddled minds the phantasmagoria of materiality. They have forgotten the path which leads beyond the stars.' Manly Palmer Hall 'The Secret Teachings of All Ages' (1928) p. 204 He finished his hot dog and took another bite of of sausage pizza. Then he took a sip of the medium Pepsi. There wasn't much left in the cup but ice. He looked up. Two young women stood before him, holding trays. 'Mind if we join you? There aren't any empty tables.' 'Sure, why not?' He wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. The women sat down. One had red hair, and the other was wearing a multicolored wool hat. They looked between twenty and thirty. Both were quite attractive. 'Sorry to disturb you,' said the woman with red hair. 'It's not disturbing at all. You know, you look familiar. Wait, aren't you... what's her name? On that show...' Dana Scully wrinkled her nose and forehead. 'Show?' 'You know, the one with the... you know, all the weird stuff, aliens and vampires and...' 'I think you've mistaken me for someone else.' She extended a hand. 'Dana Scully.' 'I'm Stace,' said the other woman, in a low, slightly raspy voice. She shook his hand. 'Blodgett,' said the man. 'Blodgett Funni. You're not from here, are you?' 'We've just come from...' Scully stopped herself. 'No, you wouldn't believe it if we told you.' We're from out of town,' said Stace, taking a bite of her tofu meatball sandwich. 'How about you?' 'I've been here too long,' he replied, moving his camera to make more room on the table. 'You know,' he told Stace, 'you sound like Demi Moore.' Subject: Discount Long Distance Date: Sat 24 Jan 1998 4.52 AM EDT From: Emmasirani Message-id: <19980124085201.DAA20355@ladder01.news.aol.com> Scully took a bite of pizza. 'We've come for a class in Buddhism.' 'Oh,' said the man. 'Are you Buddhists?' 'I'm not,' said Scully. 'But lately I've been spending quite a bit of time with them.' Stace swallowed and wiped her mouth with a napkin. 'I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.' She smiled. 'Then why are you going to a Buddhist... thing?' 'It' a long story,' said Scully. She pulled a piece of paper from her purse, unfolded it, and handed it to him. The man looked at the paper. At the top was a small line drawing of a rabbit wearing an ornate crown. Below the drawing were the words: BUDDHISM FOR IDIOTS A Series of Discussions with Patra Chosnyid Skybamedpa Who am I? Where have I come from? Where am I going? Patra Chosnyid Skybamedpa, a student of the Eastern School of Buddhism, and a member of the Order of the Golden Hand, will lead a series of discussions of these and other questions posed by seekers after Truth. Among the subjects to be covered: How to Prepare for Spiritual Awakening Evolution of Consciousness Reincarnation and Karma The Masters of Wisdom The Spiritual Path How to Meditate How to Live Liberation All meetings are free of charge, and no money will be asked for or accepted. The first gathering will take place outdoors, at the Arch at Washington Square in Greenwich Village, at 7.30 pm, Saturday January 31st. By Subway: A, AA, E or F trains to West Fourth Street station. Walk east to Washington Square Park. Seventh Avenue IRT local train to Sheridan Square station. Walk east to Washington Square Park. Lexington Avenue IRT local train to Astor Place. Walk three blocks west to Fifth Avenue, and south to Washington Square Park. By Bus: Fifth Avenue bus downtown to Eighth Street. Walk south one block to Washington Square Park. By Taxi: To the Arch at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village. Dress warmly, wear a hat and gloves, and bring blankets or cushions to sit on. Om Bunnysattva Soha He handed her back the paper. 'Sounds... interesting.' 'Really?' asked Stace. 'Well, no. Not really. Not exactly. Well... actually...' He opened his wallet and showed them a small black and white photograph. 'Whoa,' said Stace. 'You have to come. He'll be there.' 'No,' said the man. 'That's not possible. You see...' 'I know,' she said. 'But trust me -- he'll be there.' 'No, you see...' 'Blodgett,' said Scully. 'That's not your real name, is it?' The man pulled a small white card from his wallet and handed it to Scully. MR FUNNI Blodgett Funni Musical Theater Custom Photography Discount Long Distance etc. (there followed an address, a phone number, and an e-mail address) 'Look,' said Scully. 'It starts in half an hour. We're walking over -- it's only a few blocks. Why don't you come with us, and if it turns out you're not interested, you can always... take off.' Subject: Willard Mighty Date: Sat 24 Jan 1998 4.57 AM EDT From: Emmasirani Message-id: <19980124085701.DAA21942@ladder02.news.aol.com> Mondo and Peym walked down MacDougal Street eating halvah wrapped in white paper. They turned right at Bleecker, and walked toward Sixth Avenue. 'Oh, let's go in here,' said Mandharava. The wood sign over the door read 'Porto Rico Trading Company.' There were about fifty barrels of fresh-roasted coffee beans, and a long line of people waiting at the counter. 'I love the smells here,' she said, picking up some very black beans. Along one wall were many teapots and French press coffee-makers, and on the other wall shelves holding big glass jars of teas from all over the world. Padmasambhava held up a stainless steel stove-top espresso-maker, and said, 'What do you think?' 'Definitely,' she replied. She picked out four tiny glass cups and saucers, and they got in line to pay. As they neared the register, Mandharava collected little individually wrapped Dutch chocolates. 'Let's get enough for everyone at the class,' she said. 'How many do you think?' Padmasambhava looked off into the distance (although there was a wall in the way). 'Maybe seventy-five, eighty,' he replied. 'Can I get a bulk discount on these?' Mandharava asked the man behind the counter. He was tall, with long jet-black dyed hair, and two silver earrings in one earlobe. 'Uh, I don't know,' he replied. 'I'll have to ask the manager.' He picked up the phone. 'Invite him,' said Padmasambhava. He put down the phone. 'For fifty or more, it's ten percent off.' 'That'll be fine,' said Mandharava. 'Have you worked here long?' 'Just a few months.' 'You write music, don't you?' 'Yes,' he said. 'What's your name?' 'Willard Mighty.' 'I'm Mondo, and he's Peym.' Peym nodded. 'I want eighty of these,' she said, pointing out which chocolates. And these.' She handed him the espresso-maker and the cups and saucers. 'Do you work all evening?' 'No, I get off at seven.' 'Would you like to join us at a class in Buddhism? It's at 7.30.' 'A class?' 'Yes. We've come to New York to go to the first meeting. I think you'd enjoy it.' 'I, uh... well, I don't see why not. I have to get something to eat first.' 'There's a good falafel place around the corner,' said Mandharava. 'I go there all the time,' said Willard. 'Have you tried the spice tea?' Subject: The Enchanted Forest Date: Sat 24 Jan 1998 5.07 AM EDT From: Emmasirani Message-id: <19980124090701.EAA22516@ladder02.news.aol.com> Willard Mighty came out with three falafel and three hummus sandwiches, carefully wrapped in paper and tin-foil. Mandharava stood leaning against a cab. 'Hop in.' Padmasambhava was already in the back seat. As the door closed, he told the driver, an elderly black man, '85 Mercer, sir -- that's just south of Spring Street.' They had just about finished eating when the cab pulled over. Mandharava paid the driver, thanked him, and gave him a flyer for the beginner's class. 'Invite your daughter,' she told him. They went up a few steps into a store called 'The Enchanted Forest.' The store was filled with stuffed animals. Donkeys, zebras, camels, frogs, bears of all sizes and shapes, alligators, cheetahs, elephants, snakes, spiders... Mandharava went up to the register, and told the woman behind the counter, 'I'd like one of everything.' 'Me too,' she replied, smiling. 'And I'd like two of some.' 'No, I'm serious. I'd like you to total up the bill, I'll pay you now, and come pick them up tomorrow afternoon.' She took a roll of hundred-dollar bills from her purse. The saleswoman picked up a blue telephone. 'David, could you come here please?' Padmasambhava walked up the stairs to the balcony. A tall man with brown hair came down the stairs, and over to the counter. 'What's up, Ten?' 'This lady wants one of everything in the store. She says she'll pay now, and come tomorrow afternoon -- is that right?-- to pick everything up.' Mandharava nodded. 'You don't want to pick them out? You just want -- everything?' 'That's right. I would like some sort of bulk discount.' 'If you get one of everything, I'll knock off ten percent,' said David. 'How about fifteen?' 'You're paying cash?' 'Yes.' 'Sure.' 'Is two o'clock all right?' asked Mandharava. 'That'll be fine,' said David. 'If you don't mind my asking, what do you plan to do with them?' Mandharava smiled. 'Give them away.' 'Is this for a hospital? Or a shelter?' 'No.' She handed him the roll of bills. 'Could you tally it up and take it out of this? We'll be back around two tomorrow.' 'Sure. Let me write you a receipt.' 'No, don't bother.' She handed him a flyer for the class. 'You might enjoy this. It's in a few minutes.' 'Thank you,' said David. Mandharava handed a flyer to the woman behind the counter. 'When you get off, stop by. If you don't have other plans.' The woman looked at the flyer. Willard Mighty handed her a tiny stuffed pig with wings. "How much is this?' 'Two ninety-five. Don't I know you?' 'I don't know,' said Willard Mighty. 'Aren't you -- a friend of Parkar?' 'Yes. Have we met?' 'I'm not sure when, but I remember you. Are you a... composer?' 'Yes. What's your name?' 'Tenney.' 'Oh, yeah, you're her friend. I think we met at Cafe Reggio.' 'Could be. I live near there.' She whispered. 'What's the story on these people?' Mandharava had gone upstairs. 'I only just met them. They seem pretty nice.' 'They must be really rich.' 'Why?' 'They just bought everything in the store.' Subject: Enter the sky-fields Date: Sat 24 Jan 1998 1.30 PM EDT From: Emmasirani Message-id: <19980124091101.EAA21383@ladder01.news.aol.com> Listen, O brothers and sisters, you who have mastered the teaching -- If you recognise me, Queen of the Lake of Awareness, who encompasses both emptiness and form, know that I live in the minds of all beings who live. Know that I live in the body of mind and the field of the senses, that the twelve kinds of matter are only my bones and my skin. We are not two, yet you look for me outside; when you find me within yourself, your own naked mind, that Single Awareness will fill all worlds. Then the joy of the One will hold you like a lake -- its fish with gold-seeing eyes will grow many and fat. Hold to that knowledge and pleasure, and the Creative will be your wings. You will leap through the green meadows of earthly appearance, enter the sky-fields, and vanish. Yeshe Tsogyal _____________ This version is by Jane Hirshfield, from 'Women in Praise of the Sacred: Forty-three Centuries of Sacred Poetry by Women,' edited by Jane Hirshfield, p. 47 (1994, HarperCollins). Yeshe Tsogyal was a disciple of Padmasambhava. The Editor from The Bunnysattva Sutra Download 182.86 Kb. Share with your friends:
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