Summer is coming to an end and the Autumn Equinox is around the corner. Already we’ve had our first crop of potatoes from one of our raised beds. They are clean and organic, with a real taste that you won’t get from supermarket produce. The brae berries are fat and sweet and the red currants are heavy on the branches. Various beans are late in coming because of the lack of summer sun but the mustard leaf just keeps on growing and tastes delicious either cooked or in a salad. And the apples and plums are almost ready to pluck.
In the magazine this time round we have some comments about the summer camp in Portugal as well as a personal review from Annie Dibble. Maeve O’Sullivan answers some questions about her latest edition of Haiku poetry, A Train Hurtles West, and we have another two poems from Angus Ogilvy. Monica Wilde provides information about a cure for painful insect bites and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel writes about dharma in the west…and lots more
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FEATURES
CHAU MEIN: Yeshe
DHARMA IN THE WEST: Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel
MEADOW WOUNDWORT: Monica Wilde
POETRY
TWO POEMS: Angus Ogilvy
LEAVING VIGO: Maeve O’Sullivan
FILM
DEATH SONG: Malcolm Sutherland
PERSONAL STORIES
TROWLOCK ISLAND: Ann Inglis
BODHICHARYA SUMMER CAMP PORTUGAL: Annie Dibble
REMEMBERING HARRY: Diana Lilley
DENTISTRY IN NEPAL: Anita Selva
REVIEW
A TRAIN HURTLES WEST: Yeshe
FICTIONAL STORIES
SHE WANTED PEACE… Jaiya John
EVENTS
SUMMER CAMP PORTUGAL…Various Contributers
The earthquake in Nepal was unprecedented in the amount of damage that was caused to the fabric and the hearts of the people. The ancient cities of Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur have been badly hit. Little news has been heard about the villages to the north, west and east, although unofficial word is that many of the houses no longer exist. Roads have been made inaccessible by landslides and the opportunity for helicopters to land is hampered by the lack of suitable places in the maze of terraced fields.
Please pray for the people in Nepal who have been affected.
OM MANI PEME HUM
FEATURES
Approaching the middle of a wood…Cicely Gill
Are We Really Practicing?…Elizabeth Mattis
Grasping the Nettle…Monica Wilde
Kubli Chana...Mridu Shailaj Thanki
POETRY
Letting Go of Avila…Maeve O’Sullivan
Prayer for Nepal…Jaiya John
Layman P’ang…Three Buddhist Poets
Splenomegaly…Angus Ogilvy
FILM
MANY ROADS is a platform where students and friends of Bodhicharya can publish news, articles, poetry and more. Writers, journalists, photographers and the inspired are also encouraged to submit any work under the various categories which can be found on the Home Page.
Submissions can be themed on the factual as well as the fictional. Please submit articles for consideration by Wednesday of each week.
Should you wish to receive regular updates of news and views posted on the MANY ROADS website, please Join our Mailing List.
AH
Please receive regular updates of news and views posted on the MANY ROADS website by logging on to Join our Mailing List.
Haflong, AssamSpinach Pakora by Indra Majapuria
Coconut Vegetable Tofu by Kate Roddick
Wild Food Winter Salads by Monica Wilde
A Conversation with David Brazier by Yeshe
Universal Laws from Everything You Never Said
Big Buddha is Watching You by Christine Hawkridge
Community Champion’s Reflection by Ankhra
Healing the Wounded Heart by Annie Dibble
The Retired Miner by Cicely Gill
Reunion by Maeve O’Sullivan
The Combat by Edwin Muir
Pride by Annie Dibble
The Laughing Policeman by Charles Jolly
Toronto: Autumn Sky
Autumn has turned into spring. In our tiny garden at the front of the house, flowers are blooming again, the hedges are still growing and a warm wind blows through the trees in the park across the road.
In this edition, there are some new contributors. Anne Katrin-Voss writes about her experience of how compassion can suddenly evolve when faced with an emotionally-charged incident. Annette Tamuly Jung recounts her decision to change her lifestyle by joining a dharma community in France led by Lama Sherab Namdreul. And Lynda Miller and Cicely Gill have contributed to the fictional stories and poetry sections respectively.
Finally, all who knew Lama Tsering Paljor were saddened by his recent death and he will be remembered as a kind and gentle friend.
Submissions can be themed on the factual as well as the fictional. Please submit articles for consideration by Wednesday of each week
Please receive regular updates of news and views posted on the MANY ROADS website by logging on to Join our Mailing List.
PERSONAL STORIES
Compassion Can Change a Man by Anne Katrin-Voss
Oasis of Long Life by Annette Tamuly Jung
FICTIONAL STORIES
A Slice of Samsara by Lynda Miller
POETRY
A Cure for Insomnia by Cicely Gill
Non-Hatred by Bikkhu Nanamoli
The Horses by Edwin Muir
Perspective by Maeve O’Sullivan
HUMOUR
Language and That from Not the Best of Tom Shields
FEATURES
Lama Tsering Paljor by Yeshe
Pumpkin Achar by Indra Majapuria
VIDEO
Winter Walk in Vogrie Park by Yeshe
There is a novel method for gauging prosperity in Bhutan; the measure of wealth in a country can be assessed in the happiness of the people. In Bhutan, they have replaced road signs telling drivers to slow down or not to exceed the speed limit with life-affirming mantras: Life is a journey: complete it; and Let nature be your guide are on signposts at the side of the road.
Bhutan has rejected the measure of the country’s GDP in favour of GNH – Gross National Happiness. It can be witnessed not only in the smiling faces of the people, but in the way they have protected the environment from the onslaught of modernisation with its consequent destruction of the culture. The preservation of the environment has remained more important than the maximisation of profit and it remains that way, at the centre of its political agenda.
How has such a distinct and unique system of measuring the happiness of the people been sustained? Being geographically isolated has certainly helped protect the country from the devastating effects of the corporate greed and destruction of the environment. The clearest and most concise answer for me, however, can be found in HH Karmapa’s book, The Heart is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out.
In his chapter on Consumerism and Greed, the subtitle is Contentment is the Best Wealth. HH Karmapa expounds very clearly how the attraction for goods have played on our gullibility to purchase according to our wants rather than our needs. Then once we have succumbed to the allure of material goods, we fall into the endless upgrade game. “The functions you need are coming in the next version! The new design is so much more attractive! And it comes in your favourite colour.” It could be anything from a phone to a car; a box of soap powder to an extension to your home. HH Karmapa draws the distinction between wants and needs: Using our own personal experience, we can ask ourselves where the distinction lies between what we really need in order to be happy, and what we do not need but merely want. Greed takes control of us when we lose sight of this distinction and mistake our wants for needs. (pp 61-2) He ends the chapter with a section titled The Greatest Wealth: Contentment.
So where do we find happiness? There are several articles in the magazine which should provide you with thoughts about how happiness might be measured: Andy Lowe has submitted an article about the way he overcame his severe writer’s block when he was involved in writing a text book on research methodology. And in Under the Walnut Tree, Andy’s second piece, he relates the story of Isa and Humphry and the success of building their dharma retreat in the Sierra Nevada, of Andalusia, Spain. The three conversations that took place at Casa da Torres also provides insight into individual takes on the subjects. Jaiya John’s positive prose also provides a message of joy.
Lastly, if you need some sustenance that will bring you happiness, there is a recipe for carrot haluwa by our regular contributor, Indra Majapuria.
“We’re becoming addicted to the Karmapa” [Paraphrased from Ringu Tulku Rinpoche’s speech at the end of H H Karmapa’s first visit to Europe.]
The Karmapa’s visit to Kamalashila and Berlin has been the highlight of 2014. Thanks to the efforts of all the people involved in this memorable visit, the Karmapa’s charismatic presence was felt by all.
Fortunately, I was able to attend the programme at the Estrel Hotel in Berlin. But Annie Dibble has penned a coherent and heart-felt response to Karmapa’s visit to both Kamalashila and Berlin.
A special thanks must also go to Ringu Tulku Rinpoche whose eloquent interpreting of Karmapa’s words sustained the flow of the teachings, expanded on by Karmapa’s interjections in English.
In this edition, one more recipe from Indra Majupuria for vegetable pulao is also included.
Another photo/poem from Jaiya John is on our poetry page.
Dickens’ character Mrs Malaprop has lent her name to many mistakes made in the English Language. Here are a few – Malapropagation.
Lastly, I’ve published an article written by Upasana Pokhriya, The Ten Commandments for Women in India, originally published in a previous edition.
To subscribe to Many Roads, you can do this on https://bodhicharya.org/manyroads/about/
For the next issue, photographs, music, film and book reviews, poetry and recipes are welcome along with anything else you would like to submit.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Albert
Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring
Your Winter-garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To flutter–and the Bird is on the Wing.
The Rubaiyat, VII by Omar Khayyam
This month, we have a couple of new sections – Humour and Features. In Humour we have Cricket – As Explained to a Foreigner. I’ve never understood the game and understand it even less now.
Features contains a couple of spring recipes: one for a mouth-watering Nepalese Curry; and another for a Garlic Dressing, contributed by Monica Wilde, a herbalist and forager.
Dr Gwen Enstam has reviewed Akong Tulku Rinpoche’s enlightening and motivational text, Taming the Tiger, which contains instructions on meditation techniques and the cultivation of compassion in oneself for others.
Meditation: What’s the Point? is a film of a public talk with Ringu Tulku Rinpoche. I Call You Legendary by Jaiya John recites a poem he presented at the Florida Dependency Summit.
Kate Roddick, a health-care practitioner has made her first contribution with her poem, Sometimes.
Eddie Buck is back with Days 1 and 2: End to End, recounting his fascinating journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a bike.
David Syme is a new contributor with his fascinating account of his visit to Tibet. David is a retired linguist and Changing Tibet is based on a presentation he gave at a University of the Third Age gathering.
Finally, there is a piece I wrote a while ago, I Was There, an account of my time in India when Indira Gandhi was assassinated.
In case you haven’t subscribed yet to Many Roads, you can do this on https://bodhicharya.org/manyroads/about/
For the next issue, photographs, music, film and book reviews, poetry and recipes are welcome along with anything else you would like to submit.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Albert
Today is the first day of spring, the vernal equinox, and I came across some unlikely news in a publication, International Business Times. The column reminds the readers that this day is also the undeclared UN International Day of Happiness. There is a surprising article about this day in the paper where it rather poetically states:
...in the world that has always been basking in the glory of economic prosperity and material gain and measuring the substance of growth only in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is hard to imagine the possibility of looking at progress through the perspective of people’s happiness.
The article then continues to use the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan as an example of striking a balance between the material and the spiritual welfare of its citizens hoping to impart happiness to all.
Ironically, there is news on the same page of a Tibetan mastiff puppy being sold for $2 million in China. That’s going to make somebody happy.
How did I celebrate International Day of Happiness? Between downpours, I potted some seeds in the hope they would germinate for replanting in the early summer.
This month we have articles from the usual sources.
Journey into Buddhism relates Ernie Buck’s experience of dharma and how he found his spiritual home.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche explains how the world benefits from the three concepts of Healing, Helping and Harmony. The short video is taken from a page on the Bodhicharya website.
Jaiya John reads his poem I Call You Legendary from the Florida Dependency Summit To all who attended the Everest Restaurant.
Happy faces at the Rigul Trust fund-raising event
This month we have some new contributers to Many Roads. Mark Laidlaw gives a heart-felt account of his discovery of Buddhism in My Journey.
Ernie Buck returns with an account of the beginning of his journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats in Journey Down.
Christine Hawkridge who is the Chair of University of the Third Age has written a well-considered piece on Contentment.
In Fresh Peace, Jaiya John returns with a thought-provoking poem.
More poetry from Angus Ogilvy in Four Poems offers an insight into his skill in the use of different styles of verse.
Finally, a poem by Laxmi Prasad Devkota I translated a while back titled Clouds.
Don’t forget, if you haven’t already joined our mailing list you can do this on https://bodhicharya.org/manyroads/about/ and receive monthly updates at the end of each month. Please submit your articles early for publication.
Shrine for losar
So here we are having arrived safely in 2014 according to the western calendar. Of course, there is still the Tibetan new year to look forward to on March 3, the transition from the year of the water snake to the year of wood horse. For me, that is an exiting time when special dishes are made: khapsi, ghutuk, mo mos; and of course the salt butter tea which is definitely an acquired taste but so warming in the winter months. Oh well, meanwhile it’s porridge oats for breakfast.
In this edition we have an interesting piece of writing by Nougaro Saint Sernin known to some of you as Jet: Guess Who!
Then there is a piece I wrote earlier about my experience with learning the Nepali language: Learning a Language. I rememer trying to learn Hebrew when I was at school and I had such a difficult time because it never really became part of my experience, only an exercise in memorising words for things. Learning Nepali gave me a valuable insight into how a language should be learned.
The film Blue Poppy by Sitar Rose is a well-crafted documentary to follow on from her previous submission, Fulfilling the Vision, a wonderful account of the horticultural efforts in Tibet to save valuable, medicinal plants that have been overharvested.
Ernie Buck’s account of his journey by cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, Ernie’s End to End, is entertaining in that we are armchair travelers and do not have to make the arduous journey the length of Great Britain. Ernie has circumnavigated the globe on his cycle but we’ll revisit that epic journey another time.
In the Poetry Section, Margaret Ford has submitted two highly intersting pieces that combine variations in font, colour and overlaid images. They don’t have titles but you can link to them on Poetry by Margaret Ford. These are meditative poems on love.
Lastly, Jaiya John’s Meditation: In a House of Stone brings us back to our selves and the mindfulness that is within us all.
Photo by Jet
SEASONAL GREETINGS TO ALL READERS OF MANY ROADS
Am I am imagining that the citiy is less busy than it usually is at this time of year?
Perhaps online shopping has taken off and high street stores are now receiving fewer shoppers. I remember not that long ago people held back their purchases till the post-Christmas sales which began on Boxing Day. Now, weeks before Christmas Day, there are bargains to be had as stores compete for people’s money with cut-price goods on sale everywhere.
Of course, there are alternative ways of giving presents this year and that’s by doing something that will benefit others: like donating to the Rigul School in Tibet. All kinds of ways you can help the school are posted on http://www.rigultrust.org/
From 2014, Many Roads will be sent out as an Editorial to subscribers at the end of the month with links to the most recent articles. For submissions, please send articles, reviews, personal stories etc. to manyroads@bodhicharya.org as early in the month as possible. If you haven’t already subscribed, you can join on https://bodhicharya.org/manyroads/about/ by clicking Join Our Mailing List at the bottom of the page.
Here are links to some of the most recent articles: Approaching Buddhism, Meeting the Teacher and Daily Life at the Monastery are three articles originally published in the New Statesman by Ani Rinchen Khandro depicting her initial discovery of Buddhism, meeting the late Dr Akong Tulku Rinpoche and her experience of daily life at Samye Ling Monatery in Scotland.
Nosy Mangabe relates the experience of Jane Fyfe on an archaeological trip to Madagascar to study carvings on rocks left over the years by Dutch Sailors.
Dr Gwen Enstam reviews Night Boat by Alan Spence. The book is about the Zen monk Ekaku and his attempts to revive Buddhism in Japan.
There is also a short poem by Eliza Bishop, Revealing Manjushri
Sitar Rose’s Fulfilling the Vision is a film offering an insight into the “Spiritual, humanitarian and therapeutic” work at Samye Ling Monastery.
Jaiya John’s prose poem, I Find My Sacred Lake, is an ispirational piece of writing, straight from the heart, and depicts the humanity we can find in us all.
Finally, an account of a meeting I had with Lama Ngakpa Rinpoche in Kathmandu, Divination by Dice.
As usual, I urge you to send in your submissions as soon as possible for the next edition at the end of January, 2014.
May you have health and happiness over the coming season and the new year and hope to hear from you soon.
Winter sunset over The Pentlands west of Edinburgh City
Hello to all the readers of Many Roads.
Up here in Scotland the days are becoming colder and the nights longer. Out come the warm clothes, hats, gloves, thermals and scarves. That’s how it is in the autumnal, northern hemisphere. The scattering of leaves on the pavements adds a certain melancholic poignancy to the season.
There is a feeling that we are in for a long, cold winter.
However, a warm thanks to the readers who have posted comments on the published articles. Your thoughts are welcome.
Several new articles have been published recently. There has been positive feedback on Anni Dibble’s heart-felt article A Tribute to Akong Rinpoche.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche also wrote a revealing article, which originally appeared on the main page of Bodhicharya, outlining his memories of the late Akong Rinpoche.
Dr Sangeeta Rajbhandary has written about the recent festival of Ghantakarna in Kathmandu. There is very little separation between Buddhist and Hindus in the valley, thus the Hindu/Buddhist in the title.
The Ten Commandments for Foreign Travel in India by Upasana Pokhriyal contains some invaluable advice for both seasoned and new travellers in India, and especially for women in the context of recent events in the country.
And Ani Rinchen Khandro, a nun based at Samye Dzong in Edinburgh, has written an account of her discovery of Buddhism in her article Approaching Buddhism, and her subsequent experience on retreat and after on Holy Island.
Mail Chimp sends out any new articles on a weekly basis to subscribers. If you haven’t already subscribed, you can do this at the bottom of the About tab on the Many Roads site.
Wishing everyone a peaceful and relaxed time this coming season and hoping to hear from you soon.
