Monks in the Mountains

11/26/2025

https://medium.com/mindfully-speaking/the-single-sentence-buddha-kept-repeating-when-he-taught-mindfulness-3334f7273fed

Many find this simple, but magic happens when you see its depth

11/17/2025

Hey Colorado!
I am trying to find a place on the front range for the monks to make a sand mandala in January. Any ideas for me? Someplace with good parking and foot traffic, where there would be plenty of people interested in seeing the construction and deconstruction of a sand mandala, and learning about Tibetan Buddhism.
We are also looking in New Mexico and Arizona (Phoenix) areas.
Thank you!

Tara Mandala end of day two

11/10/2025

https://dgcec.wildapricot.org/event-6418142

higher education and adult learning. He lives with two dogs, a cat, and goldfish. He believes that nonviolence is compassion in action.

11/04/2025

https://www.tibetanreview.net/tibetan-sikyong-questions-chinas-golden-urn-decree-trick-in-claiming-dalai-lama-reincarnation-right/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN07TpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsb0lSb1dOVDd6dmtBZTFOAR65LMNHtwQ7YvathlmFWQ4QURoae05PAwUn6g1LQbL0uJBeeTCTMJrUcjAWMg_aem_w_E4ovCI8s0sjCW0W9GtEA

(TibetanReview.net, Nov02’25) – China rests its right to appoint the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama on false or at best distorted history, the executive had of the Central Tibetan Administration, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, has said while addressing the National Press Club in Washington, DC, Nov 29....

10/27/2025

10/27/2025

https://www.buddhistdoor.net/news/tibetan-nuns-project-announces-results-of-the-2025-geshema-exams-for-buddhist-nuns/

The Tibetan Nuns Project has announced the results for the record cohort of 161 Buddhist nuns who underwent various levels of the geshema exams in August.

10/23/2025

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐛𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐚: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦

This is the story of Manibhadra, who shows us that true spiritual enlightenment isn't found by escaping life, but by perfecting it.
The Spark of Wisdom
At just thirteen, Manibhadra met the great yogin Kukkuripa, who spoke to her of the "precious human birth"—a rare chance for liberation. Her heart immediately awakened. When her parents objected to her initial devotion, worried about their reputation, her answer was profound:
> "Why was I born into a family with a pure blood line and fine reputation if such good fortune doesn't allow me to free myself from the grip of samsara?"
>
The first great lesson: Never let external concerns—reputation, wealth, or the opinions of others—distract you from your highest purpose. Recognize the infinite value of your own consciousness.
The Path of Integration
Manibhadra’s true genius lay in what happened next. She married, moved to her new home, and became a "model wife."
For twelve years, she did everything expected of her: raising a son and a daughter, managing her household with cheerfulness, affection, and grace. She never lost her temper; her house was the happiest.
She proves that you don't need to quit your life to be spiritual. Her practice was woven into the fabric of her duties. She was in the world, but not of it.
The second great lesson: Mindfulness is portable. True spiritual practice isn't about where you are, but the state of mind with which you perform your daily actions. Your home, your family, and your job can all be your sacred place of practice.
The Moment of Liberation
Her ultimate realization came after twelve years of harmonious life. Carrying a water pitcher, she tripped, and the vessel crashed and broke. This sudden, ordinary event was the breaking of her attachment to the self and to her conventional life.
She sat in deep meditation until nightfall. When she finally spoke, she sang her song of realization:
> "Today, I have broken my vessel.
> But I am abandoning my samsara home
> For the realms of pure pleasure.
> How wonderful is the Guru—
> If you desire happiness, rely on him."
>
Then, she levitated into the sky, giving teachings to the whole town before achieving ultimate freedom.
The final great lesson: Your transformation can be sudden, triggered by a moment of crisis or clarity. Don't be afraid when your "vessel" breaks—it is simply making way for a new, boundless reality.
🙏 Share this story to remind others that the path to enlightenment is often found not by running away, but by perfecting the life we already have.

10/23/2025

https://youtu.be/ADieGVtJR3U?si=tZs9da7P2ogBOgF1

"If I can do it, anyone can do it. First, I thought, oh, I don't have a logical mind... But I could and so could my classmates," says Geshe Kelsang Wangmo. F...

10/14/2025

https://mailchi.mp/rubinmuseum.org/now-open-gateway-to-himalayan-art-in-minnesota?e=7bbca44097

Gateway to Himalayan Art is now open at the Flaten Art Museum at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. The sixth iteration of the Rubin’s traveling exhibition welcomes students, professors, and the local public to learn about the main forms, concepts, meanings, and religious traditions of Him...

09/27/2025

09/27/2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6idFCnrJ7_o

WISDOM OF HAPPINESS shows us a timeless truth: happiness is still possible, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. This powerful message of hope is deli...