Gypsy Gossip and Other Advice-Fast Shipping

Description

ThinleyNorbu addresses questions of interest to Western and Eastern studentsof Tibetan Buddhism, ranging from matters of everyday practice toesoteric philosophy.

Youngpractitioners of Tibetan Buddhism from Asian and Western cultures havesimilar questions and concerns, such as the conflicts betweentraditional values and the influence of modern materialism. In fourthoughtful commentaries (described below), Thinley Norbu addresses contrasting culturalperspectives on topics ranging from everyday practice to esotericBuddhist philosophy.

Gypsy Gossip: How should Westerners understand the rituals ofTibetan Buddhism, the teachings of karma and rebirth, monasticdiscipline, devotion to the guru, and the importance of keeping vows? DoVajrayana practitioners need a consort? What is the Buddhist stand onmale supremacy? These are just a few of the wide-ranging questions ofWestern students that are answered here by Kyabje Thinley Norbu Rinpochein an atmosphere of spiritual friendship.

Buddhism in the West: In this never-before-published interview conducted by Melvin McLeod, editor of Shambhala Sun and Buddhadharma magazines, Rinpoche gives an extensive commentary on how culturaldifferences have affected the adoption of Tibetan Buddhism in the example, Western children are raised to develop a strong sense ofselfhood instead of humility, to be preoccupied with materialistic ideasabout what is apparent to the five senses, and to embrace eternalistreligion. Because of misapplied ideals of egalitarianism and individualfreedom, many Western Buddhists are skeptical of traditional doctrineslike karma and rebirth, devotion to the guru, and the importance oflineage. Rinpoche explains that Buddhism can flourish in the Westthrough a greater development of faith and belief.

A Message for Young Bhutanese: Rinpochehad a close personal connection with the kingdom of Bhutan. In thismessage he urges young Buddhists to preserve their spiritual heritageand carry its blessings onward amid the modern influences ofmaterialism. He warns against introducing foreign nihilistic beliefsinto Bhutan and creating sectarian conflicts between its indigenouslineages. These words of advice were written for an organization calledthe Young Bhutanese Buddhist Association.

An Introduction to Dharma Dance Offerings: TheDharma dances of Tibet, which manifest the enlightened activities ofpeaceful and wrathful deities, are contrasted with ordinary dancing thatexpresses the passions of material reality and lacks the positiveinfluence of wisdom. Thinley Norbu Rinpoche was himself an accomplishedpractitioner and teacher of sacred dance. This commentary was written inconnection with several teaching films directed by Rinpoche, in whichDharma dances are performed by some of his young students.