Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science

Happy Birthday, Your Holiness!

In the land encircled by snow mountains
You are the source of all happiness and good;
All-powerful Chenrezig, Tenzin Gyatso,
Please remain until samsara ends.

Photo: HHDL in New Delhi, 1956

“What I’ve learned in my contemplative study and practice is that we are stronger, healthier, and happier when we are connected and in community with others. This thriving we experience is only made stronger with diverse views, experiences, and opinions that invite us to challenge our perceptions and expand our horizons. Compassionate communication is connective. It helps to build bridges instead of walls that keep us apart.

If you haven’t before, I hope you choose to honor this day in a way that celebrates bridging divides, open and honest communication, and the joy it is to have the freedom to bask in the sun while breaking bread with those closest to you.”
—— Rahshaana Green, “Freedom to Bask in the Sun: A Reflection on Juneteenth”

Happy Juneteenth!

Read ’s beautiful essay on our blog at:
https://nalandainstitute.org/freedom-to-bask-in-the-sun-a-reflection-on-juneteenth/
Or see our bio for the link.

Repost from Joseph Loizzo
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I honor my lifelong friend and mentor, Tenzin Bob Thurman, whose eloquence, fearless as dawn, dissolved all my doubts and opened so many minds! From the first day I heard the great dharma drum of your voice, your first day teaching 63 years ago, until today, when your spirit left your body for the Realm of Pure Joy, Tush*ta, to gather with your mentors Geshe Wangyal, Ling Rimpoche, Serkhong Rimpoche Gelek Rimpoche and Tara Tulku to help plan the emergence of Shambhala on planet earth, you have always been my perfect teacher! In my eyes, you alone have been the most brilliant interpreter and fluent translator of the Buddha-dharma for our age, you alone have had the audacity and poly-genius to share the Naga’s speech of gold in all the languages of the materialist-creationist West—from evolutionary theory to quantum physics, analytic philosophy to neuropsychology, sociology to environmentalism, ethics to aesthetics, theology to prophecy, politics to social justice. I am eternally grateful that your vision has guided me every day since we met, always leading, always pointing, up to the very last post of yours I heard just days ago: “The ultimate reality cannot be found. But it can be lived…” Well, my friend, you have lived it, on behalf of us all! So now as you transition to that heavenly realm, may your tutelary Manjushri protect you, and may your alter-ego Hayagriva speed and guide you—OM ARA PACANA DHI! OM MANI PADME HUM HREE! And by the Time Machine of your teachings, may all beings everywhere and all our descendants come to embody your vision of our Sacred Mother Earth as a Kalachakra Medicine Planet!
Robert A.F. Thurman Tibet House US - NYC Nalanda Institute