Stromek's Page

Lama Thubten Phuntsok is a wonderful gift to all of us in the New York area; a quiet, reclusive man, he spent many, many years in secluded retreat in caves and charnel grounds, where he practiced Chod. In New York, he led us in prayer wheel 'manufacture', and introduced the practice of Tse-Tar, explained in Parts 1 and 2 of the videos.

Lama has returned to Nepal, and in encountering some serious health problems.

I quote Daniel S.'s letter to us here, for those who want more information about the current situation with Lama:

Hi Sangha,

I haven't heard from Dawa for a few days,
but Susanna let me know that she spoke to Dawa yesterday
and that Lama's condition is somewhat stabilized. He is
staying in the hospital, and is scheduled for surgery in a couple
of weeks, once they manage to reduce his blood sugar levels.
The stay in the hospital and the surgery all together is
going to be quite expensive, and the family could really use
any donations possible at this time. There are only a few people
in our Sangha who send any regular support to them since Lama
returned to Nepal, and it would be really much better in general if
all of us could pitch in a little bit, so it doesn't all fall on the shoulders
of a few people. There is no better way of generating merit, and
cultivating the paramita of generosity, then to make offerings to
the Three Jewels, and of course we have all often been taught that the
embodiment of the Three Jewels is our own Guru who gives
transmission and pith instructions. Most of you on this list most likely
have received transmission and pith instruction from
Lama Thubten Phuntsok Rinpoche, and right now his family could
really use support in helping him make it through this difficult time.
I must also emphasize: Lama and Dawa are always thinking of us,
ever since their return to Nepal. With all offerings they have received
they are always using portions of them (under Lama's strict directions)
to make butterlamp and lung-ta/prayerflag offerings, as well as
performing or commissioning pujas dedicated to and on behalf of our
entire Sangha, actually -everyone connected with them-. So please,
keep this in your mind. As Lama pointed out in one of his teachings,
-by offering support to a practitioner you are actually creating an
auspicious inter-connective link, which allows the practitioner to
share the fruit and merit of their own practice with you, and ultimately
will bring everyone to enlightenment together.
Please send me an email if you would like to make an offering,
and need to know how.

In a tribute to Lama, and with prayers for his long life a film made
about Lama documenting the practice of freeing-mortally- endangered- animals
(Tse-Tar) has been put on You Tube this week. Sandi, the filmmaker,
was new to Buddhism when she joined us on our Saga Dawa adventure,
so it is narrated as a type of introduction to Buddhist ideas and the
ceremony of Tse Tar in general. The best part, of course, is in part 2 when
we can see our beloved Lama in action! I hope you all enjoy it, and that it
creates tendrel for Lama's long-life!

PART 1:

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=0o3bPmbVzzI

PART 2:

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=B3B3dGXzPs4

If anyone from the Candle4Tibet community wish to help Lama's family pay for the considerable costs of his hospitalization, please let me know, and I can forward the information for forwarding money to them in Nepal to you.

May our prayers for his swift recovery be successful!