life is like a star, like a bubble

like lightening, like a cloud, like a flame

like a phantom, like a dream

this is the only news you need to hear

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tibetan red blessing cord

I have noticed Tibetan bessing cords being offered for sale on the internet. I want to point out that Lama’s including myself, never charge to prepare a blessing cord. 

The cord is normally a single red thread which is worn around the neck. The lama will tie a special knot in the cord, then while blowing on the knot, bless it with a mantra. In my case I was authorised by my teacher to bless cords with the Green Tara mantra.

If you would like a cord prepared for you, just email me via the “contact” page, and I can arrange to send you one. NO MONEY INVOLVED! just a post paid return envelope.

Due to problems I have had posting abroad, I can only post to people in the UK, sorry.

with my blessings

Lama

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update on my cancer

I have added some updated information about my cancer treatment etc. please see My Cancer info below.

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haiku and zen

It has been suggested that I try to write my animal poems in a strict Haiku style of three lines in a format of five, seven and five syllables. I am afraid to say that it would not work for me, as I write them down as they come up, and the whole thing is spontaneous. They do say that Haiku is a form of zen poetry. But keeping to a strict format does not seem very zen to me. Zen and spontaneity seem to go together better than zen and strict format. Anyway, to keep the Haiku aficionados happy I have written a traditional Haiku in Japanese, in 3 lines, and keeping to the 5,7,5 syllable format. Here it is, I hope you like it:

“ICHI NI SAN SHI GO

ICHI NI SAN SHI GO ROKU SHICHI

ICHI NI SAN SHI GO”

(Lama: 9th May 2024)

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my cancer, recap and update

For all of you who are contacting me about my cancer. here is a recap and update of my situation. There is also some information at the end of my “biography” page.

In October 2022 I was diagnosed with advanced multiple myeloma, which is terminal. They did start me on chemotherapy, but I reacted so badly that I was hospitalised twice. They have stopped the therapy for now, and will start me on a different one soon. Due to the myeloma, one of the vertabrae in my neck collapsed, so I can now no longer hold my head up completely straight without more pain, although it does give me constant pain, which no pain killers seem to work on. Also, again due to the myeloma the bone in my right arm broke. After walking around with a very painful broken arm for 6 weeks they pinned it. It has been ok, but is now causing some pain again. They are going to be doing a scan to check what is happening. The cancer has caused a few other problems including a heart condition, which they are looking at. 

I am of course getting on with my life and practice as a monk, and also doing the “medicine buddhe sadhana” Chod and “phowa” practice. Plus a “mahamrytunjaya/rudraksha sadhana” from the sanatana dharma tradition on a regular basis.

As an ongoing aspect of my Zen practice, I am also chanting and focusing on the “Heart sutra” and chanting the “Enmei jukku kannon gyo” sutra of eternal life.

I am of course still available for teaching on a 1-to-1 basis, so please do email me via the “contact” page.

MY MAIN REGRET

My main regret about this cancer is that it has affected my spine and legs, and I can’t sit on my meditation cushion. I am doing some Qigong and resistance band exersises and working with Vajrasattva, and also with my Yidams Vajrakilyaya and Padmasambhava. I do hope to eventually be able to sit again, and like all Buddhist monks, I wish to die while sitting.  

DEATH POEM

It is a custom in the Zen tradition, when you are close to death, to write a short death poem, expressing your understanding of the dharma. As the time of my death is unpredictable, I have already writen my death poem. you can read it at the bottom of my “biography” page.

Well my friends, that is my situation at the moment.

My heartfelt thanks to all those keeping in touch, and asking about my health. Past and present students, plus people from various parts of the world.

REFLECTING ON MY SITUATION

“too sick to live

not sick enough to die

one foot in samsara

one foot in the bardo

such is my karma”

Please see my situation as a wakeup to you all. Do not waste a moment of your lives, practice hard. Sickness and death are just around the corner for all of us!

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It is my intension when I leave this life to spend some time resting in sukhavati, before attempting to be reborn again on planet earth, so that I can continue to help all those suffering in the animal realm.

Practice hard everybody. and please keep in touch for advice on the dharma, or just to say hello.

Remember, there are no good or bad situations, just opportunities for growth!!!

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cancer update 13 july 2024

My cancer sems to be spreading to more of my bones, getting into the sternum and ribs. So they are starting me on a new course of treatment this week. It does include quite a few tablets that have their own possible unpleasent side effects, so I will plod on and see how it goes. They say that although my cancer is terminal, they may be abe to keep me going for at least another 2 years. But they have also told me that with this cancer, I could just pass away in my sleep at any time. Keeping this in mind, I have now started doing my Phowa practice in my sleep, just in case. I would really want to be fully conscious when I leave this this body and enter the Bardo.

UPDATE 29-08-24

A couple of weeks ago, i was just eating my breakfast when I had a very bad stabbing pain in my chest. I called 111 and they sent me to hospital to check that it wasn’t a heart problem. They checked my bloods, heart and did x rays, and found nothing. I was not happy that they found nothing, so asked my cancer doctor if they could do a CT scan. A good job I did as it turned out that I had broken my sternum. Just eating breakfast! Myeloma takes no prisoners it seems. They said it will just be left, and should heal itself through calcification. 

One other problem that has come up, is that my right thumb and forefinger have started to seize up. They curl in towards my palm and just freeze. This lasts for about 20 minutes and happens about 3 times a week. I am getting on with my brushwork just in case this becomes a problem as I can’t hold a brush when they are frozen.

Anyway pleasee keep in mind I am still a living Lama, still available to teach the Dharma, so please do keep in touch with any questions or advice you may want. You can also come and visit if you wish at an arranged time.

My deepest thanks to all those who are keeping in touch to ask about my health, it is heart warming

MY LOVE AND BLESSINGS

LAMA

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my dharma successor

As I have been getting older, and also suffering from cancer. I have decided that the many teachings I have received over the last 55 years plus should not be lost when I move on from this life..

Based on my thoughts on this, I have asked my student Dr Catherine Meilak to become my dharma successor. She have been training with me now for nearly 9 years, and is an excellent and dedicated dharma practitioner.

I am happy to say that she has agreed. And today 6th May 2023 I gave her formal ordination as a lay Buddhist. She committed to the three jewels and to upholding the five precepts. She also received a Dharma name. I contacted my teacher “Kenpo Lodro Donyo Rinpoche” at Bokar monastery in India to ask if he would choose a name for me to give her. He was kind enough to do this and has asked me to give her the lay ordination name “Karma Yeshi Palmo”.

I have authorised her to teach when she feels ready.and she will continue to train with me as I have a lot more to pass on. She will carry on teaching in the unique combination of Tibetan and Zen Buddhism that she has received from me over the years.

It makes me very happy to know that all my teaching and training will be left in safe hands.

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