OM Namo Blessed Ones! August is here, taking us into the month of The Wheel of Dharma, and toward preparation for a special Dharma Night, known as Chökhor Düchen, which is the celebration of Buddha's sermon of the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. Sarnath India was Buddha’s choice for this first turning of the Wheel of Dharma "... here at Sarnath he turned twelve wheels of Dharma ..." "Keep in mind this most beautiful wood, named by the great Rishis, where ninety-one thousand Kotis of Buddhas formerly turned the Wheel. This place is matchless, perfectly calm, contemplating, always frequented by deer. In this most beautiful of parks, whose name was given by the Rishis, I will turn the Holy Wheel."

Story of Sarnath Shakyamuni Buddha walked from Bodhgaya to Sarnath in order to meet the five ascetics who had left him earlier. Coming to the Ganges, he crossed it in one step, where King Ashoka later made Pataliputra his capital city. Buddha entered Benares early one morning, made his alms round, bathed, ate his meal and, leaving by the east gate of the city, walked northwards to Rishipatana Mrigadava, the Rishi's Deer Park. The name Deer Park derives from an occasion in one of Shakyamuni Buddha’s former lives as a Bodhisattva, when he was leading a herd of deer. After much indiscriminate plundering of the herd by a local king, an agreement was made with him that one of their number would be offered only when necessary. The turn came of a doe, who was shortly to give birth. The Bodhisattva offered himself in her stead, which so impressed the king that he not only resolved to refrain from killing deer in future but gave the park to them as their own. At this place the five ascetics had resumed their austere practices. When they saw the Buddha approaching, thinking him still to be the Gautama who had forsaken their path, they decided not to welcome him. Yet, as he neared, they found themselves involuntarily rising and paying respect. Proclaiming that he was the Buddha, Shakyamuni assured them that the goal had been attained. Hsuan Chwang (Chinese Buddha monk, scholar, traveller, and translator who described the interaction between Chinese Buddha Dharma and that of India in the early Tang dynasty) saw a large, dome-shaped Stupa, where a large mound, probably its remains, surmounted by a Muslim monument now, standing a short distance south of the park. During the first watch of the night the Buddha was silent, during the second he made a little conversation and at the third began the teaching. At the place where all the Buddhas first turn the wheel, 1,000 thrones appeared. Shakyamuni circumambulated those of the three previous Buddhas and sat upon the fourth. Light radiated from his body, illuminating the 3,000 worlds, and the earth trembled. Brahma offered him a 1,000-spoked golden wheel, and Indra and Brahma made offerings, imploring the Buddha to teach.

Thus, inviting the gods and all who wished to hear, and saying that he spoke not for the purpose of debate but in order to help living beings gain control of their minds and for suffering to end, Shakyamuni began the first turning of the wheel of Dharma. He taught the middle way, that avoids the extremes of pleasure and austerity, the Four Noble truths, and the Eightfold Path. Kaundmya was the first of the five ascetics to understand and realize the teaching; Ashvajit was the last. All eventually became Arhats (perfected human).

Gompa News August 2017

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The teachings included in the collection known as the first turning of the wheel, which began here, extended over a period of seven years. Other teachings were given elsewhere, but the wheel was turned twelve times at Sarnath. From the time of the Buddha, monastic tradition flourished for over 1,500 years on the site of the Deer Park. Hsuan Chwang records stupas and an artificial platform at the places where several previous Buddhas had walked and sat in meditation. Deer Park was also the location of Shakyamuni's deeds as a Bodhisattva in former lives. Hsuan Chwang mentions a number of Stupas commemorating these near the monastery: one where the Bodhisattva offered himself as the deer; another where, as a six-tusked elephant, he offered his tusks to a deceitful hunter; and a third where the Bodhisattva had been a bird, with Maudgalyayana and Sariputra as a monkey and an elephant. Another stupa commemorated the occasion when Indra manifested as a hungry old man and asked a fox, an ape and a hare (the Buddha in a former life) for food. The fox brought fish, the ape brought fruit, but the Bodhisattva hare, having nothing else to offer, threw himself on a fire and offered his roasted body. Indra was so moved by this act that he took the hare and placed him in the moon. Many people in central Asia still refer to the moon as the hare sign, or worship the hare in the moon.

A well-planned museum houses a number of unearthed statues, many barely damaged, as well as several other findings. The museum's entrance is dominated by the famous lion capital from Ashoka's pillar, which—an indication of the Indian Government's renewed interest in Buddha’s life, has been adopted as the national emblem. The wheel design on its base has become the central figure of India's flag. Also in the vicinity are Burmese, Chinese and Tibetan temples, as well as a Tibetan monastery and the Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, where young monks practice and study the many aspects of the

Buddha's teaching, aspiring to qualify for the degree of Acharya (teacher). Thus the wheel of Dharma that Shakyamuni first turned at Sarnath continues to revolve.

At the end of the 12th century, Sarnath was sacked by Turks. The site was subsequently plundered for building materials and has remained in ruins until the present day. The site was entirely deserted until 1836, when the British began excavations and restoration. About the Buddha Footsteps journey I wrote: “For 15 months I worked on an idea of following the footsteps of the Buddha in India. It was to become a special Retreat of Dharma, Yoga and Buddha Heart sharing, whilst travelling by road in the footsteps of Buddha.

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It became a spiritual practise in itself. A sadhana of Love, Walk, Bow, Learn, Pray, Eat. It all came together seamlessly through sharing thoughts and expertise with my beloved, trusted agents in India, which enabled me to offer a truly magical journey of discovery. For 18 days all this then became a deeply spiritual journey in which the Indian soil and air moved the bones…..which asked for courage and perseverance, which needed open ears, minds and hearts, and which became Vajra days filled with wonder and joy.” “Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come”…..so real and true. I also wrote: “Joyful let the soul be in the present, let it disdain to trouble about what is beyond and temper bitterness with a laugh. Nothing is blessed forever” After fourteen hearts filled with Buddha light had laundry done and seen to connections with loved ones at home, we travelled onward and sat together under the Bodhi Tree….no words to describe this moment. Eventually the journey brought us to Saranath and Deer Park, where I teach a parable between Buddha arriving there, unwelcome at first, enlightened and ready to teach, yet only accepted later….as I too arrived at the space now known as ‘our Gompa’, in complete faith, ready to teach, yet only accepted later, and now there is a Sangha community at our Gompa, a small version of Deer Park. The Stupa at Deer Park is above any description….so ancient….so beautiful….so perfect…so powerful….almost medieval……. Never will we forget…..a small Sangha together on this precious soil……turning our own Wheel of Dharma in astounding moments of giving and receiving. “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy….they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”.

In Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, For all that is good and beautiful,

Lama Pema Drölma

Next: Some beautiful Sangha sharing….. the reason why Buddha turned the Wheel of Dharma and started to teach……

And a beautiful Book so we never forget!

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Honest, open heart and with sincerity….so lovely…..love you always and thank you Janine!!! OM Namo beloved Lama La I wanted to share my gratitude with you from our last Dharma class and gratitude for the Sangha the teachings I am receiving. When I walked in the Yoga Room I was enveloped in sheer love from Yogendraji. I had been sick for two weeks and had been struggling to shake it. The yoga was good I felt like I had jelly legs a needed a little vomit. And lots of sweat big swooshing feeling in my ear after my head stand. It sounds weird but I felt better instantly. What an egg for not pushing harder two weeks before and wallowing in my own personal misery of I don't even know what !!! When I entered the Temple. .. I was so amazed and delighted to see Kamalika. I just wanted to weep with delight! !! The messages where so powerful and inspired me to grab my own path and hold onto it. I was a hot mess and tears and snot deluxe!!! We are here to learn to grow and share. I have always felt like I truly belong at the Gompa. Thank you for this place Thank you for the wonderful teachers. Thank you for your patience and your love . Thank you Thank you Thank you for you beloved Lama La With love Om Shanti, Janine

Much Gratitude Ji and for so many years of putting one foot in front of the other….never wavering…never doubting…..I bow to that!! Revered Lama Pema La, Namo Namo on this Auspicious Day! Lama La, I stand humble in the face of receiving this profound teaching today. Over these many years of togetherness I have received and received and received, endless love and wisdom and guidance and teachings and blessings. Last night as we sang I considered over these many years all the mantras, mudras, asana, pranayama, Dharma, kirtan, teachings, blessings, medicine and and and that I have received and been initiated into by my Guru and it left me feeling so humble and grateful beyond words for the blessings of that day I came to stand at the door of our Yeshe Lama Ling... all the tools have been provided, and how can this chela ever say Thank You enough for all of this Lama La. My heart is overflowing with love for Guru La on this glorious day Beloved Lama La! The highest part of who I am... the purest and the most perfect aspects of my being... I owe entirely to You Beloved Lama La. With the deepest gratitude, love and devotion, I wish for You a most Auspicious and Blessed Day Khandroma La. OM Shanti, Love Madhav

Much Gratitude beautiful Yogendra….no Student….no Guru…..so much love Ji! OM Namo Beloved Lama La, Wow, Lama La! What an evening. It really felt like an emptying out. Love was just flowing and flowing. My heart was pounding. The tears were flowing. So much excitement, beauty and caring as we celebrated our Beloved Guru. It was an evening I will never forget. The beautiful song by our Beloved Mataji... It was an exquisite moment and nothing else mattered but being with our Guru and each other. Even now my eyes are wet. Thank you, Lama La, for making such Celebrations possible for us and for making sure the creative juices are ever stimulated. It is truly our good fortune to have found our Beloved Guru who handles us with such care bringing to the fore all these skills of how to live really beautifully.

-4- I was in awe last night! OM Shanti and love, Yogendraji Ps. Thank you also for the Monday Dharma, Lama La. I am so grateful to have been part of such a Celebration!

Yours is a remarkable journey beloved and your courage extraordinary…so proud of you!! OM Namo Beloved Lama La, Lama La thank you for the Friday Dharma and for teaching me to have a mind open to learning and hearing and not to think I know it all. Lama La you said many times each day wake up with a fresh mind that is open for learning and teaching and how wonderful this is to do and to learn and keep learning. Lama La last night when I was waiting for the students I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the ability and opportunity that you Lama La have given me to teach a class Yoga . I constantly am learning about myself and when I read the wisdoms and the prayers and chants they become so alive in me that I feel so grateful and thankful that I have this opportunity. Lama La, teaching yoga is a constant learning, patience, perseverance practice for me as there is so much to learn, to gain even just the music that is playing to feel that and use that when teaching. Lama La, at the beautiful Ganesha on the staircase I sit for a moment when lighting the candles and just speak a few words of gratitude and thanks and when I am teaching, in the corner of my eye I can feel his presence, it is so beautiful. Lama La the old Ganesha in the small temple, I love as well and am so grateful when I can visit there when it is open. Lama La, I look forward to tomorrow 's celebration. OM Shanti, Vigneshwari

I have no words to express how precious it is to walk on with you….after many years of many precious moments…after life-changing challenges….we are still steady and stable….onward we go and I am immensely proud of you for showing extraordinary courage during a very dark time….I bow to you! OM Namo Precious Lama La, With a grateful and happy heart I bow to you in love and gratitude for this special time together. Lama La, no words can say enough for this vast, huge, help, than to witness my healing under your guidance and great care that you have shown me all these years Lama La. Thank you for a new beginning, I cherish every written and spoken word. To see you Lama La is the most wonderful experience, in that alone I am already receiving gifts, then to have personal time is even more Divine. It is lovely, thank you Lama La! May all benefit from this special time together. OM Shanti Always with love, Kamalika

In Love and Light, Always for the Greater Good , Lama Pema Drölma Thursday 27h: Special Dharma & Meditation Night – Chöckor Düchen Time: 7pm directly after class Cost: R80,00 per person Please bring: Notebook and questions