Peg Dimino's Story

My Experience with the Dalai Lama Teachings

July 10th -15th 2008

I had the amazing opportunity to achieve one of my way-out-there, never-really-thought-I-would-fill wishes – which was not only to be in the presence of Dalai Lama, much less study the teachings of such a great text with his guidance and wisdom.

That dream, if you will, was completed after attending six days of lectures at the Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa on the subject of Tibetan Buddhism from the book The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment. Lam Rim Shen Mo. By Tsong-Kha-Pa with teachings by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Many people have since asked me, what was that like for you?
"It was defining, intense, and right were I was meant to be." On a lighter note I might reply with some thing like, "at times I believe you could have seen smoke rise out of one ear while the dust and cobwebs puffed out the other." I found it to stretch all aspects of my being.

The following is an outline of the text His Holiness spoke on for those six days:

The stages of the Path for One who wants to reach complete Enlightenment

The three principles of the Path:
• The determination to be free.
• The spirit of enlightenment.
• The correct view of reality.

The three types of person:
• The stages of the path shared with a person of small capacity.
• The stages of the path shared with a person of medium capacity.
• The stages of the path for a person of great capacity.

The stages of the Path to Enlightenment:
• Relying on a teacher
• Contemplating a precious human life of leisure and opportunity
• Cultivating an awareness of death and impermanence
• Contemplating the three miserable realms (animals, hungry ghost, hell beings)
• Going for refuge to the three jewels (The Buddha, the teaching and the community)
• Developing conviction in karma (actions) and its effects
• Reflection on suffering and its origin
• Reflection on the twelve factors of dependent-arising
• Ascertaining the nature of the Path leading to liberation
• Developing the spirit of enlightenment
• Training in the six perfections and the four ways of assembling disciples
• Training in meditative serenity and insight

The reading or prayer, Generating the Awakening Mind that we shared as a group, was beautiful to hear as everyone including His Holiness spoke together. I felt it was a prayer for all beings to be kind to one another, for inviting compassion into our hearts, as well as hoping for peace on earth. I could feel my heart opening at that very moment as tears stream down my cheeks.

Generating the Awakening Mind
(Bodhichitta)

"With a wish to free all beings
I shall always go for refuge
To the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha
Until I reach full enlightenment.

Enthused by wisdom and compassion,
Today in the Buddha’s presence
I generate the Awakening Mind
For the benefit of all sentient beings.

As long as space remains,
As long as Sentient Beings remain,
Until then, may I too remain
And dispel the miseries of the world."

Bottom line, what I gained or took away from those six days was enlightenment and empowerment in my personal, as well as my professional life.

By integrating these teachings into my life, I will be able to support my clients at levels not yet seen or felt.

The following are the basic things that spoke to me or I gained clarity on personally:
• The Simple difference between Buddhism and Christianity
• What is a Sentient Being?
• The act of Compassion
• The difference between negative attachment and positive attachment
• The state of Emptiness
• The cause and effect of Karma
• The state of Selflessness
• The purpose of this Life
• None Grasping
• Looking at all Angles
• Cultivation of the Mind
• Meditation

Lastly, His Holiness spoke about the idea that Gold goes through a rigorous process to prove that it is in fact Gold – just as we are given the ability to question and look at all angles to cultivate the mind toward Right Thinking or Enlightenment. I feel blessed and open by the experience and pray that I will hold this statement with reverence into the next lifetime.

Love & Light Cheyenne

Source: Dalai Lama: The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment Lam Rim Shen Mo. By Tsong-Kha-Pa

Cheyenne.   Holistic teacher.   Keynote speaker.   Healer.   Wellness and movement.   Exercise and stress reduction.   Conflict resolution.
Polarity exercise.   Yoga postures.   Relaxation and rejuvenation.   Healing Arts.   Bucks County Pennsylvania.   Lehigh Valley.
Retreats and events. Team building and development.   Support for cancer patients and nursing staff.   Consulting.   Energy medicine.   Country retreat.