八蚌的近代史: 傳承及因緣—我於美國舊金山 KDK 中心管理權交接會議中的談話

2019年6月6日,在美國舊金山Kagyu Droden Kunchab (以下簡稱 舊金山KDK) 中心市區的所在地舉行了管理權交接會議。尊貴的喇嘛Lodu四十多年來一直是舊金山KDK市區中心及閉關中心的常駐喇嘛。同樣,隨著去年已經完成交接由已故的喇嘛Norlha管理的紐約Kagyu Dzamling Kunchab中心,上師金剛持第十二世慈尊廣定大司徒巴完成了把這些由尊貴的第一世卡盧仁波切所建立的中心移交給他的轉世尊貴的第二世卡盧仁波切的工作,結束了上師金剛持對這兩處中心為期三年的短期照護。

舊金山KDK的交接會議與會者包括了第二世卡盧仁波切,喇嘛Lodu,尊貴的Wangchen 仁波切,喇嘛仁千,第二世卡盧仁波切在北美其他中心的常駐喇嘛們,以及舊金山KDK董事會成員們。代表上師金剛持第十二世慈尊廣定大司徒巴出席的則是八蚌行政秘書,尊貴的喇嘛天南。

喇嘛天南在會議中首先提到為什麼召開這個會議,他強調一切的核心本質終歸於傳承的重要性。他指出,中心,常駐喇嘛,甚至仁波切,都是輪迴中的正面表象,但是,如果沒有傳承,所有的一切仍舊屬於輪迴。喇嘛天南非常詳細而徹底的說明了傳承歷史背景及連結,以期與會者能清楚的了解傳承的重要性,以及為什麼他們的責任和作為是有意義的。

願所有人謹記傳承的重要,以及那些無畏無私的貢獻他們生命,超越批評及讚美,努力保存及宣揚珍貴傳承直到今天的傳承上師們。


八蚌法座「勝妙堆聚」的近代史 – 第八世大司徒確吉炯涅全方位復興包括苯教在內的雪域佛教各傳承及教義

就本次會議的主旨而言, 「馬爾巴噶舉」與「香巴噶舉」, 或者說「馬香噶舉」是我們傳承的本源。當然我們可以把從佛陀以降所有的傳承祖師都拿來闡述一番,但對今天的議題來說並不需如此。今天我們的重點就放在這兩個傳承的近代史。我們可以說近300年來的「馬爾巴噶舉」與「香巴噶舉」的歷史皆源於八蚌傳承。第八世大司徒確吉炯涅為復興藏傳佛教所做的貢獻巨大,不光是「馬爾巴噶舉」與「香巴噶舉」,他亦主導雪域佛教十大學術教派與八大實修傳承的存續與復興。除此之外,第八世大司徒在位於東藏的八蚌法座主寺,聖教法輪寺(Thubten Choekorling)復興了所有九乘、十明、以及苯教教義。這就是我們傳承的根源。包括揚希仁波切(指卡盧仁波切的轉世),在座的主持喇嘛們,以及自詡為「馬爾巴噶舉」與「香巴噶舉」的真實追隨者,你們都與八蚌有直接的連結。這是一個不爭的事實,八蚌是我們傳承的根源。

第九世大司徒貝瑪寧傑旺波與第一世蔣貢康楚

近來人們對「香巴噶舉」、「馬爾巴噶舉」,或者「噶瑪噶舉」所談甚多。我們當知整個傳承的擴展是由承繼第八世大司徒願景的第九世大司徒貝瑪寧傑旺波來落實的。當然,第一世蔣貢康楚羅卓泰耶天生異稟,我們對此毫無置疑。但他一開始並沒有「蔣貢康楚」這樣的稱號,而是一直到了第九世大司徒貝瑪寧傑旺波認證他並賜予了「蔣貢康楚」的稱號之後,蔣貢康楚的事業才從八蚌開始全面蓬勃發展。

今天在座各位想談香巴。今日的「香巴傳承」源自八蚌的閉關關房 (Tsandra Rinchendra)。這個關房跟八蚌並非互不相干的兩個地方,八蚌閉關關房隸屬八蚌,是八蚌法座的一部分。八蚌閉關關房並非從蔣貢康楚時代才開始啟用、或由他創建的。在他之前,第九世大司徒貝瑪寧傑旺波,更甚至拿第八世大司徒來說,他是第一個大半輩子都在八蚌關房度過的祖師。當然在那之前,關房所在之處也是蓮花生大士的聖地。我們不必追朔到那麼久遠,但我們應該知道蔣貢康楚的佛行事業開展源於第九世大司徒貝瑪寧傑旺波時期。由於第九世大司徒的加持與照護,我們今天才有第一世蔣貢康楚的傳承。今天在座我們是自家人,仁波切跟喇嘛們承擔者引導眾生的責任,所以對此段歷史你們更應當清楚的知道。

第十一世大司徒貝瑪旺洽嘉波與第一世卡盧仁波切

你們在座都很幸運,尤其是直接受到第一世卡盧仁波切親炙的仁波切跟喇嘛們。因者他的加持,大量的中心、閉關關房與佛塔被興建,數以千計的大眾也因他而轉信佛教。人們總愛把第一世卡盧仁波切跟與蔣貢康楚連結在一起。但你們應當知曉,第一世卡盧仁波切是由第十一世大司徒貝瑪旺洽嘉波之處得到加持授予第一世蔣貢康楚所有的核心事業。從來沒有哪位偉大的祖師是從天空裏蹦出,或者像香菇一樣由地面自行冒出。他們都是因者傳承而獲得成就。如果你們相信世俗諦的業力,你們應當探討一個人是如何跟祖師建立起連結的,以及他們如何成就為一代祖師的前因後果。第一世卡盧仁波切的傳承來自八蚌。他不是依著出生的家庭而變成卡盧仁波切,而是依者他所修持與持有的傳承而得到這個稱號。今日我們來看他的偉大與他光榮的事業是如何得以成辦的,追根究柢是源於第十一世大司徒。今日人們愛宣說卡盧仁波切是香巴的持有根本。人們對得到的資訊有權自由選擇怎麼去認知,但第一世卡盧仁波切是由第十一世大司徒貝瑪旺洽嘉波指派的八蚌噶瑪噶舉跟香巴噶舉閉關中心的閉關老師,這是個不爭的事實。

第十一世大司徒貝瑪旺洽嘉波如何拯救第一世卡盧仁波切性命的一段歷史

這段歷史我由幾個可靠的消息來源處聽過了幾次,其中包括上師金剛持的親教師 Gengen la 以及幾個上師金剛持過去的侍者跟助理,他們都熟知前卡盧仁波切的一生。有一回,前世卡盧仁波切在拉薩應邀給予格魯派僧眾香巴教法的灌頂與教學。在那同時,達賴喇嘛的攝政,格魯派政教方面皆享譽甚高的高階喇嘛熱振仁波切 (Reting Rinpoche) 也正在拉薩夏札仁波切處接受寧瑪派的教授。當問到應從何處接受噶舉派的教授時,夏札仁波切毫不猶豫的推薦了剛好也正在拉薩的卡盧仁波切,熱振仁波切於是派了一組僧眾去延請卡盧仁波切教他噶舉派的法教。當時一世卡盧仁波切已經接到他的根本上師第十一世大司徒貝瑪旺洽嘉波的諭令,要他即刻開始帶領八蚌關房的閉關。因先前已有這樣的派任,卡盧仁波切便去請示也在拉薩附近的第十一世大司徒,並轉告熱振仁波切的請求。當他見到第十一世大司徒時,他的上師示現極其忿怒的外相並嚴厲地告訴他:「不行! 你得立即回八蚌帶領閉關。」

這部份的歷史由前卡盧仁波切在八蚌智慧林為僧眾開示時提過,並有錄音存檔。前卡盧仁波切說他當時對自己根本上師所示現的忿怒相感到很不自在,但他最終選擇服從上師的指示。他回覆熱振仁波切說他得先回去傳授閉關者所需的口傳,而後再返回拉薩。隨後前卡盧仁波切便離開拉薩,在啟程回八蚌的路上2、3天後,卡盧仁波切從隨身攜帶的收音機裡聽到了熱振仁波切已被西藏政府逮捕這個令人震驚的消息。再過兩天,他又收聽到熱振仁波切已經被處決的消息。那時誰跟他走得近的也都一併處死。前卡盧仁波切同八蚌僧眾說,那時他才瞭解自己的根本上師是怎樣的一個成就者。如果他的上師沒這樣催他快回八蚌,他早也跟著被處決了。

當我們明瞭黃金珠鬘的重要,並能思維在這樣偉大的上師座下的我們有多幸運,我們應當盡己所能,讓我們的生命在此殊勝的壇城裡盡量過得有意義。不然,穿著紅色的僧袍渾渾噩噩的幹些跟世俗人無異的事,對我們的生命不會有多大的意義。

上師金剛持第十二世慈尊廣定大司徒巴對保存純正的傳承與認證轉世組古的責任

第十一世大司徒示現涅槃後,現今的上師金剛持很小就坐床。西元1959年後藏人淪為難民,上師金剛持經由不丹抵達印度時才年僅五歲,還得了結核病。跟在他身邊的僅有幾位喇嘛,除了紅寶冠跟幾件東西外他什麼都沒有,他的壇城是所有流亡的高階喇嘛中最貧窮的。有好幾年的時間他住在貧民窟,玩伴就是其他流落街頭的小孩。時光荏苒,他現已成長為咱們傳承的中流砥柱。上師金剛持是現世的馬爾巴大譯師,也是眾生之怙。談到「噶瑪噶舉」,如果不是上師金剛持,我們哪來真實光榮的17世噶瑪巴烏金左督聽列多傑?而為了這神聖的使命,上師金剛持犧牲了多少?但是上師金剛持毫無怨言,他只為了能完成他的根本上師16世嘉華噶瑪巴所交付的信任而欣然隨喜。

由於肉身的限制,前世卡盧仁波切示現涅槃,第二世卡盧仁波切由上師金剛持認證後,轉世的生父嘉辰隨後從達賴喇嘛處取得確認函。今天揚希仁波切跟我們在這裡,正是因為他是由上師金剛持實質認證的轉世。透過這些實例,我們得以見證偉大上師存在的重要以及八蚌殊勝的影響。這也是為什麼我們如此幸運有上師金剛持在這裡如父如母般的護衛著現今的「馬香噶舉」。

跟隨他過去世的腳步,上師金剛持在印度建立了八蚌智慧林法座作為流亡的八蚌法座。為了保存傳承的純正,他完整重建所有由第八世大司徒啟始,第九世大司徒鞏固的法教綱要。上師金剛持的責任之一還包括了培育年輕一代的宗師。詠給明就仁波切就是在八蚌智慧林法座領受教育成長的年輕一代宗師之絕佳典範。道德上得到薰陶,內在菩薩精神逐漸成熟,並在上師金剛持的加持下經由修習金剛乘各種修行善巧而逐步加深證量。經由這種方式,傳承便能得以保存延續。

上師金剛持在危難之際守護揚希卡盧仁波切

當時一世卡盧仁波切的主要弟子之一的波卡仁波切突然猝逝,那不僅是傳承的一大損失,也讓他肩負教育第二世卡盧仁波切的責任突然中斷,導致轉世的揚希仁波切在成長過程中,因為缺乏合宜的教導與合乎道德並能讓他效法的端正環境而遭受了些艱辛的經歷。當揚希仁波切同索那達寺之間的局勢變得緊張時,為了維護前世卡盧仁波切所遺留的資產,上師金剛持一人獨當毫不動搖地守護著轉世揚希仁波切應得的權益,並盡可能的來支持揚希仁波切。

早先在流亡時期,前世卡盧仁波切是八蚌喇嘛中最年長的一位,他肩負起保存傳承並弘揚教法的責任,並且在世界各地成立了很多佛法中心。其實在當時依據法律的觀點,歐洲有些中心比較親近上師金剛持,也有些較親近當時還尚在人世的上一世蔣貢康楚仁波切。但上師金剛持對接管他人的中心沒興趣。揚希卡盧仁波切的生父嘉辰在過世前,極力要求上師金剛持如果可以,親自到場辦理實質接收所有卡盧仁波切的中心的法律程序,如果無法親臨,也務必由他指派管理人事。當時上師金剛持在不擾亂各中心既有的人事跟營運狀況下,儘量維持原來管理階層的運作,或在當地中心資深者之間遴選指派,以待揚希仁波切長大並且當他其心智成熟至足以擔當責任時交還。後來在法國有些中心領導擅自將他們的名字置入法律文件中,事後又藉對揚希仁波切某些偏差的言行舉止有質疑跟顧慮下,作為不把資產歸還給揚希仁波切的理由。

上師金剛持行事從不針對任何個人去排擠反對,偉大的宗師是超乎希望與恐懼二元的。他做事向來超越對己身利益的考量。傳承、傳統、責任、三昧耶戒才是上師金剛持嚴謹看待、小心持守的核心價值。由於上師金剛持在法律立場有決定權,當這類狀況發生時,由於事關重要,他總是依著對傳承、傳統、責任以及歷史層面最正確的做法來下定奪。在這樣的考量前提下、以及考慮到前卡盧仁波切的喇嘛們與上師之間的三昧耶誓約,他的裁決是所有一切應當歸還給揚希卡盧仁波切。為此上師金剛持謄寫證明、站在揚希仁波切身邊為他背書,不讓任何人藉機以揚希仁波切令人質疑的行為做藉口而行霸佔之實。上師金剛持不在乎他人對自己的批評跟抱怨,他早已超越所謂的期望與失望此等二元體性。上師金剛持像是一座山一般屹立不搖的守護著傳承。因著上師金剛持的支持,揚希仁波切在歐洲得以扎根立足,他法國主寺的佛行事業日漸蓬勃發展。現今一些機會主義者往往看到有機可乘即行掠奪之實。當年揚希仁波切的生父將法律行使權託付給上師金剛持,如今上師金剛持則是竭盡捍衛揚希仁波切繼承的權利。我等當知在上師金剛持的照護下有多幸運。

前卡盧仁波切主要的美國中心歷史背景跟住持喇嘛們的連結

在交代完過往歷史與上師金剛持的做法與決定之間的緣由後,喇嘛天南一一講述前卡盧仁波切在美國一些主要的中心與其住持喇嘛們之間的連結。

夏威夷的喇嘛仁千

喇嘛仁千是由第十一世大司徒貝瑪旺洽嘉波處受戒的。他家鄉的寺院是第八世大司徒所興建的。在從侍上一世卡盧仁波切之前,喇嘛仁千是八蚌出身的。夏威夷中心創建後曾數次變名,它最初的名字由前卡盧仁波切命名為「司徒利美林」。過去喇嘛仁千曾數度向上師金剛持請願想將夏威夷中心獻給上師金剛持。上師金剛持總是鼓勵著喇嘛仁千說漸漸的揚希仁波切就能肩負他前任的使命了,要喇嘛仁千再繼續負責中心營運直到時機成熟。而這美好的時機終於來臨,2018年揚希仁波切造訪夏威夷時,中心的交接終於圓滿完成。

後續:除了夏威夷中心是遵從前卡盧仁波切的指示照料之外,喇嘛仁千自己另外在新墨西哥州獨立創建了一個中心叫噶瑪僦美林。喇嘛意欲把這個中心獻給上師金剛持。上師金剛持日前指示喇嘛也應當將之一併交給揚希仁波切來打理。

紐約的已故喇嘛諾拉

接著喇嘛天南談起過世的喇嘛諾拉。他在前卡盧仁波切的指示下籌建了紐約的KDK中心。在KDK紐約中心創建初期,喇嘛諾拉因靠著拾荒來為中心籌錢而得了「垃圾喇嘛」的綽號。喇嘛天南談到他當年草創時所遭受的種種艱困,包括差點被鳩佔鵲巢趕離中心,靠著默默禪修才逐漸豎立威望的往事。喇嘛天南交代了他晚年身受疾病纏身與性醜聞困擾的光景,也完整講述他畢生對隆德寺、索那達寺、蓮師聖地措貝瑪湖以及對藏地所做的巨大貢獻,藉此希望揚希仁波切與他的喇嘛都能詳知這位已故的喇嘛諾拉的生平與貢獻。

談到紐約市中心的KDK中心,當揚希仁波切在2018年造訪當地時曾表達自己意欲振興這個由前卡盧仁波切創建的中心。因為紐約KDK中心隸屬於Kagyu Thubten Choling 中的部分資產,中心董事們立即稟告上師金剛持並尋求指示。上師金剛持得知揚希仁波切有這樣的意願後非常高興,他當下指示董事會立即著手辦理移交程序,紐約的KDK中心已於2018年完成移交。

當年在紐約KDK 中心的運作漸入軌道,一切經營都完善之際,喇嘛諾拉對上師金剛持發了個新願。他說上師金剛持身為八蚌首座是如此的殊勝,他發願當供養八蚌首座一個雄偉的美國法座。在Kagyu Thubten Choling 位於上紐約Wappingers Falls 的彌勒中心建造期間,喇嘛諾拉身染重病,他在電話中告知上師金剛持他自覺無法撐到工程完工,上師金剛持當下指示喇嘛諾拉即刻來印度德里。喇嘛諾拉對上師金剛持完全的信任並遵從其建議,立即於隔天動身飛往德里,接受上師金剛持的安排到醫院接受治療,喇嘛諾拉的生命也因而奇蹟般的得以延續,他想親眼看到這個位於紐約的雄偉的八蚌法座完工的心願終於得以圓滿。

旺遷仁波切

接下來喇嘛天南介紹旺遷仁波切與他「小卡盧」暱稱的由來。喇嘛天南提到旺遷仁波切對八蚌傳承的貢獻、與他廣為人知對「紐涅」修持的推廣。身為前卡盧仁波切主要弟子之一,旺遷仁波切不但在西藏各地興建寺廟與閉關中心,他也贊助興建八蚌智慧林法座中的香巴閉關中心。上師金剛持非常期待在不久的將來由他的親教師Gegen la來加持開始首屆香巴閉關。

舊金山的喇嘛羅督

最後,喇嘛天南就舊金山的KDK中心為何在過去三年交付由上師金剛持指導做了詳盡的交代。由於主持喇嘛羅督擔憂他每況於下的健康狀況,過去多年一直不斷祈請上師金剛持接收舊金山KDK中心,並要求指派一位助理喇嘛來幫他分擔管理事宜。所以自2016年起開始,上師金剛持指派了喇嘛巴滇多傑來協助喇嘛羅督。到了2019年4月份時,上師金剛持諭令喇嘛天南通知喇嘛羅督前來並告知他決定把中心的指導權歸還給揚希仁波切的這個決定。喇嘛羅督在德里晉見時,上師金剛持說現在是時候讓揚希仁波切擔負起他應承擔的責任了,並信心滿滿的鼓勵著喇嘛羅督。所以在2019年6月6日,由喇嘛天南代表上師金剛持,揚希仁波切跟相關人士齊聚舉行了這場移交會議。喇嘛天南正式宣布結束上師金剛持三年來的指導,同時也解除了喇嘛巴滇多傑作為舊金山KDK中心助理喇嘛的任命。喇嘛天南督請揚希卡盧仁波切儘快指派新的喇嘛好有個全新的開始。

結語

在做總結時,喇嘛天南提醒與會成員舊金山KDK能在地經營超過40年是因為傳承的加持。今天這個殊勝的移交代表著舊章節的圓滿,嶄新的一頁正等待揚希仁波切來開展。喇嘛天南殷切的鼓勵揚希仁波切會同喇嘛羅督,旺遷仁波切,在座的喇嘛以及真實追隨前卡盧仁波切的喇嘛們密切合作。同時喇嘛天南也要求在場的喇嘛及仁波切還有董事會成員共同來支持並協助揚希仁波切。上師金剛持跟他的代表從來沒持有舊金山KDK中心任何資產的產權,也沒有其董事會與信託裡任何法律上實質的頭銜,所以喇嘛天南在宣布管理權移交完成後,與大眾略用午餐完便離開中心,讓新的領導團隊與KDK董事會成員討論後續實務。

美國舊金山Kagyu Droden Kunchab中心管理權交接會議中的談話-中文 (PDF)

Surviving to Thriving: A Monk’s Healing Journey from Cancer

VV Lama Tenam’s Talk on June 9, 2019 at Palpung Lungtok Choeling, San Jose, CA, USA

Upon opening the speech, Lama Tenam shared that he decided to give the talk on his cancer journey upon numerous requests from people at different times. So with his good intentions and to encourage people who are currently interacting with cancer, he wanted to use this opportunity to properly share everything in detail. 

It all started at the end of 2013 when he visited California for activities, he got some small infections on the tongue. He was treated with antibiotics by a local doctor and the problem went away in about two weeks. Travel went on and when he arrived in Houston, his tongue nearly doubled in size and there was some blood. Biopsy and report confirmed it to be stage 4 cancer and he was told he had only 6 months to live. 

Lama Tenam stated that normally when people hear cancer, they immediately take it negatively. He said there were two reasons he didn’t act negatively.  The first reason he called it the blessing of stupidity. He thought there are so many sicknesses and cancer is one of them so he didn’t take it seriously. By not knowing much of what cancer is and without much thought, he didn’t get scared. However, the most turning point for him from day one was one essential teaching that Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa repeatedly taught in public.  When negative condition comes to life, normally people say, “Why me?” People come out with many excuses but never accept it.  Guru Vajradhara says that is a very wrong attitude.  Instead of “why me”, we should say “why not me?” Guru Vajradhara also points out that when we say “why me,” we are indirectly saying “why not others?”  Then that is a very bad concept so never do that.  Lama Tenam always keeps this teaching as the core by heart. So when he heard that he had stage 4 cancer and 6 months of life left, he was not scared.  He accepted it happily. By the blessing of Guru, he perceived that the karma ripened at the time in this life when he knew the essence of dharma so he has no hesitation to accept it happily and apply the teaching towards it.

Upon turning the concept to accept negative condition with positive attitude, the next thing Lama Tenam shared is that we should appreciate all the conditions we have.  Speaking of his background story, he is a monk with no family, no relatives and nothing. Holding Nepalese passport as a tourist in America back then, there seemed to have no way for him to be treated.  Yet somehow all conditions were pulled together perfectly. He didn’t go to Houston for cancer. He went there out of genuine care for another dharma brother but ended up being at the best hospital for the type of his cancer. Then a couple he met over a lunch 10 years ago learned about his situation and the husband happened to be a doctor in that hospital.  Through that connection, hope began to look good for him to be treated there.  Next came the problems of expenses and finding the best doctors.  By the blessing of Guru Vajradhara, he got all necessary support. Also by the blessing of the great masters, he got the priority to be treated. Through the connection of the doctor friend who identified the best doctors for surgery, for chemo, for radiation, etc, his medical team were lined up. As a nobody, no family, no financial means but stage 4 cancer with 6 months of life time, yet blessing is so much, he ended up being at the best place, best condition and best doctors. Everything came together perfectly. Thus, this cancer experience gave him the opportunity to recognize the value of things that we have to appreciate what we have.  He dedicated the ability to see such value is through dharma and Guru Vajradhara.   

Lama Tenam shared that he was prescribed the highest dosage for chemo treatment due to the seriousness of his condition.  When he was at the hospital, he saw many people upon hearing from their doctors that they need chemo treatment, their face changed. They could be at stage 1 or 2 but upon hearing chemo, it’s as of they immediately reached stage 4.  Lama Tenam feels one’s negative reaction and acceptance could contribute to more side effects.  For him, he was told about the side effects of chemo but he had the mindset that chemo is to help him, not to harm him so from first round he didn’t experience any single side effect.  In that journey he also learned a lot that the power of mind and the attitude made such a big difference.  He said with negative attitude, people are giving themselves negative treatment already. In that case even with the positive treatment, results can turn negative. 

When Lama Tenam went for chemo therapy, he went happily because no one would disturb him.  He would have his bed setup straight so he could sit up and did his prayer session, normally took two hours. During those days, he recited a lot of Medicine Buddha mantras.  He had the mindset that chemo is the blessing of the Buddha. Nurses came to perform chemo and he thought that was Buddha Medicine. During that time, he really thought the doctors and nurses were part and parcel of the manifestation of Buddha Medicine. He learned that if we have correct views towards the people who treat us, things would turn well.  With this kind of view, the hospital became a temple to him.  During his chemo session, he always dedicated sincerely for all patients going through the same chemo treatment to have positive attitude.  He shared that if healthy attitude is there, even there might be some side effect, it will be less painful due to the power of mind.   

Prior to his operation, the dentist had to come first to pull out his unhealthy teeth. Luckily he had only one on each side.  Next came another doctor to install a feeding tube to his abdominal area. The main surgery took about 10 hours. Afterwards, the fourth doctor took a part of the flesh from his arm for the tongue reconstruction. He was warned ahead of the operation that it was a very difficult reconstruction because there were lots of nerves in the tongue area so they might have to try and try if not lucky.  By the blessing, reconstruction went well in one go.  The doctor also warned him that there was a 75% or so chance that he would lose his voice for the rest of his life.  Again, by the blessing, he is here today delivering a talk. Lama Tenam shared that his doctors were also surprised by the way he handled everything. He told the doctors it’s by blessings. First they couldn’t understand and asked questions but now the doctors are believers.   

Our attitude can change a lot around us.  Lama Tenam shared that we should show positive attitude towards our helpers, doctors, nurses and even patients in the surroundings. The positive attitude affects and makes a big difference.  If our attitude is always positive and healthy to our helpers, they will be happy to help us.  Instead of complaining or acting miserably, if we can apply positive attitude to our family, doctors and nurses, then they will be happy and in turn, we will be happy as well.

Lama Tenam then shared how he determined to become disciplined in life such as with food, exercise, etc upon this incidence.  If we want quality of life, we should learn about it and apply the healthy habitual pattern of eating and movement in our daily basis. That’s what changed him physically and mentally.  

To conclude his speech, Lama Tenam reiterated the three main points leading to the path of victory. For any unfortunate journey we face in our lives, we shall

  1. accept positively: It is not brainwashing. It’s reality.  Not only cancer, whatever happens in our life, even family problems
  2. continue the journey with right concept and right habits  
  3. maintain our discipline of life and quality of life  

Lastly, Lama Tenam dedicated the credit of all his positive journeys in life to Lord Buddha and that Lord Buddha’s teachings continue to now for him to receive is because of his Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. When he looked at all the good connections and the kindness from each individual who took part in his journey, they all tracked down to the source that is his Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. Everything is there and possible because of the blessing of his Guru. “If no Guru, who am I,” said Lama Tenam.   

Lama Tenam concluded his talk by a simple dedication of Mahamudra Aspiration Prayer with his pure heart to all the Gurus, specially his Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, and to every individual involved in his life. May all, particularly the cancer patients at this current time, rejoice the blessings of all enlightened ones. Whatever positivities there are, may they benefit everyone and may anyone interested learn something from his journey.   

天南與他美麗的老婆同五個小孩
我生於1955年,現年六十三歲。自從我跟個美麗的女人結婚以來,我們生了五個可愛的孩子。多年來我日以繼夜勤奮的照顧家人的需求。家中各個成員的要求都不同,這六十三年來我總是竭盡全力的照看及滿足著大夥的特殊要求。但我那五個可愛的孩子們卻總只聽他們娘的話,從來沒感激過我為他們所做的一切。
我的名字叫天南,我那美麗的老婆叫自我,小名就叫。我那些親愛的孩子們名字依序是:貪欲,瞋恨,妄想,傲慢,跟嫉妒。我對我那可人的老婆跟孩子們的執戀甚深,他們也從未給過我片刻歇息。
2013年我曾打算在業力法庭裡正式辦理離婚。我跟我的上師們諮詢過,聆聽他們的忠言也得到他們無邊的加持。不知怎的,因著他們奇異且源源不絕的加持,我離婚的打算就這麼給延期了。我向來總是十分感恩上師們的加持,所以我想或許我應當再好好照顧我家人一段時間。這回能再同他們相處久些,我祈求他們也能多體恤我一點,同時希望他們對上師們能展現無條件的尊敬及感念。但願藉由家人對上師誠摯的虔敬與信賴加上我對上師無條件的虔敬與信任,我們可以先別離婚。並期許我們家能轉化成絕對完美的佛陀證悟家庭。