My five year plan for life

After months of deliberation I have chosen to start on a path that millions of people before me have taken. I have made a commitment to the Basic Program that fpmt offers. I am very excited about taking this course in Buddhist studies. I just hope that I feel the same or even more elated in five years (or so) when I come to the end of the course.

Anger is yours and you can control it to live a happier life. I've found this statement to be true and with a lot of personal work anyone can become a happier person with less anger in his or her life. As Martha would say "... and that's a good thing".

It's my intent to share a few thoughts here as I travel 'on the seas to the other side' (to enlightenment). It will be more of a journal then anything and you are welcome to read and comment as you see fit on my journey. Because our minds continue on after our body's death I wonder if by chance I will read this in some future life. What are the chances, I think very rare!

I am a student member of the Kurukulla Center and a participant of the Home Study -Basic Program of the fpmt (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) Gelug Buddhism. It is said that there is no such thing as Buddhism there is only Buddhists. Strange maybe until you start reading and understanding what it is all about.

By the way, I put new art up online all the time at Keith Studios.com have you returned to it lately? I also have three new art classes (or if you like Keithstudios blog) for fall '08 have a look it maybe what the doctor ordered. Who knows?

'til next time
Om mani padme hum

A single thought - Stand Up

When the only thing one can do to help people is to type a few words, it seems very little indeed. This is the only thing I can do today to help Tibetans in their time of need.

I ask you to simply think how you would feel if you had a Government from another country tell you what you can do and how you can do it every day for 50 years. All the while, your identity, churches, and the literature you us to practice your faith are all being destroyed. The wood from your forest taken, your churches and universities destroyed.

Even if you are not Buddhist and are an evangelical fundamentalist, this world event affects you. All those that have gone to war to protect their own freedom of religion and world peace most have compassion for the Tibetans.

All I ask of you is to think. Think and talk about how wrong it is that the Government of China can and is occupying Tibet and oppressing its people.

Be informed and read more...

Cleaning house

I've cleaned house on all my blogs so that they flow better. keithstudios/blog and keithstudios.blogspot.com will become more business focused and this blog will become more personal. Enjoy!



Test this out - Life is to darn short to be an angry person. Find out what peeves you off and you will learn something about yourself not the person or thing you are mad at.

My guru (teacher), Geshe-la Tsulga

Venerable Geshe-la Tsulga (Lama Tsultrim Chophel) was born in Tibet in 1939. A novice monk by the age of seven, he joined the Je college of Lhasa's Sera Monastery to begin his geshe studies at seventeen. In 1959 he fled Tibet after the Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation. After a decade in the refugee camp of Buxaduar in West Bengal, he went to Bylakuppe in south India to help build Sera monastery in exile. In 1988, he graduated geshe lharampa with highest honors at the top of his class.

He arrived in the United States in December 1992, having been requested to come by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to teach at the FPMT centers on the east coast. Since 1995 he has been resident teacher at Kurukulla Center in Boston. Those who know Geshela will attest to his great kindness, humility, and his being a shining example of one who truly embodies the teachings of the Buddha. He has extensive knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and has authored several books published in Tibetan and the latest, How to Practice the Buddhadharma: A Lamp Illuminating the Path to Liberation, published with Tibetan and English is forthcoming from Wisdom Publications.

Geshela travels back to Sera Monastery in India annually to receive teachings from his teachers.Geshe-la currently lives and teaches at the Kurukulla Center in Boston. All his teachings are broadcase live via the internet. see details

buddhist nun - Tenzin Palmo

Tenzin Palmo - one of the most incredible people you will ever meet, or read about. There are few people that could or would live alone in a cave for 12 years Tenzin Palmo is one such person. Her biography, written by Vicki MacKenzie is available on ebay or amazon. The official website for Dongyu Gatsal nunnery and Ven. Tenzin Palmo has addional information.

buddhist nun - robina courtin

Venerable Robina Courtin is one of my favorite buddhist touring teachers from FPMT.

My wife and I first heard her speak in '04 in Calgary while listening to some of her online mp3 files. Her 'straight from the shoulder' messages are very clear. She is very swift at explaining how you should direct ones energy to help others and yourself. She visits the Kurukulla Center in Boston often.

Venerable Robina Courtin has been a nun for over 20 years in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is currently a director of the Liberation Prison Project.. Take a moment and read her bio.

I have setup three of her talks for your benefit. Have a listen.

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