Yesterday morning, I spent few hours studying Japanese language

Yesterday morning, I spent few hours studying Japanese language. During my studies, I learned about how to use tenses, and had role play reading with my tutor. Below are pictures taken during my study time.  

Today, Peko and I took a walk along the community side walk. While taking the walk, few interesting event unfolded to my curiosity.

Below are some picture that I took today, while walking along the community side walk with Peko. When I started to take picture of surrounding nature, I bumped up with a Japanese man. We immediately greeted, saying "Koni Chiwa!" to each other, which means Hello! in Japanese. He then asked me whether I like taking picture of the nature. I replied, yes, I do. He then told me he is also a photographer and potter. After some conversation, I realized that we live close to each other. He said, he is going to have photo exhibition in the coming up summer. And asked me, "If you like to see my work, I can send you an invitation card" I replied, "I would be happy to see your work!" I then gave him, my mailing address to send the invitation card. At the end of conversation, we thanked each other, saying "Arigato goziamasu" while bowing our head down in a typical Japanese manner and we left towards our respective direction.

On my way back home,  few thoughts crossed my mind, "thinking, there might be or not be a photography club in the city. If I find one, I shall join the club, to learn more about photography." Then I walked ahead and took few picture of electric poles. As always, electric poles have been my favorite sight. They remind me of my childhood memories. I call them, "pole of my memories". They take me to different episodes of my life. 

May there be kindness in your gaze

Today, I Feel Physically Good and Mentally Rewarding After the Farm Work

Today, I visited my Father-in-law's farm. I went there with father-in-law to do some farm work as I always like to do farm work and gardening as well. When we reached the farm, I asked my father-in-law how can I help him. He gave me few instruction: As per instruction, firstly, I took out weeds that were growing around the onion shoots. Then I soften the soil around the shoots and made it even. Secondly, I worked on another piece of land, where I laid down young onion shoots next to each other, separating each at 10 centimetre distance. Thirdly, I put straws or hay to cover the roots of the shoots. After this, I took a short break as a part of the instruction :)) While I was on break I took some picture thinking my blog readers may be interested to see what is farming like in spring in Japan. Hopefully, you'll enjoy them. Furthermore, I worked on different piece of land where there were lots of weed growing around a row of chives, which is one of my favourite ingredients for making Tibetan dish called "momo". This dish is similar to Japanese gyoza except we use beef (if you're non-vegetarian) or cottage cheese (if you're vegetarian). Finally, we brought handful of chives to home. As a result of today's farm work,  I feel physically good and mentally rewarding. I appreciate my father-in-law for providing me this wonderful experience. 

Travel to Magome-juku

My Visit To Magome-juku Village

Today, my in laws and I had a wonderful trip to Magome-juku village which is located in Ena city area. The weather was perfect for this trip. I took many picture on the way to and in Magome-juku. We wanted to climb the hill to have a closer view of Mount Ena. Before we climb the hill, my mother-in-law bought some local snacks (mochi). I thought it was to boost up our energy so that we could easily climb the steep hill. Indeed we climbed the hill quite easily. After reaching the top of the hill we sat there for a while to view the Ena mountain which appeared close and huge. 

On the way down hill we stop at a local soba restaurant for lunch. The soba soup was delicious and filling. After finishing the meal I felt relaxed. Then we slowly walked down the hill till we reached the parking place for our car. Soon after we got in the car,  I easily fell in sleep. Later when I woke up I noticed that we have almost approached our hometown. After arriving at home, I started to upload some of the pictures which are now posted here to share with my blog readers. I hope you'll enjoy viewing them. Perhaps, my blog readers have any feedback to my travel photos and story, you are welcome to post them at the bottom of this page, in the comment box . Your feedback will inspire me to write stories and post photos again.  Thank you. 

メディテーションクラスの皆様へ 疑問、質問がある方はこちらのコメント欄へご自由に投稿ください。

Track Your Meditation - Recognize the Obstacles - Kani City, Gifu, Japan, April 02, 2018

Coming up Meditation classes in Kani city, Gifu, Japan - April 2018. Space is limited, so please register in advance. Those who couldn't get registered in April, can book for classes in May. Thank you.

Dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Experts from various scientific fields

Location: Kyoto, Japan
Organized in collaboration with the Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University.

Participants: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama; Richard J. Davidson; Jay L. Garfield; Roshi Joan Halifax; Yoshiro Imaeda; Atsushi Iriki; Thupten Jinpa; Barry Kerzin; Shinobu Kitayama; Shigefumi Mori; Makoto Nagao; Shinsuke Shimojo; Junko Tanaka-Matsumi; Arthur Zajonc

Description: The nature of the human mind remains one of the most profound unresolved questions we face as a species. While the mind’s ultimate nature may forever elude us, we can nonetheless carefully study the mind’s characteristics, capabilities, and associated phenomena. We have mapped the human genome, the night sky and the fundamental particles of the physical universe, yet that which is closest to us – our mind – has still to be adequately mapped. An important missing element in the study of the mind is the failure of contemporary science to critically engage with the inherited wisdom of the contemplative traditions, for example, the many insights to be found in Buddhist philosophy concerning the mind. In this Mind & Life/Kokoro dialogue, we brought together experts from the Buddhist contemplative tradition, including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, with experts from modern psychology, philosophy of mind, neuroscience, and other relevant disciplines from Japan and North America in order to comprehensively consider the nature, characteristics and operations of the mind.

Gifu Meditation Class, Japan, Day 4

How do we meditate on Loving kindness for loved ones?

9. How do we meditate on Loving kindness for loved ones?

Before we meditate on Loving kindness for loved ones, please meditate on the following outlines:

9a. Think sincerely about our parents or friends kindness. (1 minutes)

9b. Remember how parents and friends kindness have contributed your life. (1 minutes)

9c. Remember some difficulties that your parents or friends have sacrificed for you. 
     (1 minutes)

9d. Develop a genuine intention to meditate on Loving kindness meditation to honour or repay their kindness. (1 minutes)

9e.Once we have an understanding why we need to meditate on loving kindness for loved ones, then we will do some meditation on inhaling and exhaling the breath. (approx 5 minute)

9f. Next, we will combine the breath following meditation with tonglen, giving and taking attitude practice for loved ones (approx 10 minutes)

Make sure your eyes are gently closed. Imagine a halo light at your heart as a symbol of your loving kindness mind. Briefly imagine your parent sitting in your front, and then imagine siblings, relative, friends, or people who are important to you, are sitting around you.

Firstly, as you breathe out, send your parent or important person, a comforting light from your heart that has a feeling of your Loving kindness. Then as you breathe in, imagine you are slowly taking out their difficulties in the form of smoke or grey clouds and bring them towards you along with your breath and feel that the smoke or grey clouds has disappeared into your self cherishing heart. Imagine now that your parent or your important person has felt a greater sense of comfort.

Secondly, imagine from your loving kindness heart, sending out food, clothes, money, houses, gardens, whatever he or she may need.

Thirdly, imagine from your loving kindness heart, sending out your loving kindness wishes, compassion, strength, whatever he or she may need.

Fourthly, imagine his or her needs were generously provided and he or she now feels safe and loved.

9g. Now, repeat the following four line prayers for three times, while dedicating it to your loved one. As you repeat the prayers, also focus on the meaning of each line.

May you be happy

May you never separate from happiness

May you be joyful

May you know peace (3 times)

Notice To All The Gifu Meditation Attendees

Dear Gifu meditation attendees,

Please accept my apology that I haven't been able to post the Session 3 meditation instruction. I will post the meditation instruction on the coming up Sunday-August 27, 2017. Until than I will be out of town. Thank you for your patience.

By the way, I have posted here my chant - about 7 minutes long, hoping you may find it interesting.



Have a nice week and weekend!

Geshe Lobsang Tshultrim