Good Karma Music Stories

All my life I have had a temper. There were even times when I was angry, I would realize that I had no reason to be angry, but I chose to stay angry anyway. I thought it made me feel “better” (or actually, powerful). People around you want to placate you when you are obviously angry. They stay out of your way and are very likely to do what you want.It didn’t feel right, though. It felt like I was doing something wrong. But I felt like I couldn’t do much about it. Everyone gets angry, right?When I discovered Buddhism, I found that I certainly could do something about it. Everytime I feel angry I try to stop and think. There is almost always a mis-understanding at the root of it. Now, when I would normally get angry, I start asking questions. Did I understand what you said? What assumptions are you making? What assumptions am I making? What is the real reason you said that? What is the real reason I said that? It works incredibly well.My act of kindness is to everyday, in every conversation, find a way out of anger.And…If you don’t want to be lied to, then tell the truth, always. That is kind as well.

I reached Utrecht and rented and apartment. I got a call mentioning that a package has arrived for me. I went to look at it and found that the package had my address but belonged to someone else. I did not accpet it and asked those people to wait and I shall try and find out about the person. With some effort and inquiries from other residents it was possible to locate the person and I informed her. She came to collect the parcel immediately. She mentioned that it had warm clothing sent by her parents and she desperately needed it because the weather has started to turn cold already.

I have often been weary of personal contact especially with those that I do not know very well. There is a new student staying our pagoda and at first glance and talking to him I was quite intimidated. He is very wise, he has a deep voice and it seems that he does not need any help from anyone. He attended a retreat that was held at our center the following weekend after he arrived and soften up. I guess I also soften up and realized I, like him, try to be “strong”. In our retreat I realized how lonely I had become because of this pattern of mine. The next day he approached be and asked if I wanted a CD and I scowled and said I don’t listen to music. I then realized how I had missed the opportunity to both get what I want and give him what he is looking for, a friend. Realizing this I hugged, I held him and I broke through my usual tough persona. I was, I guess you could say weak but I won’t say it. It was nice and the warm smile on his face made it worth my while.

A dharma sister Ani Drolkar passed away within nine month’s of being diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. None of her immediate sangha nor her family could adopt her twelve year old granny calico kitty. Although we have two male cats of our own, I knew I had to take her in to join my morning and evening prayers and meditation as she did with my dear friend Ani. I play a Tibetan animal liberation mantra CD for her repeatedly for the sake of her long life and for her own future rebirth.

Well, it was time for lunch offering and I was pretty hungry and tired from working on the farm. On the way to the Buddhahall a nun needed help carrying heavy boxes of books to the bookstore. Then Mr. Lao stopped a called for help at TM to unload a truck. I assured the nun I would be back. After unloading a bunch of food off the truck near TM, I went back to the bookstore to find the nun and help her. The cart was way to heavy for me so we got a visitor (Tourist) to help out. Two kindness stories in one! anyway, the cart didn’t collapse over, we got the books to the store and the nun was very happy. Oh, and I made it for lunch too! Phew!PS According to BEDMAS rules the sentience test would be 2.5, but I figured that wasn’t it. 😎

Mine is not really a story but so many stories that happened to me this summer. I was one of the fortunate ones who was part of the international team of World Harmony Run in Europe. I was running through Slovakia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and later Poland, the Baltics, Finnland and Sveden our main purpos was to bring the idea of friendship and the feeling of one big family to everybody. It really worked!At least in our team, because we were from different countries and we could work together happily on the same project and became very good friends.Our motto was “Harmony begins with me.” I take this run as a pilgrimage, the most intense prayer for a better world,like harmony in action.We met so many good people along the way while running and every day was a real miracle, trusting ourselves on God .And in Warsava we had a beautiful meeting in your Buddhist Monastery,for me it was so thrilling, and uplifting,i think i will remember this wonderful day forever. Thank you for the beautiful song that you sang for us, i loved it!I appreciate your work for a peaceful world, it inspires me so much!

I recited the Pure Land Mantra 108 times, and dedicated all the merit to world peace and to all soldiers and civilians who have sacrificed their lives in conflicts throughout the world.