This photo of the Dalai Lama was taken in the offering room at the Land of Compassion Buddha Dharma Center in West Covina, California.
Khen Sur Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel
[formerly known as Geshe Tsephel]
Fish Liberation in Marina del Rey
By Lisa Maliga
© 2000-2009
Thousands of fish were liberated from bait traps on June 15th, just one day before Saka Dawa.
Geshe Tsephel led a brief chanting session and blessed all 10 fish traps before the liberation process began. More than 30 students participated in releasing herring, anchovies, and sardines back into the bay.
As the fish were scooped up in nets and eased back into the water, a gathering of a dozen hungry pelicans were looking forward to some lunch. A seal showed up and barked a greeting as the fish were being sent back where they belonged.
Nearby fishermen were perplexed by the 'bait' being thrown back into the water but the bait shop owner's attitude was: "I don't care what these people do with the fish--they paid for 'em!"
Geshe-la took the time to inform us that when a bird caught a fish, it "stays in bird's belly." He emphatically rubbed his stomach and grimaced.
Silvery scales glistened like sequins in the afternoon sunshine and a rainbow appeared above the water.
The little fish were being welcomed back home.
The Symbolism of the Tibetan National Flag
The white snow mountain in the center depicts the land of the great nation of Tibet.
The 6 red rays emanating from the sun symbolize the 6 original peoples of Tibet: the Se, Mu, Dong, Tong, Dru and Ra.
The blue rays symbolize the commitment to spiritual and secular rule.
The pair of snow lions symbolize the complete victory of spiritual and secular ruling government.
The 3-sided yellow border represents the flourishing of the Buddha's teachings. The side without a border represents Tibet's openness to non-Buddhist thought.
The raised jewel symbolizes Tibet's reverence for the 3 Precious Gems: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Buddhist Articles:
Biography of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
What is Bodhisattva?
Mount Kailash: The Holy Mountain
What are the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism?
Tibetan Culture & Buddhist Links:
123 Greetings - Free Greetings for the Planet Lord Buddha blessed the world with divine teachings and values. Reach out with these simple yet inspiring ecards to wish your friends, loved ones and acquaintances, peace and joy.
Australia Tibet Council Learn how to help free the Panchen Lama.
Berzin Archives This site is dedicated to making available in various languages the unpublished material on Tibetan Buddhism, history, and culture.
Bodhicitta.net This site is dedicated to the development of compassion, universal responsibility and enlightenment.
Bodhisattva Trading Co "Established as a service to Dharma practitioners and collectors of Tibetan Buddhist art, our goal is to provide you with the highest quality of images and ritual objects available."
Buddha Brilliant Buddhist T-shirts, funny T-shirts, and other Buddhist goods. "It's not a fashion statement, it's a way of life."
Buddhanet Buddhist Information Network -- the Gateway to Buddhism. This site contains an assortment of helpful links.
NEW! Chokhor Gepel Ling Thupten Rinpoche's new center in West Los Angeles.
Compassion & Wisdom Buddhist Association Located in Rowland Heights, California, this site is in both English and Chinese.
DalaiLama His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Official Web Site.
Dharma Treasures Here is where dharma practitioners can find books and other practice items and sacred Tibetan art.
Dharmanet Another helpful link for those interested in all facets of Tibetan Culture and Buddhism.
E-Sangha Link Exchange A wonderful online Buddhist community resource.
FPMT Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. Learn all about Tibetan Buddhism and check out some back issues of "Mandala" magazine.
Four Gates Books, music, yoga supplies, natural soaps, Tibetan prayer flags and wheels, jewelry, malas and much more.
Golden Blue Lotus Tara Tibetan Meditation Center Interpreting and integrating Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhism. This center is located in Moscow, Idaho.
Himalayan Foundation Funds activities in the Himalayas ranging from medical clinics and schools to environmental preservation projects.
Indiana Buddhist Center Classes on Meditation and Tibetan Buddhism in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are offered regularly along with other special events.
Kagyu.org Learn more about the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism along with information on His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa.
Kham Aid Foundation Helping the people of the Eastern Tibetan plateau.
Land of Compassion Buddha A Tibetan Buddhist center in the Gelugpa tradition, located in West Covina, California, this dharma center is where you can meet Khen Rinpoche Lobsang Tsephel and his many friends.
Los Angeles Friends of Tibet Lobbies in support of Tibetan human rights and helps those Tibetans who settle in Southern California.
NEW! Maha Ghosananda Memorial Page This page is dedicate to honor and celebrate the life of Maha Ghosananda, the "Gandhi of Cambodia."
Maitreya Project "Maitreya Project is building a magnificent monument to creating world peace on all levels - personal, family, community & international - through developing loving kindness."
Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist studies located in Ithaca, NY.
Palyul International Website Learn more about the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism real fast, as this site utilizes the Live Person feature. "When available, you can speak right now with a Palyul Staff Member by clicking on the icon."
Prayer Flags.com Tibetan prayer flags and dharma banners.
Rangzen Rangzen Means Independence...so see what's going on here.
Rights for Tibet Rights for Tibet contains a global directory, links, interviews and much, much more.
NEW! Sacred Buddhist Malas Handcrafted Buddhist malas. "Holding Hope In Your Hands!"
SaveTibet International Campaign for Tibet - Save Tibet
The Snow Leopard Ezine Articles, file downloads, interviews, recipes and Tibetan culture.
Snow Lion Publications The place to go to buy books about Tibet/Tibetan Buddhism.
Tara Mandala This is a 500-acre Buddhist retreat center located in the Four Corners area of Southwestern Colorado.
Tashi Lhunpo This monastery has recently been rebuilt in India. It is the home of the Panchen Lama, the most respected spiritual ruler of Tibet next to the Dalai Lama.
Thondup Ling A Tibetan Buddhist center in the Nyingma tradition located in Los Angeles, California.
NEW! Thosamling A place to listen, reflect and study the Buddha's teachings.
Thubten Dargye Ling A Gelugpa dharma center located in Long Beach, California. Teachings every Sunday in English and Vietnamese.
Tibet.com The Tibetan Government in Exile's Official Web Site
Tibet.org Tibet Online
Tibetaid.org Tibetan Sponsorship Program
Tibetan Buddhism in Poland Ven. Lhundrub Jinpa's web site, a Polish-born monk who follows the Gelugpa path. Site is in English and Polish.
NEW! Tibetan Elements Co. Handmade jewelry.
Tibetan Medicine Home Page Learn about Tibetan medicine and how it relates to your physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Tibetan Treasures Visit this online catalog and discover more about the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.
NEW! The Unmistaken Child Watch for this latest film about reincarnation.
Wisdom Publications "Buddhist books for the benefit of all."
© 2001-2009 by Lisa Maliga |
