Yearbook 2009

Antaiji


Daniela (Germany, 32yo, secretary of the Tibetan Centre Hamburg)


It seems to be so long ago since I stayed in Antaiji, nearly 3 years ago for 3 months only.

But I never lost the images and experiences I got there. They has been absoluty intensive for me. So even as I started to deepen my study in the Tibetan tradition and to start to learn to meditate in these tradition in a daily way, I never again got such an intensive contact to meditation and guidance how to live my daily life with practice in a group like in Antaij. As a result still now I have something of the Zen-mind in my mind.

Once I had a dream and this dream shows me what this practice does really mean:

In my dream I was swimming in a big ocean. There have been some other people too. After some time I realized a quite strong flow in the water. I could not hold the power to swim against the flow to the next shore. I was the only person who now was drifting more and more out into the great ocean. I felt lost, because the stream got stronger and stronger. Who could help me against this natural power?

Some moments later I saw Muho swimming to my rescue. He came close and grasped me so he could swimm against the strong flow back to the people close to the shore. I thought, he will lost so much energy only for me and maybe he is risking his life too only for helping me! I could not do anything anymore. My human power got lost. He now had to use his power to hold against the flow for two bodies. I insisted for a short time that he should not risk his life for my insignificant life. But he still hold me and helped me not to get lost in the wide ocean.

This action reminds me of a prayer of His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

An Aspiration Prayer

May I become at all times, both now and forever,
A protector for those without protection,
A guide for those who have lost their way,
A ship for those with oceans to cross,
A bridge for those with rivers to cross,
A sanctuary for those in danger,
A lamp for those without light,
A place of refuge for those who lack shelter,
And a servant to all in need.
May the Buddha Dharma flourish far and wide!


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